Team Greatdays: Tricia, Sam, Rachael, Charlotte, Sarah, and Paul had an exciting day of 180 travel trade meetings at the annual ETOA GEM workshop. Some great deals and new group tour ideas for 2027 and 2028!
Wow, Greatdays’ Chairman and founder, John Beaumont, reaches his 90th birthday and visits the Greatdays team in the Altrincham office!
FYI – History – John was previously joint owner of Shearings Holidays with his friend Don Jackson. Together Don and John took the business to a fleet of 125 touring coaches, before selling the company in 1984. Using his contacts and wealth of experience in the travel industry, John founded Greatdays in 1985 and has been part of the Greatdays journey for the past 41 years.
Claire from Sales and Charlotte from UK Operations enjoyed a wonderful day at World of Wedgwood. Arriving at the spacious car park, the duo walked the short distance along well-kept grounds to the reception area to be welcomed by the Wedgwood team. First on the day’s itinerary, a brew and biscuit in the Tea Room, followed by a guided tour with Penny beginning with the V&A Wedgwood Collection, where she explained the story of Jasperware and showed us the icon Portland Vase (not the real one!) Penny continued the tour taking us behind the scenes of the original 1940s working factory explaining every detail and showing us how Wedgwood is designed, created, and crafted with staff working at their stations.
They then had a very interesting retail experience tour with Rob which included the Wedgwood store, Outlet and Josiah & Co, a shop for local artisans and small businesses (the World of Wedgwood Artisan Market takes place on the second Sunday of each month in the courtyard).
Heading back to the Tea Room for a fabulous Afternoon Tea served on beautiful tableware, the due enjoyed a selection of sandwiches, delightful cakes and delicious scones.
More activities were to come as the duo next had an introduction to the clay studio to have a hands-on-session at the pottery wheel. Learning from the studio host first, they then got behind the pottery wheel to create a pot themselves which will be delivered to the office in the next eight weeks. I don’t think either will be becoming potters, but what fun they had learning and laughing followed by the 5-minute Pottery Throw Down.
Ending their World of Wedgwood tour at the Lunar Restaurant in the courtyard, this on-site partner provides a modern dining experience under the moon with a nod to the Lunar Society and where local artist paintings adore the walls.
Taking the road to Stoke, they had a pleasant surprise on the show round at the DoubleTree by Hilton as this is attached to Etruria Hall, the Grade II listed house and former home of the potter Josiah Wedgwood. The hotel has plenty to offer including leisure facilities, whilst located close to the canal and marina as well as a retail park.
Finishing their day in the Potteries at the Courtyard by Marriott Keele located at Keele University and surrounded by stunning countryside. This modern stylish hotel offers double, twin, family and accessible rooms, with Scholars Bar & Restaurant and Campus Coffee House.
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The Great West Way Marketplace was the focus of the trip to the Bristol area where Amy met Ambassadors and other buyers who were all passionate about their products. Delegates met at Temple Mead Quays in Bristol to board the Bristol Packet Boat* for a 1-hour cruise with live commentary. The captain spoke about the different buildings and the significance of the port. The cruiser passed the SS Great Britain and learned that she was now back in the dock of her birthplace. What a sight! Once the cruise was finished at Bristol Dockyards the group alighted to enter the Welcome centre. The Bristol Dockyards were kindly hosting the Marketplace event. Francis, the tour guide of the SS Great Britain, designed by Mr Brunel, was very amusing and knowledgeable with lots of anecdotes about life on the ship. Francis shared that donated diaries, drawings, paintings and letters from family of the passengers meant that the researchers have a good idea of life on board. These were displayed and archived in the Brunel Institute Museum.
Amy would recommend to groups a tour of SS Great Britain and the Dockyards. The average length of time to visit is 2-3 hours and larger groups may need to be split into smaller groups but this may be advantageous as there would be more opportunity to see the exhibits up close and hear the guide clearly. **
Prior to the Marketplace event for the Great West Way, Amy was able to visit hotels in Swindon, Bristol and Bath and spent an afternoon at Aerospace Bristol.
Aerospace Bristol is a great option for a half day visit on any tour. Interesting, interactive exhibits and the possibility of a visit on board Concorde means the visit has something for everyone.***
Hotels visited in Swindon were Blunsdon House, Delta by Marriott Swindon, Holiday Inn Swindon. All hotels are within a short drive to Oxford and the Cotswolds area or to the south to Bristol and Bath. Swindon is a great option therefore for those wanting a tour mixing the delightful countryside of Oxfordshire and driving south to the Bath and Bristol area.
Hotels visited in Bath and Bristol were DoubleTree by Hilton Bath City Centre, DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol North and Holiday Inn Bristol Filton. Both Bristol hotels offer leisure facilities with on site coach parking that is advantageous to guests. The DoubleTree by Hilton Bath City Centre is very convenient within easy walking distance to the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescent. The Hotel has a new Gordon Ramsay Restaurant that has recently opened and the food and service comes highly recommended. Bath can be hilly with steep pavements but the views once at the top of the hill are very pleasing and worthy of a photograph or two.
*N.B – There are 6 steps into the Bristol Packet boat but there are hand rails to help board safely. Unfortunately, there is no provision for wheelchairs on board.
** N.B – For anyone with mobility difficulties be assured, there were lifts and ramps for ease of movement between the exterior and interior of the ship and the different museums. However, there were some cobbles in some areas around the site.
*** N.B – Wheelchair users on Concorde are able to visit through one door reversing onto the plane but unable to go down the aisle due to width limitations. All other areas of Aerospace Bristol are accessible with ramps and lift access.
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Charlotte and Lisa from our UK Ops team spent the day in Liverpool. Their first visit was to Strawberry Fields, a must visit for any Beatles fan. They saw the famous red gates and immersed themselves in the inspiring history, including a fascinating exhibition and beautiful gardens.
Charlotte and Lisa ventured further towards the city centre to visit the Radisson Blu. The central hotel is currently undergoing a refurbishment and has views across the River Mersey, towards Pier Head and the Liver Building. The Beatles theme continued with a visit to the Beatles Story, which tells the story of how the ‘Fab 4’ met, were catapulted into stardom plus the meaning behind some of their most famous songs. A visit to Liverpool would not be complete without a visit to the famous Cavern Club, where of course the Beatles and many other bands have played. You can still feel the excitement of just being there, with live music during the afternoon and into the evening.
Charlotte and Lisa’s journey continued to the Heeton Hotel, again a prime location right in the heart of the city next to James St station. The bedrooms have recently been refurbished and breakfast is taken at the Liverpool Arms pub just next door.
The final visit of the day was to Mersey Ferries for an invitation only trip on their brand new vessel, the Royal Daffodil, experiencing a slightly extended version of their sightseeing cruise along the River Mersey.
There are several exciting events happening in Liverpool in 2028, including the 4 Queens spectacular, some Euro 2028 football matches and the Capital of Culture.
Click HERE to discover our UK tour collection.
Emma (UK Product Team), Dawn and Guy (Sales Team) enjoyed an excellent Product Development Trip to South West Ireland. From the Heartlands at Athlone they explored Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry and Cork, and were looked after all the way.
