Isle of Man Explorer

DAY 1

For those travelling on the rail and ferry inclusive package, we arrive in Douglas on the Isle of Man and make our way to our hotel located on the Victorian promenade overlooking Douglas Bay. We can enjoy a stroll along the seafront before our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

Today we enjoy a ride behind steam on the magnificent Isle of Man Railway, the longest narrow-gauge steam line in Britain to still use original carriages, to Port Erin with time to view the excellent refurbished railway sheds, steam trains, and carriages at the neighbouring Railway Museum. We return by steam train to Castletown and visit Castle Rushen, one of Europe's most finely preserved medieval fortresses plus the fascinating Old House of Keys, the former meeting place of the Isle of Man Parliament, where you may even have the chance to join a debate in the chamber. Alternatively, you can enjoy a full day of steam alighting at whatever stations you wish to explore before reconvening for our evening meal together.

DAY 3

After breakfast, we begin a great day of heritage boarding the Manx Electric Railway to Laxey where we have a steaming on the mines railway and visit Lady Isabella - the Great Wheel of Laxey. Afterwards, we depart Laxey by tram to Ramsey where we enjoy free time to take lunch and stroll around the pier and harbour before returning by electric railway and horse-drawn tram to Douglas. Alternatively, you can use your travel pass to take a bus from Ramsey to Peel to explore the island's main fishing port and Peel Cathedral.

DAY 4

Today, we travel by tram to Laxey where we transfer to the electric Snaefell Mountain Railway for our journey to the top of the island's highest peak, Snaefell at 2,036ft, where breathtaking views await. After a lunchtime break, we return to Laxey and continue by tram to Groudle for a steam train journey on the narrow-gauge Groudle Glen Railway to the cliff tops of Sea Lion Rocks. We return to Douglas and can visit the Manx Museum, bursting with artefacts unique to the Isle of Man from Viking treasures to the world-famous TT races, before returning to the hotel for our final evening meal together.

DAY 5

After breakfast, our island exploration draws to a close as we board the morning ferry to Heysham and head homewards.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner