Welcome to my first travel blog! I’m thrilled to share my journey traveling through the UK. As this is my first attempt at blogging, I hope to capture the excitement and adventure of my experiences. Hopefully, this will be the first of many travel stories to come. Please excuse any mistakes, and feel free to leave feedback through the comments section or email—I’d love to hear from you!
My journey began after landing at London Stansted Airport, where I met Jannoek, a solo traveler from Germany. Over brunch, we shared stories while awaiting our trains. I headed to York via a Cross Country train to Peterborough, then connected to an LNER train. Once in York, I checked into The Minster Hotel and set out to explore. That evening, I joined the York: Dark Chronicles Ghostly Walking Tour, a thrilling introduction to the city’s eerie past.
York’s historic charm captivated me from the start. I began with a walk along the city walls, soaking in views of medieval York, and tried a delicious crepe at Shambles Market. The Museum Gardens offered a peaceful retreat, while Clifford’s Tower added to York’s allure with its ancient presence. An afternoon river cruise provided scenic views of the city from the water, and the Railway Museum’s Flying Scotsman VR exhibit was a unique experience. I ended the day with another meetup with Josh and CJ, enjoying York’s local culture and friendly atmosphere.
With a close friend back in Austin who studied at Leeds University, I felt inspired to visit. I took a Northern train from York to Leeds and explored the city center, stopping by the Leeds City Museum and strolling through the impressive university campus. The highlight of my day was watching The Drifters Girl at a local theatre. That evening, I returned to York on a TransPennine Express train, reflecting on the connection to my friend’s memories in Leeds.
From York, I took a TransPennine Express train to Newcastle and checked into Sleeperz Hotel Newcastle, conveniently located near the train station. After dropping my bags in storage, I took a metro to Tynemouth, a beautiful coastal town. The cliffs, clear waters, and a lively weekend farmers’ market at the metro station made for a perfect day out. I explored Tynemouth Priory and Castle, enjoyed coffee at Cook & Baker, and took a ferry to South Shields before returning to Newcastle. In the evening, I had the pleasure of meeting a new friend, Alex, who introduced me to a local Newcastle pub called Telegraph. We also visited a popular spot, Newcastle Tap, which had a relaxed and laid-back vibe that reminded me of Austin.
In the morning, I hopped on a London North Eastern Railway train to Durham. Durham’s highlights included the stunning Durham Cathedral and a vibrant local market. After a few hours of exploring, I headed back to Newcastle to get some work done, explored a nearby mall, and enjoyed dinner at New Delhi, savoring excellent Indian food to cap off the day.
Next morning, took a TransPennine Express train from Newcastle to Edinburgh and checked into Castle Rock Hostel, my first hostel experience, and it couldn’t have been better. The hostel’s warm vibe made it easy to meet fellow travelers. During the day, I explored Edinburgh’s highlights: the Royal Mile, St. Giles’ Cathedral, University of Edinburgh, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and hiked Arthur’s Seat for stunning views. That evening, I joined hostel friends for a whisky tasting, where we tried Glenmorangie, Chivas Regal, Glenlivet Caribbean Reserve, and Highland Park. Edward, one of the group members, shared his story of meeting his girlfriend online and deciding to marry her, which quickly became material for the comedians at Beehive Comedy Club. Edward was hilariously roasted, and we laughed until it hurt. Fueled by laughter and whisky, we went bar-hopping, starting with karaoke, then hitting Stramash (an incredible Scottish dancing bar), The Globe Bar, and Sneaky Pete’s, where the whole bar sang along to classic tunes. This night in Edinburgh was easily one of the highlights of my trip.
The following day in Edinburgh was another blend of work, exploration, and fun. After getting some remote work done, I ventured out to hike Arthur’s Seat once again, capturing breathtaking panoramic views of the city. That night, the hostel hosted a lively event with Scottish dancing, card games, and karaoke, where I bonded with new friends Phoenix and Sarita. Castle Rock Hostel was the perfect hub, providing a warm community feel that made Edinburgh an unforgettable stop.
Leaving Edinburgh, I took a Scotrail train to Glasgow Central and checked into the Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre Buchanan. That evening, I immersed myself in Scotland’s culinary culture with a haggis tasting event, where the rich flavors of haggis paired perfectly with a dram of whisky. Later, I explored more of Glasgow’s lively city scene, which had a friendly and vibrant atmosphere that made me excited to discover more of the city.
The next morning, I set out on a day tour that began at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and took me through some of Scotland’s most scenic spots. A boat cruise on Loch Lomond offered stunning views of the misty hills and tranquil waters. After the cruise, we stopped for lunch in Aberfoyle, where I received a message from a Swiss friend I’d met in Istanbul. He had fond memories of the area and was thrilled I was visiting one of his favorite places. This made exploring Aberfoyle feel even more special. We made a quick coffee stop in Callander, and then I got to feed the gorgeous Highland cows, a true highlight. Our last stop was the historic Stirling Castle, an iconic stronghold that once served as Scotland’s main seat of royalty long before Edinburgh became the capital. The castle has a deep and often brutal history, marked by battles and power struggles, which our guide, with his thick Scottish accent, colorfully narrated (repeating himself a few times to help us catch his words!). This tour was a perfect mix of Scotland’s natural beauty, local charm, and fascinating history.
After returning to Glasgow, I decided to explore the city further. I took a ride on the Glasgow Subway, the third-oldest subway system in Europe, just for fun. The compact circular line, affectionately known as the “Clockwork Orange,” loops around the city and was a quirky way to see Glasgow. I also visited Glasgow Cathedral and the neighboring Necropolis, a hauntingly beautiful Victorian cemetery with elaborate monuments and city views. Later, I headed to Glasgow University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities globally, where the Gothic-style buildings felt straight out of a storybook.
After soaking up Glasgow’s energy, I took an Avanti West Coast train from Glasgow to Liverpool, enjoying the scenic journey south. In Liverpool, I headed to Mowgli Street Food on Water Street for lunch, where I enjoyed some unique and flavorful Indian street food dishes. Next, I made my way to The Beatles Wall of Fame on Mathew Street, where I met Jakob, a new friend from Norway visiting for the Liverpool vs. Manchester City game. Together, we watched the match at Coyote Ugly Bar, surrounded by an energetic crowd cheering for Liverpool, which made for an unforgettable experience.
After Liverpool, I boarded a train to London, diving into the bustling atmosphere of the city. I wandered around Piccadilly Circus and enjoyed dinner at Kricket, reveling in the lively pulse of central London. Over the next few days, I explored London’s iconic parks and landmarks. Kensington and Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, and Tower Bridge were all beautiful highlights, while a stop at Buns from Home provided a delicious snack along the way. The evening walks through Canary Wharf and the Tower of London gave me a stunning view of the city’s skyline.
Another day, I visited Big Ben, Parliament Square, and the London Eye before catching The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. That night, I joined a pub crawl with friends I’d met from Denmark—Andrea, Oliver, and Marcus—adding an exciting social layer to my London adventure. Before my trip ended, I visited Borough Market, Imperial College, and had lunch at Paro Indian. My cousin Shreyas joined me for a walk through Hyde Park, and we reminisced about old memories, making for a perfect day of company and conversation.
As my final days in London wrapped up, I explored Greenwich and the lively streets of SoHo and Carnaby Street. I also spent a memorable night bar-hopping in SoHo, soaking in the city’s vibrant nightlife and meeting even more friendly faces.
On my last day, I explored the Natural History Museum with Quentin from France, enjoyed a lunch of crepes, and explored King’s Cross before catching a Liverpool game and visiting Tottenham Stadium. I ended my journey with dinner in SoHo and one last stroll through Piccadilly Circus, saying a heartfelt goodbye to an adventure filled with unforgettable places, friends, and memories.
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