Your Man in Europe

                                                                                              Christmastime in Olde England

                                                                                                            December 9 – 19, 2027

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Come along with Your Man in Europe on the perfect Christmastime journey. Our traveling party will be in jolly old London to see the enchanting Christmas decorations, take in West End plays, and do a little Christmas shopping. Then we’ll move on to visit fabulous York, England, a city that has kept its old world charm through the centuries. The ancient streets will make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into “A Christmas Carol” or “Oliver Twist”. Our travelers will be steeped in holiday cheer and unequalled yuletide atmosphere. Don’t miss this unique Christmastime experience!

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                                                                                                                          ITINERARY

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Note that the following itinerary does not try to detail all our day-by-day activities. Most of England’s annual holiday special events have not yet announced their schedules, and tickets were not available at the time this itinerary was planned (October, 2026). As more information is made available tickets will be purchased, and our daily activities will be set. An updated itinerary will be provided after our plans are confirmed, and the tour price adjusted as necessary.

Costs for activities from previous itineraries have been included in the cost estimate for this tour.

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December 9, Thursday – Depart the USA on flights to London Heathrow Airport. Guests are asked to plan flights to arrive at Heathrow by 11:00 AM on Friday, December 10. For those flying into Gatwick Airport, please check with Your Man in Europe to arrange a meeting point.

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December 10, Friday – Guests should arrive before 11:00 AM at London’s Heathrow Airport. We will rendezvous at the airport and travel together into the city center. We will already catch glimpses of the festive holiday decorations as we make our way to our fantastic London hotel. The elegant boutique hotel is housed in a lovely home built in 1718. Each room is decorated in a unique way, and guests feel as if they are visiting a fine London home rather than a hotel. It’s the perfect place to set the tone for an Olde English Christmas!

As everyone’s arrival schedule may have varied lunch will be on your own at one of the many cozy cafes or restaurants right on our street very near the hotel. Afterward we’ll have a free afternoon to explore the area around our neighborhood or venture further afield with your Tube pass.

We’ll rendezvous back at our hotel for an early dinner at a nearby super atmospheric pub within comfortable walking distance. In the evening we’ll take a guided tour to see the best of London’s spectacular Christmas lights.

During our stay guests will be provided with a London Underground pass for unlimited travel on the “Tube”. There is a Tube station just a couple of blocks from our centrally-located hotel. We will make short (one or two stops) trips to most of our daytime and evening activities. As most of our destinations are relatively nearby, the Tube is a good option; but using it can mean walking a fair way (even inside the station once you’ve reached it) The passes may also be used for independent exploration. Taxis are another option for those who would like to limit walking, and of course, in inclement weather. London taxis carry 5 passengers, and when shared the fare is quite reasonable. In most cases we will get a group consensus on the best way to reach the destinations we will be visiting as a group. All guests are invited to participate in our planned activities, but there is always the option to opt out to pursue other activities.

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December 11, Saturday – After a relaxing breakfast served in-room we’ll gather downstairs to decide if we want to leave the hotel or not (just kidding). Today we’ll visit two of London’s iconic department stores: Harrods and Liberty. Feel free to gawk, window shop, or actually buy some nice things for the friends and family members back home. In the morning we’ll leave the hotel to go to Harrods, arguably the world’s most famous store, for shopping and a little later, a fabulous High Tea. After shameless pampering we’ll have time to pop back by our hotel to freshen up and leave any purchases in the rooms. Then, closer to our hotel, we will head for Liberty for more temptations. Afterward everyone will have a bit of free time  before gathering in the early evening back at the hotel to have a fun dinner together at one of London’s truly unique restaurants. Right after dinner we’ll enjoy a live theatre performance of the beloved Christmas play The Snowman.

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December 12, Sunday – After a lovely in-room breakfast for those who want to venture out we’ll first head for the  wonderful National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, just off Trafalgar Square. As will be the case on all our days in London the tour schedule is flexible, and there will be a good bit of free time. You may wish to plan your own adventure today. Lunch today will be on your own.

Evening brings another wonderful dinner with entertainment at a restaurant that’s simply beyond description.

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December 13, Monday – Today we’ll focus on holiday events in London (TBD). Otherwise, it’s a free day to catch up on all the attractions you’ve been wanting to see in London.

In the evening there is time to take in another live London play. There are so many great plays that it would be unfair to pick just one for everyone to see. As a preview here are some of the plays that will be on:

 Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Mama Mia, Hamilton, Disney’s The Lion King, The Mousetrap, Matilda, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Billy Elliot and many more. Advice: if you wish to see a play there are a couple of options. If you must see a particular play, go online and book your tickets as soon as they become available. If you are somewhat flexible it’s possible to stop by the box office a day or so before the performance to buy available tickets. Note that some of the plays mentioned do not yet have tickets on sale.

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December 14, Tuesday - After one more English breakfast, sadly we have to check out of the hotel and head for the train station for our rail journey to fabulous York.

Our First Class train ride takes us into the heart of the fabled city, only a short taxi ride to our cozy hotel in the shadow of the great York Minster. No movie set or fanciful preconceived notion could exceed the ambiance of our historic boutique hotel right in the old town. After lunch we will take a casual walk around the local area to learn about our nearby surroundings and how to navigate to old city center, followed by some free time until time for Evensong at the Minster.

Afterward we’ll head back to the hotel for a nice dinner together there, before snuggling into our beds for a good night’s sleep.

