From London to Lerwick: My 18-Day Quest to Perfect the British Accent

Written By Amanda Garner

Hey there, fellow wanderers and armchair travelers!

So here's the thing - I'm about to embark on what I'm calling "The Great British Adventure of Not Missing the Boat" with my husband Chris, and my wonderful in-laws Cathy and Scott. Now, Chris and I have done this whole travel thing before, but this is Cathy and Scott's first time cruising AND their first time exploring these incredible destinations. Which basically means I get to experience everything through their eyes too, and honestly? I'm almost more excited about their reactions than I am about finally seeing the Shetland Island PONIES!

The Tower Bridge taken on our last trip - I hope the weather is like this!

Let me paint you a picture of what we're about to get into:

Days 1-3: London - Where History Meets Harry Potter We're starting with three (almost) full days in London because, let's be honest, you can't just pop into one of the world's greatest cities and call it good after a afternoon. We're talking about a place where you can see the Crown Jewels in the morning, have afternoon tea like a proper royal, and then hunt down filming locations from every British show you've ever binge-watched. Plus, Scott's already planning to ride the double-decker buses like a tourist, and I am absolutely here for it.

Itinerary highlights from the custom itinerary I planned:

Day 4: Southampton - All Aboard the Emerald Princess! This is where the real adventure begins. We're boarding Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess, and I have to tell you - for first-time cruisers like Cathy and Scott, this is going to be mind-blowing. We're talking about a floating city with everything from Broadway-style shows to more food options than you can shake a stick at. Chris is already eyeing the spa (just seeing if anyone is reading this), and I'm planning to hit every trivia night they offer.

Day 5: Cornwall, England - Poldark Country and Pasties Cornwall is basically what happens when dramatic coastlines meet charming fishing villages and everyone decides to make really good pastries. We're in the land of legends, cream teas, and yes - those windswept moors that make every British drama look so moody and romantic. Plus, if we're lucky, we might spot some of those famous Cornish pasties that are basically portable perfection.

Itinerary highlights with our private tour:

  • Pendennis Castle

  • Pandora Inn

  • Glendurgen Garden

Cobh, Ireland

Day 6: Cobh, Ireland - Titanic's Last Stop Here's where things get really interesting. Cobh (pronounced "Cove" - don't ask me why) was the Titanic's final port of call, and the history here is absolutely incredible. But it's also this gorgeous, colorful Irish town with that famous cathedral that practically screams "Instagram moment!" We're talking about a place where you can get genuinely moved by history and then immediately cheer yourself up with some traditional Irish music.

Itinerary highlights with the custom itinerary I planned:

  • Titanic Experience

  • Irish Pub Stop

  • The Queenstown Story

Day 7: Holyhead, Wales - Castles and Welsh Cakes Wales is having a serious moment right now, and honestly, it's about time! Holyhead gives us access to some of the most spectacular castles in Europe, plus we get to experience Welsh culture, which includes those amazing Welsh cakes that are basically the perfect marriage of a pancake and a cookie. Also, the landscapes here are so dramatic they make you understand why every fantasy movie seems to film here.

Itinerary highlights with our private tour:

Day 8: Liverpool, England - Beatles and Beyond Okay, let's be real - Liverpool is basically a pilgrimage site for anyone who's ever hummed along to "Here Comes the Sun." We're talking about the birthplace of the Beatles, complete with the Cavern Club, Strawberry Field, and Penny Lane. But it's also this incredible maritime city with gorgeous architecture and a waterfront that's a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scott's already planning to do the full Beatles tour, and honestly, who are we to stop him?

Itinerary highlights from the custom itinerary I planned for my Beatles fans:

Giants Causeway along Northern Ireland’s coast

Day 9: Belfast, Northern Ireland - Gateway to Northern Ireland's Magic Belfast is our jumping-off point for exploring Northern Ireland's stunning countryside, dramatic coastlines, and maybe even the Giant's Causeway if we're lucky! This is where we get to experience the incredible natural beauty and complex history of Northern Ireland.

