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Cultural liaisonS
Bespoke tours designed to enrich memories
There is one imperative central to every tour which
Cultural liaisonS offers; it has to have something which will make it ‘extra special’ to its tour members. Should that essential ingredient not be found, then the tour never proceeds beyond the planning stage
There is, in addition, the definitive ‘extra special’ that descriptions cannot capture - the ‘distinctiveness’ which our regulars regard as epitomising
Cultural liaisonS
This perception gives our tour members a relaxed contentment, knowing that the tour has been meticulously planned, has charismatic communicators, is rich in added value and is being accompanied by a Tour Director dedicated to ensuring the group’s utmost satisfaction
To tour with Cultural liaisonS is to make an investment in your personal bank of rich reflections
The aspiration anchoring the design of each of ours tours is to enhance understanding and excite curiosity; enriching the tour’s pleasures and experiences with informed commentaries given by charismatic communicators
We envisage each tour to be the equivalent of a fondly-treasured top-quality, artistically-produced coffee-table book; enticing with its engaging text, quality of illustrations and expression of craftsmanship...... with the added advantage of your tour giving you your own intimate involvement, taking you to witness the locations and venues at the most opportune time
A cherished coffee table book adds that perfect touch to your living room. It can define you as much as your signature, reflecting your interests, life-style and appreciation of design
Think of the rewarding pleasures your favourite coffee-table book gives on opening-up; its engaging, illuminating and rich in visual appeal. While it has no pretence of being an in-depth treatise, it is well-researched, well-written, informative and inspiring. Little surprise that its unique blend of premium paper, evocative imagery and engaging content results in a captivating and immersive contentment each time it’s opened
The art of enrichment......
We love to create tours which define our difference.....
At CulturalliaisonS we like to think of each of our tours as an ‘active travelling experience’ which has all the virtues which make the best coffee-table books so prized
•The production of a coffee-table book involves the close collaboration of many people; author, editor, photographer or illustrator, designer, digital re-toucher, and equally important, the printer. It’s not surprising, therefore, that we find the analogy apposite for we believe the art of liaising is so crucial that its part of our title (and our tours are the product of detailed liaising with location agencies, venues, guides, speakers, hotels, ferry lines, coach company and tour members
In place of the carefully crafted text of the book our excursions and venue visits are illuminated by selected guides chosen not only for their knowledge but for being knowlegable charismatic communicators
...... with the added advantage of your tour giving you your own intimate involvement, taking you to witness the locations and venues at their most opportune time whilst enjoying the quality-comforts of specially-chosen hotels
•Designed to enrich memories, our tours seek out nature and man’s most awe-inspiring moments and photogenic experiences
•The included daily itineraries are carefully structured to engage interest, visit ‘must-sees’ and illuminate the ‘why’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘how’
•And enjoying the comforts of specially-chosen quality hotels and relaxing coaches embrace the premium product ethos
Defining our difference......
At CulturalliaisonS we like to think of each of our tours as an ‘active travelling experience’ which has all the virtues which make the best coffee-table books so prized
•The production of a coffee-table book involves the close collaboration of many people; author, editor, photographer or illustrator, designer, digital re-toucher, and equally important, the printer. It’s not surprising, therefore, that we find the analogy apposite for we believe the art of liaising is so crucial that its part of our title (and our tours are the product of detailed liaising with location agencies, venues, guides, speakers, hotels, ferry lines, coach company and tour members
•In place of the carefully crafted text of the book our excursions and venue visits are illuminated by selected guides chosen not only for their knowledge but for being knowlegable charismatic communicators
...... with the added advantage of your tour giving you your own intimate involvement, taking you to witness the locations and venues at their most opportune time whilst enjoying the quality-comforts of specially-chosen hotels
•Designed to enrich memories, our tours seek out nature and man’s most awe-inspiring moments and photogenic experiences
•The included daily itineraries are carefully structured to engage interest, visit ‘must-sees’ and illuminate the ‘why’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘how’
•And enjoying the comforts of specially-chosen quality hotels and relaxing coaches embrace the premium product ethos
To tour with Cultural liaisonS is to make an investment in your personal bank of rich reflections
We envisage each tour to be the equivalent of a fondly-treasured top-quality, artistically-produced coffee-table book
Such books entice and reward with engaging text, quality of illustrations and expressions of craftsmanship
Similarly, the aspiration anchoring the design of each of ours tours is to enhance understanding and excite curiosity; enriching the tour’s pleasures and experiences with informed commentaries given by charismatic communicators
...... with the added advantage of your tour giving you your own intimate involvement, taking you to witness the locations and venues at their most opportune time whilst enjoying the quality-comforts of specially-chosen hotels
Our 'liaising' tenet.....
It’s the central importance we give to
liaising which makes our tours distinctively different. And that means liaising:
● not only with everyone involved in presenting and supporting the tour but also with each tour member
● through all the stages of the tour's development from first idea to completed programme
● giving each tour-member the opportunity to discuss any tour with us to let us have suggestions for its further development and ideas for new tours
Our Contacts......
