of England and Wales

Transcription

1 of England and Wales September 7 through 16, 2017 Private Visits with Britain s leading experts who breathe new life into Gardens, Castles, Forts, Follies and Cottages

2 Dear Friends, What do Helen Yemm, John Evetts, and Tony Russell all have in common? Well, in addition to being acclaimed experts on Great Britain s most important gardens and estates, they all have agreed to join us and share the wealth of their knowledge with the small group going on Connoisseurs Tours exclusive Colonial Dames UK Garden Tour! This trip is delightfully rich in what Connoisseurs does best: Private access to beautiful venues and privileged entry into grand manors and estates not usually open to the public; always accompanied by fascinating presentations from local experts, and interwoven with sumptuous meals, wines, and luxurious accommodations all along the way. Join your fellow Dames on this 10-day journey designed especially for you! We will visit Grand Manors and stay in country estates while we make our way through the rolling green hills of Hampshire and the ever-charming Cotswold region, then venture westward to explore wild and rustic Wales. In addition to the rich gardening culture, our group will also dive into Britain s interior restoration and literary history through the life of Jane Austen, accompanied by noted author and Blue Badge literary guide Harriet Graham. We will enjoy appearances by Helen Yemm, witty garden columnist for the London Telegraph; John Evetts, host of the television show Britain s Landmarks and Furnishing Manager for the Landmark Trust, overseeing 196 of Britain s most important buildings; and Tony Russell, master gardener and author of 16 books on Britain s flora, both wild and cultivated. We will also be accompanied throughout the tour by Emma Matthews, a Blue Badge guide who left her law career to share her love of Britain s history and culture with visitors like us! As we do on many of Connoisseurs Tours journeys, we are limiting access a small group of 28 likeminded and congenial travelers. Please contact us for more information now, so as not to miss this very special trip, and feel free to extend this invitation to friends with whom you would enjoy sharing the experience. Warmly, Kathryn Waller Savannah Town Committee Connoisseurs Tours

3 I T I N E R A R Y SEPTEMBER 6 - DEPART FOR LONDON SEPTEMBER 7 - ARRIVE IN LONDON The group assembles in London as we transition in comfort at the grand Kensington Hotel, a staple of London s ever-chic and elegant South Kensington neighborhood. Please let Connoisseurs know if you d like to arrive in London earlier for a longer stay before our tour begins; we happily can arrange private visits, guides, and special behind-the-scenes tours. We have additional rooms reserved for you at the Kensington for those who wish to arrive early. Dinner and reception together this evening. SEPTEMBER 8 - DEPART LONDON, Visit at Upton Grey Manor and Gardens, continue to Tylney Hall From London, we make our way to Upton Grey Manor and Gardens for a visit, where master gardener, Gertrude Jekyll designed the manor s gardens over a century ago. The manor s grounds lay untended for decades before owners, Rosamund and John Wallinger, revitalized the gardens to their former glory as Jekyll intended. We will spend time with Rosamund and John, two garden history experts and friends of our tour, as we explore Upton Grey. When describing the splendor of Upton Gardens, Geoff Hamilton, the host of BBC s Paradise Gardens shares, If there is some way that I could choose my eternal paradise, Upton Grey would be it. An English garden in summer filled with the soothing colour of flowers, heady with the perfume of roses and alive with the buzzing of insects and chattering of birds. We ll enjoy a delicious lunch before driving to the classic country estate and luxury hotel, Tylney Hall where we call home for the next three nights. This evening, we re excited to have the company of Helen Yemm, a master gardener who also writes the gardening column, Thorny Problems, for the London Telegraph. She ll dine and meet with us this evening in addition to being our companion and guide as we tour tomorrow s gardens. On this day breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. SEPTEMBER 9 - West Green Garden with Private Lunch Today, we are joined by wonderful writer and master gardener, Helen Yemm, as she guides us through one of Britian s most iconic gardens. In the morning, we ll depart from Tylney Hall, to indulge further in our journey through Hampshire s rich pastoral and horticultural heritage. The day begins with a tour of the West Green Garden. Created by acclaimed garden designer and writer, Marylyn Abbott, and situated in picturesque North Hampshire, it is one of England s finest manor house gardens, marrying traditional style with contemporary design. A magical garden As featured in The Telegraph s Best Walled Gardens to Visit and, as seen on BBC2 s Gardeners World and Best Bakes Ever. On this day breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. SEPTEMBER 10 - In the Footsteps of Jane Austen: Chawton and the Wilton House Today, we dive deep into the world of beloved Jane Austen, one of the most influential novelists of all time. As a treat, we re joined by author and Blue Badge literary guide, Mrs. Harriet Graham as she walks us through the life and historical resonance of Jane Austen. The day begins at Chawton, the last home of the author which remained in her family after her death in We tour the beautiful cottage and gardens

4 where Austen penned several of her later works while gaining a better understanding of her life and genius. In the afternoon, we venture to Salisbury to explore the regal Wilton House Estate, the site of several film adaptations of Austen s work, including Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Breakfast and dinner are included, and lunch is on our own. SEPTEMBER 12 - Hidcote Manor, Kiftsgate Court Gardens and Wormington Grange In the morning, we visit the historic and famous Hidcote Manor and Gardens. The manor neighbors Shakespeare s Stratford-upon-Avon and was designed by American-born Lawrence Johnston. The gardens, famous for their many rooms, remain a living embodiment of the Arts and Crafts Movement, a Modernist artistic and design movement that embraced aesthetic simplicity while rejecting bruteish industrialization. We then immerse ourselves in beautiful Kiftsgate Court, the creation of three generations of women gardeners and home of the SEPTEMBER 11 - The Dames visit Sulgrave Manor continue to Lygon Arms Hotel and High Tea Today, we re bound for the Cotswold region of south central England for a visit to venerable Sulgrave Kiftsgate Rose. We return to Broadway this afternoon to rest and meander through this charming village. This evening we ve been invited to hors d oeuvres and cocktails as guests of John Evetts and Ann Dowty at their lovely Cotswold home, Wormington Grange, where Evetts bases his interiors operation and his family has lived for over four generations. Today breakfast and a reception at Wormington Grange are included and we are free for lunch on our own as well as dinner in the charming village of Broadway. Manor. This manor is the ancestral home of George Washington. We will enjoy a private lunch and special lecture from an expert on the manor and Washington s life. After lunch, the head gardener will take us on a private insider s look at Sulgrave s lovely gardens. When we arrive at our hotel, the charming and historical Lygon Arms, we will unpack and relax. Breakfast and lunch are included as well as a high tea upon arrival at the Lygon Arms. Dinner tonight is on our own. SEPTEMBER 13 - Powis Castle to Conwy, Wales, Welsh Men s Choir Concert We depart Broadway and the Lygon Arms Hotel for Wales this day. On our way to the seaside community of Conwy, we ll make a stop at Powis Castle to indulge in its beauty and history as well as its striking gardens. What began as a medieval fortress, the castle evolved over centuries into a landmark of British history and heritage. From there, we complete our journey to Conwy where we ll stay at the luxurious and historic, Bodysgallen Hall and Spa. That night, we relax with

