Scotland & Wales, April & May 2024
W'E'RE OFFERING TWO TRIPS -- ONE TO SCOTLAND AND ONE TO WALES, BUT THEY CAN EASILY BE COMBINED INTO ONE EPIC EXPLORATION OF THESE TWO PHENOMENAL PLACES -- FOR A DISCOUNT TOO!
Our small group trips to the UK and other places have taken off like wildfire! Over the last few years we’ve been building these trips into great opportunities for those who prefer traveling in small groups, and who like a high degree of independence and flexibility. We take care of the logistical planning – the hotels, the vans, the ferries etc, -- all you have to do is show up with a sense of adventure! We’ll be revisiting some of the places we absolutely adored, skipping over anything that was not quite as fabulous as we had hoped (looking at you Harry Potter train!), and adding on a few things we didn’t get a chance to do previously. You can join us for the Scotland portion, the Wales portion, or enjoy a special discount if you decide to do both!
A group of this size, traveling by a combination of local trains and a comfortable Sprinter van (with a few ferries thrown in for fun) gives us the agility to get to places inaccessible by large buses, the flexibility to empower everyone to explore their individual interests, and the delightful camaraderie of gathering together at local pubs and family-run restaurants to review the day’s adventures.
For 2024 we are expanding our Scotland and Wales trips to include a higher degree of flexibility, and the opportunity to tailor your trip to the timeframe that works for you. Don’t have a full 10 days to spend traveling? No worries, wherever possible, we can work with you to customize your trip so that you can join us en route, or cut out early.
Scotland: Highlands and Islands
Note: If it better suits your travel plans to arrive in the UK in London, we can help you organize your transfer to Edinburgh – It’s an easy train ride through some lovely countryside.
Monday, April 22: Edinburgh to Beauly. This morning we’ll hop the train for a stunning trip through the Perthshire countryside to the delightful village of Beauly. Time permitting, we’ll hop off the train in Inverness for a visit to the Scottish Kiltmakers Visitor Center, then continue on to Beauly for the night. After settling into our cozy hotel right on the village square and within steps of the stunning Beauly Priory, we’ll have time to take a walk through the old growth forest of Reelig Glen before returning to town for dinner and a few pints at the hotel pub. Overnight in Beauly.
Tuesday, April 23: Beauly and environs. One of our great discoveries last year was the incredibly rich culture of local farmers and food producers as well as artisans and craftspeople in this region, so we’ll spend this day with a local innkeeper/restaurateur/historian/whiskey expert who will take us on a tour of some of his favorite regional producers and artisans to sample everything from local cheeses to organic beers, with stops at some of the best artisan cooperatives and studios. The day winds up with a fabulous multi-course whisky tasting dinner at The Downright Gabbler, where Garry and his family will feed us a spectacular menu with ingredients sourced from many of the producers we’ve just visited, and then he’ll take us through a fascinating narrative tour of the history of whisky in Scotland, and of Scotland itself. Even for those who aren’t whisky drinkers, it’s a wonderful evening of story-telling and great food. And the beer and wine list is pretty great too. Overnight in Beauly.
Wednesday, April 24: Beauly to the Orkney Islands! This morning we’ll head North to Scrabster where we board the Northlink Ferry To Stromness to launch our exploration of the Orkney Islands. With the extended daylight hours of the Spring season, we’ll have lots of time to explore Orkney’s most famous archaeological treasures – Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Maeshowe chambered tomb – keystones of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
Towering sea cliffs are home to thousands of birds – puffins, guillemots, gulls, gannets and kittiwakes can all be seen here – while our marshlands and sweeping moorlands are natural habitats for the likes of curlew, red-throated divers, hen harriers and other birds of prey. Seals can be spotted throughout Orkney, and there are regular sightings of whales, dolphins and orcas. Rock pools teem with life, from limpets and sea urchins, to hermit crabs and starfish, to delight young wildlife enthusiasts.
Thursday and Friday, April 25-26: Full days of exploration around Orkney, overnight in Stromness.
Saturday, April 27: Stromness to Ullapool. We’ll ferry back to the Mainland and cut across the heart of the islands to Ullapool, where we’ll spend the night in this charming port time, well-positioned to jump the first ferry of the day the next morning.
