We are delighted to be among the first to wish you a very warm welcome to the Manchester Commonwealth Games, 2002.
As the date of your travel to the UK comes closer, you may wish to take a few minutes to consider the possibilities for your free-time activity in Manchester and the North of England.
Manchester is the undisputed Capital of the North, and is the vibrant modern city region at the heart of some of Europe's most spectacular scenery. Not only the birthplace of so many fascinating cultural and historical movements, the city is heir to a great legacy of Victorian architectural excellence and a world-class sporting tradition.
PLEASE NOTE ; THE BOOKING DEADLINE HAS NOW PASSED, AND BOOKINGS CAN NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS OFFERED.
While there will be a great many cultural and fun activities taking place throughout the host city, as part of the UK-wide Spirit of Friendship Festival, and the local CULTURESHOCK arts programme, we anticipate a high level of interest in our customised range of tours and events, and advise early booking to avoid disappointment. Our exclusive tours and visits incorporate a selection of the best locations, world-class entertainment and the delights of some of the finest cuisine in England.
With its rugged mountainous scenery, beautiful countryside and so many cities steeped in history, northern Britain is unrivalled in Europe for choice destinations. From a stroll through the Roman city of Chester, or an in-depth magical history tour of The Beatles' Liverpool, via the spectacularly beautiful Lake District and even into bonnie Scotland, we have selected the best elements for your pleasure during the English summer.
Below is the complete current schedule of the daily tours and activities planned for the Official Guest Programme of the Manchester Commonwealth Games, organised by Wiseguides on behalf of the Protocol division of M2002 Organising Committee. A full description of each day's events may be found in each section. Any of these activites may be booked by completing the online < Form Booking>Booking Form, and making full payment to our office in Manchester. Bookings can also be made in writing, on the official booking form mailed from the M2002 Protocol Office. Please note that there is a Booking Deadline of 15th June 2002 for any element of the tours. Full booking terms and conditions are < here>here. Whichever your preference, please ensure all sections on our booking form or internet fields, and your precise payment details are completed in full prior to delivery to our Operations Team.
We and our dedicated team look forward to making your visit to the Manchester Commonwealth Games into a truly memorable adventure!
Stuart Lyon - Operations Manager
Wednesday 17th July
Tour Code : LV177 Liverpool & The Beatles Excursion
A Full day excursion to the historic maritime city of Liverpool. Stroll down Penny Lane, visit Strawberry Fields and savour the atmosphere of Beatlemania in the place where it all began. Our guided tour includes a heritage cruise on board the famous Ferry Across The Mersey, all major Beatles sites, with a riverside walk, and the option of visiting the excellent Beatles Museum. Traditional Fish & Chips lunch included.
Manchester!!
Tour Code : Mp177 Manchester City Familiarisation Tour Recommended for all participants, this is a captivating afternoon walking tour of downtown Manchester. Learn more about your home from home - the fascinating Roman history, the social engineering and soaring architecture of the Victorian age, and of course, the smartest areas for shopping, restaurants and nightlife in England's most thoroughly modern city.
Thursday 18 July 2002
Tour Code : OE187 Orient Express to Edinburgh & British Open Golf
A Five Star package to another of the world's top sporting events. This tour includes : * Escorted taxi transfers to board the luxurious Orient Express Northern Belle train, * Champagne brunch on board as the magnificent scenery of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumbria and the Scottish Borders slips by. * Return coach transfers from Edinburgh to Muirfield, venue of the British Open Golf Championship. Full day spectator access to the course. * 4-course gourmet dinner with wines on board. Returning late into Manchester Victoria. Escorted taxi transfers back to your hotel.
This train is reminiscent of the grand age of luxury train travel. All carriages are decorated in 1930's style, and the opulent surroundings are the perfect setting from which to enjoy the English and scottish scenery, as you head to Edinburgh.
Tour Code : Y187 10.00h York Excursion
"The history of York is the history of England." - James Boswell. Visit York Minster - the largest gothic cathedral north of the Alps. Stroll down the charming medieval lanes and marvel at the magnificent monuments to the Viking occupation of Northern England. No other English city has consistently touched the imagination of men from Roman times, through medieval conquerors, religious and civil wars, and the visionary railway engineers of the modern age.
Friday 19 July 2002
Tour Code : TD197 Singin' In The Rain & Dinner (Manchester).
This lavish Olivier award-winning theatre production plays at Manchester's famous Opera House, after sell-out residencies in London's Royal National Theatre. Based on the MGM film, the story follows the making of Hollywood's first musical. The show is followed by a sumptuous 4-course dinner with wine in one of Manchester's fashionable restaurants.
