Aberfeldy Coaches Brochure 2016

www.aberfeldycoaches.co.uk

Coach Holidays 2016

Tel: 01887 820 433

Welcome to our 2016 Holiday Brochure We welcome all our customers, those who have previously travelled with us and those who are perhaps intending to. We are situated in the heart of Scotland and are a family-owned and run business and in 2016 we celebrate 40 years of operation. Over the last 40 years, we have constantly upgraded our fleet of Van Hool and Bova coaches and we are now justifiably proud of our reputation of having one of the most modern fleets in Scotland.

Again for 2016, we have included your favourite destinations as well as some new ones and, as usual our tours are operated mainly with our own, or with Whyte’s, executive coaches, all have airconditioning and are equipped with toilets, reclining seats, tinted windows. For your comfort, all coaches are non-smoking.

We would like to thank all of our loyal and new customers for their support and helpful suggestions and hope that you find plenty of choice in our holiday schedule. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding coach holidays or coach hire.

How to Book Once you have selected a particular holiday, you will find booking forms in the Brochure. Please complete and send to us with your deposit and insurance (if required), or full payment if the holiday date is less than four weeks away, or if you prefer, the booking can be made by telephone. We accept all credit and debit cards. We will send you a confirmation invoice showing receipt of payment and the date when your final payment is due (please note – we do not send reminders). Travel Tickets and luggage labels are sent normally ten days before departure. If you require a receipt before this time, please send a stamped addressed envelope with your final payment.

If you have any special requirements or queries or if you wish to check availability of any tour, please call us and we will be delighted to assist you in any way we can.

CONTINENTAL TOURS All ferry crossings are with P & O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam. En-suite cabins, dinner and breakfast are included and your tour will be operated with air-conditioned coaches. For our Portugal Tour, the crossing is with Brittany Ferries and includes meals. Please note that a full ten year passport will be required for all Continental Tours. It is strongly advised that passengers carry a European Health Insurance Card, obtainable from main Post Offices or by visiting their website, www.ehic.org.uk. Name, Date of birth and National Insurance Number will be required.

No passport is required in Ireland but we recommend that you carry some form of identification.

Currency for Continental and Irish tours is Euros, Norway is Norwegian Krone and Danish Krone, Switzerland is Swiss Francs.

Please also be aware that it is now a legal requirement that all passengers wear seat belts.

Due to new Driver’s Hours Regulations, itineraries are for guidance only and may be changed to suit driver’s rest periods, especially on tours with two free days which may end up being two consecutive days. However, the content of the excursions will remain the same.

IT IS FIRM COMPANY POLICY THAT PASSENGERS ARE SET DOWN AT THEIR ORIGINAL PICK UP POINT ONLY. For pick up points, please see Page 4

2

Holiday Diary for 2016 DATE

DESTINATION

NO OF DAYS

FEBRUARY 19 21 29

Mystery Tour Loch Lomond Gretna Winter Warmer

DESTINATION

NO OF DAYS

DATE

3 5 5

Day Tour 4 5 5 5 3 10 5

APRIL 2 Bournemouth 9 4 Perthshire and Loch Lomond 5 4 Derbyshire and the Peak District 5 11 Blackpool 5 11 Carlisle 5 11 Llandudno 5 18 Belfast 5 18 Mystery Tour 5 18 Warners Alvaston Hall 5 22 Mystery Tour 3 24 Kent 8 25 Ayrshire and Bute 5 25 Chester 5 25 Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies Day Tour 28 Holland and the Bulbfields 6 30 Eastbourne 9 MAY 2 Lytham St Annes 5 2 Southport 5 2 Thurso and Orkney 5 2 St Andrews and the Fife Coast Day Tour 3 Western Front and Normandy 9 8 Co Donegal 6 9 Harrogate 5 9 Lake District 5 9 Northumbria 5 9 York 5 14 Cornwall 8 14 Torquay 8 14 Black Forest 9 16 Sheffield 5 18 Hebridean Castaways 6 21 Bristol and Bath 9 22 Co Kerry 7 23 Shropshire 5 24 Chelsea Flower Show 6 25 Lake Annecy 11 28 Cheltenham 8 30 Newcastle 5 30 Welsh Highlands 5 JUNE 2 Paris 6 4 Gardening Scotland Day Tour 5 Fermanagh Lakeland 6 6 Oban and the Three Islands 5 6 Chester 5 6 Hebridean Castaways 6 10 Lake Maggiore 11 11 Llandudno 8 13 Fort William and the Jacobite Train 5 13 York 5 19 Ennystymon 7 20 Ayrshire and the Isle of Bute 5

20 Harrogate 20 Lancashire 20 Lytham St Annes 24 Zell am Zee 25 Royal Highland Show 25 Isle of Wight 27 Carlisle 27 Thurso and Orkney 29 Italian Dolomites

5 5 5 11 Day Tour 9 5 5 11

JULY 2 Cornwall 3 Hebridean Castaway 4 Perthshire and Loch Lomond 4 Southport 6 Luxembourg 9 Torquay 10 William Tell Express 11 The Borders 11 Lake District 11 Northumbria 11 Sheffield 16 Blackpool 16 Llandudno 17 Co Kerry 18 Dunoon 18 Welsh Highlands 23 Bournemouth 23 Isle of Man 23 Isle of Wight 25 Chester 25 Warners Thoresby Hall 28 Berlin and Dresden 30 Worthing 31 Ennystymon

8 6 5 5 7 8 11 5 5 5 5 7 8 7 5 5 9 6 9 5 5 11 8 7

AUGUST 1 Newcastle 1 York 6 Llandudno 7 London 8 Harrogate 11 Brugges 12 Daniel O’Donnell 13 Norfolk 15 Lake District 15 Lytham St Annes 15 Derbyshire and Peak District 20 Cheltenham 21 Co Donegal 22 Isle of Arran 22 Southport 23 Norway 26 St Wolfgang 27 Bristol and Bath 28 Co Kerry 29 Chester 29 Shropshire

5 5 8 7 5 6 6 9 5 5 5 8 6 5 5 13 11 9 7 5 5

SEPTEMBER 3 Bournemouth 3 Isle of Wight 5 The Borders 5 Harrogate 5 Lancashire 7 Hebridean Castaways 10 Isle of Man 10 Cornwall 10 Torquay

DESTINATION

NO OF DAYS

September (continued)

JUNE (continued)

MARCH 5 Creative Stitches SECC 11 Bolton Winter Warmer 15 St Patrick’s Day in Dublin 21 Oban 21 Warners Nidd Hall 25 Mystery Tour 27 Springtime in Austria 28 Dunoon

DATE

9 9 5 5 5 6 6 8 8

12 Carlisle 5 12 Lytham St Annes 5 12 Thurso and Orkney 5 13 Austria Cows coming Down 11 17 Kent 8 17 Eastbourne 9 18 Fermanagh Lakelands 6 18 Scotland’s North West Passage 6 19 Perthshire and Loch Lomond 5 19 Welsh Highlands 5 24 Norfolk 9 24 Portugal 12 26 Belfast 5 26 Blackpool Illuminations 5 26 Oban and Three Islands 5 26 Warners Bodelwydden 5 26 Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies Day Tour OCTOBER 2 Co Kerry 7 3 Ayrshire and Isle of Bute 5 3 Lake District 5 3 Northumbria 5 3 York 5 8 Torquay 8 8 Worthing 8 9 London 7 10 Blackpool Illuminations 5 10 Dunoon 5 10 Fort William and the Jacobite Train 5 13 Costa Brava 12 16 Co Donegal 6 17 Blackpool Illuminations 5 17 Mystery Tour 5 24 Derbyshire and Peak District 5 24 Pitlochry Enchanted Forest 5 24 Warners Alvaston Hall 5 28 Mystery Tour 3 29 Crafts for Christmas SECC Day Tour 31 Gretna 5 31 Llandudno 5 NOVEMBER 7 Oban 5 11 Mystery Tour 3 14 Blackpool 5 18 Metro Centre 3 20 McArthur Glen Day Tour 21 Pitlochry 5 24 Austrian Christmas Markets 10 25 St Nicholas Fayre & Castle Howard 4 25 Manchester and Chester Christmas Markets 4 DECEMBER 2 4 4 9 11 23 29 29 30 30 30 30 30

Metro Centre 3 McArthur Glen Day Tour Luxembourg Christmas Markets 6 London Winter Wonderland 6 Cologne Christmas Market 6 Oban Christmas 5 Co Kerry New Year 6 Valkenburg New Year 6 Blackpool New Year 5 Dunoon New Year 4 Inverness New Year 4 Oban New Year 4 Peebles New Year 4

3

Pick-Up / Drop-Off Points

The pick up points below are the ONLY points where you may join your FEEDER SERVICE. They are also the ONLY DROP OFF POINTS ALLOWED. Please do not request any pick-up point not listed nor ask return feeder drivers to deviate from these points. All pick up points shaded in Red involve a £15 per person charge.

Departure Times from Aberdeen ...................................... 0825

Departure Times from Aberdeen ....................................... 0825

GROUP 1 (From Elgin)

GROUP 5 (From Banchory)

Elgin – Old Post Office, High Street ................................. 0545 Lhanbryde – Opposite Mace Shop ................................... 0550 Mosstodloch – Petrol Filling Station ................................. 0555 Fochabers – The Square .................................................. 0555 Fife – Keith – The Square ................................................. 0615 Keith – Bus Stop Reidhaven Square ................................ 0620 Huntly – The Square ......................................................... 0635 Old Rayne – Road End, Old Rayne ................................. 0650 Oyne Fork – Lay By at AA Box ......................................... 0655 Inverurie Town Hall ........................................................... 0700

GROUP 2 (From Buckie) Buckie – Cluny Square ..................................................... 0605 Cullen – The Square ......................................................... 0615 Portsoy – Opposite Station Hotel ..................................... 0625 Banff – St Mary’s Car Park ............................................... 0635 Macduff – Opposite Bank of Scotland, Harbour ............... 0635 Turriff – Old Post Office, High Street ................................ 0655 Fyvie – Bus Stop Outside Post Office .............................. 0705 Oldmeldrum – Bus Shelter, Urquhart Road (Square)........ 0720 Newmachar 1 – Newmachar Hotel ................................... 0725 Newmachar 3 – Summer Brae Road End ........................ 0725 Newmachar 4 – Whyte’s Coach Tours ............................. 0730

GROUP 3 (From Fraserburgh) Fraserburgh – Bus Station, Hanover Street ..................... 0605 Mintlaw – Roundabout ...................................................... 0625 Longside Car Park ............................................................ 0630 Peterhead – Library, St Peter Street ................................. 0640 Stirling Village – Opposite Rocksley Inn ........................... 0645 Ellon – Opposite New Inn ................................................. 0700 Tarves – The Square ........................................................ 0710 Pitmedden – Village Centre/Oldmeldrum Rd .................... 0715

GROUP 4 (To Aberdeen) Dyce 1 – Opposite Greentrees ......................................... 0755 Dyce 2 – Junction Glenhome Terrace/Victoria Street ....... 0755 Stoneywood – Bus Shelter ............................................... 0800 Bucksburn 1 – Bus Stop, Chalmers Bakers ..................... 0810 Woodside 1 – Opposite Himalaya Tandoori ..................... 0815 Woodside 2 – Bus Stop, Pound Stretcher ........................ 0815 Woodside 3 – Opposite Northern Hotel ............................ 0815 Aberdeen – Skene Street (Behind Central Library) .......... 0825

4

Banchory 1 – Burnett Arms Hotel ...................................... 0725 Banchory 2 – Lay by end Silverbank Crescent ................. 0725 Drumoak – Bus Stop, Main Road, Keithmuir ..................... 0735 Peterculter 1 – Bus Stop, Alldays Store ............................ 0740 Peterculter 2 – Bus Stop Ploughman Inn .......................... 0740 Milltimber – Contlaw Brae/Main Road ............................... 0745 Cults – Cults Hotel – Bus Stop/Main Road ........................ 0750

GROUP 6 (South Bound Tours) Bridge of Dee – Stonehaven Rd/Cairngorm Rd End ......... 0830 Portlethen – Bus Stop Opposite Asda Muirend Road ....... 0835 Newtonhill – Road End ...................................................... 0840 Muchalls – Road End ........................................................ 0845 Stonehaven – Bus Stop Indoor Bowling Club ................... 0850 Laurencekirk – Bus Stop Mearns Academy ...................... 0905 Inverbervie – Fire Station .................................................. 0910 Brechin – Bus Stop by Mackie Motors .............................. 0920 St Cyrus – Opposite Hotel ................................................. 0925 Montrose – Bus Stop Outside WH Smith .......................... 0935 Forfar – Bus Stop at Tesco opposite Reid Hall, Brechin Rd ..... 0930 Arbroath – Meadowbank Inn ............................................. 0950 Arbroath – Gravesend/Abbeygate Centre ......................... 1040 Dundee – Seagate Bus Station ......................................... 1105 Perth – Broxden Park and Ride ......................................... 1135 Dunblane – Opposite Police Station .................................. 1205 Stirling – Bus Stop at Railway Station ............................... 1215

GROUP 7 (Perthshire) Aberfeldy – Burnside Garage ............................................ 1020 Pitlochry – Outside Fishers Hotel ...................................... 1050 Dunkeld – Birnam Hotel .................................................... 1105 Crieff – Outside Meadow Inn ............................................. 1100

GROUP 8 (Fife) Cupar – Outside Railway Station ...................................... 1045 Glenrothes – Bus Station Stance 16 ................................. 1100 Kirkcaldy – Bennochy Road .............................................. 1115 Cowdenbeath – The Fountain ........................................... 1130 Dunfermline (To be Advised) ............................................. 1145

For North Bound Tours

Times will be advised approximately 10 days before travel.

Your Pick-Up Point

On receipt of your holiday confirmation invoice, please check your pick up point and time.

Please Note

Passengers should be at Pick-Up Point 10 minutes before departure.

Austrian Autumn Festival – Cows Coming Down

Beautiful Bruges

As summer turns to autumn in the Alps, locals and visitors enjoy the Almabtrieb Festivals, when the cows are brought in from their high alpine pastures. There is traditionally a procession and the cows are adorned with bells and colourful flowers. It all makes for a great spectacle with local markets, music and dance all adding to the familiar alpine attractions. There are Almabtrieb festivals all over Austria and they are indeed a wonderful spectacle.

For this tour, we visit the stunning city of Bruges, the oval shaped historic city centre of Bruges is famous for its remarkable Medieval architecture, beautiful 13th Century Belfry, picturesque canals and ancient bridges … and its lace.

Bon Alpina Hotel, 3 Star

Located on the restaurant lined t’Zand Square, the 4 star Hotel Portinari is just a 10 minute stroll along Bruges’ main shopping street from the historic market square. Facilities include a stylish breakfast room, a cosy bar, a guest lounge with indoor/outdoor seating and a covered terrace facing onto t’Zand Square. The hotel is known for its personal welcome and charming atmosphere. Lift.

Hilberstraße 8, 6080 Igls

The hotel is set in a beautiful Alpine Village, a ski resort in the winter and a haven for walkers and climbers in the summer.

Tuesday 13 September

11 Days

£910

Single Supplement £211. I nsurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing from Hull to Rotterdam in level berth outside cabins, Three Course Farmer’s Buffet on one evening, Three Course Italian Buffet on one evening, Afternoon Cake from the Buffet between 16.00 -17.00 hrs, Unlimited Tea/Coffee, Soft Drinks, Beer and Wine between 10.00 and 21.00 hrs.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2 We disembark and travel through Holland and in to Germany to Hotel Mercure Saarbrucken Sud for our overnight stay.

DAY 3

Pass Munich, into Austria and on to Igls for a 6 night stay.

DAY 4

full day at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s excellent facilities, A the wonderful alpine views and the village of Igls.

DAY 5

oday, we will visit the Tyrolean capital city of Innsbruck.

T This beautiful Alpine city is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and snow capped mountains.

DAY 6

oday, we will travel through the famous Thurn Pass and T onwards to the Krimml Waterfalls. We will continue our journey along the famous Gerlos Pass and Ziller Valley.

We may spend some time exploring Mayrhofen at our leisure before returning to our hotel for some leisure time.

DAY 7

oday is the day the cows come home, we will travel T through the small villages which celebrate this occasion, not only cows come down but sheep and horses too.

DAY 8

oday, we travel through the stunning Brenner Pass T into Italy (please remember your passport) with a visit to Vipiteno.

DAY 9 We leave Austria and travel back in to Germany to Hotel Pforshein-Niefern for our overnight stay.

DAY 10 Today we head for Rotterdam leaving after breakfast and travelling through Germany in to Holland.

DAY 11

fter our overnight crossing, we disembark in Hull and A travel home.

Please note: at the time of publication, the provisional date for the Cows Coming Down was the 19 September, this may be subject to change and the Itinerary altered to suit.

Hotel Portinari, Bruges, Flanders, 4 Star

Thursday 11 August

6 Days

£650

Single Supplement £130. Insurance £31 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry Crossing in Outside, Level Berth Cabins, Dinner in Bruges at Local Restaurant near to the Hotel, Welcome Drink in Bruges, Tea/ Coffee after dinner in Bruges. Porterage in Bruges.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam DAY 2 We disembark and visit the Belgian capital, Brussels, an exciting and cosmopolitan city. We can make the most of our day with a guided tour of this fascinating city and see the Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the European Parliament buildings.

Later, we will have some free time at leisure before making our way to Bruges.

DAY 3 We will spend the day at leisure in Bruges, we can explore the wonderful cobbled streets of the historic centre of Bruges via horse drawn cart or on foot, ensuring that we see Michelangelo’s exquisite sculpture, ‘Madonna with Child’, in the Church of Our Lady.

DAY 4

oday, we will visit the historic Flanders port of T Ghent, where we will have some free time to discover the old-fashioned Fevery patisserie on Brabantdam before exploring the city’s stunning historical centre where we can admire the triple towers of St Nicholas Church, the Belfort and St Bavo’s Cathedral.

DAY 5

fter breakfast, we will leave Bruges and make our A way back to Rotterdam visiting the city of Antwerp, famous for its diamonds and chocolate en-route.

DAY 6

We disembark in Hull and make our way homeward.

Please note the coach is only permitted to enter Bruges to drop off and pick up passengers with luggage. For excursions passengers have to make their own way to the coach park which is on Bargeplein (Kanaaleiland) which is a 20 minute walk from the Hotel. Passengers unable to walk should arrange a taxi.

5

From Beautiful Berlin To The Drama Of Dresden This twin centre packaged tour has something that will appeal to everyone. Few cities have experienced as much fascinating history as Berlin and Dresden and this itinerary showcases the best of human brilliance and resilience over the past 1,000 years.

Intercity Hotel Dresden, 3 Star Dresden, Germany

Located in a central location and just across the road from the main station, the InterCity Hotel Dresden is a modern hotel with 156 well furnished bedrooms equipped with hairdryer and TV and all are accessible by lift. There is a small reception and bar area and the hotel’s restaurant is located on the ground floor. Lift.

Wyndham Garden Berlin Mitte, 4 Star Berlin, Germany

The stylish Wyndham Garden Berlin Mitte Hotel is located in the northern part of Berlin city centre. The hotel features high ceilings with stucco details, panoramic windows and a charming courtyard. All bedrooms are equipped with hairdryer and TV and furnished in a contemporary style with high ceilings and lots of natural light. Lift.

Thursday 28 July

11 Days

£1110

Day 6

oday, we will leave Berlin behind and travel to T Colditz Castle, a stunning 1,000 year old hunting lodge that was notoriously used by the Nazis as a Prisoner of War camp in WW2. We will then escape to our coach and continue on our journey to the InterCity Hotel Dresden, our base for the next three nights.

Day 7

oday, we will spend at leisure in Dresden, utilising T our free transport pass that forms part of our city hotel package.

Day 8

his morning, we will make our way to the T famous town of Meissen and visit the Museum of Meissen Art, the most comprehensive collection of Meissen Porcelain from 1710 to the present day. We can then perhaps enjoy lunch in Café Meissen (not included in price) prior to re-joining our coach and travelling to Schloss & Park Pillnitz, overlooking the Elbe River and positioned at the foot of the Pillnitz vineyards. We will then board the river cruise from Pillnitz to Dresden (1 hour single journey) where our coach will meet us and return us to our hotel in time for dinner.

Day 9

oday, we will leave Dresden behind and make our T way across Germany to our overnight hotel, again the Ramada Hotel Britannia, Hannover.

Single Supplement £236. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing in level berth, outside cabins. Welcome drink in Dresden and Berlin, Entrance to Meissen Museum, Pillnitz Castle, River Cruise from Pillnitz to Dresden, Entrance to Colditz Castle and Museum, Guided tour of Cecilienhof Palace, Guided tour of Berlin, Porterage in Berlin and Dresden. Free public transport in Dresden.

ITINERARY Day 1 We make our way to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam Day 2 We disembark and make our way to our overnight stop at the Ramada Hotel Britannia, Hannover.

DAY 3 We make our way across Germany to Berlin where we will enjoy a guided tour of Berlin’s monumental past that will include visits and commentary relating to the city’s Medieval origins, its Prussian and Nazi past and its legacy as a divided post-war city before making our way to our Hotel.

Day 4 We will have a day at leisure today to enjoy this magnificent city.

DAY 5

6

oday we will visit Cecilienhof Palace, built T between 1913 and 1917 by Crown Prince William and is effectively the last castle to be built by the Hohenzollern dynasty. Not only is it an extremely beautiful building, it was also where Sir Winston Churchill, President Truman and Stalin met for the so-called ‘Potsdam Conference’ in 1945 to decide how to partition Germany following its surrender.

DAY 10 We make our way to Rotterdam after breakfast to board our ferry back to Hull.

DAY 11

We return home.

The Costa Brava - Spain

The Chateaux and Gardens of Paris Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities. With iconic attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and Notre Dame, it is a city full of history, culture and chic shops. For this tour we also explore the Chateaux and Gardens.

Mercure Paris La Defense, 4 Star

30 rue Baudin - Place Charras, 92400 Courbevoie

Set in a modern building, this relaxed hotel is a 15-minute walk from Esplanade de La Défense metro station and 6.5 km from the restaurants of Montmartre. Lift.

Thursday 2 June

6 Days

£495

Single Supplement £157. Insurance £31 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

3 Nights Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing with Dinner and Breakfast, in outside, level berth cabins, Entrance to Versailles Palace, Entrance to Monet’s Gardens, Entrance to Vaux le Vicomte.

ITINERARY

The Costa Brava has long been a popular destination with travellers. With glorious stretches of sandy beaches, it is home to some of the most scenic and historical sights in Europe and enjoys blissfully warm weather all year. The town of Roses is located beneath the Cabo de Creus Mountain and enjoys a great situation overlooking Roses Bay. Much of the original character of the town has been preserved and there is a wide selection of shops, bars, cafes and restaurants and lovely walks along the promenade and around the harbour and marina.

Hotel Monterrey, 3 Star

Passeig Marítim, 72, 17480 Roses, Girona

This welcoming, family run hotel is situated right on the sea front in Roses with direct access to the promenade and the beach. All rooms have a hairdryer, balcony,TV, fridge, WiFi. Outdoor swimming pool, Sauna, gym. Lift.

Thursday 13 October

12 Days

£795

Single Supplement £170. Insurance £39 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

11 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return Ferry Crossing from Hull to Rotterdam in outside, level berth cabins. Glass of wine with dinner in Roses.

DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

Day 2 We disembark and travel to Paris where there will be time to unpack before dinner. There is a restaurant in the hotel and quite a number in the near vicinity.

DAY 3 We have a guided tour of Paris this morning and in the afternoon we visit Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.

See the wonderful house and beautiful gardens which remain a magnet for art and garden lovers throughout the world.

DAY 4

e have a morning visit to Vaux le Vicomte, a W sumptuous chateau with magnificent gardens and a fine carriage museum. In the afternoon, we have some free time to enjoy the sights of Paris.

DAY 5 We leave Paris and make our way back to Rotterdam to board our overnight ferry back to Hull.

DAY 6 We return home after disembarking.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel south to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2

fter disembarking, we travel through Holland, Belgium A and in to France for our overnight stay in the Dijon area.

DAY 3

fter breakfast, we make our way through France and A over the border to Spain and our base for the next 7 nights.

