Yorkshire & Durham

We always enjoy the holidays with rail Discoveries, they are usually well planned and hotels good.

Enjoyed the trip although the weather was not at its best.

All arrangements/timings worked well. The hotels were generally of a very good standard but the speed of service at the Radisson Blu in Durham was far too slow, especially on the final evening. On reading the itinerary I expected that in the transfer from Harrogate to Durham we would put our bags on the coach which would take us to the train at Settle, and then meet us from the train at Hexham to continue to Durham. I did not expect us to be carrying our cases from coach to train, around Carlisle, then train to coach. It was totally unrealistic to expect (elderly) people to do this. We each had to pay over £8 to have the cases transported directly to Durham. This aspect needs to be changed in future tours.

Excellent programme, great hotels, wonderful food in Harrogate, time well spaced ... altogether an excellent break.

Variety of different experiences, good hotels, especially the Radisson Blu, with a very good manager who was at great pains to ensure that everyone was looked after.

Everything about the Tour was as I expected, EXCEPT, the distance of the Hotel from Durham Rail Station. It was a worrying concern for the return home. It also meant there was no opportunity to look around Durham before boarding the train home. I should like to register my thanks and praise for Graham Tillotson and his successful efforts to persuade the Company to address our fears and disappointment. Otherwise the trips and train journeys were as delightful and interesting as ever. Somehow, I am going to have to organise a drive to the Ribble valley so that I can see the train travelling over the viaduct. In spite of my best efforts, on a beautiful sunny day with sweeping views up and down the valley, I could not see the viaduct.