2008 September
21 Sun Leave Canada
Transfer from your Kingston-area home for the evening departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport on Zoom Airlines overnight flight to Manchester. Full meal service on board.
22 Mon Arrive Lake District
Morning arrival at Manchester Airport where you will meet your escort and coach driver. From the airport drive north into the lake district to arrive at the Leeming House Hotel overlooking Ullswater, one the most picturesque in the English Lake District. Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. (D)
23 Tue; 24 Wed; 25 Thu - The Lake District
The Lake District, set like a jewel among the Cumbrian Mountains, boats 16 lakes , the largest almost 11 miles long and peaks over 3,000 ft including Scafell Pike, the highest in England. Ullswater , where Wordsworth wrote about daffodils, is close to the home of John Peel, a local huntsman, who gave his name to the popular song. During these three days of exploration enjoy a visit to Hilltop - home of Beatrix Potter (and Peter Rabbit!); Rydal Mount & gardens - Wordsworth's best loved home for 37 years. It was here that he wrote many of his poems. Or a wonderfully woolly experience as we bring you face-to-face with 19 different breeds of live sheep at the Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre; and maybe take a look at the world's oldest pencil factory plus ride on an historic lake steamer.. We'll also visit a local market, try some beer and stroll through a quaint village or two. (BD each day)
26 Fri Lake District Hawes Ripon York
Spend most of the day exploring Wensleydale, home of the famous cheese, and jewel of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Miles of dry-stone walls, many of them centuries old, mark the landscape. Sedbergh boasts a church and private school dating back to the 1500s; and if time permits, we'll visit the rope-works at Hawes. See Bolton Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned; Middleham was owned by Richared III in 1471, now the market square is surrounded by Georgian House. Finally Ripon (where the official time-keeper blows a horn each evening at 9.00pm) before arriving in York at the Novotel to stay 5 nights. (BLD)
27 Sat; 28 Sun; 29 Mon; 30 Tue York
York's history is written its streets; four medieval gates lead in through the three miles of walls which surround the city. The river Ouse flows through the city; narrow streets link crooked squares and the Shambles has old timber-framed houses leaning in toward each other. We'll spend one day exploring the city - the Minster, England's largest medieval church, the museum with its re-creation of the city in Tudor and other times and the incredible Viking Centre. 2000 years of history in a small city.
Another day hear how the Benedictine monks came to Fountains Abbey in 1132 and built one of the most beautiful of England's Abbeys. Prospering from the wool trade in 1540 theirs was one of the first foundations to be sold by Henry VIII. We explore the southern Dales including picturesque Kettlewell (where the film Calender Girls was made). The day ends, if time permits, with a look at Harrogate, a Victorian spa, built around a 200 acre park called the Stray.
The Yorkshire Dales are home to the world's most famous vet, James Herriott; the the Hogwarts Railway station from the Harry Potter movies; to Rievaulx Abbey a dream in stone, built in 1131; to Sutton Bank where the Yorkshire Gliding Club takes off; the Mouseman furniture makers who made much of oak fittings in York Minster; and to unspoilt market town of Helmsley, complete with four former coaching inns and a dazzling half timbered rectory.
One day will be free so that you can explore on your own. Or for those who like a mystery we'll go exploring...... (B daily: 1 D)
2008 October
01 Wed York - Chester
Southwards this morning to Chatsworth, one of Britain's best loved historic houses and home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is set in the magnificent landscape of the Peak District National Park. After a brief visit continue through the rugged beauty of the Park to Buxton for a look at the Crescent built in 1780 - a revolutionary new type of building and the forerunner of the hotel as we know it today - an idea brought to Britain from the continent to serve the ever-increasing numbers 'taking the waters' at Buxton Spa. Lunch en route. Continue into the “Potteries” where nothing set sky-line apart more than the weird bottle shaped brick buildings -i n the heyday there were up to 4,000 bottle kilns. The Clean Air Act sounded the death-knell for the smoky, coal fired oven. There are 46 still standing today - most are listed buildings. Here we'll visit one of the most famous companies - Royal Doulton. In the late afternoon continue to Chester and the New Blossoms Hotel to stay 2 nights. (BLD)
02 Thu Chester
This morning explore the city including a visit to the Cathedral There has been a church on this site for over 1,000 years, originally a Saxon Minster, then rebuilt as a Benedictine Abbey, then the Cathedral since 1541. Its medieval monastic complex includes intricately carved Quire stalls which are almost 800 years old. The historic Rows are two-tier shopping galleries dating from the Middle Ages that give the City its distinctive and unrivalled image -and gave everyone a grandstand view of the Chester's many parades and processions. The distinct and unique black and white timber framed Rows - a two tiered shopping arcade - is the medieval version of today's shopping mall. Behind the historic façade, look for such gems such as 'Corks Out at Quellyn Roberts', a family run wine merchant located in a 13th century cellar.
The afternoon at leisure. This evening a farewell dinner party. (BD)
03 Fri Homeward Bound
During the day transfer to the airport for the return flight to Toronto where you will be transferred to your Kingston area home. (B)
Tour Costs include:
- Air Travel - Toronto Manchester Toronto by Zoom Airlines.
- Accommodation - Ullswater - 4 nts; York - 5 nts; Chester - 2nts.
- Meals -11 full breakfasts; 2 lunches 8 table d'hote dinners including one with wine
- Escort: a Canadian tour escort will travel with the group in England
- Ground transportation - by private, deluxe touring coach plus boat rides, visits and other sightseeing features
- Entrance fees to selected places of interest
- Local taxes - on all ground transportation, accommodation and meals.
- Tips are included to hotel porters for the handling of one bag per person; to waitresses and waiters for included meals and to coach drivers and local guides
Tour Costs do not include
Passport and visa fees; travel insurance; flights except as specified; personal items (laundry, bar bills etc); meals except as specified. Any other item not specified above or in the itinerary
| Pricing per person in Canadian dollars from Kingston |
In a twin |
In a single |
Basic Tour September 21 to October 3
Minimum 14 passengers |
CA$3995 |
CA$4745 |
| Group size - maximum 26 passengers |
| Rates quoted are based on tariffs and rates of exchange in effect at January 11 2008 |
| Prices quoted to not include airport/airline taxes which are estimated at CA$340.00 |
Deposits and Final Payments
Deposits: at time of booking CA$750 per person + insurance premium if applicable
Final Payment: invoices will be issued July 04 for payment by July 18 2008
Payments may be made by personal cheque, Visa or MasterCard.
Cancellation Charges:
Once a deposit has been paid the following scale of cancellation charges will apply: (Note that insurance premiums, once paid, are non-refundable)
Until July 18 2008 Deposits paid
From July 19 to August 15 2008 40% of final invoice
August 16 to September 14 2008 60% of final invoice
September 15 2008 or later 100% of final invoice.
