Scottish Highlands
Poland · Highlands · Hungary

Kraków · Scotland · Budapest 🇵🇱🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇭🇺

A day in Kraków, a wild road trip through Scotland's castles and waterfalls, then a Budapest night on the way home.

📅 June 21 – July 1, 2026 🗓️ 11 Days 🌍 3 Countries
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📅11 Days
🌍3 Countries
🚗~1,200 Miles
🏰5+ Castles
🌊7+ Waterfalls
The Full Route
✈️ TLV 🇵🇱 Kraków ✈️ Edinburgh 🚗 Highlands & Skye ✈️ Edinburgh 🇭🇺 Budapest ✈️ TLV
Booked Flights

The flights

All four legs are booked: out via Kraków to Edinburgh, then home from Edinburgh via a Budapest stopover.

✈️ LOT · LO2112BOOKED
TLV
06:00
3h 50m
KRK
08:50
🗓️ Sunday, 21 June 2026 · T3
Ref YCTN8YTicket 080 2426802039
✈️ Ryanair · FR6625BOOKED
KRK
07:20
2h 50m
EDI
09:10
🗓️ Monday, 22 June 2026
Ref W6VHYASeat 15APriority + 2 cabin bags
✈️ Edinburgh → BudapestBOOKED
EDI
--:--
booked
BUD
--:--
🗓️ Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Ref D2P8FWRef QQFPUR
⏱️ Send me this ticket and I'll pin the exact departure/arrival times here.
✈️ Wizz Air · W6 2327BOOKED
BUD
13:40
3h 15m
TLV
17:55
🗓️ Wednesday, 1 July 2026 · BUD T2B
Ref OKK3KSSeats 9E · 9F2 travellers
The Plan

Three countries, end to end

Land in Kraków for a day of medieval squares and pierogi, fly to Edinburgh the next morning, then loop the Highlands: Glencoe's waterfalls, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms, before three nights in Edinburgh and a Budapest stopover home.

The opener

Kraków

A single, packed day - Rynek Główny, Wawel Castle and the Kazimierz quarter, then an early flight north.

Best moment

Isle of Skye

Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools - the otherworldly highlight of the trip.

Most cinematic

Glen Etive

The Skyfall waterfall and Buachaille Etive Mòr - straight out of a Bond film.

Your saved list

5 must-visits

Falls of Falloch, Buachaille, the Wee White House, Skyfall & Lower Falls - all built into the Highlands days and ⭐ flagged.

Tel AvivKrakówEdinburghGlencoeSkyeInvernessPitlochryEdinburghBudapestTel Aviv
Wawel Castle, Kraków
Day 0 · Sunday, June 21

Kraków 🇵🇱

A medieval Polish city in one packed day

✈️ Land KRK 08:50 · 🚆 18 min to centre
🚆 Train airport → centre (18 min · PLN 17) 🏨 Hotel Wielopole · central ⏰ Wake 04:30 - flight at 07:20!

🏛️ Rynek Główny

FREE

Europe's largest medieval market square - the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), horse carriages and the hourly trumpet call.

Maps ↗

🏰 Wawel Royal Castle

The royal castle & cathedral on the hill above the Vistula. Courtyard and grounds are free; interiors ticketed.

Maps ↗

⛪ St. Mary's Basilica

The twin-towered church on the square, with Veit Stoss's breathtaking carved wooden altarpiece.

Maps ↗

🎨 Kazimierz

FREE

The old Jewish Quarter - synagogues, street art, vintage cafés and the best food in the city.

Maps ↗

🌳 Planty Park

FREE

The leafy green belt circling the Old Town where the medieval walls once stood - a lovely stroll.

Maps ↗

🍺 Dinner in Kazimierz

Pierogi + a Polish beer for about PLN 40. Cheap, hearty and delicious - the perfect first night.

