With the weather forecast predicting heat waves and summer thunderstorms, it feels odd to be writing about some new ideas for the November/December period but that’s part of this week’s focus.

With stately homes like Chatsworth and Castle Howard decorating for the festive season and Christmas Markets among the medieval Rows in Chester, in Manchester (the biggest in Britain) and around the ancient streets of York, using the user-friendly Manchester gateway, you can offer your clients a number of new, off season ways of looking at their old friend Britain, most of which they may have heard about but never experienced before.

I’ve added a link to an interesting North Devon Foodie Tour in my weekly Britain Insider column for the Insider Report which goes well with a Cornwall itinerary featuring Arthurian legends, Poldark and Doc Martin.  I’ve also added a link to last week’s article for Travel Research Online.

I’ve closed with a short testimonial from Ensemble member Brian Chima which underlines the careful thought and creativity we put into customising UK/Ireland tours.

The St Nicholas Christmas Fair, York

The major event in this 6-night programme is the colourful St Nicholas Christmas Festival in York, complete with seasonal sparkle, Victorian costumed traders, carol singers and hot chocolate laced with brandy! It includes a visit to Castle Howard, Chatsworth House and the Fairfax House, all stunningly decorated for Christmas and timed to coincide with the annual Early Music Christmas Festival. Read more

Manchester, Chester and Chatsworth at Christmas

This 4 nighter is based round the Manchester Christmas Market, arguably the biggest and the best in the UK.  It also includes a side trip to the Christmas Market in the picture-book city of Chester and a side trip to the fabulous Chatsworth House, in full festive season mode.  There’s also a 3-night optional extension to Dublin for their Christmas Markets.  Read more

Chester, China, Chatsworth and Collectables

Using the Manchester gateway, this 6 night tour features the 70 traditional wooden chalets at Chester’s festive Christmas market, treasure-filled Chatsworth House fully decked out for Christmas, bargain hunting at the magical World of Wedgwood and a day at the International Antiques and Collectors Fair Newark making a perfect combination for 2 independent travellers or as an 8-10 pax Girls Getaway.  Read more

A Foodie Adventure on North Devon's Adventure Coast

Spurred on by the growing interest in Doc Martin and Poldark themed visits to Cornwall, my imagination has been fired and taste buds tickled by a 2-3-night North Devon foodie itinerary which can be included before or after the On-Location visits.  Check out my Britain Insider column in last Friday’s Insider Travel Report.  May/June’s a good time to travel for this combination.

The Beatles, Chatsworth, Wedgwood and Well Dressing

If you like thinking out of the box, last week’s article for Travel Research Online reveals some of what’s in store for your clients on this side of the Manchester gateway. Start a conversation with anglophile clients about customised tours that include Beatrix Potter, the Brontës, Wedgwood, David Hockney, Hadrian’s Wall and the heritage cities of Chester and York, North Wales and Scotland.

How Did We Do

Paull does an excellent job customizing itineraries and he’s a pleasure to work with. Everything for our clients has been a premium, first-class experience that they’ve absolutely loved. But the best part is the helpful feedback in response to my inquiries.  He’s guided me to book a train instead of a car, or one hotel over another based on its location, and this is invaluable. Brian Chima, Chima Travel, Akron, Ohio.