Rediscovering England and Wales with Insight Vacations
After Singapore, I continued to the United Kingdom for an educational journey with Insight Vacations, experiencing an abridged version of their Country Roads of England and Wales itinerary.
Educational trips are an important part of my work. They allow me to experience the touring style, accommodation, transport and pace firsthand, rather than simply relying on a brochure when recommending a journey to clients.
The Country Roads style is designed to go beyond the obvious highlights and explore some of the smaller towns, villages and landscapes that give a destination its character. It was a lovely reminder that while many travellers begin with London, there is so much more to discover beyond the capital.
One of the standout stays was Bovey Castle. Set amid the beautiful countryside of Dartmoor, it is exactly the sort of property that can become a highlight of an itinerary rather than simply somewhere to sleep. There is a real sense of occasion when arriving at a historic hotel, particularly one surrounded by such an impressive landscape.
Travelling with Insight also gave me a chance to assess the practical details that matter to clients: the comfort of the coach, the standard and location of the hotels, how much is included, the balance between organised sightseeing and free time, and how smoothly everything operates behind the scenes.
These details can make an enormous difference, particularly for travellers who want to see a great deal without managing the daily logistics themselves.
My time in the UK also included something completely different- a visit to Silverstone for Formula 1 qualifying. The atmosphere was fantastic and it was wonderful to experience such an iconic sporting venue firsthand. It certainly added a little speed and excitement to a journey otherwise filled with country roads, historic buildings and beautiful scenery!
Having lived in England previously, returning always feels familiar, but every visit reveals somewhere new. This journey reminded me how rewarding it can be to slow down and explore beyond the best-known cities.
For anyone who enjoys historic properties, picturesque towns and landscapes with stories around every corner, England and Wales are particularly well suited to a thoughtfully planned touring itinerary. Sometimes the places between the famous landmarks are the ones that stay with you the longest.