Alison Weir Tours

WELCOME

AWT's tour for 2025 will be Northumbria. Given the demand, we are running it twice, from 30th April to 9th May and from 17th September to 26th September. We have just a few places left. If you would like to book, please email alisonweirtours@hotmail.co.uk.



ALISON WEIR TOURS

"The best historians and tour team in the world!" (Guest feedback, the Mary, Queen of Scots Tour)

"I have been very fortunate to have travelled all over the world with many different tour companies, but I have to say that those companies finish a distant second to the service and experiences provided by Alison Weir Tours."  (Guest feedback, Mary, Queen of Scots Tour)

“Alison Weir’s Tudor Treasures Tour is all about access. When you arrive with Alison Weir and her guest historians, you are treated like an honoured guest and often given access rarely or never given to the general public. Alison’s enthusiasm for her subject is exhilarating."
(Guest feedback, The Tudor Treasures Tour) 

"The tours have been singularly incredible. I sincerely admire all the effort and creativity the AWT team provide. I can only imagine the amount of behind-the-scenes work involved in the design and execution. With appreciation and much esteem.' (Guest feedback, The Flowers of Scotland Tour)

"Show me something I can't see on my own, introduce me to someone I could not meet. That is the trip I will take. So many wonderful travel suppliers can provide all the comforts imaginable, but it is the access they offer that separates the good from the exceptional. Alison Weir's tours are exceptional. This is truly travel at it's very best." (Jean Newman Glock, Luxury Travel Influencer & Industry Consultant)




It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the website of Alison Weir Tours Ltd.

Through Alison Weir Tours Ltd., I develop and run a range of exclusive, historical tours that primarily are based around my books. Each tour is designed to be captivating and informative, to enrich your knowledge, to provide you with a unique and highly enjoyable holiday in beautiful surroundings, and to give you an unforgettable experience of the rich landscape of English history.

Each tour is planned and developed personally by me, with the assistance of a highly professional team of historians and travel experts. You can read more about the nature of the tours in the feedback below, and on the Biography page, and I urge you to do this before booking.

One or more of AWT's tour historians - myself, Sarah Gristwood, Nicola Tallis, Julian Humphrys and Michael Jones - will travel with you to every historic site, giving talks, engaging in discussions, answering questions, attending group dinners, and sharing our passion for the extraordinary places and people that are the fabric of English History. 

Many of the hotels you stay at will be historic buildings. Travel is by luxury coach. To enhance your experience we include several dinners and lunches, a full programme of talks, private guided tours, privileged access to areas of historic interest not normally open to the public, lectures by guest historians, the services of our experienced tour historians, guide lecturers and tour director - and some surprise extras! To gain a sense of each tour, please read the feedback below and on the Overview pages of previous tours.

Alison Weir Tours offer an exclusive experience, as we run only one or two each year. For this reason, places on each tour are limited. The minimum enrolment to enable us to run these tours is 30 guests, but our waiting lists can be heavily subscribed up to two years in advance. To avoid disappointment, please email us at alisonweirtours@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to be placed on the priority waiting list for places for a specific tour, or on our general mailing list to register your interest in future tours.  

I look forward to having the pleasure of journeying back in time with you on one of the Alison Weir Tours.

“Alison Weir has perfected the art of bringing history to life.” (Chicago Tribune)



OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME

Each tour includes a comprehensive enrichment programme of talks, guided tours and debates by AWT's historians and guest speakers. Guests will also receive briefings on the places visited on the tour, and guided tours at many sites. The talks, which are of varying length, are given either after group dinners, or on the coach, or on site. Some months before the tour, you will be sent a reading list of suggested books. There is no requirement to read any of them. The enrichment programme is devised to be enjoyed by those who know a lot about the theme of the tour, and those who know only a little.

We give short introductory talks about all the sites and hotels we visit, ensuring that guests arrive with some understanding of the relevance, history and context of the site, and that they have the knowledge to enjoy their visit to the full. Sometimes guests have observed that guides repeat what we have said, but we have found on occasions that guides, however good (and we do our best to ensure that we do have good guides), do not always mention what we would like them to. Hence guests will always get a short introduction from us. 



Alison Weir Tours are on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alison-Weir-Tours/286481598045779 
We're also on Twitter.
Follow us at @AlisonWeirTours  
And we're on Pinterest at
http://pinterest.com/alisonweir2012/ where you can see lots of tour images.


We are privileged to be associated with Jean Newman Glock (below), who has been in the travel industry for manyyears, working for Smithsonian Journeys, Connoisseur Travel, Signature Travel, JNG Worldwide and Viking Cruises. She has single-handedly changed the perception of what the public should expect from a travel consultant, and the travel and tourism industries are taking notice. She was featured in the 2013 A-List of Travel Agents by Travel & Leisure, and appeared on the cover of Luxury Travel Advisor Magazine. Travel & Leisure says, "Glock has insider clout, and maintains a little black book of door-opening contacts;" and Luxury Travel Advisor says, "Luxury travel is about exploring one's interests as exclusively and as in depth as possible. Experiential travel and insider access are all the rage now, and Jean Newman Glock has been ahead of the curve for years."



