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 Tausauds 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. As we are staying here tonight in a typical Guest House, why not visit the theatre this evening? The RSC's productions are usually first class. Many good restaurants nearby for dinner. (See your Factsheet). (Inclusive tour - B&B)

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 for the next two nights. There's much to see and do in Wales, your Factsheet will give you some choices! (Inclusive tour - DB&B).

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 a good lunch we'll 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. Dinner at your hotel again, tonight. (Inclusive tour - DB&B).

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. Our final 'hotel' of the trip is going to prove a pleasant surprise. ('Nuff said!). (B&B)

Day 5: Our last day is going to be spent touring the fabulous scenery of the Breacon Beacons. 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, please come back soon!"

PRICES:

EITHER:

You pay just £2060, to cover the cost of your Minivan which carries up to 8 persons, your driver-guide's services and all miles driven. Complimentary drinks and occasional snacks are provided along the way. The driver-guide's hotel/subsistence expenses are included, but not your own. We can arrange guest house/inn/hotel accommodations 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 entry fees to the sites visited and gratuities (discretionary) are not included. Total luggage handling throughout.

This is the most economical way to go, costing just £257 per person for a family or group of 8 to £516 per person for a family or group of 4, for all your travel and guiding.

OR:

A fully-inclusive, more luxurious option. Prices include quality accommodation with private bath and full English breakfast, entrance fees & taxes, lunch on 3 days, dinner on 3 nights and high tea on 1 day, your own driver/guide and minivan for 4 days: