A Plantagenet Discoveries tour goes far beyond simply visiting historical sites. Each itinerary follows a particular story or period of history, bringing together the places, people and events that help us understand how that story unfolded.

Along the way, we also visit some wonderful historic locations that may sit beyond the main theme, and there is plenty of opportunity for discussion, trivia, a little friendly competition and the occasional guest speaker. It all adds to the experience and gives us plenty to talk about as we travel.

The aim is to give you more than a collection of places you've visited. By the end of the journey, I want you to understand how the pieces fit together, to know the people behind the history a little better, and to come home with stories and memories that stay with you.

Each tour is limited to a maximum of 20 guests. This allows us to get to know one another as we travel, share our love of history, and enjoy a more personal experience at the places we visit.

Absolutely! Many of our guests travel with us on their own, including some who are taking their very first solo trip. Our tours are designed to make everyone feel welcome and included, with plenty of opportunities to get to know others who share your interest in history. You may arrive on your own, but you'll soon find yourself part of the group.

Yes, a single supplement applies for solo travellers and ensures you have your own private room throughout the tour. Solo travellers are allocated the same standard of room as guests travelling on a twin-share basis. We do not allocate lower-grade rooms simply because you are travelling on your own.

You’ll find full details of what is included in each journey in the Tour Inclusions section of our Tours page.

Flights are not included in the tour price. Our guests travel from many different parts of the world, often with their own travel plans before or after joining us, so arranging your own flights gives you the flexibility to choose the itinerary and airline that best suits you.

Airport transfers are not included in the tour price, as our guests arrive at different times and often from different destinations. In many cases, public transport is the simplest way to reach your hotel, and I'm very happy to provide guidance on the options available. If you'd prefer a private airport transfer, I can also arrange this for you at an additional cost.

Yes! If you'd like to arrive a little earlier or stay on after the tour, I can arrange additional accommodation for you. Well before we travel, I'll send you the available options and prices so you can decide what suits your plans. Once you've confirmed what you'd like, I'll include the additional accommodation on your final invoice, so everything is organised and taken care of long before your journey begins.

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is a requirement for joining our tours. We recommend having a minimum of US $250,000 cover for each of personal accident, death, medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation. It’s also a good idea to make sure your policy covers trip cancellation, lost luggage and other unexpected travel disruptions.

• Passport: A valid passport is required for international travellers.

• Visa for France: Visa and entry requirements vary according to your nationality and individual circumstances. Please check the current requirements that apply to you before travelling.

• Visa for the UK: You may require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or visa to enter the UK, depending on your nationality and circumstances. You can check the current requirements and apply through the official UK Government website.

We want every guest to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Due to the historic nature of many of the places we visit, some sites may involve uneven ground, steep or narrow stairs, extended periods of walking or standing, and limited accessibility.

If you have any mobility, accessibility or other requirements that may affect your participation, please contact me before booking. I'm very happy to talk through the itinerary with you and discuss what may be possible so you can make an informed decision about whether the tour is suitable for you.

You don't need to be particularly fit to enjoy our tours, but you do need to be comfortable spending time on your feet and walking reasonable distances. Many of the historic places we visit have uneven ground, cobbled streets and stairs, and occasionally there may be a bit of a climb involved. We travel at a comfortable pace and there are opportunities to rest along the way. If you're unsure whether a particular tour will suit you, please get in touch and we can talk through the itinerary together.

Yes! Before your tour, you'll receive a comprehensive Customer Handbook, available in either hard copy or digital format. It includes your detailed itinerary, accommodation information, practical travel advice and historical background to many of the people and places you'll encounter along the way.

Absolutely! I'm always happy to talk with you before you book, whether you have questions about a particular tour, want to know what travelling with us is like, or simply want to make sure it's the right fit for you. You can schedule a call with me here, and enjoy the increasingly rare experience of speaking with a real person in our tech-driven world!

We understand that plans can sometimes change. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for full details about cancellations and changes to your booking.

Not at all! You don't need to arrive with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Plantagenets, or even know very much about the particular story we're exploring. That's part of the pleasure of travelling together. Between our knowledgeable guides, the stories I share along the way, and the interests and knowledge of fellow travellers, we all learn an incredible amount from one another. There's also plenty to enjoy in the places we visit beyond the history itself. Who knows? You may even discover a new passion!

If you've found a tour you'd love to join, simply send me an email and let me know which journey you're interested in. I'll reply personally, answer any questions you may have and guide you through the booking process. There's no complicated online booking system, and you don't need to have everything figured out before you get in touch. We'll take it one step at a time together.

Email Max to get started

Absolutely. I understand that a tour is a significant investment, so we offer monthly payment plans to make it easier to spread the cost over time. After your deposit has been paid, the remaining balance can be divided into monthly payments, with the final payment due 90 days before your tour begins.

There’s no additional fee for choosing a payment plan, and we’ll agree on the payment schedule with you beforehand so you know exactly what to expect. You’ll receive an invoice each month for the agreed amount, rather than having to remember when a payment is due.

If a payment plan would make your journey a little easier to manage, just let me know when you book and I’ll be very happy to arrange one for you.

I’ll be there with you throughout the journey. As the founder of Plantagenet Discoveries, I personally host every tour and am there to make sure everything runs smoothly, answer questions and, of course, share in the history and experiences along the way. We’re also joined by knowledgeable local guides who bring their own expertise and wonderful insight into the places we visit.

