Sovereign's Solent Summer
Tour code: 1206SS 4 Days
Monday 25th June – Thursday 28th June 2012 Departure Times: D
Price: £290.00 Per Person (£8 per night Single Supplement)
Sea View rooms available at an extra charge
3 nights' dinner, bed and breakfast. 3 star AA RoyalBeach Hotel, Southsea.
www.royalbeachhotel.co.uk
This holiday has a fabulous setting almost on our doorstep. The Solent, that narrow stretch of water separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland, is the hub of two worlds: spectacular, upbeat Southsea and the Island, retaining the charm of Victorian days long gone elsewhere. We explore both.
Our hotel, a splendid Victorian townhouse, is the ideal base. Even its name sets up our Royal theme. With an effortless blend of period elegance and home comforts, combined with an enviable position and excellent cuisine, this hotel ticks all the boxes.
Cross the road and gaze at the Island. Southsea Castle's half a mile away. Henry VIII stood here aghast as he watched the "Mary Rose" founder. Palmerston planned the three forts we'll see in the middle of the Solent. Young Charles Dickens walked here ; so did Peter Sellers and Isombard Kingdom Brunel. All three were born in Portsmouth, of which Southsea is a district. There's a constant panorama of shipping to excite our interest. The D Day museum's nearby. It's impossible to be bored.
Monday 25th June We'll take a tour around Portsmouth as we arrive, so everyone knows the lie of the land: we'll pass all the stops on Thursday morning's agenda, and one or two others, before we check in and relax for our first evening.
Tuesday 26th June We'll take a short ferry ride to the Island. We'll land at Fishbourne, just as the Romans did, before they christened the Island "Vectis." We'll drive to Prince Albert's perfect Italianate design for his beloved Queen Victoria, the renowned Osborne House. We now have a tough choice: spend the day here (entrance not included) or remain on the coach for a fascinating tour of the Island?
Wednesday 27th June More choices today. There's easily enough to occupy us in Portsmouth for the day if we choose to do our own thing, whether our thing is shopping, history, strolling or just relaxing. Our knowledgeable driver will have plenty of suggestions (but see tomorrow's itinerary). Alternatively, we can go on an excursion (included) to Arundel. The town's website accurately describes Arundel as "quirky, fun, cosmopolitan". Its most famous buildings are, of course, the castle and cathedral.
Thursday 28th June We'll finish as we began, with choices. We'll call at Old Portsmouth (cathedral, historic fortifications, stunning
views), Gunwharf Quays (shopping, Spinnaker Tower) and the Historic Dockyard ("Victory,"" Mary Rose," "Warrior", museums). We decide where to get off and spend some time. At the end of the morning, our coach will collect us and take us for a late lunch on the way home. We'll be tired, perhaps, but with treasured memories. Oh yes, and unlike Victoria, we shall have been amused...
Cornwall
Pirates, Pasties & Postcards
Tour Code: 1107FC 4 DAYS
Monday 18th July 2011 to Thursday 21st July 2011 Departure times: D
Price: £340.00 Per Person (Single Supplement £30.00)
Sea View £12.75 per person per night or Sea View & Balcony £16.00 per person per night
3 nights dinner, bed and breakfast, 3 STAR Best Western Falmouth Beach Hotel, Falmouth
www.bw‐falmouthbeachhotel.co.uk
If ever a place was shaped by the sea, Falmouth is it. The town largely sprang up in the seventeenth century , the obvious natural harbour to guard the Western Approaches, a role it fulfils to this day, particularly for round‐the world sailors like Ellen Macarthur. The docks and the railway date from the 19th century when the bitter‐sweet news (victory, but at the cost of Nelson’s life) arrived from Trafalgar. The amazing raid on St Nazaire left from Falmouth during the Second World War. And in 2011, Sovereign Coaches will be arriving!
Falmouth today remains a busy port town in a busy harbour, a place of beautiful beaches and bustling commerce. But it’s also a great holiday destination. Its attractions include Pendennis Castle, the National Maritime Museum, beautiful gardens, high quality art galleries and even a five screen cinema, three screens of which actually enjoy waiter
service!
We are proud to introduce the Falmouth Beach Hotel. Its location, opposite the famous Gyllingvase Beach, must be among the most favoured in Cornwall. Many of the
well‐equipped en suite rooms, some with balconies, have spectacular sea views. Entertainment is provided during the week, and there’s an impressive range of facilities, including an indoor heated pool. This is Cornwall’s perfect base!
Monday 18th July 2011 After a coffee stop, we’ll set the scene by taking lunch (not included) in historic Charlestown, where we’ll visit the fascinating Shipwreck Centre. If we’re lucky, we may be able to get a close up view of one of the square‐riggers based in the adjacent old dock and frequently in port.
Tuesday 19th July 2011 We’ll drive into central Falmouth this morning. We’ll have time to take a leisurely stroll or visit some attractions, then have lunch before the coach collects us for the short drive to Trebah Gardens, where we’ll spend the afternoon. Trebah has been rated one of the top 80 gardens of the world, and it’s right here on our holiday doorstep!
Wednesday 20th July 2011 We’ll go a little further today, to spectacular views of the brooding St Michael’s Mount, perched on its island just off the quaint little town of Marazion, and St Ives, renowned for the quality of its light and the beauty of its older houses, which is largely what brought so many artists here. It’s grown, of course, but a few pence will buy a ticket on the minibus to the old town. The bargain of the week!
Thursday 21st July 2011 Alas, it’s time to go home, but we’ll sweeten the pill with a call in nearby Truro, Cornwall’s fine capital city, a little way along the River Fal. The cathedral’s well worth a visit, but we may decide just to take a stroll or have a coffee. Either way, a fitting end to our tour, though we still have a pretty journey home to enjoy.enjoy.