About Vintage Tours
INTRODUCTION
Vintage Tours was originally founded by John Woodhams in 1987 to operate occasional tours with restored vintage motor coaches, and although this still forms part of the operation, we also offer a small programme of rail based continental touring holidays. The programme has deliberately remained small, so that virtually all tours are personally escorted by John. Apart from our own tours, the vintage coaches are also available for hire for weddings and other special occasions.
Our selection of European holidays offer a unique blend of railway travel, (travelling from London by Eurostar) plus veteran steamships and occasionally a vintage or classic bus. We would stress that you do not have to be a transport enthusiast to enjoy our tours, as the itineraries normally take in particularly scenic areas and historic towns. Tours normally run with between 15 and 25 group members, many of whom have been travelling with us for a number of years, and comprise ladies and gentlemen in roughly equal numbers. We aim to enjoy a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere, with a degree of flexibility so that you do not have to remain with the group all the time if you wish to explore on your own.
Vintage Tours was originally founded by John Woodhams in 1987 to operate occasional tours with restored vintage motor coaches, and although this still forms part of the operation, we also offer a small programme of rail based continental touring holidays. The programme has deliberately remained small, so that virtually all tours are personally escorted by John. Apart from our own tours, the vintage coaches are also available for hire for weddings and other special occasions.
We offer a series of special weekend and longer four or five day tours using a vintage coach, perhaps featuring a steam hauled luxury Pullman dining train or even a cruise aboard a Victorian steam yacht, and usually at least one tour each year has a garden theme.
Although Isle of Wight based, our vintage coach tours usually pick up in Portsmouth, or for tours heading west, at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, both of which are convenient for rail connections from London and other areas. Tours also pick up en route by arrangement.
Our selection of European holidays offer a unique blend of railway travel, (travelling from London by Eurostar) plus veteran steamships and occasionally a vintage or classic bus. We would stress that you do not have to be a transport enthusiast to enjoy our tours, as the itineraries normally take in particularly scenic areas and historic towns. Tours normally run with between 15 and 25 group members, many of whom have been travelling with us for a number of years, and comprise ladies and gentlemen in roughly equal numbers. We aim to enjoy a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere, with a degree of flexibility so that you do not have to remain with the group all the time if you wish to explore on your own.
We have now added tour details for 2010, although one or two further tours will be planned for late summer / autumn and will be added shortly.
If you would like to try a break with a difference, we hope you might be tempted to join us - either a gentle weekend ambling along country lanes 1930s style, or by high speed train across Europe. We do not yet have an online booking facility, but please telephone or email if you have any questions.
Time warp - our 1937 Bedford coach poses by the period garage petrol pumps at Colyford, Devon