In the morning, we get the train at Kings Cross Station and head to the ancient city of York.  We experience a delicious British tradition, the Sunday Roast, at Guy Fawkes Inn. This is the birthplace of the notorious Gunpower Plotter - or so they say.

Once fortified, we head to the Yorkshire Museum where the exhibits range from prehistoric artifacts to beautiful Medieval jewelry to Roman statuary to Viking treasure.   The Middleham Jewel, the Saxon Coppergate Helmet, and the Vale of York Viking treasure hoard are just a few of the artifacts on display.  You can also see prehistoric stone axes, Roman statuary, and even some dinosaur bones!  

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch (Sunday Roast).

Our morning is spent at magnificent York Minster.  This is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Completed in 1472 after over 250 years of construction. It contains more Medieval stained glass than in the rest of England combined. In addition to wandering the sanctuary, you can explore 2000 years of the site's history through interactive chambers in the Undercroft and learn about on-going restoration and conservation projects.  

York was the home of several chocolate companies and what better way to honor that than a mouthwatering chocolate afternoon tea? The Principal Hotel location is stunning and after our tea, we'll go down to the basement to see its meeting rooms covered in Victorian tiles.  

After all those calories, we probably need a bit of a walk and we'll get just that with our knowledgeable local guide and resident Goth, Chris. 

 Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch (Afternoon Tea).

This morning we head to the lovely town of Thirsk.  Its claim to fame is for having been the home of James Herriot, the Yorkshire vet who charmed the world with his All Creatures Great and Small books.  We visit his former home, now a museum, which encompasses all his books, both versions of the TV series, and a reality show, The Yorkshire Vet.  

After our visit, we enjoy fish & chips like the locals do - sitting in the town square (weather permitting).  Once we return to York, the afternoon is free.  You can do some shopping in the Shambles where some of the buildings date from the 1400s, learn about the Vikings at Jorvik, visit the art museum, or just wander around this amazing city.  

That evening we enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner at Rustique.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

We start the day at the Castle Museum which, oddly, has nothing to do with castles but everything to do with a fascinating look at Victorian life. 

Lunch is a delicious Yorkiepud Wrap with your choice of roast meat and veggies, stuffing, and gravy all rolled up inside a giant Yorkshire pudding.
 

After lunch,  we go for a walk along the city walls. In two of the gates, there are small museums dedicated to Richard III and Henry VII, who were two of the principles during the War of the Roses.  I'll provide enough information so that the museums make sense, but not so much that your eyes will glaze over.  (And there will be NO TEST afterward!)

An afternoon visit to York's Chocolate Story informs us of the 'bean to bar' journey - but the best part is making our own delicious treats at the end!

Meals included:  Breakfast & Lunch.

This morning we take the train to the charming market town of Skipton.  Not on the usual tourist itinerary, it holds honors of Best British town 2014 and Best High Street (Main Street) 2008. It was also my home during grad school and one of my favorite places on earth. We settle in to our hotel then head the the quirky Cake 'Ole for lunch.  And cake.  We spend the afternoon exploring – first Skipton Castle (900 years old!), then a walk along Eller Beck to peaceful Skipton Woods, and finally the tiny Craven Museum which amazingly is home to one of the few Shakespeare First Folios that isn’t in a private collection.  

Dinner that evening is at one of my favorite pubs, The Wooley Sheep.  The food is delicious and the Timothy Taylor beer is second to none!

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

Those with a even a slight literary bent will know that Haworth (pronounced HOW-eth) was the home of the Bronte family.  Our visit will include a train ride through the moody moors, a tour of the Bronte Parsonage, lunch at the Steam Brewery, and plenty of time to check out the wonderful independent shops in the village.  A midafternoon break for cuppa and a Fat Rascal (a Yorkshire specialty pastry) will prevent us from fainting from hunger.

