York - The City and It's Shire York
Tour H908YK 5 Days
Sunday, 2nd August - Thursday, 6th August 2009
Departure Times: see column 'B' Tour Details
£455.00 Per Person (PLUS £70.00 Single Supplement)
4 Nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in the AA
and English Tourist Board*** Best Western Monkbar Hotel
(www.monkbarhotel.co.uk)
York, recently voted European Tourism City of the Year, needs no introduction to most of us in this country. We've always known it's one of the jewels in our crown! Whether we marvel at it's imposing city walls, exquisite Minster, medieval streets and building (the wonderfully nemed "Shambles" is often called the most historic shopping street in Europe), the river, railway musem or just the modern hum and bustle of the place, we either rekindle or discover a deep love for this wonderful city.
The Best Western Monkbar Hotel is new to Sovereign and a destination we're really proud to offer you in 2009. It's situated just outside the city walls, so we just have to cross a road to gain access to all the city offers. You'll enjoy the hotel itself, too. One of our staff has stayed there and he sent back impressive reports about the quality of the accommodation, food and service. We think you'll agree.
York Minster
Itinerary
Monday, 3rd August. Do you like old trains? Or whaling ships? If you do, you're in for a treat today. But, even if you don't, we think you'll just love the scenery! Because today we'll take our coach to Pickering, where Monday is market day, and head for the station. Here we'll board the heritage train (fare included) belonging to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for a trip through some stunningly pretty scenery (this is, after all, 'Heartbeat' country) to the terminus at Whitby, where yet more delights await us. Once the main whaling port of northern England, Whitby retains it's charming and bustling harbour. Perhaps the ghosts of two of it's famous sons, Captain James Cook and the pioneer photographer Frank Medow Sutcliffe still pace it's quays. Be that as it may, the churchyard of St Mary's Church inspired Bram Stoker's "Dracula" and the ruins of the ghostly St Hilda's Abbey still dominate the skyline of this uniquely atmospheric town. We'll drive back, through more lovely scenery, via Scarborough.
Tuesday, 4th August. Yesterday was for the Moors, and today is our foray into the eastern Yorkshire Dales. The Dales, by the way, are a huge national park of some 680 square miles. We'll concentrate on the the towns of Harrogate and Ripon and the countryside in-between. Harrogate, a large, elegant and affluent spa town is a most attractive place to visit and perhaps stroll through the gardens or along the shopping streets. Ripon, too, a cathedral city and the setting Fountains Abbey, rewards those who linger long enough to soak up the atmosphere. This is Yorkshire at it's best!
Wednesday, 5th August. Free day in York. Stroll, look listen: feast your eyes, sample the hostelries, talk to the locals, perhaps. Remember, there's nowt so queer as folk! In addition to the attraction mentioned above, you might consider the Jorvik Viking Centre or the York Dungeons. One thing's for sure: you won't get bored!
Our Coach Holidays - Big Tours, Smaller Groups, The Sovereign Difference
As well as an extensive coach day excursion programme, Sovereign Coaches offers a selection of UK holidays and breaks throughout the year. All our hotels are chosen for their quality, charm and comfort. We aim to please and try to cater for all your needs whether you desire a short weekend break or a longer stay. All our hotels have en-suite facilities and are chosen for their high standard and quality of food.
Autumn In The Lakes & Fells Newby Bridge, Cumbria
Tour H909LD 5 Days
Sunday, 13th September - Thursday 17th September 2009
Departure Times: see column 'B' Tour Details
£420.00 Per Person (PLUS £70.00 Single Supplement)
4 nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in the AA and English Tourist Board*** Whitewater Hotel and Leisure Club, Newby Bridge (www.whitewater-hotel.co.uk)
Newby Bridge is a pleasant little settlement in the southern Lakes, best known today as the terminus of the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. The Lakes, of course, are one of England's most wonderful touring areas, and they never look better than in September, wearing their early autumn clothes after the crowds have gone. Like Coleridge, Wordsworth, Wainwright and Betrix Potter, everyone today still adores the Lakes! If you've been before, you'll know why. If you haven't you'll instantly understand what you've been missing.
The Whitewater Hotel and Leisure Club is an old favourite with our customers. Nestling on the banks of the River Leven, this tastefully developed old mill offers every modern comfort and more. Food and service never fail to impress. Oh yes, and you'll be members of 'Cascades', the hotel's own health and fitness club while you're there. We can't list all the facilities offered, but we promise you'll be impressed. By the way, the first ten double and twin-bedded rooms booked on this holiday will have riverside views. We can't offer riverside views for single rooms, but these rooms, too, offer everthing else which goes with this splendid hotel.
