Tag: Rabbie's Tours

Rabbie’s Set-Jet Tours to Summer Blockbusters

With new Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible movies hitting the big screen this summer, film fans can take the experience a step further and explore the locations that double as fictional worlds with small-group tour specialists, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com). 

This summer, blockbusters The Flash and Indiana Jones: The Dial of Destiny see the titular heroes chase nefarious villains along the streets of Glasgow. While the highly anticipated, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 has seen incredible action scenes shot around the UK – including a train crashing into a quarry at Stoney Middleton. With a Rabbie’s private tour, guests can design an exclusive, personalised tour to visit the worlds of their favourite franchises. 

Described as ‘perfectly cast’ as Gotham, Glasgow features prominently in an opening chase scene from The Flash where the hero and Batman pursue several villains. Design a tour following in their tracks along George Square before exploring other iconic DC locations across Scotland – like the Glasgow Necropolis, Cathedral and Bridge of Sighs from The Batman (2022) and the beautiful Caringorms as seen in the opening plane scene from The Dark Knight Rises. 

Indiana Jones is famed for his continental adventures, but Scotland features heavily in this summer’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Follow the intrepid archaeologist’s chase down the iconic St. Vincent Street in central Glasgow, before journeying south to the Leaderfoot Viaduct in Melrose where an intense action scene is rumoured to take place. 

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 is one of this year’s most hotly anticipated films. Shot across the UK, action star Tom Cruise left a trail of excitement and debris in his wake. Journey to Lewisham to see where Cruise ran on top of a train in an exhilarating sequence, before visiting Stoney Middleton, where the hero witnessed a train crash into a quarry.

See the spot in the Lake District where Cruise attempted a daredevil parachute jump from a helicopter and visit the centre of London to follow the chase scene which was a highlight of the previous instalment, Mission Impossible: Fallout (and from which Cruise famously broke his ankle). 

Rabbie’s UK and Ireland tours depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast and Dublin. 

For more information about Rabbie’s and to book a private or a scheduled tour, visit www.rabbies.com.  

Let curiosity drive you to the UK’s hidden gems this summer

This summer, let curiosity and a sense of adventure drive you to discover the best-kept secrets across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a Rabbie’s small-group tour (www.rabbies.com).

The UK is rich in popular tourist spots and famous city landmarks. But there are also hidden gems aplenty. Spend this summer exploring Route 66 in Scotland or England’s most beautiful lake, Ullswater, before marvelling at the ancient standing stones of Castlerigg or the Scottish castle with a history as dramatic as its cliff-perched ruins. Small-group tour specialist, Rabbie’s, takes its guests off the beaten track to explore the best that the UK has to offer.

Three-Day The North Coast 500 Tour

The North Coast 500 is a winding, rollercoaster of a road, racing past ruined castles, picturesque beaches, stunning cliffs and charming, remote villages. Departing from Inverness, this epic drive passes over towering mountains and by stunning lochs to arrive at the scenic port town of Ullapool.

Journeying north, the scenery grows rocky, mountainous, and more beautiful, but wonders await. Venture into the deep Smoo Cave and walk the wrecks of Ardvreck Castle before concluding the day in Thurso, the most northerly town on the British mainland.

Reach the northernmost point of mainland Great Britain before travelling to Girnigoe Castle – a mighty ruin with a dramatic history, precariously perched on the edge of a cliff.

Prices for the Three-Day The North Coast 500 Tour start from £249 per person based on 24th July departure.

Three-Day Lake District Explorer

The Lake District boasts the 10 tallest mountains in England, 1,779 listed buildings and a staggering 16,510 archaeological sites Departing from Manchester, guests will drive high to Kirkstone Pass for some amazing views, before driving down to the shores of Ullswater and taking a short forest walk to see the scenic Aira Force waterfall.

Witness the spectacular sight of the mysterious, 5,000 year-old Castlerigg standing stones, which used to be home to ancient pagan rituals. before diving into poetic heritage, Grasmere which William Wordsworth described as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath found’. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Windermere, admire the prehistoric rock art at Langdale Boulders and visit Moss Force Waterfall.

Round off the tour with a stop at the enormous, 2,000 tonne, 9 metre high and 15-metre-wide Bowder Stone, which fell from the Bowder Crag more than 10,000 years ago.

Prices for the Three-Day Lake District Explorer start from £239 per person based on 27th July departure.

Rabbie’s UK and Ireland tours depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast and Dublin. 

For more information about Rabbie’s and to book, visit www.rabbies.com. 

Small group escapes to the wizarding world

With Harry Potter’s birthday (31 July) celebrated by millions of fans worldwide, there’s no better time than now to be thrown headfirst into the wonderous world.

It’s been 20 years since we first saw the winding streets of Diagon Alley, Harry’s steam train ride through the Scottish Highlands and the breath-taking towers of Hogwarts School. Small group tour operator Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) is here to help Potter fans re-live the magic with tours to iconic Harry Potter filming locations for the perfect escape into the wizarding world.

