Daish’s GTO Weekend in Bournemouth April 8th-11th 2011,
Our latest GTO weekend was yet again blessed with stunning, sunny weather, as over 100 GTOs spent three days getting to know the Sands Hotel, the resort and the surrounding area. Most arrived early, taking advantage of the sunshine to stroll along the beach into town, before the weekend programme started with a sherry reception, welcome from Julia and Mark Smith, Director of Bournemouth Tourism, dinner, and an evening’s entertainment provided by Sand’s regulars Laura and Pau Shiner.
On Saturday, there were two full day excursion options, with the majority opting for the Blue-Badge guide led West Dorset tour. This began with a short trip across the Sandbanks Ferry, a drive through Studland, Swanage, Corfe village and Wareham, before a visit to the Bovington Tank Museum. The museum’s director and curator took guests on a fascinating and informative tour through the exhibits, including the newly opened Afghanistan section. This visit was followed by a short stop at T.E.Lawrence’s nearby house at Cloud’s Hill (National Trust volunteers kept the group spellbound with details from his amazing life). After some free time in Dorchester, the final stop of the day was at the Martyr’s Museum at Tolpuddle, before the 30 minute drive back to the hotel. The second option went to Marwell Zoo and Wildlife Park, followed by a trip to Portsmouth including a tour of the Historic Dockyard, and time in the waterfront retail park at Gunwharf Quay.
On Sunday there were two half-day options; two coaches went to the magnificent Exbury Gardens, where the rhododendrons were in full bloom; a trip on the garden’s steam railway was followed by a short visit to Buckler’s Hard.
As usual, the weekend included an afternoon presentation by Daish’s managers and key partners, including Bournemouth Tourism and Towergate Insurers.
The restaurant laid on a gala dinner, after which the weekend was rounded off by some great entertainment, featuring Mark Summers as a young (and gorgeous?) Elvis Presley.
And the sun was still shining on Monday morning as everyone left.
“This was my first experience of the Daish’s product and it was clear from this visit and comments from other group organisers who knew the other hotels that this is a company that really understands the needs of the group organiser. We all learnt a lot about the area and picked up lots of tips for different types of group. Everything was well organised, the staff friendly, relaxed and helpful, the entertainment excellent, and the food, like the weather, hot throughout!”