On 8th January 2014 Jean published this article on Alison Weir Tours in Washington's Huffington Post:

Searching for the Ultimate Luxury Experience -- in Tudor England

Group tours (I hear you groan, but read on) have been a large part of my travel history. I have accompanied many during my years with the Smithsonian. I have learned from the best experts on excellent tours. I have also spent three days in Russia in an "emerging" hospital in 1996, instead of the Catherine Palace, walked the streets of Quito looking for a confused member of our group at midnight and taught a group how to snorkel in Belize -- unfortunately in a breeding ground of sting rays. (Yes I was stung and stepped on live coral running to help a guest, which later required surgery.) Now in the private sector, I usually travel alone, scoping out the best new and old finds for clients and writing about them. So you might be thinking my highlight for 2013 would not be another group tour comprised of strangers from around the world. Wrong.

The tour I joined as a paying guest with noted author and historian, Alison Weir, was by all measures the most exciting trip I have ever taken. Many geographic destinations may seem more exotic and I have visited almost all, from Easter Island to Antarctica to Borneo to Vladivostok. Many of the hotels I visited this year were over the top luxury and restaurants and the spas were exceptional. But this group tour, to sites I had visited before in the UK, was hands down, the most luxurious, exotic and fantastic I have ever experienced.

As I look back over 2013 and indeed 25 years in travel, why was this "group" tour the pinnacle of my career? Simple -- it combined my passions, with the best of everything -- not the most luxurious, but the best and there is a difference.

The "Six Wives of Henry VIII" traveled around Tudor sites in the UK in June 2013 and was by every measure extraordinary. I am still awed by the chance to spend time with Alison and her friends, who number the finest authors and historians in the world. Sitting at dinner, in Hever Castle's (Anne Boleyn's childhood home) private dining hall beside Alison and Dr.Starkey as they debate some new finds in Tudor history was a dream. The fantastic authors we met included the effervescent Sarah Gristwood, emerging historian Nicola Tallis, Siobhan Clarke from the Historic Royal Palaces staff, Dr. David Starkey, Elizabeth Norton, Dr. Tracy Borman and Mavis Cheek. The privilege of meeting and dining with so many of the leading historic authors of our day was my ultimate luxurious experience.

The itinerary was carefully chosen and vetted by Alison who matched it to her own passion for sites that offer perspective and new insights. She discovered along with us. Hotels were appropriate to the theme. At Thornbury Castle, we stayed in the same hotel that Henry VIII had visited with his new bride, Anne Boleyn, and one of our group was honored to stay in their bedroom -- which we all visited. Ghosts were not advertised as part of the experience but we all had high hopes which I think were fulfilled, but that is another story.

The undeniable leitmotif of the journey was present day royalty compared to 16th century Tudors. The impending birth of the next heir to the British throne and the new legislation that would have permitted male or female first born to become the third in line for the crown was much discussed. Henry's troubles would have been so different were this true in the 1500s. Prince George, born on the final day of the tour, illustrated Alison's penultimate planning skills and our group joined all of London in celebrating.

But even this was trumped by Dr. David Starkey's spot on comparison of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall with Anne Boleyn, who he much admires. I feel another BBC miniseries along the lines of Julie and Julia in the making. All that was lacking was a guest appearance by Jonathan Rhys Myers -- sorry Alison, we all know your thoughts on this miniseries -- but he was hot and the soft porn did add historically accurate color to the period -- I think.

All of this was perfect (even without Rhys Myers), but what threw this tour into the stratosphere of amazing trips were my fellow travelers. It was the most diverse I have ever joined, by nationality, age and every other measure. But we were all drawn by a shared passion for history, notably Tudor history and most specifically, awe for the research and writing of Alison Weir. This group now forms some of my closest friends.

In conclusion, in your search for the perfect, ultimate luxury travel experience in 2014 -- look no further than your passions, new or emerging. Make sure every journey you take touches or ignites some passion that is unique to you and you will have found the luxury we all seek.
 
Follow Jean Newman Glock on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeannewmanglock

One guest on that tour has responded:

"I can't stem the tears in my eyes as I read this thoughtful, incisive The Huffington Post description of our small tour re Henry VIII's wives this summer with expert Tudor historian and world-famous author Alison Weir. You can see how utterly amazing the journey was. Can't believe my mom and I got to share this experience. That sweet mother of mine adopted the fabulous travel expert who penned this article as her new "daughter." Jean Newman Glock is one of the premier travel experts in the world and we got to spend every day with her and the other absolutely scintillating tour participants in addition to the world-renowned experts. I cannot imagine a more interesting group of folks. Thank you for teaching us, Sarah Gristwood, Nicola Tallis, Lucy Churchill, et al. We miss you and our other friends. I don't expect to ever experience a more exciting two weeks. English history is one of my greatest passions and this surpassed my wildest dreams as it did for every other participant. On the last night of our tour we cruised the Thames and looked at historic London sights while we celebrated the birth of Prince George. Humble and inexpressibly deep thanks to all who created and participated in this experience and to my friends who have been kind enough to tell me how glad you are that Mama and I got to share in this."

