FULL DAY: Today we explore the delights of Northumbria’s Heritage Coastline. We make our way to Holy Island (subject to tidal conditions), known locally as Lindisfarne, and famed for being the birthplace of English Christianity. Then to Alnwick, with its fairytale castle often referred to as 'The Windsor of the North'.

FULL DAY: This morning we head deep into the heart of the magnificent Kielder Forest which is Europe’s largest working forest and has Europe’s largest man made reservoir. This afternoon we cross over Hardrian’s Wall, with glimpses of the ruins in the distance, on our way to Hexham with its stately Abbey and Roman influences.

HALF DAY: An extended half day tour through Weardale to Durham with its ancient links with Viking invasions and the monks of Lindisfarne. There will be plenty of time to explore the magnificent Norman cathedral which towers above a loop in the River Wear or just wander through the delightful cobbled, medieval streets.

■ Free local joining points ■ All coach travel ■ Reserved seats on tour coaches ■ Hotel accommodation and board as stated ■ Complete luggage handling ■ Sightseeing excursions as stated ■ The services of the Grand UK Tour Manager

Unashamed luxury in Black & Gold
Representing more than a quarter of a million pounds of trail blazing motoring technology, a Grand UK Gold coach really is the king of the road! As you sink back into the rich leather seats, you’ll immediately appreciate the extra legroom and the individually controlled air conditioning. At the controls sits your Gold driver, a reassuring sight with years of experience - and hundreds of thousands of miles - behind the wheel, as you cruise effortlessly through the countryside…

Getting there is only half the story
As you glide towards your destination from your privileged vantage point, you’ll be presented with our special Gold Welcome Pack. Containing a number of useful travel goodies, it’s all part of the privileged service with Grand UK Gold. En route, your specially chosen Tour Manager will brief you about the journey and make the whole experience enjoyable and informative - only our best Tour Managers get to wear the coveted Gold badge! You can also track your journey from the onboard Satellite Navigation system, or enjoy a drivers-eye view of the road ahead courtesy of the unique onboard camera.

You know you’ve arrived with Grand UK Gold
Arriving at your destination is a pleasure in itself. As you’d expect, we use only specially selected three and four star hotels, so you can look forward to comfortable accommodation, great food, and excellent service. And with Grand UK Gold you’ll also enjoy a Welcome Reception with a complimentary glass of wine and a special commemorative photograph of your Grand UK Gold holiday.

■ 3 & 4 star hotels with great food and service ■ Special welcome reception ■ Gold welcome pack ■ Commemorative photograph ■ Top tour managers & tour drivers ■ Luxury coach travel in a class of its own

Our Gold coaches feature:

■ Extra legroom and comfort ■ Luxury leather upholstered reclining seats ■ Panoramic windows for maximum views ■ Individually Controlled Air-Conditioning ■ Onboard sat-nav to track your journey ■ Driver-eye camera to view the road ahead ■ Onboard library selection ■ Level & easy access to the WC/washroom

For important information on our pick up network please click here.