DAY 4

A day at leisure, time to enjoy a day in the resort.

DAY 5

long, but worthwhile full day excursion today to the A capital of Catalonia – Barcelona. We will have a guided tour and then some free time to enjoy this wonderful city.

DAY 6

oday we travel to Tossa de Mar, where the castle of the T old town dominates above the coastline. From here, we take the stunning cliff top drive across to Calella de Palafrugel, an unspoilt Spanish beauty spot with wonderful coves and beaches.

DAY 7

hursday is market day in Figueres, home of the T splendid Dali Museum (not included). We visit Cadeques in the afternoon, a picturesque fishing village and home to many famous artists.

DAY 8

A free day again to relax.

DAY 9

e have a half day excursion today to Girona, the so W called city of four rivers, has a historic centre with a range of beautiful medieval buildings.

DAY 10

e sadly leave the temperate climate of Spain today W and return to Dijon for our overnight stay.

DAY 11

fter breakfast, we make our way back to Rotterdam for A our overnight sailing back to Hull.

DAY 12

Homeward bound today.

7

Flanders and The Normandy Landings This tour incorporates some of the visits relating to the First and Second World War.

Best Western Ambassador Hotel, 4 Star Menin

Tuesday 3 May

9 Days

£890

Single Supplement £217. Insurance £34 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

8 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing from Hull to Rotterdam in Outside Cabins, Entrance to Pegasus Bridge and Museum, Le Grand Bunker, The Atlantic Wall Museum, Arromanches 360 Theatre

ITINERARY

Mercure Hotel Caen Centre Porte De Plaisance, 4 Star

DAY 1 We travel south to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 5

oday we spend the morning at leisure in Caen, T so why not use the opportunity to explore the attractions of the town. Although heavily bombed during World War II, the town has nonetheless retained some of its famous buildings.

DAY 6

his morning, we head to the famous Café Gondrée; T the first house & family to be liberated by the Allies. After lunch, we visit the Pegasus Bridge & Museum, which retells the story behind the famous glider landing. Our next stop is Le Grand Bunker: The Atlantic Wall Museum, located inside a huge command bunker. Then we make the journey to Sword, Juno & Gold; the target beaches of the British & Canadian forces. Finally, we visit the Arromanches 360 Theatre where a circular arena of 9 screens displays a poignant film.

DAY 7

oday we head towards Utah and Omaha, the target T beaches of the American forces. Your journey takes you to St. Mere Église, where US troops of the 82nd Airborne were dropped behind enemy lines.

We enjoy free time here so, why not take a lunch stop (NOT INCLUDED) at the Dakota Café or visit the Airborne Museum. We then move on to visit Utah Beach and the Utah Beach Museum. The tour continues with a visit to the visually spectacular Pointe du Hoc to view Omaha Beach.

DAY2 We disembark and proceed through Holland into Belgium and head for Menin. This little town has a lovely main square with a great choice of bars and cafes.

DAY 3

ur excursion today takes to Ypres, a thriving O historic town which was devasted during some of the bloodiest battles of 1917 and 1918. Accompanied by a guide, we will see the In Flanders Fields Museum, the Menin Gate and nearby Tyne Cot, the largest British War Cemetry. We will have a late evening meal following the daily Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.

DAY 4 After breakfast we make our way through Belgium and in to France for the next four nights.

Caen, Normandy

DAY 8 Today we head back to Rotterdam for our overnight ferry back to Hull.

DAY 9 We disembark and head homeward.

8

The Enchanting Black Forest

Holland and The Bulbfields

When the Brothers Grimm wrote their famous fairy tales, “Hansel and Gretel”, “Rapunzel” and “Sleeping Beauty”, they set their stories in the enchanting Black Forest. This region has not only inspired tales of witches, castle towers and kidnapped princesses, but it also provided the world with cuckoo clocks and indulgent cherry and chocolate gateaux.

Waldeck Spa Resort, 4 Star Bad Dürrheim, Black Forest

This modern, family-run 4 star hotel is traditional in style and located within a 5 to 10 minute stroll from the town centre. The public areas are bright and spacious and include a reception, bar, restaurant, roof terrace and garden. The rooms are light and spacious, each with its own balcony, hairdryer and TV. The hotel has extensive leisure facilities that include a large indoor swimming pool, saunas, gym, yoga sessions (free to guests) and spa services. Lift.

Saturday 14 May

9 Days

£795

Single Supplement £112. I nsurance £34 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

8 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing in level berth, outside cabins, Welcome Drink in Bad Durrheim.

ITINERARY Day 1 We leave home and travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

Day 2 We disembark in Rotterdam and travel to the Black Forest with time to settle in before dinner.

Day 3 Day 4

At leisure to relax Today, we enjoy an excursion to the capital of the Black Forest, Freiburg. Sitting at the foot of the Black Forest’s vineyards and wooded slopes, it is a medieval town of gabled houses and cobbled lanes. A magnificent gothic cathedral dominates the town square. On our return journey, we may stop at the fascinating Black Forest Open Air Museum at Gutach. The regional history and culture of the Black Forest is brought to life as we learn how people have lived and worked in the region for the past 400 years.

The “Greatest Flower Show on Earth” and the showpiece garden of the Dutch bulb industry, Keukenhof comes to life in a blaze of colour for two glorious months each spring. The setting is quite spectacular as the world famous tulips provide a dazzling blanket across the landscaped gardens. It takes around 10 months for the gardeners to prepare for the show and provide visitors with the opportunity to purchase the very latest flower varieties before they reach the garden centres.

Tulip Inn Amsterdam Riverside, 3 Star Provincialeweg 38, 1108 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands

Located at the edge of the Amsterdam Zuidoost Business Centre, the Tulip Inn Amsterdam Riverside is just 20 minutes away from Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam city centre, and yet in a quiet area. The rooms all have flat screen TV, radio, telephone and air-conditioning.

Thursday 28 April

6 Days

£520

Single Supplement £100. Insurance £31 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Glass of Beer or Soft Drink in Hotel, Tea/Coffee after dinner, Entrance to Keukenhof Gardens, Entrance to Royal Delft Porcelain Factory.

Return ferry crossings from Hull to Rotterdam in Outside, Low Berth Cabins.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2

e disembark and make our way to Zaanse Schans, W a stunning living and working community dating back to the 18th and 19th century. Packed with wooden windmills, barns, houses and museums transporting us back in time (entrance fees not included) before continuing to our hotel where a welcome drink awaits.

Day 5

ur excursion today takes us to Lake Titisee. The O Spa town is on the north shore of one of Germany’s prettiest lakes . We will have time to enjoy exploring the town before continuing our circular drive to Triberg, with its many traditional wood-carving shops, extensive range of cuckoo clocks … and the highest waterfalls in Germany!

DAY 3 Today is the highlight of our tour - a full day at Keukenhof to witness the wonderful displays of spring flowers. 80 acres of colour waiting to be explored in a myriad of tulips, daffodils, narcissi and hyacinths. Undulating hills, lakes and streams combine with the endless flowers in a quite awe inspiring spectacle – a horticultural theme park.

Day 6

Today, we enjoy a trip through the Alsace wine region, stopping at the beautiful Alsatian capital of Colmar. Here we can wander through the town’s ‘Little Venice’ before following the wine route as it winds north through the pretty 16th Century towns of Riquewihr and Ribeauville. After a short stop to explore these towns, we then make a detour via the castle of Haut Koenigsburg, a wonderfully rebuilt fortress with amazing views over the valley

DAY 4

Day 7

day at leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel’s leisure A facilities or wander to Bad Durrheim to enjoy the last of your time in Germany.

Day 8 We leave the Black Forest and travel to Rotterdam to board our overnight ferry.

Day 9

We disembark and travel homeward.

ur excursion today takes us to Amsterdam, famous O for its romantic canals, there are many places to visit, museums, Diamond Factories and great shopping from arts and antiques to fashionable and upmarket products in chic shopping streets.

DAY 5 Sadly we make our way back to Rotterdam but we will have time to make a visit to beautiful Delft which is criss crossed with beautiful canals, home of the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory where we will make a visit and have a guided tour to see how this stunning porcelain is made we may also have time to visit Gouda. We then head to Rotterdam to board our overnight ferry back to Hull.

DAY 6

fter disembarking at Hull, we make our way home, A arriving early evening.

9

The Italian Dolomites

Italy, Switzerland and The William Tell Express This two centre tour combines four nights in Stresa, on Lake Maggiore with a two night stay in the Swiss Alps, close to Lake Lucerne. To connect these two centres, we arrange a 1st Class journey on the William Tell Express, featuring the spectacular train journey on the Gotthard route from Locarno to Fluelen and a cruise on Lake Lucerne, during which we include lunch.

Hotel Milan E Speranza Au Lac, 4 Star Stresa

A charming, traditional hotel situated right in the centre of Stresa overlooking the lake. Lift.

Hotel Paxmontana, 3 Star Flueli-Ranft

An exceptional hotel, well placed for exploring Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland. It is situated in an idyllic position in a tranquil village on a plateau above Lake Sarnen which offers a taste of the real Switzerland and the surrounding mountain peaks provide the perfect dramatic backdrop for the hotel.

Sunday 10 July

11 Days

£1195

Single Supplement £200. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing in outside, level berth cabins, Rail Journey on William Tell Express, Boat trip from Fluelen to Lucerne City with Lunch.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2 We disembark and travel to our overnight hotel the Mercure Hotel, Saarbrucken Sud. DAY 3

fter leaving our hotel after breakfast, we travel A south to Switzerland and through the Alps to Italy and the lakeside town of Stresa for a four night stay.

DAY 4

We have a day at leisure to explore Stresa.

DAY 5

scenic excursion today includes a circular route A from Lake Maggiore through the mountains to stunning Lake Orta with some free time in Orta San Giulio.

DAY 6

At Leisure

Day 7 We leave Stresa after breakfast and travel to Locarno to board the William Tell Express. The first part of the journey is in a 1st Class carriage on the Gotthard Line to Lake Lucerne. This is followed by a Lake Cruise, usually in a nostalgic paddle steamer, during which lunch is included. Arriving in Lucerne City, we rejoin the coach for the onward journey to nearby Flueli-Ranft for a two night stay.

DAY 8

oday we have an excursion to the magnificent T Bernese Oberland to include the Brunig Pass.

DAY 9 We leave Switzerland and travel on to Saarbrucken for dinner and our overnight stay.

DAY 10

fter breakfast, we journey north to Rotterdam and A board our overnight ferry back to Hull.

DAY 11 We disembark and head home.

10

With breathtaking scenery each and every way you turn this region offers a myriad of itineraries and scenic days out – you are still in Italy but with a strong Austrian feel! Fai della Paganella can be found on a striking terrace in the dramatic rocky rooftop of the Italian Dolomites. When you first see the strikingly stunning cliffs flecked with snow against a blue sky it will take your breath away.

Hotel Paganella, 3 Star Fai della Paganella

This small and friendly, family run hotel is ideally located for touring in this area. Fausto and his family ensure a warm welcome in this typically Austrian chalet style dwelling. There is a cosy bar, a traditional restaurant serving excellent homemade fayre, and a comfortable lounge and seating areas. Bedrooms are well appointed and all 26 have hairdryer and TV. Lift.

Wednesday 29 June

11 Days

£895

Single Supplement £158. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, return ferry crossing from Hull to Rotterdam in outside, level berth cabins, Welcome drink in Hotel, Drinks with dinner in Italy – unlimited wine and water, Free Bar – 6pm to 10.30pm, beer, wine, soft drinks and national spirits, Quiz/Games night one evening. Speciality candlelit farewell dinner with music in Italy, Mystery day out – guided walk etc.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel south to Hull to board our overnight ferry.

DAY 2 After disembarking in Rotterdam, we travel to our overnight hotel, the Leonardo Hotel, Heidelberg.

DAY 3 After breakfast, we then travel into Italy and our base for the next six nights. Arriving at the hotel by late afternoon, with time to relax or perhaps take a stroll before enjoying the first evening meal.

Day 4 A free day today, you can enjoy a walk and picnic in the surrounding countryside with Fausto, the hotel owner and simply relax and enjoy the mountain scenery Day 5 We take a full day tour of the fabulous Brenta Dolomite mountain range. Drive up the Val di Sole and then over the pass at Madonna di Campiglio, from where there are spectacular views of the Brenta Peaks. From here we look round and back up to the charming and pretty Lake Molveno, before returning to the hotel.

Day 6 The beautiful spa city of Merano is a must. You can enjoy the morning strolling around this town’s vibrant centre, perhaps taking the chair lift (not included)up to admire the most scenic views and then walk through the botanical gardens. In the afternoon drive along the Adige Valley’s famous wine route.

Day 7 A day out to Riva del Garda today, based on the north point of this stunningly beautiful and largest Italian lake, Riva is a good sized town, and has plenty going on, with a charming pedestrianised medieval centre.

Day 8 A free day to relax in the hotel and enjoy the warm weather of Northern Italy.

DAY 9 Today we leave Italy and travel back to Heidelberg for our overnight stop in the Leonardo Hotel.

DAY 10 After breakfast, we travel to Rotterdam to board our overnight ferry back to Hull.

DAY 11 We travel homeward.

Luxembourg The Grand Duchy

The Majestic Lake Maggiore

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a constitutional monarchy, is an independent sovereign state, tucked between Belgium, France and Germany. Embedded in a landscape typical of the Ardennes – rolling hills and heavily wooded valleys, Vianden has charmed visitors for many years and is renowned for its picturesque townscape, art treasures and rich history. The narrow paved lanes, the gothic churches, the ramparts and fortified towers of the small medieval town are dominated by the impressive Orange Castle.

Grand Hotel De Vianden, 3 Star 6 Rue de la Gare, L9420 Vianden Tel: 00352 834170

This charming, family run hotel is located in the small picturesque medieval town of Vianden, which is at the foot of the impressive Orange Castle. The hotel is a couple of minutes walk from the village centre. Lounge Bar, Conservatory and Roof Terrace. Rooms have TV. Lift but not to all floors.

Wednesday 6 July

7 Days

£595

Single Supplement £100. Insurance £32 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

6 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, return ferry crossing to Rotterdam in Outside, Level Berth Cabins, Welcome Drink in Luxembourg.

Italy’s most alluring lake, the stunning Maggiore is brilliant for breathtaking scenery and culture. The beautiful lakeside resort of Stresa is ideally positioned for touring Lugano, the Borromeo Islands, the Swiss corner of Lake Maggiore and Lake Como.

Hotel Milan E Speranza, Stresa, Lake Maggiore, 4 Star

Located right on the edge of Stresa’s historic centre with its shops and bars and just a stone’s throw from the lakefront and boat stop, the Milan E Speranza is a traditional, olde worlde hotel with a wonderful ambience. The elegant restaurant serves very good cuisine with friendly and professional service. There is a lovely bar on the 1st floor in which customers can enjoy an evening drink and chat amongst friends. Lift.

Friday 10 June

11 Days

£995

Single Supplement £180. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Return ferry crossing in Level Berth, Outside Cabins, Welcome Drink in hotels, Railway Journey and Boat Trip

ITINERARY Day 1 We leave home and travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2 We disembark in Rotterdam and travel through Holland and in to Germany to our overnight stop at Mercure Hotel Saarbrucken Sud. Day 3 We leave after breakfast and travel to Stresa where we enjoy a welcome drink as our luggage is taken to our room. We have time to freshen up prior to dinner this evening.

ITINERARY DAY 1

We travel to Hull for our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2

fter disembarking, we travel to Vianden in Luxembourg A visiting Valkenburg en-route. We then make our way to our hotel where a Welcome Drink awaits.

DAY 3

e enjoy an excursion to Luxembourg City, we will W have a half day guided tour followed by time at leisure.

Sights include Luxembourg Castle Ruins, the Grand Ducal Palace and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the city is smaller than other European capitals, but still has a great deal to discover.

DAY 4

Day 4 A day at leisure today.

Day 5

eparting from Stresa, take the train up to D Domodossola, at which point you change onto the scenic high level railway, the Centovalli, taking you through the mountains and down to Locarno, a bustling town on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore. After revelling in the fabulous views during your ride, you will have time to relax. Taking a boat ride from this Swiss corner of Lake Maggiore back down to Stresa, completes our day.

Day 6

fter breakfast, we travel east to Lake Como, the A prettiest lake in northern Italy. Its breathtaking mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the magnificent gardens with their vast array of colour. You will enjoy a scenic drive up the west coast, passing quaint villages.

ull day excursion to the Mullerthal Region – the F Grand Duchy’s “Little Switzerland”. The main town of the area, Echternach was badly damaged during the Second World War but the narrow streets and medieval ramparts have been restored to their former glory.

Day 7 We leave the splendour of the lakes today and head to the fashion capital, Milan where we will have a short guided tour before having some free time to take in the many sights.

DAY 5

e enjoy a day at leisure to relax and soak up the W atmosphere in Vianden.

Day 8

A free day to relax before our journey home.

Day 9

DAY 6

e leave Luxembourg and travel back to Rotterdam, W paying a visit to either Brussels or Brugges.

e leave Lake Maggiore and travel back to the W Mercure Hotel Saarbrucken Sud for our overnight stay.

DAY 7 We disembark in Hull and travel home.

Day 10 Today we travel back to Rotterdam for our overnight ferry back to Hull.

Day 11

The final leg of our journey, back home from Hull.

11

Lakes Annecy, Geneva and Charlie Chaplin’s Alpine Retreat We have a brand new destination close to the centre of the stunning town of Annecy that provides an excellent touring base for exploring the beautiful Alpine countryside that characterises the French/Swiss border around Lake Geneva.

Freddie Mercury and Charlie Chaplin both found solace, artistic inspiration and peace in their final years on Lake Geneva.

Best Western Hotel International Annecy, 3 Star

The modern Best Western Hôtel International is ideally situated at the entrance to the city centre. The old town and the lake’s edge is approx. a 10 minute walk away. The hotel offers bedrooms all equipped with hairdryer, TV and tea/ coffee making facilities and air-conditioning. Leisure facilities include a steam room, sauna, spa bath and gym and are chargeable at approx. 10 Euros per hour.

Wednesday 25 May

11 Days

Day 5

his morning, we will make an early start and (not T forgetting our passports) travel along the south side of Lake Geneva towards Montreux. Nestled within the sheltered Lake Geneva bay, this beautiful town adorned with exotic plants, palm trees and flowers has attracted famous musicians, writers and movie stars (Tchaikovsky, Charlie Chaplin, Noel Coward, Freddie Mercury and Shania Twain to name a few) to its mild and glamorous shores for over a century.

We can walk along the beautiful promenade towards the Château of Chillon, discover the Freddie Mercury statue on the banks adjacent to the Covered Market and enjoy a spot of lunch. After some free time in the afternoon, we can then board our coach and enjoy a scenic return journey to our hotel

Day 6

oday, we will drive to Yvoire on the south bank T of Lake Geneva. This attractive village comprises an abundance of Medieval Alpine architecture, artisans and cafés with lovely views across the Lake.

We can wander through Place du Thay where the 11th Century Church dominates the square and visit the Jardin des Cinq Sens in the grounds of the imposing private Château. In the afternoon, we take a trip on one of Lake Geneva’s paddle steamers to the chic lake side city of Geneva with its supremely classical waterfront.

Day 7

I n the afternoon, we can take a one hour circular cruise of stunning Lake Annecy and admire the panoramic views of tiny lakeside villages nestled beneath towering Alpine mountains. This really is an unforgettable experience!

Day 8

oday we can explore Annecy at our leisure before T starting our journey home.

£1060

Single Supplement £273. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing in level berth, outside cabins. Welcome drink at Hotels, Tea/ Coffee after Dinner. Porterage at hotels.

ITINERARY Day 1 We travel south to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

Day 2

fter disembarking, we travel though Holland and in A to France where we head for our overnight hotel, the Mercure Metz Centre.

DAY 3 We leave after breakfast and make our way to Annecy with time to settle in prior to dinner this evening.

Day 4

12

his morning, we will allow our driver a day off and T wander at leisure through the streets of Annecy’s old town. Fortresses, churches, ancient bridges, Medieval arches, cobblestone streets, quaint canals, immaculate parks, pretty shops and restaurants all converge to create a dreamy, romantic little town that earned its description as ‘the Venice of the Alps’.

Day 9 We leave the shores of Lake Annecy and make our way back to Metz for our overnight stay.

Day 10 We leave Metz and travel to Rotterdam to board our return overnight ferry.

Day 11 We disembark in Hull and travel homeward.

Portugal’s Great Cities – Lisbon and Porto

Zell Am See Summer and Snow

Enjoy the splendid Brittany Ferries cruise ferry service to Santander before travelling through Spain to arrive in Portugal.

We then feature three nights in Lisbon, Portugal’s historic capital city, before continuing on to Porto, with its attractive old town and port houses.

Saturday 24 September

12 Days

£1065

Single Supplement £290 (Including Outside Cabin).

Insurance £39 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

11 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing from Plymouth to Santander in Outside Cabins, Morning visit to a Port Wine House and Museum with tasting. Wine, water and soft drinks with all dinners in Portugal. After dinner tea/coffee in Portugal.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to our overnight hotel in the Midlands.

DAY 2 We travel to Plymouth to board the Brittany Ferries cruise ferry to Santander. Relax and enjoy a night on board ship. The ship sails at 15.45 hrs.

DAY 3 The ship arrives in Santander at 12.15 hrs and we then travel to Salamanca for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY 4 Today we continue on to Portugal and pass Guarda and Castelo Branca to arrive in Lisbon for a three night stay.

Mercure Lisboa Hotel, 4 Star

The hotel is modern and a short walk from the Gulbenkian Museum and Lisbon Zoo. It is well connected and only a short ride by public transport from the historic heart of the City. Lift.

Indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

Our packaged summer itinerary based at our lovely family hotel in Zell am See will provide you with the best of both worlds: warm sun and ample swimming opportunities … and snow-capped mountains!

We can ‘gorge’ ourselves on stunning panoramic mountain views, fascinating museums, excellent Alpine cuisine, waterfalls and dramatic gorge walks.

Hotel Fischerwirt, Achenkirch, Tyrol, 3 Star

This family run hotel is situated 50m from the shores of Lake Achen, the largest lake in the Tyrol. The hotel is full of rustic Tyrolean charm with a spacious and traditional restaurant. The bar/restaurant area is a traditional inn with various seating areas. Leisure facilities are available including a sauna, aromatherapy steam room and infrared sauna.

Friday 24 June

11 Days

£960

Single Supplement £172. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return Ferry Crossing in Level Berth, Outside Cabins, Free Bar between 10.00 - 22.00 hrs each day on beer, wine, schnapps and soft drinks. Tea/Coffee after dinner, 1 x Zell am See card per person, Schmittenhohebahn Cable Car, Kitzsteinhorn Cable Car.

ITINERARY* DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Hull for our overnight ferry.

DAY 2 We disembark and travel through Holland into Germany and our overnight hotel, the Leonardo Hotel, Karlsruhe.

DAY 3 After breakfast we travel to Achenkirch and arrive to a warm welcome from the staff at our friendly hotel and will enjoy some time perhaps relaxing on the Lido by the lake prior to dinner this evening.

DAY 4

e will spend today exploring our beautiful lakeside resort at leisure.

W We can walk to the end of the Esplanade and take a pleasure boat trip across Lake Zell and watch the idyllic mountain range glide by.

With our Zell am See-Kaprun Card, we can make lake crossings as often as we like and enjoy one panorama pleasure cruise during our stay.

DAY 5

oday, we will board the Schmittenhöhebahn Cable Car and ascend T 3,000 metres up to the summit of the region’s highest mountain from which we can enjoy views of over 30 mountains in the Eastern Alps whilst perhaps enjoying a cup of coffee and slice of cake at the Schmitten Café (not included), before visiting Sigmund Thun gorge in Kaprun with its stunning waterfall. The path through the gorge is effectively a boardwalk comprising a number of stepped sections (no disabled access). We will then take another cable car to the summit of Kitzsteinhorn for an outstanding view and bizarrely snowy experience in the height of summer!

