This is an itinerary designed for either individuals or for small goups wishing to travel together. It is not guarenteed departure tours but operate on the basis of indiviual request and is a guideline to what you can do with a few post-cruise days. The cost of the tour depends on the number of participants and the standard of accommodation required.

This particular tour is designed to meet Princess Cruises which complete their voyage in Southampton. As you disembark your driver/guide will be there to welcome you ashore and to England. The dates below are the dates Princess Cruises arrive in the port through 2004. (Please note, other itineraries are offered for cruises arriving in Dover). Our itineraries may be shortened or lenghtened to your specification.

It's amazing how few people take advantage of being in the southern part of the UK at the end of their cruise and simply fly home! This is, after all, the land of Stonehenge, Medieval Winchester and Jane Austen. It's full of romantic castles, of ancient ports and harbours, of quaint picture-postcard thatched villages, of timeless countryside, and of stately homes and splendid gardens.

And it's all in such a small area that you're hardly spending any time on a vehicle, and the maximum time seeing sites and attractions.

These tours are designed to take a maximum of eight persons.

Tour Code

Arr. Southampton

Dep. UK airport

  PC

your cruise date

Sample Price for 4 persons in 3 star accommodation:   GBP £525     Single Supplement:  GBP £60

Click here to work out prices in other currencies http://www.xe.com/ucc/

NIGHTSTOP

DAY ONE

You're meet by your back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd driver/guide as you disembark at Southampton.

We begin our tour by taking the scenic drive through the pretty New Forest, stopping to see the famed tiny ponies that are unique to this area. We continue the short distance to the Isle of Purbeck, Corfe castle and its surrounding village. This must surely be one of the most attractive places in the UK. It's reminiscent of a Hollywood movie set yet it's the real thing!

Then to the seaside resort of Swanage where an undoubted highlight will be taking a restored steam train ride through the surrounding countryside.

Overnight in the county of Hampshire

DAY TWO

We have three unique visits on today's touring programme.
Our first takes us to the fabulous Wilton House and gardens. Here, you'll see opulence almost beyond dreams. This is a stately country house with fine furnishings, old master paintings and sublime garden. Then to the medieval city of Winchester. Highlights include King Arthur's Round table, Jane Austen's tomb, the magnificent cathedral and some fine mediaeval shopping streets.

Our final visit of the day takes us back in time to prehistoric Stonehenge.

as above

DAY THREE

The south coast of England is traditionally a seafaring one with many picturesque harbours. We'll visit Lyme Regis, Jane Austen's favourite resort. Then a pleasant scenic drive through the Dorsetshire countryside of Thomas Hardy, through such quaintly named villages as Cricket St Thomas and Haselbury Plucknet to the mystic town of Glastonbury. This is reputedly the burial site of King Arthur and Guineviere. Lunch in a traditional thatched-roof pub will top a perfect day.

as above

Our final day is a day of choice. There are a number of options. Your flight home may require that we deliver you to either Heathrow or Gatwick airports. However, if there were no rush then perhaps you'd enjoy a stop at the stately home of Beaulieu where you can enjoy either the national Motor Museum or the house itself and its impressive English gardens. Enroute to London (or Heathrow airport) there's Jane Austen's house, or perhaps you'd like to see the Queen's grand home of Windsor castle.

If your flight is from Gatwick then perhaps there'll be time to visit the historic ship collection at Portsmouth. Nelson's 'Victory' will provide an interesting contrast to the Princess cruise ship you'll have just enjoyed! Then there's Chichester and the nearby Roman Palace at Fishbourne, or perhaps for art-lovers, the marvellous Turner collection at Petworth House.

Whatever you decide to do, you'll surely agree that those who simply flew home after their cruise missed a wonderful opportunity of starting (or continuing) a love affair with England!

© As we publish full tour descriptions, you may find others offering our unique itineraries.  But, just as you find when others sing the songs of Paul McCartney, they're often not quite as good as when sung by the original composer!