You can read more about Jean Glock's travels with AWT here: http://www.jeannewmanglock.com/luxury-travels-in-tudor-england/


GUEST FEEDBACK

This will be my sixth tour and I am also signed up for the White Rose tour. I am a devoted tour guest and I have found that each tour is special in its own way. If you are very interested in English history, this tour will not disappoint. The days are full to the brim. Keeping to the agenda and the timing is a hallmark of these tours and will be your first and most important job. With history in mind, that is what you are going to get. Once on the bus each morning, there will be talks describing where we are headed and what to expect; also there are talks on various subjects and people we will be seeing. The talks are amazing and bring history to life. We are often given private tours and special access, which is sometimes the only way to see many of the historical sites. There is a lot of walking and comfortable shoes are a must. So are rain coats and a warm jacket. Many of the locations are ruins, and we climb through uneven walkways and narrow passages. All worth it. If there is a group dinner it is nice to dress up. In my view, Alison Weir Tours have gone to such great lengths to bring us these special events that I feel the need to show respect by appropriately dressing for dinner, although this does not mean a formal gown. A few of the dinners follow a full day of touring. Whatever you do, you will have an amazing time.

The most important thing about the tours is the people. If you are a fan of English history then you will love meeting people that love the subject matter that interests you. No one in my family likes to discuss the Tudor Dynasty so I love it when deep discussions take place over coffee and tea. There are no better hosts than Alison Weir Tours. From Alison herself to her tour manager, John, you will not find anyone who will care more for your needs and happiness on the tour, as well as being truly excited about getting to know YOU personally. The historians are spectacular! You will not find a more varied, educated, fun, happy group who really want to share their love of history with you. You will quickly find that you have found a new English family. My recommendation is to come ready to learn, meet people and have a wonderful time. You won’t be disappointed. There isn't a better time on the planet.


FEEDBACK FOR PAST TOURS CAN BE READ ON THE OVERVIEW PAGE OF EACH PREVIOUS TOUR LISTED IN THE DROP-DOWN MENU ABOVE.


"Amazed at how quickly this thing is filling up, but you know, it's because you guys offer about the best tour in the world.  No joke.  I've never been so entertained and relaxed in my life.  Usually my vacations are a little hectic, but y'all take that entire factor away!"

"There's no tour experience quite like it - I am so excited to be going on the MQS2 tour in October."

"We have full confidence that everything will be taken care of and the service will be above and beyond." 

Previous guest's comment on a photo sent to her of Alison and Siobhan meeting up for lunch with two guests from the Lancaster and York tour: "This is a fabulous photo and it really is a true testament to just how AWT makes such an impact on so many people's lives in so many ways. It is the people of AWT that bring others together. Everyone who takes a tour with AWT is enriched by the people and experiences. You have certainly enriched my life."

"It is going to be so wonderful to reconnect with all these great friends. Even if no one was returning from previous tours, I know it would still be special and we would make more lifelong friendships, but to have all these favorite people returning again just makes it extra special."

"We have toured with Alison Weir in part because of her impeccable selections of lodgings and restaurants."

"Your tours are as peerless as your books, Alison Weir. HUUUUUGE thanks for all of the meticulous planning and hard work you [and your team] put into creating such unforgettable experiences."

"I leave tomorrow on an Around the World expedition by private jet, but it won't be nearly as much fun as all my AWT's have been!"

"Very highly recommend Alison Weir Tours. Best in the country and unbeatable for quality and content."

"The two tours we have taken with you remain for me as delights."

"It's lovely to witness a group of people 'getting it right' - all reaching an excellent standard with such warmth and humour. Couldn't be done without brilliant management- well done Alison!"

"Every dinner and tour has been amazing!"

"I had my perfect vacation thanks to AWT."

"Experience of a lifetime!"

"... these truly wonderfully outstanding tours... You and your outstanding team have provided me with so many wonderful memories. I have had experiences of a lifetime and have made lifelong friends. Just tell us where to be and when to be there, and we will be there enjoying every minute!"

"Thanks for all you do to make the trips amazing and interesting. You make each of us feel special and welcome and provide a fabulous experience that is one part group, one part individual and many parts luxurious and fun. Thanks for all you do – for the big events and the small moments and of course for continuing to let us join you even as you get to know us so well. With much gratitude”

"Of all my travels, none ever equal those you have meticulously planned. I feel so fortunate to be able to join you!"

"People come from all over the world to do her tours. They are just incredible. We travel with at least 4 historians, including Alison, every day and then visiting/guest historians join us at specific sites. If you get the chance to do a tour I’d highly recommend it."

"Alison is amazing in so many ways. Traveling with her is my ultimate luxury travel."

"It really is the breadth and depth of the AWT family that makes us all so dedicated to all of you.  YOU brought us together as a AWT family and we will be with you for years to come."

"You have the best tours on Earth!!"

Registered office: Alison Weir Tours Ltd., 2nd Floor, 16-17 Wardour Mews, London, W1F 8AT.