The product of over 40 years’ experience embracing the arenas of education and tourism, our ‘contacts' book’ is our treasured resource for ensuring:
● knowledgeable and enthusiastic exponents of their special interests to accompany, enhance and inform your tour
● high quality, welcoming, well-run hotels to ensure your comfort and enrich your enjoyment
● a select band of coach drivers and comfortable coaches to take you without stress to memorable locations and venues
● and contacts who are able to ‘open extra doors’ at the itinerary venues, making our programmes always different, sometimes unique
Our 'tour ambassadors'.....
We consider the primary role of our tour guides and tutors to be ambassadors - ensuring our objective of fully engaging the group with historical, cultural and geographical ‘footprint’ opportunities offered by the visited venues and places
● Consequently,our accompanying guides are chosen for their ability to communicate charismatically, skilfully conveying their expertise and enthusiasm for the subject or location
Prizing comfort is the prime precept of Cultural liaisonS
Whether it is the quality of accommodation, the daily itinerary or the most suitable mode of transport to embrace the surrounding scenery, we have designed your tour to ensure comfort and contentment
The art of coach travel......
We do not travel by air. Our choice is to avoid the inconveniences, uncertainties and delays which are constant features of air-travel, travelling instead by sea and coach.
The thought of travelling by coach can conjure up some negative images, but, more often than not, in reality these perceptions are the product of practices drawn from ‘off the peg’ budget tours. Coach travel can readily be turned into a positive experience when creative and careful planning is central to the itineraries
● While choosing coach travel has the admirably important attribute of a reduced carbon footprint, ironically it comes at a cost because of the competitive cheapness of budget air travel. However, we believe that comfort and ‘personal space’ is of paramount importance as one grows older. Therefore, in place of air-transfers, we travel by coach, enjoying the comfort of the Club Class Lounge on the short ferries and relaxing in upgraded, outer cabins on the longer sea crossings
● We take frequent comfort stops and rest breaks; design itineraries to include en-route features and venue visits; and, whenever possible, avoid long days of travelling
Size and space……
● Additionally, given that our usual group size is under twenty - to ensure easy listening to our guides and tutors - it follows that there is generous ‘personal space’ on the coach, usually offering everyone the comfort of a twin-seat
● Our chosen VIP-grade coach has 38 ergonomically-designed ‘aircraft’-style reclining seats, each positioned to offer generous leg-room, with a seat-back table which slides open (other than front row seats). Amongst its other facilities, the coach has a toilet/wash-room on level-entry (no steps), USB ports for your computer or tablet and diffused LED lighting to further enhance our travel*
*In the unlikely event that, for operational reasons, the contracted coach is not available the right is reserved to replace it with an executive grade coach
Freedom and flexibility……
● Remember, too, that having the coach with us throughout the tour makes it possible not only to have an enriching daily excursion programme but also ensures that you enjoy maximum time at the visited locations and venues
● Our coach is also your travelling wardrobe! It gives you the prized flexibility to decide what to carry, when and where during the day. And, with no weight restriction on your luggage, you can pack for all occasions and weather eventualities
Each tour begins and concludes at Abergavenny, Monmouhshire.
Importantly, there are just two en-route meeting-up and setting-down points - Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Spa - thereby avoiding the 'around the houses' travel ‘add-ons’ which top and tail many coach-tour holidays; additions that in themselves are both expensive and time consuming
We also have a regular following of tour members who, not living near
one of our meet-up points, choose to join at the tour hotel
or at one of our 'comfort-stop' locations
...... and those transfer days ......
Long and tiring...... or tour enhancing
The bane of many tour coach holidays, 'transfer days' cost tour operators money that they have to pass on - so, to keep them to the minimum, they feel encouraged to start such days extra-early and finish long into the evening. Such is the consequent negative reputation of transfer days, many people avoid coach holidays
At Cultural liaisonS, we view them very differently. To us, by adding additional days, they become absorbing added-value opportunities. To us they are scenic and theme-establishing 'corridors', enhancing the programme while also helping to ensure a relaxing and leisurely pace to the tour
To us, transfer days in many ways are analogous with hotel corridors! Both are necessary as a conduit to move from points A to B and both have the potential for being boring or captivating. There is the world of difference between the hotel corridor which shouts ".... if these walls could talk" to those where the design, lighting and features persuade you to linger a little longer while you take a photo
Adding days to the tour length - while admittedly increasing the tour cost - offers true-enrichment, ensuring not only that the days are never tiring
but giving us that extra time to visit en-route 'must see' gems and treasured discoveries for your memory bank!
The view is ever-changing from our 'corridor' windows
25 years of treasuring individuality - yours and ours
c To excel is our guiding principle which ensures:
a the quality of our exclusively-booked tutors/guides, chosen for their skills at communication as well as expertise
a no waiting for the arrival of other groups at venues to share guided tours
a inclusive upgrades; such as Club Class lounges on ferry crossings
a all excursions included
a included admission costs to venues
c And, to such a list, our regulars would be first to add:
a our attention to maximising comfort by avoiding early starts and travelling in a VIP-category coach with ample leg-room
a not accepting - just to capture the cheaper rates - inconvenient travelling times of ferries
a no feeder-coaches
a small group size; no ‘missing the moment’, thus making venue explorations enjoyable with on-location commentaries easy to hear
a ensuring your maximum satisfaction by having our own representative accompany the tour to fine-tune each day