Beginning in Athlone – a key stop in our new Galway and the Little Boats of Ireland tour – they met Viking Mike with his enduring passion for Shannon river trips especially to mystical Clonmacnoise. The County Arms (Hotel) in Birr was a major highlight, with its delightful gardens and faultless hospitality. Lough Derg shimmered in the sunshine as they discovered the fabulous Lakeside Hotel and Spirit of Killaloe boat cruise.
The exceptional spa at the Woodlands Fitzgerald Hotel, Foynes Flying Boat Museum including its expansive Maureen O’Hara exhibition, and the Lartigue Monorail manned by Martin and his crew of volunteers are recommended options for day trips in the region.
County Kerry was a key visit with both Tralee and Killarney offering a selection of strong hotel options for our South West Ireland packages. Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farm is extremely well set up for group visits and the Jaunting Cars retain the region’s historic appeal. A traditional Irish Show enriches the experience and the Celtic Steps’ incredible performance was a treat. All that on offer in addition to spectacular scenic drives of the Ring of Kerry and Dingle peninsulas.
The team continued down through Kenmare in to County Cork, and Glengariff from where the Harbour Queen ferry escorts groups across to enchanting Garnish Island. Bantry is a perfect base for West Cork with Bantry House, local boat trips, Beara Peninsula or Ireland’s Southernmost point at Mizen Head all easily reached. The team returned through Southern Cork via Rosscarbery and Clonakilty – famous for its black pudding. They also made it to Blarney, internationally recognised for its castle but retaining its rural charm.
Click HERE to discover our Ireland tour collection or contact us to discuss your next tour to the Emerald Isle.
Thanks to all our supplier contacts for their support, and who continue to deliver such great quality – helping Greatdays bring out the best of Ireland.
Another week and our two B’s Claire Buckley (Sales) and Lisa Buller (UK Ops) were off once again visiting hotels and visitor attractions in beautiful Buxton and Bakewell.
The first visit of the day was to Shrigley Hall Hotel & Spa on the edge of the Peak District National Park, the views across to Manchester breathtaking in the glorious sunshine. Dating back to 1825 the Hotel has been a former manor house and Salesian college, its history displayed all around the hotel.
With the outdoor pool and spa looking very inviting, our duo had no time to relax as it was back on the road towards The Palace Hotel & Spa in Buxton.
Another hotel steeped in history as the Palace Hotel opened in 1868, it is also hosting some of the Buxton International Festival in the grand ballroom which is taking place from 9-26 July in 2026. The show round included the new Derby room filled with settees, pool table and large TV and The Robert Rippon Bar. The Spa and Wellness area included an indoor pool, gym and treatment rooms.
Continuing onto Bakewell known for its unique and delicious pudding, yes Claire did buy one!, it is the biggest town in the Peak District National Park. Wandering around the quaint courtyards filled with shops and tearooms, the smell of roses filled the air as they walked past Bath Gardens. The Gardens are immaculately maintained with benches to enjoy some tranquillity in the heart of the town. Heading to the River Wye, paddling ducks enjoying the glorious weather and the Bakewell Bridge with its Gothic pointed arches looking stunning in the sunshine, their time was well spent before heading back to Buxton.
Buxton Crescent, a heritage experience, is an accessible all-weather attraction that was next visited. Built to rival Bath in 1786, the building has had many changes even standing empty from 1992 before Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust brought it back to life. An excellent guide took them through the different rooms and explained the amazing history of the building and area.
Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the next hotel they visited, The Old Hall from 1573 to 1584 to take the waters, so our Queens followed for a show round.
As the Buxton Well Dressing took place 3-12 July 2026, it was lovely to see the town so vibrant and colourful.
Click here to view our Secrets of the Peak District tour.
Our Sales Managers Guy and Dawn, plus Lisa our UK Operations Manager, hit the road and headed north to Bishop Auckland to enjoy a full day at Kynren!
They were really excited to see the latest offerings for 2026, The Storied Lands. This new immersive theme park takes guests on a story through the ages. As the three team members made their way around the Park, they were treated to a live Viking show, a Legend of the Wear show on a lake, and all three of their favourites, The Lost Feather; an immersive bird show which takes place inside a giants birds best. Our team marvelled at rare birds as they took flight across the arena. The team members were then treated to the time travellers feast, a culinary delight with dishes through the ages.
The big finale for the night was the epic Kynren show, which proved to be as enjoyable as ever! A cast of 1000 volunteers put on this spectacular show which has now been successfully running since 2016. The following morning the team visited the Auckland project, which is a collection of galleries, museums and cultural/heritage experiences all located with the town of Bishop Auckland. This was a very interesting experience, with a self-guided tour of the beautiful Palace being a real highlight for all.
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Once again Claire (Sales) and Lisa (UK Ops Manager) headed out of the office this time to visit delightful Derbyshire.
Their first visit of the day was to stunning Chatsworth House, starting at the stable’s courtyard where the café and restaurant are housed, of course they had to check the cakes out!They continued to the main entrance where they saw the coach drop off and the golf buggies for those with mobility restrictions. Taking the short walk into the house to be met by the stunning Painted Hall, they toured each room, as the current exhibition is the House of Stories, tales from the Chatsworth library each room had books displayed. They didn’t cover all the 105-acre garden, but walked to the Emperor Fountain with a Jet flying overhead from the nearby RAF base. Learning that only three miles from Chatsworth House is Peak Village, they took the short drive to enjoy the shops and lunch – all to research for future tours of course!
Back to the car to carry onto Derby with show rounds of both the Leonardo Derby Hotel and the Mickleover Hotel, before settling into their overnight accommodation the Makeney Hall Hotel.
Their second day started with a show round the Makeney Hall Hotel, before travelling on the A6 towards Haddon Hall, where they spotted the Great British Car Journey museum. As neither Claire or Lisa had heard of this they pulled up and went in; with over 150 British Classic cars on display this was a hidden gem, there is also a whisky distillery nearby.
They continued to Haddon Hall to discover 900 years of history, with its fortified manor house and Tudor kitchens they navigated the mediaeval terrain before heading to the beautiful walled gardens with the roses in full bloom. The chapel with its frescoes on the wall was the final stop with a surprise of bat pups nesting in the ceiling.
Continuing their adventure to Tissington to meet with Sir Richard Fitzherbert for a tour of Tissington Hall, his family’s home for over 500years, he enjoyed telling them humorous stories whilst walking through each room. They even met the dogs on the tour of the gardens. Taking a walk through the village with the ducks they didn’t find all six wells as Tissington is known for its Well Dressing which usually takes place during Ascension Week, a religious observance that occurs 40 days after Easter Sunday from St Mary’s church. But they did find Derbyshire oatcakes for lunch which had to be tried at Herbert’s Fine English Tea rooms.
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Claire from Sales who now likes to be known as Lady Claire, would like to invite you to read about her day at Castle Howard. (She is taking her Bridgerton role far too serious!)
Travelling from Scarborough along the A64 through the Yorkshire countryside and picturesque villages, the journey takes around 50 minutes via Malton to reach Castle Howard.
The short walk from the car/coach park leads you to the entrance arch into the courtyard where you will find shops, a café, restaurant and toilets, as well as the Group Tours entrance into the grounds.