DAY 6

his morning, we will travel to the Mining and Gothic Museum in T Leogang, one of the oldest and most well-known mining regions in Austria. A 16th Century mine steward’s house, Inn and Saint Anne’s Chapel still exist and we can learn about a typical miner’s life producing silver, nickel, copper and cobalt (used to produce blue dye and exported to Murano glassworks). We will visit the smelting works and tourist mine in the village of Hütten as well as the gothic interior of the chapel before perhaps enjoying lunch at the Unterberghaus. This afternoon, we will discover more about the rich folk traditions typical of the region by visiting the Museum Schloss Ritzen housed within a castle and considered to be one of the most important museums in the state of Salzburg.

DAY 7

DAY 10 Back to Santander today to board the 15.15 hrs cruise ferry crossing back to the UK

oday, we will gorge ourselves on … gorges! Vorderkaser Gorge will T be our first visit of the day and we can wander through the boardwalk and experience rushing streams, fascinating rock formations and stunning views before making our way to another amazing Gorge in Seisenberg. We can spend the afternoon at leisure in our resort.

DAY 8

At Leisure today to relax before we begin our homeward journey.

DAY 11 We arrive back on the south coast at Portsmouth at 14.15 hrs and travel to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 10 After breakfast, we will travel to Rotterdam and our overnight ferry.

DAY 5

full day at leisure in Lisbon. See the Russio Square, A the Black Square and the narrow winding streets in the old quarter of Amalfa.

DAY 6

e have an excursion along the Atlantic coast, W possibly stopping in Sintra or Estoril

DAY 7

e leave Lisbon and travel north to Porto, making W a stop in Coimbra en-route, a city filled with historic buildings to include Europe’s oldest university. We check in to our hotel for a two night stay.

Mercure Port Centro Hotel, 4 Star

The hotel is located at the heart of Porto in an elevated position with the city’s historic sights nearby. Lift.

DAY 8

oday we will explore Porto with a guided tour giving T you the afternoon free to explore this unpolished city that is the historic home of the port wine trade. See the steep winding streets, historic buildings and rich merchant houses. Today we include a visit to a port wine house in the famous Gaia area that overlooks the River Douro.

DAY 9 Sadly we leave Porto today and travel past Guimaraes to the Palencia area for dinner and an overnight stay.

DAY 12

DAY 9 Today we leave Zell am See and travel back to Karlsruhe and the Leonardo Hotel.

DAY 11 Homeward bound after disembarking in Hull.

Homeward bound today. *Please note that this itinerary would not be suitable for wheelchair bound customers.

13

Serenity of St Wolfgang This popular tour includes a return journey on the famous Schafberg Mountain Railway, guided tours of stunning St Wolfgang, the elegant city of Salzburg and a guided tour of Kaiservilla, the Austria-Hungarian emperors’ ‘heaven on earth’.

Hotel Försterhof, 4 Star

St Wolfgang, Austrian Lake District

This charming hotel is located close to the shores of Lake Wolfgang, only a short walk from the heart of the village. Not only does it enjoy a central position within the village, but also it offers its own private beach on the shores of the lake, which is only a 2 minute walk from the hotel. Each of the 49 bedrooms is comfortably furnished in a traditional Austrian style. The hotel offers large public areas including 2 dining areas and a pleasant bar, along with a sauna and relaxation area in which to unwind.

Lift.

Friday 26 August

11 Days

£1135

Single Supplement £90. Insurance £37 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

10 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return Ferry Crossing in Level Berth, Outside Cabins, Welcome Drink in Hotels, Tea/ Coffee after Dinner in St Wolfgang, Return Journey on the Schafberg Mountain Railway, Entrance and Guided Tour of Kaiservilla, Return Journey on Hallstatt Cable Car, Entrance to Hallstatt Salt Mines, Walking Guided tour of Salzburg,

ITINERARY Day 1 We leave home and travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

Day 2

e disembark in Rotterdam and travel to our overnight hotel, W the Mercure Hotel Saarbrucken Sud.

Day 3 After breakfast we travel south and cross the border into Austria to our lovely hotel in the Austrian Lake District.

Day 4

oday, we will explore St. Wolfgang. After a short guided T walk with the hotel manager, she will escort us to the station for our return journey on the Schafberg Mountain Railway. Michael Portillo said this was the ‘most memorable’ of the railways on which he travelled owing to the ‘astonishing beauty’ of the mountain scenery and lake views.

In 40 minutes, the steam cog railway travels just over 3 ½ miles but climbs 1,783 metres! On a clear day, we will be treated to a 360 degree panoramic view of sparkling lakes from Lake Wolfgangsee to Lake Chemsee in Germany, with soaring mountains majestically framing the jawdropping vision before us!

Day 5

oday, our journey today takes us to home of the ‘Sound T of Music’ and regional capital, Salzburg. The old town is a maze of charming pedestrian alleyways with many famous and historic landmarks. To enable us to get our bearings we have a guided walking tour after which we can explore at our leisure before returning to our hotel for dinner.

Day 6

ur destinations today are, firstly, the delightful spa town O of Bad Ischl. Originally where the Emperors of the AustroHungarian Monarchy spent their summers, we visit their ‘heaven on earth’, the Kaiservilla, and enjoy a guided tour. We will then have additional time to explore before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt. The village enjoys fabulous views from the lake shore and was originally inaccessible by road. Here, we take the cable car up to the summit to experience the amazing views of the surrounding area.

Day 7

oday will include a scenic drive of the Salzkammergut, T known as the Austrian Lake District. We journey first to the Mondsee, one of the most unspoilt lakes in the region.

We also stop to see one of the most well-known filming locations for the ‘Sound of Music’, the little church where the wedding between Maria and the Captain takes place.

We continue on towards the traffic free village of St. Gilgen, home to Mozart and which provided inspiration for much of his work.

Day 8

A free day to enjoy St Wolfgang and just to relax.

Day 9 We leave St Wolfgang and travel back to the Mercure Hotel Saarbrucken Sud for our overnight stay.

Day 10 Today we travel back to Rotterdam for our overnight ferry.

Day 11 After disembarking in Hull we make our way homeward.

14

Spring Time in The Austrian Alps Stunning scenery awaits you around every corner of this picturesque and breath-taking tour through The Salzkammergut known as the Lake District area of Austria. This area counts as among one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

The region is awash with pretty alpine resorts set against a backdrop of Spectacular Mountain scenery and crystal clear lakes. Our resort is St Georgen in Attergau, which lies in the centre of this beautiful area. You are ideally placed to visit the surrounding lakes and the famous resorts of St Wolfgang and Mondsee where much of the renowned “Sound of Music” was filmed and Salzburg one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities and the birthplace of Mozart.

Hotel Tirolerhof, St Georgen

A charming family run hotel which offers an extremely warm welcome to all of its guests. The Hotel Tirolerhof is situated near to the centre of the village of St Georgen in Attergau and a short drive away (4km) from the Attersee lake. The hotel is furnished in typical Austrian Style with superb home-made cuisine. Lift.

Sunday 27 March

10 Days

£710

Single Supplement £94. Insurance £35 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

9 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing in level berth, outside cabins, Welcome Drink at the Tirolerhof, Tyrolean Dance evening, 5 course candlelit dinner with Zither music on one evening.

Itinerary Day 1 We travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to

Rotterdam. Dinner is included on board.

Day 2 After our included breakfast on board we disembark

and make our way through Holland and into Germany for our overnight night hotel, the Best Western Queens Hotel, Niefern.

Day 3 After breakfast at the hotel we depart and continue

south into Austria and to our destination in the Austrian Lake District the charming Hotel Tirolerhof, our base for the next 5 nights.

Day 4 We make our way to Bad Ischl a Spa Town and

home to Emperors and Composers. You could visit the lovely Kaiser Villa which is situated here where the Emperor Franz Joseph spent most of his summers. It was also where he signed the declaration of war against the Kingdom of Serbia, signaling the start of WW1. In the afternoon we make our way to the WORLD HERITAGE SITE of Halstatt said to be the prettiest of all the villages in the area.

Day 5

full day to one of Europe’s historic gems, Salzburg A known as the ‘Sound of Music’ city which is said to be one of Europe’s most beautiful and historic cities, set in a spectacular mountain setting.

Squeezed between the River Salzach and the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress there is much to see during your visit here. The old town of Salzburg is mainly traffic free and so easy to explore on foot.

Day 6

he beautiful Lake District today, including a drive T around the lake of Attersee before visiting Mondsee, who’s church was used for the wedding scene in The Sound of Music. From here we drive to the Lake of Wolfgangsee and to St Wolfgang, home to the famous White Horse Inn before returning via the Traunsee.

Day 7

free day in the resort to relax or explore the village.

A Or why not take the little train down to the lake of Attersee.

Day 8 We say farewell to Austria today and travel north to

our final overnight stay in Germany, again the Best Western Queens Hotel, Niefern.

Day 9 After breakfast we make our way north to Rotterdam

to board our overnight sailing back to Hull.

Day 10

fter breakfast on board, we disembark and travel A homeward.

15

Telemark and The Fjords Following a comfortable cruise-ferry to Rotterdam, we travel through Holland and Germany and spend a night in Denmark before crossing to Norway to enjoy a wonderful tour through one of the World’s most unique landscapes.

Telemark is a relatively unchartered area of Norway. It offers magnificent scenery with a high mountain plateau, deep valleys, forests, rivers and crystal clear lakes.

Tuesday 23 August

13 Days

£1450

DAY 7 Today we depart Vradal and travel to Brunkenberg before crossing the Haukelffjell Mountain Road and descending to the Sorfjord, a branch of the Hardangerfjord, at Odda. The road is flanked by fruit trees on one side and the deep fjord on the other. We take the ferry to Kvanndal and then travel north past Voss before climbing up to the Stalheim Hotel for a three night stay.

Stalheim Hotel, 3 Star

Stalheim Tel 0047 5652 0122

A family run hotel nestled in an extraordinary setting that has thrilled and enthralled travellers for centuries. The ride up the hotel’s hairpin bending road and panoramic view from the hotel’s terrace is considered a must for travellers to the area to see.

DAY 8

Single Supplement £235. Insurance £41 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

12 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, return ferry from Hull in outside, level berth cabins, Entrance to Visitor Centre at Telemark also including mini-bus transfer, Norway in a Nutshell and Flam Railway Excursion and all internal ferries in Norway.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Hull to board our overnight ferry to Rotterdam.

DAY 2 We travel through Holland and Germany to arrive in Bremen for an overnight stay in this lovely old town.

DAY 3 From Bremen we travel around Hamburg and cross the border into Denmark near Flensburg, we continue to Hirtshals for our overnight stay.

DAY 4 After breakfast we proceed to the port in Hirtshals for the Fjord Line Ferry to Norway. There will be plenty of time to relax on board and enjoy the ships facilities before arriving in Langesund on Norway’s south coast. We then travel inland to enjoy a first taste of the pristine scenery Norway is famed for. Passing Porsgrunn and Skien we cross the Telemark Canal to Seljord then on to Vradal for a three night stay.

DAY 9 The Norway in a Nutshell and Flam Railway Excursion, is one of Norway’s greatest highlights.

We board the Fjord Cruise for the leisurely journey to Flam, sailing down the narrow Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord with steep cliffs rising on both sides of the boat. In Flam there will be a little time at leisure before joining the fantastic Flam Railway for a return journey to Myrdal, with unforgettable views of mountains and waterfalls en-route.

DAY 10

long, but very scenic day today. We leave A Stalheim and travel via Flam and through the new tunnel to the Laedal Valley. We pass Borgund and travel through beautiful scenery to Hemsedal, head south then through Noresund and Kroderen to arrive in Larvik in time for dinner and our overnight stay.

DAY 11

fter breakfast, we join the morning Color Line A fast ferry from Larvik, there will be plenty of time to relax on board before arriving in Denmark.

We then make our way in to Germany for our overnight stop in Hamburg.

Quality Straand Hotel And Resort, 3 Star Vradal, Telemark

Tel 0047 3506 9000

Five generations of the Straand family have worked carefully to keep the hospitality and feeling of comfort and well being created by their ancestors. Swimming Pool, Sauna, Solarium. Lovely terrace and lakeside garden.

16

DAY 5

e have a full day panoramic excursion across W the Hardangervidda Plateau and including the Telemark heavy-water sabotage site. This fascinating visit offers an insight into Norwegian Industrial Heritage but of most interest is the film and exhibits relating to the story of the partisan sabotage mission to destroy Hitler’s heavy water plant that was located at this site.

DAY 6

t leisure to relax in Vradal. The hotel has great A facilities including indoor swimming pool and wonderful garden which sweeps down from the hotel and right to the lake shore and beach.

I t is our “Sognefojord Circular Tour” today. We travel over the Vik Mountains and on through the small town of Vik. We take a short ferry ride from Vangsnes to Hella then travel past Leikanger – look out for the Kvinna Waterfall, to Sogndal for a short stop. We then travel on the Mannheller for a short sailing Fodnes and on to Laedal, a pretty town surrounded by mountains. We then travel along the old Bergen/Oslo postal route climbing up to the Stave Church at Borgund for a short stop and then we travel on via the new tunnel between Laerdal and Aurlund, the longest road tunnel in the world before returning to Stalheim.

DAY 12 We leave Hamburg and travel to Rotterdam for our overnight ferry to Hull.

DAY 13

After disembarking, we travel home.

The Causeway Coaster

County Kerry See the best of Ireland in this Irish Holiday, combining fabulous scenery, great hospitality and superb accommodation in Ireland’s most popular area.

River Island Hotel, 3 Star

The Clanree Hotel, 4 Star

Castle Island, Co Kerry Tel: 00 353 6671 42555

Letterkenny Tel 00353 74912 4369

A family run hotel, popular with both visitors and locals, situated in the centre of a thriving market town amidst the glorious Kerry countryside. Lift.

Sunday 22 May Sunday 17 July Sunday 28 August Sunday 2 October

A fine tour exploring the north of Ireland combining the beautiful scenery of the Inishowen Peninsula, the Walled City of Derry and a classic coastal rail journey to the Giant’s Causeway.

7 Days 7 Days 7 Days 7 Days

£540 £575 £575 £495

Single Supplement £95. Insurance £32 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

6 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, return ferry crossings. One free drink with dinner and nightly entertainment in the bar at the River Island Hotel. Trip on the Killarney Jaunting Cars and a Lake Cruise.

The ideal place to relax and revive. The Clanree Hotel provides a comfortable base for exploring Donegal and is conveniently located only a few minutes drive from the bustling town centre of Letterkenny. Beauty Salon and Swimming Pool. Lift.

Sunday 8 May Sunday 21 August Sunday 16 October

6 Days 6 Days 6 Days

£490 £530 £490

Single Supplement £92. Insurance £31 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing, Entrance to Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, Single train journey from Coleraine and Londonderry, Guided tour of Derry, Entrance to Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Cairnryan to board the

1630 hrs ferry to Larne. After disembarking we make our way to our overnight hotel, the Ballycastle Hotel, Ballygally.

DAY 2 After breakfast we make our way round the Antrim

Coast for a visit to the spectacular Giant’s Causeway.

There is a shuttle bus which will take you from the Visitor Centre to the Causeway, the cost is approx. £2 (not included). We then travel to Coleraine and board the train for “ one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world” according to Michael Palin.

The track runs alongside beautiful beaches through Irelands longest railway tunnels and past historic landmarks, the coach will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel for the next three nights.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e travel to Cairnryan in time for the 16.30 crossing W to Larne before continuing on to our overnight accommodation in the Belfast area.

DAY 2 After breakfast, we travel through central Ireland, through Monaghan, Cavan and Athlone to our destination for the next four nights at the River Island Hotel.

DAY 3 Today’s excursion takes us through the fantastic scenery of the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most famous areas, drive through the Killarney National Park and wonder at the captivating views.

DAY 4 We will have a free morning in Castleisland and in the afternoon, we make our way to Killarney for our trip on the famous Jaunting Cars before a leisurely cruise on Lough Leane. Killarney is surrounded by Loughs and the Kerry Mountains and has become one of the most popular destinations in Ireland. In the centre are shops galore and several bars and pubs.

DAY 5 Our excursion today takes us to Dingle, once a remote Irish speaking town, it is now a working fishing port. We will spend the day exploring the Dingle Peninsula made famous by the film Ryan’s Daughter, popular with both artists and dolphin spotters.

DAY 6 Sadly we leave Co Kerry and make our way east with a stop and some free time in Dublin before heading north back to Belfast and our overnight stop.

DAY 7 We travel to Larne in time for the 10.30 crossing back to Cairnryan then head homeward.

DAY 3 Today we head for Derry on the banks of the River

Foyle, the only completely walled city in Ireland where a local guide will meet us and take us for a visit to Malin Head, the northernmost point in Ireland followed by a walking tour of Derry including the walls and Peace Bridge.

DAY 4

e spend the day exploring Donegal, beginning with W a trip through the Glenveagh National Park under the shadow of imposing Mount Errigal. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on three side, providing spectacular sea views as you drive along its coastline.

DAY 5 We make our way back to Belfast with free time

before continuing to our overnight hotel.

DAY 6 After breakfast we make our way to Larne to

board the 1030 hrs ferry back to to Cairnryan and home.

17

Daniel O’Donnell Live In Killarney

Dublin’s St Patrick’s Parade

This unique tour will enable you to see Daniel O’Donnell live in Killarney at the INEC as well as taking in the beautiful countryside of Killarney and the Ring of Kerry.

Killarney Towers Hotel, 4 Star Killarney Tel 00353 64663 1038

An excellent hotel with full leisure facilities in the heart of Killarney.

Friday 12 August

6 Days

£550

Single Supplement £110. I nsurance £31 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

Join in the festival atmosphere on the biggest day in Ireland’s calendar, St Patrick’s Day, when the nation celebrates all things Irish. Experience the greatest party of all in Dublin City. You will be fully entertained by the awesome display of creative talent as this phenomenal parade snakes its way through the centre of Dublin city. International and Irish marching bands join performers, dancers and street theatre companies to present a wonderful spectacle. Don’t forget your camera, there will be amazing sights to capture.

Esplanade Hotel, 3 Star Strand Road, Bray Tel: 00353 1286 2056

An elegant Victorian building on Bray seafront with fantastic sea views and beautiful promenade, you can enjoy every modern facility in this beautiful historic Bray hotel.

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return Ferry Crossing, Ticket for Daniel O’Donnell

Tuesday 15 March ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Cairnryan to board the 16.30 hrs ferry to Larne.

After disembarking, we make our way to the Stormont Hotel in Belfast for our overnight stay.

DAY 2

fter breakfast we head west to our base for the next A three nights, Killarney.

DAY 3 A free day to discover the many highlights of Killarney. Try out the Jaunting Cars and Lake Cruise (not included). Transfer to concert in the evening.

DAY 4 The Ring of Kerry is one of a series of Peninsulas stretching out into the Atlantic, carved 10000 years ago during the last ice age. The coastal road threads its way through traditional towns and villages, flagged by a rugged seascape and glorious countryside.

DAY 5 We bid farewell to Killarney and travel back east to our overnight stop at Dunadry Hotel and Country Club.

Day 6 After breakfast we travel to Larne to board the 10.30 hrs ferry to Cairnryan and then home.

5 Days

£345

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £28 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, return ferry crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast, Welcome drink in the Esplanade, entertainment in the bar on St Patrick’s night, entry to Avoca Handweavers.

ITINERARY Day 1

e leave home and travel to Cairnryan for the 16.30 hrs W ferry to Belfast. After disembarking, we make our way to the Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast for our overnight stay.

DAY 2

fter breakfast, we travel to Dublin and enjoy a guided tour A of the city followed by some free time before checking in to our hotel in Bray.

DAY 3

he highlight of our tour – St Patrick’s Day. The coach will T drop us in Dublin where we can enjoy a packed entertaining day. The coach will then return to pick us up in time for dinner and entertainment in the hotel.

DAY 4

e have an excursion to the peaceful Wicklow Mountains, W visiting Avoca Handweavers where you can watch a film of what it was like to live and work in The Vale of Avoca including images of mining, farming and hand weaving followed by a handweaving demonstration.

DAY 5 After breakfast, we make our way back to Belfast to board the 11.30 hrs sailing back to Cairnryan before heading homeward.

18

Western Ireland’s Coastal Delights

Fermanagh Lakelands

with Sunset Dinner Cruise

Enjoy the very best of the west including a sea-cruise under the mighty Cliffs of Moher, scenic drives around Black Head and through the Burren National Park and a day trip to Galway.

Falls Hotel, 3 Star

Manor House Resort Hotel, 4 Star

Ennistymon, Co Clare Tel: 00 353 65 7071004

This former manor house overlooks the river and provides a haven of peace and tranquillity. Lift.

Sunday 19 June Sunday 31 July

7 Days 7 Days

£560 £595

Single Supplement £108. Insurance £32 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

6 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return ferry crossing, Cliffs of Moher Cruise, entrance to Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Entrance to Burren Visitor Centre, One free drink, glass of wine, soft drink or beer at the Falls Hotel on the first night.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Cairnryan to board the late afternoon ferry to Larne. After disembarking we continue the short distance to our overnight hotel.

DAY 2 We make our way west through the heart of Ireland via Monaghan and Athlone to our destination for the next four nights.

DAY 3

oday we will have a full day excursion to the Burren T Region, first stop is the the Burren Visitor Centre where the natural history of this enchanting region is revealed. We then drive through the park to discover prehistoric limestone landscapes sheltering rare species of flora and fauna. Then on to Falway for free time exploring the City of Tribes, founded by medieval merchants.

DAY 4 A free morning then in the afternoon we travel to Doolin Pier where we have a cruise beneath the sheer faces of the colossal Cliffs of Moher where the country’s largest seabird colony resides and which have become an iconic image for Ireland’s West Coast.

DAY 5

Revive your senses with a trip to the fabulous Fermanagh Lakelands. Staying in an elegant 18th Century Manor House on the tranquil shores of Lough Erne, with a Sunset Dinner Cruise – surely no better way to enjoy Ireland’s Great Lakes.

ur excursion today takes us for a visit to Foynes O Flying Boat Museum, the only aviation museum in Ireland and the only dedicated Flying Boat Museum in the world we then continue on to Limerick for free time.

DAY 6 Our journey today takes us east to Dublin before we head north to our overnight hotel, the Stormont Hotel in Belfast.

DAY 7 We leave the hotel after breakfast to board the 10.30 hrs ferry back to Cairnryan and home.

Killadeas, Enniskillen Tel: 028 6862 2211

Set on the picturesque shores of Lower Lough Erne, just seven miles from the Fermanagh county town of Enniskillen, a trip to the Manor House Country Hotel is a journey back in time to a more elegant and tranquil age. But behind the stately surroundings of this 19th Century Country Manor is a first class modern hotel offering luxury accommodation, comfort and a range of facilities and services belonging very much to the present day. Lift. Leisure Facilities include Swimming Pool, Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Gymnasium and Beauty Salon.

Sunday 5 June Sunday 18 September

6 Days 6 Days

£530 £530

Single Supplement £90. Insurance £31 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Sunset Cruise and Dinner, Return ferry crossings from Cairnryan to Larne. Entrance to Giant’s Causeway Experience, Entrance to Ulster American Folk Park, Entrance to Florence Court, Entrance to Belleek Pottery.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e travel to Cairnryan to board the 16.30 hrs ferry to Larne.

W We head to Ballygally for our overnight stay at the Ballygally Castle Hotel.

DAY 2 After breakfast we head along the Antrim Coast Road with its unspoilt views of the Irish Sea and arrive at the Giant’s Causeway, here will visit the Visitor Centre and view its unique volcanic stone pillars before making our way to Fermanagh and our base for the next 3 nights.

DAY 3

ollowing a leisurely start, we head to the awardwinning Ulster F American Folk Park in Omagh. We will return to your hotel in plenty of time for one of the highlights of your tour: this evening explore beautiful Lough Erne with its many archaeological and historical sites on a Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the hotel’s private river cruiser, the ‘Lady of the Lake’.

DAY 4

ollowing the north shore of Lower Lough Erne, we travel to F Belleek, home of the famous Belleek Pottery, Irelands oldest pottery, we then continue along the shores of Lough Melvin to Florence Court, a fine 18th Century stately home and gardens overlooked by the Cuilcagh mountains.

DAY 5 After breakfast we make our way to Enniskillen with free time to explore. This attractive waterside setting bustles with boats in the summer and has many lively pubs and restaurants. After lunch we return to the Belfast area for our last overnight stay.

DAY 6 After breakfast we travel to Larne for our 10.30 hrs sailing to Cairnryan. After disembarking, we travel homeward.

