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South Coast Summertime Splendour
6 days | 5 nights | Only £559 | Tour No. 32
Enjoying seasonably higher temperatures than the rest of the country, the South Coast really has it all to offer. From the golden sands of Bournemouth to the historic flagship port of Portsmouth the area is alive with activity; pleasure craft and commercial vessels cruise the sea whilst the New Forest presents a landscape virtually unaltered by the whirling dervish of modern living. Based in close proximity to Bournemouth's parks and beaches, we bring the best to you with excursions to Beaulieu Motor Museum, Lyndhurst, the Isle of Wight and the historic ships and dockyard at Portsmouth - each journey offering a fascinating perspective of the New Forest's diverse habitat. Day-by-Day Highlights
Day 1 Sit back and let the world go by as we cruise along the South Coast to the Queen's Hotel (3 star), Bournemouth; our base for the next five nights.
Day 2 A relaxed start to this SwanTour with leisure time to get to know the surroundings. Explore the beautiful award-winning parks and gardens, shop in the vibrant shopping centre, or book yourself a deckchair and watch the sea activities on the waterfront. You might even like to ride on the pavilion train to Boscombe.
Day 3 Panoramic scenes unfurl on a picturesque drive, travelling through the New Forest to the administration capital of this National Park at Lyndhurst. You'll see for yourself the abundant wildlife on the journey to Beaulieu, where the natural world gives way to the triumphs of mechanical engineering at the Motor Museum and family home of the Montagu family. You can ride the monorail and take in the major attractions, visit the classic car collection celebrating 100 years of motoring history, and enjoy the living history of Palace House with its insights to a working Victorian household.
Day 4 Joining the flotilla of boats on The Solent we travel by ferry to the Isle of Wight, where more than half the land area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty, and fifty per cent of the coastline is honoured by the title 'Heritage Coast', an award only given to the finest beaches in the country. Perhaps this accounts for the famous visitors who have frequented the Isle; Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, Lewis Carroll, Charles Darwin, Joseph Turner, John Keats and Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Day 5 The national importance of The Solent and its naval heritage becomes apparent with a visit to Portsmouth Historic Ships and Dockyard, an exciting opportunity to see the 16th Century warship Mary Rose and to climb aboard Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, and HMS Warrior 1860, an absolute must for maritime enthusiasts and general travellers alike.
Day 6 Journey home to the West Country and surrounding area.
"In 1079 William the Conqueror declared the countryside surrounding Lyndhurst his Nova Foresta; a safe dwelling area for beasts of the chase. To this day the New Forest remains a safe-haven for many
indigenous species of wildlife."
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New Forest Ponies
© www.britainonview.com
This superior hotel is located just a short distance from Bournemouth's great shopping centre and only a few minutes' walk from the blue flag award winning beaches and Bournemouth Pier. Superb leisure facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and gymnasium. The hotel has a lift.
What's included in this SwanTour
Dates & Prices Tour No. 32
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