We leave the Europa Buscentre at 11.30am, in time to catch the early afternoon Stena HSS to Stranraer. From there we travel east, through Dumfries and Galloway and over the English border into Northumberland, where we follow Hadrian’s Wall to be greeted by the "Angel of the North" as we enter the city of Newcastle and our hotel by the river Tyne.

After a leisurely breakfast we visit the 'Windsor of the North’, Alnwick Castle and Gardens, the home of the Duke of Northumberland (and more recently, Harry Potter) - the fantastic gardens are of particular interest. We also visit the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (at a time determined by the tides) and travel past the dramatic coastal fortress of Bamburg Castle and the charming village of Sea-Houses on this 'Heritage Coast'.

We travel further south today to one of England’s most historic cities, Durham. The city is a thousand years old with a famous cathedral, castle, university and city walls - all within the tight meander of the river Wear.

In the afternoon we make the short trip to another walled town, Hartlepool, once Durham’s chief port, to visit the Historic Quay. We return to our hotel by the coastal route, along the edge of the North Sea.

We take a scenic route home today, travelling first through Weardale to the village of Alston and down the A686, often described as the most scenic road in England, with fantastic views over the Solway Firth. We stop at lunchtime in Penrith, with time for a little last minute shopping.

In the afternoon we drive to Stranraer where we catch the evening sailing back to Belfast.