19

The Very Best of Northern Ireland

Ayrshire and The Isle of Bute

Our popular five day tour to North Ireland brings you Belfast, birthplace of Titanic, the Giant’s Causeway, the Antrim Coast scenic drive and the delightful scenery of County Down.

Stormont Hotel, 4 Star

South Beach Hotel, 3 Star

587 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast Tel 028 9065 1066

This 4 star hotel is located just minutes away from Belfast City Centre, adjacent to Stormont Castle and overlooking the beautiful grounds of the Stormont Estate making it an ideal base for our tour. Lift.

Monday 18 April Monday 26 September

5 Days 5 Days

Ayrshire consists of 80 miles of unspoiled coastal scenery with access to the Isles of Arran and Bute. Steeped in history, it is more recently associated with the poet Robert Burns, who was so inspired by the Ayrshire landscapes.

£450 £450

Single Supplement £88. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Hillsborough Castle, Entrance to Titanic Belfast, Guided tour of Belfast, Entrance to Giant’s Causeway Experience.

ITINERARY

South Beach, Troon Tel: 01292 312033

The South Beach Hotel is located in a wonderful location close to the beach and Royal Troon Golf Club in the seaside town of Troon in Ayrshire on Scotland’s west coast. The hotel is a privately owned and family run hotel situated close to the town centre. There is no lift but there are a number of ground floor rooms available on request.

Monday 25 April Monday 20 June Monday 3 October

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£320 £360 £320

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Ferry Crossing to the Isle of Bute, entrance to Mount Stuart and Culzean Castle.

Day 1 We leave home and travel to Cairnryan to board the 1630 hrs sailing to Larne. We then make the short journey to our hotel in Belfast.

Day 2

ur excursion takes us to Hillsborough Castle, the O Queen’s official residence in North Ireland. After a guided tour of this elegant mansion we will have Tea and Scones before finishing the day with some free time in Belfast.

Day 3 This morning we have a guided tour of Belfast taking in the many highlights including City Hall, Queens University, the Opera House and the Botanic Gardens with some free time for lunch before transferring to the Titanic Belfast.

Day 4

or one of the most remarkable ocean drives, we F take the Antrim Coast Road with its unspoilt views of the Irish Sea and Glens of Antrim to arrive at the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its unique volcanic stone pillars and shrouded in folklore and fairytales. There is a charge of £2 for the shuttle bus from the Visitor Centre to the Causeway (not included).

Day 5 We make the return journey to Larne for the 1030 hrs sailing to Cairnryan before making our way home.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e make our way to Troon, stopping at the Riverside W Museum in Glasgow.

DAY 2 We make our way to Wemyss Bay for the ferry to the Isle of Bute where we will have a visit to Mount Stuart on the east coast, a neo-gothic country house with extensive gardens, one of the world’s great houses.

We will then have some free time in Rothesay.

DAY 3

oday we have a full day to Alloway. We explore the T Burns Cottage and Museum and the Tam O’ Shanter Experience. We then make our way to Culzean Castle before returning to our Hotel via Turnberry.

DAY 4

A free day today.

DAY 5 We make our way homeward travelling up the Firth of Clyde stopping in Largs before continuing our journey home.

20

Dunoon and The Isle of Bute

The Borders Covering about eighteen hundred square miles, the Scottish Borders stretches from the rolling hills and moorland in the west, through gentler valleys to the high agricultural plains of the east, and on to the rocky Berwickshire coastline with its secluded coves and picturesque fishing villages. This is a must see area.

Mercure Barony Castle Hotel and Spa, 3 Star

Argyll Hotel, 3 Star

Eddleston, Peebles Tel: 01721 730395

Don’t let the imposing historic stone façade of Barony Castle fool you, inside it’s full of welcoming, modern features. Set in 25 acres of tranquil gardens and woodland just 35 minutes south of Edinburgh. Enjoy complimentary WIFI, beauty treatment rooms, techno gym facilities and a thermal spa with pool. Enjoy traditional Scottish dining or a dram in the Bothy. Lift.

Monday 11 July Monday 5 September

5 Days 5 Days

£395 £380

Single Supplement £80. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Entrance to Abbotsford House and Gardens, Floors Castle and Gardens and Johnston’s of Elgin Visitor Centre with Tea/Coffee and Cake in the Café, Entrance to the Museum of Flight. Journey from Tweedbank to Edinburgh by Train.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Peebles.

Day 2

DAY 3

Dunoon is one of Scotland’s most popular resorts located in a delightful setting on the Firth of Clyde where the entrances to Holy Loch and Loch Long converge. These waters are set against a background of mountains and forests and lie close to the town on the Cowal Peninsula. The town boasts two bays and a flat promenade perfect for an evening stroll and its position makes it the perfect base from which to explore the stunning scenic west coast.

oday our excursion takes us to Hawick and to the T Johnston’s of Elgin Visitor Centre where we will enjoy tea/coffee and cake in the café. In the afternoon we visit Abbotsford House and Gardens, home of Sir Walter Scott which is stunningly located on the banks of the River Tweed. e visit the historic town of Kelso today, regarded W as one of the region’s most charming towns with its cobbled streets, elegant Georgian buildings and French styled cobbled market square before enjoying an afternoon visit to stately Floors Castle with its collection of fine art, porcelain, tapestries, grand rooms and wonderful gardens.

Argyll Street, Dunoon Tel: 01369 702059

The Best Western Argyll Hotel, with its majestic views of the River Clyde, is a stylish property in the very heart of Dunoon.

Individually styled bedrooms all equipped to high standard and many with panoramic views of the River Clyde. Lift.

Monday 28 March Monday 18 July Monday 10 October

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£260 £330 £275

Single Supplement £32. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Ferry Crossings and Entrance to Benmore Gardens

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Dunoon with a stop at the Riverside Museum in the centre of Glasgow before making our way to Gourock for the 20 minute crossing to Dunoon.

DAY 2

ur excursion today takes us through Glendaruel O Forest along the shores of Loch Riddon to Colintraive where we cross the Kyles of Bute to Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute.

DAY 3 Today we travel round the shores of Loch Fyne to Inveraray, a pretty village with a beautiful outlook over the Loch.

DAY 4 We take the scenic drive to Tighnabruaich to enjoy some of the West Coast’s most stunning scenery with views over to the Isle of Bute. We return to Dunoon early afternoon with some time free in Dunoon.

DAY 5 We return home via the Rest and Be Thankful and Loch Lomond.

DAY 4 Today we visit the Museum of Flight at East Fortune.

Here we can see the history of aviation from a Pitcher Hawk Hang Glider dating from 1896 to the Supersonic Concorde. We will then visit North Berwick and Dunbar.

DAY 5

omeward bound today, we make our way to H Tweedbank where we board the newly opened Borders Railway to Edinburgh where the coach will be to meet you before continuing home.

21

Jacobite Steam and Cruise

Inclusive Loch Lomond A great package at a well known hotel, offering value for money and some inclusions with a difference.

Spectacular Highland scenery awaits on one of the world’s most famous rail journeys and along the most infamous of lochs.

Winnock Hotel, 3 Star

Ben Nevis Hotel, 2 star

North Road, Fort William Tel 01397 702331

The Square, Drymen Tel: 01360 660245

Nestling around the green in pretty Drymen, sensitively extended and refurbished, whilst retaining its traditional bars and log fires, the Winnock offers friendly hospitality. Ground floor rooms available.

Sunday 21 February

5 Days

£275

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Glass of wine with Dinner, live entertainment on two evenings, Drink Promotion - free bar from 7.30pm - 10.30pm selected brands only. * Champagne and Vintage Malts excluded from free bar.

Packed lunch on two days or soup and sandwich if in the hotel.

Situated approximately one mile from the centre of Fort William, the hotel offers comfortable and welcoming accommodation.

No lift but there are some ground floor bedrooms.

Monday 13 June Monday 10 October

5 Days 5 Days

£420 £350

Single Supplement £48. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return Journey from Fort William to Mallaig on the Jacobite Steam Train, Cruise on Loch Ness.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Fort William in plenty of time to settle in before dinner.

DAY 2

e have an excursion today to Oban, following the W shores of Loch Linnhe, we will have some time in Oban to walk along the waterfront and harbour or visit the local shops, we then return to Fort William for some free time in the centre of the town before returning to the hotel.

DAY 3

ur day starts with a visit to Fort Augustus, where O the Caledonian Canal meets Loch Ness before enjoying a wonderful relaxing cruise of Loch Ness under the shadow of the ruins of Urquhart Castle.

DAY 4 The highlight of our holiday today is our trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, regarded as one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter along the route. From views of mighty Ben Nevis, your memorable journey leads past the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar, and over the famous 21 arch Glenfinnan Viaduct – a truly memorable experience. You will have around an hour and three quarters in Mallaig to explore this beautiful fishing village.

DAY 5 We return home.

ITINERARY DAY 1

We make our way to Drymen.

DAY 2 We start the day with a visit to a local distillery before starting our scenic drive around Loch Lomond, renowned for its beauty and tranquility and picture postcard views. We continue and make a stop at Inveraray for some free time before returning to our hotel.

DAY 3

ur excursion today takes us to the Trossachs and O Loch Katrine. We can make a short stop in Aberfoyle before continuing on to Loch Katrine which over the years has won the heart of many visitors.

DAY 4 Today we visit Glasgow for a morning guided tour then free time before returning to our hotel.

DAY 5 We return home.

22

Thurso, Orkney & The Castle of Mey

Hebridean Castaway Eight Island Tour

Thurso is the most northerly town on the Scottish mainland. It is situated at the mouth of the River Thurso and is an excellent base for touring the north and visiting Orkney.

North Hotels, Station Hotel & St Clair Hotel

The Dark Island Hotel

Sinclair Street, Thurso Tel: 01847 896481

Both hotels are situated in the centre of Thurso with its good range of shops, bars and resturants.

Monday 2 May Monday 27 June Monday 12 September

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

A fantastic six day holiday visiting eight of the Hebridean Islands, Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Harris, Lewis and Skye, stretching out in to the Atlantic, these islands are steeped in history and offer the traveller unsurpassed scenery.

£365 £380 £380

Single Supplement £40. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Castle of Mey. Full day Orkney excursion with John O’ Groats ferries.

Liniclate, Isle of Benbecula Tel: 01870 603030

A delightful hotel with an idyllic situation just 300m from the long sandy beach.

Caladh Inn

James Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Tel: 01851 702740

A warm Gaelic welcome awaits at the Caladh Inn, the largest and friendliest hotel in the Western Isles.

Wednesday 18 May Monday 6 June Monday 3 July Monday 7 September

6 Days 6 Days 6 Days 6 Days

£560 £595 £595 £580

Single Supplement £50. Insurance £25 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and all ferry crossings.

ITINERARY

ITINERARY

DAY 1 We depart from home and travel to Thurso.

DAY 1

e make our way to Ullapool for our late afternoon W ferry crossing to Stornoway before checking in to the Caladh Inn for a late dinner.

DAY 2

ur excursion today takes us to the West of Lewis O accompanied by a local guide, visiting the Callanish Stones, which rank only second to Stonehenge, the Black House at Arnol and Shawbost. Weather permitting, we will have a stop at the glorious Atlantic beach at Uig.

DAY 2

e make a visit to the Castle of Mey, holiday home W of the Queen Mother, falling for its isolated charm and hearing it was to be abandoned, she decided to save it.

The Queen Mother renovated and restored it, creating the beautiful gardens you see today. For almost half a century she spent many happy summers here and shorter visits at other times of the year. We then travel to John O’ Groats and Wick before returning to Thurso.

DAY 3 We board our ferry at John o’ Groats. After the short 40 minute crossing, your local coach and guide will be ready to drive you across the Churchill Barriers, along the northern coast of Scapa Flow with beautiful views across the water. We will visit Stormness and have time to walk through the winding main street and may visit the museum featuring Orkney’s whaling history.

No visit to Orkney would be complete without visiting Skara Brae hidden under sand dunes for thousands of years (entrance not included). A two hour stop will be made in Kirkwall before returning back to Thurso.

DAY 4

ur excursion today takes us along the dramatic north O coast to Tongue.

DAY 5 We depart Thurso and travel homeward.

DAY 3 Today we travel through four of the Outer Hebridean Islands, Lewis, Harris, North Uist and finally, Benbecula, where we find our base for the next two nights, the Dark Island Hotel DAY 4 Today we are accompanied by a local guide and travel by causeway to the Island of Eriskay then board the ferry to the Isle of Barra returning in the evening to the Dark Island Hotel.

DAY 5

e catch the morning ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig W before continuing south through the Isle of Skye to Armadale then crossing back to the mainland at Mallaig. We travel the “Road to the Isles” to the Fort William area for our final night.

DAY 6 After some free time in Fort William we head home.

23

Isle of Arran

Gretna

Scotland’s most southern holiday Isle, with beautiful scenery, unique culture and long history of spiritual importance. It is an appealing contrast of mountains and lochs to the north and rolling green hills and meadows to the south – all surrounded by a stunning coastline. The emphasis on this holiday is on rest and relaxation.

Best Western Kinloch Hotel, 3 Star Tel: 01770 860444 Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran

Tel: 01461 338257

The hotel is steeped in history and still retains much of its orignial character, even offering a traditional Blacksmith’s shop.

Monday 29 February Monday 31 October

5 Days 5 Days

£225 £280

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

This family run hotel offers spectacular views and a warm Scottish welcome. Relax and enjoy the hotel’s range of leisure facilities including indoor pool, sauna and gym. Lift.

Monday 22 August

Gretna Hall Hotel, 3 Star

5 Days

£395

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Ferry crossing to Isle of Arran, visit to Brodick Castle and Isle of Arran Whisky Distillery.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Ardrossan for the short crossing to Arran.

DAY 2

Today, we visit Brodick, the island’s capital and its Castle which houses a collection of paintings, porcelain and furniture, while the grounds boast a walled garden, Ice House and Bavarian Summer House. This afternoon, relax in the picturesque surroundings of your hotel or take a dip in the indoor pool.

DAY 3

have a scenic tour of the Island via Whiting Bay, where We a Viking ship burial was excavated, then along the coast to Lamlash, with views to Holy Island. Continue on to Lochranza, home to a 16th century castle and the Isle of Arran Whisky Distillery.

DAY 4

Today we are free to relax and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Arran. Take a walk or simply relax in the hotel’s leisure centre.

DAY 5 We make our way to Brodick for our ferry back to Ardrossan and head homeward.

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drink - wee dram and homemade shortbread. Live Entertainment on two evenings, 10% off voucher valid in the hotel’s Blacksmith Shop. Excursions to Dumfries and the Solway Firth and the Northern Lakes.

Oban Highland Getaway Described by the Lonely Planet as: “Rugged, remote, romantic and rare - Scotland’s famous Highlands and Islands make up one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas.” Oban is the perfect base for your break in the Highlands of Scotland.

The Regent Hotel, 2 Star

Corran Esplanade, Oban PA34 5PZ Tel: 01631 562341

Overlooking Oban Bay, this Art Deco hotel is only a minutes walk from Oban War and Peace Museum and the Oban Chocolate Company.

Monday 21 March Monday 7 November

5 Days 5 Days

£210 £210

Single Supplement £40 Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drinks Reception, Two Nights Entertainment.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Oban where a Welcome Reception awaits.

DAY 2

Our excursion today takes us to Fort William.

DAY 3

t leisure, why not take the ferry to Mull (not included), as A the ferry terminal is only a ten minute walk from the hotel.

DAY 4 Today we will start off by visiting Seil Island where we cross the “Bridge over the Atlantic” and continue down the Atlantic Coast to Lochgilphead, on to Inverary before returning to Oban.

DAY 5

24

After our hearty Scottish Breakfast, we return home.

Oban & Three Island Adventure

Picturesque Perthshire and Loch Lomond

Oban, “Gateway to the Isles” with its harbour, surrounded by sweeping mountains is the perfect setting to explore the West Highlands and Islands. The culmination of the holiday is the Three Isles Tour, reported as one of the best day tours in Britain, cruising out to the beautiful Isle of Mull, then spiritual Isle of Iona, then an awe inspiring cruise to the unique Isle of Staffa to see Fingals Cave, together with plenty wildlife.

Crieff is a bustling country town set amidst magnificent Perthshire scenery. Situated 18 miles west of Perth, Crieff straddles the Highland Boundary Fault where the rolling Lowland landscape meets majestic Highland terrain making it an excellent base for exploring.

Columba Hotel, 3 Star

Ferntower Rd, Crieff, Perthshire Tel: 01764 655555

North Pier, Oban PA34 5QD Tel:01631 562183

Well positioned on the North Pier and overlooking Oban Bay, this stately seafront hotel is a 7 minute walk from St. Columba’s Cathedral.

Monday 6 June Monday 26 September

5 Days 5 Days

£425 £425

Single Supplement £72. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Return Ferry to Mull, Leisure Cruise to Isle of Staffa and Iona.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Oban for our four night stay.

DAY 2

DAY 3

fter breakfast we have some free time to explore A Oban. In the afternoon we journey to Seil Island and cross over the “Bridge over the Atlantic” opening up magnificent coastal scenery of the islands. oday is the highlight of the holiday. Firstly, the T ferry to beautiful Mull. Journey south taking in the imposing Duart Castle, before reaching Fionnphort – the most westerly point of the island, before boarding the ferry to Iona, resting place of over 100 Scottish Kings and the birthplace of Christianity in Britain. We will have approx. two hours exploring this spiritual Island. Then the highlight is an inspiring visit to the unique Isle of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave with time on the island before returning to Oban in time for dinner.

DAY 4 A day free in Oban. The hotel is centrally situated and only a short walk to the centre of Oban.

DAY 5 We return home.

Crieff Hydro, 4 Star

It sounds a bit strange now, but to the Victorians, swimming in freezing spring water was just what the doctor ordered. So it goes that in 1868, under the management of physician Thomas H. Meikle, the hotel opened its doors as The Strathearn Hydropathic Establishment Company. A lot has changed since then and the Hydro is now a remarkably luxurious hotel offering all modern facilities and a host of activities. Swimming Pool, Sauna and Spa.

Monday 4 April Monday 4 July Monday 19 September

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£375 £440 £400

Single Supplement £90. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Blair Castle and Scone Palace, Cruise on Loch Lomond.

ITINERARY Day 1 We leave home and travel to Crieff visiting Scone Palace en-route. The Palace has constituted the capital of the Picts, the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scotland. It houses an outstanding collection of antiques, paintings and rare artefacts and the grounds are world famous.

DAY 2

A day at leisure today, enjoy the facilities at the Hotel or walk down to the shopping area of Crieff.

DAY 3 We have a full day tour travelling via Lochearn and Crianlarich to Loch Lomond where we will have a cruise and then make our way back to Crieff.

DAY 4

After breakfast, we head to Blair Castle. Created in the 18th Century, Blair Castle is at the hub of a breathtakingly beautiful, historic landscape featuring a peaceful wooded grove, the ruined St Brides Kirk, a red deer park and whimsical gothic folly. We will then make a stop in Pitlochry for lunch (not included) and in the afternoon, we will visit the famous Queen’s View, this famous vantage point looks out over one of the most iconic panoramas in Scotland, directly to the west along Loch Tummel from where, on a clear day, you can sometimes see the mountains surrounding Glencoe by the West Coast.

DAY 5 We return home by making our way to Callander for some free time before we continue our homeward journey.

25

Scotland’s North West Passage

Pitlochry

- Enchanted Forest This unique tour takes in the award-winning Perthshire tourist attraction, The Enchanted Forest, a spectacular outdoor sound and light show which takes place at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. Renowned to be Scotland’s premier sound and light experience attracting thousands of visitors each year, spectacular lighting effects will be used to illustrate the theme as you make your way around the forest. Using the forest as a natural backdrop, visitors will be treated to a series of spectacular and choreographed mini sound and light shows that are quite simply, out of this world!

Fishers Hotel, 3 Star

Kyleakin, Isle of Skye Tel: 01599 534109 Little Loch Broom Tel: 01854 633204

Situated in the heart of Scotland and surrounded by beautiful scenic views the hotel is in an ideal position for exploring Perthshire. All rooms have TV and tea and coffee making facilities. Lift.

5 Days 5 Days

£340 £285

Single Supplement £64. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Blair Castle, Edradour Distillery and Enchanted Forest.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Pitlochry to arrive in plenty of time to settle in before dinner.

DAY 2

full day excursion today taking in the Queen’s View and A Blair Castle, home to the Duke of Atholl and the only private army in the UK. In the afternoon we will visit Edradour Distillery, the smallest distillery in Scotland.

DAY 3

free day today to relax and perhaps enjoy the shops in A Pitlochry or take some of the beautiful walks in the area, visit the Dam or the Explorer’s Garden at the Theatre. In the evening we will visit the Enchanted Forest, joining the shuttle bus right outside the door of the hotel.

DAY 4

ur excursion today takes us through scenic Perthshire, O making the most of the Autumn colours by travelling along the shores of Loch Tay to Killin, through Lochearnead to Callander before travelling back through Crieff and the Sma’ Glen.

DAY 5

Kings Arms Hotel, 2 Star Dundonnell Hotel, 3 Star

Atholl Road, Pitlochry Tel: 01796 472000

Monday 24 October Monday 16 November*

This 6 day spectacular Scottish Tour takes you on a Discovery journey. Sit back and relax as the beauty of the Highlands unfolds before you. Eerie Glencoe, Loch Duich, Eilean Donan Castle, Isle of Skye and unspoilt and breathtaking Sutherland & Caithness. A cruise and tour of the Orkney Isles, Inverness and Speyside. On this tour you will witness a way of life in the far north that has little changed in generations.

We travel home.

Royal Hotel

Traill Street Thurso Tel: 01847 893191

Sunday 18 September

6 Days

£515

Single Supplement £66. Insurance £19 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, visit to Dunvegan Castle, Orkney Cruise and guided tour.

ITINERARY DAY 1

he magic begins, we head north through Glencoe, T Loch Linnhe and make a stop in Fort William. We then continue on along Loch Lochy, Loch Garry, Loch Cluanie and Loch Duich with a stop at Eilean Donan Castle before arriving at our hotel for the next two nights, the Dunollie

DAY 1 A more leisurely day, taking in the sights of the Isle of Skye, We head to Portree, the Islands capital. The tour sweeps across the island to Dunvegan Castle and its gardens, returning along the coast road with views of the Cullins. Back to the hotel in time for dinner.

DAY 3 We head along the west coast to Ullapool. Along the shoreline of Loch Maree with free time in Gairloch, passing Inverewe Gardens and Gruinard Island. We continue to Loch Broom to the Dundonnell Hotel for our overnight stay.

DAY 4 The tour heads into a part of the UK which is still largely unspoilt. An area of extraordinary beauty. Mile upon mile of crumbling cliffs and rocky headlands shelter bays whose perfect white beaches are nearly always deserted. We stop off at Durness, Scotland’s most north Westerly town before continuing along the northern shoreline to Thurso and the Royal Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

DAY 5 After breakfast the short journey takes you past the Queen Mother’s Scottish residence, the Castle of Mey to John O’Groats where we pick up the Orkney Ferry for the 40 minute sailing to Orkney where we will be met by our private coach and driver/guide.

The highlights include some of the main sites on the Island, Skara Brae, the Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow, Ring of Brodgar, The Standing Stones, The Italian Chapel and the Island’s Capital, Kirkwall.

DAY 6 We depart Thurso and travel home.

* Turkey & Tinsel. Please see page 43 for details.

26

MUSIC, LAUGHTER, SHOWS AND DANCING (Where Every Night is Different)

Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, 3 Star

Thoresby Hall, 4 Star Thoresby Park, Nr Ollerton, Nottinghamshire Tel: 01623 821000

Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales Tel: 01745 584060

Set in 200 acres of parkland with breathtaking views of the Clwydian hills and the Snowdonia National Park, Grade II listed Bodelwyddan Castle offers a truly unforgettable experience.

Beautiful sensory garden to delight all five senses. Three bars, 2 coffee shops. Heated indoor swimming pool. Spa, pool, sauna, steam room and fitness studio. Live nightly entertainment in the Lowther Hall Cabaret Room. All weather Crown Green bowling arena. Four rink indoor bowls complex (with coaching available at an extra cost). Snooker, table tennis, billiards and darts. Archery and Rifle shooting. Cycle hire, fun croquet. Gift shop. Entertainment includes Comedy time with great shows, live music plus a comedy act.