The path leads to the Walled Garden and continues to the House. Claire walked to the House, however there is a Kelly Car if anybody would like to be driven to the House or lake that ran every half an hour on the day she visited.
The House entrance has four steps down, whilst there is an accessible entrance via the gift shop, both entrances lead to the Grand Staircase, a stairlift is available.
Wandering around the House, each room has a helpful staff member waiting to bring the room to life, or audio guides are also available.
Claire was heading to the Long Gallery to try on a period costume, however the stunning Great Hall with its magnificent architecture and beautiful paintings that has appeared in many films and dramas stopped her in her tracks. Taking a few moments to look around, this really is a must for art lovers to visit.
At the Long Gallery period costumes are available, so of course Claire put on a dress thinking she was Lady Bridgerton and waited for her Duke.
Without a Duke, Claire continued the House tour, visiting the Chapel before heading to the new art installation ‘The Story of the Four Winds’ in the grounds.
Her walk continued to The Boating Lake, and then onto the Walled Garden with its fragrant roses and colourful plants, ending at the courtyard for some retail therapy and much needed food after a wonderful day out.
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Assigned with the task of viewing hotels in Liverpool, Amy took the train to Liverpool Lime Street and met with Jess, our General Manager. They had all weathers in 10 minutes whilst walking to the Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village in the Knowledge Quarter of Liverpool. With views over the Anglican Cathedral, Anfield Stadium and the Wirral, this high-rise hotel opened 4 years ago. The location of the Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village is on the outskirts of Liverpool. This offers easy access to the motorways and a short drive to Liverpool city centre.
Amy and Jess took a taxi to the Pullman Hotel in Liverpool on the Mersey River quayside to familiarise themselves with the hotel bedrooms and facilities. The large Reception area was very bright and welcoming. The rooms were spacious, some with views over the Mersey and the promenade.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Pullman, they both visited the Leonardo Hotel Liverpool that is just next to the Big Wheel. The Hotel Manager was very proud of her hotel saying she had worked there for years. The breakfast buffet was set up during our visit and it looked delicious with lots of choice.
The Hilton Liverpool was their next stop where we viewed several rooms and the public areas. The bar had a lovely atmosphere with large booth seating for guests. The location is excellent, opposite the Albert Docks and close to Liverpool One shopping area.
The newly branded Atlantic Tower Liverpool by Sunday is near to the Pier Head area. The curved shape of the building means that most of the rooms have either a city or River Mersey view. Its outdoor terrace just off the bar area has lots of seating that has views over the Liver Building. This is the only hotel we visited with an outside terrace so this is a big plus for the hotel. The ‘City is Ours’ programme on TV filmed in one of the bedrooms!
The Hard Days Night Hotel gave Amy a big welcome and gave Amy a tour of the hotel bars named after George Harrison and John Lennon. The Restaurant ‘North 64’ had a lovely atmosphere at the lunch service. Rooms are themed with pictures of the Beatles. Located very near Mathew Street where you will find the infamous Cavern Club, this hotel has a favourable location for the famous spots in Liverpool.
Finally, the Novotel Liverpool City Centre was the last visit of the day. This hotel is in the city centre with an atmospheric restaurant and bar area. An indoor swimming pool in the basement was a big selling point for use after any Liverpool City sightseeing trips.
On her walk back to Lime Street station, there was a buzz about the city so much so that Amy made a promise to herself to return another day to experience what the Liverpool attractions have to offer.
Click here to view our Cultural Liverpool and Classic Southport tour
Lisa & Gail from our UK operations team had the pleasure of spending the weekend in Dublin, thanks to our hosts Staycity Aparthotels!
It was an action packed 48 hours. There were lots of giggles and fun on the Viking Splash Tour, which is a tour of the city half on land, half on water. Education mixed with local humour, the guide was hilarious and it was a great start to the trip! After visiting some of the Staycity properties, the team headed off to Trinity College to view the world famous Book of Kells. The ‘Long Room’ is undoubtedly one of the most impressive libraries in the world, with college students still studying the books to this day.
In the afternoon, the group headed to the huge city centre stadium of Croke Park, to watch the thrilling Hurling final between Dublin and Galway. This local traditional sport is the fastest field sport in the world, and was a really enthralling watch! No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the world famous Guiness Storehouse, with the opportunity to pull your own pint and sample the black stuff from its origin. The trip was topped off with a wonderful selection of food and drink, and as ever, the Irish hospitality was tip top!
Click here to view our tours to Dublin and Ireland, or contact us for a tailor made enquiry to Ireland’s exciting capital!
Charlotte from our UK Ops team attended the Coach Tourism Association’s annual Spring Networking event in Cardiff.
The itinerary included a full-day fam trip in Cardiff and the surrounding area on Sunday, starting with a guided walking tour of Cardiff and a guided tour of Cardiff Castle. In the afternoon, she visited The Royal Mint and Hensol Castle Distillery.
On Monday morning, there was plenty of meetings with fellow delegates during the supplier workshop, followed by the CTA Annual General Meeting.
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Claire (Sales) and Lisa (UK Ops Manager) took to the road again to visit Leicestershire.
First stop was Belvoir Castle in Grantham, pronounced “beaver” and featured in many films and TV series. The beauty of this Regency home did not disappoint, from their first view they knew it was going to be wonderful.
Driving through the parkland you can see the Castle perched high above, whilst the views from the terrace of the surrounding countryside were breathtaking. The grandeur of the interior where royalty have been can be seen in the rooms, with elegant furnishings and a fabulous art collection. The formal gardens in spring colours made the Castle look stunning in the sunshine.
A quick visit to the Belvoir Castle Retail Village for research purposes was made before continuing onto Leicester.
At Leicester Cathedral and King Richard III visitor centre, they discovered the incredible story of King Richard III, from his death, burial and to his discovery.
The following day they visited hotels from 3* to 4* each offering something different for a great stay in the city.
Before leaving they walked through Castle Gardens to Grand Union Canal seeing medieval Leicester ending at Jewry Wall, one of the largest remaining Roman masonry structures in Britain.
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Sarah from UK and Ireland’s Operations Team and Paul, Greatdays Executive Director, enjoyed a super week of Irish hospitality in Killarney and the surrounding area. Visiting many hotels creating new relationships and building on established ones was enjoyable.
Flying into Cork airport was extremely easy, this small airport was stress free and we were very soon on our way discovering some hotels on the outskirts of the city of Cork. All hotels offered superior accommodation with exceptional hospitality which the Irish are renowned for.
A fantastic overnight stay was at the Blarney Woollen Mill hotel, superb! We had a pleasant early evening walk across the quaint village green to the entrance of Blarney Castle, pleasant local pubs were dotted around the green with local gift shops selling local crafts. We were so impressed with this property and its location we are building a tour to base here. Keep an eye on our website for details.
We then attended the annual ‘Meitheal’ workshop which provides Irish tourism business’s the opportunity to promote themselves. This was so interesting to speak to so many different establishments, offering new destinations and ideas.