Itinerary highlights: From Belfast, we're looking at some of the most spectacular scenery in the British Isles. The Giant's Causeway is obviously the big draw - those incredible hexagonal basalt columns that look like they were designed by some ancient architect. But Northern Ireland also offers the Dark Hedges (yes, from Game of Thrones), the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge for anyone feeling adventurous, and landscapes that range from rolling green hills to dramatic coastal cliffs. Plus, the whole region has this incredible story of resilience and renewal that's really inspiring.

Day 10: Glasgow, Scotland - Art, Architecture, and Amazing Accents Glasgow is Scotland's creative heart, and I am SO ready for this. We're talking about incredible Victorian architecture, world-class museums, and the kind of street art that makes you want to take photos of everything. Plus, this is where we really start diving into Scottish culture - and yes, I'm absolutely planning to try haggis. When in Scotland, right?

Itinerary highlights: We don’t have one! Glasgow is one of those cities that completely surprises you. So we don’t have anything on our schedule. It's got this incredible arts scene, with museums like the Kelvingrove that house everything from Salvador Dalí to a Spitfire hanging from the ceiling. The architecture is stunning - we're talking about Victorian grandeur that rivals anything in Europe. And the people? Glaswegians are known for being some of the friendliest, funniest people you'll ever meet. Plus, this is where we really start getting into Scottish culture - the music, the food, the whisky, and yes, probably some kilts.

Days 11 & 14: Sea Days - Activities Schedule, BINGO, and Dessert! This is where cruise life really shines. Whole days to enjoy the ship, catch up on sleep, play some BINGO, and definitely sample way too many desserts (and cocktails). For Cathy and Scott, these are going to be their first real "sea day" experiences, and I have a feeling they're going to fall in love with the whole concept.

Sea days are honestly one of the best parts of cruising. By now, we'll all be proper cruise veterans, which means we'll know exactly which deck has the best view for morning coffee, the exact path to the dessert buffet, and whether any of us are actually good at trivia (spoiler alert: probably not). This is also prime time for catching up on all those photos, maybe reading a book while watching the ocean go by, and definitely planning our next adventure. Plus, for first-time cruisers, there's something magical about waking up in the middle of the ocean and realizing you're going to spend the entire day roaming around a ship while traveling to your next destination.

Day 12: Stornoway, Scotland - Outer Hebrides Magic Now we're getting into the really remote, really spectacular stuff. Stornoway is in the Outer Hebrides, which is basically Scotland's answer to "what if we made islands that are ridiculously beautiful and full of ancient history?" We're talking about standing stones, traditional weaving, and landscapes that look like they belong in a fantasy novel.

Itinerary highlights: I didn’t know what to plan here. It looks so magical though so like Glasgow, we are just going to going to play the go and see what happens with the day game. The Outer Hebrides are like stepping into another world. Stornoway is the main town on the Isle of Lewis, and from here we can explore the Callanish Stones, which are older than Stonehenge and arguably more mysterious. We're talking about Neolithic stone circles that have been standing here for over 4,000 years. But it's not just about ancient history - this is also where you experience traditional Scottish island culture, complete with Harris Tweed weaving, Gaelic language and music, and landscapes that are so dramatic they don't look real.

Am I going on this cruise just to see Shetland Ponies on the Shetland Island?

Day 13: Shetland Islands (Lerwick), Scotland - Puffins, Ponies, and Vikings The Shetland Islands are about as far north as you can go in Scotland, and they're absolutely magical. Lerwick is this charming town with incredible Nordic influences (because historically, these islands were more connected to Norway than mainland Scotland), and if we're really lucky, we might see some puffins! Plus, the whole area has this incredible Viking heritage that's still very much alive.

Itinerary highlights I planned for my day at the Shetland Islands because sometimes it is all about me:

  • Sumburgh Head

  • Spotting Puffins

  • Looking for Seals on the Beach

  • Meet & Greet with Shetland Ponies

Day 15: Invergordon (Inverness), Scotland - Loch Ness and Highland Games This is it - we're in the Scottish Highlands! Invergordon is our gateway to Inverness and the legendary Loch Ness. Will we see Nessie? Probably not since we are not headed to Loch Ness. But, this is prime Highland scenery territory - think rolling hills, ancient castles, and the kind of landscapes that make you understand why Scottish tourism is basically built on "come see how gorgeous everything is." If I see a highland cow, expect 948 photos.

