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History is still being made in a pair of timeless U.K. cities. As you know, getting from A to B in Europe is a lot different than the States.
Rather than be shuffled through security like nameless cattle and scrolling TikTok for hours waiting for a flight to board, you gotta hand it to Europe for their impressive rail system end to end.
I just took a high-speed train from Paris to Marseille and it couldn’t have been more flawless, and while the latest exciting train announcement won’t zoom through the French countryside, it will connect 2 must-see destinations for your next U.K. adventures.
CrossCountry’s new direct service will benefit travelers looking to explore more of the U.K. beyond the bright lights of London with at least one familiar name and another up-and-coming capital city.
History in The Making: First Direct Route Connecting Cardiff & Edinburgh
CrossCountry is excited to announce their first-of-its-kind route connecting Cardiff and Edinburgh.
As the U.K. has spiked in popularity, travelers will soon have an easier way to reach Scotland’s Gothic icon of Edinburgh and Wales’ trendy capital with plentiful hidden gems in between.
Set to launch December 15th, just in time to make use of your holiday vacation days or start 2025 off right, you can seek new thrills in the U.K. from either Edinburgh or Cardiff as the train will travel both ways every weekday.
Expected to total roughly 6 hours in length, there are 20 stops in between along the 455-mile journey.
Choose to hop off to explore a treasure trove of lesser-known gems, such as Gloucester or Sheffield or enjoy the full journey on CrossCountry’s Voyager trains.
Keep in mind, the route does split at Birmingham and Gloucester, so keep an open ear for announcements to make sure you’re heading the right direction!
Otherwise, you may end up on the English seaside in Plymouth or Penzance wishing you packed swimwear.
Why Visit Cardiff?
Cardiff is an up-and-coming destination, backed by Conde Nast’s article crowning this lesser-known capital as the U.K.’s ‘Best City‘ in 2023.
As we turn the page to 2025, the hype has only grown stronger for Cardiff, and now travelers have a more convenient way to discover all the delights of this city.
Equal parts timeless and modern, there’s no shortage of places to immerse yourself in Cardiff’s past timeline or enjoy there here-and-now with trendy neighborhoods lined with buzzing bars.
Hit up the unmissable medieval Cardiff Castle for a grand tour (only $5!) or visit the revamped Cardiff Market oozing Victorian vibes, where local vendors sell local goodies like Welsch cakes.
While British food may get a bad wrap from time to time, cuisine here goes way beyond endless tea and bland crumpets.
Skipping anywhere in the U.K. without grabbing a pint is a hard pass. Here, one of your best bets is The Duke of Wellington, a real traditional pub dating back to the 1880’s and still whipping up savory pub grub and pouring the best cold ones.
And don’t skip out on classic Fish & Chips on Caroline Street (known as ‘Chip Alley’ for a reason!).
Why Visit Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has a lot going for it, especially for Americans. As the only U.K. destination exceeding pr-Covid tourism numbers, there’s no reason to think the city will backtrack any time sooner.
With the soon-to-launch train and current nonstop flights from the U.S., Edinburgh makes for a great alternative to London’s chaos as a shrunken-down urban jungle with great attractions.
Perusing Old Town is an absolute must and will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled into a storybook no matter the season.
Home to towering grandeur castles like the rightfully named Edinburgh Castle, among others in and around the city, Edinburgh certainly holds its own against any other European icon in terms of architecture and history.
The only problem you may have visiting here is questioning if you want to continue on to Cardiff!
There’s no doubt Edinburgh is an easier starting point since there’s direct flights here.
No matter where you depart, you can book your journey now on CrossCountry’s website.
But keep in mind the U.K. will begin requiring a permit for American travelers January 8, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.