The latter part of our trip took us to see all the hotels we use in Killarney, always a fantastic base to tour the stunning scenery of the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsular to name but a few scenic drives. We visited Bantry Bay, Kenmare and Tralee visiting our hotel friends in this Southern part of Ireland. All hotels offered a very high standard of accommodation, most of the Irish hotels heavily invest in their properties on an annual basis, along with great hospitality and cuisine we could not fault our visits. It was great to create new friendships and build on our existing ones in Ireland, everyone is so friendly and we encourage everyone to visit this fantastic country.
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The sun shone throughout Rachael (European Groups Specialist) and Guy’s (Head of Sales) recent visit to the Rhine as they followed the river’s course exploring the charming towns that line its route. They landed in Cologne, a city rich in culture and history, where towering cathedrals and lively squares offered the perfect introduction to their journey. After an absorbing guided city tour they drove past rolling vineyards, medieval castles, and quaint villages full of traditional German charm, each stop adding its own story to their adventure along one of Europe’s most iconic rivers. The purpose of the tour was to meet with long-standing and new contacts, while exploring what the region had to offer, all with the aim of building interesting and exciting tours.
There is plenty to do along the Rhine Valley, from river cruises and vineyard tours with tastings to museum visits that delve into the quirkiness of the region. Despite all the wonderful activities available, the most breathtaking moments came from exploring the beautiful landscapes. The region’s unique character, with its half-timbered houses and narrow cobbled streets, gave the illusion of stepping into a fairy tale. With a backdrop of rolling green hills, and more often than not a mighty medieval fortress perched on a hillside, the scenery created a dramatic sense of life centuries ago. The castles, hills, and rolling vineyards combined to create a truly unique experience.
One of the highlights of the trip was exploring Rüdesheim’s Niederwald Monument, which stood tall overlooking the river and the towns below. Unfortunately, the cable car that takes visitors to the top of the hill was closed, as the season had not fully started. Nevertheless, the views still made for a lovely experience, and it was easy to imagine how stunning the journey by cable car must be in the main season. Standing high at the viewpoint gave a real sense of peace.
Another wonderful experience was the Anton Hammes winery which was tucked away in a quaint and beautiful town. As they wondered into the town, Rachael and Guy were quickly surrounded by dramatic vineyards that climbed the steep hillside. They were shown around the grounds and then down into the wine cellar, both traditional and mysterious in some ways but large enough for groups who want to explore the region’s wine. Hundreds of years old, it is stripped back to the bare brick with long wooden tables stretched all the way from one wall to the next, and large wine barrels echoing its medieval atmosphere.
This region has so much to offer with cities rich in culture, peaceful winding rivers and dramatic landscapes – it simply shouldn’t be missed. While summer is special, the Rhine Valley’s towns are transformed later in the year with Christmas markets, warm fires and festive cheer turning the area into a delightful winter wonderland.
Click here to view our tours to Cologne, and the Rhine Valley
Shrouded in fog, Amy didn’t manage to see the sweeping coastlines or rolling countryside for the first few days on the Isle of Wight. Luckily, the last day was full sunshine and the spectacular views came into focus.
It was lovely to meet with long-term partners that have featured in the Greatdays’ brochures for many years. It was also good to visit new hotels and attractions as part of developing our programme.
Amy travelled to the island on Red Funnel Ferries and found the experience very smooth and efficient. Lasting just short of an hour, the crossing went quickly with comfortable seating and the possibility of something to eat in the café, a drink in the bar or browse in the gift shop.
Once off the ferry, Amy drove to Ryde to have a look round. There was so much activity! Whilst walking on the pier, the Pier Head Train arrived, a Wightlink ferry docked at the end of the pier and a hovercraft landed onto the sandy beach followed by squawking seagulls. There were many cafés and independent shops to browse along the streets heading to the centre of Ryde. The streets are hilly – make sure you pack your comfortable shoes.
Shanklin and Sandown were next on Amy’s itinerary. Both coastal towns are very close to one another (it is only a 15-minute jog from one to the other!) They have different selling points. Shanklin is split in two by a cliff, with an upper and lower promenade linked by a lift that has a small fee in the main season. Most hotels are up high on the cliff giving the unspoilt views over the sea. On the lower promenade, there are many shops, cafés and bars to choose from in addition to the golden sandy beach to enjoy! The old town is a stroll from the upper promenade where you will find the thatched cottages and winding narrow streets that are often pictured in Isle of Wight publications.
Sandown has a different ‘feel’ to it – Amy found it was more of a typical English seaside resort. A long promenade – that Amy ran along each morning – plenty of shops and beachside cafés for people watching. The Sandown pier stretches into the sea at one end of the town providing a focal point for visitors.
The attractions were in different locations over the island. Amy had lots of driving in between the appointments in her little car. Even though the Isle of Wight is not a big island, the roads are windy and narrow so one really feels in the depths of the countryside at times. The Wight Military and Heritage Museum was a highlight. Amy met with one of the Trustees who kindly conducted a private tour of the Military memorabilia and information on the importance of the Isle of Wight’s role during World War II. There were tanks, uniforms, military vehicles and a real plane called the historic ‘B-N Islander’ to view. The gift shop, book shop and café at the end of the tour were well worth a visit to support this charity.
Amy made a stop off to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary for a very pleasant visit to see the rescued donkeys. At 2.30pm they all started braying in chorus. Daphne, one of the many volunteers said that the donkeys were reminding the staff they were hungry! There is a café and many opportunities to talk with the guides to find out more. Whether rain or shine, the donkeys can be seen out in the field or in their barns.
No visit to the Isle of Wight is complete without visiting the ‘big three’…The Needles, Carisbrooke Castle and Osbourne House. Luckily, the weather improved during Amy’s time at each of these attractions. The Needles in all their splendour rose out of the sea. Not all the activities were open as it was low season but in the main season, the chair lifts are a must but not for the faint hearted! They take you to Alum Bay from where you can see the coloured sand close up. The sand shop is recommended to visit and create your very own layered sand gift. Amy had lunch here that was very reasonably priced. There is a gift shop in addition to a glass workshop where they give demonstrations of glass blowing.
The second of the ‘big three’ can be seen from far away. The Keep at Carisbrooke Castle rises high above the landscape. At close quarters, the castle walls are well preserved and visitors can walk along the ramparts – it is a bit uneven though! Amy timed her visit just right as Jigsaw, one of the Carisbrooke donkeys, was raring to go and demonstrated walking on the water wheel so that is turned 3 times. Jigsaw was well aware of the contract: no more than 3 revolutions per day! A Museum, Gatehouse, the Kitchen garden, shop and café are all within the castle walls including the Keep reached only by climbing approximately 30 steps. The view was well worth it though. All the staff were really helpful and knowledgeable that made Amy feel very welcome during her visit to this significant, historic site where Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Beatrice made her home.
Magnificent Osbourne House, former home to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, was glowing yellow in the sun opposite Portsmouth and Southampton across the Solent. The island is close to the main land yet one feels very far away. Amy had some time to wander through the ground floor of the house, looking at the paintings hung on the walls under the hight decorated ceilings. There was also time to walk to the beach and Swiss Cottage within the grounds of Osbourne. A shuttle buggy ran at regular intervals to take visitors to the beach café should they have difficulty walking the mile distance. The café and shop were well attended – Amy managed to buy some ‘Wight Whisky’ for her husband before leaving for the ferry in East Cowes.
