Happy end of summer tours

Some great feed-back from some recent holidays

Scottish Steam Holiday - A very enjoyable holiday. John Cowan was easily the best guide I have ever had. He was attentive, helpful and informative. Nothing was too much trouble for him.

Thank you Rita Buchanan - John are you blushing?

Gardens of Dorset 'Most enjoyable'

Thank you Mr and Mrs Harvey

Islands of the Clyde - 'Our second most enjoyable tour this year with Brightwater'

Our pleasure Mr and Mrs Linfield

Ancient Stones of the Outer Hebrides 'Accommodation excellent, very skillful driver given the difficult roads in Harris. Tour Guide very good considering that this was the first time he had guided a Brightwater group. Mrs Beanland.

Good to seen good new guides coming through

Mull, Iona and Staffa 'Having been on a Brightwater Holiday before and greatly enjoyed it, but this one surpassed all our expectations on account of the driving skills of George and the all-round outstanding expertise of our guide Malcolm Milne.

Arts and Crafts Weekend in Nottingham 'Bea and Sally were as fantastic as usual and the hotel staff could not have been more helpful'

Thank you Miss Fordyce - we think Bea and Sally are great too!

Private Gardens of Dublin 'Wonderful overall' Caroline Gallagher

Orkney and Shetland Archaeology - 'Absolutely brilliant! A wonderful week which exceeded our expectation. In particular the guide (Clive Warsop) made it an unforgettable experience!'

Thank you Mr and Mrs Mead

Royal London (York National Trust) 'Wonderful value for money, one of the best short breaks we have ever had. Ian Godfrey (guide) was the best.

See our range of Royal tours to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee next year http://www.brightwaterholidays.com/tour.aspx?TID=ABF14928-2261-45F4-A37A-6FEA1AC1A875

Tresco changes

Monday 1st August 2012

Not long returned from a visit to Tresco in the Scilly Isles - It was time to say goodbye to the Island Hotel. This grand old lady is due to close in September and I have to say it was with a heavy heart that I ordered my last Club Sandwich, sat on the sun-terrace and watched the good ship Firethorn cruise past. We have been taking people to the Island Hotel for the last 16 years and it must be one of the most popular hotels we have used - certainly one of the most spectacular settings, right on the rocks overlooking the sea. But the Island Hotel's demise will make way for a wonderful new holiday development and chic restaurant on the beach in her place.

I bumped into one of the senior staff at the hotel who said 'She is like an old lady breathing her last'.

Brightwater Holidays will always have happy memories of the hotel.

So the Queen is dead, long live the King!

From October onward all Brightwater groups will be accommodated at the comfortable 4 star New Inn http://www.tresco.co.uk/Accommodation/new-inn/default.aspx a fine establishment situated at the very centre of Tresco life. We will also be offering packages to the contemporary Hell Bay Hotel on the neighbouring island of Bryher, for those looking for a little more luxury http://www.hellbay.co.uk/

A few days on Tresco is an absolute tonic - the Abbey Gardens were looking wonderful (especially the new addition of the figurehead from Colossus in the Valhalla Museum http://www.tresco.co.uk/what-to-do/abbey-garden/valhalla.aspx

One other amazing experience my son Angus and I had was to snorkel with seals off St Martins http://www.scillydiving.com/seals.htm fantastic! but the water was extremely cold!!