Sunday, April 28: Lewis and Harris. We’ll take the CalMac ferry over to the islands of Lewis and Harris, arriving early enough to explore the northern tip of the island, it’s dramatic windswept beaches, the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and the legendary Callanais Standing Stones. A well-earned dinner, perhaps a few wee drams, and a good night’s sleep await us at our hotel overlooking the harbor in Tarbert.
Monday, April 29: Lewis and Harris, the Uists. Using the network of ferries, causeways and single track roads, we’ll weave our way down this interconnected chain of islands as far as we can in a day, exploring the incredible variety of grasslands, moorlands, rocky coastline, neolithic cairns, seal rookeries, seabird colonies, and the epic stretches of uninhabited sandy beaches. Back to Tarbert for the night to rest up for our journey over to Skye in the morning.
Tuesday, April 30: Tarbert to Uig. We board another ferry crossing the charmingly-named ‘Little Minch”, landing on the isle of Skye in Uig. We’ll take the scenic drive to our hotel – traversing the island through the dramatic Mountains of the Quirang, and winding down the eastern shore, stopping at the blustery Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, and if the iconic Old Man of Storr isn’t completely socked in by fog this year (as it sadly was in 2022), we’ll get our chance for some pretty epic photographs. Evening finds us lochside in Kyle of Lochalsh at our comfy hotel for a final dinner together.
Wednesday, May1: This morning we’ll hop on one of the most scenic train rides in all of Scotland – from Kyle of Localsh through the absolutely jaw-dropping scenery of the Trossachs National Park, threading our way through Ballachulish and the remarkable formations of the Three Sisters of Glencoe, waving encouragement to those far more industrious than we who are hiking the Great Trossachs Path. We’ll skirt the banks of Loch Lomond before making our final push into Glasgow, where folks can either stay on in Glasgow to extend their trip, or continue on to Edinburgh for a final night with the group.
Thursday May 2: Transition day. Those who are leaving to head home or on to further independent adventure can either fly directly out of Edinburgh or take the train down to London to continue onward with our Wales adventure. We'll be happy to consult with you on the many options available.
SCOTLAND ONLY PRICING:
PRICING: $4789.00 per person.
Included in your trip fare:
- 11 nights hotel accommodation, solo-occupancy
- Local transportationMuseum/Attraction entry feesGuide services where we use them
TO PURCHASE:
Pay in full for maximum savings! 2% discount It makes our life much easier if trips are paid in full, and we pass the savings in time and bookkeeping on to you.
Pay in Full: per person: $4693.22
- OR -
If you'd rather pay a deposit to hold your space(s): $500.00 per person deposit
THEN , Within 30 days of deposit, pay your remaining balance of $4289 through our online store,
or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
Credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) and checks accepted. Payment plans at no additional charge are happily accommodated. Payment plan must be agreed upon and set up within 30 days of sign-up. Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Liability release signature required.
Two Trip Discount: We've got a special discount for those who want to do both Scotland and Wales trip, and as always we are happy to take a deposit, then set up an interest free monthly credit card payment schedule for you.
Both trips combined: $9228 per person (a savings of $250.00. Includes 22 nights hotel accommodation (single occupancy for solo travelers), rail and motor coach ground transportation, admission to all scheduled attractions. Please note that hotel on 5/2 is not included in the two-trip pricing, however we are happy to arrange that night at our group rate at our London hotel.
To purchase Two Trip Package:
Pay all at once for discount: $9043.44 per person
-or-
Pay $1000 per person deposit to hold your space, then within 30 days, come back and pay your balance through our online store: $9128 per person
or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
Wales: Northern Coast, Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, and the Welsh Valleys
Friday, May 3: London arrival. (For those who might want a day to deal with jet lag and do some independent exploring, we can arrange pre-trip hotel nights at our group rate). We'll gather for a brief orientation and check-in before heading out to explore dinner options and our local surroundings. Overnight London.
Saturday, May 4: London - Llandudno, Wales. We’ll depart London by train on a northeasterly trajectory into the northern corner of Wales. Our van will pick us up, then we’ll head to the classic Victorian seaside town of Llandudno, with a stop at the Penderyn Whisky Distillery where we can take a tour and do some sampling. Overnight Llandudno.
Sunday, May 5: Llandudno and environs. Today we can take Britain’s only funicular up to the stunning limestone headlands of the Great Orme for some sweeping views over the Irish Sea. A stroll down the legendary Llandudno Pier will give us a nice leg stretch. Overnight Llandudno.
