Tours
England for a Week
May 24th
Getting my ducks in a row
Down the Garden path to experience the tranqillity of the Blue Bells
It is spring and it must be time for one week in England. The Chelsey Flower show will be starting on May 26 and why not have a look. Most reasonable way to get to London is on a charter. Now having said that if you are going to do the charter, you must be prepared. First chaters do not have to go at the scheduled times. Our flight was going via Calgary to fill any empty seats with stranded passengers. Not stranded from ash, but stranded because their plane had engine troubles. Charters do not have many planes like Air Canada so they have longer delays when there is a problem with the airplane. Next challenge – checking in. You cannot do an online check in so you are faced with lonnnnng lineups. Stood in line for one hour. Since the aircraft was changed to a larger plane all the pre-assigned seats were messed up. Finally on our way to Calgary to fill the plane - after five hours on the plane we were given dinner. Oh, but first the drink tray comes – you have to buy coffee, tea, pop and snacks. A small cup of tea/coffee is served with meal. A small bottle of water was at our seat and that was the only water freely given. Luckily I had pruchased two bottles of water at the airport – I will buy four for the return. I only received one glass of water – when I asked. This was an eleven hour flight – so a heads up: take at least four bottles of water, snacks, fruit, and anything you might want. Meals are never good on flights any way, but the standard was again lowered on this flight. The good news is we did make it to London Gatwick safely. I have missed my bus and must wait another hour. I remind byself of the story about travel I had just read. You must leave on a trip with “patience” and a ”a sense of humor.’ Also helps to bring face cloths to England – they never have them in the hotels. Well tomorrow will be a new day – and once your body is in the right time zone the tolerance level is raised.
One of the best ways to get around England is the National Express. You can easily book online to go anywhere. Staying at a great hotel near the airport to allow visiting friends and do a little boot saleing. Not to mention my bargains from Marks & Spencers.
The only way to get around in England
The perennial favorite in England
Turkey-And-Greece
Jan 20th
Turkey with a side of Greece – Oct 2 – 23/10
Spend adventurous 16 days exploring Turkey on the “Treasures of Turkey” tour and follow with a five night cruise of the Greek Isles to unwind after all the Turkish delight. The cruise ends with one night in Athens. Land only rate based on an inside cabin – from $2989.00 plus port of $365.00 based on double. For those who like the privacy of their own room – the “guaranteed to have a great holiday” rate is $4027.00 plus port of $365.00. Ask about the great air rate if booked by Jan 30/10 check full tour details
Glories of Greece – Oct 23 -29/10
Not enough Greece for you – add the 8 day mainland tour of Greece to your Turkey with a side of Greece. Land only rate is $1799,00 based on double or the “guaranteed to have a great holiday” rate (single) is 2329.00 check full tour details.
British Tour
Dec 28th
A Tall Drink of London with a Shot of Britain
Britain Sampler
With optional nights in London
May 26 – June 8, 2010
Our most popular Britain vacation offers you the best of this great land. Guided sightseeing shows you all the famous landmarks in London: Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and visits to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard, if held. Head southwest to admire the breathtaking gardens at Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, then venture on to prehistoric Stonehenge, the Roman excavations of Bath, the Cotswolds village of Stow, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and picturesque Llangollen in North Wales. Travel north through the Lake District, pausing in Wordsworth’s Grasmere and Gretna Green before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Admire the Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. In medieval York, enjoy a walking tour that features York Minster and the narrow Shambles. Return to London by way of the market town of Stamford and the university city of Cambridge
May 26/10: Early departure for optional extra 4 nights in London.
May 27 – 31/10: Enjoy 4 extra optional nights in London. Visit Portobello market, one of the world’s largest antiques market with over 1000 dealers. See a London Play; visit the London Eye, the Cabinet War Rooms, or the Chelsey Flower Show. The sights in London are many.
May 31/10: Another free day to enjoy London as the group arrives for the tour. (if you choose not to do the extra nights in London you would depart Canada on May 30/10
June 1/10: London: After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL (except on Sundays) and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Later, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (B)
June 2/10: London–Hampton Court–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Bath Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. First, a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk to see the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden, and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Then, westward to the intriguing prehistoric monument of STONEHENGE. Via Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture, head for the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where you see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
June 3/10: Bath–Stratford-upon-Avon–North Wales–Chester: Savor vistas of the Cotswolds on your way via the medieval market town of Stow-on-the-Wold to Stratford-upon-Avon. Time here to visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE and for pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. The afternoon is dedicated to North Wales. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, home of an annual international contest for poets and musicians. Spend the night at Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. (B, D)
June 4/10: Chester–Lake District–Edinburgh, Scotland : This morning’s walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks. After a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere, head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Edinburgh, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
June 5/10: Edinburgh: Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy this “Prince of Cities” at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for the Queen’s glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (B)
June 6/10: Edinburgh–York: First on today’s agenda is Sir Walter Scott’s ABBOTSFORD HOUSE for a fascinating guided tour. Melrose Abbey and the ruins at Jedburgh are pointed out on the way to the English border and Northumberland National Park. South now to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, and then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles. (B, D)
June 7/10: York–Stamford–Cambridge–London: Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot, and drive through the richest farmland in Britain. Pause in the market town of Stamford before arriving in the beautiful university city of Cambridge. Return to London around 3:30 pm. How about celebrating with new-found friends with a night out on the town? (B)
June 8/10: Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
Rates: Britain Sampler Tour – $1789.00 Dble, $2321.00 single
Four extra nights London $620.00 Dble $1036.00 single
Click here to get a PDF version of the tour (makes it easier to print out!).
Call for best air rate
604-659-4176 or 1-877-659-4176
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