Click here to view our tours to Isle of Wight
Amy, from our UK Department, spent the day in a very sunny York in February. She managed to view five hotels and visited attractions in the centre of this historic city.
What a lovely place to visit in the sun! The daffodils were out meaning spring was officially on its way.
After a quick train ride from Manchester and a short stroll along the river Ouse, Amy visited the York Castle Museum. This museum is so much more than its name. Split into two parts, the exhibition takes you through the ages with original memorabilia from different decades. There is commentary throughout the one-way system with sounds and conversations of the times. The first part ends with Kirkgate, a Victorian Street where volunteers are dressed in period costume and give regular talks and demonstrations. The school house, pharmacy and sweet shop were some of the highlights. In the second part of the visit, it is more focused on World War II with permanent and temporary exhibitions. The staff members were knowledgeable and invited any questions from visitors. There was a gift shop and small café to provide rest to tired feet. A recommended time for a visit is 2-3 hours.
Amy then met with City Cruises, located just a short walk from the York Castle Museum through public gardens, the cruisers operate over regular intervals throughout the day. They take you on a 45-minute cruise – an ideal length of time to see York centre from the water, giving you a different perspective of the city.
The hotels in York offer very different positives. Central hotels are close to the city walls, perfect for an evening stroll after dinner, visiting the Shambles or the market during a free day. Hotels on the outskirts have proximity to York Race course and complimentary coach parking which is advantageous for any busy itinerary.
On the way back to the station to catch the next train, Amy stopped to buy some Parkin, a traditional Yorkshire ginger cake and a Yorkie bars of course for her colleagues in the Greatdays office.
Click here to view our new tour to York
Claire from the Sales Team has just returned from an action packed few days in London with the New Merdian for their AGM.
Experiencing the best of what the capital has to offer, her first visit was to ‘stample’! The Postal Museum, filled with collections telling the 500-year-old story of British postal communication and its continued impact on life around the world today. She saw vehicles, uniforms, pillar boxes and stamps as well as the Jolly Postman exhibition.
The next day a walking tour with a Blue Badge Guide was needed after a scrumptious gala dinner the evening before. The walk to Greenwich Park took in a spectacular view filled with incredible royal history, a picturesque World Heritage Site and a scenic riverside setting that led to the Cutty Sark, the historic ship in the heart of Greenwich. Able to wander from main deck to dry dock, this Victorian tea clipper brings what life was like for crew. From a ship to a boat, Claire boarded a Thames Clipper uber boat to take a modern journey along the River Thames passing the iconic landmarks to reach Battersea Power Station.
At Battersea Power Station is The Chimney Lift Experience, accenting up 109 meters, providing stunning 360-degree views of London’s skyline. The north-west chimney an icon in the sky, was next on the trip to visit and did not disappoint.
Back on the ground, the next tour was an Afternoon Tea Bus experience driving by London’s famous landmarks, wonderful way to see the city whilst enjoying lovely food and a glass of fizz.
The evening was filled with laughter watching Disney’s Hercules at the beautiful Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
For the final day following sponsors presentations, a visit to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden to see the fantastic collection of trains, buses and everything ‘transport’ as well as the Art deco: the golden age of poster design exhibition.
With one last stop at Hard Rock Cafe and Piccadilly Circus for an early dinner before heading home. This Hard Rock flagship property pays tribute to the building’s prestigious heritage and unbeatable West End location.
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/postal-transport-museum-london
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/london-meantime-greenwich
Lisa, the UK Operations manager along with Claire from the Sales Team had a flying visit to Scarborough last week, 24 hours and 7 hotel show rounds.
From budget friendly to 4 star hotels, they have seen what all 7 can offer our groups.
Walking along the sea front they managed to pop into the Scarborough Spa, and saw Britain’s oldest funicular cliff lift. Although the skies were grey, Scarborough shone through, they got their steps in walking around looking at the stunning views of the North Sea.
If you fancy visiting Scarborough, click here
En-route to the Excursions 2026 Show, the Greatdays Sales Team – Guy, Claire and Dawn – decided to make a “pit stop” at the British Motor Museum near Gaydon, Warwickshire.
The café had to be tried first and the warming homemade soup was a treat on a cold winter’s day. Lauren Stanley from the museum then took them on a tour of the largest collection of historic British cars, with over 400 fabulous vehicles displayed in dedicated zones. Claire got excited to see Rock ‘n’ Roll Star John Lennon’s custom-built white Rolls-Royce Phantom V, Guy returned to his childhood upon discovering an immaculate Morris Minor Traveller partially built of wood and requiring a crank handle start on cold winter days (the car, not Guy), while Dawn was driven by the absorbing car stars of film and television from Del Boy’s Robin Reliant to Lady Penelope’s Pink FAB limousine.
Taking a stroll over to the Collections Centre they were able to see the impressive restoration workshop, the Jaguar heritage collection and numerous British cars rarely seen by the public.
A great day out was had by all at this amazing museum.
In early September this year, Sarah from our UK department took to the road north and visited the Scottish borders, Dumfries and Galloway.
Staying in an array of hotels and visiting various and unusual attractions made this a great trip and very interesting. The overall experience was extremely enjoyable driving through this part of the country sadly missed by many tourists travelling further north. The gentle scenery of the lowlands with rolling hills and scenic coastal drives gave invaluable ideas for a fantastic tour without the high mileage to the North of Scotland.
Comfortable stays were enjoyed at the Holiday Inn Dumfries, the North West Castle hotel in Stranraer and the Riverside Lodge hotel at Irvine. Great group hotels offering friendly service with excellent accommodation.
Two main highlights of this trip were visiting a fantastic family at Dalgarven Mill, home to the museum of country life and costume with a homely coffee shop offering homemade scones which were amazing! A visit was also made to Kitchen Coos and Ewes, what an experience!
Sarah met the ‘Super moodels’, and had a very posh trailer ride into the hills to have an interactive visit with these fascinating highland cows. This was finished off with a sheep dog trial, before a cosy sit down in the bothy for coffee, tea and homemade shortbread.
Both forest and coastal scenery were stunning and has certainly given her a passion for more visits to this part of Scotland. And to make life more interesting some of the roads were narrow and single track, however perfectly accessible for coaches.
Look out for our new tour destinations coming shortly or click here to view our current Scotland tours.
As a result of raising a staggering £9,104 for Guide Dogs UK at our Christmas lunch events last year, we were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to name two of the new pups. Say hello to Billy and Ozzie with their very first pawtrait!
Thank you once again to all our clients for the generosity and help in raising such a great amount.
In early August this year, Sarah from our UK department accompanied a large American Performing Arts group as the Event Manager. It was a busy itinerary packed full of exciting visits to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
The group stayed at the Marriott Hotel Glasgow Argyle Street, which was a great base to explore the city of Glasgow. From the hotel, it was a leisurely walk into the city centre or and close to the hop-on hop-off bus stop. This was an excellent hotel with well-appointed rooms that you would expect from a hotel of this standard. The friendly staff were on hand serving the locally produce food in the restaurant. Some of the group took advantage of the leisure facilities including a swim in the indoor pool.