5 GLORIOUS GARDENS & GRAND ESTATES of ENGLAND and WALES September 7-16, 2017 grew wild until a recent restoration project revived the gardens to their previous beauty. Today breakfast and dinner are included and we are free for lunch on our own. SEPTEMBER 15 - Erddig and Chester On this day, we re bound for Erddig, a fascinating National Trust site with bountiful gardens and a rich history. The 1,200 acre estate was home to the Yorke family for three centuries. We ll explore the home and gardens and learn about the lives of both the Yorke dinner on our own and enjoy the artistry of a famous local Welsh men s choir. Today breakfast and dinner are included and we are free for lunch on our own. SEPTEMBER 14 - Bodnant Gardens, Caefnafon Castle and Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens Today, we ll be joined by renowned author and master gardener, Tony Russell, author of the bestselling guide The Finest Gardens in Wales. Tony will walk us through his favorite Welsh gardens, sharing tips, history and lore. In the morning, we explore the wild and lush Bodnant Gardens, meandering through their award-winning woodlands. From there, we head to the indomitable fortress and world heritage site: Caefnafon Castle. The castle was built by King Edward I as a symbol of British family and the fascinating biographies of the men and women who served them. In the afternoon, we ll make our way to Chester to enjoy its many cute shops and well-preserved Tudor style architecture. That night, we ll stay our final night in Chester s five-star Grosvenor Hotel. Today breakfast and a celebratory final dinner are included and we are free in the afternoon for lunch and final exploration and shopping. SEPTEMBER 16 - Depart Manchester From the Grosvenor Hotel, we ll make our way together to the Manchester airport. TRIP COST: $4,895 per person double occupancy. Single rooms are on a request basis. Please check with Connoisseurs for single occupancy availability and rates. dominance over the local Welsh. Today, it remains stark in its behemoth stature along the coast. Finally, we make our way to Plas Cadnant s to explore the beautiful and rustic design of one of Wales finest gardens. The work of 18th Century master gardeners CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

6 S P E C I A L G U E S T S & L E C T U R E R S EMMA MATTHEWS Emma will be our guide and alongside us for every step of the tour. She was born and brought up in London. She went to Cambridge University to study History and Law then practiced as a Barrister at the Inner Temple, London. She joined the Government Legal Service handling human rights cases and later worked in the Court of Criminal Appeal. She left legal practice to bring up children George and Claudia and returned to work in 2007 founding a small art tours club. She took a degree in History of Art at Birkbeck College, London University specializing in British Art of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She is also a qualified Blue Badge Guide for London, which qualifies her for many sites outside of London in the UK, especially heritage sites such as Canterbury and Bath or the famous Gloucestershire Cotswolds and the City of Oxford. While she has intimate knowledge of the major sites, she also knows the hidden away nooks and crannies of London and the UK with its endless fascinating treasures for all studious and curious travelers. HELEN YEMM Helen Yemm is an educator, author, master gardener, and columnist for the London Telegraph s Thorny Problems. She s been helping people learn and grow their craft of gardening for decades. Speaking of her interests, she writes, I am really just a passionate muddy-gloves-and-wellies gardener blessed with the gift of the gab. She s regarded as one of Britain s wittiest garden writers. JOHN EVETTS John Evetts serves as the Landmark Trust s furnishing manager in which he leads the vision and interior design for over 196 of Britain s most beloved buildings. He s the star of the hit television show Britain s Landmarks, which documents Evett s process as he redecorates Britain s marquee estates. He and his wife, Ann Dowty, live in their lovely Cotswold estate, Wormington Grange, and are the fourth generation in his family to live there. TONY RUSSELL Tony Russell s career with plants and gardens began in 1978 when, soon after leaving school and completing a long distance charity walk from John O Groats to Land s End, he joined the Forestry Commission in Snowdonia. In 1980 he went to Newton Rigg, Cumbria to study forestry and horticulture and after qualifying in 1983 he took up post as Forester for the New Forest in Hampshire. For nearly a decade, he served as Head Forester of Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire. Tony is considered one of Britain s leading authorities on trees and shrubs. Over the past thirteen years Tony has presented many gardening, horticulture and countryside programmes for both TV and radio. He is also the author of sixteen books, including The Finest Gardens in Wales 2015.

