Avanti Luxury Coach Travel

2020 HOLIDAYS & SHORT BREAKS

Avanti Coach Travel, 26 Heath Way, Blofield Heath, Norwich, NR13 4RS. Telephone: 01603 717488 www.avanticoachholidays.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Avanti Coach Holidays

We are pleased to bring you our 2020 Holiday Brochure. As usual, we offer a good selection of short breaks and holidays to some of the finest destinations in the UK and Ireland and this year we also include an eight-day holiday to Lake Garda in Italy. Destinations for some of the well-established and very popular holidays are featured once again this year. However, some of these holidays have new itineraries that include new visitor attractions and places of interest.

We continue to select hotels which are well located, have either a 3 or 4 star rating and which we know offer comfortable accommodation, top quality food and excellent, all round customer service.

We make every effort to ensure that our holidays offer both quality and excellent value and we remain committed to providing a friendly and personal service. We are confident that you will find that our holidays offer excellent value for money and are competitively priced when comparing the cost as well as what is included in the holiday price.

When travelling to our holiday destinations we make regular breaks during the journeys and often these stops will be made at places of interest rather than at motorway services. Customers can be assured that, on leaving Norfolk, we do not make any further stops or detours to pick up passengers or to transfer them between coaches.

We offer several departure points for all holidays and general details of these can be found in the section “Holiday Departure Points” near the bottom of the page headed “How to Book Your Holiday”.

Our coaches are air-conditioned and have on-board toilet/washroom facilities. For your additional comfort and safety our coaches also have reclining seats with seat belts and there is generous legroom in all seats. Please note: it is a legal requirement for seat belts to be worn.

We hope that you will find something of interest from our selection of holidays. If you would like further information about a particular hotel or holiday before booking, please call us during office hours.

If you would like to book a holiday, please read carefully the information on the following two pages and then call us during office hours on Norwich (01603) 717488.

We look forward to seeing you during 2020!

OFFICE HOURS – Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Telephone Norwich (01603) 717488.

Financial Security All our holidays and short breaks are subject to the Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulations 1992. All holiday payments are held in a designated Trust Account until the satisfactory completion of the holiday for which you have booked. This is the protection required by EEC Directive 90/314/EC and fully safeguards customers’ money in the event of the insolvency of, or non-performance by, the tour operator.

CHESTER ZOO, JODRELL BANK & THE NATIONAL WATERWAYS MUSEUM

st th Wednesday 1 April to Saturday 4 April 2020 (4 days)

An early Spring Holiday in Cheshire that has an exciting and interesting itinerary throughout. Your holiday will include a day at the world famous Chester Zoo, a visit to the iconic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a morning exploring the locks, docks and Victorian warehouses at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port and finally an afternoon at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet – the largest in the UK where you will get a 10% discount card to use for all purchases.

Most people are familiar with Chester Zoo for the series of TV programmes entitled “The Secret Life of the Zoo”. As good as the programme is, there is nothing like seeing all the wonderful animals up close and for real as you make your way around this fantastic zoo. There are 125 acres of zoological gardens to explore where each species enjoys conditions similar to their natural habitat. The number of species at the zoo has recently increased with the addition of two red panda cubs, a rare baby Sumatran orangutan and a critically endangered Eastern Bongo. Among the many large animals that you will see are aardvarks, Asian elephants, black rhinos, jaguars, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras and a pride of endangered Asiatic lions. In addition, there are smaller animals such as meerkats and Komodo dragons and the flamingos are just one of several species of birds at the zoo. Don’t forget to visit the Aquarium to discover the unique aquatic wildlife that live in the oceans across the world.

The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port is the home of the nation’s designated collection of canal, river and waterways history. Designed by Thomas Telford, the docks were still in use in the 1950s. There is much to explore, from the handsome Victorian buildings which house the museum displays, to the locks and moorings where you will find the colourful historic narrow boats. You can also visit the forge, stables and workers’ cottages. After leaving the National Waterways Museum we travel to the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet which has around 145 shops, cafes and restaurants. You will have all the top brands to choose from and with your discount card you will get 10% off all marked prices in every shop. Our homeward journey includes a visit to Jodrell Bank Observatory which now has UNESCO World Heritage status, and which has been at the heart of ground-breaking science and space exploration for over 70 years. At one time the powerful telescopes here were the best in the world and they were officially involved in tracking both US and Soviet space missions. Now in its 75th year, this globally significant site has been at the heart of ground- breaking scientific research and the story of Jodrell Bank will unfold when you visit the excellent Discovery Centre.

We stay at the excellent Best Western Forest Hills Hotel near Frodsham, set amidst the beautiful Cheshire countryside with wonderful, panoramic views across Mersey estuary. Guests have use of the hotel’s indoor pool.

Your Hotel: Best Western Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham (3 star)

Holiday Price: £295.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £45.00 Supplement for single occupancy or a twin/double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms are en-suite with TV and telephone and beverage facilities. ❖ Use of the hotel’s leisure facilities including indoor pool ❖ The hotel does not have a lift but has many ground floor rooms ❖ All coach travel and tours and admission costs as follows: - A day at Chester Zoo - The National Waterways Museum - Visit to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet - Visit to Jodrell Bank Observatory

MAY MYSTERY TOUR

Thursday 14th May to Sunday 17th May 2020 (4 days)

The first of our two Mystery Tours for 2020 has an itinerary that promises an enjoyable holiday that is full of interest and variety. During the holiday you will visit some top-quality attractions as well as some notable places of interest – none of which we have visited on any of our holidays in the past.

We have selected an excellent four star hotel that we have not stayed at before and which features lovely, spacious rooms and a luxurious spa where you can enjoy a tranquil swim in the heated pool or sit back and relax in the sauna and steam room.

There will be prizes to be won in the “Guess the Destination” competition and in the general knowledge quiz.

The only clues we can give you about our mystery destination is that it is in England and over 100 miles from Norwich!

Holiday price: £295.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £60.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday are to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price:

❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ En-suite rooms with TV, telephone, hairdryer and hot beverage facilities. The hotel has a lift ❖ Use of the hotel’s spa facilities including heated pool, sauna and steam room ❖ Porterage on arrival and departure ❖ Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel ❖ Two full-day excursions with all admission costs to attractions included ❖ Visits to places of interest on outward and homeward journeys ❖ Competition to guess the holiday destination and a prize quiz

GALWAY, THE CLIFFS OF MOHER & THE ARAN ISLANDS

Sunday 24th May to Saturday 30th May 2020 (7days)

A wonderful tour to Western Ireland that takes in the coastal regions of the beautiful counties of Galway and Clare and includes a ferry-boat trip to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, situated in the mouth of Galway Bay. Often described as a “trip of a lifetime”, the Aran Islands are very much a world apart from the rest of the places that you will visit during your holiday. Our base in Ireland is at the excellent 4 star Loughrea Hotel, situated on the northern shore on Lough Rea, approximately 20 miles east of Galway.

Our first full day in Ireland begins with a visit to Galway, a city with a lively bohemian flavour and a reputation for artistic creativity. Galway has also been designated European City of Culture for 2020. After exploring the city, you can enjoy a 1 ½ hour return cruise on the River Corrib between Galway and Lough Corrib. On the way back to our hotel we make a short visit to the small town of Athenry which was the inspiration for the song “Fields of Athenry”, a popular Irish sports anthem which tells the story of the despair and heartache caused by famine and deportation in Ireland in the 1840s.

Our second tour takes us on a day to remember with around six hours to enjoy on Inishmore. From the small port of Rossaveel, situated 20 miles to the west of Galway, we take the 40 minute ferry trip across Galway Bay as foot passengers to Kilronan, the “capital” of Inishmore. With ecclesiastical ruins from early Christian times, medieval castles, prehistoric stone forts, dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, unique flora and fauna and a rich folklore, the islands have been an inspiration for writers and artists over the years. You will enjoy a two-hour guided tour of Inishmore by minibus which includes a visit to Don Aengus, the most famous of the prehistoric forts on the Aran Islands.

The third full-day tour takes us to County Clare where our first visit of the day is to the amazing limestone landscape of The Burren and the Aillwee Cave. You will enjoy a breath-taking guided tour of the beautiful caverns which takes you over bridges, under weird rock formations and alongside a waterfall. You will also see the skeletal remains of the now extinct brown bears that once lived here. Adjoining the cave site is the Birds of Prey Centre where, at midday, you can enjoy 45 minutes of amazing flying displays featuring eagles, falcons, hawks and owls. The tour continues with a visit to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. The cliffs rise to 700 feet and range for 5 miles above the Atlantic Ocean, offering superb views of the Aran Islands. Following time in the Visitor Centre, we return to Lough Rea, making a short visit to the county town of Ennis, time permitting.

During the outward journey across Ireland to our hotel we make a stop in the market town of Athlone which straddles the River Shannon. On the east bank you will find the “High Street” and on the west bank is the arty quarter with the heritage attractions of Athlone Castle and St Peter and Paul Church. The journeys to and from Ireland will each include an overnight stay at the excellent 3 star Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon when there will be some free time to explore the area around Caernarfon Castle and the harbour. The homeward journey from Caernarfon will take you through the superb scenery of Snowdonia National Park.

Your Hotels: Lough Rea Hotel & Spa - 4 nights (main hotel) - 4 star Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon – 2 nights (overnight) - 3 star

Holiday Price: £629.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £120.00 supplement for sole occupancy of a double room (limited availability)

Deposit: £50.00 per person

All cheque payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”. Included in your holiday price: ❖ Six nights’ accommodation with breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone and beverage facilities. Both hotels have a lift ❖ Return ferry crossings between Holyhead and Dublin ❖ All coach travel and tours as follows: - Full day excursion to Galway including a 1 ½ hour cruise on the River Corrib with tea/coffee and a scone - Full day excursion to the Aran Islands (Inishmore), a guided tour of the island and entry to Dun Aengus - Full day excursion to Aillwee Cave, The Birds of Prey Centre and the Cliffs of Moher, including entry costs/fares - A visit to Athlone on the outward journey

Please note: • Passports are not currently required for this tour, but it is advisable to either carry one or some other official photographic ID such as a driving licence. • You will require euros for purchases in Ireland

CRUISING THE THAMES

& TWO HIDDEN GEMS

Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th June 2020 (4 days)

This may be just a four day break but it could seem longer as we have arranged an itinerary which is full of variety and places of interest to visit on all four days. During the first two days you will enjoy two memorable but contrasting cruises on the Thames, a visit to Oxford and a fascinating visit to the oldest model village and railway in the world. Day three of the holiday includes a morning visit to the working 19th century Whitchurch Silk Mill which, includes a one hour guided tour, followed by an afternoon visit to the exc ellent Milestones Museum in Basingstoke. On the fourth and final day of the holiday you can enjoy a few hours in Windsor before we commence the homeward journey.

We have chosen the excellent four star Hilton Hotel Reading for the holiday, not just for its location but also for the top quality of the accommodation and food and the splendid leisure facilities which include a heated indoor pool. During the journey to Reading on the first day of your holiday you will enjoy free time in Oxford before commencing a two hour afternoon cruise on the River Thames, passing through beautiful rural scenery on the way to Abingdon.

The second day of your holiday begins with a visit to Bekonscot Model Village and Railway in Beaconsfield. Opened in 1929, it has fine, detailed model buildings, a vast model railway and 1 ½ acres of well kept gardens. Stuck in a 1930s time warp, you can see England as it used to be, in miniature. From Bekonscot we travel to Marlow for a two hour scenic Thames cruise to Henley, passing many beautiful residences and gardens on the way. At Henley, which is famous for its annual regatta, there will be free time to explore and perhaps visit the River and Rowing Museum.

We visit two excellent attractions on Saturday beginning with Whitchurch Silk Mill, set in a peaceful location by the River Test. Here you will enjoy a 60 minute guided tour of this gem of industrial heritage and you will see how the amazing waterwheel powers the Victorian machinery and looms that weave the silk. (There is a lift in the mill to the two upper floors). There will be time to take a stroll around the gardens and also to enjoy refreshments in the Riverside Café before we leave to travel east to Basingstoke. Here we visit the very impressive Milestones Museum of Living History which tells the story of how local people used to live, the things they used and the work they did. You will see what the high street shops were like before chain stores arrived and you can buy an old penny and a ration coupon and call in at Abrahams Sweet Shop to spend it on your favourite sweets. You can also swap new pennies for old at the Penny Arcade and play the old authentic arcade machines. Collections Corner, which is crammed with household goods from yesteryear, shows how these everyday items have developed over the years. Milestones’ very own pub, The Baverstock Arms, serves beer as well as teas, coffees and soft drinks and you will also find a superb collection of restored vintage vehicles, many of which were made locally at Thorneycrofts factory.

After checking out of our hotel on Sunday you will have a few hours to enjoy in Windsor before we make our way back to Norfolk.

Your Hotel: Hilton Hotel, Reading (4 Star)

Holiday Price: £279.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £60.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price:

❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. There is a lift to all floors. ❖ Porterage on arrival and departure ❖ All coach travel including tours and visits as follows: - Free time in Oxford followed by a Thames cruise to Abingdon - Visit to Bekonscot Model Village followed by a cruise on the Thames from Marlow to Henley - Whitchurch Silk Mill, including a guided tour followed by a visit to Milestones Museum of Living History - A morning visit to Windsor

CORNISH DELIGHTS

Monday 22nd to Saturday 27th June 2020 (6 days)

Cornwall is a uniquely beautiful county that has two contrasting coastlines with many picturesque fishing villages and resorts that have changed very little over the years. This six-day holiday will give you the opportunity to visit and explore some of these delightful places as well as two histo ric properties – Mount Edgcumbe and Lanhydrock. We stay at the excellent three star Portbyhan Hotel, superbly situated on the quayside in West Looe with panoramic views of the harbour and East Looe. It is just a five minute stroll across the bridge into the main resort of East Looe where the narrow streets lead down to the beach, harbour and banjo pier. The hotel’s Riverside Restaurant serves top quality food and you can enjoy entertainment after dinner most evenings.

On your first full day in Cornwall you will enjoy a morning at leisure in Looe followed by an afternoon excursion to visit the historic Mount Edgcumbe House where you will see the family collection and the Earl’s private garden which is linked to the adjacent Barrow Centre which has shops, arts and crafts outlets and a wonderful café. During your visit you will see the working blacksmith, weaver and textile designer bringing their traditional skills to life. Mount Edgcumbe is situated at the most easterly coastal point in Cornwall, where from its cliff top position, there are splendid views of Plymouth and Devon across Plymouth Sound.

The second excursion takes us to Cornwall’s north coast where we first visit the charming village of Port Isaac, which becomes Port Wenn in the popular TV series Doc Martin. Explore the village and find some of the locations used in the series and perhaps take the traffic-free street to the peaceful little fishing harbour, passing many slate-hung cottages on the way. The tour continues to Padstow, a picturesque resort and fishing village on the Camel river estuary. The old town, which has houses dating back to the Middle Ages, is a maze of narrow, crooked streets sloping down to the estuary and harbour. The town also has a delightful inner harbour around which the craft and gift shops, charming houses and cafes form the centre on the resort. Padstow is also a prominent fishing village and is renowned for its top-class fish restaurants, with the best-known being that owned by the TV chef Rick Stein.

Your next excursion begins with a memorable visit to Lanhydrock, near Bodmin, a magnificent late Victorian country house with extensive, colourful gardens and borders and a wooded estate. Lanhydrock has the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home but you will discover the usual two sides of Victorian life – the kitchens, nurseries and servants’ quarters “below stairs” and the spacious and elegant rooms and luxurious family areas “upstairs”. On leaving Lanhydrock we make a short afternoon visit to Bodmin, the county town of Cornwall, situated on the sloping southern edge of Bodmin Moor.

On the final full day in Cornwall we pay a morning visit to the legendary Cornish village of Polperro which still retains the historic character of a fishing village with a smuggling heritage. Strung out along a narrow valley, the colour- washed cottages lead to a small, picturesque harbour. There will be free time to explore and maybe visit the Smuggling Museum before we return to Looe where you can enjoy the rest of the day.

Your Hotel: The Portbyhan Hotel, West Looe (3 star)

Holiday Price: £485.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £80.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room No supplement for single bedded room but limited availability

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast and three course Table d’hote dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, phone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. The hotel has a lift. ❖ Entertainment most nights. Porterage on arrival and departure. Free WiFi throughout the hotel ❖ All coach travel including the following tours and all admission costs: - Mount Edgcumbe House & Gardens and the Barrow Centre - Port Isaac and Padstow - Lanhydrock Country House, Gardens & Estate (National Trust)*. Visit to Bodmin - Polperro followed by a free afternoon in Looe

* Lanhydrock is owned by National Trust. Those with membership receive £14.00 discount on the holiday price.

STEAMING BACK TO THE 40s

AND THE SCENIC SHROPSHIRE HILLS

Friday 3rd July to Monday 6th July 2020 (4 days)

This splendid four-day holiday to the delightful rural county of Shropshire has a full itinerary that offers plenty of variety, interest and fun as well as a scenic tour that includes the lovely Shropshire Hills.

However, the highlight of the holiday will undoubtedly be the nostalgic 1940s day on the Severn Valley Railway that runs alongside the River Severn between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster. Your “Rover Ticket” will give you unlimited journeys on the railway throughout the day between all six stations on the line, travelling on the lovingly restored steam trains and soaking up the atmosphere both on the trains and at the stations. This light-hearted journey into wartime Britain includes singers and musicians providing live 1940s entertainment at stations where the railway staff, military personnel and many of the passengers will be in authentic 1940s dress. There will also be wartime related events and other 1940s re-enactments taking place at the stations throughout the day where you will see, among other things, 1940s vintage cars and military vehicles. You will also find exhibitions and 1940s fashion and memorabilia stalls where replica items can be purchased. A full itinerary of the day’s events, with timings, will be available in April 2020.

You will also enjoy a full-day tour that begins with a visit to the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms, a small market town named after its Georgian Inn. We have included admission to the new “Shropshire Hills Through Time” exhibition where you can meet Condover Mammoth – a replica skeleton of a fully-grown male mammoth that was found just 20 miles away. You will find out about the people and the places where they lived within this special landscape and you can also trace the geological and climate changes that have taken place from the Ice Age to the present day. A breath-taking panoramic film takes you soaring over the hills, towns and villages and rivers of the surrounding landscape, showing Shropshire as it has never been seen before. The tour continues to the historic town of Ludlow, with its massive castle and Keep and the cathedral-like Church of St Lawrence. There are hundreds of listed buildings in Ludlow, including many with Tudor and Jacobean origins. Following a stop for lunch and sightseeing, we leave Ludlow on the final stage of the tour and enjoy a 25 mile drive along Wenlock Edge through lovely scenery on the way to visit Much Wenlock, an ancient market town with many black and white half-timbered cottages.

We have also included two excellent attractions that we visit on the outward and homeward journeys of the holiday. On the outward journey we visit RAF Museum Cosford, where you can get up close to many aircraft from around the world. The museum also has several iconic cars, tanks and other fascinating exhibits. On the homeward journey you can enjoy a stop of around 2 hours when we visit the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire. The 150 acres of beautifully landscaped woodland has more than 300 memorials dedicated to those who have lost their lives whilst serving the country, at either a local or national level, since the end of World War II. We have included a 50 minute land train tour with commentary to allow you to see and find out about the many memorials and other interesting features.

There will be entertainment on one evening during the holiday.

