British Isles Collection

British Isles Collection From simple pleasures to hidden treasures 2021 & 2022

The Riviera Difference

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As our UK tours start to operate, we’ve been delighted by your amazing feedback, praising the experiences, itineraries and knowledgeable tour managers.

We’d like to thank you, our wonderful customers for your support in the last year and look forward to exploring the British Isles and beyond in 2021.

in your own car, by train, plane or our exclusive door-to-door service, it really is up to you. Our Travel Concierge team is on hand to help with all travel arrangements. And we have ensured all hand-picked hotels have convenient parking and train stations nearby, so that your journey will always run smoothly.

We are also delighted to add 2022 dates to our collection of handcrafted UK breaks, offering the opportunity to visit many of the jewels of the British Isles whilst enjoying the same immersive Riviera Travel experience that we’re famed for.

Our best in class health & safety practices meet the very highest standards, and are underwritten

by Ian Greaves (MCIEH), a leading independent expert.

What’s more, our flexible travel arrangements mean you can make your own way there in a way to suit you. Whether you prefer to travel

It’s the Riviera difference that we’re proud of, and it means you can book your holiday with complete confidence.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Phil Hullah

Chief Executive Officer

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HOLIDAY HAPPINESS. GUARANTEED.

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Our industry-leading health and safety practices, flexible booking options and our ‘happiness guarantee’, will ensure you have an unforgettable holiday without compromise.

Exceptional experiences, with no compromises • Whatever the circumstances, we’ll take care of the details and we promise it won’t affect the enjoyment of your holiday – if we can’t ensure an amazing experience, then we won’t go ahead.

• By booking early you can secure your preferred dates and options – and our Price Promise ensures whenever you book, you’ll always pay the best price or we’ll refund the difference.

Industry-leading health and safety practices to keep you safe

Flexible booking options and additional protection as standard • COVID-19 Cancellation Protection as standard.

So if for whatever reason, you’re not able to travel as a consequence of the pandemic, you can transfer your holiday to a later date completely free of charge.

• COVID-19 Curtailment Protection as standard.

If you have to cut your holiday short as a direct consequence of the pandemic and your insurance provider doesn’t cover you, we’ll automatically compensate you for the proportion of your holiday that you’ve missed out on.

When you travel with Riviera, you’re in safe hands. We have personally visited and double checked the cleanliness, comfort and facilities at all our hand-picked hotels plus our best in class health & safety practices meet the very highest standards, and are underwritten by Ian Greaves (MCIEH), a leading independent expert.

• Our itineraries have been revised to ensure safety and social distancing, whilst maintaining the same high standards we are known for.

• Hand sanitiser will be available on all tours and face masks may also be required at certain points and attractions as per the UK’s guidelines.

• For peace of mind, we require all guests to be fully vaccinated against Covid before travelling with us.

And of course We are fully bonded by ABTA and ATOL for your complete peace of mind. Your money is fully protected.

ABTA No. V4744

We’re so proud of our independent review scores from customers.

99%

would buy again from Riviera Travel

View our full terms and conditions at rivieratravel.co.uk/happiness-guaranteed

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Explore with our experts Passionate about sharing their knowledge with you Historic cities, ancient ruins and unfamiliar landscapes are all brought to life by our carefully selected tour managers and local guides.

They want to share their expertise and help you make your own discoveries too; their sole mission is to ensure you enjoy every moment.

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Experienced tour managers Every Riviera Travel holiday is accompanied by an experienced tour manager. They play several roles most adeptly; a group leader who works tirelessly to oversee every single detail and a destination expert able to offer revealing insights into local life.

Don't just take our word for it

Knowledgeable, kind, well organised and resourceful – this is how our customers describe our tour managers. As well as a great sense of humour they all share a genuine interest in the places that we visit.

Angus was exceptional. His knowledge and passion for this tour was superb.

Mr Leach – Bruges

Many have been with us for more than a decade, some even two. For them, being a tour manager is not just a job – it’s a passion, and you’ll learn far more from them than you would any guidebook.

Informative local guides The company of welcoming local guides is also included on many of our holidays. They are on hand to share their in-depth knowledge on art and architecture, history, local culture and so much more.

Personal stories and anecdotes are sure to broaden your perspective and enrich your experience of the places our local guides call home.

This was our 10th holiday with Riviera and it came up to all our expectations. Our tour manager, Janet was efficient and always eager to keep everyone happy.

Mr Smith – Madeira, the Pearl of the Atlantic Nicola, our tour manager, was second to none, her organisational skill and knowledge are superb.

Ms Stott – Lake Garda, Venice & Verona Our enjoyment of this holiday was greatly enhanced by the highly knowledgeable and informative leadership of Julia.

Mr & Mrs Fussell – Hidden Italy

You can expect exactly the same inclusions you’d enjoy on our European tours, as we take care of everything for you. There are so many things you can explore and discover in the UK and we are delighted to bring these tours to you.

Claire Product Manager

I’ve worked with Riviera Travel for 20 years and enjoyed every minute. It’s inspiring to be part of a team that’s so clearly passionate about customers and the amazing places we visit.

Mike

Tour Manager

A charming square, a superb view or perhaps the best ice cream in town – I am always on the lookout for new tips and hidden gems, they can make all the difference to a holiday.

Kate Tour Manager

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Thoughtful inclusions Everything you need for an unforgettable holiday

Travel in comfort Hand-picked hotels

Included breakfast Dining options

Experienced tour manager

Insightful guided tours and fascinating visits

Enjoy all excursions on socially-distanced, comfortable and air-conditioned coaches.

Well- located four star and three star superior hotels are carefully selected by our product experts for the right blend of comfort, service, amenities and, of course character and location.

Daily breakfast is included on all our UK tours.

Some of our UK tours include dinners in your hotel. We also offer a selection of dining options, so you can dine at your hotel or seek out a restaurant of your choice.

A knowledgeable and professional Riviera Travel tour manager throughout the tour to ensure your experience is unforgettable.

Every day brings new opportunities for discovery – visits are included, often with an expert local guide to share eye-opening insights and give you a full experience of your destination.

And of course Free time to explore

Our itineraries are thoughtfully balanced with free days and unguided visits, so you can wander at your own pace. We also offer you a choice of options so you can make your holiday your own.

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Fascinating included excursions Visit the classic sights of the United Kingdom With its blend of glorious landscapes, historic landmarks and scenic journeys, the treasures of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland are waiting to be discovered.

From the moment the Scottish Highlands come into view, you’ll be taken aback by the spectacular views at every turn. Whether it’s the craggy countryside along your path, Inverness Castle marking its point on the skyline or the wildlife of Cairngorms National Park, rugged natural beauty meets age-old traditions on this fascinating tour of North West Scotland.

Scottish Highlands & Skye See page 30 10

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Carefully planned and well-balanced itineraries have been curated to uncover the highlights of each region. The twelve fascinating new tours include nine classic itineraries and three Walk & Discover style holidays, to fully immerse you in the history and culture of the area.

Norfolk – Royal Sandringham & the Broads Norfolk is especially renowned for its unspoilt coastline, 125 miles of spectacular Broads and some of the best nature reserves in Britain. On this tour we experience this and more, digging deeper into its history and royal connections.

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Cornwall – Falmouth Bay & St Ives This varied tour combines the incredible highlights of Cornwall in just a short break, featuring the incredible Tintagel Castle, Lost Gardens of Heligan and St Michael’s Mount.

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Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Mount Stewart Bringing together the varied countryside and rugged coastlines with the contrast of bustling Belfast, this captivating insight into Northern Ireland is not to be missed.

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Walk & Discover Our Walk & Discover tours invite you to experience the Lake District, North Yorkshire & the Heritage Coast and Conwy Coast & Snowdonia, ideal for those who prefer to explore the best of the British Isles on foot, with two included walks.

Walk & Discover: Lake District There’s so much to explore on this Walk & Discover tour, from the history of Muncaster Castle and views of The Old Man of Coniston, through to the historical voyages of the Steam Yacht Gondola and Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

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Walk & Discover: Conwy Coast & Snowdonia Think marvellous mountain ranges set back with historic railways, as well as the contrast of rugged and rural countryside with well-kept National Trust gardens. Plus of course Portmeirion, where a true Mediterranean feel exudes from its colourful rows of houses.

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We’re on hand to help with travel arrangements From hotel upgrades to holiday extensions Make your holiday more personal to you with the help of our Travel Concierge. Whether you’re looking to arrange a private door-to-door transfer or extend your stay for a few days, our dedicated team of experts are ready to help organise your pre and post travel arrangements and holiday extras.

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Let us help with your travel arrangements Ever wanted to extend your holiday by a few days? Perhaps celebrate a special occasion by arriving at your destination by private car?

Or need assistance arranging rail or flights to join one of our UK tours? Start your holiday a couple of days early or stay a little longer.

Our Travel Concierge is ready and waiting to make your travel experience with us extra special.

We know that your preferred travel arrangements are individual to you, and so our dedicated team of experts are here to help. Whether you’re looking for airport extras, hotel stays, return from your home or bespoke transfers our knowledgeable specialists will take care of everything; and you can rest assured that you’ll always get exceptional value for money.

Here are just a few ways our Travel Concierge service can make your UK tour extra special: • Booking pre and post hotel stays if you wish to extend your holiday • Arranging domestic flights and rail travel • Door to door private car service

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More ways to travel We recognise you’ll want more choice with greater flexibility as to how you travel.

Our new options ensure you can book the perfect holiday that suits you.

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Classic tours For an immersive tour experience at excellent value, you’ll always get to the heart of your destination on carefully planned visits and expertly guided tours. And of course, we’ll always adhere to local health and safety guidelines and social distancing for as long as necessary.

Small group tours On a range of tours we are delighted to offer the option to travel in a small group of 25 people or less. So you can enjoy the same great Riviera experience, but with a smaller number of travellers. Just look out for the badge for tours with small SMALL group options.

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GROUP TOURS

Group holidays

Our UK tours collection

Did you know we can also arrange your group holiday with your club or charity? If you are a larger group travelling together, we may be able to operate your chosen holiday as a private group.

Smaller groups can travel as a shared tour with other like-minded Riviera travellers, or we can arrange an exclusive tailor-made itinerary if you have specific requirements. Your group could also receive money back for your group for every member who travels.

Norfolk: Royal Sandringham & the Broads.................. 16

• Any club or group of 10 or more can book a group holiday, regardless of how they are connected.

• Our dedicated group travel team are here to help you every step of the way, taking care of your customised arrangements and ensuring you will always get the best price.

Oxford, Blenheim & The Cotswolds................................ 18 Bath, Somerset & Glastonbury........................................20 Devonshire Coast & Dartmoor.........................................22 Cornwall – Falmouth Bay & St Ives.................................24 Jersey: The Jewel of the Channel Islands.....................26 The Peak District – Chatsworth & Buxton.....................28 Scottish Highlands & Skye................................................30 Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Mount Stewart.............. 32 Walk & Discover: The Lake District.................................34 Walk & Discover: North Yorkshire & the Heritage Coast..........................................................36 Walk & Discover: Conwy Coast & Snowdonia.............38

• Our dedicated team also take travel information and arrange payments directly with those in your party, taking the hassle away from the group leader.

• We’ll always ensure your group is seated together on trains and flights where possible.

Find out more at rivieratravel.co.uk/group-bookings rivieratravel.co.uk • 01283 248 292

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ENGLAND

Sandringham House

Norfolk

5 DAYS FROM

Royal Sandringham & the Broads With magnificent coastlines and navigable Broads providing a postcard-perfect backdrop, delve into the history of Norfolk on this fascinating tour. Explore the Medieval heart of Norwich, the Sandringham Estate and the delightfully restored Victorian Poppy Line train amongst other gems of this coastal county.

Norfolk Broads

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£529

Up to October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival & Norwich Guided Tour Arrive in Norwich where you will be warmly welcomed to your historic four-star hotel. This afternoon, we head to the heart of Norwich, just a stone’s throw from the hotel, for a guided tour. A real gem, Norwich is one of the most complete Medieval cities, and it was known as England’s second city during the middle ages and Renaissance. Major landmarks include the imposing medieval castle and the cathedral, boasting the second largest cloisters in England. There is time to explore the pleasant city centre, or perhaps visit the Plantation Garden, one of the great treasures of Norwich with its Gothic fountain, Victorianstyle greenhouse and rustic bridge.

This evening, your mind may wander to dinner reservations, with an array of well-reviewed restaurants right on your doorstep. Perhaps sample some of the local crab, famously caught on the chalk reefs just off the Cromer coast.

hiding amongst the white waterlilies and rare fen orchids. Be sure to keep an eye out for Britain’s largest butterfly too: the stunning and rare swallowtail can be identified by its pale, yellow wings laced by black and shades of dark blue and a touch of ruby red.

Norwich Cathedral

We return to Norwich in the late afternoon for our final night to enjoy the nearby buzz of the beautiful city centre with luxurious surroundings.

DAY 5 – Return After time to enjoy leisurely breakfast at your hotel, why not pay a visit to Norwich Market? One of the biggest outdoor markets in the UK, treat yourself to a bunch of fresh blooms, fresh produce or locally made crafts.

DAY 2 – Sandringham Estate After breakfast at the hotel, we take a morning drive towards the North Norfolk countryside to the Sandringham Estate for a visit to the royal residence and its extensive gardens. Enjoy views of the peaceful landscape, dotted with quaint country houses and flint cottages so typical of this area. As the neatly manicured grounds of the Sandringham Estate come into view, the atmosphere becomes almost rarefied.

We have time here to visit a number of rooms which make up this private royal residence, including some which are still in use by the Royal Family, and admire the elegantly decorated surroundings. Best of all, the expansive gardens offer everything from woodland to more formal areas and picturesque spots by the ponds, where you can sit and enjoy the pleasant setting – or perhaps head to the café or to the well-stocked gift shop, which also sells a range of products from the estate itself including famous apple juices from the Sandringham Orchard.

Return to Norwich in the afternoon with time to enjoy a relaxing drink before your evening meal at leisure, either in the hotel itself or at one of city’s countless restaurants.

DAY 3 – Sheringham & Poppy Line Train This morning’s drive we wind through the countryside towards the Deep History Coast, a stretch of coastline between Weybourne and Cart Gap which is steeped in millions of years of history.

