Northern Notes is a new 10‑day cultural journey that brings together the shared stories of Liverpool and Glasgow, two cities shaped by migration, maritime trade and the architectural ambition of the Victorian era.
Designed as a comfortable itinerary with minimal hotel changes, the programme invites travellers to follow in the footsteps of past generations while enjoying the music, landscapes and cultural identity of England’s northwest and Scotland’s largest city.
Tour Partner Group has worked with Visit Liverpool and Visit Glasgow to create an itinerary featuring two popular cities, both surrounded by landscapes and attractions with broad appeal. The collaboration will draw attention from across the travel trade as it represents a holiday that captures the attention of a wide range of travellers.
The journey begins in Liverpool, where guests are welcomed by their local guide before exploring the city’s maritime legacy. From the vibrant waterfront and Royal Albert Dock to The Old Dock Tour, the world’s first commercial wet dock, the opening day sets the tone for a programme rooted in storytelling and place. Visitors can delve into Liverpool’s musical heritage with a visit to The Beatles Story or the British Music Experience, before gathering for a welcome dinner at The Cavern Restaurant, a venue synonymous with the city’s global cultural influence.
Over the following days, travellers venture beyond Liverpool to discover the Roman city of Chester, its cathedral, ancient walls and historic port, followed by a cruise along the River Dee. The itinerary continues into North Wales and Snowdonia National Park, where mountain landscapes and a heritage railway journey on the Ffestiniog or Welsh Highland Railway bring the region’s industrial past to life. Visits to Gwrych Castle or Caernarfon Castle offer a glimpse into Welsh royalty and legend, before guests return to Liverpool for a dedicated Music Icons Tour and visits to the childhood homes of The Beatles. A traditional afternoon tea at Strawberry Field adds a reflective and symbolic moment to the experience.
The Lake District introduces a cruise on Lake Windermere and a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter, before the group travels north to Scotland. The transition to Glasgow is seamless, with countryside views unfolding along the way and a panoramic city tour on arrival. Guests are introduced to Glasgow’s architectural contrasts, cultural energy and musical legacy, before stepping into Scottish tradition with an interactive bagpipe experience at The National Piping Centre.
Glasgow’s Cathedral Quarter provides a rich historical backdrop for the next day, with visits to Provand’s Lordship, the St Mungo Museum, Glasgow Cathedral and the atmospheric Necropolis. A guided tour and tasting at the Clydeside Distillery reveals the city’s whisky‑making heritage, while optional visits to the Riverside Museum or Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum offer further cultural depth. Dinner at Sloans, one of Glasgow’s oldest restaurants, brings the day to a close.
The programme will also include a full-day excursion to the Isle of Arran, often referred to as “Scotland in miniature” thanks to its distinctive mix of mountains, coastline, historic sites and gardens. Guests can visit Machrie Moor’s ancient stone circles and Brodick Castle Country Park, before enjoying lunch at either Lochranza or Lagg Distillery, showcasing local produce and island views.
The penultimate day takes travellers to Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, a sequence of sites that spans medieval history, national identity and modern engineering ingenuity. The journey concludes with a traditional Scottish dinner at Mharsanta, celebrating local cuisine and culture before a final night in Glasgow.
Emmanuelle Spriet, spokesperson for Tour Partner Group, said, “Our audience across the USA, Canada and Australia, will be excited to see what Northern Notes represents. It’s a journey that brings together the spirit of two remarkable cities. Liverpool and Glasgow share deep roots in migration, maritime trade and creativity, and this itinerary allows colleagues in the travel trade the opportunity to promote a vacation where visitors experience those connections in a meaningful and comfortable way.”
James Wood of Visit Liverpool said, “Liverpool’s heritage is woven through every street, from our docks to our music. Welcoming visitors through an itinerary that celebrates both our history and our global cultural impact is incredibly exciting. Northern Notes gives visitors the chance to experience the city the way we love it, full of character, rhythm and warmth.”
Alex Harvie, Head of City Marketing, Destination Glasgow, said, “Glasgow has always been a city of energy, creativity and resilience. This itinerary captures that spirit beautifully, from our Cathedral Quarter to our music venues, museums and distilleries. We’re thrilled to welcome visitors who want to explore the depth and diversity of Glasgow’s culture as part of this new cross‑city journey.”
The launch of Northern Notes will be supported by a dedicated Expedia consumer marketing campaign, designed to bring the itinerary to life for travellers. The campaign will showcase the emotional pull of the journey, the music, the landscapes, the stories, through digital storytelling, social media content, video features and targeted consumer outreach. By highlighting the shared heritage of Liverpool and Glasgow, the campaign aims to inspire travellers seeking meaningful cultural experiences with comfort and authenticity at their core.
With five nights in Liverpool and four in Glasgow, the itinerary offers a relaxed pace supported by an expert guide, modern coach travel, a scenic rail journey with the train provider, Transpennine Express, and carefully selected meals a traditional afternoon tea. Attractions range from castles and cathedrals to distilleries, heritage railways, national parks and world‑famous music sites. Northern Notes is available for groups of 15–45 travellers, with pricing starting from £1,640 per person.
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