Cartmel
Itinerary
Sunday, 13th September. You'll be welcomed at the hotel with complimentary afternoon drinks.
Monday, 14th September. Our excursion today heads first for the lovely Cumbrian village of Cartmel. We'll have time to stroll around the village, buy lunch and admire the exquisite Priory. Just like the church on Colyton, this one has a lantern tower. But this is a lantern tower with a difference. You'll just have to go there to find out why! Next, we'll visit the beautiful Sizergh Castle and Garden before heading back to the hotel for a relaxing evening or even something more strenuous in the health club...
Tuesday, 15th September. We have a scenic gem of a tour today. We'll skirt the eastern side of Lake Windermere, before making for Keswick for lunch. Our route will give us some stunning views, including the mysterious mountain of Helvellyn, England's highest. But it's our return journey which will take the breath away. We'll pause at the top of the Kirkstone Pass and marvel at the views in all directions, take the air and if we feel so inclined, pop into England's highest inn for afternoon refreshments (not included).
Wednesday 16th September. A gentler day today, but no less scenic and with another treat included. We're going to take you for a boat trip on beautiful Lake Coniston. Indeed, we've chartered the boat for our exclusive use and we're promised an interesting commentary. For instance, we'll see the spot where Donald Campbell died in his ill-fated 'Bludbird' during his final assault on the speed record. For those who love old railways, we'll organise an optional ride on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway (not included) later in the afternoon, after visiting Coniston village for lunch.
Cornwall - "Mistletoe and Wine" St Agnes
Tour H912SA 4 Days
Friday, 4th December - Monday, 7th December 2009
Departure Times: see column 'A' Tour Details
£245.00 Per Person (PLUS £30.00 Single Supplement)
3 nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in the AA*** Rosemundy House Hotel (www.rosemundy.co.uk)
St Agnes is a charming village with a fascinating history. A stone's throw from it's beautiful natural harbour on Cornwall's Atlantic coast, it's set in great walking territory for those who can manage it's challenging hills! Even if you don't find walking easy, there's absolutely nothing in this itinerary to prevent your having a wonderful time.
The Rosemundy House Hotel also has some interesting stories to tell about it's past. It's an elegant 18th century building with a welcoming 'country house' atmosphere, a family feel and, according to one of our drivers, the best scrambled eggs for breakfast this side of the Atlantic! As befits a hotel of this pedigree, bedrooms vary in size, but they all have everything anyone could want. There isn't a lift, but we can request ground floor rooms if you ask us; and there are, in any case, no rooms higher than the first floor. Note that festive events in this hotel have strong reputation within our industry.
St Agnes
Itinerary
Friday, 4th December. We'll drive to St Agnes via the Tamar Bridge, arriving in time to settle in and relax before dinner in the quaintly named Tom Noggi restaurant. Do join us for a welcome drink in the bar beforehand. Tonight we have a treat. A local historian, a really talented speaker, will give his terrific slide show and talk on the history of St Agnes. Watch out for the harbour scenes and listen out for the yarn of the wooden figurehead.
Saturday, 5th December. Merry Christmas (well, nearly)! We'll drive to the cliffs of Pentire, overlooking the world-famous Fistral Beach. If we wish, we can take the air for a while on the cliffs, before setting off for a spectacular coastal drive to Padstow. Let's just say we'll be glad someone else is doing the driving on this section: we only have to sit back and enjoy the views. In Padstow, we'll be set down near Rick Stein's chippy, but we can, of course, choose where to eat.
After lunch we'll come back to St Agnes, allowing time to visit the delights of Presingoll Barns as we enter the village. Tonight, Santa will join us in the bar before dinner. If you have been good, he may even give you a little something. Then we'll enjoy our traditional Christmas dinner, followed by a fancy hat competition (do bring one if you feel inspired!) and a singer to round the evening off.
Sunday, 6th December. We'll have a gentler day today. We'll go to the famous artists' village of St Ives for lunch (note it costs a few pence on the local minibus between the coach park and the village centre) and then on to Marazion, with it's amazing views of St Michael's Mount. After dinner tonight, there will be a quiz and mince pies.
Monday, 7th December. Back home today. We'll catch vistas of Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor, with plenty of other views to remind us why so many peope love this area...