Our destination is Sheringham, where we will have free time to enjoy this traditional coastal town with its pebble beaches and scenic coastal paths.

For those who like to explore the

natural beauty by foot, there are great views of the coastline by strolling along the beach to the Blakeney National Nature Reserve – so be sure to pack your walking boots.

As city-dwelling Victorians sought fresh sea air, they hopped aboard the then newly-opened North Norfolk railway, turning Sheringham into a flourishing, well-known resort. Known as the ‘Poppy Line’, we experience the delightfully restored North Norfolk train for ourselves on a short journey back in time. We board a vintage wood-panelled coach to Holt through an area called ‘Poppyland’ by Clement Scott, and enjoy a delightful cream tea as we take in the views over the coastline and countryside. Full of stories of years gone by, we then return to Norwich in the late afternoon.

DAY 4 – Blickling Hall & Norfolk Broads Cruise Today we drive to the Blickling Estate to witness first-hand its breathtaking gardens and lavishly decorated mansion. The gardens at Blickling are spread over 55 acres of land and include both formal and informal areas, listed buildings, a kitchen garden, Victorian garden ornaments and mystifying woodland. The house itself is handsomely decorated, so be sure to take a wander along the spectacular Long Gallery, built by Sir Henry for social activity and exercise in bad weather.

This afternoon we experience this beautiful county on one of the highlights of the tour, on arguably the best way to take in the Norfolk Broads. Starting our journey in Wroxham, admire pretty villages and wildlife along the way on a relaxing boat cruise. Interestingly, the Broads were thought to be natural features until the 1960s, when Dr Joyce Lambert found that they were in fact flooded Medieval peat excavations.

Travelling by boat is the finest way to discover this wonderful area. As well as picturesque windmills dotted in the distance, it’s a true paradise for wildlife, as home to countless rare plants, birds and animals. Gaze in awe at the likes of colourful kingfishers, bouncing otters and tawny bitterns

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Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Norwich for 4 nights, with breakfast Maids Head Hotel in Norwich HHHH Perfectly located just a few steps away from all major Norwich landmarks, Maids Head is known as the oldest hotel in the UK, dating back over 800 years. The hotel has a restaurant set in the historic courtyard of the hotel, and a Jacobean oak panelled bar, which has been serving food and drink since the 1200s. The rooms are recently refurbished and well-appointed with all the facilities of a four-star hotel.

Your tour price includes • Discover the unique history of Norwich on a guided city tour • Visit the royal Sandringham Estate and its extensive gardens • Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Norfolk Broads • Experience Norfolk as the Victorians would have on the ‘Poppy Line’ train • A scenic drive to Sheringham with time to take in the Blakeney National Nature Reserve • Embrace the history of the Blickling Estate and its manicured gardens Plus, of course: • Four nights in fourstar accommodation with breakfast • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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ENGLAND

Oxford

Oxford, Blenheim & The Cotswolds Bursting with history, character and charm, experience the best of the Cotswolds from our base in iconic Oxford. Travel back in time with expert tours of the ‘City of Spires’ on foot and by river boat, explore UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home of Churchill, and wander the chocolate box villages of the Cotswolds.

Burford

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5 DAYS FROM

£619

Up to October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Oxford & River Boat Trip Whether by road or rail, make your way to your four-star hotel in Oxford, chosen for its excellent amenities and central location. If you require assistance with any travel arrangements, be sure to get in touch with our Travel Concierge who will be happy to help in any way they can. Just a stone’s throw from the prestigious Magdalen College, the riverside and Oxford Botanical Gardens, our base is the perfect spot from which to explore Oxford, with many landmarks within walking distance.

However this afternoon we experience Oxford from a difference angle, with a leisurely afternoon tea boat trip along the river Isis from Folly Bridge.

Travelling down the University Regatta Course we pass Christ Church Meadows, the University College Boat Houses and other landmarks on our way to Iffley lock. This is often a busy and

Bourton on the Water

vibrant section of the river where training rowing crews, punts and pleasure boats jostle for river space in a wonderful display of Oxford at play.

Passing through the lock at Iffley is an experience in itself. The river scenery and fascinating buildings combining to form a picture perfect location. Beyond Iffley we travel in to the tranquil water meadows that surround Oxford and there are abundant opportunities to spot wildlife amongst the green banks and overhanging willows. We turn for home at Rose Island, a favourite destination of Lewis Carroll and Alice Liddell on their river journeys.

DAY 2 – Oxford Walking Tour & Bodleian Library Like many historic cities, full of little gems and hidden passages, the best way to the heart of Oxford is on foot. So, after breakfast, we continue exploring this historic city with an Oxford walking tour lead by a specialist guide. As we wander the streets, we will see some of the oldest colleges, wander beneath the Bridge of Sighs, discover its green spaces, and soak in the atmosphere.

After a short break, our historical journey continues to one of the oldest working libraries in the world – of course it can only be the Bodleian. Storing a copy of every single book ever printed in the UK – though not all housed in Oxford – it’s arguably one of the most famous libraries of all. It truly is a breathtakingly beautiful place, and so there will be plenty of time to uncover its secrets in an expertly guided tour. You may even recognise some parts from films too – especially if you’re a fan of Harry Potter! The rest of the day is yours to explore – so what’s it to be? You could climb Carfax Tower, visit the Ashmolean Museum or walk in the footsteps of Tolkien, Lewis Carrol and 38 former Prime Ministers. You’re simply strolling amongst history at every turn, and so even enjoying a drink in a historic inn or exploring the covered market, dating back to 1774, feels like you’re stepping back in time. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Bridge of Sighs

DAY 3 – The Cotswolds and Hidcote Gardens After yesterday’s exploration of historic Oxford, today we experience the rural natural landscapes of the Cotswolds and contrasting manicured gardens of Hidcote. It’s no wonder the Cotswolds is declared an area of outstanding natural beauty with its rolling hills and meadows that lead to chocolate box, honey-toned towns and villages. In Medieval times it was a centre for the wool trade, with the name Cotswolds coming from the Old English term for “sheep enclosure”. This prosperous legacy is illustrated with the wide market places, grand architecture and the fine merchant houses. Today we experience the best of the area, stopping at the likes of Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold and Chipping Camden, with time to explore. Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds because of its attractive stone bridges that cross the river Windrush, Bourton on the Water is a typical Cotswolds village waiting to be explored. We also call in at Stow on the Wold - at 800ft above sea level it’s the highest of the Cotswolds villages. Found on the Fosse way where several roads meet, look out for St Edwards church, with its doorway flanked by ancient Yew trees, or perhaps enjoy some refreshment at England’s oldest inn, The Porch House. A fine example of the Cotswold’s elegance, we also pass through beautiful Chipping Camden with its sophisticated terraced high street. After a morning of picturepostcard villages, we move onwards to the National Trust owned Hidcote Gardens. Created by Lawrence Johnson, it’s one of the most influential Arts and Crafts Gardens in the UK. Although not a professional gardener, he was a very talented amateur, who was influenced

by Luytens and Gertude Jekyll. Let your senses be taken over by each garden room, every one different from the next, and stylishly separated by hedges rather than conventional fences.

DAY 4 – Blenheim Palace and Woodstock This morning begins with a visit to Woodstock, Old English in origin, meaning “a clearing in the woods”. With plenty of character and fawn-coloured buildings made from classic Cotswolds stone, they’ll be time to potter the streets of this charming market town.

Later, we immerse ourselves in the lives of 18th-century dukes with a visit to UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace. This truly magnificent place was once the site of a coach stop and royal hunting lodge in Woodstock, which later grew to the incredible place we see today. There are 300 hundred years of history in the palace to discover – and we do just that on our included entry to the house and gardens. As well as being the principal home of the Dukes of Malborough, it’s also the birthplace of Winston Churchill, and somewhere he came to revisit and cherish over the years. You can even follow his path around the estate to see these favourite beauty spots for yourself.

The house is a masterpiece of Baroque

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architecture and is the only “non royal” home that can be called a palace.

Delve into its unique history as you explore the magnificent state rooms, looking out onto its beautiful formal gardens and extensive parkland, landscaped by the famous Capability Brown. After some time to experience the beauty of Blenheim, we return to Oxford for a final dinner at the hotel.

DAY 5 – Return After breakfast, return home feeling inspired by the wonderful landmarks of Oxford, Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Oxford for 4 nights, with breakfast and two dinners.

Mercure Eastgate Hotel, Oxford HHHH Chosen for its excellent location, this four- star hotel looks over the Examination Halls and Magdalen Tower. Originally a 17th-century coaching inn, the hotel offers modern, comfortable rooms and facilities.

Residents of the hotel also benefit from discounted parking at a nearby car park.

Your tour price includes • Discover the City of Spires’ fascinating history on a guided walking tour of Oxford • Explore UNESCOlisted Blenheim Palace with included entry to house, gardens and grounds and visit the village of Woodstock • Relax on a boat trip along the river Isis with traditional afternoon tea included • Experience one of the oldest libraries in Europe with a tour of the historic Bodleian Library • See the charming Cotswolds on a scenic tour and wander the timeless villages • Visit Hidcote, the UK’s finest Arts and Crafts garden Plus, of course: • Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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ENGLAND

Bath

Bath, Somerset & Glastonbury A county steeped in history, there’s much to uncover on this fascinating Somerset tour. From the ancient streets of Bath and Roman settlements, to the meticulously preserved prehistoric stones of Avebury in nearby Wiltshire and Gothic Cathedral of Wells. Not forgetting a boat trip along the River Avon, a trip to the famed musical village of Glastonbury and the home of Cheddar cheese.

Ruins of Glastonbury Abbey

5 DAYS FROM

£549

October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Bath and River Boat Trip Make your way to the beautiful city of Bath in a way to suit you, with our Travel Concierge on hand to help with any rail or private car arrangements.

After checking in this afternoon, make yourself at home at the centrally located hotel, just a five-minute walk from the banks of the River Avon. It’s here your introduction to this charming, historic city begins, on a relaxing river boat trip. As you take in the pretty riverside scenes, they’ll be plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities along the way; including kingfishers, herons, mallards and if even otters if you’re really lucky.

DAY 2 – Bath & Roman Baths After breakfast at the hotel, we take to the ancient, cobbled streets of Bath for a guided tour. It’s unsurprising that the whole city has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, boasting an incredible and fascinating display of

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amongst others. We will have time to explore the wonderful village itself and the nearby 13th-century abbey.

Our time in this quintessential British place is rounded off a fittingly timeless tradition, as we enjoy afternoon tea before returning to Bath.

Avebury Stone Circle

DAY 5 – Return Today we return home with memories of Somerset. Perhaps enjoy some shopping in the local independents or enjoy a leisurely stroll around Bath’s picture-perfect Royal Victoria Park before returning.

Our hand-picked hotel Roman remains and contrasting 18thcentury architecture. Perfectly blending Roman and Georgian influences, the city centre is a pleasure to explore with its harmonious honey-hued buildings.

It was the Romans who first discovered Bath’s potential by siting a bathhouse here, which lead to the development of a settlement in the area. So, after our guided walking tour of the city centre, we will visit one of the best preserved Roman bathhouses in the world, taking advantage of the hot springs located here which reach temperatures of up to 46C. With plenty more to discover, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Bath. The Royal Crescent is another highlight of course, so perhaps visit the No. 1 Royal Crescent museum for a glimpse into wealthy Georgian life, behind the beautiful façade of these iconic townhouses. Then there’s Royal Victoria Park, with its botanical gardens, an inspiring place to spend a leisurely afternoon.

DAY 3 – Wells, Glastonbury & Cheddar Gorge Today begins with a visit to one of the smallest cathedral cities in the UK, Wells.

Despite not significantly changing in over 800 years, this picturesque corner of Somerset still retains its old-world charm. With its amber toned exterior, Wells Cathedral is the earliest English Cathedral to be built in the Gothic style, having been built from 1190, and looks truly impressive. Nearby Bishop’s Palace, set within 14 acres of tranquil gardens and surrounded by a moat, has been home to the Bishop of Bath and Wells for over 800 years. We will have a guided tour of the palace and gardens to find out more about this incredible landmark, with some free time for lunch. It’s thought to be the

Wells Cathedral

most impressive Bishop’s house still in use in England, followed by free time to admire the Cathedral itself. Known for its annual music festival but with a long and illustrious history, we continue to Glastonbury. The village itself is built around a set of ruins of a former abbey, which you will have time to explore with free time for lunch. Famed for mystical associations, Glastonbury Abbey dates back to the 7th century and is thought to be the oldest Christian foundation in the UK. Food lovers will be excited at the next stop, as will those who apreciate natural beauty, as we head to Cheddar Gorge. We call at the true ‘home’ of the famous cheese, the only place in the village itself where cheese is made, to experience part of the cheese-making process at a family-owned artisan cheesemaker. Gough’s Cave in Cheddar Gorge, is, in fact, the original historical Cheddar Cheese larder. This is because the Cheddar Gorge caves in have environmental conditions perfect for cheese maturing; constant temperature and high humidity. In turn, these create the distinct flavor and texture. After driving through the dramatic Cheddar Gorge to admire the natural beauty of this amazing limestone geological formation, we make our way through the rural landscape of the Mendip Hills, returning to Bath in the late afternoon.

DAY 4 – Avebury, Lacock and Afternoon Tea This morning begins with a trip to one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in Britain, Avebury, in nearby Wiltshire. A historical gem, the history of this Neolithic stone circle dates back almost 6,000 years, with a mystery purpose that is still not known to this day. Also the largest stone circle in Britain, it originally featured about 100 stones, with two smaller stone circles enclosed within it, which indicate it may have been used for ceremonies or rituals. Unlike nearby Stonehenge, you can actually walk inside the stone circle at Avebury. This we do, giving a truly interactive experience.

Our next stop a place where it feels time has almost stood still, Lacock. This incredibly well-preserved National Trust village is a famous filming location, appearing in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice,

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As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Bath for 4 nights, with breakfast.

