Solent Events & Leisure

This is Villach in Karnten, Austria. Villach, is the second largest town in the Carinthia region and lies near the borders of Italy and Slovenia in the heart of the country's mountainous south and numerous glistening lakes ('See'). Villach is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery — the Villacher Alps to the west and the Karawanken mountain chain and Julian Alpe to the south. Although not touristy, visitors stop here on their way to the Carinthian lakes or to visit the m...any thermal springs ('Bad'). I have been coming here regularly since 1976, so it's changed a lot in that time .... but is still one of the most spectacular areas in Europe - especially in late June. It's not always scorching hot here, but the temperature today was 33° ..... so it's the 'shade' I'll be heading for this week! It's still on the 'must see' list for my Solent Events on Tour clients, so as usual .... watch this space! No doubt there will be more photos to come ....
www.solentevents.co.uk
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It's not every day you go somewhere and don't know where you're going, but today was one of those days for 43 excited clients - with our Solent Events Summer Mystery Tour! They're so popular, it's the second one this year! Not one person guessed that we would end up at the fascinating and actually pretty famous, CHAVENAGE HOUSE near Tetbury, for morning coffee & biscuits, a guided tour by the resident family and lunch with wine in the ballroom! This little gem of a place is d...escribed as an 'Elizabethan Jewel in the Cotswolds' and it certainly was ...... You may have seen the house featured in Poldark, 2015-date - Cornwall in the Cotswolds!; Tess of the D'Urbervilles 2008; Dracula 2006 mobie The House of Eliott 1991-1994 and are you being served which have all been filmed at Chavenage and a means of 'keeping the place going'! With tales of Cromwell and of ghosts, secret D-Day plans for Omaha Beach with house guest Eisenhower and numerous photos depicting their lineage to Royalty, Caroline and brother George Lowsley-Williams presented their beautiful medieval Manor house with such passion and humour, that everyone was in stitches most of the time. They may be classed as eccentric, but they are one of the most delightful families we have met. It was a real pleasure to be in their company for the best part of a day. Having been owned by just two families since 1564, there was so much personal and National history we were all mesmerised. Even the downpours did not spoil the day as we were indoors! Our next 'Mystery' stop was Bath; somewhere many clients had 'guessed wrongly' in the past! The sun came out, our guide was waiting and we has a wonderful orientation and short walking tour of the beautiful city - the Royal Crescent, Brunel's Arches, The Assembly Rooms, The Circus and Terrace Walk, ending up at the famous Sally Dunn's Tearoom for their truly delicious Bunn Cream Tea. It was like going into 'granny's' house - up 2 and 3 floors via a narrow winding staircase. Definitely worth it though! So .... where shall we go on our next Magical Mystery Tour ...... ? Who knows? I certainly don't! But be sure to watch the website and emails for a date .... www.solentevents.co.uk
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Just TWO places left for the Solent Events GRAND TOUR of INDIA …. See the TAJ MAHAL at sunrise plus BANGALORE, RANTHAMBORE TIGER SAFARI, KERALA, MUMBAI and lots more!
30 October 2019 19-days It was so good in 2013, we're going again! Have a peep at some of our photos below ...
... FANTASTIC VALUE! Only £3,149pp (Max 20 passengers) Only 2 places left on this fantastic, hassle-free, once-in-a-lifetime, Grand Tour of India - exclusively for Solent Events on Tour
This fantastic price includes SO MUCH …. Luxury Return Coach London Heathrow Airport Only FOUR local pick-ups; Airport Lounge; Travel Treats Direct flights with Virgin Atlantic; Internal Flights, Train & Boat transport; 5* & 4* Hotels throughout tour; Half-board tariff; All excursions as per itinerary; Tour Manager Solent Events Escort; Deposit only £350pp
CHECK OUT THE FULL DETAILS & ITINERARY TODAY on our website: www.solentevents.co.uk/india
ATOL, ABTA, IATA For your peace of mind and financial protection, this tour is fully bonded by Wendy Wu Tours
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS ……...
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THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A HASSLE-FREE, GREAT VALUE, THEATRE TRIP TO LONDON with BEST SEATS as standard! AND SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Luxury Executive coach ……. only 4 local pick-ups.... straight up to central London ……. drop off near theatre …… free time for shopping, lunch, sight-seeing ……. BEST matinee seats …….. time for evening meal …… straight home …….. PLUS ……. for the perfect end to the perfect day, we serve you a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink & nibbles on the way home ……! What more could you ask for! So don't keep this a secret ……. share with all your friends …..! ON YOUR FEET; MATILDA (August); TINA TURNER; MOUSETRAP; THE ILLUSIONISTS; CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

