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Wales & Northern England May 4-17, 2008
If you love scenery, and legends, and marvellous medieval settings and buildings you’ll want to join us on this special journey. And - if you happen to be a fan of the long running Heartbeat series, we’ll just take you to ‘Aidensfield’ where you can see Bernie Scrips Garage as well as the General Store, the Post Office and the pub from where everything seems to originate.
 Conway Castle, Wales
The Welsh people are the true and original Britons and they are proud of it. Come with us and discover Yns Mon - or Anglesey to the non welsh where the ancient druids held court and where the Romans invaded. See Conwy Castle, Caernarfon Castle, drive the hills and dales of North Wales discover a world unto itself - a Celtic Kingdom that is unlike any other. Two stays in two marvellous hotels during our Welsh odyssey.
The great and historic city of York will be our home for three nights while we discover the Yorkshire Moors - and Aidensfield. We also have time to walk the walls of this ancient city where Constantine was proclaimed Emperor of Rome. York Minster is arguably the finest cathedral in England while the medieval streets of the Shambles still hold the echoes of their ancient past. Chester too is one of our stops. This walled Border Town is a medieval marvel.
 The Shambles, York
The Peak District is one of the hidden gems of Britain. From our base in the oldest hotel in England (where Mary Queen of Scots stayed during her imprisonment at the hands of Elizabeth I) you will visit historic Chatsworth House and Gardens, home of The Dukes of Devonshire, the Plague Village of Eyam where the people voted not to run once the plague had reached their village because they knew they would just spred the disease. See the names of the courageous victims on the houses where they lived - and died. And in the Peaks you will come across some of the most English of English Villages.
And if you don’t want to stay too rooted in the past, how about a visit to Liverpool that great City famous for the Beatles, Liverpool Football Club and much more.
It’s a gem. Don’t miss it.
Wales & Northern England Itinerary May 4-17
* Arrive and depart from Manchester Airport
* Three nights York Hilton
* Three nights Old Hall Hotel, Buxton (oldest hotel in England)
* Two nights Tre-Ysgowen Hall, Anglesey, Wales
* Two nights Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Lake Vyrnway, Wales,
* Two nights Chester
* Last night at Hilton, Manchester Airport
Price: $4,995 per person sharing. Single supplement, $1,225
Tour only. Air and Insurance not included.
May 3 - Early night - Manchester Airport - Thos of you who decided to arrive a day early can put your feet up and relax waiting for the big start.
May 4 - Leaving Manchester Airport we had East across the country circling Manchester, past Huddersfield, Halifax, Bradford and Leeds, part of the great Industrial heartland of England, then suddenly we break into the clear and head for Harrogate for lunch. A wonderfully created spa town, Harrogate was built in 1842 for people to come and ‘take the waters’. It is a beautifully designed town and a great place to stop before we continue into the Walled City of York where Constantine was declared Emperor of Rome. (York Hilton Hotel)
May 5 - Today we head into the wilds of Yorkshire to discover this fascinating landscape. we will also discover the mythical Aidensfield which features so prominently on the 17 year old TV series “Heartbeat”. Actually the village of Goathland, you will also see the General Store, Bernie Scripp’s garage and the old train station - which is also the train station for Hogwarts in the “Harry Potter” series. We’ll lunch in the historic and charming fishing village of Whitby (if you lick Fish & Chips, this is the place) before heading back to York. (York Hilton Hotel)
May 6 - Yorkminster, The Walls, the Shambles, Jorvik the Viking Centre - so much to see in the city and this is a day to explore it at your leisure. Easily walked, the medieval centre is famed around the world. Great shops and restaurants, and such a wonderful history. Tonight you can choose your dining experience from any number of locations from 14th century inns to some of the most modern of restaurants. (York Hilton Hotel)
May 7 - Time to head south to the Cathedral City of Lincoln and the famous Lincoln “Imp”. A great spot for lunch and time to wander the cathedral before we turn west and journey from the Fells into Sherwood Forest with time to visit Robin Hood’s Mighty Oak. Provided we aren’t waylaid by Robin’s Merry Men, we will continue into the Peak District, one of the hidden gems of England. Wonderful rolling English countryside and achingly beautiful villages. Our home for the next three nights is England’s oldest hotel, The Old Hall in Buxton. Mary, Queen of Scots was kept here during her imprisonment at the hands of Elizabeth ist. (Old Hall Hotel)
May 8 - We explore the Peaks including visits to Chatsworth House one of England’s great manor homes, then Bakewell, the home of Bakewell Tarts - as well as a huge Farmer’s Market. We will also wander the streets of Eyam, a Plague Village where the villagers decided to stay and die rather than spread the terrible disease. Today, small plaques mark the names of the various families who stayed in their homes and passed away because of a marvelous act of courage. And of course we are surrounded by the beauty of the landscape. (Old Hall Hotel)
May 9 - After a visit and drive through Monsal Head (a photograhers delight), we’ll return to Buxton for some free time among the shops, the gardens and the Crescent. You can also use the public tap to sample Buxton Water which has been flowing since before the Romans who encamped here. (Old Hall Hotel)
May 10 - After a brief stop at Ashford-in-the-water (where you will all want to stay), we head west into Wales, This proud, stubborn little country where the last of the original Britons still live and still speak their own language. We will be making a visit at the mighty Conwy Castle before continuing to Ynys Mon (or Anglesey) and our Country House Hotel on this sacred Isle of the Druids. (Tre-Ysgawen Hall)
May 11 - We explore North Wales with a visit to Caernarfon and the castle where the Prince of Wales receives his investiture and where you are sure to hear the Welsh language being spoken in the shops and on the street. We continue to Porthmadog and then to Portmerrion, the home of the famous pottery and also a bizarre village used in the filming of the 1960s British series, ‘The Prisoner’ . Later we return to our island home through the Vale of Snowdonia. (Tre-Ysgawen Hall)
May 12 - This morning we drive to Llangollen (we’ll tell you how to pronounce it later) where the annual Eistedfodd is held. This is a gathering of the top Welsh poets, singers, choirs and writers gather and compete each year. It is also a place of particular beauty. Later it’s over to Bala and into the wilds of central wales to our wonderful hotel on Lake Vyrnwy, a lake of ancient story and legends. (Lake Vyrnwy Hotel)
May 13 - The scenery of mid Wales is all about us today as we head to Dolgellau and then up to the magnificent setting of Harlech Castle (remember the stirring Men of Harlech?). We discover many of the towns and villages surrounded by legends and stories dating back to the times of King Arthur. Even without the legends this is a land that fought the English for centuries to retain their rights and language. Then it’s back to our lake side hotel. (Lake Vyrnwy Hotel)
May 14 - Our last drive in Wales takes us through the striking countryside to Welshpool and then Shrewsbury which was once capital of the Welsh province of Powys, but is tody in England. A fascinating little city with medieval ‘shuts’ and streets. Shewsbury was also the setting for many of Ellis Peters Brother Cadfael mysteries about the medieval monk who was a most delightful detective. After lunch it’s up the road to the walled medieval wonder of Chester, a border town between Wales & England and a former Roman Town. (Crowne Plaza Hotel)
May 15 - A free day to explore this great little city. Walk the walls, enjoy the medieval streets, the Cathedral, museums and the Roman Ruins that dot the town. This is one of those English towns that were designed to be walked, to be savored and enjoyed.
You can also have take advantages of the great restaurants in the towne on your own for dinner tonight. (Crowne Plaza Hotel)
May 16 - From medieval majesty and beauty spots of England to the Beatles. Liverpool, that great thriving city and home to the Fab Four is our destination today. We’ll have a drive through, show you some ot the sights and then later head over to the airport and our last night together. (Hilton, Manchester Airport)
Price: $4,995 per person sharing. Single supplement, $1,225. Tour only. Air and insurance not included. Please read our fine print web page for all details.
Your Wales & Northern England Hotels, 2008
HILTON MANCHESTER AIRPORT HOTEL - A perfect place to rest up after than long flight. Only a five minute shuttle ride fom the terminal to this four star hotel and then.... relaxation. The hotel has a number of bars and restaurants as well as a fitness centre where you can work out all the kinks. Rooms are very quiet and comfortable. There is a personal safe in each room. www.hilton.co.uk/manchesterairport
YORK HILTON HOTEL - YORK - The only four star hotel in the heart of the walled city of York, yet located ‘around the corner’ so you can avoid the noise and bustle of the city but still can walk into the heart in minutes. You are only one block from the famous Jorvik Viking Centre where archeologists discovered Viking York beneath the sidewalks of the city and you are only two blocks from The Shambles one of Europe’s most authentic Medieval streets. Just a bit further away is the imposing Yorkminster. The perfect hotel for our York stay. www.hilton.co.uk/york
OLD HALL HOTEL - BUXTON - This is the oldest hotel in England. In fact, during the 16th century it housed Mary, Queen of Scots while she was being held captive by Elisabeth I and in 1727 Danie Defoe, the creator of Robinson Crusoe (and an English Spy) was also a guest. An ideal little hotel in the heart of the perfect little peak town of Buxton. Across the street is a wonderful park and garden, less than 50 metres is the old Opera House, just behind the hotel is the marvellous Georgian building, ‘The Crescent’ and beside the hotel is the public tap for the famous Buxton Waters which was here long before the Romans settled the area. www.oldhallhotelbuxton.co.uk
TRE-YSGOWEN HALL HOTEL - ANGLESEY, WALES - Built in 1882 as a Grand Country House, Tre-Ysgawen has been a hotel since 2002 and has already garnered a number of awards for the hotel and the dining. With only 27 rooms, this is a very exclusive hotel. Located on its own grounds you will be delighted with the accommodation, the leisure facilities, the ambience - in fact - all of this very special place. www.treysgawen-hall.co.uk
LAKE VYRNWY HOTEL - MID WALES - This is one of Wale’s Premier Country House Hotels. Only 52 rooms, the hotel is located in the mountains, high above Lake Vyrnwy. The setting is superb as is the hotel and the dining. This is a place were people come to relax and to drink in the atmosphere of Wales both past and present. We were delighted to find such a gem in such a perfect setting. www.lakevyrnwyhotel.com
CROWNE PLAZE HOTEL - CHESTER - The Crowne Plaza name speaks for the quality of this four star hotel in the heart of the walled city of Chester. An excellent hotel located just inside the walls and yet near to all the major sites of this remarkable city. You can walk the two miles of walls, disover the largest Roman ampitheatre discovered in Britain, wander the medieval streets and shop in the oldest covered mall in England, dating back to the medieval period. All the facilities and extras you would expect in a crowne plaza. Just enjoy. www.crowneplaza.com
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