🏨
Sleep: Hotel Wielopole, Kraków
Booked · early check-in 08:00–09:00 requested · ☎ +48 12 422 14 75
St Abbs Head, Scottish Borders
Day 1 · Monday, June 22

Edinburgh → the Borders 🌊

Land, grab the car, and head for the coast

✈️ Ryanair 07:20 → 09:10 · 🚗 ~1 hr to Berwick
🚆 Land 09:10 → tram to Waverley 🚗 Pick up car 11:30 · Waverley Station (Alamo) 🧭 Group's call: first night in the Borders

🌊 St Abbs Head Coastal Path ⭐ Must

FREE

Right by the hotel - a dramatic clifftop walk with a huge seabird colony. Your saved place is back on the map now you're staying next door.

Maps ↗

🏘️ St Abbs Village ⭐ Must

FREE

A tiny, photogenic fishing village (it played "New Asgard" in Avengers). Great harbour shots and a seafood dinner.

Maps ↗

🏖️ Berwick-upon-Tweed

FREE

England's northernmost town, ringed by Elizabethan walls - a stroll along the ramparts and the River Tweed before bed.

Maps ↗
🏨
Sleep: Homesly Guest Rooms, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Booked · en-suite · free parking · self check-in · ~15 min from St Abbs
Eilean Donan Castle
Day 2 · Tuesday, June 23

Glen Etive → Isle of Skye 🌊

Bond waterfalls, pyramid peaks, then the bridge to Skye

🚗 ~3.5 hrs with stops (A87)

🏔️ Buachaille Etive Mòr ⭐ Must

FREE

The iconic pyramid mountain guarding Glen Etive - one of the most photographed peaks in Scotland.

Maps ↗

🏠 Wee White House ⭐ Must

FREE

Lagangarbh Hut - the famous tiny white cottage with the Buachaille towering behind it. Pure Glencoe.

Maps ↗

🌊 Skyfall Waterfall ⭐ Must

FREE

Deep in Glen Etive - the waterfall and road from the James Bond Skyfall finale. A bucket-list photo.

Maps ↗

🌊 Lower Falls (Glen Nevis) ⭐ Must

FREE

A wild swimming & jumping spot near Fort William - your saved "possible jump?" waterfall. Check depth first.

Maps ↗

🏰 Eilean Donan Castle

The most photographed castle in Scotland, on its own little island where three lochs meet. Unmissable.

Visit ↗

🌉 Skye Bridge → Portree

FREE

Cross onto the Isle of Skye and settle into Portree, its colourful little harbour capital.

Maps ↗
🏠
Sleep: Portree, Isle of Skye
Hostel or B&B · ~£40–60/night
Old Man of Storr
Day 3 · Wednesday, June 24

Isle of Skye 🧚

The most beautiful day - Skye is otherworldly

🏔️ Old Man of Storr

FREE

Iconic rock pinnacle, 1–2 hr round-trip hike.

⚠️Go EARLY - before 9am - to beat the crowds and the car park.
Maps ↗

🏔️ Quiraing

FREE

An otherworldly landslip landscape - a 2 hr loop walk unlike anywhere else on earth.

Maps ↗

🌊 Fairy Pools

FREE

Crystal-clear turquoise pools at the foot of the Cuillin.

🏊Bring a towel - brave a freezing dip if you dare!
Maps ↗

🌅 Neist Point Lighthouse

FREE

The westernmost point of Skye - dramatic cliffs and the best sunset spot on the island.

Maps ↗
🏠
Sleep: Portree or Dunvegan, Skye
Same area as the night before
Loch Ness
Day 4 · Thursday, June 25

Skye → Inverness 🐉

Loch Ness & the Highland capital

🚗 ~2.5–3 hrs via Loch Ness

🏰 Urquhart Castle

Romantic ruined castle right on the shore of Loch Ness. Pay to enter, or get the classic shot from the layby.

Maps ↗

🐉 Loch Ness

FREE

Drive the legendary loch - keep your eyes peeled for Nessie along the way.

Maps ↗

🏛️ Inverness Castle viewpoint

FREE

The "Capital of the Highlands". The castle terrace gives a sweeping view over the River Ness.

