This new tour journey explores Northern England and Wales. Tour Costs coming soon.

We hope you can join us next autumn!

ITINERARY

Day 1: Thursday, September  18

Individual departures from the U.S. for London.

Day 2: Friday, September 19        Individual Arrivals to London  

Individual arrivals in London. Transfer to our hotel in Windsor, 10 miles west of Heathrow International Airport. Join staff and fellow travelers at this evening’s welcome dinner. Overnight Royal Adelaide Hotel, Windsor

Day 3: Saturday, September 20       Windsor  

This morning we will tour Windsor Castle.This morning, we will tour Windsor Castle. Windsor is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Established in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, it has been the home of 40 monarchs. Today the Castle is regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions. The afternoon is free for you to explore Windsor town on your own. Overnight Royal Adelaide Hotel, Windsor

Day 4: Sunday, September 21      Oxford

Depart Windsor for the town of Oxford, the city of “dreaming spires.”  A local expert will take us on a walking tour of architectural and historic highlights including the Bodleian Library, the Divinity School and The Bridge of Sighs. We will learn about Oxford’s connections with Tolkien, CS Lewis, Alice in Wonderland, and Harry Potter.

Following lunch, we plan to tour one of Oxford’s most famous college’s, Christ Church. Founded in the era of Henry VIII, on the site where a princess and saint founded a priory before the Norman Conquest. We’ll see the Christchurch Cathedral, the famous water meadows, and Wolsey’s Tudor Kitchen. From Oxford we will then continue to Stratford-upon-Avon, and check in to our hotel upon arrival.

Overnight Hotel du Vin, Stratford-Upon-Avon

Day 5: Monday, September 22       Stratford-upon-Avon

Today is free for you to explore Stratford on your own at your own pace.  The tour manager will provide you with a city sightseeing pass. The pass at provides admission to numerous sites associated with William Shakespeare just blocks from our hotel including: Shakespeare’s birthplace, the home where he died, the Royal Shakespeare Theater, and the dock for a boat trip on the Avon River. Later this afternoon we depart Stratford for Wales. Overnight The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Wales 

Day 6: Tuesday, September 23             Conwy Castle, Wales

We begin our exploration of Wales with a tour of Conwy Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and a walk along the town walls. Originally built by Edward I in an attempt to contain the rebellious Welsh, Conwy Castle dominates the skyline with its imposing fortifications that stretch over three quarters of a mile and feature 22 towers. We will have the afternoon free for independent exploration.  Overnight The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

Day 7: Wednesday, September 24             Snowdonia National Park, Wales

We’ll board the motorcoach for a full day field trip to Snowdonia National Park, one of three National Parks in Wales. We will visit National Slate Museum in Llanberis then continue to Blaenau Ffestiniog to begin a journey on the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway, originally used to transport slate from the quarries to the coast, in carriages drawn by a historic steam locomotive. Overnight The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws-y-Coed, Wales

Day 8: Thursday, September 25              Chester  -  Lake District

Depart Wales for the ancient, picturesque city of Chester, known for its extensive Roman walls made of local red sandstone and numerous Tudor-style half-timber buildings. A Roman amphitheater, with ongoing excavations, lies just outside the old city's walls.  We will complete our tour with a visit to the spectacular Chester Cathedral. Continue to our hotel on the shores of Lake Windemere in the Lake District.

Overnight Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, Windemere

Day 9: Friday, September 26       Lake Cruise -  Castlerigg Stone Circle

We will enjoy Lake Windemere as we take a steamer cruise from Lakeside to Ambleside. Following lunch in Keswick, we’ll drive up into the hills to visit the ancient Castlerigg stone circle which provides sweeping views of the valley. Time permitting, we'll visit Hawkshead, a haunt of Beatrix Potter and Grasmere, the home of poet William Wordsworth. Overnight Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, Windemere

Day 10: Saturday, September 27       Hadrian’s Wall  - Roman Army Museum - Roman Vindolana Fort

We will spend today learning about the Roman occupation of Britain from 85-350 AD at two award-winning museums along the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall.  We will tour the Roman Army Museum and take a brief walk to a superb section of Hadrian’s Wall at Walltown Crags. Following lunch at the museum’s café, we will continue to the nearby Roman Vindolana Fort is one of Europe’s most important Roman archaeological sites.

Proceed to York and check into our hotel for 3 nights. Overnight The Grand Hotel, York

Day 11: Sunday, September 28         York Minster   -   The Shambles

We'll begin our day marveling at York Minster's stained-glass windows on our tour of the largest Gothic church north of the Alps. we'll take a walking tour beneath the leaning, half-timbered houses of The Shambles in the city's marvelous medieval center. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore more of this enchanting city.

Overnight The Grand Hotel, York

Day 12: Monday, September 29      Yorkshire, setting "All Creatures Great and Small."

Enjoy a full day tour of Yorkshire, setting "All Creatures Great and Small."

Overnight The Grand Hotel, York

Day 13: Tuesday, September 30

Drive to London.

Overnight Holiday Inn, Heathrow Airport

Day 14: Wednesday, October 1

Individual departures from London Heathrow for the USA.

BLUE BADGE GUIDES:

Blue Badge Tourist Guides are trained under the auspices of The Institute of Tourist Guiding which accredits training courses; each region requires up to two years study and examinations before successful candidates are awarded the coveted Blue Badge.

TOUR INCLUDES (14 days/12 nights):

* An expert Blue Badge Guide will accompany us throughout the tour

* Services of a professional tour director: Marty Gane is scheduled for this tour

* Private guided tours of sites

* 12 nights hotel accommodations

* Private, air-conditioned, motor coach for all sightseeing

* 2 wine/beer receptions, TBD breakfasts, TBD lunch and TBD dinners

* All admissions, tours and excursions as described in the itinerary

* All taxes, baggage handling (one bag per person), & gratuities

* Pre-trip notes, reading list and map book

What is Not Included:

Airfare; transfers between airport and hotel; trip insurance; personal items such as wines, liquors, a la carte orders, room service, laundry charges; and meals and other items not specifically mentioned as included.

Prices do not include airfare, however, we are happy to assist you with flight arrangements. We will post staff flight details shortly in case you would like to book seats on the same flights as Tour Manager Marty Gane.

COST: 14 DAYS/12 NIGHTS
Double Occupancy: TBD per person

Single Occupancy:  TBD

NOTE: Prices are based on a minimum of 20 participants.

To enroll on this tour, print & complete the registration form and mail it with a $200 per person deposit check to: South Mountain Expeditions, P.O. Box 204, Keedysville, MD, 21756. Or call us at (301) 988-1852 or toll free at 1 (866) 914-1862. We accept VISA, Mastercard and American Express.