The cold weather is fast approaching and the nights are drawing in – so when better to get away for a few days of fun with your friends? Whether you take a weekend break or advantage of a few days of your remaining annual leave – gather friends and travel with Caledonian Sleeper for an end of year adventure.

A girls’ weekend in London

What’s a girls’ weekend without afternoon tea? Treat yourself to a luxury afternoon tea at The Savoy, or enjoy a truly British experience with afternoon tea on board Glass Room as you sail down the River Thames, taking in the views of London.

With over 300 shops, make a trip to Oxford Street for a bit of retail therapy with friends. Even better, you don’t have to worry about how many shopping bags you have to travel home with when you’re getting on board Caledonian Sleeper.

Round off a busy day of shopping with some dinner and a show, particularly if you and your friends are fans of musicals and the theatre. Musicals including Mamma Mia!, Pretty Woman or Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 are a must.

A historic trip to Edinburgh

Wrap up and take a trip to Edinburgh this autumn. Steeped in Scottish history, the Scottish capital has plenty to offer for a weekend break.

The most visited attraction in Edinburgh is the castle, situated high on Castle Rock and visible from the city’s main street, Princes Street. A trip to the castle is worthwhile to find out more about the city’s history.

To hear more about the city’s history, some spooky tales, and have a guided tour of the city, a walking tour should be on your Edinburgh itinerary.

Mary King’s Close is a historic close underneath buildings on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh where many people once lived. If you and your friends are brave, you can now join guided tours of the close to hear the many stories about those who lived there and the reported hauntings of the area.

A foodie weekend in Glasgow  

With such a wide range of places to eat and visit, Glasgow has earned itself a reputation as a bit of a ‘foodie scene’ in Scotland.

Join a Glasgow Food and Drink tour with your friends to take you through the history of Glasgow, with recommendations of where to go for a taste of Scotland.

There are plenty of opportunities in Glasgow to try Scotland’s famous dish, haggis, including Ubiquitous Chip in the city’s West End. While in the West End, visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of Glasgow’s most popular attractions featuring over 8,000 objects and 22 galleries.

Visit Nessie and explore the Scottish highlands from Inverness

Scotland, for many, conjures up images of the infamous Loch Ness Monster. Enjoy a trip to search for Nessie yourself – even if you don’t see the monster, the views are worth it. The weather might not be warm enough to take part in any watersports on the loch, but you can cruise along the loch with your friends and enjoy the scenery while keeping an eye out for Nessie with Loch Ness by Jacobite.

Enjoy an action-packed weekend in the Highlands

If your friends are more of an adventure-seeking group, visit Aviemore or Fort William for an action-packed few days. As we’re nearing snow season, the Cairngorm and Nevis ranges have activities for everyone, including skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, tubing and tree adventures.