Monday, May 6: Llandudno, Northern Coast, and Betwys-y-Coed. We’ll head inland today, making a brief stop in Conwy to visit one of Wales’ most iconic castles, before we head up into the hills to take the pokey little train as far up Mt. Snowdon as the weather allows (it’s still a bit early in the season) for some jaw dropping views of Snowdonia and the hills beyond. Overnight in Betwys-y-Coed, an utterly charming village at the confluence of the Conwy and Llugwy rivers.
Tuesday May 7: Betwys-y-Coed to Porthmadog. We’ll wind our way down toward the coast, taking in the magnificent scenery of Bedgellert and then stop for a visit to Portmeiron, the incongruously charming Italianate village, created by Welsh architect Sir Clough William-Ellis between 1926 and 1976 and which also served as the filming location for the 1960s cult classic TV series, The Prisoner. Overnight Porthmadog.
Wednesday May 8: Porthmadog and environs. Today involves a great narrow gauge train ride up into the coal mining hills to the town of Blaenau-Ffestiniog (nope, still can’t pronounce it), a World Heritage Site for the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales. It’s a stunning ride, twisting and curving up the steep mountainside with spectacular views in all directions. Late afternoon finds us at the lovely beachfront B&B, Rose Cottage, owned by Jon Langford’s cousin, where we’ll have a proper Welsh Tea, joined by some of the family’s friends and neighbors for some song-swapping and storytelling with a panoramic view overlooking Tremadog Bay. Overnight Porthmadog.
Thursday, May 9: Porthmadog to St. David’s. Today we head down the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, with a few stops for some spectacular beaches and lighthouses. Evening finds us in one of our favorite towns, St. David’s, where our charming hotel is steps away from the magnificent St. David’s Cathedral. Overnight St. David’s.
Friday, May 10: St. Davids and environs. St. Davids is perfectly situated for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail, a walking trail traversing 186 miles of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Britain. There are a number of walks/hikes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty, and we highly encourage everyone to get out and give it a go. The vistas from the cliffside paths are unforgettable. In the afternoon we can spend the time the St. Davids Cathedral really deserves, guided by a local historian who can put it all into perspective for us. Overnight St. Davids.
Saturday, May 11: St. Davids to Newport. On our way to Newport, we’ll make a lunch stop in the delightful seaside town on Tenby, probably one of the most photographed towns in Wales, with it’s beautiful beaches, crumbly castle and city walls. We’ll end our day in Jon Langford’s hometown of Newport, a city that has re-imagined itself from its days as the center of Wales’ coal exporting industry, and is developing a great downtown scene of independent shops, music venues, pubs – including Le Pub, a community arts and music collective in which Mr. Langford has a stake, so we’ll have a festive final evening there. Overnight Newport.
Sunday, May 12: Newport to London. We’ll hop the train this morning and head back to London with time enough to drop our bags and head out for some London exploring. We’ll gather this evening for a farewell cocktail before we send you back to reality. Overnight London.
PRICING:
WALES ONLY PRICING: $4689.00 per person.
Included in your trip fare:
- 1O nights hotel accommodation, solo-occupancy
- Local transportationMuseum/Attraction entry feesGuide services where we use them
TO PURCHASE:Pay in full for maximum savings! 2% discount It makes our life much easier if trips are paid in full, and we pass the savings in time and bookkeeping on to you.
Pay in Full: per person: $4595.22
- OR - If you'd rather pay a deposit to hold your space(s):
$500.00 per person deposit THEN , Within 30 days of deposit, pay your remaining balance of $4189 through our online store, or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
Credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) and checks accepted. Payment plans at no additional charge are happily accommodated. Payment plan must be agreed upon and set up within 30 days of sign-up. Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Liability release signature required.
Two Trip Discount: We've got a special discount for those who want to do both Scotland and Wales trip, and as always we are happy to take a deposit, then set up an interest free monthly credit card payment schedule for you. Both trips combined: $9228 per person (a savings of $250.00. Includes 22 nights hotel accommodation (single occupancy for solo travelers), rail and motor coach ground transportation, admission to all scheduled attractions. Please note that hotel on 5/2 is not included in the two-trip pricing, however we are happy to arrange that night at our group rate at our London hotel.