Monday 26 September

5 Days

£375

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Two Excursions including Betwys-y-Coed and Chester. All activities above unless a supplement applies.

Monday 25 July

5 Days

£420

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Two excursions including Lincoln and Nottingham. All activities unless a supplement applies.

Middlewich Road, Nantwich, Cheshire Tel: 01270 624341

4 Star

Nidd, Harrogate Tel: 01423 771598

Built in 1820, elegant Nidd Hall is a Grade II listed building, set at the gateway to the delightful Dales and just a few minutes from Harrogate.The hotel has full Leisure Facilities including Indoor Pool, Fitness Studio and a range of tempting beauty treatments. Sit back with a book in the Library. Outdoors there’s a Putting Green and Tennis Courts, croquet and bowls. Stunning gardens. Live Nightly Entertainment and West End Songs.

5 Days

£330

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

Perched on the edge of Sherwood Forest, the house, gardens and parklands of Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa are as grand an invocation of the 18th and 19th Centuries as you’ll find. Unforgettable period elegance – Thoresby Hall has it all. An extensive choice of leisure and wellbeing facilities including indoor pool, sauna and steam room plus fitness suite and studio area. World Spa offering sensuous treatments from around the world. Take a stroll through the landscaped grounds to discover a secret Victorian Rose Garden, splendid woodland and herbaceous garden. Evening Entertainment. Includes Top Tribute with Imagine The Beatles.

Alvaston Hall, 3 Star

Nidd Hall Hotel

Monday 21 March

We are delighted to be able to offer these fantastic tours from Warner’s Holidays. All Warners’ Hotels are set in beautiful grounds and range from the grand and historical to the local and quaint. Many extra activities are included in your holiday price plus an amazing entertainment programme in the evening.

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Two excursions including York and the Yorkshire Dales. All facilities in the hotel unless a supplement applies.

You’ll find few lovelier locations than the one occupied by the grand country estate of Alvaston Hall, a beautiful neo-Tudor hotel that offers you modern and appealing amenities. Alvaston boasts more than its share of myth and legend. Stories abound of ancient cockfighting in the Cheshire Barn (today a feather-free coffee shop) and of course, the time honoured phenomenon, the resident ghost. Relax in the Fountain Bar after Dinner. A range of leisure facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness studio plus a 9 hole Golf course perfect for a practice round. Entertainment includes Comedy time with great shows, live music plus a comedy act.

Monday 18 April Monday 24 October

5 Days 5 Days

£330 £355

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Two excursions including Chester and the villages of the Peak District. All activities unless a supplement applies.

27

Back In Tyne – Northumbria

Blackpool

Relax on a Tyne River cruise, visit the extraordinary Beamish Museum and enjoy the city of Newcastle in this new tour.

Newcastle County Hotel, 3 Star

The Belvedere Hotel

Neville St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5DF Tel: 0871 376 9029

A grade 11 listed Victorian hotel in the very heart of Newcastle city centre so if you’re looking for retail therapy, it is close to all the main shopping areas of Newcastle, and you’ll also find museums and other cultural attractions nearby. Lift.

Monday 30 May Monday 1 August

5 Days 5 Days

One of the most popular resorts in Britain, Blackpool has something to suit all tastes whether it be the breathtaking rides on the Pleasure Beach or old time dancing in the Tower Ballroom.

£360 £380

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Beamish Museum, Guided Tour of Newcastle, Quay to Countryside Cruise

Albert Road, Blackpool Tel: 01253 628029

Ideally situated to enjoy all the thrills of Blackpool, adjacent to the town centre and within easy access of the beach, Promenade, Tower, Winter Gardens, Theatres, Cinemas and Amusements. Lift and Games Room.

Monday 11 April Saturday 16 July Monday 26 September Monday 10 October Monday 17 October Monday 14 November

5 Days 7 Days 5 Days 5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£220 £370 £260 £260 £260 £225

Friday 30 December

5 Days

£370

(Turkey & Tinsel)

ITINERARY DAY 1

We travel south to Newcastle for our four night stay.

DAY 2

oday, we will visit the Living Museum of the T North, The Beamish Museum. This famous open air museum, set within 300 acres of beautiful County Durham countryside, tells the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. We will experience town life as it would have been in the 1940s during World War II, visit a 1940s farm, pop into the Colliery and the Pit Village in the early 1900s and take unlimited free rides on the Beamish tram.

DAY 3 This morning a guide will meet us at the hotel for a full morning tour of Newcastle. The afternoon is free.

DAY 4

DAY 5

28

xplore the vibrant city of Newcastle –upon-Tyne on a E two hour “Quay to Countryside” cruise along the River Tyne. The cruise upriver will be accompanied by a fascinating commentary as you travel under eleven of the Tyne’s famous bridges including the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyne Bridge and Swing Bridge.

We return home.

(New Year)

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (5 Days), £20 (7 Days) (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4/6 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Excursions, Occasional Evening Entertainment.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Blackpool to arrive in time for dinner.

DAY 2 At leisure to enjoy the numerous attractions in Blackpool.

DAY 3

e visit Bury Market. An evening excursion through W the Illuminations (September and October dates only).

DAY 4

A full day excursion today to the Lake District.

DAY 5 We return home.

7 Day Holiday includes an excursion to Lytham St Annes and Southport.

Bournemouth

Bristol and Bath

A lovely destination with golden beaches, floral gardens, excellent shopping and all year round entertainment. Whatever your interests, the town offers something for everyone. Set in beautiful Dorset and within minutes of the New Forest there is a world of stunning scenery, outstanding attractions and picturesque villages for all to enjoy.

Bristol Grand Hotel, 4 Star

The Suncliff Hotel, 3 Star

Broad Street, Bristol Tel: 0871 376 9042

East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth Tel: 01202 298350

Located on the seafront overlooking Bournemouth Bay in the East Cliff neighbourhood, the Suncliff is a five minute stroll from seven miles of sandy beach. Indoor swimming pool, spa tub and sauna. Lift.

Saturday 2 April Saturday 23 July Saturday 3 September

9 Days 9 Days 9 Days

Bristol is one of Europe’s most dynamic cities with over a thousand years of history and a fascinating industrial and maritime heritage and similarly Bath, which grew up around its thermal water springs that can still be seen today in the Roman Baths Museum. It is also famous for its stunning architecture, the beautiful abbey, its flower filled streets, parks and gardens.

£510 £630 £585

Single Supplement £40. Sea View supplement £90 per person.

Insurance £23 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

8 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.

Located on Broad Street, The Grand Hotel in Bristol truly lives up to its name. Dating from Victorian times, this newlyrefurbished hotel blends classic period charm with the very best in contemporary comforts. Close to the River Avon and the historic port which helped Bristol to flourish in the 18th Century, The Grand Hotel is a great place to explore a city full of history and culture. Health Club including Pool, Spa and Beauty Treatments. Lift.

Saturday 21 May Saturday 27 August

9 Days 9 Days

£675 £695

Single Supplement £278. Insurance £23 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

Eight nights dinner, bed and breakfast. Guided city tour of Bath.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave Scotland and travel to the North of England for our overnight stay.

DAY 2 Today we head for Bournemouth visiting Winchester en-route.

DAY 3

e have a day at leisure today. The attractions in W Bournemouth are endless, shopping, sightseeing, a beautiful sandy beach or simply relax in the hotel.

DAY 4 We have a full day excursion today visiting the New Forest, set aside as a royal hunting ground by William the Conqueror 900 years ago, it is now the largest area of woodland and wilderness in England. We then travel to Christchurch, uniquely situated on the shores of its own harbour, close to the magnificent Dorset World Heritage Coast.

DAY 5 Today’s excursion takes us to Salisbury, superbly situated in southern England’s rural heartland, few destinations can match the amazing diversity of Salisbury and Stonehenge – with a history dating back over 5000 years.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to the North of England for our overnight stay.

DAY 2

fter breakfast, we travel south to Bristol with an en-route A visit to the spa town of Cheltenham.

DAY 3

ur excursion today will take us to Bath and start with a O guided tour, then you will have free time to explore this wonderful city on your own. Visit the Roman Baths Museum or simply enjoy the parks and gardens.

DAY 4

At leisure to explore the many attractions of Bristol.

DAY 5

ur excursion today takes us to Wells with its glorious O cathedral, one of England’s most beautiful medieval buildings. Then on to Glastonbury, reputed to be the site of the first Christian Church and the Camelot of King Arthur, the town is steeped in history.

DAY 6

e cross the Severn Bridge and travel to Cardiff, the capital W city of Wales. Here we will have free time to browse around the shops, to visit the Castle or to meander around Tiger Bay.

DAY 7

free day before we start our homeward journey, time to A relax in the hotel’s Leisure Club or do some shopping or take in some of the sights of Bristol.

DAY 6 A day at leisure.

DAY 7 Our excursion today takes us to Portsmouth, packed with things to do and fast becoming Britain’s favourite waterfront destination, Portsmouth has more and more to offer every year. Enjoy an irresistible mix of history and heritage, specialist shopping and lively arts.

DAY 8 We leave the South Coast today and travel north to our overnight stop in the North of England.

DAY 9 We return home.

DAY 8 We bid farewell to Bristol and make our way North through the Cotswolds to our overnight stop in the North of England.

DAY 9

After breakfast, we make our way homeward.

29

Carlisle and Cumbria

Shropshire Highlights Shropshire lies on the border of England and Wales, set on a blackcloth of patchwork fields, wooded valleys, picturesque rivers and rolling hills leading into Welsh mountains.

The Park Inn By Radisson, 3 Star

Crown And Mitre Hotel, 3 Star

Forgegate, Telford Centre, Telford Tel: 01952 429988

The Park Inn is a modern hotel situated in the heart of beautiful Shropshire, an ideal base to explore the local attractions. It has excellent leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna and steam room. Lift.

Monday 23 May Monday 29 August

5 Days 5 Days

For this wonderful tour we will be based in Carlisle, a perfectly situated busy market town with a good shopping centre. To the south is the Lake District and to the north, the Solway Coast and Galloway.

£330 £350

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Severn River Trip, Rail Journey from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster.

English Street, Carlisle Tel: 01228 525491

The Crown and Mitre Hotel, Carlisle offers the perfect mix of Edwardian grandeur, beautiful original features including a real log fire and elegant sweeping staircase plus all the modern comforts of home to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Swimming pool and Jacuzzi , Complimentary WiFi is available. All rooms have LCD televisions with Freeview, tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers.

Monday 11 April Monday 27 June Monday 12 September

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£310 £325 £325

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £18

(includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Cruise on Lake Windermere. Single journey on Settle - Carlisle Railway.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e travel to Carlisle to arrive at our base for the next W four nights.

DAY 2 Our railway journey today takes us from Carlisle to Settle. The beautifully kept railway station lies a few minutes walk from the town centre. In the centre of the town, the Market Square offers a variety of different goods and services from traditional to designer goods with pleasant pubs and cafes and a market every Tuesday.

DAY 3

oday we have a full day excursion to the Lake District, T visiting Windermere where we will enjoy a cruise on the Lake and then on to Grasmere and Keswick.

Day 4

free day today to explore Carlisle, there is much to do A and see in this city steeped in history, which has been an important centre since Roman times. Places to visit include Carlisle Castle, which sits proudly overlooking the city. The castle offers medieval dungeons, passageways and chambers and was once home to Mary Queen of Scots. There is a wide range of shops to visit at The Lanes, the pedestrianised shopping precinct and at the covered market.

DAY 5 Homeward bound today.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Telford DAY 2 We visit Shrewsbury where we board our Sabrina Boat for our River Severn trip. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be served on board as well as we pass many local landmarks with commentery. In the afternoon we visit market Drayton, home of gingerbread.

DAY 3 A day at leisure.

DAY 4 We make our way to Bridgnorth with some free time before travelling on the severn Valley Railway to Kidderminster, again with some free time before returning to the hotel.

DAY 5 Today we return home.

30

Chelsea Flower Show

Chester

For four days each May, the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea come alive with the sight of the finest collections of flowers in the world.

Radisson Blu Edwardian, 4 Star 140 Bath Road, Hayes Tel: 020 8759 6311

This very comfortable, welcoming hotel offers all the comforts expected of a 4 star hotel. All rooms have mini bar, trouser press, tea/coffee making facilities, wifi, air conditioning, TV. Hotel has a fitness centre, ESPA Spa. Lift.

Tuesday 24 May

6 Days

£560

Single Supplement £105. Insurance £19 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Entrance to Chelsea Flower Show. Entrance to Hampton Court Palace. Entrance to Wisley.

Entrance to Kew Gardens.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 2 We make our way to Hayes to our hotel for the next four nights.

DAY 3 The highlight of our tour – Chelsea Flower Show. The world’s most famous flower show, held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. The show attracts visitors from all over the world. Highlights to the Chelsea Flower Show include the avant-garde show gardens designed by leading names with the Floral Marquee at the centrepiece. The show also features smaller gardens such as the Artisan and Urban Gardens and many tradestands for those gardening essentials.

A wash with history and heritage and famous for its unforgettable half-timbered buildings, Chester has a gentle medieval air. From the cobbled paths to the cathedral spire, Chester offers buildings of every era, each carefully restored to retain the old world backdrop to the modern day bustle of vibrant city life. Chester is home to the unique 13th Century “Rows”, half-timbered galleried shops, the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain and a glorious cathedral.

Queen Hotel, 4 Star City Road, Chester Tel: 01244 305000

It doesn’t get any better than this: luxury, style, outstanding service and huge personality, all to ensure an extra special stay.

The Best Western Premier Queen Hotel is perfectly placed in Chester’s city centre. Though the hotel is attached to the mainline railway station and just five minutes from the Cathedral and central shopping area, you’ll have the opportunity to escape the modern pace in the secluded Italian terrace gardens!

Offering first class accommodation including Fitness Suite, Lift.

Monday 25 April Monday 6 June Monday 25 July Monday 29 August

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£325 £345 £370 £370

Single Supplement £100. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Guided tour of Chester.

Cruise on Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

DAY 4 Today we visit Hampton Court Palace. Discover the magnificence of Henry VIII’s favourite royal residence. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the bustling Tudor Base Court and marvel at the breathtaking grandeur of the State Rooms, stroll through over 60 acres of enchanting gardens and appreciate the beauty of one of the greatest palaces on earth.

In the afternoon, we visit Wisley’s flagship gardens of the RHS and its huge plant collection.

DAY 5 Our excursion today takes us to Kew Gardens, throughout its history, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has made important contributions to increasing the understanding of the plant kingdom with many benefits for mankind. Perhaps we will be able to have some free time in London afterwards.

DAY 6 We travel back homeward.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Chester to arrive in time to settle in before dinner.

DAY 2 This morning we start off with a tour of Chester accompanied by a local guide with the afternoon free to explore at your leisure.

DAY 3

oday we have an excursion to Ilangollen where we have a T cruise on the “Stream in the Sky”, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct breathtaking!

DAY 4

leisure to explore the many varied attractions Chester has to At offer.

DAY 5 We return home.

31

The Cream of Cornwall

Cheltenham and Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm

For this tour we will taste the best of Cornwall’s attractions, from the miles of golden beaches, the quaint fishing villages, dramatic cliffs and coastline, to the beautiful moorland and countryside. We will also visit the fabulous Eden Project and one of the most popular Botanical Gardens in the UK, the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Experience on this new tour, the honey-coloured Cotswolds, Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park and a wonderful garden.

Kilbirnie Hotel, 3 Star

The Cheltenham Chase Hotel is a fantastically located hotel for exploring both the spa town of Cheltenham and the chic town of Gloucester. The hotel itself boasts a stylish and contemporary interior. Lift. Health club with spa treatment rooms, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.

Newquay Cornwall TR7 2RS Tel: 01637 875155

The Kilbirnie offers a superb location overlooking the Atlanic Ocean. The hotel has leisure facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, spa pool and gym.

Entertainment some evenings.

Saturday 14 May Saturday 2 July Saturday 10 September

8 Days 8 Days 8 Days

£610 £660 £610

Single Supplement £150. Insurance £22 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

7 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to the Eden Project and Entrance to the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave our chosen pick up point and travel to our overnight stop in the North of England in time for dinner.

DAY 2

fter breakfast, we travel to Cornwall to arrive at our hotel A in plenty time to unpack and relax for a while before dinner.

DAY 3 A day at leisure to enjoy Newquay. Visit the picturesque harbour, enjoy the fantastic ocean views or simply sit and watch the surfers.

The Cheltenham Chase Hotel, 4 Star

Shurdington Rd, Brockworth, Gloucestershire GL3 4PB Tel 01452 519988

Saturday 28 May Saturday 20 August

£570 £595

Single Supplement £110. I nsurance £22 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

7 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Cotswold Farm Park, Entrance to Hidcote Manor Garden.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 2 After breakfast we travel south to Cheltenham visiting Stratford upon Avon en-route.

DAY 3

day at leisure to either enjoy the hotel’s excellent A facilities or take advantage of the local bus, there is a bus stop outside the hotel.

DAY 4 Today we visit Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park and experience a stunning diversity of animals, rare breeds, a farm safari tractor ride, daily activities and changing demonstrations which follow the farming cycle.

DAY 4

oday our excursion takes us to the Eden Project, boasting T the world’s largest greenhouse and plants which are collected from all around the world housed in gigantic domes. This will involve a considerable amount of walking – comfortable shoes are a must.

DAY 5

ur excursion today takes us to Land’s End and returning O via the Atlantic Coast and St Ives.

DAY 5 Enjoy a scenic tour of the honey-coloured limestone towns and villages of the Cotswolds before an afternoon visit to Hidcote Manor Garden to discover one of the country’s great gardens with its magnificent vistas and dazzling arrays of plants and flowers.

DAY 6

e visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan today, asleep for W more than 70 years until 1991 when work started on restoration and the gardens are now back to their former glory. We also visit Mevagissey, a beautiful Cornish fishing village.

DAY 6 We discover Gloucestershire’s picturesque medieval market town of Tewkesbury, rich in timber-framed buildings, it has a long and fascinating history, we then visit the small market town of Ross on Wye, situated on the River Wye.

DAY 7 We bid farewell to Cornwall and travel to the North of England area for dinner and our overnight stop.

DAY 8 After breakfast we leave for home.

DAY 7 We sadly leave Cheltenham behind and travel north to our overnight hotel in the North of England visiting Chester en-route.

DAY 8

32

8 Days 8 Days

We travel home.

Elegant Eastbourne

Harrogate & The Yorkshire Dales

A popular south coast holiday destination, Eastbourne is a stylish seaside resort sitting at the foot of the South Downs in East Sussex. The resort enjoys higher than average sunshine figures and the promenades and Carpet Gardens lining the beach are sheltered by the cliffs of Beachy Head. Good shops and a Blue Flag Beach contribute to an enjoyable holiday with level streets and all within easy reach of each other.

Best Western York House Hotel, 3 Star

14-22 Royal Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 7AP Tel: 01323 412918 The Hotel is an elegant Victorian Hotel located along Eastbourne’s famous seafront, close to the pier and just a 15 minute stroll to the centre of this lovely town. The hotel has a good sized restaurant and bar, both of which enjoy lovely views across the seafront. An indoor heated swimming pool and a unique open-air sun verandah. All rooms have telephone, TV, Hairdryer, Tea & Coffee making facilities, Free WiFi, 24 hour room service. Lift. Some ground floor rooms.

Saturday 30 April Saturday 17 September

9 Days 9 Days

£640 £660

Single Supplement £145. Insurance £23 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

The historic spa town of Harrogate has magnificent Victorian buildings, colourful banks of flowers, broad tree-lined boulevards and wide open spaces.

The Old Swan Hotel, 4 Star Swan Road, Harrogate Tel: 08446 932 964

The Old Swan is one of the most famous hotels in Harrogate, Yorkshire, with a history going back nearly 200 years.

Surrounded by picturesque lawns and gardens, and just a short walk from the town centre and the Harrogate International Centre, it combines Victorian splendour with contemporary luxury. Lift.

Monday 9 May Monday 20 June Monday 8 August Monday 5 September

5 Days £345 5 Days £355 5 Days £370 5 Days £355

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, North Yorkshire Moors Railway Journey

What’s Included:

8 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Tea/Coffee on arrival in Eastbourne.

ITINERARY DAY 1 Travel to the North of England for our overnight stay.

DAY 2 Today we travel south to Eastbourne.

DAY 3 Part of the reason for coming to Eastbourne has to be to enjoy being beside the sea, today is a day at leisure to do just that! Enjoy a gentle stroll along Eastbourne’s flat promenade, jump on the Dotto train or potter around the shops. Eastbourne also offers a wealth of attractions and amenities for you to explore.

DAY 4

DAY 5

ravelling along the coast today we visit Hastings, one of T the medieval Cinque Ports. We continue on to Rye this afternoon, an historic and beautiful town, situated on a hill, over-looking Romney Marsh. Enjoy the harbourside and rich selection of specialist shops.

We have a full day excursion visiting Royal Tunbridge Wells – excellent for shopping.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel down to Harrogate to arrive in time to unpack before dinner.

DAY 2

oday you are free to explore the spa town of T Harrogate, renowned for its floral beauty, with its Victorian Pump Room, Royal Baths, curiosity shops and beautifully manicured gardens. Afternoon Tea at Betty’s could be a perfect treat.

DAY 3

e travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway today, W we make our way to Pickering and travel to Grosmont along the wonderful scenic route. We will follow that with a visit to the historic coastal town on Whitby, with its famous cliff top Abbey.

DAY 4

ur excursion today takes us to the Yorkshire O Dales National Park, visiting Grassington,which has everything that comes to mind when you imagine a typical village: stunning views, beautiful stone buildings, quirky shops and friendly pubs. Then on to the market town of Skipton known as the Gateway to the Dales.

DAY 6 A visit to Brighton today. There’s nothing quite like a bracing walk along the prom or a stroll on the Palace Pier.

DAY 7

A free day today to relax.

DAY 8 We leave the south coast and head north today to our overnight stop in the North of England.

DAY 9 Homeward bound today.

DAY 5 Homeward bound today.

33

Isle Of Man Douglas

Isle Of Wight

The Isle of Man is a very popular tourist area, the climate is mild due to the Gulf Stream and even in winter palm trees flourish.

With over 500 miles of roads and a 40mph speed restriction for coaches, this will be a relaxing holiday. Douglas is the island’s capital overlooking Douglas Bay, a one and a half mile stroll may be enjoyed along the seafront promenades – the unique horsedrawn tram cars provide a more leisurely alternative.

The Trouville Hotel, 3 Star

10-16 Esplanade, Sandown PO36 8LB Tel: 01983 402141

Rutland Hotel, 3 Star Queens Promenade, Douglas Tel: 01624 621218

This modern hotel enjoys stunning views over Douglas Bay. Lift.

Saturday 23 July Saturday 10 September

A beautiful island with an excellent climate and mile upon mile of sandy beaches and unspoilt coastline. Located just three miles from the mainland, the minute you step onto the island, your holiday has begun. Splendid white cliffs, sparkling waters, picturesque villages and a host of interesting things to do.

6 Days 6 Days

£510 £485

Single Supplement £55. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Return Ferry Crossing between Heysham and Douglas.

Situated centrally on Sandown’s seafront opposite the golden beach with panoramic views over the sweep of Sandown and Shanklin Bay, The Trouville is the ideal place to relax in the Isle of Wight. Lift.

Saturday 25 June Saturday 23 July Saturday 3 September

9 Days 9 Days 9 Days

£610 £660 £630

Single Supplement £32. Insurance £23 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

8 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, return ferry crossing. Visit to Osborne House.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to the North of England for our overnight stop.

DAY 2 After breakfast we travel to catch the 45 minute ferry to the Isle of Wight, arriving late afternoon.

DAY 3 At Leisure.

DAY 4 The day begins with a visit to the traditional seaside resort of Shanklin, before continuing to Ryde with its pier almost half a mile long. In the afternoon, we visit Queen Victoria’s favourite country home – Osborne House, unchanged for over a century. The highlights include the Indian Durbar Room, Queen Victoria’s own private bedroom and the Royal Children’s nursery. The grounds include a Victorian Walled Garden and hothouses containing exotic plants.

