Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Manchester Airport, collect your rental car and head off to your first base. An imposing red sandstone castle, perched high in the hills overlooking the Cheshire Plain. If you have arrived from overseas, you could just spend the day relaxing and acclimatising after your journey. However, if consciousness levels allow you might be tempted to explore the spectacularly sited fortress of Beeston Castle. Standing on its rocky crag over 400 feet above the surrounding country side, the views from the castle ramparts are worth every breathless step that it takes to reach the summit.
Day 2
A drive through the Cheshire countryside to the ancient city of Chester. Chester was founded by the Romans and is one of the few remaining walled cities in England. Famous for The Rows, its black and white, half timbered shopping area, and St. Warburg’s Cathedral dating back to the 11th century.
Day 3
Over the border into North Wales. A land of castles, legends, dragons and an almost incomprehensible language! A visit to Conwy Castle is always a revelation. Built in 1283 and still an impressive sight 700 years later. Although Conwy Castle is no longer inhabitable, its condition of ‘Romantic Decay’ gives scope to the imagination to visualise days gone by.
Day 4
Christmas Eve
Start the festivities with a welcoming Traditional Afternoon Tea on arrival.
For the evening, get to know some of your fellow guests with a welcome drink before indulging in a Candlelit Medieval Banquet (a 4 course meal with wine and mead included) where fully costumed Ladies of the Court and the Court Steward will entertain and sing. Mulled wine and mince pies are served warm before Midnight Mass or before you retire to your room in wait for Father Christmas – remember to tell him where you’ll be!
Day 5
Christmas Day
Choose from a Full Welsh or Continental Breakfast or perhaps a “lighter start” to the day.
In the morning there’s time to open your parcels or build up an appetite exploring the mediaeval town centre of Ruthin or the gardens of the Castle before enjoying a 5 Course Traditional Christmas Lunch with live seasonal music to enhance the Christmas spirit.
The afternoon is ideal for watching the Queen’s speech, or taking a quick catnap in front of the open fires or perhaps catching up on the stroll you didn’t get around to in the morning, to prepare yourselves for the Gala Buffet Dinner which is served with a background of gentle music.
Day 6
Boxing Day
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before a leisurely day before the evening’s entertainment or perhaps you would prefer a drive to into Snowdonia or to the riverside town of Llangollen.
In the evening you are invited to a pre-dinner glass of Champagne with canapes before enjoying dinner at your leisure accompanied by live musical entertainment.
Day 7
An unplanned day. This is not because we cannot think of anything for you to do today. We always like to keep some days free, so that you can fit in some unforeseen delight which may only become apparent as time progresses. Your only target for today, is your hotel, close to the airport, to be in place for your return flight on the following day.
Day 8
Head back home with lots of good memories and hundreds of photographs.