 

December 15, Wednesday – After breakfast in the atmospheric dining room of the hotel we’ll take a short walk to visit the St. Nicholas Fair for some real Christmas fun. Traditional chalets shine out from their positions along Parliament Street where we’ll find plenty of stalls selling locally-made handcrafted gifts. We’ll also explore Davygate and Coppergate for inspired gift and stocking filler ideas for the folks back home; and we’ll find local flavor at York’s famous Shambles Market.

Ticketed events for afternoons and evenings are to be determined. Updates will be provided as soon as special events are confirmed and tickets become available. Lunch is included today. Dinner will be on your own.

 

December 16, Thursday – MMMM, another great breakfast at our hotel. Today we’ll make our way to the fantastic York Castle Museum. We’ll experience hundreds of years of York’s history in one place – from recreated Jacobean dining rooms to a whole Victorian era street all decked out for Christmas.

Lunch and Dinner together will be included today.

Again, ticketed events for afternoons and evenings are to be determined. Updates will be provided as soon as special events are confirmed and tickets become available. The itinerary daily schedules are likely to be rearranged to accommodate the many delightful Christmas events York has to offer.

 

December 17, Friday – Enjoy breakfast at our cozy hotel, and then venture out for a day of free time in York. Along the way everyone will have seen things to include on a wish list. Spend the day shopping, exploring, or just kicking back at the hotel. It’s a great day to catch up on Christmas shopping for gifts you won’t find anywhere but York!

Lunch and dinner will be on your own today.

Once again, ticketed events for afternoons and evenings are to be determined. Updates will be provided as soon as special events are confirmed and tickets become available. The itinerary daily schedules are likely to be rearranged to accommodate the many delightful Christmas events York  has to offer.

 

December 18, Saturday – After breakfast at our charming hotel, we’ll have time for last-minute shopping or photo safaris, and there’ll be a special lunch together, our last in York for this trip.

Or just take the morning to sleep late.

In the afternoon, we’ll travel by train through London and on to London’s Heathrow Airport, where we’ll check into our airport area hotel. The hotel offers quick and frequent shuttle service to all terminals. We’ll meet back in the hotel dining room for a “Farewell to England” dinner.

 

December 19, Sunday – After breakfast at the hotel shuttles will be available for transportation to all airport departure terminals, just minutes away from our hotel.  It’s goodbye for now – but we’ll be back…

 

               

                                                                                         What’s in store for us?

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This tour is custom-planned for a small group of no more than 10 guests. Even if you are a seasoned traveler, you have never experienced England like this. We’re sure the magic will captivate you. You’ll be part of a magical adventure - complete with music and surprises that will delight you at every turn.

This is not a “Big Bus Tour”. There will be no wake-up calls at 5 AM to herd onto the buses. Our travelers will have a friendly, extremely knowledgeable guide for the entire trip – not just a bus driver and hum-drum contracted tour guide. We do our best to set the mood, to weave a spell, and to make yours a total experience. Hotels and most restaurants on the entire tour have been selected for their very specific location or high level of “atmosphere”. The small group size allows us to personalize the experience in a way large groups simply cannot do. We make it easy, comfortable and stress-free. No guest has to worry about the details of where we are going next. You will feel as if you are not a tourist, but a guest of your British friends.

This is a complete tour; and the prices are not increased during the trip through unexpected charges for “extra” tours and arrangements you must handle on your own. If there will be any optional tours or activities not included in the cost everyone will be advised well before signing up for the tour. Most meals are included, and those that are not included are detailed in the itinerary.

Your Tour Guide: Larry Ivy is the Tour Coordinator and guide for Your Man in Europe, and a long-time veteran of European travel and unique private tour-leading. Larry wants just one thing: for you to have “the best time of your life”!

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                                                                                 Complete Prices

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                                                                                                 $3895 Per Person*

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                                                This is a good faith estimate of the tour cost. It may be adjusted as event details become available.

                                                             *All prices are based on Double Occupancy. Single supplement is an additional $575.

A $500 deposit holds your place on the tour. Reservations and deposits for this fantastic trip should be made as early as possible, but not later than July 15, 2027. 

Final balance is due by November 1, 2027. Make checks payable to “Your Man in Europe”. Guests are invited to use our no-interest flexible payment plan. Postal mailing address:    2608 S University Drive, Fort Worth  TX  76109

Tour Includes: Nine (9) nights of overnight accommodation (based on double occupancy) in very special, carefully-selected hotels, all nine (9) breakfasts, five (5) lunches, and six (6) dinners; all ground transportation; and First Class rail travel (where available), admissions to all attractions appropriate for the tour itinerary, full time knowledgeable guide services, and standard gratuities. There will be no additional charges for the tours and events specifically included by Your Man in Europe. There may be extra charges for tours not included in the detailed in the itinerary. These are optional activities.

Not Included: Airfare to, and returning from England, independently arranged theatre tickets, optional travel insurance, extra beverages (meals will include one beverage and will be budgeted accordingly); a la cart or premium menu selections beyond the established meal allowances; between meal snacks; gratuities for extra services such as baggage porters, or for superior service (normal gratuities are included in the trip cost); souvenirs; and privately arranged activities.

                                                  Also: All overnight accommodations, as well as railroad travel will be NO-SMOKING.

                                                           This tour is strictly limited to a maximum of 10 guests traveling together