DAY 5 At leisure.

ITINERARY

DAY 6 Today’s tour begins in the Victorian Spa resort of Ventnor before continuing to Freshwater Bay. At the western most point of the island are The Needles and nearby is Alum Bay, home of the famous coloured sand. Before returning to Sandown, we visit Godshill, a popular thatched village of “Chocolate Box” prettiness.

DAY 1 Travel to Northern England for our overnight stop.

DAY 7

DAY 2 After breakfast, we make our way to Heysham for our ferry to Douglas (approximately three and three quarter hours).

DAY 3 Today we have a full day excursion taking in Peel on the west coast of the Island before heading north to Kirk Michael from where we follow TT course, to Ramsay, then following the coast to Laxey where we see “Lady Isabella” – the world’s largest working waterwheel. If time permits, you may wish to take a train journey up the islands highest mountain (not included) – Snaefell.

Return to Douglas in time for dinner.

DAY 4 Yesterday the north, today the south. Visiting Castletown, Port St Mary, Port Erin and the Cregnesh Folk Museum – see life as it was at the turn of the century.

DAY 5 At leisure today to explore Douglas.

DAY 6 We return home.

34

ur excursion today takes us to Cowes, a renowned O yachting centre and home of World Yachting. It has played host to some of the greatest international sailing events and has a sailing history second to none. We then visit Newport, the island’s capital in the afternoon.

DAY 8 We leave Sandown and make our way to the ferry for our crossing to the mainland. We then travel back to North England for our overnight stop.

DAY 9

After breakfast, we travel homeward.

The Lake District and Windermere Hydro

A Taste of Kent Hythe Kent, in the District of Shepway, is one of the five original Cinque Ports on the “Garden Coast” in South Kent, on a broad bay of the English Channel. A wide promenade overlooks a long stretch of beach, and over the English Channel to France and it is ideal for a stroll.

Mercure Hythe Imperial Hotel, 4 Star Princes Parade, Hythe Tel: 01303 267441

The traditional 4 star Mercure Hythe Imperial Hotel enjoys a fantastic panoramic seafront location in the upmarket seaside town of Hythe. With extensive gardens and a golf course, this hotel is perfect for a quiet seaside break. There are full leisure facilities including indoor swimming pool, spa bath, sauna and gym or you can relax in one of the spa rooms. Lift.

Saturday 24 April Saturday 17 September

8 Days 8 Days

£620 £635

Single Supplement £32. Insurance £22 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

7 Nights Dinner,Bed and Breakfast, Vineyard Tour and Tasting, Ploughman’s Platter, Cheese, local Ham and Wine, Train from Tenterden to Bodiam with Cream Tea, Cruise on Bewl Water.

Entrance to Shepherd Neame Brewery – tour and lunch.

This has long been one of England’s best known and popular holiday destinations. With its tranquil beauty, this region can never be understated and remains one of the most unspoilt holiday destinations in the country.

Windermere Hydro, 3 Star

Helm Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere Tel: 01539 444455

The Hydro is one of the oldest hotels in the Lake District and was built as a water cure hotel in the late 19th century. It sits in a premier position with breathtaking views of Lake Windermere.

The hotel offers an excellent standard of accommodation and service. Relax in the Hydro Spa withswimming pool, sauna and mini-gym or simply have a coffee in the lounge with spectacular views over Bowness.

Monday 9 May Monday 11 July Monday 15 August Monday 3 October

5 Days £335 5 Days £350 5 Days £350 5 Days £310

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Cruise on Lake Windermere and Train Journey from Haverthwaite to Lakeside.

ITINERARY DAY 1

leave home and travel south, stopping overnight at We our hotel in the North of England.

DAY 2 Departing our overnight hotel this morning we make our way to Kent. Arriving at our hotel we enjoy a welcome tea/coffee as our luggage is taken to our room.

DAY 3

A day at leisure to relax and enjoy Hythe

DAY 4 After breakfast we take a scenic drive to Biddenden Vineyard for a Ploughman’s Platter served with a glass of wine, followed by a guided tour of the vineyard and finishing with a tastings of the end product! We then enjoy a nostalgic trip on the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

DAY 5 Today we visit the historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. There will be time to explore before our afternoon visit to Bewl Water. Here we have a cruise on the magnificent reservoir.

DAY 6 Today we visit the cathedral city of Canterbury. This afternoon we make our way to the Shepherd Neame Brewery, in Faversham lunch is included before we have a guided ‘behind the scenes’ tour.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to the Lake District to arrive late afternoon DAY 2 A day at leisure. Windermere on the hillside and Bowness on the lake shore are attractive, vibrant villages and combine to offer panoramic views of the lakes and fells. Enjoy a stroll along the lakeside or browse the many independent and interesting shops.

DAY 3 After breakfast enjoy a spectacular day, starting with a cruise on Lake Windermere followed by a one way journey on the Haverthwaite Lakeside Railway. The coach will then pick you up and travel to Kendal for some free time before returning to the hotel.

DAY 4 Our excursion takes us to Ullswater, despite being the second largest lake in the National Park, Ullswater remains the least touched by tourism and the least developed. We travel over the spectacular Kirkstone Pass to the south of the lake for some of the best views in the whole park.

DAY 5 We return home.

DAY 7 We leave the seaside and travel north to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 8

After breakfast, we travel homeward.

35

Llandudno and North Wales

Lancashire Winter Warmer

Llandudno is Wales’s largest resort, uniquely situated between the Great and Little Ormes with two wonderful beaches, the award winning North Shore and the quiet, sand duned West Shore. Llandudno has kept its Victorian and Edwardian elegance and splendour, despite its modern attractions and is an ideal centre for touring Snowdonia and Anglesey.

A perfect break away from the dreary winter days to Lancashire which offers a host of attractions to suit all tastes.

Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel, Bolton, 3 Star Tel: 0844 815 9029

Queens Hotel

The Promenade, Llandudno Tel: 01492 877218

A family run Hotel for the past 30 years, the Queens affords unrivalled views of the Bay, Great Orme and Pier being centrally situated on Llandudno’s Victorian Promenade and is adjacent to the main shopping street. The standard of accommodation is excellent as is the variety of cuisine in the restaurant. Lift.

Monday 11 April Saturday 11 June Saturday 16 July Saturday 6 August Monday 31 October

5 Days £285 8 Days £530 8 Days £555 8 Days £555 5 Days £295*

(Turkey & Tinsel)

Single Supplement £3.25 per night. Insurance £18 (5 Days) £22 (8 Days)

This hotel is built around a former Georgian Manor House with landscaped gardens and is an ideal touring base for the north west. Relax and enjoy a drink at the hotel’s Sports bar, then move across to the traditional Arts Brasserie Restaurant (accessed by a few steps), with its vibrant colour schemes and modern artwork. The hotel also offers leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and spa bath. Lift.

Friday 11 March

4 Days £210

No Single Supplement. Insurance £15 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

3 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drink, Speciality Lancashire themed Dinner on one evening with quiz, Tea/Coffee after Dinner, Pre Dinner Happy Hour on Final Evening.

(includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

ITINERARY

4/7 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Entrance to Portmeirion Village (8 day only).

Day 1 We leave home and travel to Bolton to a Welcome Drink.

*Turkey & Tinsel includes entertainment each evening and afternoon tea each day. Excursions on this tour will be altered to fit in with the hotel’s programme.

DAY 2

ur excursion takes us to Manchester, known for its O history of industry, music and sport. Manchester has been regenerated over the last decade to become a vibrant, modern and contemporary city. There is a plethora of choice when it comes to shopping, restaurants and bars.

DAY 3

oday we visit Liverpool, a vibrant and cosmopolitan T city. The Albert Dock is home to the award winning Beatles Story, the Tate Liverpool, the Liverpool Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum so there is something to interest everyone.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel to Llanduduo.

DAY 2 At leisure to enjoy Llandudno.

DAY 3

DAY 4

have a full day excursion to the picturesque village We of Betwys-y-Coed with its spectacular location in the heart of Snowdonia National Park before continuing on to Llangolen.

Full day excursion to Chester, awash with history and heritage and famous for its half-timbered buildings, Chester has a gentle medieval air. From the cobbled paths to the cathedral spire, Chester offers buildings of every era. It is also home to the unique 13th Century “Rows”, half-timbered galleried shops, the largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain and a glorious cathedral.

DAY 5 Today we journey north and across the Menai Straits to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch before touring the wonderful Isle of Anglesey and some beautiful scenery including several lovely bays and beaches.

DAY 6 Our excursion today takes us to Portmeirion Village,

marvel at the outstanding architecture and views. Please note there are steep hills and a number of steps in the Village. We then travel onwards to Portmadog, terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway.

DAY 7 We have a day at Leisure today, Llandudno has a lot to offer, take a cable car ride up the Great Orme or just a leisurely stroll along the promenade to the pier.

DAY 8 We travel homeward.

36

DAY 4 We leave Bolton and travel home.

London

Lytham St Annes Lytham is a traditional coastal village, one of the gems of the North West with its Continental Markets, flourishing gardens and stylish restaurants and perhaps best known as being host to the British Open Golf with its Championship Golf Course.

Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, 4 Star Scarsdale Place, London Tel 020 7937 7211

An elegant, modern hotel in an ideal situation offering every service and facility expected of a four star hotel. Restaurant, two bars. Lift

Sunday 7 August Sunday 9 October

7 Days 7 Days

£620 £610

Single Supplement £208 (August) £244 (October) Insurance £20 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

6 Nights Bed and Breakfast, Dinner on overnight stays only, no Dinner included in London Hotel. Entrance to attractions as per itineraries below.

ITINERARY AUGUST DAY 1 We travel to the North of England for our overnight stop.

DAY 2 In the morning we travel south to London to arrive mid afternoon and after checking in to the Hotel, the remainder of the day is free.

DAY 3

DAY 4

e visit Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official W residence and explore the magnificent State Rooms.

We will meet a local guide in the afternoon who will accompany us for a city tour. oday’s excursion takes us to the Palace of T Westminster for a guided tour, home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and the famous clock tower Big Ben. In the afternoon, we have a trip on the London Eye, the world’s tallest cantilevered wheel, capable of carrying up to 800 passengers per revolution we then see London from a different perspective as we have a River Cruise on the Thames.

Day 5 At leisure.

DAY 6 We make our way North with an en-route visit to Windsor before continuing to our overnight hotel.

Best Western Glendower Hotel, 3 Star North Promenade, Lytham St Annes Tel: 0845 564 7648

A stone’s throw away from the sandy beach, the hotel has stunning views across the Irish Sea and occupies a prime location on Lytham’s elegant seafront. The first class accommodation includes Fitness Suite. Lift.

Monday 2 May Monday 20 June Monday 15 August Monday 12 September

5 Days £340 5 Days £345 5 Days £360 5 Days £345

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Cruise on Lake Windermere.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel south to Lytham St Annes to arrive with time to unpack before dinner.

DAY 2 Today we have a full day visiting the Victorian resort of Southport with its top class shops and its stylish Victorian covered arcades.

DAY 3 Our excursion takes us up to Kendal and Windermere, enjoying a wonderful cruise on Lake Windermere and travelling through the beautiful scenery of the Lake District National Park, with its tranquil beauty, this region can never be understated and remains one of the most unspoilt destinations in England.

DAY 4 We have a day at leisure to enjoy Lytham St Annes, you will be free to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the promenade, do some shopping and enjoy relaxing in one of the many cafes.

DAY 5 We return home.

DAY 7 We return home.

ITINERARY OCTOBER DAY 1 & 2 As August Itinerary DAY 3

his morning we visit Kensington Palace, a palace T of secret stories and public lives following a £12m major project to create a palace for everyone. In the afternoon, we will meet a local guide who will accompany us for a city tour.

DAY 4 At Leisure.

DAY 5

his morning we have a trip on the London Eye, the T world’s tallest cantilevered wheel, capable of carrying up to 800 passengers per revolution the equivalent to 11 London double decker buses then in the afternoon we will have a leisurely Afternoon Tea at the Park Plaza County Hall finishing the day with a River Cruise on the Thames.

DAY 6 & 7 As August Itinerary

37

Made In Sheffield

Northumbria

The city is located within the valleys of the River Don and its four tributaries, the Loxley, the Porter Brook, the Rivelin, and the Sheaf. Sixty one per cent of Sheffield’s entire area is green space, and a third of the city lies within the Peak District national park. There are more than 250 parks, woodlands and gardens in the city, and an estimated 2 million trees, giving Sheffield the highest ratio of trees to people of any city in Europe. The city has a long sporting heritage, and is home to the world’s oldest football club. Our new tour explores how Sheffield became the city that it is today. We will see first hand how the growth of the “City of Steel” occurred during the Industrial Revolution and how its reputation was forged by the people living in and around this fascinating city over the past 250 years.

Holiday Inn Royal Victoria, 4 Star

Victoria Station Rd, Sheffield Tel: 0114 276 8822

Sheffield’s oldest hotel, built in 1862 and a Grade 11 listed building, is situated just a fifteen minute walk from the city centre. Not a typical Holiday Inn, this hotel has character with slight touches of Holiday Inn branding. Public areas have magnificent feature walls and ceilings, pillars and chandeliers.

Small Victorian Garden. Lift.

Monday 16 May Monday 11 July

5 Days £315 5 Days £340

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, Entrance to Abbeydale Hamlet and Kelham Island Museum.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e leave home and travel to Sheffield for the next W four nights.

DAY 2

free day today, there are a host of attractions in A Sheffield and also amazing shopping.

DAY 3 This morning we visit Brodsworth Hall and Gardens.

This beautiful Victorian country house has been left exactly as it was when it was still a family home.

The possessions, accumulated over a 130 year period, from the grandest piece of furniture to family mementoes and humble domestic items, are still in their original places.

DAY 4 Today we make our way to Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a unique 18th Century Industrial Works where we can experience life at home and at work in a rural scythe and steelworks. In the afternoon, we will visit the Kelham Island Museum with its interactive galleries that tell the story from light trades and skilled workmanship to mass production and what it was like to live and work in Sheffield during the Industrial Revolution.

DAY 5

38

We leave Sheffield and travel home.

What will entice you to Northumbria? Could it be its spectacular scenery, intriguing history and the wonderful attractions?

Northumberland offers you a year round travel destination with a wealth of interesting places to visit as well as the glorious coastline.

Windsor Hotel, 3 Star

20-24South Parade, Whitley Bay Tel: 0191 251 8888

A traditional “Geordie Welcome” awaits you at the Windsor Hotel. Located in the heart of Whitley Bay on the south promenade, the hotel is within walking distance to the main sea front and town offering a host of shops, restaurants and bars. Relax with a drink in the hotel’s traditional pub/bar. Some Ground Floor Rooms. Lift.

Monday 9 May Monday 11 July Monday 3 October

5 Days £365 5 Days £395 5 Days £365

Single Supplement £58. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Alnwick Gardens, Entrance to Bamburgh Castle, Entrance to Cragside House.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e arrive at the Windsor Hotel in the popular seaside W resort of Whitley bay, our base for the next 4 Nights.

DAY 2 We spend the day in the Medieval market town of Alnwick which still retains many of its cobbled streets, narrow alleys and fine stone buildings. Today includes a visit to Alnwick Castle, one of the finest medieval castles in England. Also included today is entrance to spectacular Alnwick Gardens.

DAY 3

ree time and lunch stop in Lindisfarne (not included). In F the afternoon we visit Bramburgh Castle, one of the most impressive castles in England.

DAY 4

ur first stop begins with a visit to the stately manor O of Cragside House and Gardens, a National Trust property.

The House is magnificent and beautiful, with a lived-in atmosphere. We make a lunch stop in the traditional market town of Rothbury known as the Capital of Coquetdale, very picturesque and surrounded by lovely rolling hills. We return to Whitley Bay in the afternoon for free time.

DAY 5 Depart - We bid farewell to Whitley Bay after breakfast for our return journey home.

Norfolk Treasures

The Pennine Explorer

Norwich is the most complete medieval city in Britain with museums, a magnificent cathedral, Norman Castle, ancient pubs, cobbled streets, half timbered houses, a jumble of medieval lanes and the delightful old Watergate by the riverside.

Don’t forget your spending money – Norwich has been voted one of the top ten shopping destinations in Britain.

Staying in a fine hotel on the edge of the Pennines, this holiday features two very different journeys through the hills and moors of North Yorkshire. Reminders of a bygone age when travel was altogether slower, sit back, relax and watch the dramatic landscape unfold.

Best Western George Hotel, 3 Star

Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, 4 Star

Arlington Lane, Newmarket Road, Norwich NR2 2DA Tel: 0844 387 6136

On a tree-lined residential street in south Norwich, this classic hotel in a Victorian villa is a 10 minute walk from the city centre and offers a warm Norfolk welcome. No Lift but there are some ground floor rooms available.

Saturday 13 August Saturday 24 September

9 Days 9 Days

£695 £670

Single Supplement £32. Insurance £23 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

8 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Sandringham House. Rail Journeys and Norfolk Broads Cruise.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel south to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 2

oday we travel to Norwich and our base for the next T five nights.

DAY 3

day at leisure, a day to familiarise yourself with A the city, whether you admire the attractive buildings such as Dragon Hall, the Guildhall and 17th Century Pulls Ferry with its 15th Century arch over the former canal. Wander through historic streets such as Pottergate and Timber Hill with their old buildings and unusual shops.

DAY 4

DAY 5

ur excursion takes us to Sandringham House O today, a friendly and informal place to visit, with knowledgeable guides in every room of the house and acres of beautiful gardens to explore. The Museum houses extraordinary collections of Royal vehicles, rare ceramics, photographs and memorabilia. The Restaurant or Stables Tea Room can offer reviving hot or cold drinks, snacks and meals before you investigate the Gift Shop and Plant Centre. e have a full day excursion to the Norfolk Broads W including a one way train journey on the Bure Valley Railway from Aylsham to Wroxham before embarking on a round trip cruise on the famous Norfolk Broads.

DAY 6

he seaside beckons today – we visit Cromer, a T bustling Edwardian family seaside town, famous for its tasty Cromer Crabs. In the afternoon we will pay a visit to Great Yarmouth, a flourishing coastal resort since 1760. Enjoy over 15 miles of sandy beach, the funfair, a game of mini-golf or simply enjoy a stroll along one of the piers.

DAY 7

free day today to relax or spend some time in A Norwich City enjoying the sights or shopping.

Blackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors, Lancashire Tel 01254 398021

Set in 17 acres of parkland, the original building dates back 700 years. While many of the original features have been restored, the bedrooms and leisure facilities are modern and well equipped. Indoor Swimming Pool, Spa. Lift.

Monday 20 June Monday 5 September

5 Days £345 5 Days £345

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Guided Tour, Journey on Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We travel down to the Pennines to arrive in our hotel in time for dinner.

DAY 2

e have a full day excursion and will be W accompanied by a local guide while we tour the Ribble Valley and Pendle Hill where we will hear the story of the famous Pendle Witches.

Day 3 Today we visit Skipton Market and then we have a one hour cruise including Tea and Coffee (no wheelchair access), from Skipton, cruising through the open countryside for the whole of the journey. A truly relaxing way to see the countryside.

DAY 4

ur excursion today takes us to Burnley to the O Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, the worlds only surviving 19th Century Steam powered weaving mill.

Queen Street Mill was used in the Mill scenes in the “Queen’s Speech”. We then make our way through the Lancashire Countryside to Oxenhope to board the train on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway before returning to the hotel.

DAY 5 We return home.

DAY 8 We leave Norwich today and head back north to our overnight hotel.

DAY 9

After breakfast, we head home.

39

Pride of The Peaks and Chatsworth House

Southport

The picturesque Peak District is renowned for its beautiful scenery, country houses and quaint towns. Walkers, climbers and cavers have long been attracted by the rolling hills, moors and caverns.

One of Lancashire’s premier holiday resorts, with its top class shops and stylish Victorian arcades, Southport is the perfect place for shopping or just browsing. Why not take in a top show at one of the town’s theatres or a concert at the Arts Centre.

Hallmark Hotel, 4 Star

Best Western Royal Clifton Hotel and Spa, 3 Star

Midland Road, Derby Tel 01332 345894

This hotel has its own sense of tradition, elegance and charm and is an enviable location within walking distance of the city centre and yet on the edge of the Peaks. Lift.

Monday 4 April Monday 15 August Monday 24 October

5 Days 5 Days 5 Days

£330 £365 £330

The Promenade, Southport Tel: 01704 533771

The Best Western Royal Clifton Hotel & Spa is noted for its exceptional range of facilities and excellent standards of service. Over recent years it has been thoughtfully refurbished to offer you the comfort you expect. The hotel also boasts superb health club, swimming pool & spa facilities and a wide range of beauty and health treatments. Lift.

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Chatsworth House and Gardens. Visit to Crich Tramway Village.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to Derby to a welcome tea/coffee while our luggage is taken to our room.

DAY 2

DAY 3

oday we visit Chatsworth House, home to the Duke T and Duchess of Devonshire and one of Britain’s best loved historic houses and estates, offering something for everyone to enjoy, from the famous works of art and the spectacular fountains in the garden to the finest shopping, food and drink and many miles of walks. It is also a popular filming location for period dramas. Following our visit we return to Derby visiting the famous Denby Pottery. e visit Matlock Bath, a unique village nestled W alongside the River Derwent. The area developed as a fashionable spa town in the 19th century and still retains its inland ‘seaside’ character and in the afternoon we visit Crich Tramway Village, trams operate along the 1 mile track through the recreated village that includes a pub, café, old style sweetshop and printing shop as well as offering spectacular views of the countryside.

DAY 4 We have a day at leisure to enjoy the city of Derby.

DAY 5 We return home.

40

Monday 2 May Monday 4 July Monday 22 August

5 Days £320 5 Days £355 5 Days £355

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Guided tour of Port Sunlight, Guided tour of Liverpool. Guided tour of Chester.

ITINERARY DAY 1

We travel to Southport in time to relax before dinner.

DAY 2

Our excursion today is a full day to the historic city

DAY 3

We visit Port Sunlight today, built by Lever Brothers to

DAY 4

At leisure, Southport offers both leisure and business

DAY 5

We travel homeward.

of Chester. Starting with a city tour accompanied by a local guide and then some free time to shop and explore on your own. accommodate workers in its soap factory (now part of Unilever). The name is derived from Lever Brothers’ most popular brand of cleaning agent, Sunlight. Now a conservation village it contains 900 Grade II listed buildings, we will have a guided tour to show us round and tell us the history of the village. In the afternoon we will visit Liverpool and again, we will be accompanied by a local guide. visitors a superb town with excellent transport links, fine shopping and leisure activities. Or relax in the leisure suite at the Hotel which offers a full range of pampering treatments.

Torquay The English Riviera Torquay is ranked by many as the most glamorous and famous of all West Country resorts and the town is overflowing with vitality and places of interest to visit. Situated at the heart of the English Riviera, this is a stylish resort with a continental atmosphere that combines modern facilities with the elegance of time gone by. With its mild climate, sophisticated environment and beautifully varied scenery, set around the spectacular Torbay, no wonder its popularity has never waned.

Tlh Carlton Hotel, 3 Star Falkland Road, Torquay Tel: 01803 400300

A short walk from the seafront and town centre, the Carlton Hotel is part of hotel group TLH Leisure Resort, boasting four hotels on a single 7 acre site with outstanding leisure and entertainment facilities, including Aztec Falls, a 25 metre indoor pool complex; 4 rink indoor bowls arena; games centre with snooker, table tennis and 10pin bowling; luxury Aztec Spa; gym and fitness studio. Guests are entitled to 15% off pre-booked individual spa treatments.

Top quality nightly entertainment comes from the talented TLH Entertainment Team and the best tribute acts, plus an outstanding choice of daily activities means there’s never a dull moment. The activity programme includes quizzes, social dancing, table tennis and 10pin bowling competitions and more.

Relax with a drink in one of the many bars and lounges or the Aztec themed Bistro. A table d’hôte dinner selection with additional à la carte choices is served in the elegant restaurant.

Saturday 14 May Saturday 9 July Saturday 10 September Saturday 8 October

8 Days £495 8 Days £550 8 Days £550 8 Days £495

Single Supplement £82. Insurance £22 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

Welsh Highlands,

Anglesey and Puffin Island This tour to North Wales encompasses the highlights of the area, from the peaks of Snowdonia to the beautiful coastline dotted with bays, sandy beaches and cliffs.

