'Great Tours of London, Britain & Ireland' The Yorkshire Dales and Moors Tour (2 nights/3 days - with an option to extend to 4 days)
Day 1: We're off to England's 'Texas' - her largest county where the people are proud but friendly and like their food, drink and life to come in larger portions (as I said .. just like Texas!). It's a 3+ hour drive to Yorkshire so an early start is recommended. We'll make a 'mystery' brief stop halfway to re-energise the team, but then we'll press on to reach our first objective, the charming town of Haworth, home to the highly talented, but so tragic Bronte sisters. We'll visit the Parsonage where they spent most of their short lives; now an excellent museum. We'll give you the option to spend an hour either in the town or taking a bracing walk on those famous moors before we depart. A Yorkshire fish and chip lunch (nobody does it better!) will set us up for the short ride to Ilkley in Wharfedale, and a chance to admire the views from the Cow and Calf rocks, hear a verse or two of Yorkshire's unofficial hymn, 'On Ilkley Moor Bar T'at'. We'll be taking the gentle lanes to explore this charming southern Dale. 'Lanes' are often simple unfenced single-track roads with passing places which carry us up high over the wild and beautiful moors. Later we'll head off for our accommodation for the next two or three* nights. Lots of choices here which we'll discuss with you when you book; either a lonely but very cosy inn on top of the North York Moors, log fires, loads of character, or how about a real castle just over the border in County Durham, or then again perhaps a luxury Country House Hotel? Or maybe you'd prefer a charming old inn in a typical Dales market town? Lots of choice! * Special Limited-Time Offer! Would you like to stay a little longer in Yorkshire? If the answer is 'yes', why not extend this tour to a fourth day - and it's 'on the house'! Stay a third night, have the next morning free to relax and do your own thing. We will begin our journey back to London in the early afternoon, with a 'mystery' visit on-route.
You'll get a chance to meet with some of the locals tonight, so don't be shy; make some new friends in the local inn. Incidentally, visitors from overseas are always impressed by the dry, rather laconic ways of the Yorkshire folk. Let me tell you a story which serves to demonstrate this. The scene: High country overlooking a pretty Dale. We've stopped to admire the views and get some pictures when one of our group, a Texan and rancher by profession, spots a local Dales farmer leaning on a gate. He wanders over for a word. ''Howdy! Do you farm around here, friend?'' The old man replies, ''Aye, lad, that I do.'' Our man says, ''Is that some of your spread, down there? Sure is beautiful country!'' The Yorkshireman replies, ''Aye. Yer see that Dale down yonder? All that Dale's mine, and it were me father's afore me, and his father's afore 'im. All that. God's country!'' (Spoken with considerable pride). Now remember that our man is from Texas, so notwithstanding this, responds, ''Sure is a pretty piece of property friend, but I gotta tell yer, my ranch in Texas takes me more than an hour to drive around. What do you think of that?!'' The Dalesman ponders this for a moment, then gently and sympathetically replies, ''Aye lad, I used ter 'ave a car like that ..., but I got rid of it!'' Day 2: Hope y'all slept well and didn't imbibe too much local ale last night, 'cos we're on a mission! We're going to explore some of the northern Dales today which includes Teesdale, Nidderdale and Swaledale with a visit to King Richard III's castle at Middleham, plus a castle where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner. We'll later take a look at the attractive market town of Richmond (and yet another equally fine medieval castle!), or we'll please the shoppers with an hour or two at the charming cathedral City of Ripon and offer an optional tour of its famous cathedral, in addition to some free time.
Day 3: Our group have a decision to make today and here's your choices: EITHER we take a leisurely tour of Yorkshire's Moors and coast, visiting the wild and lovely Moors, then on to Captain Cook's charming town of Whitby, where fishermen rub shoulders with holidaymakers. We'll follow with a look at Yorkshire's premier seaside resort, Scarborough, and a chance for families to enjoy a couple of hours free time on the beach or seeing the town's attractions. OR we first visit Castle Howard, one of England's finest stately homes and explore all that it has to offer, take an excellent local pub lunch with a free afternoon in the delightful historic City of York. Finally, we'll take the three and a half hour drive to London (or the airport/airport hotel for your ongoing flight/overnight accommodation), arriving late evening.
Day 4?: If you wish to make this a full four-day tour - but at the cost of the usual 3-day tour, be my guest! I will need to book an additional night's stay for us all and we'll stretch our Yorkshire adventure to a fourth wonderful day. The morning and afternoon are free time - yours to do with as you wish, then we'll drive back to London in the late afternoon, arriving late evening. (There is no additional charge, just my one night's accommodation cost). Tour cost is £1680, 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. Total luggage handling throughout. The cost includes my hotel/subsistence expenses but not your own. I 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 my help. Please note that meals and entry fees to the sites visited are not included. HOW TO BOOK THIS TOUR First check my online diary for availability Next send me an email me to have your tour dates/details/prices confirmed Finally, when you are informed that I'm holding your dates for you book your tour by going here and choosing Option 3 from the dropdown menu
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