Tour Code : C197 10.00h Chester Excursion
Chester is consistently ranked among the top 5 destinations for visitors to the UK. The combination of Roman, medieval and Victorian architecture makes for a memorable visit. Our tour includes a guided walk around the ancient streets and city walls, a visit into the city's 900 year old cathedral, and afternoon tea in the luxurious 5-star Chester Grosvenor Hotel.
Saturday 20 July 2002
Tour Code : NW207 0800h North Wales Excursion
A full day excursion visiting towns and castles in romantic North Wales. Our visit to the magnificent 13th Century Caernarvon Castle is a highlight, as well as the spectacular mountain scenery of Snowdonia. Admission is also included to Portmeirion - the dreamlike Italianate village overlooking the tidal bay of the Llyn Peninsula. The fantastic creation of architect Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion never fails to astound and delight its many thousands of visitors.
Sunday 21 July 2002
Tour Code : LD217 0900h The Lake District Excursion
The Lake District is home to some of the best scenery in Europe, inspired the great writers and poets William Wordsworth and John Ruskin and the childrens' books by Beatrix Potter. Our excursion takes in a cruise on Lake Windermere, scenic drives around the lakes and mountains of Northern Cumbria, and includes a sumptuous luncheon at Holbeck Ghyll, former hunting lodge of Lord Lonsdale.
Monday 22 July 2002
Tour Code LV227 10.00h Liverpool & The Beatles Excursion
Liverpool is the major port on the west coast of England, and has produced millions of stories over the years : trade and slavery, the mass emigration to America, shipbuilding and of course, The Fab Four - The Beatles. Our tour includes all the city's rich history, and visits Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, The Cavern, and several of the family houses where John, Paul George and Ringo wrote those everlasting hits.
Tour Code Mp227 14.00h Manchester City Tour & MUFC
A guided historical walk tour of Manchester, including a visit by Manchester's supertram to Old Trafford, home of Manchester United - the most famous football club in the world. All the history and modern aspects of Manchester life, with a chance to view the "Theatre of Dreams," and enjoy the packed MUFC museum.
Tuesday 23 July 2002
Tour Code : Mp237 14.00h Manchester City Tour & MUFC (See 22nd July) A guided historical walk tour of Manchester, including a visit by Manchester's supertram to Old Trafford, home of Manchester United - the most famous football club in the world. All the history and modern aspects of Manchester life, with a chance to view the "Theatre of Dreams," and enjoy the packed MUFC museum.
Tour Code : W237 1000h Wedgewood & Stapeley Water Gardens
Josiah Wedgewood and Josiah Spode made their fortunes the hard way - up to their elbows in clay, in the quest for the world's best bone china. Our visit to one of these famous factories includes an explanatory video presentation, a guided visit through the many priceless displays, and a chance to watch these expert craftsmen and women at work. Lunch is arranged at Stapeley Water Gardens - one of the England's most lush garden parks, with a renowned collections of blooms, rare species and a palm house.
Wednesday 24 July 2002
Tour Code : C247 10.00h Chester Excursion (See 19th July)
Chester is consistently ranked among the top 5 destinations for visitors to the UK. The combination of Roman, medieval and Victorian architecture makes for a memorable visit. Our tour includes a guided walk around the ancient streets and city walls, a visit into the city's 900 year old cathedral, and afternoon tea in the luxurious 5-star Chester Grosvenor Hotel.
Wednesday 24 July 2002
Tour Code : Mp247 14.00h Manchester City Familiarisation Tour (see 17th July)
Recommended for all participants, this is a captivating afternoon walking tour of downtown Manchester. Learn more about your home from home - the fascinating Roman history, the social engineering and soaring architecture of the Victorian age, and of course, the smartest areas for shopping, restaurants and nightlife in England's most thoroughly modern city.
Thursday 25 July 2002
OPENING DAY - No Excursions
Friday 26 July 2002
Tour Code : LD267 08.00h The Lake District Excursion (See 21 July)
The Lake District is home to some of the best scenery in Europe, inspired the great writers and poets William Wordsworth and John Ruskin and the childrens' books by Beatrix Potter. Our excursion takes in a cruise on Lake Windermere, scenic drives around the lakes and mountains of Northern Cumbria, and includes a sumptuous luncheon at Holbeck Ghyll, former hunting lodge of Lord Lonsdale.
Friday 26 July 2002
Tour Code : BH267 18.30h Royal Gala Concert & Dinner
A concert extravaganza at The Bridgewater Hall, celebrating Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee. Opened in 1996, The Bridgewater Hall is Manchester's premier classical concert venue. This lavish evening's entertainment is complemented by a drinks reception at the Bridgewater Hall, and a 4-course dinner with wines at a leading Manchester restaurant.