That's it! Finito! We're on our way back from Italy and the hot sun, to a rainy UK - on the M25 at least .... We were so sad to leave the Camile family in Portica di Romagna this morning, as they had made our week just perfect with their hospitality, kindness and humour. Our last day was spent in the beautiful city of Bologna for some sight-seeing, shopping and a last pizza/pasta lunch, before heading off to the airport for our 6.50pm flight home. So here are some more photos... showing what we've been up to over the last few days ..... cooking, painting, river paddling, visits to markets, cheese makers, a violin maker, a 'volcano' and Bologna, plus partying with the locals, and collecting our end of week class certificates! So next year is booked - same place, same great holiday and of course, the same incredible hospitality from the Camile family at the Al Vecchio Convento - Sunday 07 to Sunday 14 June. If you're interested, let us know and watch out for details on our website ...... www.solentevents.co.uk
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Cannot believe this is our last night in Italy before flying home from Bologna tomorrow evening! Portico di Romagna in the Appenine Hills 9f Emilia-Romagna has been the perfect location for our Real Italy Experience and the past 7 days have just flown by. Besides the delicious recipes cooked by our budding chefs, we have also gone truffle hunting, visited a private local winery, a cheese factory, a violin maker in the village of Dovadole, mosaics in Ravenna and the markets in Forli. We mixed with locals for an evening of cuisine, song and dance at the hotel garden party and have cooled down in the nearby river and waterfall! With such a wonderful week of memories here in Italy, we cannot wait to come back next year from 14-21 June! www.solentevents.co.uk

It's unanimous! "Adoriamo l'italia"! We LOVE Italy!! Especially here in Emilia-Romagna! From the homemade breakfast in the 'cellar' to cooking in the kitchen and painting or learning the lingo in the village - not to mention the Truffle Hunting in the hills & forest this afternoon - it's been the most fantastico day! Here are a few photos to whet your appetite .... because you never know, YOU may want to join us next year ..... www.solentevents.co.uk/an-italian-experie nce

We're here!! And it's VERY hot! After a rather hectic start this morning - because we happened to experience everone's worst nightmare! No taxi! Our 'Busters Taxi' did not turn up at 3am as booked - even after reand checking last night!! Grrr! So it was a quick think and an even quicker loading of my little Kia Picanto car resulting in a frantic shuttle service for 3 separate clients in Alverstoke. Thankfully we were all at Stokes Bay as the coach turned up. Phew! Needless ...to say, I shan't be using ''BustersTaxis' again!
The roads were empty, the sun rose majestically en route and we were able to relax with a welcome breakfast and complimentary glass of Prosecco in the Aspire airport lounge at Heathrow. Just perfect! The heat hit as the plane doors opened in Bologna and now we"re on our 1.1/2 hour transfer to Portico di Romagna and our little village hotel. Lunch awaits!
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The good thing about an early flight is a beautiful sunrise! At last we're off to LHR for our flight to Bologna and an 8-day Italian Cookery school holiday. We'll keep you posted throughout our week in Portico Romagna ........

Q. Guess where this is? A. Stokes Bay Gosport - DDay 75 ..... Looks a bit like the Med on a busy day!

Just one more sleep before we start our Italian Cookery School in Italy! We'll be learning to cook and sampling some of the most authentic Italian cuisine at the Al Vecchio Convento family hotel in Emilia Romagna - the culinary region of Northern Italy, so better not get on the scales just yet!!! Some will be sketching and painting and others, including me, will be trying to grasp some Italiano language!

