Following our very enjoyable tour to this intriguing Island in August of this year we are offering another opportunity to visit in 2010. The Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown Dependency which has much to offer in terms of history and archaeology. It combines a flourishing economy based on banking and IT with a touch of Victorian style ingenuity and elegance. Douglas combines a busy port with an elegant promenade that can be enjoyed on a horse-drawn cab, The towns of Castletown and Peel have a multitude of sites covering the varied history of the occupations by the Celts and Vikings, and Tynewald Parliament. The Island boasts a wealth of natural beauty, with carpets of wildflowers and abundant wildlife in a varied landscape which includes mountains, moorland, magical glens, waterfalls, rolling farmland and flat coastal plains.
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Thursday August 5th The party will assemble at their departure airports for the flights to the Isle of Man. On arrival the STITA tour manager and transfer to the hotel in Douglas. The rest of the morning will be an excursion by horse-drawn tram along the Promenade to see the lovely gardens followed by a visit to the Manx Museum with a guided introduction to the Island. Lunch can be obtained either in the museum cafe or one of the nearby restaurants. The early part of the afternon will be free to explore and enjoy the gardens until it is time to check in at the hotel and get ready for the welcome dinner. Everyone to meet half an hour before dinner for an introduction by our tour manager to the programme for the rest of the stay
Dinner and stay night: The Sefton Hotel DOUGLAS.
Friday August 6th Today’s programme will explore the northern parts of the Island. The first visit will be to Laxey. If the day is clear, there will be a tram ride to the summit of Snaefell to see the magnificent view. If the weather is not clear there will be a visit to the Laxey Wheel and Woollen Mill. The wheel, named ‘Lady Isabella’ is the largest working water wheel in the world. The next visit will be to the Church at Maughold which is the earliest Celtic Christian monastic site on the island and houses a big collection of Celtic/Nordic crosses. There will then be an opportunity to take a scenic walk from Maughold Church to Port-e-Vullen. On rejoining the coach there will be a pause to purchase lunch near Ramsey. After the break there will be a visit to the Ayres National Park with a photo-stop at the Point of Ayre before heading north-west to take the return journey over the mountain section of the T.T. course to return to Douglas. Evening free for individual choice for dinner.
Overnight: The Sefton Hotel DOUGLAS
Saturday August 7th Today’s visit will be to Peel for the Peel boat weekend, where the harbour will be buzzing with boats from all over the Irish Sea for races and parades. There will be a visit on the way to St John’s. Tynewald Hill Site for a brief guided tour before arriving in Peel. Depending on the tide the morning will be spent taking a boat cruise along the coast south of Peel to enjoy the views, look out for whales, basking sharks and dolphins and see the colonies of seabirds on the cliff faces. There will also be a visit to Peel Castle with the opportunity to stroll round the coastal path on the seaward side. Time will then be free to explore the cafes to purchase some lunch, and then to enjoy the events and races taking place as part of the boat Weekend. The return route to Douglas at the end of the afternoon will take the coast road to Kirk Michael and up to Bayr Garroo and over the hills to join another part of the T.T. course.
Evening free for individual choice for dinner.
Overnight: The Sefton Hotel DOUGLAS
Sunday August 8th
Today will be a visit to Castletown and Port Erin in the southern part of the Island. The journey will be made on the steam railway to Castletown. There will be a walk along the shore at Scarlett, a unique area of Carboniferous limestone with strong evidence of volcanic activity and host to an abundance of wildlife and plants. Scarlett was one of the few sites on the Island where limestone could be quarried and there is still much evidence of this once active industry. . Following a break for lunch there will be a visit to Cregneash to walk round the village and either so a full tour of the houses or take a walk up to the Meayll Circle archaeological site. Afterwards take the coach to the Sound where there are spectacular views of the Calf of Man and a profusion of sea birds and seals to see, and have some refreshments in the café. Continue to Niarbyl, a site of social, archaeological and geological importance with wonderful views. The return coach journey is via the Sloc road through the hills and through the former mining area of Foxdale. There will be a chance to stroll through one of the many 'glens' and enjoy a cup of tea. Return to the hotel in time for a ‘Farewell Dinner’
Dinner and overnight: The Sefton Hotel DOUGLAS.
Monday August 9th
The will be a return to Laxey this morning, to either take the tram to Snaefell, or visit the Laxey Wheel depending on what the programme was on Friday, or alternatively the time is free for individual exploration in the Douglas area. Return after lunchtime to the hotel to collect luggage and return to the airport for the return flights home.
End of tour
Tour Cost | Price per person | Twin/Double | £705.00 | Single Supplement | £165.00 |
- Return flights from local airport of choice to Isle of Man and return
- 4 nights accommodation in 4-star Sefton Hotel
- Coach for operation of programme
- 4 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Electric tram to Snaefel
- Steam train to Castletown
- Boat cruise excursion from Peel
- Expert local guide
Not Included - Meals other than those indicated
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone etc)
- Optional excursions
- Gratuities to the tour guide and driver.
- Baggage other than hand baggage
Deposit to secure booking: £150.00 per person. NOTE: Flights can be booked from local airports where available, there may be a supplementary charge. NOTE: Entrance fees are not included as the weather may involve some itinerary changes, and many entrances are free to National Trust members How to Book To make a booking, please call us on 01242 515 712 or click on our Booking Details. |
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