Take a small coach, not flying car, to the historic and beautiful Scottish borders

On the spectacular Northumberland coastline, an area of outstanding natural beauty, sits Alnwick Castle. This fortress doubled as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and is a wonderful site to visit for muggles and wizards alike. A tour of the castle allows guests to walk in the footsteps of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and discover the real-life history of this 11th century castle.

All this and more is available on Rabbie’s Alnwick castle, Northumberland coast & the Borders tour, a one-day trip departing from Edinburgh. Guests will also get to visit the quaint village of Kelso, with its cobbled town square and beautiful boutique shops.

A visit to one of the world’s largest and most impressive second-hand book shops in Britain also awaits guests, who may feel transported into the cosy surroundings of Hogwarts Library! Prices for this one-day tour start from £47 per person.

Witness the magic of Edinburgh and the ‘Harry Potter’ Viaduct

If Harry Potter has a spiritual home, it is Edinburgh. JK Rowling wrote the majority of the series here and visitors will see how the beautiful city offered inspiration around every corner.

Take a wander up Victoria Street, a colourful old lane with many brightly painted shops, said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley. For those willing to travel further afield, the Isle of Skye & West Highlands tour will take guests deep into the picturesque Scottish mountains.

The crystal lochs will remind fans of The Great Lake – mermaids and Giant Squids not guaranteed. Also, witness the Glenfinnan Viaduct – the most iconic part of the railway journey to Hogwarts. This is a four-day trip departing from Edinburgh starting from £219 per person.

It may be for muggles, but Oxford University has much to offer the Harry Potter superfan

The University of Oxford acted not only as inspiration for some Harry Potter settings, but also as a commonly used filming location. A visit to Oxford at the right time will mean you share the ancient streets with students draped in their graduation robes, a look not a million miles away from Hogwarts uniform.

On the Oxford & Traditional Cotswold Villages tour, eagle-eyed guests will enjoy seeing the beautiful New College Courtyard where Daniel Radcliffe and Robert Pattinson discuss the dragons that they will soon be facing in the Triwizard tournament. A visit to the charming Cotswold villages is truly magical in its own right. You’ll be in need of a chocolate frog after all this excitement!

This one-day tour departs from London with prices from £65 per person.

With social distancing measures in place, reduced group sizes and increased cleaning measures, Rabbie’s offers worry-free journeys for a sustainable staycation.

For more information and to book, see www.rabbies.com or call +44(0) 131 226 3133. 

Celebrate World Gin Day with a distillery tour with Rabbie’s

Grab your closest friends and set off for a distillery tasting, while letting someone else take care of the driving, this World Gin Day (12 June). Eco tour operator, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com), offer tours allowing guests to embark on adventurous days out to some of the UK’s best gin distilleries, in the company of an expert driver-guide.

Rabbie’s mini-coach tours give travellers the space and freedom to travel in comfort and style, while benefiting from the knowledge and expertise of a driver-guide. Forget bottomless brunch and an afternoon in the park, hit the road with Rabbie’s for a gin-tasting trip departing from London or Edinburgh. Sample itineraries include:

Bombay Sapphire Gin & Winchester

Mix in a slice of history with your gin and tonic on a relaxing day trip to the home of Bombay Sapphire Gin, Laverstoke Distillery. Setting off from central London, head straight to one of England’s most history-soaked cities, Winchester, for an exploration of its glorious cathedral, ancient mill, cute cafes, and plentiful museums.

After wandering the lanes and paths of the ancient city, head to the home of one of the world’s most popular gins – Bombay Sapphire. It’s not just the booze at Laverstoke Mill that’s brilliant – the exhibition and Victorian architecture are just as interesting and stunningly beautiful. Enjoy a tipple while learning the art of gin distilling before making your way back to London. Prices for the one-day tour start from £59 per person.

The Whiskies & Gins of East Lothian

Set off from Edinburgh and head straight to NB Distillery – a gin producer launched in 2013 with a mission to develop the ‘perfect’ gin. Infused with eight traditional botanicals, sample the 42% ABV London Dry Gin without having to worry about the drive home.

Head to North Berwick, one of the most beautiful seaside villages in East Lothian, before arriving at Glenkinchie Distillery. Nestled in a peaceful glen, this distillery languished in obscurity for over 150 years before becoming an international brand at the end of the 1980’s.

Explore the huge stills and sample the malt whiskies while hearing how this distillery became such a success before a short drive through the golden wheat and barley fields back to Edinburgh.

Prices for this one-day tour start from £37 per person.

Rabbie’s operates sustainability-focused, eco domestic travel options, ensuring that the places we love are there for future generations to enjoy and advocates ‘taking only photos and leaving only footprints’.

Rabbie’s tours provide worry-free journeys so guests can enjoy a sustainable staycation without concerns. All listed tours can be arranged privately, meaning guests can travel in just the company of their friends and family with one of Rabbie’s guides.

For more information, visit www.rabbies.com, or to arrange a private tour call +44(0) 131 226 3133 or email explore@rabbies.com.