Stratford at Christmas 2012 

Your tour starts today when you meet your Tour Manager at The Stratford Hotel, which enjoys an ideal location close to Stratford-upon-Avon's railway station and all of the beautiful Warwickshire town's main attractions. After settling in, you have the opportunity to perhaps take a short stroll, and get acquainted with your new surroundings before our dinner dance this evening in the hotel. (D)

After breakfast on Christmas Eve we travel by coach to Kidderminster to board one of the vintage steam hauled trains of the Severn Valley Railway. Travelling in restored carriages, we make our way through the unspoilt Worcestershire and Shropshire countryside to Arley and back. One of the highlights of the route is the magnificent Victoria Bridge, a 200-metre iron structure spanning the winding River Severn. On our return to Kidderminster, we continue by coach to medieval Warwick Castle. This mighty structure was built by William the Conqueror in 1068, in a beautiful location by the River Avon. Here you have time to explore the castle's many rooms and exhibits, as well as the gardens and outer buildings of this intriguing complex. If you're feeling energetic, you could climb the castle's ramparts and walk along a section of the walls, admiring the views over the wintry countryside. Other highlights include the fascinating exhibition on the famous figures throughout history who have been imprisoned in the castle. We return to the hotel to start our yuletide celebrations with carol singing before dinner this evening. (B,D)

Today is about relaxation and festive fare. After a leisurely morning we enjoy a traditionally festive Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. In the afternoon we depart from the hotel on an informative guided walking tour of Stratford. As the birthplace of William Shakespeare, the tour will naturally cover the historic properties related to him. These include Shakespeare's birthplace, which has been restored to how it would have looked at the time, and Nash's House - which overlooks the bard's final property in the town. We also see the Holy Trinity Church where he is buried, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where the playwright' stimeless works live on. In the evening we enjoy a celebratory dinner buffet and race night. (B,L,D)

Our excursion on Boxing Day takes us to Winchcombe to join the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The steam-hauled heritage carriages take us through the Cotswold countryside on a journey to Cheltenham Race Course. Highlights of the wonderful scenery we pass include Cleeve Hill, which is the highest point in the Cotswolds, and the Vale of Evesham. On a clear day, it is also possible to see the Malverns. We then return to Stratford, where you are free to enjoy the town at leisure. You could use the opportunity to visit Anne Hathaway's cottage, an incredibly picturesque building situated on the outskirts of town, dating in parts from the 15th century, which has lovely gardens including a leafy Woodland Walk and a Sculpture Trail. Otherwise, Mary Arden's house, home of Shakespeare's grandparents and childhood home of his mother, is also well worth a visit, with its working 16th century farm and the chance to experience the Elizabethan way of life. Tonight we enjoy our farewell meal. (B,D)

After breakfast this morning, the tour concludes, and your Tour Manager bids you farewell and a safe onward journey. You are free to say your goodbyes and leave Stratford at your leisure, with the rest of the UK in reach within a matter of hours. You might wish to spend a little time exploring further this pretty town, or even the nearby Cotswolds region, before making your way home. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday