Historic Railways of the Isle of Man

Savour life in the slow lane as you step back in time and discover the ‘Jewel of the Irish Sea’, set against a background of rolling hills and wonderful beaches.

Castletown Station © www.visitisleofman.com

Isle of Man Steam Railway © www.visitisleofman.com Day One – Fly to the Isle of Man Upon arrival at Ronaldsway airport, you’ll meet your tour manager and then transfer to Douglas and to your hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may wish to get to acquainted with your surroundings and the delightful island capital of Douglas, which is part traditional seaside resort, part working port and part thriving financial centre. Perhaps you’ll choose to take a stroll along the lively promenades that fringe the bay and sandy beach, or maybe you’ll take a more leisurely horse-drawn tram when they are operating. There are cafés and pubs in which to rest and relax, together with the fascinating Manx Museum (free entry) chronicling the island’s history, and the Victorian curiosity of the Great Union Camera Obscura to discover during your stay, and traditional entertainment and engaging tours to enjoy at the beautifully restored Gaiety Theatre, which is also home to a resident ghost! This evening, enjoy a first dinner in the hotel and a relaxing evening at leisure.

Day Two – Included journey on the Isle of Man Steam Railway to Castletown and

Port Erin Your first heritage rail journey sees you travel south from Douglas’ authentic and well-preserved Victorian station on the famous Steam Railway, formerly part of an extensive network that once connected most of the island, but which is now a 15.5-mile narrow-gauge run, via former island capital Castletown, and on to beautiful Port Erin. You’ll alight at the former to discover impregnable Castle Rushen, one-time home to the Kings and Lords of Mann. The energetic can climb to the battlements for the spectacular view of the island’s south, and there’s a fascinating guided tour to enjoy. You’ll also visit the Old House of Keys, the restored 19th-century parliament building, with its debating chamber and interactive displays. Re-board the train to travel on to the seaside resort of Port Erin, with its glorious beaches,

Available Aug to Dec 2022, Jan to Jun, Sep to Dec 2023, Jan to Jun & Sep to Dec 2024 Mar to Oct 2023

Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from Fly direct from these airports. Prices from

• Heathrow £1,699 • Manchester £1,749* (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)• Birmingham £749 • Bristol £805 • Gatwick £665 • Liverpool £695 • Manchester £695 Personalise your holiday Tour Only without flights from £560

• New Orleans City Tour (half day) – from £21Make your own way to the airport or your hotel. • Bayou & Alligators Tour (half day) – from £25 • Memphis: Graceland & Sounds of the South (full day) – from £89 • Studio B & the Country Music Hall of Fame (half day) – from £45 Room for Sole Use from £99 Please note: In the unlikely event of a steam locomotive breaking down and/or being unavailable, we reserve the right to Room for Sole Use from £592 substitute the engine with a diesel locomotive. Please note: *Some departures from Manchester into the USA are via Houston instead of Atlanta and will follow a slightly The transfer time from the airport to the hotel is approximately 30 minutes. different itinerary which can be seen on our website. All of the main tour highlights remain included. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours.

Peel Snaefell Ramsey

Isle of Man

Laxey

Douglas

Port Erin

Castletown Ronaldsway

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ESCORTED TOUR These hugely popular tours, enjoyed by countless happy customers over the years, have truly stood the test of time.

• Journey on the narrow-gauge Steam Railway • Board the Manx Electric Railway – the longest in the UK – and travel to historic

Derby Castle Station • Explore historic Laxey, home of Laxey Wheel (also known as Lady Isabella) – the world’s largest working waterwheel • On a clear day, you can see ‘Seven

Kingdoms’ from the summit station • Discover the island’s attractions with your included Go Explore Heritage card • Take a ride on the famous Snaefell

Mountain Railway • Enjoy a day at the classic resort Port Erin • Four nights’ carefully chosen three-star dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation (upgrade hotels available for a supplement) • Return flights to Douglas, with coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

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Featuring original rolling stock, the narrow gauge railway system is a nostalgic nod to the forgotten age of steam-powered travel.

