In episode 110 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy chats with Leanne McHarg, a fellow Aussie from Glen Innes, New South Wales, to share an in-depth trip report of her family’s recent adventure to the UK. Leanne, a self-employed bookkeeper, travelled with her husband and three children, aged 19, 16, and 13, making it a memorable family holiday before her eldest heads off to university.
Leanne provides a detailed account of their three-week journey, which included stops in Zurich, Paris, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
She discusses their travel logistics, including the decision to use trains for most of their European travel, and the advantages of booking tickets early to secure the best prices.
The family’s itinerary was thoughtfully planned, taking into account school holidays and Easter, which influenced their travel dates and destinations.
The episode dives into the highlights of their trip, from visiting iconic attractions like Madame Tussauds in London, the Imperial War Museum, and a tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground, to exploring Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Leanne shares how they balanced the interests of all family members, ensuring each had a memorable experience, whether it was visiting the NBA store in London or taking a day tour to Glencoe and Loch Ness.
Leanne also offers practical tips for fellow travellers, such as the importance of using apps like Citymapper for navigation, the benefits of packing cubes, and the peace of mind provided by Apple AirTags. She emphasises the value of flexibility in travel plans and preparing each night for the following day’s activities.
This episode is packed with useful insights and personal anecdotes, making it a must-listen for anyone planning a family trip to the UK and Europe.
Whether you’re planning your own family adventure or just love hearing about travel experiences, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and tips.
Click the blue button below to listen:
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Timestamps
- 00:00:00 ” Welcome to episode 110 of the UK Travel Planning podcast
- 00:01:08 ” Leanne McHarg says she doesn’t like the heat in Australia
- 00:01:52 ” You, your husband and your three kids went on a family travel trip
- 00:03:54 ” You travelled to Europe with your brother-in-law for three weeks
- 00:08:18 ” I was searching for podcasts on Paris because we don’t speak the language
- 00:09:55 ” You had your three kids with you on your London trip
- 00:14:42 ” We travelled a lot around Europe by train, so it was cheaper
- 00:18:03 ” I’ve done a whole trip by train and I just found it amazing
- 00:21:13 ” What were your favourite experiences and places that you visited
- 00:25:15 ” Please do use our affiliate links to help support the podcast
- 00:27:33 ” You did some hop on, hop off bus tours in Dublin and London
- 00:29:34 ” So where did you stay and what were your standout accommodation choices
- 00:31:34 ” Food was our most expensive cost while we were away, Leanne says
- 00:35:58 ” Leanne shared some tips she used when planning her London trip
- 00:38:36 ” Doug’s train tips were a godsend for our travel by train
- 00:42:54 ” You know, it’s definitely handy. You don’t need to worry about where your luggage is
- 00:43:44 ” You talked about what you brought back from your trip
- 00:45:41 ” Leanne came on the hundredth episode and she was fantastic
- 00:46:19 ” Thank you for listening to this week’s UK Travel Planning podcast
Click here to download a PDF Transcript of Episode 110
Useful planning resources (videos, podcasts & articles)
- How to get from Edinburgh to St Andrews (YouTube video)
- Guide to visiting Harry Potter Studios (Podcast episode)
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