 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|||||||||
Travel
Exploring Two Celtic Nations:
The Scots and the Manx
More than golf, kilts, and tailless cats
Scotland and the Isle of Man –
September 17-29, 2012
A Personalized, Custom Adventure designed and led by Sandy Lydon with a tentative assist from World-Class Tour Guide, Harry Roachford
Travel Arrangements by Insight Vacations through Wendy Simon, Pacific Harbor Travel, Santa Cruz. 519 Seabright Ave., Suite 201, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. 831-427-5000
An unhurried and thoughtful itinerary with time to decompress.
Monday, September 17 – Depart SFO
Saturday, September 29 – London to SFO
Laxey Wheel, Isle of Man
Summary itinerary:
Edinburgh – 3 nights
Highlands – 2 nights
Glasgow – 1 night
Douglas, IOM – 4 nights
London – 1 night
Price: $5,245 per person, double occupancy (+additional fuel surcharges and airport taxes of $621 due at final billing)
Single Supplement - $700
"Volcanic Ash Discount" – Group members from the 2010 Lydon Ireland-IOM trip signing up for this trip will receive a $270/person discount for mental anguish. Their price: $4,975/person.
Deposit: $1,000 per person
Note: Deposit must be made by check. Make check out to Pacific Harbor Travel.
Remainder of trip can be paid by credit card.
Note: Wendy Simon (or your own travel agent) can make arrangements for you to extend your stay in London, or travel elsewhere in Europe. Price will be reduced if you choose to travel separately from the group, using frequent flyer miles, etc.
The Local Connections: Immigrants from Scotland played a major role in the history and development of the Monterey Bay Region. In fact the first foreigner to settle permanently in Spanish California was a Scotsman – John Cameron Gilroy who jumped ship and settled here in 1814. Gilroy was followed by a number of Scots, including David Spence, Jack Swan, William McKee, and David Jacks, the largest landowner in 19th century Monterey County.
One of the attractions for many of the Scots who came to the region was its striking similarity to Scotland. The brooding, fog-shrouded landscape evoked the misty Scottish countryside. Perhaps the most famous of all our Scotland connections was Robert Louis Stevenson who described the Monterey Peninsula as being like "a dozen spots in Scotland."
Robert Louis Stevenson came to the Monterey Bay Region in late 1879 and left behind some of the best descriptions of that period in Monterey's History.During our pre-trip sessions, we will develop the local Scottish influence, and we will visit some of Robert Louis Stevenson's important locations in Scotland.
Application: Deposit must be accompanied by a completed application. (Applications for recent Lydon trips since 2000 are limited to an updated personal data form.)
Click here to download application:
Pre-Trip Sessions: There will be three required pre-trip sessions for all participants living less than 150 miles from Aptos. Sunday afternoons. Topics include histories of the Scots and the Manx, culture, along with travel details, packing, staying healthy.
• April 29
• July 29
• September 2
Included:
• Air fare from SFO to Edinburgh, Coach Class
• Air fare from Glasgow to Douglas, Coach Class
• Air fare from Douglas to London. Coach Class
• Air fare from London to SFO, Coach Class
• Services of World-Class Tour Director Harry Roachford (yet to be confirmed)
• Sightseeing and guided tours in Scotland
• Special, personal and unique guided tours on the Isle of Man
• All arrival and departure transfers, baggage handling and tips to porters.
• Deluxe hotel accommodations based on double occupancy.
• Single rooms available at a supplement of $700
• All breakfasts and three dinners
• Three pre-trip instruction sessions, including history of Scotland and the Isle of Man, history of Scottish and Manx immigrants in the Monterey Bay Region
• Instructional materials and newsletters
• Gratuities to tour guides and bus drivers.
• National Heritage Explorer Pass on Isle of Man
• Personally escorted by Sandy Lydon with instruction and discussion throughout the trip.
NOT INCLUDED
• Items of a personal nature, optional sightseeing, telephone, fax, computer charges,
room service, laundry, shopping, etc.
• Travel Insurance – highly recommended - $225/person.
• Single supplement of $700, whether by choice or circumstance of the group's final number
• Final fuel surcharge, airport fees, security fees – currently estimated at $621
• Baggage fees imposed by airlines
• Transportation from home to airport and return.
• Optional Excursions and entrance fees
• Items not listed in the Included section.
Age limitations: We do not accept group members under the age of 21.
Scotland and the Isle of Man – in late September – The weather can always be changeable in this part of the world, but the hordes of visitors will be gone. A good chance of autumn colors to decorate the already stunning countryside of both places.
The Olympic Effect - The London Olympics– The United Kingdom is going to be under the Olympic onslaught beginning on July 27 with closing ceremonies on August 12. The travel folks, hotels, etc. have upped their prices over the entire summer-fall period – we might call it the Olympic Effect. Be aware of that if you're planning an early arrival in the UK or extending.
The Personal Connections – The Lydons have been traveling to this part of the UK since 1998, and have some deep, personal connections with the Manx, and the Isle of Man government. In fact, we have been invited by several organizations to return to the Isle of Man in April, which we are planning to do.