Your Hotel: Buckatree Hall Hotel, Wellington (3 star)

Holiday Price: £295.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £45.00 Supplement for single occupancy or a twin/double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms are en-suite with TV and telephone and beverage facilities. The hotel has a lift. ❖ All coach travel and tours as follows: - Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre inc. admission, Ludlow and Much Wenlock - The 1940s event on the Severn Valley Railway between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster inc. all day unlimited train journeys between the six stations - Visit to RAF Museum Cosford on the outward journey - Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum on the homeward journey – includes cost of land train tickets

TORBAY & EXETER CATHEDRAL

PLYMOUTH & THE MAYFLOWER

Monday 13th July to Friday 17th July 2020 (5 days)

The beautiful region of Torbay in South Devon has, justifiably , become known as the English Riviera where the three neighbouring resorts of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham form the 10 miles of magical coastline along Tor Bay. The itinerary for this delightful holiday offers a fascinating blend of traditional seaside charm and interesting historic locations.

From our base in the central resort of Paignton you will enjoy a tour that will give you free time to enjoy in each of Torbay’s resorts plus a boat trip across Torbay from Brixham to Torquay. Brixham has a bustling fishing harbour and the early 19th century and Victorian houses around the harbour recall the time when the Brixham fishing fleet was the most prosperous in Devon. A stone on the quayside commemorates a key event in British history – the landing of William of Orange in 1688. Torquay is Devon’s largest resort and has a superb panoramic setting overlooking the wide sweep of Tor Bay. The area around the marina is a favourite place to relax and watch the world go by! Paignton is centrally situated on Tor Bay and here you can enjoy lovely promenade walks along the open and spacious seafront and the adjacent shopping streets in the town centre are all on the level and are just a ten minute walk from the hotel.

Our second tour takes us to Plymouth, a city with a fascinating maritime history. It was from Plymouth that the Elizabethan sailors Raleigh and Frobisher embarked on their many great sea voyages and in 1588, Francis Drake set out from here when he defeated the Spanish Armada. In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers sailed from Plymouth aboard the Mayflower in their quest for a better life and future in America and in 1772 James Cook set sail on his three-year circumnavigation of the world. It was also from Plymouth that Sir Francis Chichester sailed in 1966 to make the first single-handed voyage around the world in Gypsy Moth IV. You will enjoy free time to explore Plymouth Hoe and harbour and an included one- hour cruise with commentary on Plymouth Sound, taking in the spectacular views of Plymouth Hoe, Drakes Island and the Royal Navy Dockyard.

The final tour of the holiday begins with a visit to Exeter, one of the most historic cities in Britain, where you will enjoy an excellent guided tour of the magnificent Cathedral. You will hear about its two Norman towers, the West Front covered with carved figures, the 59 ft high Bishop’s Throne and the astronomical clock. There will be some free time in the historic city centre before we leave to visit the charming but small resort of Teignmouth, which was once a fishing and ship- building community that developed where the River Teign meets the estuary of the River Exe.

Our accommodation is at the excellent Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton, which is situated on a promontory overlooking the beach and sea. This very comfortable 3 star hotel is renowned for the top-quality food and service that is provided in the splendid surroundings of the Paris Singer Restaurant, with its spectacular sea views. There will be entertainment at the hotel on two evenings and guests have use of the indoor pool

Your Hotel: Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton (3 star) Holiday Price: £395.00 per person sharing a twin/double room No supplement for single bedded rooms £120.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double/twin room Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and hospitality tray ❖ Use of the hotel’s indoor heated pool. Entertainment on two evenings ❖ Porterage on arrival and departure. The hotel has a lift. ❖ All coach travel including tours and admission/fares as follows: - Visits to Torquay, Brixham and Paignton and boat trip across Tor Bay - Tour to Plymouth to include the Maritime Quarter, a one hour boat cruise around Plymouth Sound and free time in the city - Tour to Exeter with guided tour of Exeter Cathedral and a visit to the resort of Teignmouth

THE BEST OF NORTH WALES

LLANDUDNO – SNOWDONIA - ANGLESEY

Monday 27th July to Friday 31st July 2020 (5 days)

The North Wales coast stretches for approximately 50 miles , from Flint in the east to Bangor in the west and the beautiful bays and beaches in between, together with the breath-taking grandeur of the Snowdonia National Park, are why this region so popular as a holiday destination. Llandudno, situated on a two-mile long sandy bay between The Little Orme and The Great Orme, makes a perfect base for a holiday in North Wales. This picture-postcard resort retains the style and influence of its Victorian and Edwardian past and the main heritage attraction today continues to be The Great Orme Tramway. Built in the early 1900s, this cable-hauled train travels one mile as it winds its way to the top of the 670 ft high headland from where there are stunning views of the town, the bay, the coastline and Snowdonia.

Your holiday will include a full-day tour and two half-day tours in North Wales and there will be ample time to explore Llandudno, where we have included a return trip on The Great Orme Tramway in the holiday price.

The first half-day tour is to the delightfully small but historic town of Conwy with its picturesque quayside. The town is also unforgettable for its massive castle above the River Conway and the 15 ft thick walls that surround it. Built for Edward I in the 13th century, the castle was one of many fortresses built throughout Wales by Edward I to defend his newly won territory. We return to Llandudno early afternoon where you can relax or explore the resort. The second half-day tour takes us first along the Vale of Conwy and into Snowdonia National Park to visit Betws-y-Coed, a delightful village nestling in the wooded hills of the Gwydyr Forest Park. The tour continues with an 18 mile drive through the spectacular Snowdonia scenery as we head towards Bethesda. Snowdonia is a region of wild mountains with high passes and craggy peaks. Sheer precipices plummet into valleys where you will see waterfalls and sparkling mountain lakes. Leaving the National Park at Bethesda we return to Llandudno where you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon which includes a trip up the Great Orme on the Tramway.

The full day tour takes us west along the coast to the island of Anglesey where we enjoy a short visit to Beaumaris where the last castle to be built by Edward I is situated. Although this remarkable castle was never fully completed, it is well worth a visit. We return to the mainland to visit the ancient town of Caernarfon, the ceremonial capital of Wales. The magnificent castle dominates the town and it was there that Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales in 1969. There will be time for lunch and to explore the town and the harbour before we travel to Llanberis, an attractive village with a number of attractions as well as the railway station which is the starting point for a trip up Mount Snowdon. At Llanberis we have included a visit to the fascinating National Slate Museum where you will see a demonstration of slate-splitting and learn more about the history of the slate industry and the people involved in it. You will also see the Industrial Workshops and original onsite buildings exactly as they were in Victorian times. We return to Llandudno by the coast road.

We stay at the excellent, family run St Kilda Hotel which is perfectly situated at the centre of the promenade on the sweeping curve of Llandudno Bay. Many of the bedrooms have wonderful sea views.

Your Hotel: St Kilda Hotel, Llandudno (3 star)

Holiday Price: £345.00 per person sharing a twin/double room No single supplement (limited number of rooms) Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with full breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone and beverage facilities. There is a lift to all floors. ❖ Afternoon tea and scones on arrival ❖ Entertainment each evening ❖ Porterage on arrival and departure ❖ All coach travel, tours and admission costs/fares as follows: - Anglesey – Caernarfon – Llanberis inc. visit to National Slate Museum - Morning visit to Conwy - Half-day tour that includes Betws-y-Coed and Snowdonia National park - Free time in Llandudno with a trip on the Great Orme Tramway

NEWCASTLE, TYNESIDE & THE BEST OF NORTHUMBERLAND

th th Sunday 9 August to Friday 14 August 2020 (6 days)

Northumberland is a beautiful, unspoilt county that offers stu nning landscapes, a wonderful coastline and a fascinating variety of attractions. The county has some outstanding Roman heritage sites and an ancient history which includes the birth of Christianity in the North-East and 200 years of Viking invasions. The 12th century saw the beginning of 300 years of border wars between England and Scotland and the numerous castle ruins in the county date from this time. You will enjoy four tours on this holiday with opportunities to explore some of Northumberland’s lovely market towns and villages as well as some of its famous heritage sites. The first of these tours takes us into Hadrian’s Wall Country where we first visit the historic town of Hexham, followed by the Roman Army Museum and Chesters Roman Fort where you will discover what life was like for the Roman Army who built, patrolled and lived along the Wall.

The second tour takes us to the lovely town of Alnwick where you will have time to explore and perhaps make an optional visit to the contemporary Alnwick Garden with the Grand Cascade or the magnificent Alnwick Castle. The tour continues via the heather-clad hills of Northumberland National Park to visit Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens where the 14th century castle and adjoining Jacobean mansion and a Regency Greek Revival Hall are all linked by 20 acres of beautiful gardens, including the magical Quarry Garden.

We enjoy the services of a local Blue Badge Guide for our third tour which begins with a visit to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland. Discover the history and techniques of glassmaking before we head north, through the Tyne Tunnel to Tynemouth where the dramatic Tynemouth Priory and Castle dominate the headland. There will be free time to take in the beautiful views over the Tyne estuary to South Shields and enjoy a fascinating visit to the Watch House Museum at the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. The tour continues along the coast through Whitley Bay before heading back to Newcastle where we enjoy a city tour with our guide.

Our final tour begins with a visit to the atmospheric Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne. Only accessible via a three- mile causeway at low tide, the island attracted missionaries from Iona who settled here in the 7th century but were driven out by the Vikings in AD875. Today, the ruins of an 11th century Benedictine Priory, which was destroyed under King Henry VIII’s orders, are an evocative reminder of the island’s turbulent religious history. At the Heritage Centre you can see a virtual, electronic copy of the original ornate and illuminated Lindisfarne Gospels. From Holy island we travel south to the small coastal village of Bamburgh, which is dominated by its enormous castle built on a massive igneous rock formation on the wide sandy beach. The village also has a fine 13th century church, St Aidan’s, where in the churchyard you will find the resting place of Grace Darling, the lighthouse-keeper’s daughter who, with her father rescued five people from a wrecked steamboat in 1838. Opposite the church is a museum devoted to Grace Darling which has the small boat used in the rescue. The tour continues south along the coast to Seahouses where weekend and holiday visitors to the village and the Farne Islands turn this small fishing village into a popular resort. There will be free time to explore Seahouses or alternatively you may wish to take a 1 ½ hour return boat trip to the Farne Islands which provide ideal nesting sites for several species of seabird and they also have the only grey seal breeding grounds on the east coast.