To purchase Two Trip Package:Pay all at once for discount:
$9043.44 per person
-or- Pay $1000 per person deposit to hold your space,
then within 30 days, come back and pay your balance through our online store: $9128 per person
or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
TRAVEL INSURANCE ON UPCOMING TRIPS: Since the advent of Covid-19, and its impact upon travel, we feel purchasing travel insurance has gone from wise precaution to fiscal necessity. Going forward, we are strongly suggesting that all patrons carry trip insurance that provides, at a minimum, coverage for the following:
- Cancellation for Covid-19 illness
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Cancel for Medical Reasons
- Medical Coverage for Covid-19 (often included under Emergency Medical Care)
- Emergency medical care
- Medical Evacuation
You may purchase travel insurance through any company you choose, and we advise checking the coverage on the credit card you used to secure your booking with us -- often there are travel protections built in to your user agreement. If you're unclear on where to begin your travel insurance search, we can suggest looking at products such as AXA USA Assistance Silver or Nationwide Essential which provide robust coverage for all those items at a very fair price. Both of those products (and many more) can be purchased through our affiliate, Squaremouth.
Because travel insurance is such a highly personalized product, when you click on the link and are directed to the Squaremouth landing page and the "Compare and Buy Travel Insurance" calculator, you’ll have to enter your own demographic information – age, state of residence etc. -- after which you'll be presented with a number of options to consider. Among them will be the AXA and the Nationwide products.
You are certainly not limited to those two products – we are merely outlining the elements of coverage that we are strongly suggesting going forward and a convenient way to access them. If you purchase the policy through that link to Squaremouth it does not cost you anything more than purchasing the product directly from the vendor, but we do receive a small commission.
THE FINE PRINT
Our customers are extremely important to us, and when travel disruptions occur, we are committed to working with you to minimize the financial impact. In the event that you need to cancel a trip for whatever reason, we will work with you to try and find a buyer for the space you are needing to give up. Often this works out well for all: the person needing to cancel recovers most, if not all, of their investment, and a person who might have been on a waiting list gets to go on the trip - however, there are no guarantees.
We understand that the new realities of travel are such that we need to be more flexible than ever before. We are also an extremely small business with many fixed costs that can't always be recovered if a trip needs to be postponed or cancelled due to health and safety concerns. We will be completely transparent if a scheduled trip looks like it needs to be adjusted in any way that might impact your enjoyment of the experience. Please read through our cancellation policy carefully and feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Cancellation policy: Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Outside of deposit and credit card fees, full refund will be given up until 90 days prior to start of trip. 50% refund 60-89 days. No refund less than 60 days prior to start of trip. Reservations are fully transferable to another person.The payment of a deposit or any part or full payment for a reservation shall constitute consent to all the provisions contained herein.
Roots, Rails, and Rambles shall not be held responsible for property loss or damage and/or any damages resulting from illness, personal injuries or death which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any trip or tour whether due to the ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any vehicle, hotel, common carrier or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. We can assume no liability due to any cause whatsoever whether caused by failure or delay or other irregularity, acts or omissions occurring during a tour under which the means of transportation or other service thereby is offered or supplied by owners, operators or public carriers for whom Roots, Rails, and Rambles acts only as agent. Roots, Rails, and Rambles reserves the right (at its discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, or change any reservation, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice or for any reason whatsoever and without allowance or refund and with extra costs, if any, resulting therefrom paid by the passengers. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. Roots, Rails, and Rambles shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property.
Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely. The transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their carriers or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. By accepting the ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms and conditions. By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. Roots, Rails, and Rambles reserves the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of the tour at any time. Roots, Rails, and Rambles reserves the right to refuse service to anyone whom it considers incompatible with the best interests of its services or its guests.
Our small group trips to the UK and other places have taken off like wildfire! Over the last few years we’ve been building these trips into great opportunities for those who prefer traveling in small groups, and who like a high degree of independence and flexibility. We take care of the logistical planning – the hotels, the vans, the ferries etc, -- all you have to do is show up with a sense of adventure! We’ll be revisiting some of the places we absolutely adored, skipping over anything that was not quite as fabulous as we had hoped (looking at you Harry Potter train!), and adding on a few things we didn’t get a chance to do previously. You can join us for the Scotland portion, the Wales portion, or enjoy a special discount if you decide to do both!
