FANTASTIC 6 DAY WILDLIFE DISCOVERY BREAK
ITINERARY
Here is what you can expect on each day of this exceptional break. Timings and content may be subject to change owing to availability and you will be advised of these prior to commencement of the trip whenever possible.
Day 1: Arrive Alderney (D)
Arriving in Alderney, you will be collected from the airport/ferry terminal and transferred to LA VILLE HOTEL in St Anne to begin your 5 night stay.
- Afternoon MEET & GREET reception with an EVENING MEAL in the charming restaurant.
Day 2: At Leisure (B)
This is your chance to explore the lovely capital of ST ANNE and its delightful church, museum, shopping and restaurants or perhaps take one of our optional excursions.
Day 3: Wildlife Excursion (B)
Your Wildlife Tour begins with collection from your hotel after a hearty breakfast.
- First stop is the ALDERNEY BIRD OBSERVATORY where you will spend time learning about the valuable work done by the ABO in recording and ringing the many thousands of birds both resident and migratory that are found on Aldenrney.
- Next is a visit to LONGIS NATURE RESERVE and the Naturetrek hide to give you an up close bird watching experience.
- Finally you are taken on some of the many COASTAL WALKS taking in views of all of the other Channel Islands and the wonderful variety of wildflowers and butterflies along a stretch popular with Grey Seals.
- Along the way there are also views of the offshore rocky islets to see the GANNET colonies on L‘Etac and BURHOU ISLAND, famous for its Puffin colony.
This tour is flexible and can be taken as either a full or half day’s duration.
Day 4: Round the Island Boat Trip & Night Safari (B)
Depending on the weather and tide times, after collection from your hotel you will be taken by luxury mini coach to join your vessel for the day, AVANTE.
- Begin your two and a half hour BOAT TRIP around ‘fortress Alderney’.
- From the sea you will get fantastic views of many of Alderneys iconic locations including THE NUNNERY, MATTEZ LIGHTHOUSE, LONGIS BAY NATURE RESERVE, the capital ST ANNE and its church, WWII fortifications including the imposing ODEON, and the VICTORIAN FORTIFICATIONS.
- For nature lovers you will get an up close view of the GANNET colonies on L’Etac and BURHOU ISLAND, home to Alderney’s Puffins.
- On your journey you may be lucky and sea the Atlantic Grey Seals and Bottlenose Dolphin that regularly put in appearance so make sure you take a camera along!
As the sun sets it’s time for your NIGHT SAFARI.
- After collection from your hotel you head out just ahead of dusk to the ALDERNEY BIRD OBSERVATORY MOTH TRAP where there is an opportunity to observe and learn about moth research.
- Next, using a state-of-the-art detector you take a glimpse into the world of bats. Alderney has both resident and migratory species and you will visit several well known locations to see then in their natural habitat.
- Lastly, you visit the haunts of the extraordinary ALDERNEY BLONDE HEDGEHOG and hear all about their intriguing story from the local expert who has been studying them for more than 10 years.
- On your trip you may occasionally encounter the magical Barn Owl out hunting for prey under the DARK SKIES before heading back to your hotel.
PLEASE NOTE: The wildlife you encounter can vary seasonably and elements of this tour are weather dependent.
Day 5: At Leisure (B)
Another chance to enjoy in the laid back Island atmosphere, join one of our optional excursions or take a trip on the ALDERNEY RAILWAY for more spectacular views of the Island.
Day 6: Check Out & Return(B)
Enjoy another great breakfast and take a final look at this magical isle before being transferred to the airport or ferry terminal for your return journey.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
Make the most of your visit to Alderney by adding these outstanding excursions to your holiday which must be booked at least 7 days before departure.
FULL ISLAND TOUR (optional on this holiday) from £ pp
This is a fantastic addition to any visit to the beautiful island of Alderney where you will get to see many of the outstanding highlights it has to offer. It can be taken over either a full or half day commencing after breakfast or lunch depending on your choice and availability. Throughout your tour, your local resident guide will impart local history facts and myths, identify, and bring to your attention a variety of wildlife and even throw in ghost stories and legends.