Maps ↗

🚶 River Ness walk

FREE

Stroll the river and the Ness Islands footbridges - calm and pretty in the long evening light.

🛍️ Victorian Market

FREE

A restored covered arcade of indie shops and food in the heart of Inverness.

Maps ↗
🏠
Sleep: Inverness
B&B or Premier Inn · ~£45–65/night
Cairngorms
Day 5 · Friday, June 26

Inverness → Pitlochry 🥃

Cairngorms, whisky & a Victorian town

🚗 ~2.5 hrs with stops

🏔️ Cairngorms NP · Aviemore

FREE

Drive through Britain's largest national park. Stop at Aviemore; watch for red deer and eagles.

Maps ↗

🥃 Whisky distillery

Tour Dalwhinnie (the highest distillery) or Blair Athol in Pitlochry.

⚠️You're driving - taste responsibly or take a dram to go.
Maps ↗

🏰 Blair Castle

The brilliant-white castle of the Atholl Highlanders, with grand grounds and a deer park.

Visit ↗

🐟 Pitlochry Dam & fish ladder

FREE

Watch salmon leap upriver, then walk the River Tummel in this charming Victorian spa town.

Maps ↗
🏠
Sleep: Pitlochry
B&B · ~£40–55/night
Edinburgh
Day 6 · Saturday, June 27

Pitlochry → Edinburgh 🏛️

Drop the car, then into the capital on foot

🚗 Drop car 11:30 · Waverley · then Edinburgh on foot
🚗 Pitlochry → Edinburgh ~1.5 hrs (early start) 🏨 Drop bags at Catriona's, Brunswick St

🚗 Drop the car at Waverley

11:30

Return the Nissan Juke at Edinburgh Waverley (city centre) by 11:30, then it's a short walk to Catriona's on Brunswick St. Car-free from here - the last 3 days are all on foot.

🌅 Calton Hill

FREE

Five minutes from the Airbnb - climb for the city's best view over the monuments, the Old Town and the Firth of Forth.

Maps ↗

🏛️ Royal Mile

FREE

A first wander down the iconic street from the Castle to Holyrood Palace - pure history underfoot.

Guide ↗

🍺 Grassmarket

Dinner

Historic square below the castle - the best pubs and restaurants in the Old Town for a first Edinburgh dinner.

Explore ↗
🏠
Sleep: Edinburgh · Catriona's Airbnb
Check-in 15:00 · King Room · 46 Brunswick St · Jun 27–30
Edinburgh Castle
Day 7 · Sunday, June 28

Edinburgh - the icons 🏰

Castle, crags and the Old Town

🚶 All on foot - no car needed

🏰 Edinburgh Castle

Dominates the skyline from its volcanic rock - the crown jewel of the city. Book ahead to skip the queue.

Tickets ↗

🏔️ Arthur's Seat

FREE

An extinct volcano in the city centre. Hike ~1 hr for 360° views - the best free thing in Edinburgh.

Maps ↗

🏛️ National Museum of Scotland

FREE

One of the best museums in the UK - and completely free. Don't miss the rooftop terrace view.

Maps ↗

🧙 Victoria Street

FREE

The curved, colourful street said to have inspired Diagon Alley - plus the cafés and shops of the Old Town.

Maps ↗
🏠
Sleep: Edinburgh · Catriona's Airbnb
King Room near the Playhouse
Edinburgh Old Town
Day 8 · Monday, June 29

Edinburgh - last day 🥂

Hidden corners and a farewell night

🚶 Still on foot - soak up the city

👑 Holyrood Palace

The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with its romantic abbey ruins.

Maps ↗

📷 Dean Village & Stockbridge

FREE

A hidden, photogenic riverside corner and the leafy Stockbridge neighbourhood - a lovely morning stroll.

Maps ↗

🥃 Scotch Whisky Experience

A fun tasting tour right by the Castle - the perfect send-off before the flight home.

