Beautiful North
(Ideal Package for Summer)
11 Days – from $2,995.00* per person (based on double occupancy, land only) Independent Tour
CONTACT ACROSS THE POND VACATIONS – 310-791-6101 OR E-MAIL INFO@ATPVACATIONS.COM
Your Tour Price Includes:
- 10 days car rental in mid-size, automatic, air-conditioned car (VW Passat or similar)
- 9 nights in 4 star hotels**
- Full English breakfast, daily
- Manchester United Football Club Tour and Museum
- Entrance tickets to The Beatles Story in Liverpool
- Entrance to the York Dungeon
- City Sightseeing’s Hop-on/Hop-off bus in York
- Hadrian’s Wall
SUMMARY
Day 1 - Departure from U.S. to U.K.
Day 2 - Collect rental car, Manchester United Football Club Tour, Manchester hotel
Day 3 - Full English breakfast, Liverpool, The Beatles Story, Manchester Hotel
Day 4 - Full English breakfast, drive to Lake District, Lake District hotel
Day 5 - Full English breakfast, William Wordsworth Home and Museum & Dove Cottage, Lake District hotel
Day 6 - Full English breakfast, Hadrian's Wall visit and guided tour, Northumberland (Slaley Hall) hotel
Day 7 - Full English breakfast, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland (Slaley Hall) hotel
Day 8 - Full English breakfast, drive to York, York Hop-On/Hop-Off sightseeing bus, York hotel
Day 9 - Full English breakfast, York Dungeon, York hotel
Day 10 - Full English breakfast, drive to Manchester, Manchester hotel
Day 11 - Full English breakfast, depart or continue on (please inquire for additional tour days)
England’s Beautiful North is where you will find history comes alive! You’ll find the scenic grandeur of lakes and mountains, dramatic coastlines and glorious National Parks combined with cities rich in history, attractions and culture. This tour includes the best the north has to offer, traveling from metropolitan Manchester to Europe’s City of Culture for 2008-Liverpool, the glorious Lake District with its 16 sparkling lakes, majestic Northumberland forest and moorlands, historic York, and back to Manchester. And, England’s northerners are some of the friendliest people around. Don’t miss out on this diverse and richly historic tour. You’ll want to return again and again.
Day 1 – Departure – You depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 – Metropolitan Manchester – Welcome to England! This city is widely recognized as the coolest in Britain. Manchester has reinvented itself as a truly contemporary metropolis, with modern landmarks, excellent art and culture, great bars and world-class hospitality. This afternoon, you’ll visit one of the most famous Football Clubs in the world, Manchester United! Immerse yourself in the history of the world’s most famous football club, experience the magnificent trophy room, test your skills on the ‘interactives’ and enjoy the atmosphere inside the ‘Theatre of Dreams’- it certainly is a day to remember. You’ll see for yourself why more than 200,000 people visit the Museum and Tour Centre every year! Tonight, you’ll stay in a beautiful Manchester 4-star hotel. (Manchester Hotel: Hilton Manchester Deansgate or equivalent.)
Day 3 – Liverpool, “Yeah, yeah yeah!” – After a full English breakfast, head off to the place where it all started for 4 blokes named John, Paul, George & Ringo. While Liverpool’s main claim to fame is The Beatles, you’ll also come to understand why Liverpool was named this year’s ‘European City of Culture 2008’. Liverpool boasts more museums and galleries than any other city outside London (most of which are free)! You’ll visit The Beatles Story, the most famous (and in our opinion, best) tribute to The Beatles. Afterwards, the city is yours to explore. Take a “ferry ‘cross the Mersey”, or visit the two imposing cathedrals, each with their own extraordinary architectural styles. You’ll be amazed by Liverpool’s rich artistic and creative culture. The city is blessed with fine buildings representing its significant past and exciting future. Then head back to your Manchester hotel, only 30 minutes away. (Manchester Hotel: Hilton Manchester Deansgate or equivalent.)
Day 4 – Sparkling Lakes – Today, after breakfast, you drive north to the Lake District. With 16 sparkling lakes and England's highest mountains, this is without a doubt England's most beautiful corner and the country's best-loved outdoor playground. Rich in culture and heritage, the region offers an excellent array of attractions complemented by superb locally produced food and drink. Soak up the scenery, take a long walk, or go for a sail on one of the lakes. Immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings… you can’t go wrong. You’ll stay, tonight, at the Leeming House hotel. This 200-year-old house is surrounded by 22 acres of lush gardens and woodland leading down to the shore of Ullswater in the glorious Lake District Countryside. Relax… enjoy! (Lake District Hotel: Leeming House or equivalent.)