Francis Hotel Bath - MGallery HHHH A grade I listed building, the Francis Hotel is a Regencystyle townhouse hotel located in the heart of Bath. There is a restaurant serving a variety of European-inspired dishes and a lounge bar including a beautifully decorated tearoom. The rooms are also a blend of Regency features and modern comforts, whilst retaining their unique character.

There is limited parking available for hotel guests, at £20 day per vehicle, with other public car parks nearby.

Your tour price includes • Discover beautiful Bath on a guided walking tour • Soak up over 2000 years of history at the Roman Baths • Explore charming Wells and see its stunning Cathedral • Visit the legendary musical town of Glastonbury • See the Bishop’s Palace in Wells on a guided tour • Experience Cheddar cheese making at a familyowned cheesemaker • Step back in time in the village of Lacock and its Abbey • Discover the ancient Avebury stone circle Plus, of course: • Four nights in fourstar accommodation with breakfast • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

21

ENGLAND

Clovelly harbour

Devonshire Coast & Dartmoor Discover the best of the Devonshire Coast and Dartmoor.

Embrace the rich history of the area entwined with its natural beauty on visits to Harland and Buckfast Abbey, the South Devon Steam Railway, the beautiful Gardens at RHS Rosemoor and the famously steep cobbled street of Clovelly.

River Dart

5 DAYS FROM

£579

April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Barnstaple Whether you prefer to make your own way to your four-star hotel or have our Travel Concierge help with arrangements, our tour begins in the charming North Devon town of Barnstaple. The afternoon check in allows you to make yourself acquainted with your homely surroundings; a country house style hotel along the River Taw which provides the perfect base for exploring the Devonshire Coast and Dartmoor. After plenty of time to explore the local shops and historic pannier market, tonight dinner is included in the award-winning AA rosette restaurant.

DAY 2 – Lynton, Lynmouth & RHS Rosemoor After breakfast, our exploration of North Devon begins. We hug the coastal path on our journey, driving out towards the sea and passing Croyde and Woolacombe bay before arriving at our destination of Lynton and

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Dartmouth

Fans of detective novelist Agatha Christie might recognise the area as inspiration for her best-selling crime literature. For this part of Devon, being a favourite of hers, was where she often resided in a boathouse along the river.

We round off a fantastic day with a visit to one of Devon’s premier vineyards to taste the locally produced wine, before returning to the hotel for our final dinner.

DAY 5 – Return After breakfast, we return home with fond memories of the Devonshire coast and Dartmoor.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Barnstaple for 4 nights, with breakfast and two dinners.

Lynmouth. Nestled where Exmoor meets the sea, these picturesque villages are connected by the cliff railway the highest and steepest fully water powered Victorian railway in the world.

Despite these connections and proximity, the two villages have their own distinct appeal. Perched at the top, lively Lynton is a Victorian village with plenty of character, whereas Lynmouth has a more romantic appeal, with rows of charming fishing cottages clustering around the pretty harbour.

There’s plenty of time to explore these pretty villages, with beautiful walk that starts nearby. The walk begins in Lynmouth, where you can amble along a series of wooden and stone bridges to former fishing lodge and National Trust owned Watersmeet. Next, we hop over the border to Somerset, leaving Lynton behind and continuing our journey through the national park to Porlock. As we drive through Exmoor, some of the most remote and beautiful moorland will come into view. There’s even more in store to round up a wonderful first day, as we conclude with a visit to RHS Rosemoor Gardens.

Found in a sheltered valley between the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks, the enchanting 65-acre garden offers year-round interest, blending a mix of formal and informal planting to stunning effect. After taking in the fabulous seasonal display, we return to our base in Barnstaple.

DAY 3 – Clovelly, Harland Abbey & Dartington Crystal Many people will have heard of the charming village of Clovelly, with its famously steep streets which are pleasingly pedestrianised. This morning we step back in time with a visit to it’s beautiful cobbled streets. Clinging to a 400ft cliff, the only traffic you’ll find are donkeys and sledges making their way up and down to the 14th-century quay past the plentiful independent shops and cafes. After time to explore the village and visitors centre, it’s onward to Harland Abbey and Gardens.

Built in the 12th century, it was the last Abbey in the country to be dissolved by Henry VIII, who gifted it to the Sergeant

of his Wine Cellar at Hampton Court, Mr. William Abbott. It is now a stunningly preserved stately home, where Abbott’s descendants still live to this day. Bursting with colour and culture, Harland Abbey boasts an impressive art collection and an archive of ancient documents along the Alhambra corridor and beyond. The journey through history doesn’t stop here, with the unmissable Gothic library, the walled garden, bog garden and Victorian fernery created by Gertrude Jekyll all waiting to be explored. Our next stop will demonstrate one of the local skills of the area as we heard to Dartington Crystal. The art of glassmaking takes years to perfect, so what better place to appreciate the talents by visiting the UK’s last remaining glass workshop.

After hearing the story of glass making in the visitors centre, we’ll take the overhead walkways which allow us to see the skilled crafts people at work.

DAY 4 – Dartmoor, South Devon Steam Railway & Buckfast Abbey Today our exploration of Devon takes us in a different direction, as we head south through Dartmoor National Park. Our destination is the fascinating Buckfast Abbey, home to a working community of Benedictine monks. Originally founded by King Canute before William the Conqueror arrived, like Harland, it remained an abbey until Henry the VIII dissolved the monasteries. Centuries later, a group of exiled French monks brought the life and soul of Buckfast Abbey back to life. The special site truly has an incredible history, which we learn more about today, with plenty of time to wander the award-winning gardens.

Our next stop may be the highlight for some, as we board the South Devon Steam railway, the Stations have been restored to their former glory- we board at Buckfast leigh and the line runs along the stunning valley of the river Dart, once we reach Totnes and disembark railway Our journey continues along the river Dart , as we take the historic paddle steamer to the pretty town of Dartmouth. (On some occasions the trip may operate in reverse).

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Imperial Hotel, Barnstaple HHHH Set in a fantastic location, enjoy the country house feel and river Taw views from this four-star hotel. It boasts an AA rosette award winning restaurant and contemporary rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is also use of indoor and outdoor pools at the Imperial’s sister hotel in Barnstaple, open subject to UK regulations.

Your tour price includes • Explore the village of Clovelly • Discover historic Harland Abbey Stately home and Gardens • Take a scenic journey of the South Devon Steam Railway and travel by paddle steamer boat along the river Dart • Tour the UK last remaining glass workshop at Dartington Crystal • Take in the views of Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks • Experience Lynton and Lynmouth connected by the Victorian cliff railway • Visit the magnificent gardens at RHS Rosemoor • Walk in the footsteps of the past at Buckfast Abbey and gardens Plus, of course: • Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

23

ENGLAND

St Michael’s Mount

Cornwall

5 DAYS FROM

Falmouth Bay & St Ives Explore the best that Cornwall has to offer with this fascinating and varied tour, embracing what really gives this part of England a distinct sense of identity. With stunning coastlines to beautiful gardens and picturesque fishing villages to arty coastal towns, truly experience this intriguing peninsula – as well as its traditional food and drink.

Padstow

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£569

March to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Falmouth Make your way to your well-appointed hotel in a way to suit you with time to settle in and explore Falmouth. A fantastic coastal town, Falmouth is attractively located at the mouth of the river Fal. Falmouth’s golden age was in the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to its deep natural harbour which facilitated trade, and today it is one of the most famous destinations in Cornwall.

It is conveniently located for exploring the rest of the county too, offering a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as a renowned National Maritime Museum museum which you can visit during your free time. The beautifully located Pendennis Castle, built by Henry VIII, is also worth a visit with great views of the estuary from the top. Plus of course there are some of Falmouth’s excellent beaches, such as Gyllyngvase, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

DAY 2 – Lost Gardens of Heligan & Mevagissey After breakfast, this morning we take a drive to visit the world-class Lost Gardens of Heligan. These are amongst the finest gardens in England but they were rediscovered relatively recently, as they had been ‘lost’ since the start of WWI until a door in the ruins was found, which led to the restoration of this estate in the 1990s. There really is something for everyone in these gardens, from ornamental gardens to a wild subtropical ‘jungle’, so we will have a guided tour followed by free time to explore – you could easily spend the whole day in this captivating yet tranquil space.

We will then head to the nearby fishing village of Mevagissey, a picturesque spot for a leisurely lunch or a coffee overlooking the harbour. This small village is a maze of quaint, narrow streets, nevertheless Mevagissey is still one of the the biggest fishing ports in Cornwall.

We will return to Falmouth in the afternoon where we will end our first day with a Cornish classic – cream tea at the hotel, with beautiful views over the bay. Just remember that the traditional Cornish method is to put jam first on your scone, followed by cream!

DAY 3 – Tintagel Castle & Padstow This morning a scenic drive awaits as we make our way to Tintagel Castle, set high on Cornwall’s rugged north coast. As the silhouette comes into view, you’ll begin to understand why this is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular historic sites in England.

Tintagel Castle became famous for its links with King Arthur in the 12th century, when Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed that King Arthur was conceived there.

We will have plenty of time to admire the stunning scenery and coastline that surrounds it, and we include a visit to the castle, now made more easily accessible thanks a new bridge which was completed in 2019. Centuries of erosion have resulted in the loss of parts of the castle and other buildings, eroding the land which divides the island from the mainland, but there are still plenty of medieval remains to be explored. For keen walkers, you can also walk along

the coastal path for stunning views of the castle and dramatic coastline.

We continue to charming Padstow where we have free time for lunch and to explore. Padstow is an old fishing port but over recent years it has become one of Cornwall’s ‘trendiest’ destinations and is now filled with restaurants and chic boutiques. Some of this development is also thanks to its links with Rick Stein, who owns several establishments in the village, including restaurants, hotels, shops and pubs, so you will really be spoilt for choice here! Or for people who just want to get away from the bustle of the town, there is a huge sandy beach just a 10-minute walk from the harbour.

DAY 4 – St Michael’s Mount, St Ives & Cornish Cyder Tasting History fans may recognise St Michael’s Mount as the famous tidal island boasting a medieval castle, linked to Marazion by a man-made causeway. This morning we drive to Marazion for a view of this intriguing part of the world. Enjoy a scenic walk across, or reach by boat during high tide, to enjoy a coffee on the terrace overlooking the causeway. Or perhaps visit the majestic castle and its terraced gardens (gardens are only open during specific times of the year), which is free for National Trust members.

We then continue to St Ives for lunch and free time. St Ives is renowned for its sandy beaches and there is a truly ‘arty’ atmosphere here thanks to the thriving artistic community, with interesting galleries and shops, plus of course Tate St Ives.

In the afternoon we will call at a Cornish Cyder Farm to enjoy a tour and tasting.

Spelt with a y in the traditional way, this fine product is created from a single pressing, like virgin olive oil. This is a family-run farm located in the Cornish countryside, they have been making cyders, wines, spirits and more for nearly 40 years - they even became Cornwall’s first distillery for 300 years. We will find out more about their success story and how their dreams of hand-pressing apples became reality after they bought a 150-year-old farm back to life, bought a 16th-century press and turned their passion into great local products.

DAY 5 – Return home If you have time, why not stop to the pretty village of St Mawes before returning? Famous for its whitewashed buildings and beautiful location with views over Falmouth Bay, this is a great place for one more leisurely cream tea in one of the establishments facing the harbour.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Falmouth for 4 nights, with breakfast.

St Michaels Resort in Falmouth HHHH Located just a few steps from the town centre and opposite Gyllyngvase beach, this is a truly relaxing base for our tour, thanks to its great views, subtropical gardens and health club. The hotel may be close to all local amenities, but it also offers a choice of a casual restaurant or formal brasserie, as well as a bar. The hotel has a true coastal feel, this extends to the contemporary rooms, which are airy and decorated in muted colours.

Your options Hotel dining

This tour currently includes breakfast, with the option to upgrade to two or four dinners at the hotel, from £79pp for two nights, or £155pp for four nights.

Your tour price includes • Discover the world class Lost Gardens of Heligan on a guided tour • Visit chic the charming coastal villages of Mevagissey and Padstow • Discover St Michael’s Mount with its imposing medieval castle • Enjoy a visit to a familyrun Cornish Cyder Farm with a tour and tasting • Explore spectacular Tintagel Castle • Enjoy a traditional Cornish cream tea Plus, of course: • Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast (dining option available at a supplement) • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

Mevagissey

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25

JERSEY

Village of Saint Aubin

Jersey: The Jewel of the Channel Islands With its rolling hills, coastal coves and poignant past, experience Jersey from all angles. From our base in charming St. Helier, experience this gem of the Channel Islands on a scenic drive of the east, a boat cruise along the west coast, plus visits to the picturesque Samares Manor, historic Jersey War Tunnels, imposing Elizabeth Castle and award-winning La Mare estate.

Gorey Castle

6 DAYS FROM

£759

Up to October 2021 and April to July and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrive in St. Helier Make your way to your four-star hotel in St. Helier, the Pomme d’Or, perfectly located in the centre, overlooking Liberation Square and the marina.

Hand-picked by us with a combination of location, facilities and service in mind, the hotel is just 20 minutes from the airport, for your convenience.

After checking in this afternoon to your historic hotel with all the modern amenities, there’s plenty of time to relax or explore as you wish. You can also use the sister hotel’s facilities, so why not unwind this evening with a dip in the pool or relax in the steam room? Or you could start exploring this superb area with a stroll along the marina, nearby Waterfront Gardens or the many shops, cafes and restaurants along the Esplanade.

DAY 2 – Western Jersey After the first of our delicious daily breakfasts at the hotel, we uncover

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authentic Jersey on a tour of the west side. A scenic drive takes us first to Noirmont Point, where the old German bunkers and vantage points offer breathtaking views, before heading to the golden sands of St. Bredlade’s Bay, often hailed as one of the best beaches in the British Isles, and then to the equally beautiful Greve de Lecq and St. Ouens Bay, with clear water, waves and tides that make for a popular surfing spot. This wouldn’t be a trip to Jersey without a visit to the famous Corbiere lighthouse and Elizabeth Castle, and so these are included on this fascinating tour, taking the ferry to the castle. Named after Queen Elizabeth I, the stronghold is simply a must-see, with a long and intriguing history and unrivalled vistas, as well as tunnels, bunkers and turrets to explore. This evening we return to the hotel to enjoy the first of two included dinners.

