 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
 |
|
||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||
 |
|
||||||||
THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Tuesday, May 18
- Depart DFW on the 1:30 pm AA flight to Manchester via Chicago O’Hare.
Wednesday, May 19
- After breakfast on board arrive Manchester at 7.20am.
Clear customs, meet coach and driver and transfer to Chester. - En route to Chester visit Arley Hall in Cheshire – enjoy a tour of the garden with the Head Gardener, Patrick Swann. The garden is a major attraction with its award winning magnificent herbaceous borders, fascinating greenhouses and kitchen garden and glorious rhododendrons. After coffee and yummy homemade pastries in the Hall’s converted stables we drive on to Chester.
- Check in to hotel in Chester. Balance of day at leisure to enjoy this quaint city. So many choices-walk the Roman Walls, shop in the antique shops and smart boutiques or simply attend Choral Evensong in the venerable 12th century Cathedral, the center of this ancient county town.
- Dinner at the hotel and evening to yourself.
Thursday, May 20
- After breakfast, drive through the lush countryside to Powis Castle with its beautiful gardens. Powis is situated high on a rock above stunning terraced gardens. The castle was originally built in AD1200 and has been remodeled and embellished over 800 years. Let's take time for lunch and to browse the magnificent gift store.
- This afternoon we will drive on to the Dower House of Morville Hall, to visit the amazing gardens of Dr Katherine Swift. Katherine is a well known garden writer. She will tell you how she designed her
1-1/2 acre sequence of gardens in various historical styles to tell the history of British gardening from medieval times to the present. - Continue on to Worcester for dinner and overnight.
Friday, May 21
-
After breakfast we drive through the spectacular Cotswold countryside to Hidcote Manor Garden, one of the most famous gardens in Britain and an Arts and Crafts masterpiece, created by the American plant collector Major Lawrence Johnston. Our visit to Hidcote will be a once in a lifetime experience.
The Head Gardener, Glyn Jones and his deputy are opening the gardens and giving us Curious Travelers a unique guided tour of Hidcote gardens.
We will be the only visitors on that day. -
Snowshill Manor is our next stop- a fascinating house and garden. This was the National Trust’s first all organic garden.
-
We will stop for dinner at a Cotswold country Pub. This is your opportunity to taste some great pub food and to drink English Scrumpy – a delicious apple cider!.
-
Continue to Bath where we will stay for the next two nights.
Saturday, May 22
- After breakfast you will have a day to day to catch your breath as, at your own pace, you explore this elegant spa town. Admire the balanced architecture of its regency crescents, visit the Roman Baths, and don’t miss the Assembly Rooms –you will recognize the scene from many a Jane Austen film. Or simply relax in one of the many coffee bars. Don’t worry I will be there to direct you.
- This evening eat at your choice of restaurant.
- Second Night in Bath.
Sunday, May 23
- After breakfast we drive on through the bucolic countryside to the charming village of Lacock Abbey, you may recognize the setting for many films
Our drive takes us past Stonehenge on our way to Winchester.
Those who take an evening walk around historic Winchester with me, will discover the fascinating history of this city-- the capital of England before London!
Jane Austen spent her last months here before her death. Come with me and see the famous 500 year old Round Table of Arthurian legend and so much more. - Those who choose may attend choral evensong in the Cathedral – it is a unique experience to listen to great choir singing in such awesome surroundings.
- Dinner at hotel. Overnight in Winchester.
Monday, May 24
- After breakfast, our morning drive, through some stunning English countryside, takes us to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Harold Nicholson planned these gardens but his wife Vita Sackville West devised the inspired planting scheme and carried out the work. She was not a fan of regimented rows of flowers, but carefully grouped the plants according to color, texture and season!
- Enjoy the evening in London. There is so much to do, sight seeing, taking in a show in the West End, or just relaxing in your comfortable hotel.
- Overnight in London.
Tuesday, May 25
- Today we visit the highlight of our tour, the Chelsea Flower Show in the grounds of the Royal Hospital of Chelsea. The original show was held in 1852, in Kensington Gardens. In 1913 it was moved to the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea where it has taken place every year since. Popular parts of the Chelsea Flower Show include the show gardens designed by leading names and the centerpiece of the floral marquee.
Several members of the British Royal family attend a preview of the Show and
new plants are often launched here. The group will be visiting the show on a
special day set aside for members only-Royal Horticultural Society membership and entrance fee is included in the price of this tour. . - Dinner will be on your own this evening
giving you a chance to take things at your own pace. - Overnight London. This is our final night.
Wednesday, May 26
- After breakfast, transfer to London Heathrow Airport for AA flight departing at 10.25 am for DFW. Lunch served during your Trans-Atlantic flight.
Arrive DFW at 12.25pm.
-
There is the option to extend the stay, and to visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens
in Holland including 2 nights in Bruges, Belgium, depending on the numbers.
The Ext. will be around $699 net per person depending on numbers.
- May 26 - take Eurostar from London to Brussels, Belgium. On arrival proceed
to Bruges, Belgium's ancient town featuring beautiful canals and gardens.
Overnight in Bruges with dinner.
- May 27 - after breakfast, full day spent at Keukenhof, Holland's - Keukenhof is
famous for its magnificent and extensive gardens and for a huge variety of plants
and flowers. Note Bruges, Belgium is not far from Holland.
Overnight Bruges with dinner.
- May 28 - after breakfast, transfer to Brussels Airport for flight back to
the USA.
Prices include all roundtrip coach class DFW/MAN return LRH/DFW with current air taxes/fuel. Taxes/fuel only final at ticketing.
Land travel, lodging, breakfasts, 4 dinners, RHS Membership Chelsea Flower Show, and entrance fees to named gardens.
Per Person, Double Occupancy $2999.00
Single Supplement $450.00
Price quote is subject to exchange rate prevailing at time of final payment.
Tips to drivers, guides etc not included. Insurance not included.