Escorted Short Break HolidaysEscorted Short Break Holidays
Monday 18th June
(5 Days)
£402.00 per person
Discounts up to a maximum £25 per person are available if you are a member of the National Trust or Historic Houses Association
and make your own way to the coach please read the Discount section at the foot of this itinerary
No Single Supplement
· Door to Door Service available
Half Board Accommodation at the Menzies Irvine Hotel
· Visit to Burns Heritage Museum
· Scenic Day Tour, Isle of Bute and Trossachs National Park on the Cowal Peninsula
· Guided tour of Glasgow
Visit to Leighton Hall (includes lunch)
Monday 18th June:
Depart from the Copthorne Bus Interchange on Paradise Circus Queensway at 08:00.
Travel to Kendal on the edge of the Lake District there will be approximately 2 hours free time for sightseeing and lunch (Not included). After Lunch we journey on into Scotland to our hotel situated on the edge of Irvine not too far from the West Coast of Ayrshire.
A comfort break will be provided between Birmingham and Kendal and Kendal and Irvine.
Tuesday 19th June:
Today we travel to Alloway to visit the Burns Heritage Centre owned by the Scottish National Trust. The heritage centre, which has recently opened, features some of Burns original works and personal belongings. A combination of films and story boards bring the poetic legacy of one of Scotland's beast loved characters bursting into life. Outside the centre you will find Burns birthplace Cottage with a backdrop of some spectacular scenery that acted as inspiration to some of his greatest works.
Entrance to the Heritage Centre is included in the price, however if you have claimed the National Trust discount you will need to produce your membership card.
In the afternoon we take the short trip to the seaside resort of Ayr for some relaxation before returning to the hotel. Here you will find a bustling harbour town which has an interesting history. You can explore the town where there are many links to Robbie Burns including the Tom O’ Shanter Inn the subject of one of his best known works. Alternatively you can walk around the harbour, go shopping or while away the time on the beach.
Wednesday 20th June:
Today we embark on a scenic tour taking in the Isle of Bute and Cowal Peninsula.
First we travel north along the coast road to catch the ferry across to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. There will be free time in Rothesay to explore the small fishing town before travelling north again to catch our 2nd ferry to the Cowal Peninsula. On the peninsula we will take a scenic drive through the Trossachs National Park before stopping for afternoon tea in Dunoon. Then it is onto the 3rd ferry of the day to cross the Firth of Clyde back to the Ayrshire Coast before driving back to the hotel.
Thursday 20th June:
Today we visit Glasgow.
During the morning a local guide will show us the sights of Glasgow. The guided tour will use the coach for part of the time, but there will also be some walking involved.
In the afternoon there will be free time to wander around Glasgow and either re-visit some of the places seen in the morning or visit the shops.
Friday 21st June:
Travelling south we leave Scotland on our homeward journey. On the way we will stop at Leighton Hall near Carnforth the home of the Gillow Funiture making family. Its romantic Gothic Towers and acres of beautiful gardens are set in some really lovely scenery and lure thousands of visitors every year. Our visit will include a guided tour of the house and lunch. (The lunch will be of the form of salad either quiche, chicken, Ham or Cheese, with Roll and Butter, Fruit pie and cream, tea or coffee, menu to be advised).
We expect to arrive back at Birmingham City Centre at approximately 7:15 (subject to traffic).
Our Hotel: The Menzies Irvine
Rooms facilities:
Coffee Tea/Maker
Private Bathroom
Trouser Press,
Hair Dryer
Standard Television Service
Please note single rooms may be smaller than twin or double rooms.
There is no lift at this hotel.
The hotel is situated in its own grounds and has a 9 hole golf course. There are no other leisure facilities available.
Your holiday includes:
· Coach travel throughout
· Services of a tour manager
· Taxi transfers from home to coach (unless opting to use your own transport )
· Entrance to Burns Heritage Centre and Leighton Hall, services of a tour guide in Glasgow
· All excursions listed in the itinerary
· Accommodation on a half board basis
· Lunch at Leighton Hall on Friday
Your Holiday price does not include:
· Personal Travel Insurance.
· Drinks taken with included meals.
· Lunches on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
· Gratuities.
· Any entrance fee not specified above
· Hotel Porterage (inform your tour manager if you need help)
You can reduce the price of your holiday if
you are a member of The National Trust (you must carry your membership card in order to enter the Burns Heritage Centre) --- Discount £5.00 per person
you are a member of the Historic Houses Association (You must carry your membership card to enter Leighton Hall) ---- Discount £5.00 per person
you make your own way to and from the coach and do not use the door to door service ----- Discount £15.00 per person
there are two or more people boarding the door to door service taxi at the same address ---- Discount £5.00 per person