DAY 3 – Samares Manor Today we visit beautiful Samares Manor and botanical gardens. A knowledgeable local guide will bring history to life as we uncover the Medieval origins of the manor and its place today, home to Seigneur de Samares for centuries. Amongst our vibrant surroundings, we will also delve deeper into its colourful past with a guided tour of the manor house and Museum of Rural Life before a wander to the herb garden. The herb gardens are full of medicinal plants, roses and lavender, with a viewing platform to fully appreciate the elegant and calming surroundings.

After the tour, there is time to explore the renowned botanical gardens, unique because the land is exceptionally fertile with exotic plants that wouldn’t normally grow in the British Isles’ climate. Designed in the roaring 1920s, you’ll spy heritage blooms dancing amongst the rows of plants, as well as a bee garden and fragrant herbs, a relaxing end to the afternoon.

DAY 4 – Eastern Jersey and Boat Cruise Today, we continue to learn more about what makes Jersey so special as we see the island from a different angle.

Hopping onto our boat cruise at Albert Quay, we journey along the eastern coastline with commentary from a local expert. As we witness incredible views from our boat, the Jersey Duchess, our minds are cast back to what it would have been like to see beautiful Jersey for the first time in this way, long before air travel. Jersey is particularly famous for its marine life too – so if you Corbiere Lighthouse

Greve de Lecq

are lucky you might spot bottlenosed dolphins, seals or even basking sharks.

Our hand-picked hotel

This afternoon, explore our base in St. Helier further with some free time. So what’s it to be? Perhaps learn more about this historic island’s navy past with a visit to the Maritime Museum or soak up the culture of the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery. Foodies will enjoy a trip to the Central Market, whilst those who love to shop independent will be sure to relish in the quaint boutiques. Or perhaps just simply watch the world go by with views from one of the Marinas before heading back to get ready for dinner this evening.

As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in St. Helier for 5 nights, with daily breakfast and dinners on days two and four.

DAY 5 – Jersey War Tunnels, La Mare Estate & Afternoon Tea Most people know that Jersey was occupied by the Germans during WWII. At first with a relatively moderate approach, but as the war continued, conditions for locals got harder and harder, with forced labour and mass deportations and during the winter of 1944-1945, and near starvation for most of the population. It was a poignant time in Jersey’s history and a period we feel is important to understand. We visit the Jersey war tunnels, dug by enforced labour under harsh conditions, which tell the story of life during the German occupation: the heartache, resistance, hardship, heroism and eventual liberation.

After a moving morning, this afternoon we experience a different part of Jersey’s culture On our visit to La Mare wine estate, distillery, and cider farm. The estate is celebrated for the quality of its produce, including the renowned Black Butter preserve, used by many esteemed chefs, as well as its wines, cider, and liqueurs.

We will explore the estate with a guided tour and tasting as we learn about the ethos behind La Mare and how the estate makes things a little differently on this small island. After our tours which includes a not to be missed visit to the chocolate kitchen, we will settle down for afternoon tea – no doubt featuring famed Jersey milk and cream. After a deliciously delightful afternoon, we will have time for a stroll in the gardens and vineyards before heading back.

DAY 6 – Return Home After breakfast, we return home with fond memories of this small but fascinatingly beautiful part of the world.

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Pomme D’or Hotel HHHH Meaning Golden Apple, this well located hotel has been welcoming travellers for over 180 years, raising the Union Jack in 1945 to mark the liberation of Jersey from German forces. The historic hotel has a traditional service and style which complements the modern contemporary rooms, with two cafes and a restaurant that offers sweeping views over the bay.

There is also use of the pool, steam room, and fitness centre at the sister hotel, open subject to local regulations.

Your tour price includes • Discover the west side of Jersey, plus a visit to Elizabeth Castle • Explore Samares Manor with a guided tour of the house, Herb Garden & Museum with time to explore the celebrated Botanic gardens • Take a boat trip to explore the eastern coast by sea and spot the wildlife • Understand the poignant WWII history on a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels • Visit the renowned La Mare Estate with a tour and tasting • Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea Plus, of course: • Five nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

27

ENGLAND

Chatsworth House

The Peak District Chatsworth & Buxton Experience the best of the Peak District, embracing the history, heritage and scenery that make up the heart of Derbyshire.

From a base of the spa town of Buxton, we visit iconic stately homes, take nostalgic rail journeys and walk with nature, as well as heading to Bakewell, Matlock Bath and Dovedale.

Dovedale

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5 DAYS FROM

£619

Up to October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Buxton & Guided Tour Arrive at your historic hotel in the spa town of Buxton in a way to suit you. If you require assistance with any travel arrangements, be sure to get in touch with our Travel Concierge who will be happy to help with the likes of rail bookings, private transfers and even pre and post hotel stays should you wish to extend your time in the wonderful Peak District. Affectionately known as the gateway to the Peak District National Park, this afternoon we take in the history and highlights of Buxton on a guided walking tour. At every turn, you might spy the beautiful contrasts of Recency architecture, Georgian terraces and Victorian attractions which make up its distinct character. Some of the main highlights, which we will see on our guided tour, include the Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Gardens and the Devonshire Dome, which was once the largest unsupported dome in Europe, built in 1779. After our tour, there’ll

Matlock Bath

the beautiful countryside. We return to Buxton in the afternoon with more time to explore this elegant spa town.

DAY 5 – Return Home After breakfast, return home with delightful memories of Derbyshire, perhaps taking a stroll around the Pavilion Gardens or booking in at a local thermal spa.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at one of two hand-picked hotels in Buxton for 4 nights, depending on departure dates, with breakfast and all dinners included.

be time to get acquainted with this charming town, so why not return to the stunning Pavilion Gardens, a great spot for a leisurely stroll along the river Wye. Tonight, our thoughts turn to dinner plans, as we enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

DAY 2 – Chatsworth House & Bakewell After breakfast, we drive to one of the most iconic stately homes of the Peaks, some might even say of England, Chatsworth House. Our journey takes us through lush Derbyshire countryside as we head to the impressive home of the Cavendish family, who have owned the property since 1549. With its grand state rooms and opulent halls, they’ll be plenty of time to explore the extravagant interior before heading out to look upon the acres of rolling parkland.

This afternoon, a picturesque town to rival beautiful Buxton awaits as we continue to nearby Bakewell for lunch and free time. Located on the banks of the river Wye, this is a pleasant place for a relaxing stroll with its pretty stone buildings and arched medieval bridge.

They’ll be plenty of time to explore this quaint town is best known for its delicious Bakewell Pudding. Unlike the better-known Bakewell tart, the celebrated pudding is made with a puff pastry base before being filled with a signature almond mix. After time pottering around Bakewell’s streets, we return to Buxton in the late afternoon.

DAY 3 – Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath & the Peak Rail This morning we experience the ‘village in the sky’ as we drive to Matlock Bath for a cable car journey to the Heights of Abraham, soaring over a deep limestone gorge in the Derwent Valley.

At the top, there is a hilltop park as well as famous caverns set within 60 acres of woodland, with a few cafes and a restaurant. The caves were a hive of lead mining for hundreds of years starting from Roman times, but as deposits became to dwindle, the caves were converted into a tourist attraction as the miners found this was a more profitable way of running them. The

attraction has been open since Victorian times, allowing visitors to retrace the miners’ footsteps, with plenty of free time for you to explore as you wish.

Next, it’s onward to Matlock Bath with time for a spot of lunch. It’s been a popular destination since the late 17th century when the spa waters were discovered, with its attractive riverside gardens, wooded hillsides and rocky limestone crags.

Our next stop will be a real treat for those who enjoy all things rail, as we board the heritage Peak Railway.

This beautifully restored section of the former Midland Railway stretches 4 miles from Matlock to Rowsley has a true nostalgic feel. After a brief trip down memory lane, we head back to Buxton by coach.

DAY 4 – Ilam Park, Dovedale & Afternoon Tea There’s still lots more to discover of the Peak District and its natural beauty and today we do just that.

This morning we take a scenic drive to the southern edge of the Peak District to visit Ilam Park and Dovedale, taking in the beautifully unspoilt countryside views along the way.

As we reach the delightful village of Ilam, it’s hard not to admire the Alpinestyle cottages before heading to Ilam Park itself which we will explore, all set within a wonderful background of lush green hills surrounding the Tudor Gothic Hall. We have time to relax and explore Ilam’ National Trust Park.

Of course it wouldn’t be a trip to this part of the Peak District without heading to the famous stepping stones of Dovedale. So next we enjoy a leisurely scenic walk along the river Dove to the Dovedale Nature Reserve, ambling through ancient ash woodland, wildflower-rich grassland and plenty of river wildlife. As we walk towards Dovedale we have time to admire the intriguing Thorpe Cloud, a large flattopped hill before reaching the stepping stones, which were put in place in the mid-19th century. Our wonderful walk is rounded off this afternoon with a welldeserved afternoon tea overlooking

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Lee Wood Hotel HHHH Housed in a beautiful Georgian building, the hotel has all the town’s major sights on your doorstep.

The rooms offer all modern comforts, and the hotel has a restaurant where we will dine, as well as a bar.

The Old Hall Hotel, Buxton HHH Perfectly located opposite the beautiful Pavilion Gardens, the hotel blends traditional style with modern amenities. There is a public car park by the hotel, of which hotel guests have exclusive rights to 24-hour parking tickets.

Your tour price includes • Explore Chatsworth House and experience its beautiful gardens • Discover the spa town of Buxton on a guided tour • Visit the Heights of Abraham, by cable car • Enjoy a journey on the Peak Rail heritage line • See Bakewell, on the banks of the Wye • Explore the Peak District’s unspoilt countryside with an included walk • Enjoy afternoon tea in a country house hotel Plus, of course: • Four nights in three-star or four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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S C OTL A N D

Glenfinnan viaduct

Scottish Highlands & Skye Be mesmerised by the magic of the Scottish Highlands. From your base by the banks of the River Ness, take in the wildlife of Cairngorms National Park, ride the world-renowned Fort William to Mallaig train, enjoy a whisky tasting, explore the enchanting Isle of Skye and go Nessie spotting on a Loch cruise.

Skye

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6 DAYS FROM

£799

October 2021 and April to July and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Inverness Make your way to the breathtakingly beautiful Scottish Highlands and be welcomed to your hotel in Inverness, overlooking the River Ness. Whether you’d prefer to drive, take the train or enjoy a door-to-door private car, our helpful travel desk team would be more than happy to help you organise trains, flights or a private car to suit your arrangements. Our hand-picked hotels are always thoughtfully chosen for their location. After settling into your hotel, why not make yourself acquainted with the local area with a riverside stroll?

You’re just a moment’s walk from some of the main highlights of Inverness, with plenty of fantastic restaurants and bars to unwind in on your first evening. Or after travelling, perhaps relax in the spa, where guests have free access to the indoor pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. You could even round off your

visiting Dunvegan Castle and Gardens.

A must-visit, the castle has been in the same family for 800 years and is said to represent the true spirit of the Isles. You might not think that given the location of the castle there would be many plants or flowers that thrive there, but the truly splendid gardens are in fact home to a wide variety of flora. It’s then onward to Portree, the island capital known for its colourful houses forming a rainbow of pastels along the coastline.

DAY 6 – Return home After breakfast, make your way home with unforgettable stories of the Scottish Highlands and Skye.

Portree evening by the fireplace with a tipple of Scotch whisky on ice in the hotel lounge.

DAY 2 – Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tasting This morning after breakfast, we head to the Cairngorms National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

It’s a haven for wildlife lovers, as a spot that many rare and endangered species call their home. Think pine martens, red squirrels, mountain hares and golden eagles, as well as the most endangered species – Scottish wildcats. As we drive towards Broomhill you might see red Lock Leven Rose deer or Highland cows on the mountaintops.

There are more opportunities to gaze at the stunning scenery, as we board the Strathspey heritage railway, with its spectacular views through forests and heather-clad moorland. Our destination is Aviemore, where the endless panoramic views, forests and tranquil lochs continue. As we leave behind our majestic train, we continue onward through the beautiful Spey Valley. No visit would be complete without a tour of a whisky distillery, and so we head to learn more about this famous drink, with an insightful tour and tasting.

DAY 3 – Loch Ness Do you believe in the myth of the Loch Ness Monster? Today is your chance to delve deeper into the mystery of Nessie.

Our journey begins on a Loch cruise with a commentary on board, telling tales of the Loch and unravelling its mystifying history, as well as learning about the local wildlife which we may spot on our cruise. Continuing the theme of days gone by, we visit the iconic Urquhart Castle, whose romantic ruins date back to the 13th century.

This afternoon we head North of Inverness and towards the Black Isle.

Despite its name, this captivating part of Scotland is actually a peninsular, with striking coastal views and charming fishing villages dotted along the shoreline. It’s a beautiful place to visit, so we allow plenty of time to explore this incredible coast. It’s home to two RSPB nature reserves: the enchanted Fairy Glen and the peaceful Udale Bay, a habitat for pink-footed geese.

DAY 4 – Fort William to Mallaig Train Journey Today may be the highpoint for many, for more reasons than one. Described as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, today we journey from Fort William to Mallaig. This is a side of Scotland that is best experienced by train. Our day begins as we drive to Fort William, passing though the incredible mountain scenery in anticipation. On a clear day, you may ever spot the towering 1,345 metres of Ben Nevis as we travel through spectacular countryside, and cross the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, with its 21 arches You may recognise it from numerous films and television programmes that have featured, the most famous being Harry Potter, as the majestic Jacobite Steam train puffs along the lush countryside. As the train then passes through Arisaig and Morar stations, you won’t be able to peel your eyes from the striking loch, sea and hill views before the approach to Mallaig, from where you can see the small isles. A typical port town, you can simply stroll along the front, watch the fishing boats babbling in the water or visit the Mallaig Heritage Centre, with archives and artifacts of the harbor’s history. After some time in the picture-postcard Scottish town of Mallaig, we return to Fort William.

(Note that depending on the season, the train may be steam or diesel at short notice).