A group of this size, traveling by a combination of local trains and a comfortable Sprinter van (with a few ferries thrown in for fun) gives us the agility to get to places inaccessible by large buses, the flexibility to empower everyone to explore their individual interests, and the delightful camaraderie of gathering together at local pubs and family-run restaurants to review the day’s adventures.
For 2024 we are expanding our Scotland and Wales trips to include a higher degree of flexibility, and the opportunity to tailor your trip to the timeframe that works for you. Don’t have a full 10 days to spend traveling? No worries, wherever possible, we can work with you to customize your trip so that you can join us en route, or cut out early.
Scotland: Highlands and Islands
April 21-May 2, 2024
Edinburgh - Beauly - Orkney - Ullapool - Outer Hebrides - Skye - Edinburgh (or Glasgow, your choice)
Sunday, April 21: Arrival in Edinburgh. We arrive in Edinburgh and check into our downtown hotel. Depending on everyone’s arrival plans, we’ll head out to take in some of the city’s legendary museums and historical sites before heading out for dinner and a wee bit of pub crawling. Let’s go find some great traditional Scottish music! Overnight in Edinburgh.Note: If it better suits your travel plans to arrive in the UK in London, we can help you organize your transfer to Edinburgh – It’s an easy train ride through some lovely countryside.
Monday, April 22: Edinburgh to Beauly. This morning we’ll hop the train for a stunning trip through the Perthshire countryside to the delightful village of Beauly. Time permitting, we’ll hop off the train in Inverness for a visit to the Scottish Kiltmakers Visitor Center, then continue on to Beauly for the night. After settling into our cozy hotel right on the village square and within steps of the stunning Beauly Priory, we’ll have time to take a walk through the old growth forest of Reelig Glen before returning to town for dinner and a few pints at the hotel pub. Overnight in Beauly.
Tuesday, April 23: Beauly and environs. One of our great discoveries last year was the incredibly rich culture of local farmers and food producers as well as artisans and craftspeople in this region, so we’ll spend this day with a local innkeeper/restaurateur/historian/whiskey expert who will take us on a tour of some of his favorite regional producers and artisans to sample everything from local cheeses to organic beers, with stops at some of the best artisan cooperatives and studios. The day winds up with a fabulous multi-course whisky tasting dinner at The Downright Gabbler, where Garry and his family will feed us a spectacular menu with ingredients sourced from many of the producers we’ve just visited, and then he’ll take us through a fascinating narrative tour of the history of whisky in Scotland, and of Scotland itself. Even for those who aren’t whisky drinkers, it’s a wonderful evening of story-telling and great food. And the beer and wine list is pretty great too. Overnight in Beauly.
Wednesday, April 24: Beauly to the Orkney Islands! This morning we’ll head North to Scrabster where we board the Northlink Ferry To Stromness to launch our exploration of the Orkney Islands. With the extended daylight hours of the Spring season, we’ll have lots of time to explore Orkney’s most famous archaeological treasures – Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the Maeshowe chambered tomb – keystones of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
Towering sea cliffs are home to thousands of birds – puffins, guillemots, gulls, gannets and kittiwakes can all be seen here – while our marshlands and sweeping moorlands are natural habitats for the likes of curlew, red-throated divers, hen harriers and other birds of prey. Seals can be spotted throughout Orkney, and there are regular sightings of whales, dolphins and orcas. Rock pools teem with life, from limpets and sea urchins, to hermit crabs and starfish, to delight young wildlife enthusiasts.
Thursday and Friday, April 25-26: Full days of exploration around Orkney, overnight in Stromness.
Saturday, April 27: Stromness to Ullapool. We’ll ferry back to the Mainland and cut across the heart of the islands to Ullapool, where we’ll spend the night in this charming port time, well-positioned to jump the first ferry of the day the next morning.
Sunday, April 28: Lewis and Harris. We’ll take the CalMac ferry over to the islands of Lewis and Harris, arriving early enough to explore the northern tip of the island, it’s dramatic windswept beaches, the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and the legendary Callanais Standing Stones. A well-earned dinner, perhaps a few wee drams, and a good night’s sleep await us at our hotel overlooking the harbor in Tarbert.
Monday, April 29: Lewis and Harris, the Uists. Using the network of ferries, causeways and single track roads, we’ll weave our way down this interconnected chain of islands as far as we can in a day, exploring the incredible variety of grasslands, moorlands, rocky coastline, neolithic cairns, seal rookeries, seabird colonies, and the epic stretches of uninhabited sandy beaches. Back to Tarbert for the night to rest up for our journey over to Skye in the morning.