Beaches Hotel, 3 Star Beach Rd East, Prestatyn Tel: 01745 853072

Situated right on the beach in Prestatyn, with the Irish Sea lapping on the doorstep and amazing sunsets, a perfect place to relax.

The recently refurbished Promenade Bar sits directly on Barkby Beach and has stunning views across the Irish Sea. All rooms have TV with freeview, free Wifi internet connection, tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryers. Large, modern, indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room offer plenty of scope for active entertainment indoors. Entertainment on two evenings.

Monday 30 May Monday 18 July Monday 19 September

Single Supplement £40. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Penrhyn Castle, Journey on Snowdon Railway, Cruise to Puffin Island.

ITINERARY DAY 1

e leave home and travel south to Wales and the W seaside resort of Prestatyn.

DAY 2

ur excursion today takes us on a visit to the North O Wales Coast, with free time in Llandudno. Then to nearby Penrhyn Castle, this enormous 19th Century neo Norman castle is crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria.

The stable block houses a fascinating industrial railway museum. The 60 acres of grounds include parkland, exotic tree and shrub collection and a Victorian walled garden.

DAY 3

e have the morning free to relax in the hotel or take a W stroll along the beach, the town centre is also close by.

In the afternoon, we take the world famous Snowdon Railway to the top of Snowdon, affording the most majestic views, with entrance to the Visitor Centre included.

What’s Included:

7 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drink in Torquay, Entertainment each evening in Torquay.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to our overnight stop in the North of England.

DAY 2

fter breakfast, we travel south into Devon and our hotel A for the next six nights to a Welcome Tea or Coffee.

DAY 3

We have a day at leisure to enjoy Torquay or simply relax in the hotel, enjoying the stunning views over Torbay.

DAY 4

ur excursion today takes us to Brixham, life in Brixham O centres on the harbour and the bustle of one of Britain’s busiest fishing ports. You can wander around the many harbourside shops, watch the fishermen unloading their daily catch, or take a peek at the work of the artists who gather at Artist’s Corn.

DAY 5 We visit Dartmoor today. Only a few miles from Plymouth is Dartmoor, one of the finest and largest National Parks in Britain. Visit picturesque towns and villages including Tavistock with its medieval buildings, canals and Pannier Market, and Okehampton with its stunning castle.

DAY 6

A day at leisure, there is so much to see and do in Torquay and also take advantage of the hotel’s facilities.

DAY 7

day at leisure, dip a toe in the swimming pool or A meander along Torquay’s beautiful seafront.

5 Days £350 5 Days £385 5 Days £365

DAY 4 First we go to the seaside town of Caernarfon. Time

free to stroll around this historical town with its famous castle. Then over the Menai Straights to the Isle of Anglesey. We can stop for photos at the impressive Beaumaris Castle and then we join the cruise out to Puffin Island – home to an abundance of wildlife. The puffin being just one of the many species of birds you may see. The one and a half hour cruise takes you right round the island with regular sightings of grey seals and bottle nose dolphins.

DAY 5

fter our hearty Welsh Breakfast, we bid farewell and A travel home.

DAY 8 We sadly leave Torquay and head North to our overnight stay in the North of England.

DAY 9

After breakfast, we travel homeward.

41

Worthing and The “Sistine Chapel”

Treasures of York Renowned as England’s second Ecclesiastical city, York remains a city of contrasts and exciting discoveries. York is a place where the old encompasses the new and the commonplace meets with the unexpected. York Minster remains the city’s icon and is the largest medieval Gothic cathedral north of the Alps.

Explore history beneath your feet in this fascinating city.

The Queens Hotel, 2 Star

Queen’s Staith Rd, York, North Yorkshire YO1 6DH Tel: 01904 611321

Situated in the heart of the City of York, on the banks of the River Ouse, The Queens is perfectly located for exploring York. Lift.

Monday 9 May Monday 13 June Monday 1 August Monday 3 October

5 Days £335 5 Days £340 5 Days £355 5 Days £335

Single Supplement £80. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Guided Tour of York.

Discover the delights of Worthing, the Sussex Coast, the South Downs and Sussex’s own “Sistine Chapel”.

Chatsworth Hotel, 3 Star

Steyne, Worthing Tel 01903 236103

Chatsworth Hotel is Worthing’s oldest and largest hotel, family run now for four generations. Steeped in history there has been a hotel on the site since 1807, and as such it is a Grade II listed building, with beautiful Georgian frontage. Ideally located in the centre of town opposite Steyne gardens and adjacent to the seafront. Lift.

Saturday 30 July Saturday 8 October

8 Days £595 8 Days £545

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £22 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

7 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Railway Journey on Bluebell Railway, Entrance to Sistine Chapel Reproduction.

ITINERARY DAY 1 We leave home and travel to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 2

fter breakfast, we travel south to our seaside resort A of Worthing.

DAY 3 A day at leisure today to enjoy the sights and attractions of Worthing or just stroll along the promenade and take a walk along Worthing’s iconic art deco pier, which is a great spot for a view of the Sussex Coastline.

DAY 4

e have an excursion to the vibrant and colourful W Regency resort of Brighton, where you can experience the heritage of the Royal Pavilion, in the afternoon, we take a trip back in time on the famous Bluebell Railway.

DAY 5 This morning we have some free time when you can explore the flourishing seaside town of Worthing then we enjoy a talk and wonderful visit to Sussex’s own “Sistine Chapel” which has been painstakingly and lovingly reproduced on the ceiling of English Martyr’s Church in Goring by Sea, and which remains to this day, the only full sized copy in the world.

DAY 6 A free day today.

ITINERARY DAY 1

We travel to York, arriving in time for dinner.

DAY 2 This morning we have a guided tour of the city and the afternoon will be free for you to explore.

DAY 3 A full free day to delight in all York has to offer. There is a multitude of attractions to choose from including the Jorvik Museum, the Transport Museum, the famous Betty’s Tearooms and of course an excellent shopping centre.

DAY 4 Today we visit Pickering, a pretty market town before heading off over the North Yorkshire Moors.

DAY 5

42

Return home.

DAY 7 Today we start our homeward journey and travel north to our overnight hotel in the North of England.

DAY 8

After breakfast, we travel home.

Mystery Tours

Day Tours We plan to operate a limited number of Day Tours for 2016 departing from Aberdeen, these will include: Creative Stitches at SECC Glasgow

5 March

£28

St Andrews and The Fife Coast

2 May

£28

Gardening Scotland at Ingliston

4 June

£28

Royal Highland Show

25 June

Crafts for Christmas at SECC Glasgow

CL

UE

For a total surprise, why not try one of these. The destination will be in either Scotland or North England and the Hotels will be mostly 3 Star with Dinner and Breakfast.

Even when you board the coach, the driver is sworn to secrecy, just watch where you’re going and guess where.

As usual excursions will be included to places of interest in the surrounding area.

Friday 18 February

3 Days £145

£28

Friday 25 March

3 Days £150

Monday 18 April

5 Days £255

29 October

£28

Friday 22 April

3 Days £155

Falkirk Wheel & The Kelpies

25 April 26 September

£37*

Monday 24 October

5 Days £255

Friday 28 October

3 Days £155

McArthur Glen

20 November 4 December

£28 £28

Friday 18 November

3 Days £145

* Includes boat trip on Falkirk Wheel Please Note - Prices do not include entrance fees As Day Tours do not come under the package travel regulations the trading charter does not apply.

On 3 days - Single Supplement £24. Insurance £10.50 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%) On 5 days - Single Supplement £40. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

Festive Theme Breaks Christmas in Oban Enjoy the beautiful West coast on this festive break.

Caledonian Hotel, 3 Star

Station Square, Oban Tel: 01764 651844

Friday 23 December

5 Days

£360

Single Supplement £60. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Afternoon Tea on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, Mulled Wine Reception on Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve Dinner and entertainment to follow, 3 course Christmas Lunch, evening buffet and entertainment, dinner with entertainment on Boxing Day. Excursions on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Pitlochry Holly and Haggis A wonderful festive break making the most of Highland Perthshire’s stunning scenery.

Monday 21 November

Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry, 3 Star See page 26

Single Supplement £40. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

Tel: 01796 472000

5 Days

£285

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Mulled wine drinks reception, excursion to the Red Deer Centre at Highland Safaris, excursion to Callander via Loch Tay & Killin return via Crieff and The Sma’ Glen “Christmas Dinner” and “Hogmanay” Celebration.

Blackpool Turkey & Tinsel

Monday 14 November

Take a trip to the seaside and enjoy Turkey and Tinsel in this entertainment capital of the North of England.

No Single Supplement. Insurance £18 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

The Belvedere Hotel

See page 28

Albert Road, Blackpool Tel: 01253 628029

5 Days £225

What’s Included:

4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drink, Two Nights Live Entertainment with Dancing, “Christmas Dinner”, Excursions to the Lake District and Bury Market.

43

Christmas Shopping Chester and Manchester Christmas Markets

Castle Howard & York St Nicholas Fayre

Shoppers are in for a magical time with 70 traditional wooden chalets situated in the heart of Chester, all wrapped around a sparkling Christmas tree. There will be an abundance of festive treats and gifts on offer, including quality local and regional products, crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery, unique gifts and stocking fillers which are sure to make the perfect present! Don your Santa hat, dust off the mulled wine glass, and get into the festive spirit for Manchester’s world famous Christmas Market. The market has put Manchester city centre firmly on the Christmas map – the Christmas Market has become not just a fabulous place to shop but also a hugely popular leisure destination in its own right.

St Nicholas Fayre is one of the most popular Christmas Markets in the UK with thousands of visitors. The city comes alive with bustling stalls, carol singers and buskers and just at the right time to get you in the Festive Spirit. Christmas at Castle Howard is a must for visitors of all ages. With rooms lit by roaring fires and candlelight this is a magical time to explore one of England’s finest historic houses.

Yorkshire Hotel, 3 Star

Mercure Chester North Woodhey House Hotel, 3 Star

Prospect Pl, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 1LA Tel:01764 651845

Friday 25 November

Berwick Road West Welsh Road, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port Tel:0151 339 5121

4 Days £240

Friday 25 November

No Single Supplement. Insurance £15 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

4 Days £225

No Single Supplement. Insurance £15 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: 3 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Entrance to Castle Howard, Free time in York to enjoy the St Nicholas Fayre and soak up the atmosphere and history of the city, free time in Harrogate to enjoy the Christmas Market.

What’s Included: 3 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, use of Sauna, Steam Room and Swimming Pool, Excursion to Manchester Christmas Market, Excursion to Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village, Excursion to Chester Christmas Market

Newcastle Metro Centre

London – Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

ITINERARY

Festive Family Winter Wonderland returns to London’s Hyde Park with ice-skating, Magical Ice Kingdom,big top shows, the observation wheel and a huge Christmas Market. There are various restaurants, bars and food stalls. Try some churros, sip mulled wine or keep warm with a frothy hot chocolate. There is also the chance to try some festive German fare, such as German sausage and Glühwein in the Bavarian Village.

For this very popular shopping excursion, we will be staying at the Holiday Inn Washington.

DAY 1

epart in the morning and travel to Washington, making a stop in D Jedburgh en-route before continuing on to Newcastle.

DAY 2

fter breakfast, the coach will take you the short distance to the Metro A Centre for a full day shopping then return you to your hotel in time to relax before your evening meal.

Hilton London Paddington, 4 Star

DAY 3 We visit Gretna Outlet Village on our journey home.

146 Praed St, London W2 1EE, Tel:020 7850 0500

Holiday Inn, Washington, 3 Star Friday 18 November Friday 2 December

3 Days 3 Days

Thursday 8 December £160 £160

6 Days

£425

Single Supplement £185. Insurance £19 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included:

Single Supplement £30. Insurance £10.50 (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

2 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast in overnight hotels on outward and return journey, 3 Nights Bed and Breakfast in London, en-route visit to Birmingham Christmas Market, guided tour of London, free time in London.

What’s Included: 2 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Continental Christmas Markets Popular in Europe since the Middle Ages, Christmas Markets remain a huge attraction. This year we will be visiting Luxembourg, Germany and Austria which will take in the markets of the bordering countries of Belgium and Switzerland. Our ferry crossing will be from Hull to Rotterdam and Dinner and Breakfast are included as are lower berth inside cabins. Dinner and breakfast are also included during your stay at the Hotels. Supplement for an Outside Cabin is £14 per person return.

Luxembourg, Grand Hotel De Vianden, 3 Star See page 11

On this tour we will make visits to Valkenburg Christmas Market, Trier in Germany, Luxembourg City, Aachen.

6 Days

Single Supplement £67. Insurance £31

£395

(includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

44

Königshofstraße 2, 6800 Feldkirch, Austria Tel:+43 5522 3456

6 Rue de la Gare, L9420, Vianden Tel 00352 834170

Sunday 4 December

Austria, Hotel Weisses Kreuz, 4 Star This fabulous tour will include highlights such as Welcome Winter Punch, Sleigh Ride with a glass of original Austrian Schnapps in the Bregenzerwald, visits to Christmas Markets in St Gallen, Ravensburg, Zurich after a visit to the Lindt factory to stock up on chocolate, the Nativity Crib Musem in Dornbirn, Souvenir from the Hotel.

Thursday 24 November

10 Days £725

Single Supplement £142. Insurance £35

(includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

Cologne, Novotel Koeln City, 4 Star

Bayenstraße 51, 50678 Köln, Germany Tel:+49 221 801470

The famous German Markets we will visit on this tour will be to Cologne, Valkenburg, Aachen and Dusseldorf.

Sunday 11 December

6 Days

Single Supplement £116. Insurance £31

£495

(includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

New Year Valkenburg

Inverness

Hotel Schaepkens

Royal Highland Hotel, 3 Star

Traditional Highland Hogmanay

Fabulous Dutch New Year Thursday 29 December 6 Days

Station Square, Academy St, Inverness £550

Single Supplement £92.

Insurance £31 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: Return Ferry Crossing from Hull to Rotterdam in Outside Cabins, 5 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea/Coffee, Happy Hour at the bar twice daily, Hogmanay Dinner with glass of champagne, Brunch on New Year’s Day, Live musical entertainment each night in the Hotel, Excursion on 31st.

Blackpool

A long time favourite

Belvedere Hotel Friday 30 December 5 Days

See page 28

£370

No Single Supplement.

Insurance £18 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: 4 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drink on arrival, 3 Nights Cabaret with light supper, Hogmanay Dinner with wine, Early Dinner on the 1st Cabaret and Gala Buffet, Two excursions, one to the Lake District and one to Southport (weather permitting).

Tel: 01463 231926 This spectacular hotel is situated in the heart of the city. Retaining many of the unique features from a bygone age, this impressive hotel offers an excellent standard of accommodation, service and facilities. Lift.

Friday 30 December 4 Days

£430

Single Supplement £63.

Insurance £15 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: 3 Course Dinner with Scottish entertainment including song, dance and music, Afternoon Tea on Hogmanay, Champagne Cocktails and Canapes followed by Gourmet Hogmanay Dinner then traditional Scottish entertainment, Piper to bring in the bells followed by a hearty bowl of Scotch Broth, on the 1st a full Scottish Breakfast or Buffet Brunch, Afternoon Tea and Coffee, Buffet Dinner followed by musical entertainment. An excursion on Hogmanay to the surrounding area.

Oban

The Caledonian Hotel, 3 Star Station Square, Oban Tel: 01764 651844 Friday 30 December 4 Days

£395

Single Supplement £75.

Insurance £15 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: 3 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Bucks Fizz Reception on arrival, Accordionist after dinner on 1st night, Afternoon Tea, Piper, Champagne Reception and canapes, Celebration Dinner and Entertainment on Hogmanay, Afternoon Tea and entertainment after dinner on New Year’s Day. Excursion on Hogmanay.

County Kerry Real Celtic Craic

River Island Hotel, 3 Star see page 17 Here you can enjoy an excellent standard of accommodation, friendly staff and a great party atmosphere. Entertainment programme throughout you stay Lift.

Dunoon

Traditional Scottish Hogmanay

Esplanade Hotel Sister Hotel of The Argyll See page 21 Friday 30 December 4 Days

£385

Single Supplement £24.

Insurance £15 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: 5 Nights Dinner Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Punch Receptions, Hogmanay Ball with 3 Course Dinner including glass of wine with top up and New Year’s Toast all to a backdrop of live entertainment. Live entertainment on the 1st, overnight accommodation at the Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast on both journeys.

Excursion on Hogmanay.

Thursday 29 December 6 Days

£470

Single Supplement £74.

Insurance £31 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

Peebles

Peebles Hydro, 4 Star Innerleithen Road, Peebles Tel 01764 651846 Overlooking Tweed Valley and backed by Glentress Forest, this long-standing spa hotel and conference venue is a perfect spot to celebrate the start of 2016.

Friday 30 December 4 Days

£395

No Single Supplement.

Insurance £15 - (includes Insurance Premium Tax at 20%)

What’s Included: 3 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Four course Dinner including glass of wine followed by entertainment on 30th, Soup and Sandwich Lunch on Hogmanay, Gala Dinner with complimentary Glass of Bubbly to toast the New Year at Midnight, Late Breakfast on New Year’s Day, two course lunch including Glass of Bubbly. Entertainment. Full Scottish Breakfast each day. Excursion on Hogmanay.

What’s Included: 3 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, Welcome Drink Reception, Ceilidh Class, Songs around the Campfire, Evening Entertainment, on Hogmanay – End of Year Quiz, Ceilidh Dancing with Sparkling Wine Reception, on New Years Day – Woodland Walk, MasterChef, Celebration Dinner, Ceilidh Dancing Details may be subject to alteration at hotels discretion

45

ABERFELDY MOTOR SERVICES OUR TRADING CHARTER WITH YOU JP Stewart trading as Aberfeldy Motor Services of Burnside Garage, Aberfeldy, PH15 2DD (“we”, “us” and “our”) 1. Does this Trading Charter Apply to My Booking?

Yes, if you are booking a “package” to which the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 apply and which does not comprise a flight, but not otherwise.

In brief, those Regulations apply to a booking of at least two of the following components when sold or offered for sale at an inclusive price and when the service covers a period of more than twenty-four hours or includes overnight accommodation:• transport, • accommodation, • other tourist services not ancillary to transport or accommodation and accounting for a significant proportion of the package.

2. Why should I read this?

Because it is very important. Our Trading Charter forms a key part of our agreement with you because it not only comprises the booking terms and conditions for the booking of your package, but also the Consumer Guarantee (described below) from The Bonded Coach Holidays Group (“BCH Group”), part of the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, providing protection for the money you pay to us for the booking should we go out of business. Both the booking terms and conditions and the Consumer Guarantee, together with the confirmation of booking we give you at the time we commit to your booking for you, together make up the legally binding contract between you as the lead name making the booking, anyone else in your party and us.

When you make this booking as the lead name you undertake that you are 18 and have the authority to accept, and do accept, on behalf of your party the terms of this Trading Charter. This contract is made subject to the terms of this Trading Charter, which are governed by English Law, and the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. However, if you are resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you are able to choose the law and courts in your country, but if you wish to do so we would ask you to request this before placing your booking.

This Trading Charter and the Consumer Guarantee will not apply to any booking involving any type of flight. Instead, if you are booking a holiday which includes a flight, you will be supplied with the full booking conditions of the ATOL holder arranging your holiday with whom you have a contract. Your booking agent will have a copy or alternatively you can request one prior to booking your holiday from.

We calculate the price of your package using the exchange rates quoted in the Financial Times Guide to World Currencies on 18/11/15 using the following currencies.

Country exchange rates – Euro 1.42, Danish Krone 10.6, Swiss Franc 1.54 and Norwegian Krone 13.10.

9. Can I change my package arrangements?

After we have issued our booking confirmation we will do our best to accommodate any changes you may want to make but we cannot guarantee to do so. Any changes must be notified to us in writing and signed by the person who signed the booking form. If we are able to make the changes an amendment fee of £5 will be payable plus the cost that we incur in making the amendment. The costs of making a change increases the closer to the departure date you want to make it. Some arrangements, like particular types of tickets, cannot be changed without paying a cancellation charge of up to 100% of the cost of the ticket.

10. Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

You can transfer your booking to someone else provided you give us reasonable notice. This person must be able to satisfy all the conditions for the package and a change cannot normally be made later than seven days prior to departure. We will make an administration charge of £5 per booking for every transfer we make plus any reasonable additional costs caused by the transfer. You will remain responsible for ensuring that the package is paid for by the balance due date.This is in addition to (and does not affect) the separate liability of the transferee to us.

11. How can I cancel my package?

We welcome you making contact with us in a number of ways. You can write to us, phone us, email, or visit our website. Whichever way you contact us, the contract is made when your booking is entered on to our reservation system and we issue a confirmation of booking. We will send you the confirmation of your booking within 7 days. Please check this confirmation very carefully to ensure all the information is correct and tell us, or your agent, immediately of any errors.

You, or any member of your party, may cancel at any time provided that the cancellation is made by the person in whose name we issued the confirmation of booking and is communicated to us in writing via the office at which you made your original booking. You will have to pay cancellation charges set out in the scale below to cover our estimated loss resulting from the cancellation. If you are insured against cancellation you may be able to recover the charges from your insurers. Your cancellation will take effect from the date when either the travel agent or we receive your written confirmation of your cancellation. You must also return any tickets or vouchers that you have received. A reduction in room occupancy may increase the charges for the remaining passengers by the application of supplements for low occupancy of rooms.

4. How is my money for the package I book protected?

12. Scale of Cancellation Charges

3. How and when do I make this contract with you?

Your money is protected by the Consumer Guarantee described below and provided to you by the BCH Group.

This is possible because we subscribe to the Code of Conduct of the BCH Group, which requires us to take out a bond from a financial entity in favour of the BCH Group for it to use to provide protection for your package money in the unlikely event that, for financial reasons, we can’t carry out our booking obligations to you.

Period before departure within which written cancellation of package price is received

Amount of Cancellation Charge as a % of total Package cost

5. BCH Group Consumer Guarantee

More than 28 days 28 - 21 days 20 - 14 days 13 - 7 days 6 - 1 days

Deposit only 30% or Deposit, if greater 45% 60% 100%

The Bonded Coach Holiday Group guarantees to you that in the event of our failure through insolvency to provide your package as booked, BCH Group will:

13. What happens if you change my package?

5.1 wherever possible, arrange for your package to be completed; 5.2 where failure occurs after your package has begun, arrange for you and those in your party covered by the booking to be returned by an appropriate means of transport to their UK area of departure; 5.3 if the package cannot be completed as booked, to reimburse your bookingpayments received by us, provided that BCH Group will first take in to account and withhold an appropriate amount if any part of the service has already been provided (including any substituted service) or you are entitled to a refund from your credit card provider.

In the event that you are to be reimbursed under the BCH Group consumer guarantee, you will be asked to assign absolutely to BCH Group any right, claim or cause of action which you may have arising out of or connected with the subject matter and will be asked to assist BCH Group in any claim brought by them connected with the subject matter.

6. Payments by Credit Card If you made payment for the booking of any services using a credit card it is likely in many circumstances that you have recourse against the credit card company in the event of services not being supplied in whole or in part due to the supplier’s financial failure. In those circumstances, you will be advised to check that you have exhausted your remedies against the credit card company.

7. When do I need to pay for my package and how much?

The arrangements for your package will usually have been made many months in advance. Sometimes changes are unavoidable and we reserve the right to make them at any time. Most of these changes are likely to be minor and we will do our best to keep you or your booking agent informed.

If, after booking and before departure, we make a significant change to your package you will have the option of withdrawing from the package without penalty or alternatively you may transfer to another package without paying an administration fee. In either case we will pay you compensation according to the scale set out below.

A significant change includes a change in departure time or return time of more than 12 hours, a change of departure point, location of resort or type of hotel, (excluding single overnight hotels on touring packages where the quality of the hotel is comparable), a change of mode when crossing the Channel, or the specification of the coach.

If you withdraw from the package because we have made a significant change or if we have to cancel your package for any reason other than non-payment by you we will offer you the choice of: • a comparable replacement package if available; or: • a replacement package of lower quality together with a refund of the price difference; or: • a full refund of the money you have paid.

We reserve the right to alter the prices of any of the packages that we advertise.

