Yuletide Fizz & Fayre Harrogate
5 days / 4 nights departing
Return Executive Coach Travel from selected local pick up points
4 nights half board (carvery style diners) at the 3* Cairn Hotel Harrogate including nightly live entertainment, a drinks reception & a mini afternoon tea with fizz
Included excursion package: A visit to York & the St Nicholas Christmas Festival + a guided coach tour of the Yorkshire Dales & Hawes (the home of Wensleydale cheese), a home-made cream tea in Grassington, a visit to Leeds Christmas Markets & free time in Harrogate.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Arriving in Harrogate and the Cairn Hotel this afternoon you will have time to settle in before a pre-dinner mulled wine drinks reception. Following your carvery style dinner there will be live entertainment this evening.
Day 2 - After a hearty Yorkshire breakfast, we depart for the historic City of York where you will be able to visit the annual St Nicholas Christmas Fayre set in the historic city square, which has taken place since medieval times. The city comes alive with Victorian costumed traders, carol singers and delicious smells of the roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate laced with brandy. You may choose to visit one of the city’s tourist attractions whilst here (local costs apply), as the day is at your leisure. A 90 minute guided walking tour can be pre-booked if required which is an excellent way to learn of the history of the city (price subject to group size). Returning to the hotel your evening meal is included followed by yet another evening of live entertainment.
Day 3 - Today is a leisurely day which you can either spend enjoying Harrogate with its superb shopping opportunities when you might even relax over refreshments at the famous Betty’s Café Tearooms. There will also be the option of joining our pre-bookable excursion to stunning Castle Howard. Explore one of Britain’s finest historic houses with its awe-inspiring architecture, grand interiors and sweeping parkland - dressed for the festive season. Each sumptuous room will be decked with an exquisite collection of decorations, bathed by the glow of candle and firelight. Beautifully dressed trees sparkle with colour and imagination, whilst an abundance of floral, foliage and berry arrangements bring the outside in, adding a traditional touch to the festive interiors. Friendly and knowledgeable guides will be on hand to share the stories of the house and family, and invite you to rest a while as you enjoy live music performances (subject to time of visit). Afterwards, browse the range of shops in the Courtyard, the perfect place for some Christmas shopping. This afternoon the hotel will spoil you with a sumptuous ‘festive-themed’ mini-afternoon tea and a glass of festive fizz. Dinner is again included as is live evening entertainment.
Day 4 - Today is dedicated to a relaxing guided coach tour into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. You will travel firstly to the cathedral city of Ripon where you will have a little free time before we continue through Masham, Middleham & Aysgarth to our lunch stop in Hawes, which is known as the ‘little capital’ of Upper Wensleydale. It is Yorkshire's highest market town and lies in the path of the Pennine Way. Not only is it famous for its chocolate-box, picture postcard appeal, but also as the home of some of the most delicious cheeses to be made in Britain and the ancient art of rope making. Lunch can be purchased at the Wensleydale Creamery where you can also purchase the local cheeses, an ideal gift to take home with you. We then continue through the spectacular Dales countryside with the stunning ‘3 peaks’ and pretty villages as we make our way to the picturesque village of ‘Grassington’ in the heart of ‘Calendar Girls’ country, where you will be served an included home-made cream tea in one of the local restaurants. Returning to Harrogate, dinner & entertainment is included.
Day 5 - Checking out of the hotel this morning we travel to the City of Leeds where you will have the opportunity of visiting the popular German Christkindlmarket consisting of over 40 traders from Frankfurt. Their products include unique gifts, hand-crafted jewellery, toys and traditional German delicacies including stolen, bratwurst, gingerbread and gluhwein. Departing here around lunchtime we retrace our steps homeward, returning you to your original departure point later today.
Alternative itineraries can be offered to suit your group’s requirements. Please discuss this with us at the time of enquiry if applicable.
Simply Groups reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control.