Tuesday, April 30: Tarbert to Uig. We board another ferry crossing the charmingly-named ‘Little Minch”, landing on the isle of Skye in Uig. We’ll take the scenic drive to our hotel – traversing the island through the dramatic Mountains of the Quirang, and winding down the eastern shore, stopping at the blustery Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, and if the iconic Old Man of Storr isn’t completely socked in by fog this year (as it sadly was in 2022), we’ll get our chance for some pretty epic photographs. Evening finds us lochside in Kyle of Lochalsh at our comfy hotel for a final dinner together.
Wednesday, May1: This morning we’ll hop on one of the most scenic train rides in all of Scotland – from Kyle of Localsh through the absolutely jaw-dropping scenery of the Trossachs National Park, threading our way through Ballachulish and the remarkable formations of the Three Sisters of Glencoe, waving encouragement to those far more industrious than we who are hiking the Great Trossachs Path. We’ll skirt the banks of Loch Lomond before making our final push into Glasgow, where folks can either stay on in Glasgow to extend their trip, or continue on to Edinburgh for a final night with the group.
Thursday May 2: Transition day. Those who are leaving to head home or on to further independent adventure can either fly directly out of Edinburgh or take the train down to London to continue onward with our Wales adventure. We'll be happy to consult with you on the many options available.
SCOTLAND ONLY PRICING:
PRICING: $4789.00 per person.
Included in your trip fare:
- 11 nights hotel accommodation, solo-occupancy
- Local transportationMuseum/Attraction entry feesGuide services where we use them
TO PURCHASE:
Pay in full for maximum savings! 2% discount It makes our life much easier if trips are paid in full, and we pass the savings in time and bookkeeping on to you.
Pay in Full: per person: $4693.22
- OR -
If you'd rather pay a deposit to hold your space(s): $500.00 per person deposit
THEN , Within 30 days of deposit, pay your remaining balance of $4289 through our online store,
or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
Credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) and checks accepted. Payment plans at no additional charge are happily accommodated. Payment plan must be agreed upon and set up within 30 days of sign-up. Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Liability release signature required.
Two Trip Discount: We've got a special discount for those who want to do both Scotland and Wales trip, and as always we are happy to take a deposit, then set up an interest free monthly credit card payment schedule for you.
Both trips combined: $9228 per person (a savings of $250.00. Includes 22 nights hotel accommodation (single occupancy for solo travelers), rail and motor coach ground transportation, admission to all scheduled attractions. Please note that hotel on 5/2 is not included in the two-trip pricing, however we are happy to arrange that night at our group rate at our London hotel.
To purchase Two Trip Package:
Pay all at once for discount: $9043.44 per person
-or-
Pay $1000 per person deposit to hold your space, then within 30 days, come back and pay your balance through our online store: $9128 per person
or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
Wales: Northern Coast, Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, and the Welsh Valleys
May 3-13, 2024
London - Llandudno - Betwys-y-Coed - Porthmadog - St. Davids - Newport - London
On this trip we’ll be joined by the irrepressible Jon Langford, son of Wales, founder/member of virtually every interesting punk band that ever punked, acclaimed painter, prodigious collaborator, and just the most delightful traveling companion (he can help us pronounce the street signs!). Jon will grace us with his music throughout the trip - a concert in Newport and some more informal guitar slinging in pubs along the way.Friday, May 3: London arrival. (For those who might want a day to deal with jet lag and do some independent exploring, we can arrange pre-trip hotel nights at our group rate). We'll gather for a brief orientation and check-in before heading out to explore dinner options and our local surroundings. Overnight London.
Saturday, May 4: London - Llandudno, Wales. We’ll depart London by train on a northeasterly trajectory into the northern corner of Wales. Our van will pick us up, then we’ll head to the classic Victorian seaside town of Llandudno, with a stop at the Penderyn Whisky Distillery where we can take a tour and do some sampling. Overnight Llandudno.
Sunday, May 5: Llandudno and environs. Today we can take Britain’s only funicular up to the stunning limestone headlands of the Great Orme for some sweeping views over the Irish Sea. A stroll down the legendary Llandudno Pier will give us a nice leg stretch. Overnight Llandudno.
