The New Year is Almost Upon Us
Hello,
Well it's the last day in the for most of the oficce staff here at Astral until the new year - we will of course have a skeleton staff on to look after all of clients and we do have tours out both tommorrow and New Years Day.
We are going to keep this short today as we are all going to follow the English age old tradition of ....... yep you guessed it going down to the local pub for a pint or two of old fashioned Christmas Cheer!
We've got a few new products to be launched in the New Year so why not pay us visit in early January? In the mean time rave safe kids.
Nigel
A Merry Christmas To All
Hello
This is the last blog before Christmas but we will be back with you next week.
Although the office is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we will be reopening at 1pm on Boxing Day. So if you're stuck for something to do between Christmas and New Year then don't hesitate to give us a call. Or if you have friends or family visiting treat them to a tour to the countryside to escape the frantic Christmas of London.
Merry Christmas,
Sarah
Tis' the season to be jolly
Hello there,
Christmas is looming upon is very fast now - only 3 more sleeps!
While at work I have been thinking about if I have been good this year and will I get any presents. Christmas will mean traveling to Salisbury early (very early) on Christmas day to see my little niece and nephew open their presents (and my nephews birthday presents !!)
This time of the year is always a time to treat your self and those close to you. Have you ever thought about doing something so special for a loved one, given them an unforgettable experience? This time of year all thoughts and ideas for presents go out of my head - here's an idea for you though.
We offer an amazing experience which will stay in you memory for years to come. A tour of Stonehenge where you can actually go in side the stone circle and touch the stones. This is a very rare opportunity for people as a regular visit to Stonehenge you can only see the stones for a small distance away.
On our Stonehenge Special Access Morning tour we offer you an excellent tour for an amazing price. For only £79 per adult we can offer you an hour inside the stone circle with aprofessionall guide who lives, breaths and speaks Stonehenge. They are so knowledgeable and friendly, so please feel free to ask them any question you may have.
Once you have visited Stonehenge we then take you for breakfast - did I mention that this is actually included in the price of the tour!!? You are welcome to a full English breakfast at a beautiful little place in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Once you have eaten and warmed yourselves up we then take you to Salisbury where you can explore the medieval cathedral. It is a wonderful town to visit.
So why not treat your loved ones or hey why not even yourself on this very special day tour from London? We have seats available on this tour for Thursday 5th and Saturday 7th January 2006
http://www.astraltravels.co.uk/uk-london-tours/stonehenge-sunrise-tour.htmAll that is left to say is Merry Christmas and have New Year
Discount Theatre Tickets Available Now
Hello and welcome to the last weekend before Christmas,
Hope you all have your presents sorted and cards written. If you are in London for the Christmas period then wrap up warm and take a
tour out of the bustling city. The weather at this time of year is fantastic and really brings the countryside alive.
Another Christmas gift to you from Astral is the introduction of our
discount theatre tickets. Our valued customers can save up to 70% on the top West End Shows - plays, operas and world famous musicals. So why not treat yourselves and take in some of the magnificent evening entertainment that London has to offer - the highly acclaimed Blue Man Group, the fantastic Lion King or the longest running show The Mousetrap. All of these along with many, many more are available at our special prices.
If the theatre is not your thing then London has many other fantastic evening activities. Check out the
Medieval Banquet - this regal medieval banquet takes place by flickering torchlight in the vaulted cellars of Ivory House, just a stone's throw from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The popularity of the
Medieval Banquet means that it has spread all over the world but London remains the original and the best.
Or perhaps set sail on one of our wonderful
Thames Cruise which combine fabulous cuisine, beautiful views of the city by night and world class entertainment. Cruising past some of London's famous attractions whilst dining onboard a
Thames river dinner cruise has been described as a unique and memorable experience not to be missed when visiting London.
Bye for now but hope this has inspired you to make the most of your evening in London,
Sarah
A Busy Weekend and It's Not Even Christmas Yet
Did You Know?