Itinerary highlights: Again, no specific plan except the Oooos and Ahhhhs. We port in Invergordon and will take the train in to Invergordon for a chance to see the landscape. The Scottish Highlands are basically everything you've ever imagined Scotland to be, except more so. We're talking about landscapes that inspired countless movies, novels, and probably half the desktop wallpapers in the world. But the whole region is magical - ancient castles like Urquhart Castle right on the loch shore, the city of Inverness with its Highland culture and history, and landscapes that make you understand why people have been writing poetry about Scotland for centuries.

Edinburgh Castle is said to have had design inspiration for Hogwarts Castle

Day 16: Edinburgh via South Queensferry - Castle, Culture, and Kilts Edinburgh is basically Scotland's greatest hits album in city form. We've got Edinburgh Castle perched dramatically on a hill, the Royal Mile with its incredible medieval architecture, and enough history to make your head spin. Plus, this is where Chris might finally cave and buy those touristy kilts he’s been joking about. South Queensferry gives us this amazing approach to the city, and honestly, the views alone are worth the whole trip. Edinburgh is one of those cities that just takes your breath away. The Old Town is basically a medieval city that's been perfectly preserved, complete with narrow closes (alleys) that hide incredible stories and buildings that date back centuries.

Itinerary highlights Private Edinburgh City Tour:

  • Royal Mile

  • New Town Edinburgh

  • Old Town Edinburgh

  • Greyfriars

  • The Scottish Parliament

  • Surgeons Hall Museums

  • Palace of Holyroodhouse

  • Dean Village

  • Edinburgh Castle

  • Calton Hill

Day 17: Final Sea Day - Reflection, Relaxation, and Packing Our last day at sea, which means it's time to reflect on all the incredible places we've seen, organize about 2,000 photos, and maybe squeeze in one more afternoon tea. This is also when cruise withdrawals start to set in, so we'll probably be planning our next adventure before we even get home.

By this point, we'll be cruise experts and probably a little sad that it's almost over. This final sea day is perfect for processing everything we've seen and experienced - from ancient stone circles to bustling cities, from dramatic coastlines to charming villages. It's also when you start to appreciate the rhythm of cruise life and realize how nice it's been to unpack once and wake up somewhere new every day. Plus, this is prime time for making friends with other passengers, sharing stories about favorite destinations, and yes, probably starting to plan the next adventure.

Day 18: Southampton to Windsor - Royal Finale We're ending with Windsor, home of Windsor Castle and basically the epitome of British royal grandeur. After two weeks of exploring, we get to see where the royals actually live and work, which feels like the perfect bookend to our adventure. Windsor Castle is the perfect finale to this whole adventure. After seeing ancient castles, medieval towns, and historic sites throughout Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England, we get to end with the castle that's still very much a working royal residence. This is where the Queen spent much of her time, where royal weddings happen, and where you can see some of the most incredible royal collections in the world. It's the perfect way to cap off a trip that's been all about experiencing the history, culture, and incredible diversity of the British Isles.

Day 19: Home Sweet Home And then reality hits and we have to come back to regular life where castles aren't part of our daily commute.

Here's what I love about this itinerary - it's got everything! Ancient castles, world-class museums, Cornish pasties, Scottish whisky, AND relaxing sea days with stunning scenery.

If you've been thinking about a cruise adventure like this, I cannot recommend it enough. There's something magical about unpacking once while exploring incredibly diverse destinations that just works.

Plus, watching first-time cruisers like Cathy and Scott discover everything from the midnight buffet to the fact that your room steward somehow makes towel animals is honestly half the fun.

If you're interested in hearing more about any of these destinations, or if you're thinking about planning your own British Isles adventure, you know where to find me! I'll be the one taking way too many photos and probably talking to strangers about the best local fish and chips.

Adventure awaits!

Amanda Garner
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