DAY 5 – Isle of Skye Today we head further afield to the largest of the Inner Hebrides Islands the mesmerising Isle of Skye. The route to Skye is truly beautiful, passing lochs and inlets, as well as the imposing Eilean Dolan Castle, before we come to one of the last villages on the mainland before reaching the Skye, the historic village of The Kyle of Lochalsh, These days we don’t need to take a boat to get to Skye anymore, instead we can cross the road bridge that links to the island.

Often described as a magical place, there are many folktales told on the island, and legends of fairies and giants abound. To really get a feel for this beautiful part of the world, we will have a scenic tour of the island to take in the spectacular views before

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Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Inverness for 5 nights, with breakfast.

Palace Hotel and Spa, Inverness HHH superior Set in an 1890s Victorian mansion, the hotel has been delightfully restored with all the modern comforts you would expect. Located on the banks of the River Ness it also has a leisure club and spa* just a short walk across the river into Inverness and to Inverness Castle. *Open subject to safety restrictions.

Your tour price includes • Experience one of the world’s greatest train with its stunning scenery on a journey from Fort William to Mallaig • Discover the Magical Island of Skye, and visit Dunvegan Castle and Gardens • Enjoy the views around Loch Ness on a scenic cruise, and look for Nessie • Explore the beauty of the Cairngorms National Park and journey on the Strathspey heritage railway • See the iconic Urquhart Castle • Learn about whisky on a visit to a distillery for a tour and tasting Plus, of course: • Five nights in three-star superior accommodation with breakfast • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

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N O R TH E R N I R E L A N D

Giant’s Causeway

Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Mount Stewart Belfast is so familiar yet has its own distinct character, setting it apart as a must-visit. Uncover the highlights of Northern Ireland’s capital and beyond, with visits to the Titanic Experience, Antrim’s coastal road, the magical Giants Causeway, the spectacular gardens of Mount Stewart and a whiskey tasting at Bushmill’s distillery.

Belfast

32

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5 DAYS FROM

£569

Up to October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Belfast and City Tour Make your way to your hotel in Belfast this morning, looking out for the stunning sights of Northern Ireland’s capital as they come into view. Whether you prefer to make your own way there by car or would like to go by train or private car, our helpful travel desk team would be more than happy to help you organise trains, flights or a private car to suit your arrangements.

Our hand-picked hotels are always thoughtfully chosen for their location, amongst luxurious touches, facilities or perhaps a special story behind them. The Europa Hotel is no different: with its central location and list of famous guests over the years.

Later on this morning, we embark on a guided tour of Belfast to learn more about what makes this capital so special and worthy of being voted the best place to visit in 2018. A city once divided, our guide will delve deeper into

the history and politics, understanding the different sides and how they live together in the peace process, which make Belfast what it is today.

Iconic sights on the East side include the Cathedral Quarter and the Grade A Listed Parliament Building, with its striking architecture and grand steps. Not forgetting the City Hall, Grand Opera House and CS Lewis Square, where you’ll spy carefully crafted sculptures of characters from The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.

You’ll also find lavishly decorated pubs dotted around Belfast, such as the famous Victorian Crown Liquor Saloon, with its ornate tiled frontage, original features dating back to the 1800s and carved mahogany booths.

To begin to understand the city’s past in more depth, we also get under the skin of the culture by visiting Catholic populated Falls Road and Protestant dominated Shank Hill Road, which run parallel to one another. Our guide will also share stories from the peace line wall, which was built to keep the Nationalists and Loyalists apart but in turn separated the communities.

And of course we will also have a chance to see the famous murals and learn the meanings behind them.

This evening you are free to make reservations to enjoy your first of many dinners in the city. While in Belfast, be sure to sample the incredible locally caught seafood, such as mussels and herring, as well as potato-based dishes, including champ, apple bread and Irish stew.

DAY 2 – Titanic Experience After an Irish breakfast, we start the day by heading to the Titanic Experience.

Belfast really came into its own in the Industrial Revolution, gaining weather from ship building, lining making and tobacco exports. Today, memories of this affluent time are found in the likes of the iconic Samson and Goliath twin gantry cranes, an imposing sight along the portside. You can see this influence throughout the city hall, banks and other historical buildings, as your mind wander to what life would have looked like some 200 years ago.

With the maritime heritage running through the veins of Belfast, no visit would be complete without a visit to the award winning Titanic Experience. We explore the history and legacy of the Titanic, what it meant to the people of Belfast and the story of those who were on the fateful ship itself. As well as a series of 9 interactive galleries, you can even walk the deck of the last remaining

vessel of the White Star line. The afternoon is free to explore – so what’s it to be? Perhaps head to the Ulster Museum, where exhibits range from the prehistoric to modern masterpieces, wander St. George’s Market for a bargain, head to the Botanic Gardens with its Palm House and the Tropical Ravine, or simply amble along the Lagan river for a spot of people watching.

DAY 3 – Antrim Coast, Giants Causeway and Bushmills Distillery This morning, prepare yourself for one of the most famous coastal trips in the world, as we embark on the Antrim coast road. We head out by the side of the Belfast Lough, the key to the prosperous ship building industry, passing though Carrickfergus with its arresting Medieval castle. Varied scenery turns from verdant green farmland, rugged coastlines and curved bays as we follow the coastline north. Be on the look out for the glens of Antrim, of which there are 9 in total, as the scenery changes before your eyes from neat, fertile valleys and charming villages to wildly beautiful, rugged vistas.

It’s amazing what we can see today now the A2 road has been established, as the isolated glens would have previously been harder to access. A happy consequence, this helped to preserve the beautiful Gaelic language, as one of the last places in Northern Ireland is spoken.

We continue our fascinating Irish voyage through breathtaking Ballycastle, a port and also at the mouth of 2 of the Glens of Antrim. Look out for Rathlin island, Northern Ireland’s last inhabited island.

The next highlight to come into view is the magical Giants Causeway. As you take in the surrounding area of outstanding national beauty, it’ll come as no surprise this geographical wonder is acknowledged as a UNESCO heritage site. Its basalt hexagonal columns have spawned many legends, notably Finn McCool, fabled hunter-warrior in Irish mythology. We go on to discover more about this fascinating spot, as we pay a visit the state-of-the-art visitors centre, illuminating the science behind the site as well as the fairytales that have been weaved along the way.

Of course a visit to this part of Ireland wouldn’t be complete with a tasting of the famous tipple. We continue onward to Bushmills distillery, one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world. Founded in 1608, we discover the illustrious craft of making triple distilled whiskey on a guided tour with the chance to try a dram at the end. We then return to Belfast free evening to get to know this wonderful city further.

DAY 4 – Mount Stewart After another breakfast at the hotel, we head south this morning to the shores of delightful Lough Strangford.

Wildlife lovers might want to bring their binoculars or favourite camera, as this is truly a haven for wildlife. The largest inlet in the British Isles, there are seventy islands dotted along its many

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picturesque islets, bays and coves.

Our destination has been voted one of the top gen gardens in the world: Mount Stewart. Deserving of its UNESCO listed status, these stunning gardens have been home to the famous Stewart family for over 250 years.

The house itself is a real treasure trove of history, and you can get a true sense of the family’s place in history as you wander its many handsome rooms. The gardens in fact are arranged in rooms too: from the exquisite Italian garden, The Shamrock, the “Sunk” garden, the Dodo terrace and the Spanish Garden to name just a few. You’ll have plenty of time to lose yourself in this spectacle of fine horticulture before returning to Belfast in the mid afternoon.

DAY 5 – Return After breakfast, return home with wonderful memories of Northern Ireland.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Belfast for 4 nights, with breakfast.

Europa Hotel HHHH Found in the heart of Belfast, this modern and elegant hotel makes for the perfect base. It’s no surprise many famous people have stayed here either, with its opulent décor, contemporary bistro and sophisticated bar lounge. All rooms feature the expected amenities, with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, en suite and complimentary WiFi. Car parking is also available nearby at a discounted rate for guests.

Your tour price includes • Discover the history of the capital on a guided tour of Belfast • Step back in maritime history at the Titanic Experience • Enjoy a scenic drive along the Antrim Coast to Giants Causeway • Experience Irish whiskey on a Bushmills tour and tasting • Enjoy some of the best gardens in the world at Mount Stewart Plus, of course: • Four nights in fourstar accommodation with breakfast • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

33

ENGLAND

Buttermere

Walk & Discover Lake District

Explore one of the most beautiful parts of Britain from different perspectives on this unforgettable tour of the Lake District. With its rugged Cumbrian mountains, scatterings of wildflowers, handsomely kept castles and of course the fresh, lakeside air, hear the echoes of history and literary geniuses from years gone by as you walk in the footsteps of the past.

£719

Up to October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Kendal and Sizergh Castle Make your way to your well-appointed hotel in Kendal for around lunchtime, surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Cumbrian countryside, and make yourself at home. For those who drive, there is a free car park available for you to use. If you’d like us to arrange train travel or a private car, our helpful team will be happy to help.

This afternoon, enjoy a visit to the National Trust owned Sizergh Castle and Gardens, built 750 years ago in the Middle Ages by the Strickland Family – and incredibly still their home today. A visit is literally like walking through history, from the Medieval great hall, to ornate Elizabethan panelling and then onto finely decorated rooms from the 18th Century.

It’s also famous for the well-kept gardens, including the enchanting water pools, and rockeries, as well as the tranquil wildflower displays.

Coniston

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5 DAYS FROM

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Muncaster castle

DAY 2 – Coniston Water, Steam Yacht Gondola and Tarn Hows Walk This morning we head to Coniston Water, steeped in history and settled since Neolithic times. The village nestles in the lee of The Old Man of Coniston - likened by Wainwright to the position of the Zermatt and the Matterhorn and is surrounded by spectacular rugged crags and foaming waterfalls.

We arrive at the lake and take the beautifully restored Steam Yacht Gondola, and cruise across Coniston like the Victorians did before us. Enjoy a guided commentary from the captain of the yacht, who will tell us about the history of the lake and what we can see. Look out for Brantwood John Ruskin’s home on the shores of the lake, a visionary thinker and pioneering conservationist, who foresaw the ‘greenhouse effect’. Ruskin also inspired The National Trust, and the founders of the National Parks movement. We can also spot Arthur Ransome’s cottage, he used Coniston as the setting for his every popular children’s book series Swallows and Amazons, which since published in 1930 has been made into numerous series and films.

Today we are joined by a local walking expert for our first insightful walk of the tour. We disembark at Monks Coniston walking though Lake District farm and woodland, as well as the walled garden and tree collection of Monk Coniston Hall. The estate was bought by Beatrix Potter as she loved it so much and was bequeathed to the National Trust on her death so it could be protected for all to enjoy, we continue onto to Tarn Hows, the views are some of the best in Lakeland, before tasking the Steam Yacht back to Coniston, there will be some free time to explore the pretty village itself, or to visit the Ruskin Museum to find out more about Coniston, Ruskin and Donald Campbell.

Monk Coniston and Tarn Hows Walk Your journey begins with the calming surroundings of broadleaf and coniferous woodland, just a stone’s throw from the Monk Coniston walled gardens. You’ll be sure to spy lots of fascinating wildlife as some of the most gorgeous views of Coniston Water come into sight. Look out for distinctive Herdwick sheep, rose deer and hares.

You might even spot a red squirrel or two – an endangered species who have

made this stunning landscape their home.

Moderate walk - Duration: 3 hours / Distance: 3.5m / Terrain: forestry tracks and paths with benches along the way.

DAY 3 – Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and Muncaster Castle Heading as far west as we can in the lake, our first stop is a return journey on The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, one of the oldest and longest narrowgauge railways in England. “La’al Ratty” as it is affectionately known, meaning little railway in old Cumbrian was built in 1873. The journey itself was one of Alfred Wainwright’s favourites due to the beautiful scenery and was immortalised in his guidebooks. We then continue to Muncaster Castle a jewel in the majestic western lakes setting.

Inhabited for 9 centuries continually, thought to have been built on Roman remains. We have a guided tour of the castle, before having a private group lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the gardens and maybe visit the Hawk and Owl Centre.

DAY 4 – Ullswater Today we take a scenic drive to explore Ullswater, passing through Pooley Bridge and Glenridding. We then continue across the breathtaking Kirsktone pass to Windermere with time to explore at your leisure. The afternoon is free, so you could choose to take a trip a on the steam railway or maybe even indulge in a lake cruise? Alternatively, you may wish to take a walk along one of the many scenic paths that border the lake.

DAY 5 – Buttermere and return home Today is a chance to explore one of the Northern Lakes, beautiful Buttermere.

The mountains that ring Buttermere sweep straight up from the lake in steep unbroken slopes, but the path we follow is on the valley floor. This lake is particularly unusual as it’s the only one of the famous district’s lakes that you can take a path all the way around. And so we follow this picturesque route around though the woodland, hugging the shores and wildlife spotting along the way.

Buttermere Lakeshore Walk With a mix of lakeside paths and woodland, this circular walk takes us around Buttermere and through Burtness Wood with brilliant vistas of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks fell. As you trace the shoreline, you’ll be sure to see stunning views of Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head too. The other half of the walk is through more woody and muddy areas (so be sure to bring good walking boots) Kendal

but it’s a level path and a wonderful loop back to Buttermere village.

Easy walk - Duration: 2.5 hours / Distance: 4.7m / Terrain: shoreline paths, stones, rough and narrow in places with possible muddy areas.

Lastly, we stop at Buttermere village itself for refreshments before returning to the hotel to collect cars before your departure or transfer to the train station.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Kendal for 4 nights, with breakfast and 2 dinners.

Stonecross Manor Hotel, Kendal HHHH A boutique style hotel based in Kendal. Originally built in 1857, the small hotel has a traditional feel which has been wonderfully restored with all the modern comforts. As well as free parking, a restaurant and bar, there are leisure facilities and a heated pool.

Your options Hotel dining

This tour currently includes breakfast and two dinners, with the option to add two more dinners at the hotel from £65pp.

