The Emerald Explorer 50

6th Century. It was once a great seat of learning, a university in its time with students from all over Europe. After your tour you transfer by coach to a comfortable hotel, your base for the next two nights. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening. (B D)

Sunday 3rd September Visit to Connemara Celtic Crystal and visit to Galway After breakfast you leave the hotel for a short walk to the train station. You travel westward to Westport, at the south-east corner of Clew Bay on the west coast of Ireland. You then have a visit scheduled to Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, a nineteenth-century castle now owned by Benedictine nuns but originally part of Kylemore Castle, built in 1868 as a private home. There’ll be time to explore and buy lunch before you visit Connemara Celtic Crystal, one of the last surviving Irish Crystal factories. It incorporates Celtic designs and Gaelic motifs on ornate, beautifully crafted crystal pieces. You then depart by coach to Galway. Located near an earlier settlement, Galway grew around a fortification built by the King of Connacht in 1124. You’ll have time to explore some of the ancient sites such as St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, the largest medieval church still in everyday use in Ireland, before returning by train to Athlone and dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Monday 4th September Cliffs of Moher and The West Clare Railway After breakfast you leave Athlone by coach for a scenic tour of the stunning Cliffs of Moher with photo stops, pausing in the sea port village of Kinvara for refreshments. Afterwards you head to Kilkee, where you will have time to enjoy lunch before moving on to visit the West Clare Railway and Museum. The West Clare Railway was one of a network of narrow gauge lines built across rural West Ireland in the wake of the 1883 Tramways Act. The line was closed in 1961. Afterwards you travel to Bunratty Castle Hotel, where you’ll stay for the next two nights. A tour highlight this evening is a magnificent Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle. (B D)

Tuesday 5th September Visit to Cobh Titanic Experience and Blarney Castle You leave your hotel by coach after breakfast to visit the Cobh Titanic Experience. Cobh is a picturesque town in Cork Harbour. It’s also famous for having been the last port of call for the ocean liner ‘Titanic’. The Experience is in two parts, the first retracing the steps of the 123 passengers who boarded Titanic from Cobh on April 11th, 1912. Part two examines the almost impossible sequence of events that caused Titanic to sink. After lunch you leave Cobh and travel to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle & Gardens, built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You’ll have time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. A must see is the Rock Close area and Poison Garden where the world’s most poisonous plants are kept. After your visit you return to your hotel where dinner will once again be served in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Wednesday 6th September Waterford Crystal and Private Charter on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway After breakfast you travel by coach to Limerick Station for a train trip to Waterford and a guided tour of The House of Waterford Crystal. See in detail how this stunning crystal has been made since 1783 and the traditional methods still used to this day. After your Waterford tour you enjoy a private charter on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Ireland’s longest narrow-gauge railway. Enjoy the panoramic views of the River Suir as you journey to and from Carriganore, where the merchants of Waterford are said to have hidden their treasures from Cromwell’s soldiers. Later you transfer to Wexford Town and a local hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Thursday 7th September Explore Wexford and Celtic Dinner and Music Evening at the Arlington Hotel This morning you have leisure time to spend exploring Wexford. Walk around the vibrant centre and indulge in the many cafes, pubs and eating places. You then depart Wexford by train and travel to Dublin before transferring to your hotel. In the evening you have a final tour treat with an unforgettable Celtic Night with dinner, traditional Irish music, and dancing at the famous Arlington Hotel. Later you return to your hotel for overnight accommodation. (B D)

Friday 8th September Ferry Crossing to Holyhead and First Class Avanti Service to London Euston After breakfast at the hotel, you meet with the rest of your group in reception with your cases. You then have a coach transfer to the ferry terminal and depart Dublin by ferry to Holyhead. On arrival, you transfer to Holyhead train station where you depart on a First Class Avanti Service to London Euston. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2295 Single supplement £325 Ground only £2095 (Holyhead to Holyhead)

Price includes:

• First Class Rail Travel from London Euston to Holyhead and return • 8 nights accommodation • 8 breakfasts • 8 dinners • All visits, train, coach and ferry travel as detailed in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

September 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1

Approx. timings Outward Return London Euston 09:10 17:36 Holyhead 13:10 13:57

©Sandringham Estate

The East Anglian

Friday 1st September to Thursday 7th September 2023

Experience the very best of East Anglia’s small railways and explore its unique landscape, from delightful coastal towns to vibrant cities, on this inspiring UK tour. • Based in the historic towns of Norwich and King’s Lynn, you’ll enjoy steam trips on the Bure Valley, Mid Norfolk, Wells &

Walsingham and North Norfolk lines. • Discover ancient castles, quaint villages and unspoilt seaside towns as you steam across the stunning landscapes of the region behind historic steam locomotives. • Enjoy an afternoon boat cruise on the Norfolk Broads, an extended visit to Her Majesty The Queen’s country estate at

Sandringham, and a timeless trip to the North Norfolk seaside town Wells-next-the-Sea. • Other tour highlights include an epic steam-hauled excursion to Windsor on the Windsor Flyer, a guided tour of Norwich

Castle and visits to historic Castle Rising and Wymondham Abbey. • With accommodation in 4-star hotels, sumptuous dining, plenty of time for sightseeing and the services of a tour manager included, this outstanding East Anglian tour holiday is a must for seasoned traveller and steam newcomer alike.

Friday 1st September From London to Norwich in First Class comfort; tour of Norwich Castle Your tour starts at Liverpool Street Station, London this morning with a greeting from your Tour Manager. You then travel north in First Class accommodation through the scenic East Anglian countryside to Norwich. On arrival you check in to a centrally located 4-star hotel, your base for the next four nights. A coach then takes you to nearby Norwich Castle for a private guided tour, before you enjoy a welcome dinner at your historic hotel this evening. (D)

Saturday 2nd September Windsor Flyer over the East Coast Mainline, North London Suburban line and London & Former South Western Railway’s Windsor Branch to Windsor This morning you join The Windsor Flyer steam train at Norwich train station for an impressive steam-hauled departure. Breakfast is served on the train. You cross the Trowse swing bridge over the river Wensum. You travel through Wymondham, Attleborough, Thetford and Brandon before approaching Ely. You cross over the River Great Ouse where there are fine views of Ely Cathedral before heading southwards, passing through Cambridge, famous for its many universities including King’s and Trinity. Carrying on via Royston and Hitchin, you join the East Coast Main Line heading southwards to Stevenage, Potters Bar and Finsbury Park where there will be a set down should you wish to spend the day in London. From here you follow the north London suburban line via Hampsted Heath to Willesden and Acton. We thread our way towards Brentford and follow the Hounslow Loop line through to Staines. From Staines, you join the former London and South Western Railway’s Windsor branch to Windsor and Eton Riverside station, Windsor sits on banks of the Thames and is home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family. Here you have plenty of time to enjoy the local sights before enjoying a four-course, silverserved dinner at your seat on the return trip to Norwich. (B D)

Sunday 3rd September Free time in historic Norwich; steamhauled to Wymondham Abbey This morning is free for you to explore the wonderful medieval city of Norwich, which