Monday, May 6: Llandudno, Northern Coast, and Betwys-y-Coed. We’ll head inland today, making a brief stop in Conwy to visit one of Wales’ most iconic castles, before we head up into the hills to take the pokey little train as far up Mt. Snowdon as the weather allows (it’s still a bit early in the season) for some jaw dropping views of Snowdonia and the hills beyond. Overnight in Betwys-y-Coed, an utterly charming village at the confluence of the Conwy and Llugwy rivers.
Tuesday May 7: Betwys-y-Coed to Porthmadog. We’ll wind our way down toward the coast, taking in the magnificent scenery of Bedgellert and then stop for a visit to Portmeiron, the incongruously charming Italianate village, created by Welsh architect Sir Clough William-Ellis between 1926 and 1976 and which also served as the filming location for the 1960s cult classic TV series, The Prisoner. Overnight Porthmadog.
Wednesday May 8: Porthmadog and environs. Today involves a great narrow gauge train ride up into the coal mining hills to the town of Blaenau-Ffestiniog (nope, still can’t pronounce it), a World Heritage Site for the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales. It’s a stunning ride, twisting and curving up the steep mountainside with spectacular views in all directions. Late afternoon finds us at the lovely beachfront B&B, Rose Cottage, owned by Jon Langford’s cousin, where we’ll have a proper Welsh Tea, joined by some of the family’s friends and neighbors for some song-swapping and storytelling with a panoramic view overlooking Tremadog Bay. Overnight Porthmadog.
Thursday, May 9: Porthmadog to St. David’s. Today we head down the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, with a few stops for some spectacular beaches and lighthouses. Evening finds us in one of our favorite towns, St. David’s, where our charming hotel is steps away from the magnificent St. David’s Cathedral. Overnight St. David’s.
Friday, May 10: St. Davids and environs. St. Davids is perfectly situated for exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail, a walking trail traversing 186 miles of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Britain. There are a number of walks/hikes of varying lengths and degrees of difficulty, and we highly encourage everyone to get out and give it a go. The vistas from the cliffside paths are unforgettable. In the afternoon we can spend the time the St. Davids Cathedral really deserves, guided by a local historian who can put it all into perspective for us. Overnight St. Davids.
Saturday, May 11: St. Davids to Newport. On our way to Newport, we’ll make a lunch stop in the delightful seaside town on Tenby, probably one of the most photographed towns in Wales, with it’s beautiful beaches, crumbly castle and city walls. We’ll end our day in Jon Langford’s hometown of Newport, a city that has re-imagined itself from its days as the center of Wales’ coal exporting industry, and is developing a great downtown scene of independent shops, music venues, pubs – including Le Pub, a community arts and music collective in which Mr. Langford has a stake, so we’ll have a festive final evening there. Overnight Newport.
Sunday, May 12: Newport to London. We’ll hop the train this morning and head back to London with time enough to drop our bags and head out for some London exploring. We’ll gather this evening for a farewell cocktail before we send you back to reality. Overnight London.
PRICING:
WALES ONLY PRICING: $4689.00 per person.
Included in your trip fare:
- 1O nights hotel accommodation, solo-occupancy
- Local transportationMuseum/Attraction entry feesGuide services where we use them
TO PURCHASE:Pay in full for maximum savings! 2% discount It makes our life much easier if trips are paid in full, and we pass the savings in time and bookkeeping on to you.
Pay in Full: per person: $4595.22
- OR - If you'd rather pay a deposit to hold your space(s):
$500.00 per person deposit THEN , Within 30 days of deposit, pay your remaining balance of $4189 through our online store, or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
Credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover) and checks accepted. Payment plans at no additional charge are happily accommodated. Payment plan must be agreed upon and set up within 30 days of sign-up. Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Liability release signature required.
Two Trip Discount: We've got a special discount for those who want to do both Scotland and Wales trip, and as always we are happy to take a deposit, then set up an interest free monthly credit card payment schedule for you. Both trips combined: $9228 per person (a savings of $250.00. Includes 22 nights hotel accommodation (single occupancy for solo travelers), rail and motor coach ground transportation, admission to all scheduled attractions. Please note that hotel on 5/2 is not included in the two-trip pricing, however we are happy to arrange that night at our group rate at our London hotel.