Christmas decorations in general have early origins. Holly, ivy and mistletoe are associated with rituals going back beyond the Dark Ages. (The custom of kissing beneath a sprig of mistletoe is derived from an ancient pagan tradition.) The Christmas tree was popularised by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who introduced one to the Royal Household in 1840. Since 1947, the country of Norway has presented Britain annually with a large Christmas tree which stands in Trafalgar Square in commemoration of Anglo-Norwegian cooperation during the Second World War.
Hello and welcome to the first blog for a few days,
The past few days have been extremely busy both workwise and socially for the office. It seems that everybody is suddenly getting into the Christmas spirit and booking their tours. We still have limited spaces left so now is the time to book!
This weekend has been one big blur for most people in the office - one girl decided to brave Lakeside shopping centre for some festive cheer on Sunday (not recommended apparently) and one guy attended his girlfriend's Christmas works do and apparently there was not a photocopier in sight (bit disappointing really). I on the other hand had a nice quiet weekend racing up and down the M40 to Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Not only was it my brother's 21st Birthday over the weekend it was also my Mum's birthday. Surely they could have just waited for Christmas to get some presents!!! Lots of food and drink over the weekend for me - it's kind of a dry run for Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas - at this festive time of year we all know that giving feels better than receiving and Astral today launches their exclusive range of tour packages. These bring together our most popular tour combinations with the added bonus of free tours - helping you to make the most of your stay in London.
Details are below of the different levels of package available and the savings that you can make.
BRONZE PACKAGE 1
Full Day Tour + Medieval Banquet + Rock and Roll Tour & GET A FREE 24 HOUR BIG BUS LONDON TOUR
OR
BRONZE PACKAGE 2Full Day Tour + Medieval Banquet + Sinister London Tour & GET A FREE 24 HOUR BIG BUS LONDON TOUR
SILVER PACKAGE 1Two Full Day Tours + London Pub Tour + Medieval Banquet & GET A FREE BEATLES ROCK 'N' ROLL TOUR
OR
SILVER PACKAGE 2Two Full Day Tours + Half Day Classic London Tour + Medieval Banquet & GET A FREE BEATLES ROCK 'N' ROLL TOUR
GOLDStonehenge Special Access Tour + Any Full Day Tour + Rock 'n' Roll Tour & GET A FREE HOTEL LINK AIRPORT TRANSFER
PLATINUMFull Day Private Tour (up to 3 people) + Paris via Eurostar + Medieval Banquet & GET A FREE PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER
Full details of all these tours can be found
hereOnce booked all of these packages give you direct and unlimited access to discounted London theatre (prices that are usually given to Travel Agents). You will be able to book any number of tickets to top West End shows -
please click here for moreWe hope that these packages inspire you to begin planning your next trip to London - whether in the New Year or for a long weekend over the summer months.
Bye for now,
Sarah
Been there done that!
(Mistletoe) Mistletoe, considered sacred by the British Druids, was believed to have many miraculous powers. Among the Romans, it was symbol of peace, and, it was said that when enemies met under it, they discarded their arms and declared a truce. From this comes our custom of kissing under the mistletoe. England was the first country to use it during the Christmas season.Todays 'thankyou' Dear Mr/Miss:Last week my companion and I took your "Stones and Bones" tour and enjoyed it very much. I appreciated the sense of humour and solid information (I am an archaeologist myself)of your guide "trev". He certainly keeps up with relevant published material. You can tell him that. Alexander Kaczmarczyk - December 2005The picture is of me at the Astral office, busy! (Nick)
It sadens me to have to offer this new itinerary for 2006. We pride ourselves on offering unique itineraries, however due to the larger 'greedy' coach companies competining umongst each other and offering crazy unrealistic itineraries we have been forced to follow suit. When customers complain that they only had 15 minutes in Stonehenge and 25 minutes to explore Bath (including lunch break) I will have to say "I told you so......" I sincerely hope that this will change and customers will realise that spreading their touring time over a couple of days and spending just a few extra dollars can be a completely different experience ie more relaxed, time to absorb the atmoshphere, learning more etc - the list goes on. I have pasted our 'Compass Buster' Itinerary below for your perusal.Please remember although England appears to be quite small, in reality it can take many hours to travel just 100 miles. We often recieve 'private tours' requesting to visit England on day one, Wales on day two, Scotland on day three and Ireland on day four - wow, thats some going. Of course this could not be done unless flying.You have been warned.........» Small Group V Large Group - Why Travel With Us?Astral Travels is proud to be the ONLY mini-coach tour operator in London and believe that a small group is the best way to experience a sightseeing tour of England. Each of our tours includes experiences above a standard big coach tour ensuring our clients a day to remember.