Visits were made to the Kelpies, Stirling, the Edinburgh Tattoo, Falkirk Wheel, a cruise on Loch Lomond and a scenic drive through the Trossachs National Park. The group members were impressed with the beautiful scenery in the Trossachs – it was a bonus that the weather was glorious! On the last evening, the group ate at the Buchanan Arms Hotel in Drymen.
One of the Performing Arts group summarised the Edinburgh Tattoo as “absolutely gorgeous” – it was, without doubt, the highlight of the tour.
Spectacular Scottish scenery with history around every corner twinned with city centre experiences, Greatdays highly recommend this tour to your group.
Rachael from the European team had the opportunity to take part in a destination trip to Berlin, designed to gain a deeper understanding of the city and its highlights. Over the course of the visit, Rachael experienced a range of hotels, which was a great way to see the variety Berlin has to offer for different types of travellers.
The trip also included excursions that really brought the city’s history and culture to life. Rachael visited the famous TV Tower for panoramic views, explored Berlin’s underground bunkers on a guided tour, and learned more about the city’s role in the world wars. She also enjoyed a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which was a great way to get an overview of the city, and even tried a virtual reality experience that gave a modern twist to exploring Berlin’s past.
Overall, the familiarisation trip added valuable first-hand insight into Berlin as a destination. She came away with a better understanding of what the city can offer to our clients, from those interested in history and culture to those looking for unique modern experiences.
For tours to Germany, click here
Charlotte from our UK Department recently attended the preview night of the spectacular show that is Kynren! She spent three days visiting various hotels and attractions around the North East, in order to further our existing relationships and hopefully start some new ones.
From Roman battles to wartime Britain, the 90-minute outdoor spectacle brought 2,000 years of history to life with jaw-dropping choreography, live animals, stunning effects, and a cast of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers. It’s more than just a performance — Kynren is a celebration of community, heritage, and the power of storytelling on a truly grand scale.
If you’re anywhere near the North East this summer, go and see it. You won’t forget it!
www.greatdays.co.uk/tour/kynren-an-epic-tale-of-england/
Halle (Disney Ops) and Claire (Sales) are just back from a magical few days as Events Managers for one of our International dance groups who got to perform at Disneyland® Paris.
Travelling by air to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, they stayed the first night at The Jangle Hotel, with its own shuttle bus from Terminal 2. They used this service back so they could take the train into Paris for the evening. Strolling from Notre-Dame de Paris to the Eiffel Tower to see the city light up and sparkle along the way.
The next day after meeting the group at the airport, they boarded two mini-vans and drove the scenic route to Dream Castle hotel, where the group would be staying for their vacation. Letting the group settle in, Halle and Claire were taken on show-arounds of the Fabulous Hotels starting at Dream Castle Hotel, then onto the Explorers Hotel ending at the Grand Magic Hotel, all near to each other and sharing the shuttle bus to Disneyland® Paris. Each hotel has something different to offer our groups, with each having their own swimming pools, ideal to cool down after a day at the Parks.
Enjoying dinner at Annette’s in Disney® Village, they also managed to squeeze in time to take a peek at the new shops in the village including Deco by Disney & Disney Style, before checking into Staycity Paris Marne La Vallée for two nights.
With an early start the next day, the group met their Disney Performing Arts coordinator’s going ‘backstage’ for their Disney Performing Arts Dance Workshop, what an experience it was for them all, watched by Halle and Claire. With free time before the next hotel visit, Halle and Claire went to see The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands at the Frontierland Theatre with a quick lunch at Casa del Coco. Although staying at Staycity, they had a show-around including the spacious villas, swimming pool and local village of Bailly-Romainvilliers with a local supermarket. Later they took the free hotel shuttle bus to the Parks to try a few rides, dinner at The Hollywood Gardens Restaurant in the newly refurbished World Premiere Plaza under the twinkling lights, before staying to watch the dazzling finale of fireworks and magical effects from Main Street U.S.A.
Performance Day arrives, after months of planning the group are ready to take to the stage. First they have to meet the DPA coordinator’s and go through the stage and blocking, before the final preparations for hair and make-up, then its curtain up for their 20-minute performance on the Videopolis Theatre. Their dance routines were stunning bringing a tear to both Halle and Claire, still on a high, the group had a photo with Donald Duck to end an amazing morning.
With a lunch stop at Casey’s Corner for their famous hotdogs, they managed to fit in the new Disney Music Hits Concert and Mickey’s PhilharMagic show before heading to the train station for the high-speed train back to the airport.
Take a look at what we can offer https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/disneyland-paris-for-groups/
In June 2025 our Disney department manager, Megan, was invited by Disney to attend the Disney Music Festival Experience Fam Trip at Disneyland® Paris. Along with around 40 other UK travel professionals, Megan travelled from London on the Eurostar and stayed at Disney Hotel Cheyenne – one of the most popular hotels for our groups.
Megan attended business sessions during the trip where the latest Disneyland® Paris news and updates were shared, along with training on all aspects of selling the magic! The exciting construction at Walt Disney Studios Park® continues and we got glimpses of the new World of Frozen which we can’t wait to open in 2026.
There were also meetings and show-arounds at both onsite and offsite hotels, including the recently re-imagined Disneyland Hotel which offers the ultimate 5-star royal experience with an unbeatable location right at the entrance of the Disneyland® Park. It truly is beautiful but there are hotels to suit all budgets, including offsite options nearby like the self-catering studio apartments at Staycity Paris Marne La Vallée which we have found to be an excellent choice for our groups.
Megan had the opportunity to enjoy the Disney Music Festival which has taken over the Disneyland® Park for the summer, and also saw the new nighttime spectacular Disney Tales of Magic which is not to be missed. Character Breakfast at Plaza Gardens on the final morning was the perfect ending and is definitely something to recommend to all of our groups.
Based on previous feedback this was the first time Disney have hosted a three-night/four-day fam trip, giving more time to explore and savour the delights of the magical Disney® Parks and Hotels.
Megan might have visited Disneyland® Paris over 20 times, but there is always something new to see and learn!
A very special and proud day as we celebrated 40 years!!! Great to see John Beaumont (88), company founder and Greatdays’ chairman, at the office seen here alongside Paul and Andy holding a copy of our first brochure from 1985.
Then followed a highly entertaining evening where 40th festivities continued with a ‘Captains and Pirates’ dinner party canal cruise from Manchester to Salford Quays. A great night spent together, with the best music hits from that very first year!
Guy (Sales Team) and Rachael (European Operations) spent a week exploring the Tyrol region of Austria from St Anton to St Georgen, reconnecting with our hotel and attraction partners and shaping many enticing itineraries for 2026 and beyond.
Fabulous lake and mountain scenery combined with warm hospitality, glorious sunshine and many memorable highlights including river cruises and rail journeys, glass blowing and folk dancing, breathtaking cable car rides and the crystal magnificence of Swarovski – a sparkling visit in all senses and thoroughly recommended.
Celebrating our 40th Anniversary this year, Greatdays has established strong supplier relationships and provided many successful group tours to the Tyrol and across Austria with plenty more planned. Bring your tour alive with a Sound of Music theme, make Boats and Trains your preference or encompass the region’s scenic beauty with a Lakes & Mountains itinerary. So much to choose from, so why not let us help tailor-make your perfect Austrian experience.