You don't need to worry about speaking the local language. Our local guides are fluent in the language of the destination and can help with communication while they're with us. When we're not with a guide, I'll always do my best to help if you run into any difficulties. Part of my role is making sure you feel supported throughout the journey.

If something unexpected happens during the tour, I'll be there to help. I personally travel with every group and am available throughout the journey if you become unwell, have an emergency or simply find yourself dealing with something you weren't expecting.

I'll help you work through the situation, access local assistance where needed and make sure you understand what your options are. I also carry the relevant emergency and local contact information with me throughout the tour. While I can't prevent the unexpected from happening, you won't be left to navigate it on your own.

If you become unwell during the tour, please let me know. I'll do what I can to make you comfortable and help you access medical care or other assistance if you need it.

We also ask everyone to be considerate of their fellow travellers if they're feeling unwell. Our coaches generally have spare seats available, so where possible you may be able to give yourself a little more space while travelling. Depending on the circumstances, simple precautions such as wearing a mask or limiting close contact with others can also help protect the rest of the group.

Most importantly, if you're not feeling well, you don't need to simply struggle through the day. Come and talk to me and we'll work out what you need.

I carefully select the accommodation for each tour, with most stays in four-star hotels and, wherever possible, properties that add something special to the journey. That might mean a historic building, a wonderful location, or simply somewhere that I know will be comfortable and welcoming at the end of the day.

Occasionally, the location itself means accommodation choices are more limited. For example, staying overnight on Mont Saint-Michel is such a special part of our Plantagenets in France journey that I choose the experience of being on the island over a higher hotel rating.

Most of our travelling is by modern, air-conditioned coach, giving us the comfort and flexibility to reach the historic places on our itinerary. Depending on the journey, we may also travel by train, including first-class rail travel where specified in the itinerary. I choose the transport for each journey with both comfort and the experience itself in mind.

Food is very much part of the travel experience. Our included group dinners are usually three courses, with opportunities to enjoy local dishes and regional specialties along the way. On days when meals aren't included, you'll have the freedom to discover local cafés, patisseries and restaurants for yourself, and I'm always happy to offer suggestions.

Scheduled group dinners are included in the tour price (drinks are extra unless otherwise specified). They're a lovely opportunity to relax at the end of the day, enjoy a meal together and talk about everything we've seen and experienced. They're often some of the most enjoyable evenings of the journey, with plenty of conversation and laughter around the table.

Yes! We make regular comfort stops while we're travelling, giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs, use the facilities and grab a drink or snack if they'd like one. I know that spending long periods on a coach isn't enjoyable for anyone, so I make sure there are sensible breaks built into our travelling days.

Every day is a little different, depending on where the journey takes us. Some days include several historical sites, while others give us more time to explore one particular place. I build the itineraries to allow time to enjoy where we are, rather than simply rushing from one location to the next, and there is usually some free time along the way to explore at your own pace.

You'll find the full day-by-day itinerary on each individual tour page, so you can see exactly what we've planned before deciding which journey is right for you.

Yes. Wi-Fi is available at the hotels we use, and our coaches may also have charging points available while we're travelling. I carry a power bank with me for those occasional emergencies too. Before you travel, you'll receive a detailed General Information document covering practical things such as power adaptors, staying connected and using your devices in England or France, so you'll know what to bring and what to expect.

Tipping is not mandatory in the UK or France, and you should never feel obliged to leave a tip. If you've received particularly good service and would like to show your appreciation, a tip is always welcomed, but the amount is entirely at your discretion.

I know tipping customs can be confusing, particularly when you're travelling somewhere with different expectations from those at home. Before and during the tour, I'm very happy to offer guidance about local customs for restaurants, guides, drivers and other services, so please feel free to ask. There is never any expectation that you should tip simply because you're travelling with us.

Absolutely! While there is plenty for us to enjoy together, I also make sure there is free time built into the itinerary. It gives you the chance to wander, visit somewhere that has caught your interest, do a little shopping, find a café, or simply take some time for yourself. How you spend that time is completely up to you.

Comfort is definitely the priority! I recommend packing clothes that you can layer, as the weather in England and France can be wonderfully unpredictable, particularly in spring and autumn. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and it's always worth having something waterproof close at hand.

For more practical packing advice, have a look at Deb’s Ultimate Packing List. It's full of useful tips to help you decide what to bring without packing half your wardrobe!

To give you an idea of what to expect, you'll also find average spring and autumn temperatures for England and France below.

England

• Spring (Mar, Apr, May)

  • London - 7°C-15°C

  • Sth England - 6°C-14°C

  • Midlands - 5°C-13°C

  • Nth England - 4°C-11°C

• Autumn (Sep, Oct, Nov)

  • London - 9°C-15°C

  • Sth England - 8°C-15°C

  • Midlands - 7°C-13°C

  • Nth England - 6°C-12°C

France

• Spring (Mar, Apr, May)

  • Paris - 10°C-20°C

  • Loire Valley - 11°C-22°C

  • Bordeaux - 9°C-19°C

  • Sth France - 12°C-23°C

• Autumn (Sep, Oct, Nov)

  • Paris - 10°C-17°C

  • Loire Valley - 12°C-21°C

  • Bordeaux - 9°C-18°C

  • Sth France - 12°C-22°C