» Compass Buster Full Day TourHighlights: Windsor Castle * Oxford * Warwick Castle * Stratford * Stow-on-the-Wold * Bath * Stonehenge * Salisbury This monster tour hits all the main attractions in one day – not one for the faint-hearted or those who prefer a more laid-back approach to sightseeing!
In order to fully appreciate the places listed above we would recommend taking 2 or 3 day tours -
please click here for detailsFor further advantages of booking a tour with a small group
please click here Astral Travels pride themselves on providing unique, interesting and realistically timed tour itineraries. Sadly many of the larger coach operators are now running ridiculous 'overloaded' itineraries, for example Oxford, Stratford, The Cotswolds, Bath and Stonehenge in just one day - yes, one day.
A typical day like this means over 9 hours sat on a large impersonal coach racing down the highways rather than exploring the country lanes and giving the customer just 3 hours total off the bus. (Oxford - 25 minutes, Stratford 45 min's, Bath 30 minutes, Stonehenge 35 minute) If this is the way you like to sightsee then the itinerary below is for you. You will have ample time to get out, 'cross it off your list', maybe buy a t-shirt and climb aboard the coach again - also bear in mind how long it takes for 54 passengers just to go to the toilet!
Heading out of London our first stop on this mammoth tour is Windsor. A short walk through the historic town will bring us to the Castle where the Royals have resided for over 900 years, from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth II. Built high above the River Thames it is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. You will have the chance to see the State Apartments, St George's Chapel or Queen Mary's Doll House (depending upon your preference).
Continuing over the Chiltern Hills we reach Oxford – one of England’s most ancient university cities. Your guide will take you on a brief walking tour of the city past some of the famous college buildings during which you will hear tales of college life, its famous students and rich history and traditions.
Our third stop of the day is Warwick Castle considered the finest medieval castle in all of England and home of the Earls of Warwickshire for over 1000 years. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the award winning exhibitions "Kingmaker" - a preparation for battle and the Victorian "Royal Weekend Party 1898". If you prefer see the awesome Armoury and State Rooms or venture into the gruesome dungeons and Ghost tower if you dare!
We continue to the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, situated in the heart of England and birthplace of one of its most famous writers, William Shakespeare. Your guide will point out the house where he was born in 1565 as well as the theatres that still perform his work today. As we depart Stratford we will pass through the village of Shottery where your guide will point out the cottage where Shakespeare courted Anne Hathaway.
Our lunch stop will be in the beautiful Cotswolds village of Stow-on-the-Wold before continuing on to the Roman City of Bath. Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of this world heritage city originally found by the Romans as a health spa, and later an elegant Georgian. Marvel at the impressive architecture and hear about the history, legends and characters that have shaped Bath through the ages. Afterwards, visit the Roman Bath Museum and Pump Rooms and maybe even sample of the spring water famed for it's healing properties.
We then head for Stonehenge – hear about the many myths, legends and mysteries of this World Heritage Site, built over 5000 years ago, and take time to reflect upon its powerful, mysterious presence.
