The Stone family, a mother and two adult daughters from Southern California, embarked on a meaningful journey to the United Kingdom last month to trace their family heritage. With a detailed family tree in hand, they enlisted The Family Traveler to craft a fully customized tour spanning 3 nights each in London, Cornwall, Belfast, and Edinburgh. Local heritage associations helped with locating their ancestors’ former homes, burial sites, and wedding locations, while our private guides provided insight into local historical and cultural contexts, offering an invaluable glimpse into their ancestors’ lives.

Their adventure began in London at the Bankside Hotel, where they enjoyed elite hotel amenities and immersed themselves in the city’s culture with afternoon tea and a West End show. Highlights included visits to Westminster Abbey, Imperial War Rooms, Globe Theater, Leadenhall Market, and Tower of London. Then they traveled by train to Truro in Cornwall; a scenic 3 1/2 hour journey.  There, with the help of a private guide (and possible long-lost cousin) they explored family landmarks from the mid-1800s, such as ancestral homes, mills, and burial sites, while discovering the region’s mining history and scenic countryside.

From nearby Newquay, they flew to Edinburgh and stayed at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, which included a free Black Cab tour to explore the city’s history and culture, including murals depicting Belfast’s tumultuous past. A private Genealogy Tour in Belfast provided deeper insights into their Scots-Irish and Ulster Scots heritage, with visits to Belfast City Hall, historic churches and a 12th-century castle.  At the Discover Ulster-Scots Center, they loved learning more about their family who lived in this region in the 1700s. So much history! A walk along the waterfront led them to the Titanic Exhibit, which they loved. 

They flew onto Edinburgh where they stayed at Cheval Grand which was enhanced with Virtuoso amenities. Their time here included a guided and private van tour to the top of Carlton Hill where they could see both Old Town and New Town, as well as the walls that surround the city. This day was filled with many exciting highlights such as the first Protestant Church, the monument to Greyfriar’s Bobby, and Holyrood Palace.  On another day they visited Mary King’s Close and Edinburgh Castle, complemented by afternoon tea there.  A stroll through St. Margaret’s Chapel evoked strong familial connections and cherished memories. 

Returning to London by train for their final night at Heathrow, they reflected on their enriching journey through their family history, praising their accommodations’ charm and the personalized experiences tailored by genealogists and private guides. The Trip Plans app facilitated seamless navigation throughout their complex itinerary. Summing up their experience, they expressed profound emotions, describing the journey as an unforgettable bonding experience filled with cherished memories.