Journey Through Wales, Chester, Isle of Man and Liverpool.
Moderate pace with leisurely intermittent walks up to 2 hours on a variety of terrain, including cobblestones and moderate hills. Must be able to climb at least two flights of stairs, negotiate steps without railings and tolerate periods of standing during guided tours. Some days may include 3–5 km of walking over the course of the day.
We depart for Manchester.
We arrive in Manchester, and transfer to our hotel centrally located in Liverpool for a 3-night stay. The rest of the day is free until this evening’s Welcome Dinner.
Today we visit the famous Liverpool Waterfront, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its amazing mercantile architecture. We will board the iconic Mersey Ferry for a cruise to see one of the world’s most recognized skylines, while hearing tales of smuggling, music, and war. We’ll visit the Beatles Story a fantastic collection of paraphernalia that traces the story of The Fab Four from their early beginings to global Beatlemania. In the afternoon, discover Albert Dock with a guided walking tour that includes a visit to the Merseyside Maritime Museum, with free time to explore on our own. Tonight, we dine by the water in a local restaurant on Albert Dock.
This morning, our guided tour will highlight the city of Liverpool and Beatles hot spots, including Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, and the neighbourhoods that spawned these 4 fine lads. The afternoon will be at leisure, to explore the city, or sip tea in one of the charming cafes.
Today, we take a scenic ferry ride to the Isle of Man. Our guide on the island will meet us, and give us a quick evening tour of Douglas before we check into our hotel for a 3-night stay.
Our first stop in exploring the Isle of Man will be the picturesque village of Laxey, where we’ll marvel at the Laxey Wheel the world’s largest working waterwheel, and an impressive piece of Victorian engineering. Next, we board the Snaefell Mountain Railway, Britain’s oldest surviving mountain railway, to enjoy a journey that has been in operation since 1895. Relax as we travel through the beautiful Manx countryside to reach the top of Snaefell’s summit. We continue to Ramsey, and take a nostalgic journey into the past with a visit to the Grove Museum of Victorian Life. Tonight, we will be serenaded with folk songs by local artists.
In the ancient capital of Man, Castletown, we visit Castle Rushen—one of Europe’s most well-preserved castles. We will explore the Nautical Museum, home of the world’s oldest yacht and its eccentric smuggler owner. Next, we visit the House of Keys, centre of 19th century political life on the island. We end the day at the Sound Visitor Centre for one of the best views on the British Isles.
We sail back to the mainland and proceed to one of Britain’s most beautiful and best-preserved walled cities, Chester, for a 3-night stay. We will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, with some free time to explore on our own.
Our Wales experience begins at the world famous Bodnant Gardens, noted for its stunning collection of plants and trees, complemented by magnificent views of the Snowdonia Mountains. Then, we’ll visit the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre in the lovely surroundings of the Conwy Valley. These 18th century buildings have been lovingly restored, and feature a farm shop, tea room, cookery school, and restaurant. Later we’ll meander through Snowdonia, visiting a small village and enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
We begin with a visit to the 14th century Chirk Castle, Wales’ oldest inhabited castle. We then proceed to North Wales, and the market town of Llangollen, where we enjoy a Ploughman’s lunch along the canal. Next, we board a horse- drawn boat for a cruise along the canal, taking in the awe-inspiring sights of the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Canal World Heritage Site.
We drive through wonderful scenery to the unique Italianate village of Portmeirion. This charming coastal resort has winding streets, towers, and gardens. Later, we arrive at the Gateway of Wales, Abergavenny, for a 2-night stay.
Today we visit the charming town of Hay-on-Wye, known as the “town of books” due to the many bookshops on its high street. After some free time to immerse ourselves in this literary haven, we’ll enjoy a local lunch, with the opportunity to taste the renowned Welsh Rarebit—a local dish dating back to the 18th century. In the afternoon learn about Wales’ coal mining history with a visit to the Big Pit National Coal Museum—a real coal mine with underground tours, miner guides, and a warm welcome. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.
We say goodbye to Abergavenny and travel to London.
Explore London with a guided coach tour through some of the highlights of London. The rest of the day is yours to explore before our Farwell dinner.
We proceed to London for our flight back to Canada.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