Dinner is Italian (because woman cannot live on Fat Rascals alone) at Oakley's Grill & Pizzeria.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning we visit Skipton's street market which has been going over 200 years!  The rest of the day is free to wander about town, visit the 700-year-old church, go for a walk along the canal tow path, browse in the many independent shops, or a combination. That evening we enjoy a home-catered dinner and a chance to learn about the history of the Quakers from local Meeting House caretakers, Jette and Kevin. (FYI, Quakers are opposed to proselytizing so this is about history, not a push to join the religion!)

Meals included:  Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning, we take a short train trip to visit Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This village was originally built by mill owner Sir Titus Salt. Although a bit patriarchal by our standards, he was progressive for his day and took care of his workers, rather than exploited them. The village includes a lovely little church, a school, and a civic auditorium in addition to rows of houses.  The mill is now an art gallery that features pieces by local (but world-famous) artist David Hockney.  We take a walk through the village with a costumed guide (in order to better understand the story of the town).  Lunch is under a huge hand-painted David Hockney mural in the quirky 'Cafe in to the Opera'. Our next stop is Leeds, another short train ride away. Leeds is a real Victorian city and home to a number of gorgeous pubs. Our guide, David, will take us to some of the best, walking through some elegant arcades on our way.  

Meals included:  Breakfast & lunch.

After breakfast, we’re off for a day on the Liverpool-Leeds canal! A boat ride is absolutely the best way to see the Yorkshire countryside and it doesn't take long before we're cruising under bridges, passing swans, and gliding next to verdant fields filled with grazing sheep.  We also pass a poignant memorial to a group of Polish soldiers whose plane went down nearby during WWII training exercises. Our local guides provide some history and the scenery is second to none. A delicious catered lunch will be served on the boat and you can drink as much tea as you want - because there's a loo (bathroom) onboard! 

Meals included:  Breakfast & Lunch.

 

In the morning, we catch the train from Skipton, heading to Liverpool.  We eat lunch on the train so that we can have the afternoon free to explore the Beatles' city.  We start with the Beatles Story, which is fun for both fans and fanatics alike then walk over to the British Music Experience, because Britain has brought more to the world than the Fab Four. We have the remainder of the afternoon to check out the other (free) museums of the Albert Docks.  The Maritime Museum has a wonderful exhibit about The Titanic (which stopped here on her voyage to disaster) and the Museum of Liverpool is full of information about this vibrant city.  

That evening, after dinner at the Cavern Club Restaurant, we walk next door to the club itself where we can groove the night away.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

This is a more personal look at the Fab Four.  We begin the day at Roan Aspinall's Beatles Museum.  Roan Aspinall is Pete Best's brother and the son of the Beatles' road manager (and later head of Apple Corps), Neal Aspinall.  This is his personal collection of memorabilia and, so, totally different from what we saw at The Beatle's Story.  After lunch, we go to the Casbah Coffee Club, where the Beatles *really* got their start - before the Cavern Club accepted rock bands.  This was in the basement of the home of Pete Best's mother and - amazingly - after the Beatles became famous, the rooms were just shut up and left for decades.  That is why they are in such pristine condition today - the stars the boys painted on the ceiling, John's name carved into the wall, the actual stage where they first appeared are all still there.  The tour is led by either Roan himself or his son - both are expert story-tellers and make the whole experience come alive. 

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch.

We're picked up this morning by local guide, Joey, for a private taxi tour. We take in all the Beatles sites such as the Strawberry Field(s) Exhibit, the grave of Eleanor Rigby, and the places where the Fab Four grew up*, stopping at the Penny Lane Community Centre to add our names to the Beatles Wall. 

Once we've finished our tour, Joey will drop us and our bags off at the train station for the ride back to London.  Once at our hotel, there will be some time for packing and any last-minute shopping.  We finish up the evening enjoying a delicious Indian dinner at Masala Zone.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

*If you fancy going inside John and Paul’s childhood homes, it can only be done by appointment through the National Trust – separate arrangements must be made in advance at your own expense.

After breakfast, our tour ends. leaving us with wonderful memories and new friends.  I can provide you with information if you wish to extend your stay in London or beyond.

Meal included:  Breakfast