7 GLORIOUS GARDENS & GRAND ESTATES of ENGLAND and WALES September 7-16, 2017 H O T E L A C C O M O D AT I O N S Extension: September 5-6 (2 nights) September 7- London, Kensington Hotel (1 Night) - The grand Kensington Hotel is a staple of London s ever-chic and elegant South Kensington neighborhood. The hotel is a member of the Doyle Hotel Collection, a family-owned group known for its commitment to luxury and unique design. The 128 rooms each feature sumptuous comfort and a clean, classic decoration. Enjoy staying in the heart of stylish Kensington, next door to the city s most well-known boutiques and delicious cafés. We have additional rooms reserved for you at the Kensington for those who wish to arrive a few days early. September Hampshire, Tylney Hall (3 Nights)Tylney Hall is a multiple-award winning classic country estate and luxury hotel in the heart of Britain s serene Hampshire region. The estate is surrounded by 66 acres of gardens and parkland and houses three delicious restaurants. have the chance to see where King Charles I and take in the region s rich medieval and gothic history. The hotel also boasts exquisite spa and wellness facilities and three delectable restaurants. September Conwy, Wales Bodysgallen Hall and Spa (2 Nights) In Wales, we ll stay in the award-winning, luxurious Bodysgallen Hall and Spa. The Hall is steeped in Welsh history, with a portion of its structures and grounds recently becoming a National Trust site. Enjoy sweeping views of the Snowdonia mountains and Conwy Castle from the estate s 200 acres of gardens and parkland. September 15 - Chester Grosvenor (1 Night) On our last night, we stay in Chester s luxurious, five-star Grosvenor Hotel. All of the hotels sumptuous rooms are individually styled. The Grosvenor also features an award-winning spa. September Cotswolds, Lygon Arms Hotel (2 Nights) - The charming Cotswold staple, Lygon Arms, will be our base for two nights. The Lygon Arms traces its origins to 1377 and effortlessly balances luxury and history. You ll CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

8 GENERAL INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. PRICE OF TOUR $ per person, double occupancy Single Supplement by request Two night London pre-hotel stay: Including private meet and greet town car transfers from London Heathrow to The Kensington Hotel, two night with all service and VAT charges and continental breakfast each morning: $ per person. One night London pre-hotel stay: Including private meet and greet town car transfers from London Heathrow to The Kensington Hotel, one night at the Kensington Hotel with all service and VAT charges and continental breakfast: $ per person. DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT A Deposit of $ per person is due to reserve a place on this tour. Deposits and payments can be paid by check or any major credit card. Final payment is due June 5, The Travel Insured Group Deluxe travel insurance protection plan is strongly recommended. Rates are $ per person (tour only). CONNOISSEURS TOURS PROTECTION PLAN PROVIDED BY TRAVEL INSURED Traveling is a big investment. It pays to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that can result in trip cancellation and additional expenses such as costs related to medical emergencies. This Travel Insured Protection Plan is specifically designed to provide you with peace of mind knowing you are protected against the financial impact of unexpected events while on your trip. Additional insurance is available to include the cost of your airfare. Please contact Connoisseurs Tours if you would like to insure the cost of your airline tickets after you have purchased your airline tickets. Maximum limit of $10,000 **150% of Trip Cost paid up to a maximum of $10,000 for the unused port of Your Trip and the transportation cost to re-join the Trip or return home. See below for the Schedule of Coverage: Trip Cancellation* (not applicable if $0 trip cost) Trip Cost* Trip Interruption** ($500 return air only if $0 trip cost) 150% of Trip Cost* Cancel for Work Reasons Trip Cost* Trip Delay 6 hours $750 ($150/day) Baggage/Personal Effects $1,500 Baggage Delay 24 hours $400 Accident & Sickness Medical Expense $50,000 Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation $250,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment $25,000 Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services Included *Up to the lesser of the Trip Cost paid or the limit of Coverage for which benefits are requested and the appropriate plan cost has been paid. INCLUSIVE PRICES Tour Prices Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage, and the services of the local guides, drivers and the Tour Escort/Guide are included. Transportation from arrival Airports to the beginning hotel is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information at least three weeks prior to the start of the tour. If you are arriving into a local train station please retain a receipt for the transfer and submit it to your Tour Escort for reimbursement. Transportation from the last hotel to the departure airport listed in the brochure is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other guests. Hotel Accommodations The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually twobedded rooms plus a roll-away cot and are not recommended for comfort. Meals Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Gratuities Included All customary gratuities for hotel, restaurant staff, and local guides are included. No Options Sold Connoisseurs Tours Escorts and Guides will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell

9 GLORIOUS GARDENS & GRAND ESTATES of ENGLAND and WALES September 7-16, 2017 G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N, T E R M S & C O N D I T I O N S you anything. This means a better value plus a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your journey. NOT INCLUDED Transportation Air transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Gratuities to your Guide/Escort and drivers Gratuities are not included to your overall guide/escort and coach driver, a recommended gratuity amount will be provided to you in your final tour documents. Connoisseurs Tours wishes to stress that this gratuity is optional and on a voluntary basis. Personal Expenses Personal expenses such as phone calls, use of fitness center, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, airline service fees, excess luggage fees, and other optional incidental extras are not included in the tour price. Itinerary Change and Flexibility Connoisseurs Tours pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to alter or curtail any aspect of the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels/ and or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any additional expense for these substitutions will be covered by Connoisseurs Tours. Health and Fitness Connoisseurs Tours are active journeys. Travelers must certify that they are in good health and can walk two to three miles a day. These journeys are not recommended for those who have mobility limitations such as walkers, wheelchairs and scooters. CANCELLATIONS $ per person from the time of booking to 120 days prior to departure is non-refundable. $ per person from 119 to 90 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 50% of the tour price from 89 to 60 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 100% of the full program cost from 59 to 0 days prior to departure and during the tour is non-refundable. All cancellations must be in writing. Tour cost does not include items of a personal nature. RESPONSIBILITY Connoisseurs Tours acts only as an agent for the traveler with respect to transportation, accommodations and other services offered on the tour. Connoisseurs Tours and the agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error omission, or for any injury, loss, accident or delay or irregularity that may be caused by any defect in any air- craft, ship, train, bus or other carrier or through negligent or default of any subcontractor or other third party. The passage contract in use by the carriers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the traveler. Connoisseurs Tours and/or their agents will not responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to person or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other causes in connection with the tour for anything beyond their reasonable control. Connoisseurs Tours is not responsible for transportation or other delays or changes the tour program beyond their control, nor any addition expenses or loss of time that may be incurred by the traveler. It may be necessary or advisable for the wellbeing of all travelers to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the travelers, and such alterations will be mad without penalty to Connoisseurs Tours. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to decline or not to retain any person as a member of any tour or to change or withdraw a tour as circumstances demand. All rates quoted are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject to change in the event of adjustment therein. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk and baggage insurance is recommended. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right substitute hotels of equal or superior quality. The proposals of this section are governed by Georgia law, and final payment by the traveler to Connoisseurs Tours shall be deemed to be consent to the above provisions. VALIDITY June 13, 2016 through October 25, 2017 Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. CONNOISSEURS TOURS INFO@CONNOISSEURSTOURS.COM

10 RESERVATION FORM Name: Enclosed is a deposit of for people. Address: Check (Checks should be made payable to Connoisseurs Tours) City: State: Zip: Credit Card: Visa Mastercard Amex Discover Card #: Telephone: Exp Date: / Security Code: Rooming with: Please reserve place(s) for this tour. Signature: Today s Date: / / 2016 A deposit in the amount of $ per person is required for a reservation. Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. q I have read and understand the Terms & Conditions q I wish to purchase single accommodations q I wish to purchase the Connoisseurs Tours Protection Plan q Please contact me about airline reservations I wish to arrive in London early: q 1 additional night q 2 additional nights q more than 2 additional nights, please contact me Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. Please mail your reservation form and deposit to: CONNOISSEURS TOURS 110 McIntosh Drive Savannah, GA (912)