Maps ↗

🍽️ Leith waterfront

Dinner

End in the buzzing former docks of Leith - great seafood and a last-night toast 🥂

Maps ↗
🏠
Sleep: Edinburgh · Catriona's Airbnb
Last night · check-out 11:00, Jun 30
Hungarian Parliament over the Danube
Day 9 · Tuesday, June 30

Edinburgh → Budapest 🇭🇺

Check out, then fly to the Danube

✈️ Edinburgh → Budapest · ref D2P8FW
🚆 Tram/taxi to Edinburgh Airport (no car) 🏨 Sleep in District VII

🚆 To the airport

Tram

Tram or taxi from the city to Edinburgh Airport for the Budapest flight - the car was already returned on the 27th.

✈️ Fly to Budapest

booked

Edinburgh → Budapest (ref D2P8FW). Land on the Danube for the final night of the trip.

🍺 Szimpla Kert

FREE

The original and most famous ruin bar in District VII - a maze of mismatched rooms and fairy lights.

Szimpla ↗

🏛️ Danube by night

FREE

Walk the river to see the Parliament floodlit and mirrored in the water - one last big-city evening.

🍽️ Dinner in District VII

Lángos, goulash and a Hungarian beer - cheap, hearty and the perfect farewell meal.

🏨
Sleep: Budapest, District VII
One night on the Danube before home
Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest
Day 10 · Wednesday, July 1

Budapest → Tel Aviv 🇭🇺🏠

A quick Budapest morning, then home

✈️ Wizz W6 2327 · 13:40 → 17:55
🌅 Quick morning in Budapest ✈️ Wizz 13:40 from BUD Terminal 2B

♨️ Széchenyi Baths

If you're up early - a dawn soak in the iconic yellow thermal palace. The perfect last act.

Baths ↗

🏰 Buda Castle & Fisherman's Bastion

FREE

A quick taxi up for the fairy-tale turrets and the best view over the city - if time allows before the flight.

Maps ↗

🌉 Chain Bridge

FREE

One last walk across the Danube, then head to Terminal 2B.

✈️ Fly home

17:55

Wizz Air W6 2327, BUD → TLV, 13:40 → 17:55. Seats 9E & 9F for the two of you.

🏠
Home with incredible memories
3 countries, 11 days, 10,000 photos
The Route

Edinburgh to Skye & back

The Scotland driving loop - plus your full saved-places list from Google Maps, with all the waterfalls and viewpoints pinned.

🗺️ Driving route ⭐ Saved places
The Numbers

Budget breakdown

A working estimate for the whole trip. Lots of the best bits - the waterfalls, the cliffs, the views - cost nothing at all.

Item
Est.
✈️ LOT TLV → KRKBooked · LO2112 · $207
₪602
✈️ Ryanair KRK → EDIBooked · €43
₪145
✈️ Edinburgh → BudapestBooked · £111
₪433
✈️ Wizz Budapest → TLVBooked · 92,194 Ft
₪887
🏨 Kraków (1 night)Hotel Wielopole · 309 zł
₪245
🏨 Scotland (7 nights)Apartments + B&Bs
₪2,100–3,500
🏨 Budapest (1 night)District VII
₪150–300
🚗 Car · Nissan Juke (5 days)Alamo · Waverley · incl. Full Coverage · £166
₪644
⛽ Fuel~1,200 miles
₪400–500
🍽️ Food (11 days)Cooking + eating out
₪1,000–1,500
🎫 AttractionsMost nature is FREE
₪200–400
TOTALFull trip · booked + estimates
₪6,650–8,850

💱 Booked prices auto-convert live · $1=₪2.91 · €1=₪3.37 · £1=₪3.90 · 1zł=₪0.79 · 100Ft=₪0.96

💡 Money-saving tips

  • The saved-places highlights - the waterfalls, Buachaille and Skye's hikes - are all FREE.
  • Cook breakfast & lunch with the apartment kitchen + supermarkets (Lidl, Aldi, Tesco).
  • Book B&Bs directly (not via Booking.com) for better Highland rates.
  • In Kraków, pierogi + beer is ~₪30 - eat well for almost nothing.
  • Fuel up in towns; Highland petrol stations are sparse and pricier.
Be Prepared

Packing checklist

Tap an item to check it off - your progress is saved on this device.

