2001 Southern England + London Theatre Extension

Join us on a classic 17-day tour through Southern England, the “Land of Heritage,” with just a touch of Wales. Our leisurely meanderings through the beautiful English countryside will include stately historic homes, beachside resorts, ancient monuments, smugglers coves, legendary castles and abbeys, grassy moors, enchanted forests, and quaint fishing villages throughout the Cotswolds, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent. We will also spend a day touring the mystical and medieval Welsh city of Cardiff. Dates: August 28 to September 13, 2001 - 17 days Cost: $4885.00 Tour Schedule Day 1 Depart U.S.A.   Fly from JFK International Airport, via British Airways, to jolly old England. Day 2 Arrive London   Upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, we transfer to our hotel. Tonight we get acquainted at a cocktail reception and Welcome Dinner. Hotel: Radisson Edwardian Hotel Meal(s): , Dinner Day 3 London-Bristol   After breakfast, we depart for the “City of Dreaming Spires,” Oxford, and explore this town of colleges, chapels and gargoyles. After lunch we meander the Cotswolds where rural England unfolds before us like a storybook. This afternoon we arrive in Bristol. Hotel: Swallow Royal Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast Day 4 Bristol   Bristol Blue Crystal Today we tour another of England’s university cities, Bristol. We’ll see Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the beautiful Avon Gorge, the SS Great Britain, Bristol Cathedral and the historic harbor. Hotel: Swallow Royal Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner  Our introduction to England is a special invitation to dinner and bridge at the Bristol Bridge Club. There will be fun for everyone! Day 5 Bristol   We’ll enjoy a hint of Wales today as we travel through glorious scenery to Cardiff. Our tour includes the civic buildings, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Castle and a traditional Welsh evening with dinner entertainment. Hotel: Swallow Royal Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  This afternoon we join the players of Southern Wales for our only bridge session in this historic country. Bridge officials in Cardiff have arranged a lovely afternoon of lunch and bridge. Day 6 Bristol   This morning we depart for the magnificent Georgian city of Bath. We’ll see the Royal Crescent, Roman Baths and Pump Rooms, and the Bath Abbey. After lunch, we depart for Cheddar to see the Showcaves and Chewton Cheese Dairy. Hotel: Swallow Royal Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast Day 7 Bristol-Plymouth   Traveling in the direction of the English Riviera, we make stops at Dunster Castle and Lynton’s remarkable water operated railway. We continue on to County Devon where we visit the Dartington Crystal Factory and Tavistock Trout Farm and finally stop to enjoy a traditional Devon Cream at a local teahouse. Hotel: Plymouth Hoe Moat House Meal(s): Breakfast Day 8 Plymouth   Cornwall's southern coast A leisurely morning before we depart for a tour of Dartmoor National Park including a scenic steam train ride to Buckfastleigh, Buckfast Abbey, Buckland Abbey, the Church House of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, and the prehistoric settlement of Grimspund. Hotel: Plymouth Hoe Moat House Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 Plymouth   Today we’ll orient ourselves in Plymouth, visiting the Barbican, the Mayflower Steps, Island House, Elizabethan House, and the Plymouth Gin Distillery. This afternoon we embark on a harbor cruise. Hotel: Plymouth Hoe Moat House Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch  Enjoy the hospitality of County Devon as we join the Plymouth Bridge Club for a social evening of dinner and duplicate. Hmmm, I’d sure like another Devon Cream! Day 10 Plymouth   Saint Michael's Mount Today we will jaunt to the southern tip of England, County Cornwall. Our stops include the Looe Discovery Center, St. Michael’s Mount, St. Ives, and Tintagel Castle. A special pub lunch is included. Hotel: Plymouth Hoe Moat House Meal(s): Breakfast Day 11 Plymouth-Southampton   Taking the coastal route, we arrive at Salisbury to tour England's most famous cathedral. Continuing on, we pass by Stonehenge and learn about the importance of this great Neolithic sight. Tonight is free in Southampton. Hotel: De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast Day 12 Southampton   Today will be a historically oriented adventure as we visit the important sites in Portsmouth including the Royal Naval Museum, the D-Day Museum, the HMS Victory, and the Mary Rose Hall and Exhibit. Hotel: De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch  Enjoy the gracious hospitality of the Portsmouth Brits as we join them for a social afternoon of lunch and duplicate. Day 13 Southampton   Boarding the Wightlink ferryboat, we cruise to the Isle of Wight. Here we visit Osborne House and the bustling market town of Newport. Hotel: De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner  The players of Southampton have made special arrangements for us to join them for a delightful evening of English fare and social bridge. Day 14 Southampton-Eastbourne   The Beachy Lighthouse - Eastbourne Again taking the coastal route east we arrive in Brighton and visit the Royal Pavilion, built as a weekend retreat for King George IV. Free time for shopping at the Lanes, a street filled with antique and craft stalls. Hotel: Grand Hotel Eastbourne Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner  Enjoy our final session of duplicate this evening by taking part in a night of dinner, bridge and merriment at the very famous Brighton Bridge Club. Day 15 Eastbourne   Our day's excursion will first take us to Dover to see the White Cliffs and the Roman Painted House. After a short drive to Canterbury, the home of the English Church, we visit Canterbury Cathedral and the Canterbury Tales Visitors Attraction. Hotel: Grand Hotel Eastbourne Meal(s): Breakfast Day 16 Eastbourne   Canterbury Cathedral Medieval history will be our focus today as we tour “1066 Country.” Our visits include Battle Abbey, Hastings Castle and the Hastings Embroidery. Tonight we bid a fond and final Cheerio at our Gala Farewell Cocktail Reception and Dinner. Hotel: Grand Hotel Eastbourne Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner Day 17 Eastbourne - U.S.A.   For those not continuing to London, your visit concludes today as you transfer to London's Gatwick Airport for your flight home. Meal(s): Breakfast Your 17-Day Package Includes  Round trip air transportation via British Airways from JFK International  Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation  First Class and Deluxe hotel accommodations  25 meals: 15 full English breakfasts, 3 lunches and 7 dinners.  Professionally guided sightseeing throughout; all entry fees included  Airport transfers, porterage, and hotel service charges  6 sessions of bridge, including games with locals in Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Brighton  ACBL masterpoints in all games. London Theatre Extension (optional) September 13 to 15, 2001 (3 days) $670 There is no place like London for sensational musicals, comedies and great drama! What an entertaining and fun-filled way to end your tour of Southern England. Don’t miss this opportunity to combine some leisurely sightseeing on your own with a theatre foray in London. Your magnificent three-day package combines the following: Best available tickets to one major West End musical of your choice Best available tickets to one play (comedy or drama) of your choice Two nights accommodations at The Berners Hotel off Oxford Street Full English breakfast daily Airport transfers Hotel Porterage (Theater list available February 1st, 2001) Click here for a full-color brochure.