National Holidays - European Coach Holidays Brochure

National Holidays was a well-established UK coach holiday operator, originally formed in 1976 and later part of the Specialist Leisure Group alongside Shearings Holidays. Based in Northern England, the company built its reputation on affordable, fully-escorted European coach holidays that combined hotel accommodation, coach travel throughout, and an inclusive itinerary as standard features of every trip.

European Coach Holidays for Every Traveller

The National Holidays European programme offered a wide range of breaks running from 3 to 15 days, catering for first-time travellers and experienced explorers alike. Destinations spanned river cruises along the Rhine and Danube, capital city stays in Paris, Amsterdam, and Prague, and scenic routes through the lakes and mountains of Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Family favourites such as Disneyland Paris sat alongside special-event and motorsport breaks, including European Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends.

Departures Across Northern England

One of the practical strengths of the National Holidays model was its network of departure points across the North East of England, Yorkshire, and the North West. Travellers could join the coach close to home, removing the need to arrange separate transport to an airport or rail terminal. Friendly drivers, a hassle-free boarding process, and overnight hotel accommodation en route made longer European journeys accessible and comfortable.

What Was Included as Standard

Every European break included coach travel throughout the holiday, overnight hotel accommodation, and a structured itinerary so passengers knew what to expect at each stage. The inclusive format meant no hidden extras for the core experience, and pricing was positioned as sensational value for the duration and distance covered. Groups, friends travelling together, and couples looking for a romantic short break were all catered for within the same programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of European destination did National Holidays cover?

The programme included river cruises, capital city breaks (such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Prague), alpine scenery in Austria and Switzerland, Italian lakes, and Eastern European destinations. Special-event breaks, including Disneyland Paris and Formula 1 Grand Prix trips, were also part of the range.

How long were the European holidays?

Trips ranged from 3-day short breaks to full 15-day holidays, giving travellers flexibility to choose a duration that suited their schedule and budget.

What was included in the price?

Coach travel throughout, overnight hotel accommodation, and an inclusive itinerary were standard features of all European breaks. This bundled format meant the core holiday experience was covered within the advertised price.

Where could passengers join the coach?

National Holidays operated a network of departure points across the North East of England, Yorkshire, and the North West of England, allowing travellers to board close to home without arranging separate transport.

Who were these holidays suited to?

The programme was designed for solo travellers, groups, friends, and couples. Families were also catered for, with dedicated breaks such as Disneyland Paris available within the European range.

Is National Holidays still operating?

The original Specialist Leisure Group, which operated National Holidays alongside Shearings Holidays, entered administration in May 2020. The National Holidays brand was subsequently acquired by JG Travel Group. This brochure is archived and reflects an earlier edition of the European programme.

Note: this brochure is from our archive. Offers, prices, and availability shown in the original publication are no longer valid. Please contact current operators directly for up-to-date holiday options.