At the time of booking you will be told the current price of the package. You can book by paying a deposit for each person named on the booking. You will be told at what point in time you will become committed to a booking, but we are not committed to the booking until such time as we provide you with our confirmation of booking. Our commitment is always conditional upon any balance being paid before the dates listed below.

When we have notified you of the changes and options available, you must tell us your decision as soon as possible and within any timescale we may set bearing in mind the need to safeguard the booking arrangements of other customers.

If you book within our balance due period you will need to pay the total package cost at the time of your booking.

Period before departure in which significant change is notified to you or your agent

Amount per person

Deposit £50 per person.

More than 28 days 21 - 28 days 15 - 20 days 8 - 14 days 0 - 7 days

Nil £10 £15 £20 £25

Your balance is due 4 weeks prior to departure.

All short breaks of 4 days or less, compensation will be 50% of above values.

If you do not pay the outstanding balance for your package on or before the date when it is due we may cancel your booking and you will be required to pay the cancellation charges detailed below. The date of cancellation will normally be the date on which we receive your written confirmation that you intend to cancel or 15 days after the balance due date, whichever comes first.

Where optional items are purchased as part of the package these are payable on the balance due date except where items, such as theatre tickets, have been specifically purchased for you. In this case the cost will be payable at a separate date notified to you and will not normally be refundable unless we obtain a refund from the supplier we use.

8.

Can you change the price of my package after you have issued the booking confirmation?

Yes we can, but only in very limited circumstances and not within 30 days of your departure. The price of your package can be varied due to changes in:• Transportation costs such as fuel and/or fuel tax, ferry operator fares and tolls, embarkation or disembarkation fees at terminals; • Exchange rates applied to the particular package booked; or • Dues and taxes including changes in VAT or any other Government imposed charges.

In the case of any variation described above, an amount equivalent to 2% of the price of your package, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges, will be absorbed. An administration fee of £1 per person will be paid by you. If this means that you would have to pay an increase of more than 10% of the price of your package before increase, you may cancel it and receive a full

46

refund of all monies paid, except for any amendment charges. We will consider an appropriate refund of insurance premiums paid if you can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy. Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on your revised invoice. Alternatively, you can accept an offer of an alternative comparable package of equivalent or superior quality, if available, or an alternative package of lower quality, if available. You may then transfer payment made in respect of the original package to the alternative package. If the cost of the alternative package is less than the original package, the difference in price will be refunded. We will also pay compensation as set out below. Please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your package due to contractual and other protection in place.

14. Scale of Compensation We will pay you compensation for significant changes on the following scale:

Payment of compensation according to the scale set out above will not affect your statutory right to claim further compensation if, in all the circumstances, you remain dissatisfied.

If, prior to departure, we make a significant change to your package arrangements or cancel your package we will pay you compensation on the above scale unless:• the package is cancelled because the number of persons who agreed to take it is less than the minimum number required, and you were informed of the cancellation in writing or where the performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected (for example but not limited to delay, cancellations, change of itinerary, change of accommodation, change of transport) by “Force Majeure”.

Force Majeure means an event which we or the supplier(s) of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid and is therefore an event beyond our or the supplier’s reasonable control. These events include but are not limited to strikes, riots, political/civil unrest, government acts, hostilities, war, threat or war, terrorist activity or threat of terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, flood, tornadoes, hurricanes, transportation problems, airport closures, and severe weather conditions. We suggest that you take out adequate travel insurance to cover such eventualities.

[In the unlikely event that the performance of our contractual obligations are prevented or affected due to Force Majeure after departure, we regret we will be unable to make any refunds (unless we obtain any from our suppliers] Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure. We will follow the advice given by the Foreign Office.

If, after departure, we need to make a change to a significant proportion of your package we will do our best to make suitable alternative arrangements at no extra cost to you. If it proves impossible to make suitable alternative arrangements, or if you have reasonable grounds for refusing the alternative offered, we will arrange transport back to your point of departure, or to an alternative location that we agree to, Unless the change is as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control (force majeure as described above), you will also be entitled to compensation.

15. What is the extent of our liability?

Your package contract with us will be performed or provided with reasonable skill and care. We accept responsibility if you or customers named in the booking suffer death or personal injury, or the contractual arrangements are not provided as promised as a result of the failure of us or our agents or suppliers or the employees of each whilst acting in the course of their employment unless the failure or improper performance is due to:• you, or • any of the following: ° a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel arrangements, or ° unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or ° an event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall provided that in these 3 events we would still endeavour to give prompt assistance if you are in difficulty and, if you inform us that you don’t believe you have received the contracted service, we will make prompt efforts to find appropriate solutions.

For claims which involve death or personal injury we do not impose any restriction upon our liability to the extent that it arises from our negligence.

For all other claims which do not involve personal injury or death: • t he most we will have to pay if we are liable to you is twice the price you’ve paid for your package (not including insurance premiums and amendment charges).

• Our liability will also be limited in accordance with/or in line with all relevant international convention. These include the Athens Convention (applies to transport by ship), the Berne Convention (applies to transport by rail), the Geneva Convention (applies to transport by road) and the Paris Convention (applies to accommodation). You can get copies of the relevant conventions from the Internet or from us. You should also note that these conventions limit or remove the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We will apply the limits of these Conventions to any payments to you as if we were the carrier.

The above suppliers (such as accommodation or transport providers) have their own booking conditions or conditions of carriage, and these conditions may limit or remove the relevant transport provider’s or other supplier’s liability. You can get copies of such conditions from our offices, or the offices of the relevant supplier.

We will pay you in accordance with these conditions which are incorporated into the Trading Charter.

If we make any payment to you or any member of your party for death or personal injury or illness, you will be asked to assign to us or our insurers the rights you may have to take action against the person or organisation responsible for causing the death, personal injury or illness.

NB: this clause does not apply to any separate contracts that you may enter into for excursions or activities during or outside of your package.

16. What do I need to do if I have to complain?

If you have a complaint during your package you should tell the driver/ representative or supplier at the earliest opportunity so that they can do their utmost to resolve the problem immediately. If they are unable to resolve the problem to your satisfaction you should complete a Holiday Report Form which is available from the driver/representative. You will be given a copy of this report which you should keep. If, on your return from your package, you remain dissatisfied you should write within 28 days to the Manager.

In your letter you will need to quote your booking reference number, holiday number, departure date and the number of the Holiday Report Form which you completed at the time.

If you do not tell us at the earliest opportunity about a problem giving rise to your complaint we cannot take steps to investigate and rectify it at the time. We will take into account the date you first drew the problem to the attention of our driver/ representative or supplier when responding to your complaint and it may affect your rights under this Trading Charter if we have not been able to investigate and remedy the situation at the time.

17. Children’s reduction On all centred packages a 33% reduction is available for children aged between 5 and 12 when the child shares a room with two full fare paying passengers.

18. Our Coaches We will always use our reasonable endeavours to provide a coach to the specification as described in our brochure or advertisement but reserve the right to substitute an alternative vehicle should unforeseen circumstances arise.

There is a seating plan of the coach for each package, but it is possible that on occasions operational reasons will require a coach with a different configuration to be used. We therefore reserve the right to alter a coach-seating plan and allocate seats other than those you have booked.

Requests for particular seats can be made on most packages when booking but because allocations are made on a first come, first served basis you are recommended to book early. When your booking is confirmed you will be offered the best seats that are available at that time. If you know someone who may want to book later but sit near you please discuss this with the booking clerk at the time you make your booking.

Specific seats will not be allocated on coaches which operate on feeder services between joining points and main package departure points, on coaches which carry out transfers to and from seaports.

19. Hotel Facilities Some hotel facilities, such as indoor or outdoor swimming pools or leisure facilities, may from time to time be withdrawn for routine maintenance or be subject to seasonal availability. The provision of these facilities is therefore not guaranteed.

20. Health & Safety during your package In some foreign countries, standards of infrastructure, safety and hygiene may be lower than those to which we are accustomed in the UK. You should therefore exercise greater care for your own protection. Further information can be obtained from your GP or from your travel agent who can provide you with the leaflet “Health Advice for Travellers” published by the Department of Health. Some people may be at risk from discomfort or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if they remain immobile on a journey for a long period of time. If you are planning to undertake a bus or coach journey of more than 3 hours you should consult your doctor if you have ever had DVT or pulmonary embolism, a family history of clotting conditions, cancer or treatment for cancer, a stroke, heart or lung disease or if you have had major surgery in the past 3 months. We reserve the right to refuse any booking in the absence of a doctor’s certificate confirming that you are fit to travel. During the journey we will provide comfort stops as frequently as possible. During these stops you are encouraged to get off the coach and walk around. Exercise reduces any discomfort which may be caused by periods of immobility. During any journey you should drink alcohol only in moderation as it leads to dehydration.

27. What assistance will you give me if things go wrong when it is not your fault?

In addition to what has already been stated (and without affecting that), if you, or any member of your party, suffer death, illness or injury whilst overseas arising out of an activity which does not form part of your package travel arrangements or an excursion arranged through us in the UK, we shall at our discretion, offer advice, guidance and assistance. Where legal action is contemplated and you want our assistance, you must obtain our written consent prior to commencement of proceedings. Our consent will be given subject to you undertaking to assign any costs, benefits received under any relevant insurance policy to ourselves. We limit the cost of our assistance to you and any member of your party to £5000 per party.

28. Passengers with disabilities

23. Pets We do not allow pets to taken on our packages. Registered Assistance Dogs will normally be accommodated on UK packages but not on overseas packages.

We want to ensure the arrangements for your package are suitable and appropriate. Not all the packages in this brochure may be suitable for you and if we reasonably consider we cannot provide what is required, we will not accept the booking.

Should you or a member of your party have any medical condition or disability that may affect you/their holiday or that of other passengers, you must provide full written details to us at the time of booking so that we can advise you of the suitability of the holiday. This applies whether the booking is made on-line, in person, in writing, or by telephone. If a particular issue is identified, we reserve the right to request a doctor’s certificate confirming that the passenger is fit for travel and reserve the right to refuse any booking in the absence of such doctor’s certificate being produced upon request.

If a passenger requires personal assistance (for example but not limited to assistance with feeding/dressing/toileting/mobilising) then this passenger must travel with an able bodied companion/carer and written confirmation that such assistance will be provided for the entirety of the holiday is required at the time of booking. Coach drivers/tour managers are unable to offer such assistance.

Whilst we will make every reasonable adjustment to do so, if we are unable to accommodate the needs of a passenger or believe that the medical condition or disability of a passenger is likely to adversely affect other passengers, we reserve the right to decline the booking. We also reserve the right to cancel any holiday and impose cancellation charges if we are not fully advised of any relevant disability or medical condition at the time the booking is made and subsequently decide that we are unable to accommodate this passenger. This applies whether we advise that we are unable to accommodate a passenger either before departure or during the holiday and if this occurs during the holiday then we will seek the additional costs of returning the passenger home.

We want you to enjoy your package and will try to help you select an appropriate trip. If you need advice or further information either you or your booking agent should contact…. [See note 44]

24. Pick up point, itineraries, travel documents and passport

29. Special requests

You are responsible for ensuring that you are at the correct departure point, at the correct time, with the correct documents and we cannot be held liable for any loss or expense suffered by you or your party because of an incorrect passport or late arrival at the departure point.

If you are a British citizen travelling outside the United Kingdom you must have a full UK passport valid for a minimum of three months after your scheduled date of return. Non-UK citizens must seek passport and visa advice from the relevant consulates or embassies of the countries you plan to visit prior to making a booking for one of our packages (and you are advised to check with the relevant consulate or embassy to ensure you allow sufficient time before your departure to apply for a visa). The name on the passport must match the name on the ticket. If someone in your party changes name after the booking is made you must tell us immediately so that we can issue the ticket in the new name.

When you have paid the balance we will send you or your booking agent all the necessary labels so that you receive them in good time for your holiday.

Certain travel documents may have to be retained by us and your driver/ courier will then issue them to you at the relevant time. If you lose a travel document after it has been issued to you we will require you to meet the direct cost charged by the carrier/supplier for the issue of a duplicate or replacement.

Aberfeldy Motor Services reserve the right to modify itineraries to conform with requests from the competent authorities in the United Kingdom and any other sovereign state through which the tour will operate. We recommend that you read the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice about your holiday at www.fco.gov.uk.

Excursions which are included in the cost of your booking and are part of your package are detailed on the relevant brochure page and refunds will not be made for any excursion not taken. Optional excursions may be booked and paid for in resort but these will not form part of your booking.

Admission fees to buildings, grounds etc. are not included in the price of the package unless otherwise stated on the relevant brochure page.

If you require a special diet please tell us before booking, or as soon as you are medically advised, and send us a copy of the diet. We will notify the hotel or hotels identified in your booking but please note that some hotels may not have facilities to provide special diets and we cannot be held liable for their failure to do so unless the hotel has confirmed in writing that a special diet will be catered for Where we think that a hotel is likely to be unable to cope with a special diet, we will tell you prior to your booking confirmation being issued so that you can exercise your right to cancel your package booking without charge. Any extra costs incurred by you during your package must be paid to the hotel by you prior to departure from the hotel.

21. Passenger behaviour We want all our customers to have a happy and carefree holiday. But you must remember that you are responsible for your behaviour and the effect it may have on others. If you or any member of your party is abusive or disruptive or behaves in a way which, in our reasonable opinion, could cause damage or injury to others or affect their enjoyment of their holiday, or which could damage property, we have the right, after reasonable consideration, to terminate your contract with us. If this happens we will have no further obligations or liability to you. The coach driver/representative, ship’s captain, or authorised official of other means of transport is entitled to refuse you boarding if in their reasonable opinion you are unacceptably under the influence of drink or drugs or you are being violent or disruptive. If you are refused boarding on the outward journey we will regard it as a cancellation by you and we will apply cancellation charges according to the scale set out above. If the refusal is on the return journey we have the right to terminate the contract and will have no further obligations or liability to you. The consumption of alchohol on board the coach is strictly forbidden.

22. No smoking policy Smoking is not permitted on our coaches.

25. What happens if I am delayed?

Your travel insurance may cover you for some delays. In addition where you are delayed for more than six hours in any one day we will seek to minimise any discomfort and where possible, arrange for refreshments and meals.

26. Do I need to take out travel insurance?

We strongly advise all our customers to take out travel insurance to cover medical and repatriation costs, personal injury, loss of baggage and cancellation charges. If you do not have adequate insurance and require our assistance during your package, we reserve the right to reclaim from you any medical repatriation or other expenses which we may incur on your behalf which would otherwise have been met by insurers. We strongly recommend all our customers to take out travel insurance. You do not need to take out our insurance but you should have insurance which is at least as good or better than the insurance we offer.

Note A PSV Accessibility Regulations 2000 as amended by Equality Act 2010.

Diagram A Part 11 defines a Standard ref Wheelchair.

30. Single Occupancy Single occupancy of rooms when available may be subject to a supplementary charge and this will be shown on the brochure page.

31. Entertainment Some of our hotels arrange additional entertainment. Where this is part of the package details are given on the respective brochure page. Where it is not specified it may still be available but is at the discretion of the hotel and is not guaranteed. It may be withdrawn if there is a lack of demand or for operational reasons.

32. Data Protection Act In order to process your booking and to ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we, and your travel agent, need to use the information you provide such as name, address, any special needs/ dietary requirements etc.

We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper measures are in place to protect your information. We must pass the information on to the relevant suppliers of your travel arrangements such as hotels, transport companies etc. The information may also be supplied to security or credit checking companies, public authorities such as customs/immigration if required by them, or as required by law.

Additionally, where your package is outside the European Economic Area (EEA), controls on data protection in your destination may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country. We will not, however, pass information on to any person not responsible for part of your travel arrangements. This applies to any sensitive information that you give to us such as details of any disabilities or dietary/religious requirements. If we cannot pass this information to the relevant suppliers, whether in the EEA or not, we cannot provide your booking. In making this booking, you consent to this information being passed on to the relevant persons. Please note that where information is held by your travel agent, this is subject to your agent’s own data protection policy.

Your data controller is the Manager. You are entitled to a copy of your information held by us. If you would like to see this, please contact us. We retain your full contact details and other information in secure files and electronic storage facilities. We may use this information to contact you by mail, telephone or electronic means. We will provide you with details of other goods and services including those of selected third parties. If you do not wish to receive the further information about products and services [from either ourselves or third parties] please write to the data controller.

33. Publication date and details

You should also detail any other requests, for example, low floor rooms, particular rooms or locations on the special requests section of the booking form [or other method of confirming in writing that the request was made.] We will pass your request to the relevant supplier but this does not necessarily mean that your request will be fulfilled. If a request can be fulfilled you may incur an extra charge payable either to us or direct to the hotel. Please note that requests cannot be guaranteed unless we confirm on your booking confirmation that this is a guaranteed requirement.

Advice to Wheelchair users Intending to take Coach Holidays If you are a wheelchair user you are very welcome on holidays provided by the Bonded Coach Holiday Group Members, subject to certain conditions.

•

nly one standard reference (see note a) wheelchair is allowed per O tour, unless specifically arranged otherwise with the Tour Operator.

• The user should check with the Tour Operator as to the suitability of the holiday and also discuss any other special requirements they may have. The Tour Operator will do their best to accommodate the user.

• The Tour Operator reserves the right to refuse the booking if, the available space is already booked, if the tour is felt unsuitable or if the hotel accommodation is either booked or unsuitable.

• The user should be accompanied by a carer, relative or friend who is able to take charge of the wheelchair and where appropriate disconnect/reconnect any batteries.

• Scooters are not permitted on coach holidays except in certain special circumstances by prior arrangement with the Tour Operator.

• The scooter user must be accompanied by an able bodied person who is able to dismantle and re-assemble the scooter, disconnect the batteries and load it into the luggage area of the coach, this is not the responsibility of the driver or courier.

• No individual part should weigh more than 15kgs.

• Schedule 3 scooters are not permitted under any circumstances.

• Attention is also drawn to Section 30 of the 2014 Trading Charter concerning ‘Passengers with Disabilities’.

• All Bonded Coach Holiday Group Members coaches are fully compliant with current legislation concerning tour coaches.

If you have any questions or require further clarification or advice please contact your local BCH member see website for details or phone 0207 240 3131 www.bch-uk.org

This brochure was published by Aberfeldy Motor Services. This brochure was printed in the United Kingdom by Farquhar and Son Ltd, Perth, November 2015.

HOLIDAY INFORMATION (NOT PART OF CONTRACT) Infectious or Contagious diseases Due to Health & Safety reasons we cannot accommodate guests who have an infectious or contagious medical condition. If you’ve had such a condition within 14 days prior to departure, please let us know and supply a doctor’s confirmation to indicate that your condition is no longer contagious. Should you be ill upon arrival or during your stay, please advise us immediately.

Infectious or contagious diseases can be passed on to other guests and in order to protect such guests and staff it is important that we are informed.

We reserve the right to require you to leave or be confined to your room if we believe that such a condition makes this necessary. Please note that in such circumstances we may be unable to offer refunds.

Luggage Each passenger shall be allowed one suitcase measuring no more than 28x8x18 inches and weighing no more than 33lbs. On overnight hotels/ferries one small overnight bag per person is also recommended as hand luggage.

When the Vehicle is Stopped Passengers may not remain on board a vehicle while stopped for Morning Coffee, Lunch, Afternoon Tea or visits, or in any case where the driver will be leaving the coach unattended.

Special Care for the Disabled The holidays in this brochure have been carefully planned to include as much interest as possible. Inevitably some of the holidays include lengthy periods of travel and some walking on sightseeing excursions. Additionally, many of the hotels will have steps to contend with and may not possess lifts, and although we will try our best to look after disabled passengers, it is important that you enter the word DISABLED in block capitals in the special requirements section of the booking form, together with a brief description of your disability.

We will make every endeavour to minimise the discomfort and inconvenience, but for obvious reasons are unable to make any guarantees.

Due to restricted luggage space on board our coaches the number of collapsible wheelchairs per tour is limited. Please notify at the time of booking if a collapsible wheelchair is to be included with your luggage (motorised wheelchairs are not acceptable as additional luggage due to their size and weight). For passengers comfort and to save embarrassment any disabled person booking onto our tours should be able to get on and off our coach by themselves or with the aid of their travelling companion. The driver has the final decision whether they consider a person fit to travel.

All tours are subject to sufficient bookings. Usually 18 for UK and 20 for Continental tours.

Itineraries This brochure is printed many months in advance and the itineraries listed are for guidance only and may be subject to slight alterations.

CLIENT HOLIDAY TRAVEL INSURANCE HOLIDAY TRAVEL INSURANCE

POLICY EXCESS

A Special Holiday Travel Insurance Scheme is available for all passengers travelling on our holidays which is arranged with ERV (the UK branch of Europäische Reiseverscherung AG) who are Licensed by the Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BAFIN – www.bafin.de) and approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA – www. fca.gov.uk) to undertake insurance business in the UK.

Cancellation, Curtailment, Holiday Abandonment and Loss of Deposit for holidays up to and including 3 days NIL. For holidays over 3 days Loss of Deposit excess £15.00 each and every loss. For holidays over 3 days excess £50.00 each and every loss for Cancellation, Curtailment and Holidays Abandonment. Medical and Other Expenses, Additional Travelling Expenses – United Kingdom, Personal Property and Money excess £35.00 each and every incident per Insured Person.

Should You wish to take advantage of our Holiday Travel Insurance please include the appropriate premium when booking Your holiday.

DEMANDS AND NEEDS This insurance policy will suit the Demands and Needs of an individual or group (where applicable) who have no excluded pre-existing medical conditions, are travelling in countries included within the policy terms and who wish to insure themselves against unforeseen events detailed in the cover section below. Subject to the terms, conditions and maximum specified claim limits.

IMPORTANT We will not provide You with advice about the suitability of this product for Your individual needs but will be happy to provide You with factual information.

We summarise below the details of the insurance cover provided which also includes Mayday Assist 24 hour’s Medical Emergency service. The following is a brief summary of the cover available. Full details of Cover, Policy Warranties and Exclusions will be forwarded with Your confirmation of booking. In any event You may ask for a specimen copy of the Policy Wording before booking should You wish to examine this in advance.

COVER

SUM INSURED UP TO

Cancellation

Missed Departure/Travel Delay Personal Accident Medical and other Expenses including Curtailment Additional Travelling Expenses – United Kingdom Medical Inconvenience Benefit Personal Property/Loss of Passport Personal Liability Delayed Baggage Legal Expenses 14 day refund

£1,500 £300/£60 £15,000 £2,000,000 £1,500 £450 (£15 per 24 hours) £1,500/£200 £2,000,000 £100 £25,000 Insurance Premium

Pre-existing medical conditions (Applicable to travel to all destinations) It is a condition that at the time of taking out this Policy and between that time and Your departure You must comply with each of the following: You are not aware of any reason why the Trip should be cancelled or cut short.

You are not travelling: (a) Against the advice of a medical practitioner. (b) For the purpose of obtaining medical treatment. (c) If You have been given a terminal prognosis.

You are not receiving or awaiting treatment for any illness or injury as a hospital day case or in-patient as any claim arising from the illness or injury will not be covered.

If You are on medication at the time of travel Your medical condition must be stable/well controlled.

In addition if You are travelling outside England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the following additional conditions will apply: You must notify the Changes in Health helpline immediately of any of the conditions listed below arising between the date the Policy is issued and the time of departure for the Trip. Insurers must be informed of any fact which is likely to influence their acceptance, assessment or continuance of this insurance. Failure to do so may invalidate this insurance, leaving You with no right to make a claim.

If You have received medical treatment as a hospital day case, in-patient or out-patient, during the six months prior to the booking of the Trip, You must obtain medical advice from a medical practitioner at Your cost confirming that You will be fit enough to take the Trip.

If You are undergoing medical treatment as a hospital out-patient at the date the final balance of the Trip is due to be paid, a certificate of fitness confirming Your ability to travel must be obtained by You at Your cost.

Please note our Holiday Travel Insurance Scheme is only available to United Kingdom Residents.

JP Stewart trading as Aberfeldy Motor Services is an Appointed Representative of Wrightsure Services (Hampshire) Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. (Their firm reference is 311394).

47

Burnside Garage, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2DD Telephone: 01887 820 433 Email: aberfeldymotors@btconnect.com

www.aberfeldycoaches.co.uk