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/austria-gems/
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/austria-trains-boats/
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/austrian-lakes-salzkammergut/
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/austrian-winter-wonderland/
Claire (Sales) and Sarah (UK Operations) have recently returned from a very busy couple of days in Belfast as event managers for an Annual Meeting.
Working between the Europa, Ramada and Hilton hotels and with the fantastic Giles Coaches, they helped members in the hotels, getting to and from the ICC for their AM and excursions to Titanic Belfast with a panoramic city tour, Troubles, Law and order, Royal Hillsborough and Lorne Estate.
The last day was airport transfers from the hotels to Belfast International airport, whilst some members continued onto Armagh and the Fermanagh Lakes for a four day tour.
With some free time, Claire also visited Belfast City Hall for a guided tour and Victoria Square to enjoy the Dome with 360° views of Belfast.
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/belfast-causeway-coast-tour/
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/hidden-gems-northern-ireland/
https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/christmas-markets/
Last month, Sarah from our UK and Ireland team, was fortunate enough to tour manage a group over to Northern Ireland which she had arranged for them. This was a great opportunity for the group to visit Derry, Belfast and cover a small amount of County Donegal over 6 days with some stunning scenery in between. We were blessed with great weather, fantastic hospitality, great food and accommodation plus superb coach hire.
After a short flight, we were met by the very efficient McComb’s coaches who provided coach hire throughout the tour. Visits included the world-famous Giants Causeway, Titanic Experience, Museum of Free Derry and the Derry Guildhall along with a very informative walking tour of Derry. We also had the opportunity of visiting both the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum which were very interesting. There is so much history connected to this area of Northern Ireland. And the friendly people tell the stories of times gone by with the bonus of pretty scenery around every corner.
We had a change one day and ventured into County Donegal to spend time at the Inishowen Maritime Museum, after a scenic tour following the shores of Lough Foyle. This museum was so interesting and once again we had such a warm welcome from the staff. We were fortunate enough to have a guided tour of Stormont and Hillsborough Castle which all added to a really interesting and informative tour covering this part of Northern Ireland.
If you are thinking of adding this destination to your programme or would like assistance in planning a tour to this area please contact our sales team at sales@greatdays.co.uk
or visit www.greatdays.co.uk/uk-group-travel/ireland-group-travel/
Each year we are privileged to be able to contribute to many good causes by organising a charity raffle at each of our annual entertainment events. This brings our total charity fund raising to £82,470 over the past 10 years.
Thank you to all our customers for supporting our many charity raffles, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Tricia, Sam and Rachael (European Team) recently returned from a delightful springtime visit to the Netherlands, taking in the iconic Keukenhof Gardens and the historic Royal Delft pottery museum.
Just a short hop from the UK, year-round the Netherlands delivers a rewarding travel experience, this is especially so over the spring time when the world-renowned tulips are in bloom. The gardens are not home to only tulips, but hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, carnations and irises to name a few. The colours, smells and atmosphere are a spectacle.
Keukenhof, often called the “Garden of Europe”, was a feast for the senses. With over 7 million bulbs in bloom, it’s a colourful display like no other, with a sweet smell in the air that pulls you around the gardens. There are vibrant tulip displays, peaceful water features, and artistic garden designs around every corner, not to mention the towering windmill that allows you to overlook the beautiful gardens at height. Whether it’s your first visit, or your tenth, Keukenhof always impresses.
Our trip also took us to Royal Delft. It was fascinating to watch the craftsmanship and patience behind the hand-painted pieces and learn about the rich history of this iconic Dutch tradition. A perfect contrast to the floral explosion of Keukenhof, Royal Delft offers a quiet and peaceful experience that leaves a lasting impression.
From the locals greeting you with a smile, to the stunning fields of tulips that paint a million pictures, and the picturesque towns that radiate history and charm, a short break over to The Netherlands has something for everyone.
If you’re interested in adding Keukenhof or Royal Delft to your tour package, or would like help planning your next group trip to the Netherlands, get in touch with our team at sales@greatdays.co.uk
Click here to see our tours to the Netherlands
Paul, Tricia and Dawn have just returned from a wonderful five nights in the Wallonia region of Belgium, hosted by visit Wallonia. South of Brussels, enveloped by Luxembourg and France. Official website for tourism in Wallonia | VISITWallonia.be
Wallonia has such natural beauty, steeped in history with unique places of interest and just an hour and half from Manchester by air, easily accessible by Eurostar to Brussels and just over two hours from Calais by coach. It has something for everyone! Wellness packages, castles and gardens, boats and trains, and plentiful family adventure playgrounds.
Belgium is renowned for beer and chocolates (we have probably sampled all there is to offer on our travels). There are micro breweries/brasseries on nearly every street corner in Wallonia, the opportunities are endless in the offerings.
Christmas Markets, Flower & Garden Shows, Bathtub Race, Tanks in Town and Steam Festival… Definitely a hidden gem to add to your to do list of places to visit
Be the first to register for our new and improved itineraries coming soon for Wonderful Wallonia!
Lisa and Charlotte (UK Operations) visited the Meitheal trade show on Ireland’s West Coast this week. The weather was very kind and the scenery in Killarney, county Kerry was breathtaking. Across two days of networking, Lisa and Charlotte had a total of 82 appointments, where they met with new and existing suppliers to discuss exciting new developments within the Irish tourism industry.
We are looking forward to showcasing new and improved products in our Ireland section over the coming months after this wonderful trip to County Kerry.
Click here to see our tours to Ireland
Recently Sam (Europe Operations) and Guy (Sales Team) joined an excellent Flanders Fields Fam Trip professionally organised by www.visitflanders.com. Covering key battle sites, cemeteries and both mainstream and ‘alternative’ highlights, including a very moving attendance at the Last Post at Menin Gate, this was a wonderful introduction to the wide appeal of this region. Ypres is charming and the people so welcoming…even before tackling the amazing chocolate and beer.
Being so close to the UK it is a rewarding and affordable place to visit. Lots of inspiration and insight gained for new and exciting tour itineraries, so do contact us at sales@greatdays.co.uk if you are looking for a refreshing tour package to Belgium.
Click here to see our tours to Belgium
Lisa, the UK & Ireland Operations Manager and Claire, our Private Groups Sales Manager, had the briefest of visits to Belfast to visit hotels that we offer to our groups. They stayed at the Hilton Hotel adjacent to the ICC. The Hotel has the Riverside Restaurant and No 4 bar, all of the bedrooms have either a city or river view.
Taking a short walk from the Hilton through the City they visited the Grand Central Hotel, proudly the owner of Ireland’s tallest bar; The Observatory, which has 360-degree skyline views of Belfast and beyond. With a luxury yet modern feel throughout, the Hotel was beautiful.
The next stop was the world-famous Europa Hotel, the four-star hotel of choice, located in the heart of the city.
Ramada by Wyndham Belfast located in the Cathedral Quarter Belfast, was the final visit of the day. This Hotel offers stylish bedrooms with walk-in wet-rooms.
Lisa and Claire also managed to jump onto the City Sightseeing Belfast bus to enjoy local tales from the live commentary as they passed highlights within the City including Titanic Belfast, Peace Wall and Crumlin Road, before ending the day in an historic pub for local cuisine and drink.