We are based at the excellent Copthorne Hotel on the quayside in Newcastle, where all rooms have a river view. The location is ideal for evening riverside walks taking in the seven bridges that cross the Tyne in the city.

Your Hotel: Copthorne Hotel, Quayside, Newcastle (3 star) Holiday Price: £395.00 per person £85.00 Single Supplement in a double room (limited availability) Deposit: £40.00 per person All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”. Included in your holiday price: ❖ Five nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone and beverage facilities ❖ The hotel has a lift but no rooms with walk-in showers ❖ All coach travel, tours and visits as follows: - A full day tour with visits to Hexham, Chesters Roman Fort and the Roman Army Museum - A visit to Alnwick with 2 ½ hours of free time (optional visit to Alnwick Gardens or Castle not included) – visit to Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens - Full day guided tour to the National Glass Centre, Tynemouth, the Watch House Museum and Newcastle - Holy Island (Lindisfarne) – Bamburgh – Seahouses (cost of boat trip to the Farne Islands not included)

VIBRANT LIVERPOOL

& THE WORLD OF GLASS

Sunday 23rd August to Wednesday 26th August 2020 (4 days)

Join us on this exciting four-day holiday to the vibrant City of Liverpool which has many award-winning attractions and two UNESCO accreditations. It is a UNESCO City of Music, with many sites and attractions including those dedicated to The Fab Four, and the Historic Waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Liverpool has become a firm favourite with our customers, many returning for a second time. First-time visitors are always very pleasantly surprised at how impressive the city is with its regenerated Waterfront and Albert Dock. The city also has buildings with a wonderful variety of architecture ranging from the elegant “Three Graces” to the ultra-modern Museum of Liverpool and from the mighty red-brick Anglican Cathedral to the almost futuristic design of the Catholic Cathedral, known locally as “The Wigwam”.

Your holiday gets off to a great start when you “ferry ‘cross the Mersey” on Sunday afternoon, our day of arrival in Liverpool when the 50 minute ferry trip enables you to see Liverpool’s Waterfront in all its glory. Monday begins with a 2 ½ hour guided tour of Liverpool which includes some stops along the way. You will hear about the history and heritage of Liverpool and some of its famous people and also look around a few of the city’s iconic buildings. The tour ends in Mathew Street which houses both the famous Cavern Club and also the new Magical History Museum which, over four floors, gives you a complete audio-visual experience that takes you on a journey starting from The Beatles very early days. We have included a visit to the museum where you will see instruments The Beatles played and clothes they wore and also some of the earliest known Beatles artefacts will be on display. The afternoon will be free for you to explore the city, the Waterfront, the Albert Dock and the many free-to-enter museums. The famous Royal Liver Building, which is adjacent to the hotel, has opened its doors to the public for the first time and it is free to enter the Visitor Centre and the Interactive Exhibition Gallery. However, there is a charge to take the lift to the 10th floor where you get superb views of the Mersey as well as the building’s iconic clock. To reach the top, the 15th floor, you must climb 124 steps but the 360° views from there make it worth the effort!

The tour on Tuesday begins with a visit to St Helens where we visit the amazing World of Glass. The Museum has two excellent galleries to explore - the Glass Roots Gallery explains the history of glass dating back to 3000BC and the Earth into Light Gallery tells how St Helens became a world leader in glass making. There was also a thriving coal industry here and “St Helens Past” exhibition helps you to relive life in the town over 100 years ago. You can watch the glass blowing demonstration at midday and you will also be able to explore the underground tunnels of the world’s first glass making furnace built in 1887. For a bit of fun, take a look at yourself as you walk through the Mirror Maze! You will also see the beautiful two tonne chandelier, made in 1962 for Manchester Airport and restored and rehung here in 2003. From St Helens we travel west to Crosby on the coast where we stop by the beach to see Antony Gormley’s “Another Place”, a remarkable collection of 100 human sculptures located along the beach – all looking out to sea.

For this holiday we are staying at the excellent four star Mercure Atlantic Tower Hotel which has a wonderful location adjacent to The Waterfront, the Royal Liver Building and the ferry terminal at Pier Head.

Your Hotel: Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower Hotel (4 star)

Holiday Price: £329.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £66.00 supplement for single occupancy of a twin/double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. ❖ The hotel has a lift to all floors but please note there are no bedrooms on the first and second floors ❖ All coach travel and tours, including admission & fares as follows: - A trip on the Mersey Ferry - A guided tour of Liverpool and admission to the Magical Mystery Museum. Free afternoon in Liverpool - Visit to St Helens with admission to World of Glass - Visit to Antony Gormley’s “Another Place” on Crosby beach - Lunchtime stop at Dobbies Garden Centre near Stafford on homeward journey

SWANSEA, THE GOWER &

THE ROYAL MINT

Monday 31st August to Friday 4th September 2020 (5 days)

A delightful holiday that allows you to experience the captivating coast and countryside of South Wales and the glorious Gower Peninsular, whilst also providing the opportunity to explore Swansea and learn about the fascinating history and heritage of the region. This is our first holiday in South Wales to be based in Swansea, a city by the sea on beautiful Swansea Bay, where we stay at the excellent four star Marriott Hotel. Perfectly located in Swansea’s Maritime Quarter, it is close to the beach, the marina, the National Waterfront Museum and the oldest museum in Wales, the elegant Swansea Museum. Both museums have free admission. We have included three tours during the holiday as well as allowing free time to explore Swansea and its Maritime Quarter as well as the nearby famous Swansea Market which has over 100 stalls, all on one level under a vast domed roof.

The first of our three tours will be to the charming seaside resort of Mumbles situated at the southern end of Swansea Bay. Originally a fishing village, the Victorians developed it into a small fashionable town with a promenade and an ironwork pier. Today, Mumbles attraction lies in its narrow lanes which are lined with fishermen’s cottages and a pleasant mix of boutiques, galleries, potteries, craft shops, ice cream parlours and restaurants. We leave Mumbles early afternoon and return to Swansea where you will have the remainder of the afternoon to explore the Maritime Quarter and the town.

Our second tour includes visits to two of the best attractions in South Wales – St Fagans National Museum of History and the Royal Mint. St Fagans is one of the world’s leading open-air museums located in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th century manor house. Since the 1960s over fifty original buildings from various locations in Wales and from different historical periods, have been dismantled, brought here and carefully re-built in the 100 acres of parkland surrounding the castle. Together with workshops where craftsmen still demonstrate their traditional skills, St Fagans offers a fascinating glimpse into the history, heritage and culture of Wales. Native breeds of livestock can be seen in the fields and demonstrations of farming activities take place daily. At the Royal Mint you will learn about its 1,100 year history at various locations and enjoy behind the scenes access to the sights and sounds of millions of coins that are hot off the press. You will discover the craftsmanship and techniques that go into striking over 700 coins a minute for more than 60 countries worldwide. However, there is much more to your visit including superb exhibitions, the chance to strike you own brilliant uncirculated coin and lift, (hopefully!), a 400 oz gold bar worth almost half a million pounds. The excellent gift shop offers a range of products including historic coins to start, or add to, your own coin collection.

The final tour of the holiday takes us to the Gower Peninsula where the wonderful scenery of its coast and countryside led to it becoming the UK’s first Area or Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956. We head first to the Gower Heritage Centre, enjoying tea/coffee on arrival. This is followed by a 45 minute guided tour of the mill which will include the amazing Water Wheel, the corn mill and the saw mill before entering the Miller’s Cottage and the Blacksmith’s shop. At midday there will be an opportunity to enjoy lunch (not included) before we depart on a two-hour guided tour of the peninsula which takes us first to visit Rhossili with its breath-taking views of the bay and its three miles of golden beach. Also here is Worms Head, a large outcrop of rock jutting out from the headland. During the tour you will also get views of the iconic Three Cliffs Bay and the Hills of Gower, known as Cefn Bryn where you will see the 40 ton Neolithic monument called Arthur’s Stone. Arriving back at the Heritage Centre, you can enjoy an included Cream Tea before we travel back to Swansea.

Your Hotel: Swansea Marriott Hotel (4 star) Holiday Price: £385.00 per person £88.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with full Welsh breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. There is a lift to all floors. ❖ Porterage on arrival and departure. ❖ Use of hotel’s leisure facilities including a heated indoor pool ❖ All coach travel and tours including plus admission and other costs for the following: - Swansea Bay and The Mumbles. Free afternoon in Swansea - St Fagans National Museum of History, near Cardiff and The Royal Mint at Llantrisant - Morning visit & guided tour of the Gower Heritage Centre. Afternoon guided tour of the Gower Peninsula with visits to Rhossili, the Cefn-y-Bryn Hills and Arthur’s Stone. Cream Tea on return to the Heritage Centre

AUTUMN MYSTERY TOUR

Friday 11th September to Monday 14th September 2020 (4 days)

Our second Mystery Tour includes a 4-star hotel that we have not used before and a new and varied itinerary with places and attractions that we have not previously visited. As usual, this 4-day tour will be full of interest from start to finish with visits also included in the two “travelling days”.

Our very comfortable and friendly hotel is set in 17 acres of beautiful grounds and has a lovely spa that includes a heated indoor swimming pool, heated loungers and a steam room. All the spacious bedrooms are designed for comfort and the hotel has ground floor rooms as well as a lift.

Once on board the coach we have a “Guess the Destination” competition and a quiz and on the homeward journey there will be a free raffle.

As usual, our Mystery Hotel is located in the UK and is more than 100 miles from Norwich.