Your tour price includes • Discover the National Trust owned Sizergh Castle and Gardens • Take the Steam Yacht Gondola across Coniston • Journey on the The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway,one of the oldest and longest narrow-gauge railways in England • Explore Muncaster Castle on a guided tour before a private group lunch • Scenic drive to enjoy Windermere at your leisure • Two included guided walks of Monk Coniston and Buttermere Plus, of course: • Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners (additional dining option available at a supplement) • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout • Local specialist walking guide to accompany you on your walks

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35

ENGLAND

Yorkshire Dales

Walk & Discover North Yorkshire & the Heritage Coast

5 DAYS FROM

£559

October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

From a base of historic Harrogate, this North Yorkshire tour combines the best of British heritage, with its unspoilt landscapes and fascinating past. Discover the beauty of Yorkshire on foot on included walks, as well as visits to stately homes, the ancient cobbled streets of York and Betty’s Tearooms for a spot of traditional afternoon tea.

Staithes

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Harrogate and Afternoon Tea at Betty’s Arrive at your four-star hotel in the charming city of Harrogate and make yourself at home. There is plenty of free parking at the location for those who have driven by car, with a nearby train station if you prefer to make your way by rail. Or if you’d like us to help arrange train tickets or even a private car, our team are on hand to help.

This afternoon, we visit the iconic Betty’s Tearooms for a delectable private afternoon tea in the Imperial Room.

Swiss confectioner and chocolatier Fritz Bützer came to England and fell in love with his landlady’s daughter, opening Betty’s together in 1919. Afternoon tea at Betty’s has been popular since the 1920s and a selection of delicious sandwiches, cakes and of course Betty’s own tearoom blend tea will be served.

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Whitby Abbey

the top but the views are worth it.

We take the Cleveland Way National Trail for incredible cliff side vistas, before an ascent through quiet lanes and woodland paths.

Moderate walk - Duration: 2.5 hours / Distance: 4m / Terrain: paths along the cliff side, fields and woodland.

DAY 3 – Historic York We spend the day in one of England’s finest and most historic cities, York. The name York as we know today comes from the Vikings, known then as Yorvik, after they raided the city, settled and made York one of their centres for their trading routes throughout Europe.

DAY 2 – North Yorkshire Moors National Park and Guided Coastal Walk The day begins with a drive to the coastal village of Staithes, just above Whitby, with its sheltered harbour, surrounded by higgledy-piggledy cottages.

Today we enjoy the path less travelled with a guided walk. We amble to the next village of Port Mulgrave walking some of the Cleveland Way, along the cliff tops, through quiet fields lanes and woodlands before circling back to Staithes, accompanied by a local walking expert.

We then drive through the North Yorkshire moors park to Whitby where there is a chance to explore at leisure.

There are plenty of things to see and explore here, from the ruins of Whitby’s iconic Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker to write “Dracula” make Whitby the place where count Dracula came ashore.

With its cobbled lanes leading to the traditional harbour, it’s the perfect place to wander the many shops that sell the famous Whitby jet, a semi-precious organic gemstone.

We leave Whitby on what has been described as one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences “The North Yorkshire Moor Railway” from Whitby to Pickering. We travel through the North Yorkshire National park, bordered by the Cleveland Hills to the North, the Hambleton Hills to the West, the Vale of Pickering to the South and the magnificent coast to the East. The line passes through the beautifully restored stations of Grosmont and Goatland, famously used for the Harry Potter films and in the long running TV series Heartbeat. (On some occasions, this day may operate in reverse).

Staithes and Port Mulgrave Walk A circular walk which takes in coastal views of Port Mulgrave before looping back through beautiful fields to Dalehouse. Your journey begins in Staithes, a welcoming fishing village bursting with character – it’s a steep climb from the harbour to

There is much to explore here from the magnificent York Minster, the historic Shambles, known as the best-preserved Medieval street in Europe, the wellmaintained city walls, gates and Clifford’s Tower. We will uncover some of the stories linked to the city on a guided walking tour as well as discovering some of the less well known hidden gems. The afternoon is free to explore further, perhaps visit the Yorvik Viking Centre, or the National Railway museum or discover York’s Chocolate Story.

DAY 4 – Grassington Walk, Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Gardens After breakfast, this morning we head west of Harrogate to the market town of Grassington. Its attractive location by the river Wharfe, surrounded by the Yorkshire Dales, makes it a perfect starting point for today’s circular walk.

Returning to Grassington there is time to explore before we visit our next destination UNESCO listed Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Garden. The Abbey was once one of the largest Monasteries in the country, there is a chance to explore and find out what life was life for the monks who lived there.

Their work was continued by John and William Aislabie in the 18th century when they designed the water gardens, which were later granted heritage status in 1986. We then return to the hotel.

Burnsall to Grassington Walk Our guided walk begins on a riverside path, passing limestone cliff towers, deep pools and stepping stones.

We see evidence of the beauty of nature and engineering entwined, as we spy waterfalls and weirs. As we ramble past Ghaistrill’s Strid, you might even spy brave swimmers and snorkelers plunging into the natural rocky pools.

We then arrive in the small market town of Grassington, with its quaint stone cottages and cobbled market square.

Easy walk - Duration: 2 hours / Distance: 3.5m / Altitude gain: 330ft (100m) / Terrain: riverside and farmland paths, tracks and woodland DAY 5 – Harewood House Known as one of England’s greatest treasure houses, this morning we visit Harewood House. Built by the 1st Baron of Harewood Edwin Lascelles, no expense was spared when he employed some of the finest craftsmen of the time, including the architect John Carr, interior

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designer Robert Adam and “Capability” Brown’s to design the landscapes which you can admire from the award winning terrace. After time to explore the house, including below stairs and gardens, we return to Harrogate to depart the tour.

Our hand-picked hotel As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Harrogate for 4 nights, with breakfast and two dinners.

Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate HHHH Dating back to 1671, Cedar Court sits on the site of Harrogate’s first ever hotel, just a short stroll from the centre. It has been lovingly refurbished, with spacious rooms featuring tea and coffee making facilities, premium mattresses, complimentary Wi-Fi and either town or Stray views.

Your options Hotel dining

This tour currently includes breakfast and two dinners, with the option to add two more dinners at the hotel from £55pp.

Your tour price includes • Afternoon tea in a private room at the iconic Betty’s Tearooms • A scenic drive to Whitby with free time to explore • A guided walking tour of historic York • Visit UNESCO listed Fountains Abbey and Studley Water Garden • Experience “The North Yorkshire Moor Railway” from Whitby to Pickering • Discover the hidden treasures of Harewood House • Two included guided walks from Burnsall to Grassington and Staithes to Port Mulgrave Plus, of course: • Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and two dinners (additional dining option available at a supplement) • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout • Local specialist walking guide to accompany you on your walks

37

WA LE S

Snowdonia

Walk & Discover

Conwy Coast & Snowdonia A place like no other, witness the mountain ranges, unspoilt countryside, spectacular railways and imposing castles of North Wales. The contrasts of rural Snowdonia and coastal Portmeirion offer so much to discover on our two included walks to truly experience the diversity of this splendid place.

Llandudno

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5 DAYS FROM

£719

May to October 2021 and April to June and September to October 2022

Your itinerary DAY 1 – Arrival in Llandudno Arrive at your centrally-located hotel this afternoon, a charming and welcoming setting just five a minute walk from the beach. Llandudno is a great base to explore the best of the area, as well as being the largest coastal town in North Wales with plenty to offer. Later this afternoon, our knowledgeable tour manager will take us on a brief orientation walk around the Victorian town centre, with its 19th-century pier.

Highlights include the Great Orme and its Tramway, almost reminiscent of the San Francisco cable cars, to the summit of the headland, with great views over the bay, and on the other side, stretching as far as Snowdonia. The town gained popularity as a holiday town for affluent visitors in Victorian times, today the Victorian atmosphere still prevails thanks to careful preservation, with its harmonious white and pastel coloured buildings along

the iconic promenade. A walk along the pier - the longest in Wales - affords views over the harbour. For keen walkers among the group, miles of spectacular trails are available around the Great Orme. As evening draws in, minds might turn to dinner this evening in the hotel.

DAY 2 – Snowdon Mountain Railway, Caernarfon & Aber Falls Walk After breakfast, we leave Llandudno for a drive along the coastal road.

Crossing the River Conwy, the scenery quickly changes from coastal to rural as we make our way to Llanberis for a breathtaking trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. This is Britain’s only rack railway, and one of the most scenic railway journeys in the UK. The views are stunning on all sides as we slowly get to the summit whilst taking in the views of the stark landscape, with sparse vegetation. At over 3500 ft, Snowdon is the highest summit in England and Wales, and if venturing to the cairn from here, on a clear day the breathtaking views can stretch as far as Ireland. After the train journey we will drive to nearby Caernarfon for lunch.

This charming town is best known for its imposing castle, one of the most renowned in Wales. Nestled on the banks of the River Seiont, it is no it took an incredible 47 years to build. Later this afternoon we continue to the Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve for a walk to the scenic Aber Falls.

Aber Falls Walk This easy walk has a gradual climb through woodland and up to the stunning waterfall. As you make your way along the stone path to Aber Falls, be sure to look out for the incredible flora and fauna of the area, such as wood warblers and redstarts in spring and summer, whilst autumn sees the trees turn into a red, orange and yellow display of nature’s finest work. Your expert walking guide will lead the way through the woodland path and open grassland to truly appreciate the every-changing beauty of the Welsh landscape.

Easy walk - Duration: 2.5 hours / Distance: 3.7m / Altitude gain: 330ft (100m) / Terrain: footpaths with a gradual and continuous climb, with a compacted stone surface and some loose gravel, benches along the way.

Portmerion

DAY 3 – Portmeirion & Coastal Walk This morning we enjoy a scenic drive through Snowdonia National Park to reach Portmeirion, taking in views of the sparse, verdant countryside that Wales is famous for. Stunningly located on its own lush peninsula, this atmospheric village is the most popular destination in Wales and is truly unique. Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who masterminded the project was inspired by the beauty of Portofino and decided to create his own version of the Italian village complete with delightful architecture, pretty gardens and coastal views. The village was developed over the course of 50 years, starting from 1925, and today all the buildings are listed. We have time to explore and enjoy the almost Mediterranean atmosphere created by the Italianate architecture and vegetation.

afternoon as we call at a local vineyard before returning to Llandudno. While you might not think of Wales as a wine-producing nation, the owners of this winery inventively use hybrid grape varieties to ensure that they grow in this particular climate, where the specific soil and climate of North Wales adds a delicate freshness to their wine varieties. We will learn more about their techniques and enjoy a tasting before we return to our hotel.

After exploring this truly unique village we will head to the castle village of Cricieth to the start of our walk which will take us on the beautiful Welsh Coastal Path alongside Ceredigion Bay, towards the river Dwyfor and then up through Llanystumdwy, enjoying views of both the sea and the countryside.

As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Llandudno for 4 nights, with breakfast and dinner.

Criccieth and Llanystumdwy Wales Coastal Walk Starting in Cricieth, the Welsh Coastal Path traces Ceredigion Bay, towards the river Dwyfor and then up through Llanystumdwy. Your journey begins at the end of the coastline road, with views of contemporary Cefn Castell, featured on Grand Designs, soon coming into view. We amble past the National Trust Ynysgain and see signs of the wildness of nature with evidence of coastal erosion. Continue onward to the river Dwyfor, where winding boardwalks mark our way. After following the open fields and rail lines, we finish in the quaint village of Llanystumdwy, the final resting place of David Lloyd George.

Easy walk - Duration: 3 hours / Distance: 4.3m / Altitude gain: 288ft (88m) / Terrain: gravel paths and boardwalks along the coastline and countryside, footpaths along country lanes.

DAY 4 – Bodnant Garden, Conwy & Wine Tasting Today we discover yet another side to North Wales, in the perfectly-kept Bodnant Garden, with the contrasting silhouette of Snowdonia in the distance.

One of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, this National Trust property overlooks the Conwy Valley. The garden was established in 1874 and has been curated and improved upon over 150 years. Colourful and vibrant yearround, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore and take in the large stately lawns, dense woodland and grand terraces. We then visit Conwy with free time for lunch and to explore. Famous for its impressive 13th century castle, this traditional walled town is one of the most complete in the country. Why not try some Bara-Brith, the famous spiced fruitcake usually found in local shops, bakeries and tearooms? This

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DAY 5 – Return After time to enjoy breakfast at your hotel, why not enjoy a leisurely stroll along the promenade before returning, or perhaps an invigorating morning walk to the Great Orme.

Our hand-picked hotel

Dunoon Hotel, Llandudno HHHH A traditional hotel located in central Llandudno, close to all local amenities and just a few steps from the promenade.

The hotel is a perfectly relaxing base for our tour, offering comfortable lounges perfect for a drink or two in the evening, as well as a restaurant where we will have our evening meals. The classically furnished rooms offering all the facilities you’d expect.

Your tour price includes • Discover the best of North Wales on foot with two easy-level guided walks • Enjoy a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway • Enjoy a scenic drive through Snowdonia National Park for a day in Portmerion • Explore the beautiful Bodnant Garden • Experience a Welsh vineyard on a tour and tasting • Two included walks of Aber Falls and the Wales Coastal Path Plus, of course: • Four nights in four-star accommodation with breakfast and dinner • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout • Local specialist walking guide to accompany you on your walks

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Experience

SMALL SHIP CRUISING ON WORLD VOYAGER Expertly crafted itineraries, full-board fine dining and a sea view from every cabin are just a handful of reasons that small ship cruising is becoming a popular choice. With our boutique ship able to dock at smaller harbours and hidden gems, and a fascinating excursion included at every port led by a knowledgeable local expert, enjoy discovering more in each destination along the way. On new ship World Voyager, sail with fewer than 200 fellow guests,

experiencing top tier service and enjoying the ship’s luxury amenities.

You’ll enjoy a culinary experience of the highest order during your cruise, with panoramic views from the Mystic Restaurant and the option to dine al fresco on the patio when the sun shines. There’s so much to do while you sail too, whether you’re looking to stargaze from the Observation Lounge, unwind in the spa and sauna or catch a film in the auditorium.

NEW FOR 2022

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Call for full prices & departure dates

About the itineraries

British Isles

New for 2022, experience the wonder of cruising with three carefully crafted small ship itineraries, aboard the luxurious World Voyager.

Bringing together lesser-visited parts of our shores, charming port towns, iconic architecture and fascinating fables of years gone by, all whilst enjoying the amenities of a world-class small ship.

