The Isle of Man Adventure 60

Sunday 24th September Manx Electric Railway, Groundle Glen Steam Railway Following breakfast, you walk to the nearby Horse tram stop for the journey to Derby Castle station, so named because of the vast entertainment complex of the same name that used to be sited nearby. You then take the Manx Electric Railway, this time to Groudle Glen, two miles north of Douglas on the coast road. On arrival you walk to Groudle Glen Steam Railway for a full round trip of this narrow gauge (610 mm) railway, owned and operated by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers. Afterwards a group lunch is served in the tearoom. You depart Groudle Glen by Manx Electric Railway heading to Ramsey, on the north of the island. You will have free time to explore Ramsey, perhaps visiting the Grove Museum of Victorian Life, Milntown House and Gardens, or simply strolling along the seafront. Later you return to Douglas and a 3-course dinner served in the hotel restaurant. (B L D)

Monday 25th September Coach Tour of the Isle of Man, Jurby Transport Museum Today you experience an exclusive coach tour travelling down the scenic roads of the famous TT race course. Your coach first takes you from your hotel in Douglas to the Calf of Man on the south tip of the island, with photo stops on the way. The Calf of Man is a small island separated from the mainland by the Calf Sound. Travel along the beautiful west coast of Man to the town of Peel. Your excursion includes a visit to the 11th century Castle Peel, a ruined castle originally built by the Vikings, sited on St Patrick’s Isle, which is connected to the town by a causeway. You’ll have a group lunch in a nearby restaurant before continuing by coach to Curraghs wildlife park, and a private charter trip on its miniature railway. You then travel to the Point of Ayre to view and take pictures of the lighthouse. Here you are at the Island’s most northerly tip and closer to Scotland (14 miles) than you are to Douglas! You travel back southwest to visit the Jurby Transport Museum. You then return to Douglas and a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 26th September Free Day to Explore Isle of Man using your Travel Pass You are free today to use your railway rover to revisit any of the railways you have already seen (Isle of Man Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Snaefell Mountain Railway, Douglas Bay Horse Tramway). Why not visit the fascinating Cregneash Medieval Village or you can use the time to relax and explore the island at your own pace. Dominated by sky and sea, the island has a stunning natural landscape with everything from rolling hills to patchwork fields and sheltered bays. Today is an ideal opportunity to take some unique and memorable photos. You can also use your visitor’s pass to enjoy any of the included island attractions. Dinner is again served in your hotel restaurant. (B D)

Wednesday 27th September Isle of Man Railway, Castle Rushen Your tour gathers in the hotel reception after breakfast, and you transfer from the hotel to the Isle of Man Railway. Your first stop is Castletown for a visit to the Old House of Keys and the mediaeval Castle Rushen, once used as a prison before being restored, and now a Manx National Heritage site. Afterwards you continue on the Isle of Man Railway to Port Erin, a lovely seaside resort on the south of the island. On arrival you’re free to explore the area at your leisure. The heart of the village is around Station Road and Church Road. There are shops, cafes, bars and activities operating from Shore Road by the beach, with views to the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland past Bradda Head. At Port Erin Railway Museum, you’ll discover the history of the Island’s steam railways over the last 140 years. You can then enjoy multiple rides on the different engines and services with your complimentary rail rover tickets. Dinner is once more at your hotel in the evening. (B D)

Thursday 28th September Ferry from Isle of Man, Northern Rail from Heysham to Lancaster, Avanti West Coast from Lancaster to London Euston After breakfast at the hotel, you check out and transfer to the ferry terminal. Your ferry departs Douglas at 08.45 am and arrives Heysham ferry port. From Heysham port you join the Northern Rail service to Lancaster, where you change trains to take the Avanti West Coast Service to London Euston for an approximated arrival of 17.00 hrs. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £1595 Single supplement £195

Price includes:

• 6 nights accommodation • 6 breakfasts • 6 dinners • 1 lunch • First Class Travel from London to Liverpool and from Lancaster back to London • 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 07:07 17:10 Liverpool St. James 09:42 ------Lancaster ------- 14:39 Heysham ------- 13:20

Northern Service from Heysham to Lancaster is standard class only. Merseyrail Service from Liverpool Lime Street to St James Street is standard class only.

Please note that this tour is not suitable for those who have restricted mobility.

*Premium Lounge seats are subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed due to limited capacity.

**The itinerary may vary depending on the sailing times that are available, this will be confirmed and updated once the sailing times are confirmed. Alternative sailings that may be scheduled: Heysham – Liverpool.

Bob Green

The Western Isles

Monday 25th September to Tuesday 3rd October 2023

Discover the scenic splendour of the mountains, glens and lochs of Northwest Scotland and the Western Isles on this unique holiday travel tour. • Enjoy a lake cruise and excursion on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world, following an overnight stay next to Loch Lomond. • Cross remote Rannoch Moor as you head for Fort William to stay by Loch Linnhe with Britain’s highest mountain, majestic

Ben Nevis, as the backdrop. • Savour a sea ferry transfer and epic coach tour of the Isle of Skye, before you head to Lewis and Harris in the Outer

Hebrides for two nights, including a guided tour of the outstanding local sights. • Explore the North West Highlands with a ride to Durness on the far north coast of Scotland, featuring some of Europe’s most isolated and spectacular coastlines. • Other tour highlights include a road trip to Dunrobin Castle, a falconry display, dolphin sightings and photo opportunities galore on this ultimate Scottish travel tour.

Monday 25th September ‘Highland Chieftain’ to Scotland From the comfort of the First-Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station you join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ for the scenic journey to Scotland, following the East Coast Main Line (ECML) through increasingly spectacular landscapes. A light lunch will be served at your seat as you speed on in sumptuous First-Class style. Stopping at York to take on passengers who have travelled by service train from Peterborough, you continue your journey along the ECML via Newcastle and Edinburgh and on to Stirling. From there a coach takes you to The Lodge on Loch Lomond for dinner and overnight accommodation. The Lodge prides itself on excellent customer service and is located in beautiful countryside on the banks of Loch Lomond with stunning views of both the Loch and Ben Lomond. (L D)

Tuesday 26th September Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond; north to Fort William After a leisurely breakfast and perhaps a stroll by the Loch, a road coach takes you the short distance to Tarbet. From here a private cruise on Loch Lomond is scheduled, with a light lunch taken on board. Afterwards you rejoin the coach for the return trip to Arrochar and Tarbet Station to catch a train north to Fort William. The route passes through spectacular scenery, crossing the remote Rannoch Moor. Fort William is located in a prime position on Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben Nevis, which at 4,406 feet is Britain’s highest mountain, as the backdrop. Your train arrives late afternoon when you check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B L D)

Wednesday 27th September ‘The Jacobite’ and over the Sea to Skye A major tour highlight is a trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train. This unforgettable 42-mile route has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. The train runs from Fort William to Mallaig through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Mountains, glens, streams, lochs and the sea combine to provide an unending collage of outstanding views. En route you cross the world famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, built entirely of concrete and featured in a number of films and TV series. You’ll have around two hours in