Holiday price: £295.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £60.00 supplement for single occupancy of a twin/double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday are to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price:

❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ En-suite rooms with TV, telephone, hairdryer and hot beverage facilities ❖ Use of the hotel’s leisure facilities including indoor pool ❖ The hotel has a lift and some ground floor rooms ❖ All travel costs and admission charges to four attractions ❖ Visits to places of interest on outward and homeward journeys ❖ Competition to guess the holiday destination ❖ A prize quiz and a free raffle

GLORIOUS LAKE GARDA & THE DOLOMITES

Sunday 20th September to Sunday 27th September 2020 (8 days)

Lake Garda is the largest and most enchanting of all the Italian Lakes and the mountainous backdrop of the northern shoreline provides the shelter that gives Lake Garda its warm and sunny climate. The lake is around 30 miles long and offers ever-changing vistas, with the green and mountainous region around the northern part of the lake contrasting sharply with the open gentle slopes at the southern end. This memorable holiday will give you many opportunities to experience the friendly, laid-back atmosphere for which Lake Garda’s delightful historic towns and picturesque villages are renowned. There are also boat trips to enjoy as well as a lakeside coach tour along the full length of the lake with visits to Sirmione and Bardolino. Included in the holiday price, there will also be an evening Wine Tasting at the Hotel Europa in Riva del Garda. Away from the lake, we take a full-day tour in the spectacular mountain scenery of the Dolomites and also a half-day visit to Trento, capital of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. For this holiday we have chosen the delightful 4 star Hotel Sole in Riva del Garda. Wonderfully situated just a short stroll from the lake, the hotel has an excellent reputation for its accommodation, cuisine and service and is perfectly located for our itinerary.

On our first day in Riva del Garda you will enjoy a free morning to explore the lovely town before we board our boat that takes us first to Limone, a small, picture-postcard resort on the north-west shore of the lake. Nestling alongside lemon groves and with houses lining the old cobbled streets and alleyways, Limone is an artist’s or photographer’s paradise. On leaving Limone our boat takes us across the lake to the small medieval town of Malcesine where the natural lakeside colours of late summer and autumn can be quite spectacular. The town is centred around the Scaligeri Castle and is wonderfully located between the majestic Monte Baldo to the east and Lake Garda to the west. You may wish to take the cable car to enjoy the stunning views from the top of Monte Baldo.

The following day we are accompanied by a local guide for an unforgettable tour in the Dolomites, considered one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. Named after the rock they are made of, the Dolomites are the most jagged mountains in Europe and their soaring light grey blocks, towers and pinnacles famously turn pink or purple in the evening sunshine. Our tour takes us first via the spectacular Val Gardena to Passo Pardoi for a lunch stop. We continue on through stunning scenery before stopping at Lake Carezza for refreshments, shopping and an opportunity to take some photographs at this wonderful location. We return to our hotel via Bolzano.

Our third day in Italy begins with a journey south, via the motorway and Peschiera, to Sirmione which is situated on a picturesque peninsula on the southern lake shore. Sirmione is an upmarket, historic resort clustered within the ancient walls of the impressive Scaligeri Castle and moat. The maze of tiny pedestrianised streets house the town’s bustling pavement cafes and elegant shops and a climb to the top of the castle is rewarded with stunning views of the Lake. During our visit to Sirmione, we have included a 30 minute boat trip to experience the warm thermal springs that bubble up from the lake bed. On leaving Sirmione, we begin our tour that takes us the full length of the western shore of Lake Garda and includes a visit to Bardolino, a delightful town which today is best-known for its local wines and olive oil. Bardolino has a very pretty harbour and the traffic-free centre and main square are full of inviting terrace cafes where you can relax over a glass of the excellent local wine or you may wish to sample some of the best ice cream in Italy. The tour continues with wonderful views of the lake as we travel to Riva del Garda, passing through the town of Garda along the way.

Our final day based in Riva begins with a visit to Trento, the capital of the Italian-speaking southern area of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. The heart of daily life in the city is the Piazza del Duomo. Said to be one of the most beautiful squares in the world, it is the location of the famous Fountain of Neptune. On returning to Riva del Garda, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the resort or perhaps take a walk to the neighbouring resort of Torbole.

The journeys to and from Italy include overnight accommodation with dinner and breakfast at hotels in south east France.

Your Hotel: Hotel Sole, Riva del Garda – 4 star (5 nights) Mercure Forbach Centre de Loisirs – 3 star (outbound overnight hotel) Novotel Metz Amneville – 4 star (homeward overnight hotel)

Holiday Price: £689.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £105.00 Single Supplement (a single bedded room may be allocated) Lakeview & Lakeview Balcony Rooms on request with supplements Deposit: £50.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Seven nights’ accommodation with buffet breakfast and three course dinner ❖ Welcome drink on arrival at the Hotel Sole and an evening Wine Tasting at the Hotel Europa in Riva del Garda. ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and air-conditioning. Walk-in showers on request basis only ❖ All three hotels have a lift. The Hotel Sole and the Mercure Forbach do not have any ground floor rooms ❖ All coach travel, tours and costs for the following: - Free morning in Riva del Garda. Boat trip on the lake to Limone and Malcesine with free time in both places - Full-day guided tour in the Dolomites with visits to Passo Pardoi and Lake Carezza - Visit to Sirmione including a boat trip and a scenic tour alongside the lake with a visit to Bardolino - Morning visit to Trento and free afternoon in Riva del Garda ❖ Return Eurotunnel crossings Folkestone/Calais

Please note: ** A full passport and holiday insurance are essential for this holiday

NORTH YORKSHIRE

CITY, COAST & COUNTRY

Monday 5th October to Friday 9th October 2020 (5 days)

Yorkshire is the largest county in the UK and has been described as a whole country within a county. It has two National Parks with iconic dales and moorlands, seven major cities, two UNESCO World Heritage sites and a spectacular coastline with traditional seaside towns. Yorkshire also has a wealth of castles, stately homes, museums and ancient monuments that give it a true sense of heritage. The delightful Parsonage Hotel and Spa, situated in the village of Escrick on the outskirts of York, makes an ideal base for the itinerary for this holiday. Your full day in York will include a visit to York’s Chocolate Story where you will discover the stories behind the greatest names in chocolate and unwrap the secrets of chocolate making. Towards the end of the guided tour you will be able to learn the art of the chocolatier yourself. The compact city centre has a vibrant atmosphere where world class museums and other excellent attractions are all within a short walking distance of one another. However, visitors today are also attracted to the impressive shopping district where the bustling cobbled streets are full of independent shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You will be given maps, leaflets and other information which will help you to plan your day in York.

Our second tour begins with a visit to the market town of Pickering, known as the gateway to the North York Moors. There will be free time to explore before we travel to Eden Camp, near Malton. This is a modern history theme museum that will transport you back to wartime Britain to experience the sights and sounds of those dangerous years. Eden Camp is housed in the buildings and grounds of an original World War II Prisoner of War Camp that held over 1000 German and Italian prisoners. In 1942, 250 Italian prisoners of war began the construction of the camp and it was then occupied until 1948 when the last German prisoners were repatriated. The artefacts, photographs, reconstructions and exhibitions in the many buildings on the site reveal the realities of day to day life on both the Front Line and the Home Front and they capture the spirit, hardship, sacrifice and humour of a nation at war in those unforgettable years.

The final tour is a lovely blend of coast and countryside, beginning with a visit to Scarborough. This is Yorkshire’s most popular seaside resort and it was one of the first resorts to be developed in Britain. There will be free time to enjoy a promenade stroll and refreshments before we take the coast road north to Whitby. This ancient fishing port has lots of quaint, narrow streets to explore with many shops offering locally crafted items including jewellery. High on the cliff overlooking the harbour are the remains of the Benedictine abbey built in 1078 which provided much of the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”. Whitby is also home to some of the best fish and chip shops in the UK! On leaving Whitby, we travel through the wonderful scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors on the way back to our hotel.

The Parsonage Hotel is situated in six acres of beautiful gardens and grounds and offers excellent accommodation and cuisine and guests have free use of the hotel’s heated indoor pool.

We visit the charming market town of Beverley on the outward journey and we stop for lunch and sightseeing in Newark on the homeward journey.

Your Hotel: The Parsonage Hotel & Spa, Escrick, near York (3 star)

Holiday Price: £349.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £60.00 supplement for single occupancy of a room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with full breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. The hotel has a lift. ❖ Leisure facilities include an indoor pool, sauna and steam room ❖ Porterage on arrival and departure ❖ All coach travel, tours and admission costs for the following: - Full day in York including a visit to York’s Chocolate Story - Pickering and Eden Camp - Scarborough, Whitby & North York Moors

LAKES & LIGHTS

& A TASTE OF LANCASHIRE

Monday 19th October to Friday 23rd October 2020 (5 days)

Join us on this very attractive holiday that has an itinerary full of interest and variety that includes a day in Cumbria with a tour through the lovely autumn colours of the Lake District , visits to the only true baronial hall in Lancashire and two attractions that include a cheese tasting at one and a chocolate tastings at another!

The first tour of the holiday takes us north to the Lake District where our first stop is Kendal. This lovely old market town, situated on the River Kent, has many fine old houses and other buildings made from the local grey limestone and these include the 14th century ruined castle which was the birthplace and home of Catherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of Henry VIII. On leaving Kendal we travel to Ambleside, situated at the northern tip of Lake Windermere. One of the interesting features in the town is Bridge House, a 17th century stone structure that straddles the river. Built as a summerhouse, it is today the local Information Centre. On leaving Ambleside we make our final visit of the day to Bowness-on-Windermere. Lake Windermere, at more than 10 miles long, is England’s largest lake and lies in a valley gouged out by glaciers in the Ice Age a million years ago. Explore Bowness with its quaint, narrow streets and 15th century church that has beautiful stained- glass windows before we begin our journey back to Lytham St Annes with a scenic drive along the eastern shore of Windermere.