Cruising the best of the British Isles Historic cities of Scotland and Ireland meet ancient castles and striking coastlines on this unmissable cruise of the British Isles.

Bringing together lesser-visited parts of our shores, charming port towns, iconic architecture and fascinating fables of years gone by.

Brittany, Atlantic Europe

Cruising Atlantic Europe From the golden coast of Guernsey to the beautifully verdant winelands of Bordeaux and the allure of Spain’s Basque Country to the colourful harbourside cities of Portugal, wake up to new scenery each day on this diverse cruise of Atlantic Europe.

Cruising Morocco, Madeira & the Canaries The traditional charm of Morocco, the vibrant florals of Madeira and an island-hopping experience to uncover the hidden gems of the Canary Islands. Bursting with natural beauty, fine architecture and intriguing pasts, soak up the diverse cultures of each, as you cruise the coast under the golden sun and an azure blue sky.

Morocco

What to expect • A brand-new small ship able to explore smaller coves and bays • Full board during the cruise • Complimentary tea and coffee all day • Fully glazed domed Observation Lounge • Well-stocked bar in the Main Lounge

Infinity cabin

• Informal outside Lido Café • Relax in the whirlpool or take a dip in the fantastic outside pool • Take a relaxing sauna in the spa or visit the fitness room • On-board Auditorium to enjoy lectures, entertainment and movie screenings • Spacious lobby flooded with light and Cruise Director desk • Observation Deck to enjoy spectacular sunrise or sunset

Cruising the best of the British Isles

Cruising Atlantic Europe

Cruising Morocco, Madeira & the Canaries

11 DAYS FROM £2,999

11 DAYS FROM £3,149

11 DAYS FROM £3,399

9 September 2022

19 September 2022

24 March & 10 April 2022

Visit our website for full details rivieratravel.co.uk • 01283 248 292

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Booking conditions These booking conditions set out the terms of your contract with Riviera Tours Limited trading as Riviera Travel (Riviera). Please read them carefully as you will be bound by them. References to “you” and “your” and “passenger(s)” means all persons named on the booking (Booking Party) (including those added at a later date) “We”, “us”, “our” means Riviera. For cruises, we will be the contracting carrier.

1. Making your booking We will confirm your holiday by issuing a confirmation invoice to the party leader who confirms they have authority on behalf of the Booking Party including minors (under the age of 18) to make a booking and accept these booking conditions on behalf of everyone in the Booking Party. You are responsible for obtaining and providing all information and payments required by us in accordance with these booking conditions. A binding contract comes into existence when we issue the confirmation invoice.

Please check your documents carefully and contact us immediately if any information on any document is incorrect. We cannot accept any liability if we are not notified of any inaccuracies in any document within 10 days of our sending it out (5 days for tickets). You may contact us by e-mail at info@ rivieratravel.co.uk or call us on 01283 742 300.

2. Payment The relevant deposit must be paid to confirm your booking. The balance of the holiday cost is due 8 weeks* prior to the departure. If full payment is not made on time, we will cancel your booking and keep all payments paid at that date and levy the cancellation charges shown in clause 7. If booking within 8 weeks* of departure, full payment must be made at the time of booking.

A binding contract comes into existence when we issue the confirmation invoice. *13 weeks for all European River Cruises, Yacht & Tall Ship Cruises and 14 weeks for Oberammergau Passion Play, Salzburg & Lake Constance.

3. Your Financial Protection We are Riviera Tours Limited, New Manor 328 Wetmore Road , Burton on Trent , Staffordshire , DE14 1SP. We hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 3430). When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive package from us, you will receive an ATOL Certificate.

This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable). If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme.

You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit, you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent or your credit card issuer where applicable. You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. The Civil Aviation Authority can be contacted at Gatwick Airport South, West Sussex, RH6 0YR, UK tel +44 (0)333 103 6350, e-mail claims@caa.co.uk www.caa.co.uk.

If your holiday does not include flights, we provide full financial protection for your holiday by way of a bond held by ABTA - The Travel Association, 30 Park Street, London, SE1 9EQ, www.abta.com. You agree to accept that in the even of our insolvency ABTA may arrange for the services you have bought to continue, or a suitable alternative to be provided at the same cost as your original booking. You also agree to accept that in circumstances where the travel service supplier provides the services you have bought, you agree to pay any outstanding sum under your contract with us to that alternative travel service provider. However, you also agree that in some cases the services will not be provided, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under ABTA’s Scheme of Protection (or your payment card issuer where applicable) for a refund of the monies you have paid.

4. The price of your holiday Please note, advertised prices may have changed by the time you book your holiday and errors occasionally occur. You must check the price of your chosen holiday at the time of booking. We reserve the right to change prices and correct errors in advertised prices at any time before or after your holiday is confirmed. Subject to the correction of errors or amendment costs, once your booking is confirmed we can change your holiday price only in certain circumstances: Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power services, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

However, there will be no change within 20 days of your departure.

We will absorb, and you will not be charged for, any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. You will be charged for the amount over and above that. If this results in an increase equivalent to more than 8% of the price of your travel arrangements, you will have the option of accepting a change to another holiday if we are able to offer one (any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value can be used towards an optional excursion, towards a future Riviera Travel holiday or refunded), or cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid, except for any amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel: 1) you must do so within the time period shown on your final invoice 2) We will provide a refund of insurance premiums paid to us if you can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy.

Should the price of your holiday go down due to the cost changes mentioned above, then any refund due will be paid to you. We will deduct from this refund our administrative expenses incurred. Please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of your travel due to contractual and other protection in place.

5. Special requests Special requests must be advised at the time of booking. Unless specifically confirmed by us in writing, all special requests are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge at your hotel. Please note that any special requests will not be binding and do not form part of your contract.

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6. ‘No flight’ holidays: Your responsibility Sometimes we may be able to offer tour or cruise-only holidays subject to availability. Please call for details. If you choose one of these holidays, your tour or cruise will begin at the hotel or ship stated in the itinerary. You must make your own travel arrangements, including any flight or rail travel, plus transfers to the first hotel or ship, and onwards from the final hotel or ship. We will not be liable for the cost of any travel arrangements you put in place if the tour or cruise is cancelled or the starting point of your cruise or tour in destination has changed. You must send us details of your travel arrangements at least eight weeks prior to your departure.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you arrive at the stated embarkation point at the required time for any ship that forms part of your holiday. If you are late, whilst we will make reasonable efforts to assist you in joining the ship, this may not be possible and in such circumstances your holiday will be treated as cancelled and you will not be entitled to any price reduction, refund or any other compensation.

7. Changes by you You can transfer your booking to another person who satisfies all the conditions applicable to the contract by giving us notice in writing as soon as possible and no later than 7 days before departure. Such a transfer may incur fees, charges or other costs and we will inform you of these before the transfer is confirmed. You and the person to whom your booking is transferred will be responsible for paying any fees, costs and/or charges we incur in making the transfer.

Any amendments other than name changes and transfer of your booking to another person are discretionary and we may not be able to agree to them. Any amendments we agree after issue of the confirmation invoice will incur an administration fee of at least £15 per person plus any costs incurred by us and or charged by our suppliers. Some amendments may be treated as a cancellation of the original booking which will require payment of the applicable cancellation fee. A change of holiday dates is a cancellation of the original booking and the cancellation charges in clause 8 apply. Name changes are allowed 7 days or more prior to travel. All costs must be paid before the amendment can be affected.

8. Cancellation by you Subject to clause 30 below, you can cancel your holiday at any time by writing (letter or email) to us at our offices. Cancellation will be effective when received by us. Since we incur costs in cancelling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as set out below.

Where a percentage is shown, this is a percentage of the total cost of your holiday.

Please note that if you cancel any insurance premiums you have paid, these may be non-refundable as they do not form part of your holiday contract.

All European River Cruises, Yacht, Mekong, Egypt and Tall Ship Cruises: Period before departure within Cancellation charge which written notification of per person cancelling cancellation is received by us More than 91 days deposit 90 – 61 days 50% 60 – 31 days 75% 30 – 16 days 85% 15 days or less 100% Oberammergau Passion Play, Salzburg & Lake Constance: Period before departure within Cancellation charge which written notification of per person cancelling cancellation is received by us More than 98 days deposit 97 – 61 days 50% 60 – 31 days 75% 30 – 16 days 85% 15 days or less 100% All other holidays, mid-haul departures and cruises: Period before departure within Cancellation charge which written notification of per person cancelling cancellation is received by us More than 56 days deposit 56 – 31 days 50% 30 - 15 days 95% 14 days or less 100% Long haul departures : Period before departure within which written notification of cancellation is received by us More than 56 days 74 – 61 days 60 - 31 days 14 days or less

Cancellation charge per person cancelling deposit 50% 95% 100%

In addition, change or cancellation of flights and other transport costs can result in 100% cancellation charges irrespective of the date of cancellation.

Part cancellation will require recalculation of the holiday price and we will re-invoice you accordingly. If a cancellation results in single occupancy of a cabin or hotel room, a single person supplement will be payable except where 100% cancellation charges have been paid by the person cancelling.

You can cancel your holiday without paying cancellation charges if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at your holiday destination which significantly affect the performance of your holiday.

9. Insurance You must have valid and appropriate travel insurance for the full duration of your trip. You should ensure that your policy provides at least comparable cover to that provided by the policy we offer as shown on our website and brochures. We may ask you to provide evidence of your travel insurance and if you cannot do so or do not purchase any such insurance we will not allow you to travel and will treat your holiday as cancelled with the applicable cancelation fee being due.

10. Changes or cancellations by us (1) Changes to confirmed holiday arrangements sometimes have to be made and we reserve the right to do so in accordance with this clause. Most changes will be insignificant and we have the right to make these. Where an insignificant change is made before departure, we will notify you in writing.

No compensation is payable for insignificant changes. Occasionally, before departure, we may be constrained by circumstances beyond our control to make a significant alteration to any of the main characteristics of the travel services which form part of your contract. Where we have to do so, clauses 10(4) and 10(5) will apply.

(2) All alterations which are not significant in accordance with Clause 10(1) will be treated as insignificant changes. Insignificant changes include, but are not limited to; a change of flight time of less than 12 hours, change of airline, change of departure airport between London airports, change to the type of aircraft (if advised) or destination airport.

(3) Our holidays require a minimum number of passengers to enable us to operate them and we reserve the right to cancel any holiday where this

Call for full prices & departure dates

minimum number is not achieved by notifying you not less than 20 days prior to departure. Failure to achieve this minimum number does not, however, oblige us to cancel.

(4) If we have to significantly alter any of the main characteristics of your confirmed arrangements, we will provide you with the following information in writing as soon as possible: (i) the proposed alteration and any impact this has on the price; (ii) if you do not wish to accept the alteration, details of any substitute package we are able to offer (and any price reduction where this is of a lower quality or cost, or any price increase where this is of significantly higher quality or cost); (iii) your entitlement to cancel your booking and receive a full refund if you do not want to accept the alteration or any substitute package offered; and (iv) the period within which you must inform us of your decision and what will happen if you do not do so.

11) Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances We cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance of our obligations is prevented or affected, as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. This means a situation which is beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, epidemics, pandemics, fire, closure, restriction or congestion of airspace, airports and ports, an operating ban on the carrier due to perform your flight, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office advice and all other events outside our control.

12) Our liability to you 1) We are responsible for the proper performance of the travel services included in your contract. This means we, or our supplier(s) of services must perform those travel services with reasonable care and skill. You must inform us without undue delay of any lack of conformity to the contract which you perceive during your holiday.

2) If any of the travel services are not performed in accordance with the contract, you may be entitled to an appropriate price reduction or compensation or both. We will not be liable where any failure to perform or improper performance of the travel services is due to: (i) you or another member of your party; or (ii) a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel services in the holiday contract and is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or (iii) unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, which means a situation beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

3) Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of three times the cost of your travel arrangements.

4) Our liability (including liability for death, injury or illness) will also be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to: (a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services that make up your package. These terms are incorporated into this booking; and (b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which limit the amount of and conditions under which compensation can be claimed for death, injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage.

We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of the extent of or the conditions under which compensation is to be paid under these or any conventions.

5) Liability for incidents on any of the international sea cruises will be regulated by EC Regulation 392/2009 (hereinafter referred to as “The Regulation”) provided the carriage by sea satisfies the definition in the Protocol of 2002 to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974. A summary of the Regulation may be found at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/ HTML/?uri=URISERV:tr0018&from=EN. The Regulation limits the liability of the carrier in respect of passengers and their luggage in the event of accidents. In the event of death or personal injury, we would be limited to a maximum of 400,000 SDR or in the event of terrorism 250,000 SDR, if found liable. These damages can be reduced for any contributory negligence of the passenger. In the event of loss or damage to luggage we would be limited to a maximum of 2,250 SDR subject to a deductible of 149 SDR per person, if found liable. The provision of a safe in the cabin on the ship does not effect whether a charge is levied or not.

The daily conversion rates for Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) can be found on the International Monetary Fund website at www.imf.org .

6) Where your contract includes carriage on inland waterways the liability of the carrier to all passengers shall be determined in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims. The limit for claims involving death or personal injury is 175,000 SDR per passenger per carriage.

The Strasbourg Convention as amended applies to vessels navigating on waterways located in the territory of a state party which limits passenger claims involving death or personal injury to 60,000 SDR per person subject to a maximum of 6,000,000 SDR. (7) You can ask for copies of the travel service contractual terms, or the international conventions.

(8) Under EU Law (Regulation 261/2004) you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details will be publicised at EU airports and available from airlines. However, reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these booking conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline or any other service provider will be deducted.

(9) If it is impossible to ensure your return as scheduled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances, we will bear the cost of necessary accommodation, if possible, of equivalent category, for a maximum of three nights. The limit does not apply to persons with reduced mobility and any person accompanying them, pregnant women and unaccompanied minors, or persons in need of specific medical assistance, provided that you notified us of these needs at least 48 hours before the start of your holiday.

(10) This entire clause 12 does not apply to any separate contracts that you may enter into for excursions or activities whilst on holiday. We are not responsible for any services which do not form part of our holiday contract with you.