Only 2 & 1/2 sleeps before 17 of our potential, budding masterchefs, artists and linguists, jet off to Italy for 8-days of Italian Cuisine, Italian Culture and Italian living and learning - all in the sun. Unadulterated heaven! 😎
Looking ahead ..... Although our Sardinia tour is already full for September, for next year we still have places in March to Spain - Barcelona City Break, in April to beautiful Montenegro & in May for our HIDDEN ITALY TOUR (The Imagna Valley & Lak...e Como!). Have some fun, make new friends and holiday with a bit of luxury - without the hassle! Come on your own, as a couple, with a friend or as a small group. You'll be glad you did!
Check out the full details, secure your place online or on the phone TODAY! www.solentevents.co.uk/tours
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A wonderful weekend in Wales was marred by the sad new that our very special South African Tour Guide, Charles, has just passed away after a short illness. Charles was a really lovely man, who thrived on his friendly personality and great sense of humour. I am sure he will be sadly missed in the SA Travel Industry and this news will also sadden the hearts of everyone who joined Solent Events last October for a fantastic 21-day tour of South Africa. RIP.

We had the most wonderful 4-days here in Wales last month as a group and our fantastic Welsh coach driver, Nigel. I'm back here again to recce a completely different area - Monmouth. Rolling hills and green valleys; tumbling rivers and sleepy villages; castles and follies full of history - this beautiful part of Wales has it all! We'll be back!
See what tours and holidays we currently have on offer for 2019 & 2020 at:... www.solentevents.co.uk/tours
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Beautiful Barcelona! Never been? Want to go? Then why not come with us for a fantastic 4-day city break next March! ... Come on your own, with a partne or friend - or as a small group ..... all YOU have to do is PACK!! www.solentevents.co.uk/barcelona OR contact us on 023 9250 1803 Email: info@solentevents.co.uk
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY!
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AS WE ARE STILL A VERY PERSONAL, CARING LOCAL TRAVEL COMPANY, I THOUGHT I SHOULD REMIND YOU THAT OUR EARLYBIRD PRICE FOR THIS AMAZING ITALIAN TOUR ENDS TONIGHT!
SAVE £s and join Solent Events in May 2020 on our exclusive tour to Italy's stunningly beautiful, Imagna Valley & Lake Como ...... 7 days - fully escorted - Sunday 17 May 2020... FANTASTIC VALUE - SELLING FAST - AS USUAL! All transport, airport lounge, scheduled flights, half-board, all excursions, cheese & wine tasting, traditional lunch, cooking class, guides, fully escorted from Gosport! www.solentevents.co.uk/hidden-italy
AND ......
AMAZINGLY, WE ONLY HAVE TWO CABINS LEFT (twin/double ) on our SPECTACULAR ALL-INCLUSIVE 'DOURO RIVER CRUISE' in September 2020, so grab one of them TODAY! www,solentevents.co.uk/douro-river-cruise
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Our Privilege Club Members have been celebrating a special 10th Anniversary today! It may have been a bit grey this mornimg, but it was soon perked up and was lovely where we were! With a celebratory glass of Bucks Fizz en route, we were soon taking in the splendour of the New Forest with spectacular displays of pink, red, yellow and lemon Rhododendrons, numerous donkeys, ponies and squirrels right next to us! We were also surprised to see Llamas before arriving at our speci...al lunch venue - Rhinefield House Hotel - located in the heart of the New Forest at Brockenhurst, at the end of the famous Ornamental Drive. It was so lovely to get into the countryside for a change ..... and with a delicious 3-course lunch, friendly staff, a wonderful venue (with croquet on the lawn no less!) and a special Pen 'n' Pad keepsake for everyone, it really was a fitting celebration for 10 years of fun ..... and 49 different lunches around our area! Thank you so much to all members of the Solent Events Privilege Club for your unstinting support over the last 10 years .... and some from the very beginning .... 28 years ago! Www.solentevents.co uk/privilege-club-members-luncheon
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