Your tour begins with collection from your hotel either by luxury mini coach or private car.
• Your first stop is THE NUNNERY which today is home of Britain’s most southerly bird observatory then on to MANNEZ LIGHTHOUSE where you can see the French coast just 8 miles away.
• Stop off at the beautiful fo ARCH BAY and SAYE BEACH before visiting the HAMMOND WAR MEMORIAL.
• En route you will see many of the VICTORIAN FORTIFICATIONS which underline the strategic importance of Alderney and reminders of the GERMAN OCCUPATION during WWII.
• For light relief there is a stop-over in ST ANNE, Alderney’s capital where you can enjoy some retail therapy in the delightful boutiques, visit the ALDERNEY MUSEUM or just take a well earned break in the numerous bars and restaurants on Victoria Street
• As a final treat you will get to ride the ALDERNEY RAILWAY for more spectacular views of the Island.
Finally it’s back to your hotel and more of that famous Alderney hospitality.
WWII HERITAGE TOUR (optional on this holiday) from £ pp
This tour is perfect for anyone interested in the part played by Alderney during the Second World War and your guide John Horton has fantastic local of knowledge so you won’t miss a thing.
Your tour starts with collection from your hotel.
• First stop is a fully restored KUBELWAGEN JEEP the workhorse of the Occupying forces.
• Then it is on to see some of the GERMAN FORTIFICATIONS that were part of Hitler’s ‘Atlantic Wall’ strategy.
• Next stop is at the HAMMOND WAR MEMORIAL, a poignant reminder of Alderney’s recent past and then on to THE ODEON the massive concrete naval range finding tower.
• Your next stop is at THE NUNNERY, a Roman signal fort that was pressed into WWII use possibly as a chemical weapons store. It also houses Britain’s most southerly bird observatory.
• Finally you visit the GERMAN LABOUR CAMPS, perhaps the starkest reminders of the cruelty of war.
• For light relief there is a stop-over in ST ANNE, Alderney’s capital where you can enjoy some retail therapy in the delightful boutiques, visit the ALDERNEY MUSEUM or just take a well earned break in the numerous bars and restaurants on Victoria Street
Along the way your guide will point out other places of interest including sites of crashed Spitfires and other hidden gems.
Your Expert Guide: John Horton
Your tour guide for all excursions is John Horton who is the warden of the British Isles’ newest bird observatory on Alderney and who featured on BBC Countryfile in this role in the spring of 2016. He moved to Alderney in 2016 taking a career break from the Metropolitan police service where he served as a Wildlife crimes investigator since 2002. After establishing The Channel Islands first bird observatory researching bird migration, he began leading specialist wildlife holidays to the island and has become an expert naturalist so you won’t miss a thing.
Key to meals included daily:
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Some of the daily arrangements may be subject to change due to local conditions or availability, clients will be advised of any changes prior to commencement of the tour whenever possible.
Livingstone’s Travel World is an independent travel agency and organiser of small group tours and breaks.
The carefully planned itineraries are for adults who we consider being like-minded discerning travelers. Even though some itineraries might appear to be full-on, they are at an unhurried pace offering ample opportunity to take in the amazing sights, sounds, and culture in the regions being visited. Group sizes vary from 4-12, depending on demand, but whatever the group size, escorted by a driver guide.
At the start of every tour and break there is a designated “meeting point” with a ” Meet & Greet” service which is usually the first night hotel, not available on event only packages. The Hotels are primarily four and five-star, but sometimes because of the location of an event or attraction, it must be the best available option. Where a stopover of more than one night occurs, clients, if they so choose can spend the second day under their own arrangements.
From enquiry to delivery all bookings are supported by our old-fashion valued customer service. If you have any type of holiday in mind, call us first on 020 7118 2110, if local come in see us, or use our contact form.