Visit The Best Group Tours in Ireland – Exclusive Tours to Ireland for your Group for more ideas.
Claire from Sales and Sam from the European Operations team enjoyed the itinerary of dreams arranged by Hauts-de-France tourism last week 19-24 January 2025.
Flying from Manchester to Paris Charles de Gaulle, the first stop on the tour was Senlis, a real hidden gem described as a true open-air museum, and a magnet for film directors looking for the perfect set.
With their first overnight in Chantilly, the next morning began with a visit to the stunning Chateau de Chantilly including the great stables and a Chantilly cream workshop all before lunch at Le Craft, a show round Le Grand Pavillion, followed by short drive to Chateau Montvillargene, a Greatdays favourite, to see the new refurbished rooms before the second overnight in Amiens.
An amazing tour of the largest cathedral in France located in Amiens, was followed by a short tour of the city, before lunch at O’jardin to warm them up before they boarded their boat for the first sail around the Hortilonnages, whilst the second sailing showed the art installations. Their next overnight stop was Arras.
The morning began with a drive to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission just outside Arras, to see the workshops and how the CWGC work. An interesting tour of Arras followed from the Town Hall around the squares to see how the city was rebuilt after the war. En-route to their next stop, they managed to see the Vimy Memorial and Ring of Remembrance. Lunch followed at l’Atelier du Cerisier with a guided tour of Louvre Lens museum. Continuing onto Lille, home for the next two nights.
Lille has something to offer everyone from shopping, art, history and beer. They tried it all from visiting the Palais des Beaux Arts, a beer themed walking tour, tea at chez Meert, to ending the evening with a typically Welsh dinner at Les Moules.
The final day of this wonderful trip was to La Piscine de Roubaix museum, an Art Deco masterpiece.
Watch out for our new tours coming soon or visit:
Amiens, Theipval & the Somme Battlefields group tour
French Château Weekend at Château de Montvillargenne
Lille Christmas Markets – Greatdays Travel Group – BEST SELLER
Claire from our Sales Team has had a very busy 48 hours with The New Meridian members in Manchester, staying at the beautiful Malmaison Piccadilly Hotel, ideally located from the main railway station Piccadilly and near the tram network. The group took the tram to their first visit, the Coronation Street Experience. How things have changed from Hilda Ogden’s time, Weatherfield is now a town not just a street; they even took a stroll down the cobbles and a peek at the exhibition with its own Rovers Return. The first day ended in a lovely meal at the hotel and a presentation from Emily about the other Malmaison and Du Vin hotels.
The second day started at the RHS Bridgewater gardens with a guided tour by volunteer guides, learning how the garden started, is progressing and working with the community. Members easily walked around this transformed heritage landscape. With a short transfer to the other side of Manchester by coach seeing the changing skyline of the city, they arrived at the Etihad Stadium for a behind the scenes tour of the reigning Premiership Champions Manchester City. The guides showed them the home dressing room, the tunnel club and they got the chance ask the groundsman how they kept the pitch in perfect condition. Taking a rest in the Managers Corner they enjoyed a scrumptious afternoon tea.
The evening started with a short walk from the hotel to the Northern Quarter to the Abel Heywood award winning unique pub, for an Abel’s pie and a fascinating talk from local guide Emma Fox on the history of Manchester Music.
To view all our tours for Manchester visit You searched for manchester – Greatdays Group Travel
Claire from the Sales Team, was intrigued when an offer from Steve Reed came along to join The Wirral Showcase. Looking at the itinerary it brought childhood memories flooding back of school holidays taking the ferry to New Brighton, so off she went to find out what the Wirral had to offer.
She was not disappointed – starting with her first visit to Ness Botanic Gardens. The autumn colours were stunning and the views of North Wales and the River Dee beautiful.
The following day started with the local Wirral Tourism Industry holding a networking show and presentation with all the plans they have to make the Wirral a place to visit.
Taking the coach to New Brighton with a local guide, the group heard lots of stories of the local area both past and present before arriving at Floral Pavilion Theatre for a tour and lunch with a view (the Mersey). With a quick visit to the Escape the Fort at Fort Perch Rock with a Squadron Leader, she made sure she didn’t get locked in before it was time to join the coach for the final stop at Port Sunlight Village, for a walking tour where the Port Sunlight Museum and Lady Lever Gallery are.
With some great plans ahead, the Wirral offers history, art, heritage and a warm welcome.
Ask Claire for more details, click Discovering Chester and The Wirral – Greatdays Group Travel
Lucy ate at Walt’s restaurant (serving sophisticated and contemporary American cuisine with European influences, this is a Victorian-style tribute to the life and work of Walt Disney) within the Disneyland® Park. She also did a day in Paris and went up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. She watched the nighttime drone (Disney Electrical Sky Parade) & firework show (Disney Illuminations – dazzling finale full of breathtaking beauty in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle!) as well as the parade (Disney Stars on Parade – Admire Disney Characters on their colourful floats against a backdrop of upbeat music) at Disney.
There was over 100 passengers in the group which attended to watch their friends and family perform onstage in the Disneyland® Park, showcasing their dance skills to an international audience.
Disneyland® Paris says:
“The Disney Performing Arts OnStage programme provides performance opportunities to amateur groups, with the aim of giving them a glimpse into Disney’s world of entertainment, by offering them the unique once in a lifetime experience of becoming a ‘Disney performer’ for the day.”
Sarah enjoyed a great fam trip to the West Coast of Ireland hosted by Tourism Ireland. Sarah met with business partners at Limerick and Westport, obtaining new contacts at great new attractions and had a lovely catch up with our established partners to refresh ideas. Highlights during the event was visiting Kylemore Abbey, an evening at Trad on the Prom and of course seeing the local sheep in the heart of the Connemara mountains. Certainly a very beneficial few days spending time with great people offering superb Irish hospitality which was second to none, as always.
Guy, Claire and Dawn enjoyed a successful day at the Group Leisure & Travel Show 2024, at Marshall Arena Milton Keynes.
Lots of exciting enquiries and stimulating conversations with many GTO and Coach clients, and we received a lot of positive feedback. Guest speakers included Simon Calder, Paul Martin from TV’s Flog It and Britain’s Hidden Heritage, and Jilly Goolden from BBC’s Food & Drink Programme. There was a good atmosphere, enthusiasm among the visitors, and even free ice creams!
We’re already booked in for 2025.
Claire, our Sales Manager for Private Groups, travelled to her second favourite city London to attend the London for Groups Live, held at the Actor’s Church in Covent Garden.
With an overnight stay at the St Giles Hotel, she also visited the Tavistock Hotel that is used for our Sleek London Art Dec Tour ( https://upgrade.greatdays.co.uk/tour/london-art-deco/ )
With a visit to the Garden Museum in Lambeth, the morning of the show, she climbed the 131 tower steps to be greeted with fabulous London views.
Greatdays offer a trade only booking service for coach and tour operators or professional group travel organisers and we can provide single or multiple elements of a holiday.
Greatdays are able to offer a complete tailor-made booking service for group travel organisers with the help of one of our friendly consultants to assist you through the booking process.