To purchase Two Trip Package:Pay all at once for discount:
$9043.44 per person
-or- Pay $1000 per person deposit to hold your space,
then within 30 days, come back and pay your balance through our online store: $9128 per person
or Contact Sarah at sarah@rootsontherails.com or 802-258-1397 to set up a convenient interest-free monthly credit card draw.
TRAVEL INSURANCE ON UPCOMING TRIPS: Since the advent of Covid-19, and its impact upon travel, we feel purchasing travel insurance has gone from wise precaution to fiscal necessity. Going forward, we are strongly suggesting that all patrons carry trip insurance that provides, at a minimum, coverage for the following:
- Cancellation for Covid-19 illness
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Cancel for Medical Reasons
- Medical Coverage for Covid-19 (often included under Emergency Medical Care)
- Emergency medical care
- Medical Evacuation
You may purchase travel insurance through any company you choose, and we advise checking the coverage on the credit card you used to secure your booking with us -- often there are travel protections built in to your user agreement. If you're unclear on where to begin your travel insurance search, we can suggest looking at products such as AXA USA Assistance Silver or Nationwide Essential which provide robust coverage for all those items at a very fair price. Both of those products (and many more) can be purchased through our affiliate, Squaremouth.
Because travel insurance is such a highly personalized product, when you click on the link and are directed to the Squaremouth landing page and the "Compare and Buy Travel Insurance" calculator, you’ll have to enter your own demographic information – age, state of residence etc. -- after which you'll be presented with a number of options to consider. Among them will be the AXA and the Nationwide products.
You are certainly not limited to those two products – we are merely outlining the elements of coverage that we are strongly suggesting going forward and a convenient way to access them. If you purchase the policy through that link to Squaremouth it does not cost you anything more than purchasing the product directly from the vendor, but we do receive a small commission.
THE FINE PRINT
Our customers are extremely important to us, and when travel disruptions occur, we are committed to working with you to minimize the financial impact. In the event that you need to cancel a trip for whatever reason, we will work with you to try and find a buyer for the space you are needing to give up. Often this works out well for all: the person needing to cancel recovers most, if not all, of their investment, and a person who might have been on a waiting list gets to go on the trip - however, there are no guarantees.
We understand that the new realities of travel are such that we need to be more flexible than ever before. We are also an extremely small business with many fixed costs that can't always be recovered if a trip needs to be postponed or cancelled due to health and safety concerns. We will be completely transparent if a scheduled trip looks like it needs to be adjusted in any way that might impact your enjoyment of the experience. Please read through our cancellation policy carefully and feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Cancellation policy: Deposits, whether paid separately or as part of a full payment up front, are non-refundable. Outside of deposit and credit card fees, full refund will be given up until 90 days prior to start of trip. 50% refund 60-89 days. No refund less than 60 days prior to start of trip. Reservations are fully transferable to another person.The payment of a deposit or any part or full payment for a reservation shall constitute consent to all the provisions contained herein.
Roots, Rails, and Rambles shall not be held responsible for property loss or damage and/or any damages resulting from illness, personal injuries or death which may be sustained by reason of, or while engaged on, any trip or tour whether due to the ownership, maintenance, use, operation or control of any vehicle, hotel, common carrier or any other conveyance used in carrying out these tours. We can assume no liability due to any cause whatsoever whether caused by failure or delay or other irregularity, acts or omissions occurring during a tour under which the means of transportation or other service thereby is offered or supplied by owners, operators or public carriers for whom Roots, Rails, and Rambles acts only as agent. Roots, Rails, and Rambles reserves the right (at its discretion) to alter or omit any part of the itinerary, or change any reservation, feature and/or means of conveyance without notice or for any reason whatsoever and without allowance or refund and with extra costs, if any, resulting therefrom paid by the passengers. We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. Roots, Rails, and Rambles shall not be responsible for any injury to person (whether or not resulting in death) or damage to property.
Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely. The transportation companies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not aboard their carriers or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the carriers concerned (when issued) shall constitute the sole contract between the transportation companies and the purchaser of these tours and/or passage. By accepting the ticket the passenger also agrees to its terms and conditions. By forwarding of deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other passengers. Roots, Rails, and Rambles reserves the right to cancel or withdraw any person as a member of the tour at any time. Roots, Rails, and Rambles reserves the right to refuse service to anyone whom it considers incompatible with the best interests of its services or its guests.