Our second tour begins with a guided tour of Hoghton Tower, near Blackburn, which is the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family. Hoghton has welcomed and entertained many royal guests over the centuries, including James I, William III, George V and Queen Mary and the Duke of Edinburgh. Our guide will take us through almost one thousand years of history at Hoghton Tower, with tales and anecdotes of the house and family. Hoghton Tower is a true gem, where the house and all its family occupants provide a genuine reflection of Lancashire’s turbulent history. On leaving Hoghton, we travel to Blackburn for lunch and free time when you may wish to visit the popular Blackburn Indoor Market, with its 120 traders, or the stunning Anglican Blackburn Cathedral. This afternoon we visit The Chocolate House on the outskirts of Blackburn where you will enjoy refreshments on arrival followed by a talk and a demonstration of the skills of a chocolatier. You will be able to sample, and buy, items made at the premises and also take a look around the production area.

Our third tour takes us first to Dewlay Cheesemakers at Garstang where, on arrival, we enjoy refreshments and an introductory talk on the history and methods of making cheese at Dewlays. This is followed by a fascinating guided tour which includes the Viewing Gallery where you will see cheese being made and follow the processes involved in producing the different types of cheese. Around midday we leave to travel a few miles south to the excellent Barton Grange Garden Centre which has a wide range of products for the garden, home and kitchen. There will be ample time to look around and enjoy refreshments at Barton Grange before we return to our hotel around 3:30 pm, giving time to perhaps explore St Annes town centre. Following dinner this evening, you can enjoy a tour both ways through the amazing five miles of Blackpool’s stunning illuminations.

We return to the delightful Clifton Pak Hotel for this holiday where you can be sure of top-class accommodation, superb cuisine and service as well as excellent evening entertainment.

Your Hotel: Clifton Park Hotel, Lytham St Anne’s (3 star)

Holiday Price: £370.00 per person sharing a twin/double room (upgraded rooms available) No supplement for occupancy of a single bedded room £40.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with full breakfast and four course dinner ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone and beverage facilities. The hotel has a lift to assist access to most rooms ❖ Evening entertainment. Use of hotel’s heated indoor pool. Porterage on arrival and departure. ❖ All coach travel, tours and admission costs for the following: - Tour in the Lake District with visits to Kendal, Ambleside and Bowness - Guided tour of Hoghton Tower, free time in Blackburn and a visit to The Chocolate House to include a talk, tasting and refreshments - A visit to Dewlay Cheesemakers that includes a talk, a guided tour with demonstrations, cheese tasting and refreshments - A visit to Barton Grange Garden & Home Centre - A return evening tour through the five miles of Blackpool Illuminations

THE COTSWOLDS, HEREFORD & GLOUCESTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October 2020 (5 days)

This holiday offers wonderful variety and combines a day in the Co tswolds with a day in Herefordshire and a day exploring the many historic gems in the City of Gloucester. The tour in the Cotswolds includes a 14 mile steam train journey and during the Herefordshire tour you can enjoy a guided tour and cider tasting at Westons Cider Mill at Much Marcle. For some, the visit to Gloucester may be the highlight of the holiday. Here we include a guided tour of the amazing Gloucester Cathedral following which you will have plenty of free time to explore the many historic places that are in the central area of this compact city. These include Gloucester Docks, The National Waterways Museum, The Museum of Gloucester and Gloucester Antiques Centre.

On our first tour you can sit back and enjoy a one hour scenic steam train journey on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway that starts by Cheltenham Racecourse and travels north-east to the picturesque village of Broadway, often described as the “Jewel of the Cotswolds”. You will have free time to explore this delightful village with its tree-lined High Street that has a very pleasant blend of period houses and cottages before we head east to Moreton-in-Marsh where it is market day. Visit the many stalls along the main street through the village where you will find a variety of locally produced foods and crafted items for sale. We travel back to Gloucester through the colourful autumn Cotswold scenery.

We begin our second tour with a guided tour of the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral. Not only does it have amazing Gothic architecture on a par with that of York Minster, it also has the most complete cloisters of any cathedral in Britain and an east window that measures 72 ft by 38ft, with an area of stained glass that is only bettered by York Minster. The cathedral also has royal connections as it was the crowning place of Henry III and the burial place of Edward II. The guided tour will reveal many special stories about the cathedral including its numerous appearances in TV and film productions. From the cathedral we travel to the historic Gloucester Docks, one of the UK’s most inland shipping ports. The National Waterways Museum at the Dock has exhibitions and other information that provide an excellent account of working life here in years gone by. Adjacent to Gloucester Docks and set in another waterside location, is Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Antiques Centre. This excellent shopping outlet has an outstanding mix of high street and designer labels. There are several other historic and interesting places to visit in Gloucester, such as the Museum of Gloucester and The Tailor of Gloucester Museum. The Museum of Gloucester, which has free entry, takes you back, through exhibitions and artefacts, to the city’s origins as a Roman settlement and then the transition under the Saxons and the Normans. The Tailor of Gloucester Museum, which is dedicated to Beatrix Potter and her works, has many rare items on display and is located near the cathedral.

Our third tour takes us into Herefordshire where we first visit the historic market town of Ledbury. The town has changed little over the centuries and has several quaint narrow streets and alleyways with many black and white half-timbered houses which are a typical feature of this region. One of the most attractive buildings in the town is the 17th century Market Hall which is supported on pillars of chestnut wood. From Ledbury we travel to Weston’s Cider Mill in the village of Much Marcle. This is one of the largest cider- makers in the UK and you will enjoy a 1 ½ hour guided tour when you will learn about the cider-making process from “blossom to bottle”. Ciders are produced between September and December each year so there is every chance that we will see the full process, beginning with the washing of the apples. At the end of the tour you will be able to enjoy a tasting that will include several of Weston’s ciders.

The journey to Gloucester will include a stop for lunch and sightseeing in the historic town of Tewkesbury. There are many lovely timbered, black and white houses, inns and a watermill as well as the impressive Tewkesbury Abbey, with its magnificent 132 ft Norman Tower. There is no charge to visit the Abbey, which has an excellent refectory.

We stay at the very well-appointed 3 star Hallmark Hotel on the outskirts of Gloucester, where guest have use of the indoor heated pool and spa.

Your Hotel: Hallmark Hotel, Gloucester (3 star)

Holiday Price: £349.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £48.00 supplement for single occupancy of a twin/double room No supplement for a single bedded room – limited availability

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with Full English Breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone and beverage facilities. Bedroom level is via 4 steps/stairs or a ramp. ❖ Use of the hotel’s heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room ❖ All coach travel, tours and associated costs as follows: - A one hour stream train journey from Cheltenham to Broadway. Free time in Broadway and Moreton -in-Marsh - Visit to Gloucester City Centre to include a guided tour of the Cathedral followed by free time to visit Gloucester Docks and Quays and other attractions - Herefordshire tour, to include a visit to Ledbury and a guided tour and cider tasting at Westons Cider Mill, Much Marcle - Visit to Tewkesbury on the outward journey to Gloucester

LONGLEAT FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AVEBURY &

LACOCK VILLAGE

Friday 6th November to Monday 9th November 2020 (4 days)

There is no other annual event in the country that marks the beginning of the festive season in such a spectacular way as Longleat’s magical Festival of Light. You will enjoy a day at Longleat during your holiday as well as a further full- day tour in Wiltshire that includes admission to the historic attractions in the National Trust village of Lacock and a visit to the attractive village of Avebury, surrounded by its ancient stone circle.

Your day at Longleat begins with an exciting coach tour through the world-famous Safari Park where you will get close-up views of many different animals, including lions, cheetahs, tigers, monkeys and rhinos. Following the tour, you will have free time when you can explore and enjoy all the other animal attractions at Longleat as well as the magnificent Elizabethan stately home which is transformed for the festive season. However, the priceless collection of furniture, paintings and books are all on display. As darkness begins to fall at around 4pm the 30 acres of gardens and parkland around the house start to glow as the hundreds of Chinese lanterns light up bringing an amazing variety of scenes, colourful characters and animals to life. Don’t miss the giant musical Christmas tree in the courtyard.

The following day’s tour in Wiltshire begins with a morning visit to Avebury where the Saxon church, the Elizabethan manor house and a thatched great barn are all linked by pretty garden-fronted cottages. The village is encircled by one of the most important prehistoric monuments in Britain, the Avebury Stone Circle, which was set up by Bronze Age inhabitants around 1800 BC, which is 200 years before Stonehenge was completed. There are 100 great standing- stones in the circle, which is a quarter of a mile across. Many of these stones, which were brought here from Marlborough Downs, weigh more than 40 tons.

From Avebury we travel west to Lacock Village, situated four miles south of Chippenham. This picture-perfect village is one of the most beautiful in England and all the buildings in the village were built before 1800. Our visit to Lacock includes admission to Lacock Abbey, its medieval cloisters and the Fox Talbot Museum. Lacock Abbey, like most of the village, is owned by the National Trust and was the last religious house in England to be dissolved after the Reformation. It was converted to a mansion in 1540 when the octagonal tower overlooking the Avon was built. In 1827 William Henry Fox Talbot, a pioneer of Victorian photography, moved into Lacock Abbey and it was here in 1835 that he captured the image of the “Latticed Window” from which he created the first photographic negative. The Fox Talbot Museum opened in 1975 with the main aim of telling the story of the birth of photography with objects and information on the technology from those early years in the mid1830s. You will see Fox Talbot’s mousetrap camera in the museum and also learn about the history and chemistry behind Talbot’s photographic invention. There are photographic exhibitions to enjoy in the upstairs gallery where you can find out how two men entered the race to claim the title “Inventor of Photography!”

On the outward journey there will be a stop for lunch and free time at Bicester Village near Oxford which has a selection of cafes and 130 boutiques with world-famous brands at heavily discounted prices. On the return journey we stop at Windsor for lunch and sightseeing.

We stay at the excellent 4 star Blunsdon House Hotel, near Swindon, a hotel we have used on many previous occasions and one that provides top quality accommodation, food and service. Guests have full use of the hotel’s Leisure Club facilities, including the heated pool.

