'Three of the Best Rail Journeys'

MAY/JUNE
from Monday 29th until Friday 2nd June
5 Day Coach and Rail Tour By coach
from pickups in Northern Ireland

3***Balavil Hotel Newtownmore

The Scottish Highlands offer some of the most scenic and wonderful holiday destinations in the UK, and they are also blessed with exciting rail routes built by British engineers in the Victorian era through some of the most difficult terrain imaginable. The legacy of these early engineers can still be enjoyed by us today with sweeping curves and majestic viaducts crossing wild moors and lonely glens in the north and west Highlands.

Full Day Highland Folk Museum & Strathspey Rail
Make the short trip to the Highland Folk Museum. As Britain’s fist open air museum, it holds collections of local, national, and international importance reflecting on life in Scotland from the 1700s up to the mid-1900s. Enjoy free time in Aviemore before embarking on a journey on the Strathspey Steam Railway. Based in the heart of the Highland’s the premier heritage railway welcomes you aboard vintage carriages hauled by the lovingly restored locomotive whilst admiring the rugged scenery.

Full Day Kyle Line & Isle of Skye
All aboard “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Europe” according to Michael Palin. Depart Inverness to Kyle where your coach collects you for the short journey on to the Isle of Skye with time for sightseeing. Returning to your hotel by coach through wonderful Highland grandeur. (Please note above may be reversed).

Full Day West Highland Line
Described as the greatest railways journey in the world partly due to the 46 miles of spellbinding scenery Glide past beautiful views of lochs, mountains, famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, the Isles of Eigg, Muck and Rum. In Mallaig free time to explore this Highland fishing town and have lunch. The road journey back in your coach is very different to the rail journey with a stop at Glenfinnan to see Bonnie Prince Charlie’s monument at the head of Loch Shiel and the massive viaduct. Finally, Neptune’s Staircase in Banavie, a series of eight lock gates on the Caledonian Canal

HOTEL Our hotel for the entire holiday is the 3***Balavil Hotel in Newtownmore in the Scottish Highlands. Boasting a swimming pool and on-site restaurant and bar, Balavil Hotel is located in the Cairngorms National Park, 45 miles from Inverness. Guests can enjoy free WiFi and free on-site private parking. All bedrooms at the property feature en-suite facilities with bath or shower, Free toiletries & hairdryer. A TV and tea/coffee making facilities are also provided, and guests can request a wake-up service. Towels and bed linen are also provided. There is a shared lounge at Balavil Hotel, and the restaurant serves a menu of Scottish meals and pizzas.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Highland Pitlochry • Folk Museum
• Inverness & Mallaig • Granton-on-Spey
• Fort William • Aviemore

This tour starts on Monday 29th May with coach pickups from mid-Ulster to Belfast for the 7.30am Stena Superfast ferry to Cairnryan returning on Friday 2nd June on the 7.30pm Stena Superfast ferry sailing and due in Belfast 9.45pm. On both the outward and return journeys there will be sufficient comfort and snack stops to ensure everyone’s comfort on this tour.

Tour Leader: Harold & Sylvia Stevenson

TOUR COST:  £645 per person sharing.
                        £80 singles supplément
TOUR CODE:  RHR/23
INSURANCE: £28 per person
DEPOSIT:      £100 per person

PRICE INCLUDES:
 Luxury coaching from Northern Ireland.
 Stena Superfast ferry Belfast/Cairnryan.
 Three rail journeys outlined in itinerary.
 All day tours and excursions in itinerary.
 4 nights Half Board in 3***Balavil Hotel.
 Admission to Highland Museum Aviemore.
 Services of Tour Leader throughout holiday.

IMPORTANT: Hotel Lift Yes, Location Level, Steps Some, Walking Quite a Lot.