Day 5 – Wordsworth’s Lakes – William Wordsworth once said, “In human life there are moments worth ages.” We believe this to be true. And nothing like seeing this beautiful countryside will help you understand that more. Today, we recommend visiting the poet’s Lakeland homes and museum. The National Trust has recreated Wordsworth House’s environment so that visitors get a sense of what the poet’s early years were really like. Visitors may encounter some of the Wordsworth’s servants going about their daily chores – washing, cooking, cleaning. There is even a chance to join in, if you don’t mind hard work! Then, you’ll drive to Dove Cottage. Dove Cottage was the home of William Wordsworth from 1799 to 1808, the years of his supreme work as a poet. The cottage is located in the hamlet of Town End, Grasmere, a place and a landscape at the center of the English Lake District where the poet lived, wrote and found inspiration. You can take a guided tour of the home, which tells of Wordsworth’s family, friends, and what life was like in the Lake District 200 years ago. Then visit the Wordsworth Museum, which was founded in 1943, and recreated in 1981 within the walls of an 1850s coach house. On display are some of the nation's greatest treasures from the age of Romanticism including original manuscripts, 18th and 19th century local landscapes, portraits of Wordsworth, his contemporaries and family processions. (Lake District Hotel: Leeming House or equivalent.)
Day 6 – Hadrian’s Wall – You head even further north today, as you make for Hadrian’s Wall. In 122 A.D., to defend Rome’s Northern Frontier from the invading Barbarians, Hadrian built a 150 mile long wall. Today, the wall has 118 circular walks and 25 Roman forts and museums. We suggest a guided tour at Birdoswald Roman Fort. The tour covers 200 years of history at this amazing site. Start by looking at a model of the Roman Fort, continue on a walk around the site and end by admiring the spectacular views of the Irthing Valley towards the Lake District. While this hour long tour offered by English Heritage is free, advance booking (at least 4 weeks in advance) is required. Tonight, you’ll stay at the incredibly beautiful Slaley Hall Hotel, winner of the “Hotel of the Year” award at the 2007 North East England Tourism Awards. This elegant Edwardian house stands proudly in 1,000 acres of prime Northumberland forest and moorland. (Northumberland Hotel: Slaley Hall or equivalent.)
Day 7 – Northumberland and Alnwick Castle – Pronounced “Annick” Castle, today you’ll visit the world famous Alnwick Castle, filming location for all of the Harry Potter movies, some of the hilarious ‘Black Adder’ episodes, and even from the movie, ‘Beckett’! To many people, their first sight of this glorious medieval castle fills them with a sense of drama and intrigue. There’s lots to see and do here at this mighty medieval fortress, one of Europe's finest. The castle has a long a colorful life. It has been at the center of many of the country's famous historical events - from bloodthirsty battles between the English and the Scots, to the dramatic intrigues of the Guy Fawkes plot. Today it is a 'must see' visitor attraction and the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Like every home, there are sure signs to be found of those that came before us. Around every corner, there's a memory and around many there's a surprise. At almost every step there's a story, at a few a mystery, at others a romance or a feud. Step inside and be part of a story that never ends. After a long day of exploring, you’ll retire at beautiful Slaley Hall again for the night. (Northumberland Hotel: Slaley Hall or equivalent.)
Day 8 – Historic York - After a hearty breakfast, you drive on to York. Once the Roman capital of Northern England, York has witnessed wars, peace agreements and prosperity throughout its turbulent history. Marvel at the colossal 13th Century York Minster, home to half of all the medieval stained glass windows in Europe, and hear all about the City described by King George VI as being “the history of England”. Today, you’ll take the City Sightseeing Hop-On/Hop-Off bus, which will allow you to visit all the remarkable sites York has to offer, including the Jorvik Viking Center, Castle Museum, York Minster (the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe) and much more! Tonight, you’ll settle into another beautifully appointed four-star hotel. The night is yours, whether you choose to visit the theatre, enjoy some fine dining, or just relax with the locals at a pub. (York Hotel: Marriott York or equivalent.)
Day 9 – Bloody York – After breakfast, take a stroll around town, or go back to visit some of the spots you may have missed yesterday. This afternoon, you’ll head to the York Dungeon. Transport yourself back to the dark and grizzly history of the Roman city of York. Live actors, shows and interactive special effects ensure that you face your fears head on in this unique experience. Everything that you see is based on real historical events from the Labyrinth of the Lost Roman Legion, to the chilling tale of highwayman Dick Turpin, torture and the plague. Step back in time into the depths of the York Dungeon for a thrilling and fun experience that will leave you screaming for more. After that experience, we recommend a good “stiffener” at the local pub. Tonight is yours to do exactly as you please. (York Hotel: Marriott York or equivalent.)
Day 10 – Manchester and Memories – This morning, after a full English breakfast, you head back to Manchester, where this fantastic itinerary all started. This is a great opportunity to see much that Manchester has to offer, whether it’s the shopping, dining, or museums. Don’t forget to pick up those last minute souvenirs! (Manchester Hotel: Hilton Manchester Deansgate or equivalent.)
Day 11 – Departure from Manchester – We hope you have walked away from this tour with a greater understanding of English history, a deeper love of the English people, and memories that will last a lifetime! Extend your stay (inquire with us), or depart from Manchester airport back home.
* Prices from $2,995/pp based on double occupancy. Single and triple occupants will change rate. Final price will be based upon exchange rate at time of booking, and time of year traveling.
** Hotels listed in tour description indicate first choice. Equivalent hotels of same star quality and location supplied if first choice unavailable.
All independent tours can be made into group tours for already assembled groups.
CONTACT ACROSS THE POND VACATIONS – 310-791-6101 OR E-MAIL INFO@ATPVACATIONS.COM
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