Magical Isle of Man

Day 1

We enjoy a continental breakfast on board the coach as we travel northwards to Heysham, for our ferry crossing making suitable comfort tops along the way. The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Douglas Harbour.

Day 2

After breakfast we board our tramcar at the Manx Electric Railway in Douglas, which has been operating for more than 125 years, and travel in Victorian style to Laxey to explore the north of the island. On arrival we walk a short distance to the Laxey Wheel. This feat of Victorian engineering and ingenuity is the largest surviving waterwheel of its kind in the world. Watch the mighty wheel turn and climb to the top for panoramic views across Glen Mooar Valley. Afterwards we board the Snaefell Mountain Railway running from the village of Laxey to the summit of Snaefell, the only mountain on the Island. The railway winds its way up 2000ft to the top of Snaefell. It is the only place in the British Isles where you can see seven kingdoms on a clear day - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Heaven, Mann, and the Sea just by turning around. We return afterwards for our evening meal.

Day 3

This morning visit the National Folk Museum at Cregneash, set in beautiful countryside, a living illustration of a farming and crofting community in the 19th and 20th century. Explore the numerous thatched Manx cottages including Harry Kelly's cottage where there will be a Bonnag cooking on the fire, speak to the villager's joiner and blacksmith, explore Church Farm. You will see fields being worked with horse-drawn equipment, craftsmen thatching the roofs, spinning, weaving and wood turning and have a chance to learn about the growing and preparation of Manx food. Afterwards we continue to the southern tip and visit The Sound Café for lunch to be obtained. Here you will see spectacular views of the Calf of Man. On our return journey to our hotel, we visit the Isle of Man Home of Rest for Old Horses. Set on over 90 acres of land, the Home currently cares for over sixty horses and ponies and eleven donkeys. Opportunity to purchase some food for the horses to feed them or just wander round and pick out your favorite one. There is a cafe onsite selling homemade cafes, scones, tea, and coffee. We return to our hotel with time to relax before our evening meal.

Day 4

Today we enjoy a free morning in Douglas. Opportunity to take a walk along the promenade and visit the new Bee Gees statue or relax in the promenade gardens, browse the many shops, or visit the Manz Museum with artefacts and treasures unique to the isle of Man, new TT gallery and the Island's 1000-year history (free entry by a £10 donation is suggested). In the afternoon we visit the Isle of Man Motor Museum where we explore the amazing stories behind a collection of over 500 unique exhibits from around the world, including classic cars and motor vehicles and rarely seen private motorcycles.

Day 5

After breakfast we head across to the west coast to Peel, sometimes referred to as the 'rose red city' due to the red sandstone used to build the castle and other important buildings. The town has narrow streets of fisherman's cottages and a Victorian promenade. Peel is the island's main fishing port. Here we visit the House of Manannan museum situated on the quayside. Here at the house of Manannan (Thie Vanannan), the Island's mythological sea god. Manannan, welcomes us to his fascinating Kingdom. He will guide us through the islands rich Celtic, Viking and maritime past. Afterward we head to Port Erin, a small seaside village in the south-west of the Island and board our steam train on the Isle of Man steam railway and ride along the longest narrow gauge steam line in Britain that still uses its original locomotives and carriages to Douglas, where our coach will be waiting to return us to our hotel.

Day 6

After breakfast we travel a very short distance to Douglas ferry port for our return ferry crossing to Heysham. We then continue homewards making suitable comfort stops along the way.

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included