🎒 Essentials

  • 🧥 Waterproof jacket (it WILL rain, even in June)
  • 👟 Waterproof hiking shoes / boots
  • 🧤 Fleece / warm mid-layer
  • 👕 Layers - t-shirts + long sleeves (10–20°C)
  • 🩳 Quick-dry trousers (not jeans!)
  • 🩲 Swimsuit + towel (Fairy Pools, Lower Falls!)
  • 🧢 Hat + sunglasses (19 hrs of daylight)
  • 🎒 Day backpack for hikes

🔌 Tech

  • 📱 Offline Google Maps (Scotland + Kraków)
  • ⭐ Your saved places list, downloaded offline
  • 🔌 UK adapter (Type G) for Scotland
  • 🔌 EU adapter (Type C/E) for Kraków - different plug!
  • 📷 Camera + portable charger
  • 🎵 Downloaded music & podcasts (no Highland signal!)

🇵🇱 Kraków

  • 💶 A little PLN + HUF cash (or Revolut - cards work widely)
  • 🎒 Carry-on only for the Ryanair leg (check size!)
  • ⏰ Alarm set for 04:30 - early flight to Edinburgh
  • 👟 Comfy shoes - it's a full walking day

📋 Documents

  • ✈️ Passport (valid 6+ months)
  • 🚗 Driving license + IDP (required - Hebrew license)
  • 💳 Credit / debit card (contactless everywhere)
  • 📋 All 4 flight bookings (YCTN8Y · W6VHYA · D2P8FW · OKK3KS) offline

☑️ Checked items are remembered on this phone - perfect the night before you fly.

Good to Know

Practical tips

🚗 Driving

  • LEFT side! You drive on the left in the UK.
  • IDP required: Alamo needs an International Driving Permit with your Hebrew license. Pick-up by 10:28, bring the credit card (£200 deposit hold) + flight number.
  • Single-track roads in the Highlands - use passing places, let faster cars by.
  • Roundabouts go clockwise (opposite to Israel).
  • Fuel up when you can - Highland stations are sparse.
  • Parking is free in most Highland villages; paid in Edinburgh.

🌤️ Weather & clothing

  • June average 12–18°C, can drop to 8°C with wind.
  • Rain is likely - layers + waterproofs are the rule.
  • 19 hours of daylight! Sunrise ~4:30, sunset ~22:00.
  • Midges appear at dusk near water - pack repellent.

📱 Connectivity

  • Signal is patchy or absent in the Highlands and Skye.
  • Download offline maps + your saved list before leaving Edinburgh.
  • Most accommodation has WiFi.
  • Consider a UK eSIM (Three, EE or Vodafone).

🇵🇱 Kraków mini-guide

  • Airport → centre: the train takes ~18 min (PLN 17) to Kraków Główny.
  • Old Town walk: Rynek → St Mary's → Wawel, all walkable.
  • Kazimierz is the place to eat - pierogi, zapiekanki, craft beer.
  • Currency: złoty (PLN), ~4.3 PLN = €1. Cards accepted almost everywhere.
  • Stay near the station - the flight out is at 07:20.

🇭🇺 Budapest stopover

  • One night only (30 Jun → 1 Jul) - stay central in District VII.
  • Currency: forint (Ft), ~340 Ft = €1. Cards work nearly everywhere.
  • Ruin bars like Szimpla are the thing to do at night - drinks are cheap.
  • Baths: Széchenyi opens early (~7am) for a dawn soak before the flight.
  • Flight home is 13:40 from Terminal 2B - keep the morning light.

🍽️ Scottish food

  • Supermarkets: Lidl & Aldi cheapest; Tesco & Sainsbury's mid-range.
  • Must try: haggis, Cullen skink, Scotch pie, cranachan.
  • Fish & chips best at harbours - Portree and Leith.
  • Whisky at a distillery is cheaper than in pubs.