Snaefell Mountain Railway © www.visitisleofman.com Horse-drawn tram, Douglas © www.visitisleofman.com Isle of Man Steam Railway © www.visitisleofman.com

views out to the offshore ‘Calf of Man’ and its engaging Railway Museum – a ‘must-see’ for rail enthusiasts. Enjoy some free time in these wonderful surroundings, before returning to Douglas by train at your leisure – your included Go Explore Heritage card offers you freedom to travel as you wish. After a fascinating and absorbing day of touring, enjoy a second evening in Douglas and your hotel.

Day Three – Included visit to Peel and

journey on the Manx Electric Railway Today’s wonderful journey sees you head west to ancient fishing port Peel, with its colourful marina, ruined island fortress Peel Castle, its sweeping, sandy beach, fascinating House of Manannan Celtic Heritage museum and tiny Manx Heritage Transport Museum (entrance payable locally), with its model trains, tiny P50 – the world’s smallest legal road car – and unique electric motorbike. After the chance to explore this delightful corner of the island, from where you might also send a gift of Manx kippers to friends across the globe, you’ll board a bus to Ramsey, the island’s second largest town and home to a bustling working harbour. At Ramsey you’ll board the celebrated Manx Electric Railway, which, stretching for 17 miles, is the longest electric railway in the British Isles. Impressively, the railway still uses the original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. You’ll journey on the Manx Electric Railway to historic Derby Castle Station in Douglas, passing through some stunning countryside and coastal scenery on your way.

Day Four – Included journey on the Snaefell

Mountain Railway to the summit A last day’s exploration sees you climb back aboard the Manx Electric Railway for the journey to historic Laxey, where Lady Isabella is the world’s largest working waterwheel and the island’s most photographed attraction. Here you can take in the sights, or perhaps visit the nearby Laxey Woollen Mills, which is the island’s last remaining working weaver, before climbing aboard the Snaefell Mountain Railway, a Victorian treasure that is the British Isles’ only electric mountain railway. Sit back, relax and take in the stunning scenery as you travel nearly five miles to the 2,000-ft-high summit of Mount Snaefell, from where the views on clear days have been known to stretch to the ‘Seven Kingdoms’ – of England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man… and the kingdoms of heaven and sea! Return to Laxey and to Douglas, where the rest of the day is free. Enjoy a last opportunity to stroll in the town and enjoy dinner in the hotel, perhaps reliving the excitement of the last few days. Day Five – Fly back to your local airport Transfer back to Ronaldsway for the return flight to the mainland, at the end of a hugely enjoyable few days of ‘Manx Magic’.

your hotels

Depending on your departure date you will be staying at one of the hotels described below. Your hotel will be confirmed at the time of booking Chesterhouse Hotel, Douglas HHH Half-Board

Set on Douglas’ seafront, this traditional hotel offers comfortable rooms with a flat-screen TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and telephone. There is free Wi-Fi and a carvery restaurant. Rutland Hotel, Douglas Half-Board HHH

A short walk from the town centre with a view of the bay from its carvery restaurant, rooms at this hotel offer complimentary Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee-making facilities. Ascot Hotel, Douglas Half-Board HHH

Just 100 metres from the seafront. The hotel has a restaurant and inviting lobby bar with complimentary tea and coffee. Rooms at the Ascot feature a TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, a hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and iron. Ellan Vannin Hotel, Douglas HHH Half-Board

A traditional Victorian townhouse with a cosy guest lounge and lovely bar that overlooks the seafront. Comfortable rooms come with amenities, including a TV, complimentrary Wi-Fi and an iron and ironing board.

upgrade your hotel

Mannin Hotel, Douglas HHHH Half-Board from £824

Offering well-appointed, modern bedrooms featuring free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, a TV, air conditioning, room service, pillow menu, fridge, iron and safe. There is a stylish bar and restaurant on the ground floor.