Our final stop for the day is the medieval city of Salisbury where you will see the magnificent Cathedral crowned with the tallest spire in Britain and built by craftsmen over 750 years ago. A chance here also for a snack before we head home to London - arriving at approximately 22.00.Timings:
Windsor – 45 minutes
Stow-on-the-Wold – 15 minutes
Oxford – 30 minutes
Bath – 1 hour
Warwick Castle – 45 minutes
Stonehenge – 30 minutes
Stratford-upon-Avon – 30 minutes
Salisbury – 45 minutes
Please note that this tour is only available during the summer months due to the length of day and opening times of attractions.
This full day tour departs daily during the summer months from Central London. 8.15am - 10pm. Free pick up from most Central London Hotels.
Adult Price: £99Child Price: £89 (3 - 16 yrs)
Astral Travels (U.K) Ltd - London Premier Small Group Tour Operator.
Christmas Is Coming - Time to Plan Your Vacation
Did You Know?
The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.
And another satisfied client...Dear Sasha,Just a quick email to express our satisfaction with the tours we did with Astral while in London last week. All tours were highly enjoyable, and lived up to all expectations. The driver-guides were interesting and witty and their commentaries were very informative, while the locales were particularly well chosen. Everything amounted to a few days very well spent in England, and we look forward to traveling with you in future trips to the UK.
Warm Regards,Marta Isabel
Hello and welcome to the first blog of December,
Although it seems as though the festive period has been with us for a couple of months already (thanks to shops and television adverts!!!) now is the time to really start planning your Christmas vacation.
Please click here for a full list of all of the wonderful tour and activities we have available to help you celebrate. Christmas is Britain's most popular holiday and a wonderful time to visit. There is nothing more magical than wandering through a British garden on a crisp, clear winter day: the sun, low in the sky, sparkling on elegant branches; the satisfying crunch of early morning frost underfoot; the delicate scent of winter-flowering shrubs. Holly berries bring a splash of colour to the festive season. Shortly after New Year, snowdrops poke their heads through the earth. Hints of spring arrive in late February as buds begin to appear on trees and the petals of early daffodils unfold.
Many of our tours spend time at the Christmas markets in Bath and Windsor - perfect to pick up gifts for your family and friends. Christmas Markets are loved by everyone - the little wooden chalets selling all sorts of goodies and the magical atmosphere created by special Christmas fragrances of pine branches and incense and of course the hot mulled wine to keep you warm! The stalls filled with wooden smoking men, Christmas pyramids, music boxes, straw stars, angels and all manner of wooden decorations. Then you have the stalls with the lebkuchen, stollen and fresh sugared almonds - tempting you with Christmas aromas. Friends and family meet up to enjoy the day together and everyone gets absorbed in the excitement of Christmas.
Bath Christmas Market
A very traditional style English Christmas Market will be running every day from December 2nd - 11th selling a a wide variety of original hand crafted gifts, decorations, cards and toys. With the famous Bath Abbey and Roman Baths providing an amazing backdrop to this event, you will know that the festive season has really arrived in Bath. You will have plenty of time on tour for some Christmas shopping! We visit the Bath Christmas Market on our
History and Mystery tour,
Culture Vulture tour and
Roman, Royals and Gargoyles tour and you will have over two and a half hours to explore this beautiful city
Windsor Christmas Market
A traditional German market which will be running throughout December. There will be individual wooden chalets each offering a variety of hand-made goods or sumptuous fare! Perfect for Christmas shopping! We visit the Windsor Christmas Market on our
Roman, Royals and Gargoyles tourHopefully you are all sorted by now for Christmas - presents wrapped and ready to put under the tree, cards written and ready to post and obviously your vacation planned out. However, if you're like me and the rest of the world now is the time that you begin to panic. We may not be able to help with presents or cards (or preparing Christmas lunch) but we can assist with planning your vacation. You may want a tour for a visiting relative as we all know how crowded the house can get over Christmas or you may wish to book a tour as a gift for someone. We send gift vouchers for any of our tours making them the prefect present and one that the recipient will remember forever.
That's all for now as I must get back to work but hopefully this has given you you some ideas on how to make this Christmas one to remember.
Bye,
Sarah
