CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW & GARDENS OF WESTERN ENGLAND MAY 17 TO 25, 2014
Dear Duke Alumni and Friends, English gardens, with their lush lawns and perfect roses, are world famous. Join us as we celebrate their exuberant beauty next May, on privileged visits to the Chelsea Flower Show and the gardens of western England with Bill LeFevre, Executive Director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Begin with three days in London, to explore the Chelsea Physic Garden, with its important collection of medicinal plants, and the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. See the Chelsea Flower Show during a special visit on Members Day, when the exhibits are at their height. Travel west of the city to discover the enchanting gardens of historic Barnsley House in Gloucestershire, then check in at the 16th-century Lygon Arms Broadway, our base for a two-day exploration of the gently hilly Cotswolds. Tour its iconic gardens, including Kiftsgate Court Garden, famed for its rambling roses. Head east to nearby Oxford, to visit the renowned Oxford Botanical Gardens and take a guided tour of the city, including its famous colleges. Spend a morning at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, with 2,000 acres of gardens designed by Capability Brown, known as England s greatest landscape architect. TRAVELING WITH US Bill LeFevre is the executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University. His education includes a B.S. in Landscape Design from the University of Connecticut and a M.S. in Public Horticulture Administration as a fellow in the Longwood Graduate Program at the University of Delaware. Since Bill was named to his post as the Gardens first full-time director in 2007, an impressive array of capital projects has been completed, including the reconstruction of the South Lawn and the Gardens Fish Pond, Rock Garden and Culvert, construction of the Frances P. Rollins Overlook, and relocation of the Roney Fountain from East Campus to the re-designed Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden. Bill previously served as executive director of the John Bartram Association at Bartram s Garden in Philadelphia, and managed Philadelphia s Parks Revitalization Project at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, following a successful career in commercial landscape construction. We hope to welcome you on this unique horticultural journey. Sincerely, Beth Ray-Schroeder Director, Alumni Education & Travel Duke Alumni Association
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW & GARDENS OF WESTERN ENGLAND MAY 17 TO 25, 2014 photo by celia johns. photo by >sunshine<. Chelsea Flower Show, London. DEPART U.S.A. Saturday, May 17 Depart the U.S.A. on an overnight flight to London. LONDON Sunday, May 18 Arrive in London this morning and continue to the centrally located Crowne Plaza St. James Hotel. An afternoon visit is planned to the Chelsea Physic Garden. Founded in 1673 as the Apothecaries Garden, its unique, walled location along the Thames creates a warmer microclimate for a wide variety of native and non-native plants to thrive year-round. Return to the hotel for introductory remarks, followed by dinner. The Chelsea Physic Garden, London. LONDON 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Monday, May 19 The focus of the morning is the renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, commonly called Kew Gardens. With over 250 years of history, this is one of the most comprehensive plant collections in Britain. After lunch visit the Royal Horticultural Society s flagship garden in Wisley. Gifted to the Society in 1903, it has evolved into an imaginative, world-class garden, and the RHS is now the UK s leading gardening charity. Returning to London, dinner and the evening are at leisure. Visitors enjoying the Chelsea Flower Show, London. LONDON 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Tuesday, May 20 Drive to the Royal Hospital grounds to visit the famed Chelsea Flower Show, the world s supreme floral and horticultural event. Our specially arranged visit is on Members Day, when the exhibits are at their peak. Lunch and the balance of the day are unscheduled. You may wish to continue your afternoon admiring the show or move on to your favorite places in the city. photo by Visit Britain Troika
LONDON 1 COTSWOLDS Wednesday, May 21 Depart for The Cotswolds, stopping en route for lunch and a tour of the beloved gardens at Barnsley House. It boasts the grand features and ornamentation of a much larger garden but scaled-down for this smaller, enchanting space. After lunch, we hope to visit Highgrove House, the family home of TRH Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall (Prince Charles and Camilla), whose organic gardens are renowned for their environmental sustainability and natural beauty. Arrive in the late afternoon at the Lygon Arms in Broadway, where accommodations are arranged for two nights. Dinner is at the hotel. COTSWOLDS 1 OXFORD 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Friday, May 23 Drive to Oxford and visit the famed Oxford Botanical Gardens. Founded in 1621 it is among the oldest existing scientific gardens and boasts one of the most compact and diverse plant representations in the world. Following lunch, enjoy a guided tour in Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires, and some of its famous colleges, including Christchurch. Conclude at the Mercure Eastgate Hotel, a converted 17th-century coaching inn, where we will stay for two nights. Dinner is at the hotel. photo by Rick Ligthelm.. photo by Rick Ligthelm. Hidecote Manor, Cotswolds. COTSWOLDS Thursday May 22 Spend the morning at Hidecote Manor, one of the finest garden examples of the Arts and Crafts movement in Britain. Lunch is arranged prior to an afternoon visit to neighboring Kiftsgate Court Garden. Created by three generations of women gardeners beginning in 1920, it is well known for its scented, climbing Kiftsgate rose, reputed to be the largest in the country. Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Kiftsgate Court Garden, Cotswolds. Blenheim Palace, Oxford. OXFORD 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Saturday, May 24 The focus of the morning is Blenheim Palace. Built in the short-lived 18th century English Baroque style, this is one of England s largest houses and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. The surrounding gardens of over 2,000 acres were notably redesigned by Capability Brown, known as England s greatest gardener, and have gained World Heritage site status. Its Marlborough Maze is the world s second largest symbolic hedge maze, and the delightful water terraces showcase a scale model made by Bernini for his Roman fountain in the Piazza Navona. Return to Oxford where lunch and the afternoon are at leisure. This evening, gather for our farewell dinner, celebrating a memorable trip. OXFORD 1 U.S.A. 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Sunday, May 25 Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flights home. n photo by Sheila Sund, M.D.
photo by thepurplepassport. The Chelsea Physic Garden, London. PROGRAM RATE $5,795 PER PERSON RATE INCLUDES n Seven nights hotel accommodations as per itinerary n Buffet breakfast daily, four lunches and four dinners with bottled water and coffee / tea; beer / wine with dinners n Entrance fees for all included visits SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $945 (very limited availability) n Sightseeing via private motorcoach as per itinerary, including services of an official Blue Badge guide n Gratuities to local guides and drivers n Taxes, service charges and porterage for one suitcase per person; and all gratuities for guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED IN RATE Airfare between home city and London; passport fees; alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine at dinners; personal items and expenses; trip insurance; baggage in excess of one suitcase per person; meals not specified; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. DUKE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 1 RESERVATION APPLICATION CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW & GARDENS OF WESTERN ENGLAND 1 MAY 17 TO 25, 2014 To reserve a place, please complete and return this form with your deposit of Accommodations $1,500 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) Hotel Room Preference payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad. Mail to: Duke Alumni Association, q Double q Twin q Single (supplement of $945) 614 Chapel Drive, Box 90572, Durham, NC 27708. I wish to share a room with NAME IN FULL AS ON PASSPORT CLASS YEAR/AFFILIATION NAME IN FULL AS ON PASSPORT CLASS YEAR/AFFILIATION ADDRESS Form of Payment q Enclosed is my check (payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad). q Credit card (for deposit only; final payment must be made by check). NAME AS ON CREDIT CARD 3- OR 4-DIGIT SECURITY CODE CREDIT CARD NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE (HOME) (BUSINESS) FAX E-MAIL Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this program. I/We agree to full payment by check 120 days before departure. SIGNATURE REQUIRED DATE SIGNATURE REQUIRED DATE For additional information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad Telephone: 212-514-8921 or 800-221-1944 Fax: 212-344-7493 E-mail: trips@arrangementsabroad.com
photo by LCSTRAVELBUGGIN (bottom). Oxford Botanical Garden, Oxford (top). Exotic flora at the Chelsea Flower Show, London (bottom). TERMS & CONDITIONS AIRFARE Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements for this program, including specially negotiated group airfare when available, suggested group flights or your own individual requests for a processing fee of $40 per person. Complete details will be provided in your confirmation mailing. PAYMENT SCHEDULE $1,500 per person, payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad, of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees, is required with the reservation application. Balance due by check 120 days prior to departure. HEALTH All participants must be in good health. This program involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs at monuments and other locations not handicapped accessible and climbing in and out of various conveyances. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation. INSURANCE TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE PROTECTION IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION PENALTIES ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED. AAA will send an insurance application upon receipt of deposit, although you may select any insurer of your choice. CHANGES IN ITINERARY & COSTS The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the Duke Alumni Association (DAA) and AAA. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfares and currency exchange rates in effect at the time of brochure printing and subject to change without notice. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are at the expense of the individual. RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE The participation of DAA is limited to educational sponsorship of the program described on the website (The Program). AAA acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations and all other services, relating to The Program. AAA, DAA and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity that may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of The Program. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. Nor will AAA or DAA and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or anything beyond their reasonable control. AAA and DAA are not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or DAA. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. AAA reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by AAA to be in the best interest of the participant s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants. CANCELLATION POLICY AAA must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; communication expenses; development and the loss of time that might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to the offices of AAA and are subject to a $500 non-refundable administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by AAA and are the sole responsibility of AAA; DAA shall have no liability for refunds. At the time AAA receives written notification of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply: cancellations received between 120 and 91 days prior to departure, 20 percent of the program cost per person; those received between 90 and 61 days before departure, 50 percent of the program cost per person; no refunds will be given for cancellations received within 60 days of departure. No refunds are given for cancellation on or after the day of departure, or for unused portions of the tour, for any reason. Air cancellation charges, if any, will be assessed in accordance with airline regulations. All group fare tickets must be issued no less than 30 days prior to departure. NOTE: Neither AAA nor DAA shall be liable for any airline cancellation penalties incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. In the case of a cancellation due to shortage of participants, AAA will attempt to notify all participants at least 45 days prior to departure. However, AAA reserves the right to cancel The Program prior to departure for any reason and, in such case, reimbursement of refundable costs of the trip by AAA shall constitute full settlement with the participant. In the unlikely event that a dispute arises between a participant and AAA, the following conditions will apply: (a) the dispute will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in New York, NY; (b) the dispute will be governed by New York Law; (c) the maximum amount of recovery to which a participant shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the sum of all monies actually received from the participant by AAA. The participant agrees that this is a fair and reasonable limitation on the damages, of any sort whatsoever, that a participant may suffer. Upon payment of the deposit to AAA, the participant agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions. Copyright 2013 Arrangements Abroad, Inc. CST 2059789-40 On the front cover: Hidecote Manor, Cotswolds. Photo by Adrian Turner.