Saturday 27 July 2002
Tour Code ; OE277 11.30h Orient Express - Northern Belle Gala Lunch
Another Five Star package to include : * Escorted taxi transfers to board the luxurious Orient Express Northern Belle train, * Champagne and 4-course gourmet lunch on board as the magnificent scenery of Lancashire slips by. * Returning 5pm into Manchester Victoria. Escorted taxi transfers back to your hotel.
This train is reminiscent of the grand age of luxury train travel. All carriages are decorated in 1930's style, and the opulent surroundings are the perfect setting from which to enjoy the English countryside, as you head North and West to the Fylde Coast and the fringes of Cumbria, and back to Manchester via the hills of central Lancashire.
Sunday 28 July 2002
Tour Code : Y287 1000h York Excursion (See 18th July)
"The history of York is the history of England." - James Boswell. Visit York Minster - the largest gothic cathedral north of the Alps. Stroll down the charming medieval lanes and marvel at the magnificent monuments to the Viking occupation of Northern England. No other English city has consistently touched the imagination of men from Roman times, through medieval conquerors, religious and civil wars, and the visionary railway engineers of the modern age.
Monday 29 July 2002
Tour Code : HB297 0930h Haworth & Brontë Country
A guided visit with a literary flavour, as you head into the Pennine hills and into Yorkshire for a visit to Haworth - one of England's most charming villages. A visit to the Brontë family home in the parsonage is included, as is a traditional pub lunch in The Black Dog. The afternoon is completed with a scenic drive through the rugged wilderness of the Pennine landscape, inspiration for the dramatic scenes of the great "Wuthering Heights."
Tuesday 30 July 2002
Tour Code : QT307 1000h Quarry Bank Mill & Tatton Park
The real Upstairs - Downstairs story. Step back in time as we take you through the workings of an original water-powered cotton mill. Quarry Bank Mill is the one of the best-preserved National Trust properties in England. Our guided tour brings to life the working conditions of mill workers who made the textile barons of the industrial revolution into the benevolent patriarchs of communities throughout Northern England. After lunch, we visit Tatton Park, for a visit into the rich interior of a classical English Stately Home. View the luxurious living rooms of the noble Egerton family through the generations, and take a look into the servants' quarters and the massive kitchens of his impressive country estate.
Wednesday 31 July 2002
Tour Code : BC317 1000h Buxton & Chatsworth
The charming spa town of Buxton lies in the valley of the River Derwent, as it winds through the Derbyshire Peak District - one of Englands great National Parks. Chatsworth is one of the classic stately homes of England, with extensive gardens and apartments. Our escorted visit includes luncheon with drinks in a delightful Derbyshire hilltop pub.
Thursday 01 August 2002
Tour Code : NW018 0800h North Wales Excursion (See 20th July)
A full day excursion visiting towns and castles in romantic North Wales. Our visit to the magnificent 13th Century Caernarvon Castle is a highlight, as well as the spectacular mountain scenery of Snowdonia. Admission is also included to Portmeirion - the dreamlike Italianate village overlooking the tidal bay of the Llyn Peninsula. The fantastic creation of architect Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion never fails to astound and delight its many thousands of visitors.
Friday 02 August 2002
Tour Code : LV028 10.00h Liverpool & The Beatles Excursion (See 17th July)
A Full day excursion to the historic maritime city of Liverpool. Stroll down Penny Lane, visit Strawberry Fields and savour the atmosphere of Beatlemania in the place where it all began. Our guided tour includes all major Beatle sites, with a riverside Walk, and the option of visiting the excellent Beatles Museum. Traditional Fish & Chips lunch included.
Saturday 03 August 2002
Tour Code : B038 20.00h The Beatles In Concert (Manchester)
A party night to remember, with a concert by The BeaTalls - The UK's premier Beatles tribute and lookalike band. Central Manchester. All the pop hits from 1963 to 1966, and an odyssey through the psychedelic era with added flower power.
Sunday 04 August 2002
Tour Code : LD048 0900h The Lake District Excursion (See 21st July)
The Lake District is home to some of the best scenery in Europe, inspired the great writers William Wordsworth and John Ruskin and the childrens' books by Beatrix Potter. Our excursion takes in a cruise on Lake Windermere, scenic drives around the lakes and mountains of Northern Cumbria, and includes a sumptuous luncheon at Holbeck Ghyll, former hunting lodge of Lord Lonsdale.
Friday 09 August
Tour Code : CH098 1700h Capesthorne - A Midsummer Night's Dream
An outdoor performance of this enduring play, in the opulent surroundings of Capesthorne Hall - a late-Georgian country estate, and home to the lord Lieutentant of Cheshire. This is the continuation of a tradition for outdoor entertainment on summer evenings in England, and you should bring your own picnic. Seating and return coach transfers will be provided.
For further information on any of the above activities, you may call us on Tel +44 161 773 0692
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