Cotswolds & Wales     (4 Nights/5 Days)

Day 1: Our first stop out of London is Warwick Castle. Once the home of the Earls of Warwick for over 1,000 years, it is now owned by Madame Tussauds who have created an excellent audio-visual display using first class wax figures in period room settings. We'll take some free time here too, for a chance to explore the grounds and castle ramparts. Lunch follows, then we'll spend the rest of the day in and around William Shakespeare's home town of Stratford-upon-Avon visiting some of the properties connected to the playwright. We are staying here overnight so why not visit the theatre this evening? The RSC's productions are usually first class. Many good restaurants nearby for dinner.

Day 2: We'll make a late start this morning as some of the group may wish to wander around the many interesting shops in Stratford. Late morning, we'll head into the delightful Cotswolds area with its enchanting villages, rolling landscape, bubbling streams, quiet isolated roads, honey coloured cottages, stone-tiled and thatched-roofed cottages and amazing number of antique dealers. By late afternoon we travel north-west to Wales, and our hotel/guest house for the next two nights. There's much to see and do in Wales, we'll give you some choices!

Day 3: Today's itinerary has been agreed over yesterday's dinner. (Hopefully!) So we're either enjoying a scenic drive, taking a mountain railway ride, going down a slate mine or just relaxing. Your choice! Whatever the group decide to do, rest assured that a very satisfying day lies ahead! And wherever we are, Mt Snowdon, one of Britain's tallest peaks, will dominate the landscape. After lunch, we can spend the rest of the day exploring the picturesque Italianate village of Portmeirion, if you remember the cult TV serial, 'The Prisoner', starring Patrick McGoohan, you may recognise this enchanting place. Evening at leisure.

Day 4: After breakfast, we continue our journey south into the less well-known, but most charming areas of Mid-Wales. There'll be plenty to admire on the scenery front, including some massive man-made lakes which supply water to milllions of people in the Midlands of England. A visit to the Royal Welsh Crystal factory and lunch in one of the local spa towns, will keep us pleasantly occupied.

Day 5: Our last day is going to be spent touring the fabulous scenery of the Brecon Beacons and a fascinating museum of C17th life. Then we'll cross the Severn Estuary road bridge and take the east-bound motorway home to London, because sadly, it's time for us to say, "Farewell!"

Tour cost is £2080, which covers the cost of your A/C Minivan carrying up to 8 persons, with full driver-guide's service, parking, fuel and all miles driven.

Complimentary drinks and occasional snacks are provided along the way.

The cost includes my hotel/subsistence expenses.

I will arrange guest house/inn/hotel accommodations for you, from £70 per twin or double room, £90 a family room per night including breakfast, or you can go on-line and choose your own with our help.

Please note that meals, entry fees to the sites visited and gratuities (discretionary) are not included.

Total luggage handling throughout.

IMPORTANT! Before trying to book an AWAY tour with me please first check availability with my online diary, then email me to have your tour dates/details/prices confirmed.

Go to bookings page here