(11) Please note, the travel services we have agreed to provide or arrange as part of our contract will be subject to the laws and applicable standards of the country in which they are provided. This means that on occasions, you might find standards to be lower than those you are used to in the UK. 13) Complaints and problems All complaints and any problems must be reported whilst on holiday at the time you become aware of them and confirmed in writing. If you remain dissatisfied you must write to us within 28 days of your return to the UK with booking reference and full details of your complaint.

In respect of cruises which commence in the EU complaints pursuant to EU Regulation 1177/2010 must be sent to us as soon as possible. We will endeavor to respond within 28 days. If you are not happy with our final decision you can refer your complaint to the Cruise Line International

Association which is the voluntary complaints body authorised by the Department of Transport to deal with complaints at Passengerrights@ cruising.org.

14) Arbitration: ABTA We are a Member of ABTA, membership number V4744. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can not resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure.

Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com.

Disputes arising out of, or in connection with your booking which cannot be amicably settled may be referred to arbitration under a special independent scheme arranged by ABTA which provides for a simple arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the customer in respect of costs.

Full details will be provided on request or obtained from www.abta.com.

Your application for arbitration and other required documents must be received by ABTA within 18 months of your return from the holiday. For injury and illness claims, you can request the ABTA mediation procedure and we have the option to agree to this.

You can also access the European Commission Online Dispute (ODR) Resolution platform at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. This ODR platform is a means of registering your complaint with us; it will not determine how your complaint should be resolved.

15) Behaviour and damage You are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. Full payment for any such damage or loss must be made on demand as soon as possible.

If in our or in the reasonable opinion of any other person in authority, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party or damage to property, we shall be entitled to terminate your holiday and/or require you to leave the accommodation or other service. We will have no further responsibility to you. No refunds will be made. You must not solicit other persons for commercial purposes or advertise goods or services without our prior written permission.

16) Conditions of suppliers You are bound by the terms and conditions and conditions of carriage of our suppliers and independent contractors which we incorporate into these booking conditions which may limit or exclude liability to you.

17) Passports, visas and health requirements For guidance we have details on our website of general passport and visa requirements applicable to our holidays, together with details of any compulsory health requirements. It is, however, your responsibility to ensure you have and comply with passport and visa requirements, and you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions. We cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to comply with these requirements.

18) Foreign Office advice The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes regularly updated travel information on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice which we recommend you consult before booking and in good time before departure.

19) Flights In accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a “Community list” which contains details of air carriers who are subject to an operating ban within the EU. The Community list is available for inspection at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/ modes/air/safety/air-ban/search_en . We are required to advise you of the actual carrier(s) (or, if the actual carrier(s) is not known, the likely carrier(s)) that will operate your flight(s) at the time of booking. Where we are only able to inform you of the likely carrier(s) at the time of booking, we shall inform you of the identity of the actual carrier(s) as soon as we become aware of this. Any change to the operating carrier(s) after your booking has been confirmed will be notified to you as soon as possible. If the carrier becomes subject to an operating ban as above as a result of which we/ the carrier are unable to offer you a suitable alternative the provisions of clause 10 Changes and cancellation by us will apply. Such a ban would constitute unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. We are not always in a position at the time of booking to confirm the flight timings which will be used in connection with your flight. The flight timings shown in our brochure, website and/or on your confirmation invoice are for guidance only and are subject to alteration and confirmation. Flight timings are outside our control.

They are set by airlines and are subject to various factors including air traffic control restrictions, weather conditions and the ability of passengers to check in on time.

Specific instructions relating to departure and travel arrangements will be sent with your travel documents approximately 2 weeks before departure.

Please check your tickets very carefully to ensure you have the correct flight times. Flight times may be changed even after tickets have been despatched - we will contact you as soon as possible if this occurs. Any change in the identity of the carrier, flight timings, and/or aircraft type (if advised) will not entitle you to cancel or change to other arrangements.

20) Brochure / website / advertising material accuracy The information contained in our brochure, website and other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking.

21) Children For holidays other than cruises, we are unable to accommodate children under 9 years old at the date of departure. For cruises, the minimum age limit is 12 years old at the date of departure. We reserve the right to limit the number of children on any particular cruise. Any minor must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over. If the adult is not the minor’s parent, a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to sailing.

22) Health and safety You must attend all mandatory safety briefings and drills at the commencement of the holiday and any subsequent briefings or drills required during the holiday by any carrier or supplier.

You must at all times comply with rules and regulations and the orders and directions of carriers and our suppliers and warrant that your conduct will not impair the safety of others.

We, carriers, our suppliers and/or the relevant authorities are entitled to administer a public health questionnaire at any time. You must complete the questionnaire and supply accurate information regarding any symptoms of illness. We may deny boarding to any passenger who has symptoms of any illness. You must report illness or any symptoms of illness and you may be required to remain in your cabin or hotel room as required by the ship’s captain or the hotel manager. Refusal to comply with any of these procedures may result in your holiday being terminated. We have no liability to you in the event that we cancel or curtail your holiday for the reasons referred to in this clause.

In respect of cruises which commence in an EU Member State and where necessary in order to meet applicable international, European and national safety requirements and/or where the design or structure of the ship or port infrastructure and equipment, including port terminals, makes it impossible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of a passenger suffering from a disability of reduced mobility in a safe or operationally feasible manner, we and the carrier are entitled to refuse a booking from the person concerned. Passengers must be fully mobile to travel on any cruise.

We cannot provide individual assistance to any passenger for walking, embarking or disembarking or travelling on other forms of transportation.

In the event that you require assistance with embarking or disembarking from the ship at the first or last port as a result of your reduced mobility or disability, please advise us at the time of booking but in any event no later than 48 hours before the assistance is required. Some ships may not have elevators. You must check at the time of booking. Some excursions require a good level of physical fitness and do not have vehicles and/or there are restrictions re access. Regulation 1177/2010 may be viewed at http://eur-lex. europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32010R1177&from=EN and the DFT Guidance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ draft-guidance-notes-relating-to-regulation-eu-no-1177-2010.

The carrier, acting via the captain, reserves the right to refuse passage, disembark or confine to a cabin any passenger whose physical or mental condition or behaviour is considered in the sole opinion of the captain to constitute a risk to the passenger’s own well-being or that of any other passenger or crew member. The carrier and the captain reserve the right to disembark any passenger whose behaviour affects the comfort, enjoyment, safety or well-being of other passengers or of any crew.

During passage through locks or under low bridges or in the event of adverse weather conditions, it may be necessary to close the sundeck to passengers. Sundeck closures are rigidly enforced in the interests of safety.

Ships may be required to moor alongside one another in some ports. This may result in your view being blocked. It may also result in your having to cross other ships in order to go ashore.

While we take reasonable steps to minimise noise and vibrations on the cruise ships, you acknowledge and accept that some noise and vibration may be experienced on vessels and that we will not be liable to you in relation to such noise and vibration.

23) Food Allergies If you have any food allergies which may cause significant health issues, you must report this in writing at the time of booking or as soon as convenient.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you actively avoid any food you are allergic to and make all appropriate enquiries to establish the ingredients of any food. The supplier is not under any obligation to prepare or provide special meals.

24) Smoking Passengers must observe the non-smoking policy on board the ships, hotels and other transport provided. If smoke is detected in any accommodation, a cleaning fee of £165.00 per occurrence will be billed to the passenger’s account. Smoking restrictions include e-cigarette smoking. If there is violation of the non-smoking policy, then passengers may be disembarked from the ship or asked to leave the hotel without refund.

25) Indemnity You must indemnify us and the carrier for all penalties, fines, charges, losses or expenses incurred or imposed upon us, the carrier or our suppliers by virtue of an act or violation of law by you and or any breach of these terms and conditions or any carrier’s or suppliers terms and conditions of conditions of carriage.

26) Pregnancy The river cruise ships, yachts and Star Clipper ships do not have doctors or facilities to deliver babies or provide-natal treatment. We recommend that women who are less than 12 weeks pregnant seek medical advice prior to travel.

For safety reasons women past their 24th week of pregnancy at any stage of the cruise cannot be carried on board. Airlines also have restrictions.

Pregnant women are required to produce a fitness to travel certificate based on the proposed holiday itinerary and transport provider’s requirements. The carrier expressly reserves the right to refuse passage to board to any passenger who appears to be in an advanced state of pregnancy and the carrier shall have no liability whatsoever in respect of either such refusal and/or the carriage.

27) Medical facilities/treatment on board and ashore There are no doctors on board any of the river cruise ships, yachts and Star Clipper ships in our programme. Should you require medical attention during your holiday then local medical services can be contacted for emergency treatment. The cost of such treatment is your sole responsibility. We are not be liable for any aspect of medical treatment provided to you ashore or in resort.

If you have any medical condition which may need treatment during a cruise, this must be disclosed at the time of booking in order for a risk assessment to be undertaken as to whether you can be safely carried. You may be asked to provide medical evidence for this purpose. Carriage is dependent on the nature and extent of the medical condition, the itinerary and length of cruise.

In relation to other holidays please notify us in writing of any medical or reduced mobility needs at the resort or on transport provided by us. This includes adapted hotel rooms and assistance at airports.

In relation to your own medical equipment, there are limited storage facilities on board ships and in hotels. You must check prior to booking if the equipment is allowed on board aircraft, ships or hotels. Scooters cannot be carried on board ships due to space limitations and reasons of safety.

28) Disability/wheelchairs and service animals During our holidays, we visit many historical sites and often enjoy walking tours of various places of interest. Some holidays, therefore, may not be suitable for clients of impaired mobility. Before you make your booking, we will advise you as to whether the proposed holiday arrangements are generally suitable for someone with reduced mobility. However, reduced mobility of course means different things to different individuals as we fully appreciate that individual capabilities, restrictions and requirements are likely to vary considerably. When we refer to reduced mobility, this means any material reduction in mobility whether this is permanent or temporary and whether caused by age or by physical or mental disability or impairment or other cause of disability.

Our priority is always the comfort and safety of passengers as well as complying with the strict legal requirements relating to safety of life at sea and inland waterways. In order to achieve these objectives, passengers with reduced mobility or disability or who need assistance dogs should at the time of booking provide as much detail as possible of the matters set out on our website at www.rivieratravel.co.uk/reducedmobilityinformation.

Passengers may be required to be accompanied or may be refused carriage. You warrant that you have considered the information to passengers for reduced mobility and disabilities and that you have made all relevant notifications to us.

Please be aware that there are no wheelchair accessible cabins on any of the river cruise ships, yachts and Star Clipper ships used on our cruises.

Disabled rooms in hotels are limited in number and so must be pre-booked and subject to availability.

29) Assistance whilst away In the event you end up in difficulty (of any sort) during your holiday, we will provide you with appropriate assistance as soon as reasonably possible including by the provision of appropriate information on health services, local authorities and consular assistance and by assisting you to make distance communications and to find alternative travel arrangements as may be applicable. Where you are in difficulty as a result of your negligence, we may charge you a reasonable fee for this assistance which will not exceed the costs we actually incur.

30) Security Weapons, ammunition, explosives, substances that are hazardous, disabling, or illegal, or any other article that in the sole opinion of the captain may be considered dangerous, are strictly prohibited aboard the ship or carried on any form of transport or hotels.

You consent to a reasonable search being made of your person, property, cabin, hotel room and to the removal and confiscation or destruction of any object which may, in our opinion or that of any carrier or supplier will impair the safety of others or of property or be illegal or inconvenience others.

31) Data Protection We are a data controller for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), tailored by the Data Protection Act 2018 (data protection laws). Personal data will be collected, processed, stored and used securely and in accordance with our privacy policy and data protection laws. Please see our data protection privacy policy on our website.

32) Law and Jurisdiction Save as provided by law and subject to the provisions of the Regulation all claims must be brought in the English courts which shall have exclusive jurisdiction and shall be subject to English law.

Comprehensive UK Holiday Insurance from only £12.16 Travel insurance is a vital aspect of booking any holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise spoil your holiday. To assist you with this, we have arranged competitive travel insurance from Travel & General Insurance Services Limited to specifically meet your needs on a Riviera Travel holiday. It is a condition of booking that you purchase travel insurance that properly covers you for the holiday you are taking.

Travel insurance is provided by Riviera Travel as an appointed representative of Travel & General Insurance Services Limited who are authorised and regulated by the FCA and details can be found on their website www.fca.org.uk.

18-65 66-69 70-74 75-79 80+

Europe

Up to 5 days 6-8 days 9-15 days 5 days £24.35 £35.62 £41.78 £12.16 £41.33 £47.97 £54.45 £17.23 £42.38 £54.73 £67.48 £20.28 £65.27 £78.26 £92.51 £20.28 £79.10 £103.90 £130.47 £20.28 All premiums include insurance Premium Tax at 20%

A policy booklet is provided which contains all of the terms and conditions and must be read carefully to ensure that it meets your requirements. You may return the policy and the proof of purchase for any reason within 14 days of purchase to receive a full refund provided that you have not travelled or made a claim.

If you have any queries regarding the insurance you can contact Travel & General Insurance Company on 0845 345 3456.

It is a condition of booking that everyone travelling with us is adequately covered, so if you do not takeout our insurance please state the name and number of your policy at the time of booking.

Our Insurance Premiums (per person) Age on date of travel

It is a condition of the policy that you must declare all pre-existing medical conditions for yourself and anyone else named as an insured on the policy, your immediate family and any travelling companions to Healthcheck on 0203 829 6637 to ensure that you have the appropriate cover.

UK

7 days £15.21 £22.30 £29.41 £29.41 £29.41

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1SP Tel: 01283 742300 Email: www.rivieratravel.co.uk

ABTA No. V4744

Discover so much more At Riviera Travel, we bring the heartbeat of our destinations closer.

Where can we take you?

Visit rivieratravel.co.uk/brochures to request a free brochure.

European River Cruises British Isles Collection European Escorted Tours Worldwide Escorted Tours The Adriatic Coast by Yacht Solo Traveller Collection Walk & Discover River Cruising in Russia The Royal Clipper

To see our entire range of holidays visit rivieratravel.co.uk or call 01283 248 292 and request a brochure.

Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1SP Prices and availability correct at time of print. All rights reserved. Published July 2021.

Code UK2122

ABTA No. V4744