Your Hotel: Blunsdon House Hotel (4 star)

Holiday Price: £310.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £60.00 supplement for single occupancy of a twin/double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, phone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. The hotel has a lift and ground floor rooms ❖ All coach travel, tours and admission costs as follows: - Full day at Longleat with admission to Longleat House, Park & Gardens, Festival of Light and Safari Park - Full day tour in Wiltshire with visits to Avebury and Lacock. The visit to Lacock to include admission to Lacock Abbey and Cloisters and to the Fox Talbot Museum - Visit to Bicester Village on the outward journey and visit to Windsor on the homeward journey

WARNERS TURKEY & TINSEL AT BEMBRIDGE, ISLE OF WIGHT

Monday 16th November to Friday 20th November 2020 (5 days)

Come and join us on this fantastic Turkey and Tinsel break and enjoy an early festive holiday that has all the quality, fun and entertainment that you would expect from Warners. You will celebrate both Christmas and New Year during your holiday. We arrive on “Christmas Eve” and, after a good night’s sleep you’ll enjoy “Christmas Day” with all the traditional food and festivities including a visit from Santa!

Take advantage of Warners many leisure activities to enjoy some fun on “Boxing Day” before beginning the countdown to the New Year on Thursday when the evening ends, as you would expect, with “Auld Land Syne”!

Warners is renowned for its superb evening entertainment and you can expect to see a West-End style musical show and a bit of panto performed by Warners resident entertainment team. You will also enjoy some comedy as well as talented vocalists. During your holiday there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy dancing on the lovely ballroom floor.

The Bembridge Coast Hotel is wonderfully situated at the most easterly point on the Isle of Wight and has its own beach which makes it a great starting point if you enjoy coastal walks. However, if you prefer to stay at the hotel during the day there are numerous leisure activities available. You could enjoy the warm swimming pool, relax in the spa, play some table tennis or snooker or even join in a yoga class. Alternatively, you can sit back and read a book or just relax and watch the world go by!

The hotel serves delicious breakfasts and sumptuous three course dinners in the Four Tides Restaurant where the tempting menus offer an amazing choice including vegetarian and gluten free options. Hot and cold snack and drinks are available to be purchased at the hotel during the day. Although there is plenty to do at the hotel, we have included three short excursions which will include visits to Godshill, Busy Bee Christmas World and Newport.

Your Hotel: Warners Bembridge Coast Hotel, Isle of Wight Holiday Price: £349.00 per person sharing a Standard Room £369.00 per person sharing a Signature Room No supplement for single-bedded room but limited availability £60.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payment for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with tea/coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and beverage facilities. There is a lift to all floors. ❖ Extensive leisure facilities including heated indoor pool ❖ Nightly entertainment ❖ Return ferry crossings between Portsmouth and Fishbourne ❖ All coach travel including three excursions: - Visiting Godshill, Busy Bee Christmas World and Newport

DURHAM CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

& BISHOP AUCK LAND

Friday 4th December to Monday 7th December 2020 (4 days)

The highlight of this attractive, early Christmas break to County Durham will be the full day visit to the annual City of Durham Christmas Festival. With the whole event taking place in and around the compact city centre, you will not only be able to enjoy the special markets but also to make the most of Durham’s other attractions. These include the majestic Durham Cathedral, a World Heritage Site and medieval treasure , overlooking the winding River Wear. In addition, we include a tour in County Durham that begins with a visit to Bishop Auckland and its historic castle and Auckland Tower and finishes with a countryside tour that includes Barnard Castle, a lovely market town on the edge of the Durham Dales.

The Christmas Festival combines markets full of gift ideas and Christmas treats with special events such as the Carols for All in Durham Cathedral. There are four festive markets in Durham, the main one being the Craft and Gift Market held in marquees on Palace Green by the Cathedral where your entry charge is included. We have also included admission for a self-guided tour of Durham Cathedral which you might like to arrange so that you are in the cathedral for the 2pm performance of the “Carols for All” service. The other festive markets are the Regional Food and Drink Market in the Cathedral Cloisters; an Outdoor Market in the Market Place and a further general market in Durham Market Hall. There will also be numerous performers throughout the city enhancing the “Christmassy” atmosphere. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops in the city centre and food and drinks can also be obtained from Durham Market Hall.

Our County Durham tour takes us first into Bishop Auckland where we visit the historic castle which has only recently been restored and opened to the public for the first time. The castle is fully accessible and there are 14 rooms plus St Peter’s Chapel to explore. We also visit two other attractions near the castle – the Auckland Tower which is around 50 ft high and which has a viewing platform, and also the Mining Art Gallery. Both places are fully accessible and have lifts. On leaving Bishop Auckland we travel south-west to Barnard Castle on the edge of the Durham Dales, where there will be a short visit before returning to our hotel.

The outward journey to County Durham will include a lunchtime stop in Newark and on the homeward journey we visit Knaresborough in North Yorkshire.

We stay at the excellent four star Redworth Hall Hotel where guests have full use of the leisure facilities including the indoor heated pool. Set in 150 acres of wooded grounds, the hotel has a reputation for providing some of the best facilities, food and service in the North East.

Your Hotel: Redworth Hall Hotel, County Durham (4 star)

Holiday Price: £279.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £54.00 supplement for single occupancy of a double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Three nights’ accommodation with full English breakfast and three course dinner with coffee ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, hairdryer and beverage facilities ❖ Coffee or tea on arrival. Porterage on arrival and departure ❖ The hotel has a lift to all floors ❖ Use of the hotel’s Leisure Club including an indoor swimming pool ❖ Coach travel, tours and all admission costs for the following: - Durham Christmas Festival with admission to the Craft and Gift Market on Palace Green - Self-guided tour of Durham Cathedral including admission - Visit to Bishop Auckland to including Auckland Castle, Auckland Tower, The Mining Art Gallery and a countryside tour to include a visit to Barnard Castle

CHRISTMAS IN

HISTORIC CHESTER

Wednesday 23rd December to Sun day 27th December 2020 (5 days)

Enjoy a wonderful five-day Christmas holiday staying at the lovely four star Queen Hotel in Chester. Your holiday includes all that you could wish for, starting with a very warm welcome on arrival when you can enjoy a glass of spiced mulled wine or a cup of tea, served with a mince pie. There is a varied programme of evening entertainment as well as carol singers who will entertain us during dinner on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Eve we have included an excursion to the Blue Planet Aquarium, situated near Ellesmere Port. This aquarium is one of the largest in the UK and has been designed to resemble the shape of a crashing wave. The aquarium is full of fascinating fish including sharks, man-eating piranhas and electric eels. You can wander through the spectacular, 70 meter long underwater Shark Tunnel and watch the sharks and other fish swimming over your head. You can also explore the colourful Coral Cave and see the exotic freshwater fish of South America in the Flooded Forest. Through the underwater viewing window of the amazing Aquatheatre you can watch the daily Diver Show which includes feeding the sharks and several other species of fish. The aquarium has an excellent café and restaurant and a well-stocked gift shop.

On Christmas Day you can join in the Treasure Hunt at the hotel before sitting down to enjoy your traditional, five-course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and on Boxing Day afternoon you have a choice of either a trip to the pantomime in Rhyl or joining a guided Roman Walking Tour in Chester, both of which are included in the holiday price. During the holiday you will have the opportunity to take a 10 minute walk into Chester city centre when you will be walking the streets where Roman Legionnaires marched to war, Viking raiders wreaked havoc and where Norman invaders conquered Anglo Saxons. Other highlights include the 1000 year old cathedral, the 700 year old shopping galleries, known as The Rows, and Chester’s Roman city walls.

Your Hotel: Hallmark Hotel Chester The Queen (4 star)

Holiday Price: £549.00 per person sharing a twin/double room £80.00 supplement for single occupancy of a twin/double room

Deposit: £40.00 per person

All payments for this holiday are to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Included in your holiday price: ❖ Four nights’ full-board accommodation with the exception of lunch on Christmas Eve ❖ A traditional five-course lunch on Christmas Day ❖ Tea/coffee is served after each meal ❖ All rooms en-suite with TV, telephone, hairdryer and beverage facilities ❖ The hotel has a lift to all floors. Porterage is provided on arrival and departure ❖ The hotel’s Christmas programme of events which includes entertainment each evening ❖ Complimentary mulled wine or tea/coffee and mince pie on arrival ❖ Two excursions – - Blue Planet Aquarium, Ellsemere Port on Christmas Eve - Snow White pantomime in Rhyl OR a guided Roman Walking Tour in Chester

Important information – Please read carefully.

Holiday Payments

To comply with current legislation, all holiday monies paid are held in a “Trust Fund” Account. This account is held and fully administered by a firm of solicitors. By law, we are not allowed to hold or have access to your holiday payments until after the holiday has been completed, when the trustees, who are four solicitors in the company operating the Trust Fund, can authorise payments to be made.

All your holiday payments are to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

Cheques must not include payments for more than one holiday destination. Therefore, if you book two different holidays at the same time, two deposit cheques are required.

Holiday Insurance

By law, Avanti Coach Travel is not able to sell, or make recommendations about holiday insurance. However, Greatdays Holiday Services Ltd. are authorised to offer the Coach Plus Travel Insurance Policy which many of our customers have purchased in the past. If you wish to obtain cover under the Coach Plus Policy, then you should inform us when making your booking and we will forward an insurance application form for you to complete and return direct with your payment, to Greatdays Holiday Services Ltd, at the address shown on the form. If you require further information about the policy you must contact Greatdays Holiday Services Ltd. direct either by letter or by calling them on 0161 928 9966.

Please note that for all holidays outside Great Britain, all our customers are required to have appropriate holiday insurance. We also strongly recommend that you obtain insurance cover for holidays within the U.K. Please ensure that your insurance is effective for the period between booking and the holiday departure date as well as for the duration of the holiday itself.

Fair Trading Agreement You are advised to read carefully the information provided in our “Fair Trading Agreement” which can be found at the back of this brochure.

OBTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT IN OTHER EC COUNTRIES

It is strongly recommended that each person travelling to other EC countries obtains and carries a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which entitles you to reduced cost, and sometimes free, health treatment under the same terms as residents in the country that you are visiting.

You can apply for the European Health Insurance Card either on-line at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or by telephoning EHIC Application Service on 0300 330 1350.

The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. Since it may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs in the event of illness or injury, you are advised to take out travel insurance cover in addition to the EHIC. State-provided treatment in some EC countries may not cover all treatments that you would expect to receive free of charge from the N.H.S.

Further information, including a full list of countries covered, along with details of their health care schemes, can be found on-line at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR PASSPORT AND EHIC ARE VALID

FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR HOLIDAY.

How to Book Your Holiday

Please read carefully

(i) To book a holiday, call Avanti Coach Travel on Norwich (01603) 717488 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday and between 9:00 am and 12 noon on Saturdays. Availability will be confirmed and a provisional booking made, including the reservation of your choice of available coach seat(s).

(ii) The booking will not be confirmed by us until you have completed and returned your booking form together with your payment for the deposit. If the booking form and deposit are not received within fourteen days of the date on which the provisional booking was made, then the provisional booking will be cancelled.

(iii) Where holidays are booked to more than one destination, separate cheques are required for the deposit payments for each holiday. Cheques for all deposit and balance payments are to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel Trust Fund”.

(iv) When we receive your booking form and deposit payment, we will confirm your booking and your seat number(s) on the coach. Our written acceptance of the booking creates a contract between you and Avanti Coach Travel. An invoice, showing details of the holiday price, amount paid and the balance owing, will also be sent to you at this time. This invoice will be due for payment no later than six weeks before the departure date. Final details, including an itinerary and luggage labels will be sent to you between one and two weeks before your holiday.

(v) Six weeks prior to the departure date of a holiday, an evaluation is made to determine whether the number of people who have booked is considered to be sufficient to make the tour financially viable to operate, (with or without those who have booked agreeing to pay a supplement), or whether the tour is to be cancelled. Early booking will therefore help to ensure that the holiday goes ahead as planned and it will give you a better opportunity to reserve your choice of seat(s). Therefore, whenever possible please book your holiday at least six weeks prior to the date of departure.

(vi) Customers taking more than one holiday with us during 2020 will qualify for a discount of £10.00 on the price of the second and any subsequent holiday during 2020 which is advertised in this brochure. Where the date of the second and/or subsequent holiday booked is earlier in the year than the first holiday booked, the discount will be given against the second and any subsequent holiday. Where necessary an amended invoice will be sent.

HOLIDAY DEPARTURE POINTS

We have a number of local departure points for all holidays. These cover an area which includes Acle, Brundall, Blofield, Blofield Heath, Little Plumstead, Salhouse, Rackheath, Thorpe End and Thorpe St. Andrew with a central pick-up point in Norwich at Castle Meadow. We also have pick-up points in Hethersett, Wymondham and Attleborough. Depending on the destination of the holiday, further pick-up points may be arranged on request either along, or close to, the route that the coach takes on leaving Norwich.

If you wish to book a holiday but have difficulty in getting to and from one of our departure points, please mention this when booking as we may be able to help.

COACH SEATING PLAN

4 8 12 16 20 toilet 28 32 36 40 44 48 3 7 11 15 19 27 31 35 39 43 47

2 6 10 14 18 22 24 26 30 34 38 42 46 1 5 9 13 17 21 23 25 29 33 37 41 45

FAIR TRADING AGREEMENT HOLIDAYS ARE OPERATED SOLEY BY AVANTI COACH TRAVEL

Payment of Deposit and Balance Our Responsibility Your deposit and balance payments are to be made payable to “Avanti Coach Travel We accept responsibility for ensuring that each part of the holiday booked with us is Trust Fund” as indicated in the holiday brochure. Your contract with Avanti Coach supplied as described in our literature and to a reasonable standard. In the event that Travel is protected by the Trust Account. All of your holiday payments (except any part is not provided as described and has affected the enjoyment of your holiday, insurance) will be held in trust until the contract has been fully performed. Following please remember: receipt of your deposit, you will receive a Holiday Invoice showing the balance outstanding. PLEASE NOTE, NO OTHER INVOICE WILL BE SENT. This invoice i) some amenities (e.g. hotel lifts, swimming pools etc.) require servicing and cleaning must be paid at least six weeks before the holiday departure date. Cancellation by and may not therefore be available at all times. Some services may be affected by you within six weeks prior to the departure date could make you liable for cancellation weather conditions and their availability is entirely at the discretion of the provider of charges up to 100 % of the outstanding balance. In any event, cancellation at any the service. Entertainment provided by hotels is frequently subject to demand and its time will result in the loss of deposit. Holiday insurance could protect you from losing nature and/or frequency may be varied if there is lack of demand or insufficient the balance payment - for example where cancellation is due to certified health numbers staying in the hotel. reasons. ii) some excursion itineraries include the use of ferries and other forms of transport If We Change Your Booking which can be affected by inclement weather and may have to be cancelled or The advertised content of a holiday is made months in advance and changes are arrangements changed. Whenever possible a suitable alternative excursion will be sometimes unavoidable. Most of these changes are however very minor, but where offered. they are significant, we will notify you as soon as is reasonably possible before your departure date. A significant change would be regarded as changes in the departure iii) the published running times of services are estimates only and we will not be liable date, departure point or resort area, reducing the quality of your main hotel (not single for any loss (howsoever caused) arising from the delay or failure to operate services overnight hotels on touring holidays) or a change of tour itinerary which involves a in accordance with published timings. We make every effort to ensure that proper destination being completely eliminated from the revised itinerary. In the event of a arrangements have been made for all holidays advertised in our brochure and that the significant change you may decide to: suppliers of the services that you will enjoy during your holiday are efficient and reputable. We accept responsibility for any deficiencies in the services we are a) continue with the holiday as amended or contractually obliged to provide. We shall not be held responsible for death, bodily b) accept an alternative holiday which we may offer to you or injury or illness caused by activities engaged in, which are outside the scope of the c) cancel your booking. holiday itinerary. If necessary, please follow our complaints procedure - see below.

If you choose a) or b) we will pay compensation on the scale below. If you choose c) Surcharges we will refund all monies paid by you, plus compensation on the scale below. No There may be circumstances beyond our control which cause an increase in the other claims for compensation or expenses will be considered. holiday cost. We will not pass on any increase less than 2% which occurs after the printing of this brochure. We reserve the right to make a surcharge for increases Period Before Departure within which a Significant Change is Notified to You larger than 2 % if they occur more than 6 weeks before travel. You will be given the Compensation will be paid per person as follows: option of cancelling without penalty 6 weeks before travel. More than 42 days nil 28 - 42 days £10.00 Cancellation Charges l5 - 27 days £15.00 If you cancel your holiday this incurs administrative costs and potential loss of 8 - 4 days £20.00 income. Cancellation charges will therefore be levied as follows: 1 - 7 days £25.00 More than 42 days before travel loss of deposit If We Cancel Your Booking We reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your booking, giving you six 29 - 42 days before travel 30% of balance weeks notification (except in circumstances beyond our control) and a full refund of all monies paid. However, should the acceptable minimum number of places on the 28 days or less before travel 100% of balance tour not be reached we will offer you: a) a full refund or Transfer of Booking b) a comparable alternative or If a customer is prevented from travelling for any reason, the booking may be c) a supplement to pay in order to operate the tour with a minimum number of transferred to another person, provided a minimum of 2 weeks notice is given. persons. Holiday Insurance Delays in the Journey Holiday travel insurance is essential for holidays outside the UK and it is strongly We cannot be held responsible for any delays in road journeys or tunnel/ferry recommended for holidays in the UK. You must arrange your own insurance direct crossings, whether caused by bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. In the with the insurance company or Appointed Representative of your choice. If you wish event of a delay, you will be responsible for paying for any additional meals and to apply for Coach Plus Travel Insurance, the holiday insurance that was previously accommodation that may arise. arranged for customers, you must apply direct to Greatdays Holiday Services Ltd, 2 Stamford Park Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 9EN. Tel: 0161 928 9966. Security and Repatriation (for overseas tours only) The total cost of your holiday will be held in trust until the holiday has been completed. Financial Protection In the case of insolvency during any stage of the holiday all legal and operational Holidays are operated soley by Avanti Coach Travel. We can confirm that all requirements are in place to repatriate all passengers to their point of origination by passenger monies paid are deposited in a trust account which has been established providing a replacement coach and, if necessary, a ferry crossing. by solicitors and which conforms with the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tour Regulations 1992. This is the protection Passport and Visa Requirements (for overseas tours only) required by law for all passengers’ money. Once you have paid for your holiday, your UK passport holders need only a passport to visit EC countries. Please advise if you money is deposited in the relevant trust account where it is held until the completion hold a non-UK passport as you may be prevented from travel without the proper visas of the holiday for which you have booked. and documentation, according to the Carrier Liability Act. Complaints Procedure Health Formalities (for visits to other EC countries or Switzerland) Should you have any reason to feel that we have not met our obligations, please put You must obtain and carry with you at all times the new European Health Insurance your comments in writing, within one month of return, quoting the tour and departure Card (EHIC). This replaces form E111 which has been withdrawn. Application forms date, to: for the card are obtainable from Post Offices. The EHIC entitles you to reduced cost, and sometimes free, health treatment under the same terms as people that live in the AVANTI COACH TRAVEL, country you are visiting. The EHIC is not a substitute for European travel insurance. 26 HEATH WAY, BLOFIELD HEATH, If You Have a Problem NORWICH, The operator of this tour is Avanti Coach Travel, 26 Heath Way, Blofield Heath, NR13 4RS. Norwich, NR13 4RS. TeI: 01603 717488. TELEPHONE: 01603 717488 Your driver / courier will be able to assist with any problems during the journey.