Light breakfast at a 24/7 / early-open café (eg. Pret or St Pancras café) to recharge after your flight; many central cafés open from ~7:00am on Boxing Day — double-check opening on public holiday.
Boxing Day means museums may have reduced hours; a riverside walk from St Paul’s to the South Bank is reliable and scenic even if galleries are quieter — Tate Modern hours can vary on public holidays (typically 10:00am–6:00pm) so check today’s opening hours.
If open on Boxing Day, the British Museum is a good warm indoor option and is free; check the museum’s Boxing Day opening (often reduced hours like 10:00am–4:00pm).
Enjoy a hearty lunch — Dishoom offers reliable Indian dishes and has early opening; Borough Market traders may be limited on Boxing Day so confirm stalls are open before you head there.
Check into a central hotel or store bags at St Pancras/Luggage storage — rest before an evening Eurostar to Paris. Many hotels on public holidays have later check-in; confirm with your hotel.
Board the Eurostar to Paris (aim for reservations in advance). Journey time ~2h15m; accounting for time difference you’ll arrive late in Paris. Book tickets and passport checks early — trains can be busy during the holidays.
Travel to Versailles (RER C + short walk). The Palace typically opens from 9:00am (check special holiday hours) — arrive early to avoid crowds and allow 2–3 hours to see the State Apartments and Gardens.
Return to central Paris and explore a nearby museum or the Île de la Cité. Note museum hours vary during the holidays — many open until late afternoon.
Early dinner close to the Opéra Garnier or Palais Garnier — reserve a table for Boxing Week as hours can be reduced; enjoy a classic French meal before the performance.
Watch Puccini’s Tosca at the scheduled Paris venue (confirm theatre and start time with your ticket — many performances start 7:30pm or 8:00pm). Enjoy a full-length opera (powerful music and drama).
Take an early coach or train to Pontorson/St Malo (coach day tours are common and simplify connections to Mont Saint-Michel); total travel from Paris 3.5–4.5 hours each way — plan for a long day.
Explore the bay and narrow medieval streets; winter abbey opening hours are reduced (typically ~9:30am–5:00pm) so confirm the abbey’s times before you go.
Visit the abbey (if open) and walk the ramparts for dramatic views — winter light and tides make photography excellent, but tides are strong so stay on marked paths.
Either travel back to Paris the same evening (long day returning ~9–10pm) or choose to transfer to St Malo and overnight to make the next day’s ferry easier (recommended if you prefer less rush).
Take a morning TGV from Paris Montparnasse to St Malo (approx 2.5–3h) to position for the Jersey ferry the next day; book seats ahead for holiday travel.
Seafood lunch with views over the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel; winter opening times are generally normal but some small vendors close — choose a well-reviewed restaurant for reliability.
Morning ferry crossing to Jersey takes ~1h15–1h45 depending on vessel and tide; book in advance for holiday sailings and allow time for disembarkation.
Visit Elizabeth Castle (check winter crossing times and causeway access) and stroll the harbour; some attractions have reduced winter hours so verify opening times.
If weather permits, drive or take local buses to see coastal cliffs or visit the Jersey Museum to learn about the island’s history and wartime occupation (check seasonal opening).
Morning flight to Manchester (check carriers and confirm seasonal schedules); flight ~1h, then transfer by train or car to friends near Leeds (allow ~1–1.5h).
Arrive and settle with friends; spend the afternoon catching up and planning New Year’s Eve with local options (book ahead if planning a restaurant or event).
Short walk in a local park or nearby market town — many shops may be closed on New Year’s Eve, but pubs and restaurants typically stay open for celebrations.
Walk the Old Town lanes and Princes Street for shops and views — evening restaurants open from early evening; confirm attraction times as some close earlier on holidays.
Travel to Loch Lomond area (Balloch) via train or drive — roughly 1.5–2h by rail via Glasgow; winter ferry/cruise schedules may be reduced so check operators before booking.
Scenic drive through Glencoe; winter weather can affect roads, so check conditions and allow extra time. The drive is dramatic with plenty of photo stops.
Drive or take a guided tour to Skye via the A87 and Skye Bridge; allow 3–4 hours with stops (Eilean Donan Castle is en route and worth a photo stop). Winter road conditions vary—check in advance.
Depart Skye and stop at Eilean Donan Castle for photos (check winter opening times), then continue to the Loch Ness / Inverness area — total driving ~3–4 hours depending on stops.
Urquhart Castle is a classic stop (check winter opening) and short cruises on the loch may run seasonally — inner exhibits and viewpoints remain worthwhile even in low season.
If you have time, visit nearby historic sites such as Culloden Battlefield (check winter opening 10:00am–4:00pm) or the Bronze Age Clava Cairns for a short outdoor history stop.
Board the overnight sleeper service to London (book a berth or cabin in advance). The train departs late and arrives in London early the next morning; check the exact departure time for your booked service.
Relax and recover from travel with friends near Sevenoaks; take a gentle walk locally or visit nearby Hever Castle if you want a short outing (check opening in winter).
Enjoy another evening with friends to plan the onward leg to Munich; confirm your flight which may depart from Heathrow or Gatwick (allow transfer time).
Short local visits: Knole Park (Stately home and deer park) or Hever Castle (check winter opening hours) — both are within easy reach and suit a relaxed day out.
Confirm airport transfers (Heathrow/Gatwick), check-in times and baggage. Decide whether to fly on 9 Jan or delay to 10 Jan; retain flexibility with transport to airport.
If you chose to delay your Munich flight to 10 Jan, spend a relaxed morning with friends and make final travel checks — useful buffer if weather or plans changed earlier.