LONDON – March 8– 15, 2005
9th March – Wednesday – ROYAL LONDON (afternoon) 1pm $65
This afternoon you will get a good overview of London with an emphasis on it’s Royal history. We will see Westminster Abbey, where most coronations and Royal Weddings and funeral services take place. We will see Buckingham Palace home to the Queen when in London. We will visit and tour Kensington Palace, which was home to Diana Princess of Wales after her split with Prince Charles. Optional Extension – London Eye $22
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9th March – Wednesday – LONDON’S THEATRELAND: The West End (2pm – 6pm) $60
We visit London’s famed West End theatre district seeing such sites as Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square before continuing onto Covent Gardens where we enjoy an insightful back stage tour of the renowned Royal National Theatre before visiting the interesting Theatre Museum to learn more of London’s theatrical history and influence. Also visit the famous Banqueting House the most sumptuous dining hall on earth where King Charles I stepped through a window onto the scaffold outside and was beheaded. Free time to explore Covent Garden which is famous for its shops, street performers, bars, restaurants theatres and the Royal Opera House.
LONDON BY OPEN TOP BUS $30 (This is a regular tour/ not a Phyllis Trip)
Hop on Hop off Tour (Leave every 15 minutes) no entrance fees included
10th March – Thursday – RYE, Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle, Dover $115
We are going into the scenic Sussex and Channel Coast area of South East England visiting the ancient and delightful fortified town of Tye, where we will see the oldest working clock in England on the 16th century turret of St. Mary’s church. We will see the 12th century Ypress tower and the 14th Century Land Gate and walk along some of the most authentic cobbled streets in England. We will visit Canterbury Cathedral, the magnificent Leeds Castle described by Lord Conway as “the loveliest Castle in the world: This historic moated castle is surrounded by 500 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland in the heart of the Kent countryside. We will see fine collections of historic furnishing, paintings, tapestries inside the castle as well as beautiful gardens, an aviary and greenhouses on the majestic grounds.
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Channel Coast on the way back and see the white cliffs of Dover.
11th March – Friday – COTSWOLDS WITH CREAM TEA (full day) $128
A scenic excursion into some of England’s finest rural landscapes known as the Cotswolds. We will pass through/ stop in many of the quaint stone villages of this region such as Burford, Stow-on-the Wold (fine antique shops), Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton in Marsh. We also visit the Woolen Mill in an old barn at Filkins-Broughton Poggs with its shop full of fine woolen products and other crafts. We enjoy a traditional Cotswolds Cream Tea at one of the beautiful Villages.
12th March – Saturday –ON YOUR OWN…markets/museums/shopping Free Day…..
12th March – Saturday night – Dinner – MEDIEVAL BANQUET AT IVORY HOUSE $85 Meet at St. Katherines Dock – 7:45pm (This is a regular tour/not a Phyllis Trip) Enjoy a 4-course dinner. Unlimited beer & wine during the meal (until dessert is served) continuous entertainment from King Henry VIII and his Royal entertainers. A traditional Banquet with an action- packed evening of entertainment by fire eaters, jesters, and minstrels. Dress Code Smart Casual.
13th March – Sunday – GREENWICH $50
Make your own way to the embankment on public transportation with our guide. We enjoy a catamaran boat ride to Greenwich; an area full of maritime and royal history, with Neo-Classical mansions, a park, many antique and book shops and of course is famous as being the center of measuring World Time since 1884 from the Old Royal Observatory. We visit the National Maritime Museum (adjoining the impressive Queen’s House) to learn of naval history. We also visit the beautifully restored clipper ship: the famous Cutty Sark. Return to London on your own at your leisure.. Guide is with us until :30pm.
14th March – Monday – STRATFORD & OXFORD and Worchester China Factory (full day) $125
Entrances to Oxford College = Shakespeare Birthplace + Royal Worchester Porcelain factory Today we visit Oxford, “The City of Spires” one of the most visited and historic cities in Britain and home to the famous prestige University, founded originally in the twelfth century. We will visit one of the colleges here (such as Christchurch where many scenes in the Harry Potter movies were filmed – this college is popular so SUBJECT TO AVILABILITY111) Then onto Stratford Upon Avon, a delightful market town at the edge of the Forest of Arden and the birthplace of who many consider the world’s greatest writer, William Shakespeare. We visit the half-timbered house where Shakespeare was born in 1564 and gain a fascinating insight into life, as it was then he was a child. We will see many sites in Stratford associated with his great bard. In Worchester fine china has been made since 1751 with the craftsmen there working on many commissioned pieces for Royalty over the centuries. We enjoy a tour of the Royal Worchester Porcelain factory to learn of its production methods before having free time to browse the Showrooms. We will also have a photo stop at the impressive Worchester Cathedral. (The order of this tour may be reversed/changed)
14TH March – Chum Gift exchange………time and place TBA evening…
*****Also available: Regular tours/not Phyllis organized – daily departures*****
STONEHENGE, BATH & Salisbury $109
DAY TRIPS TO PARIS (anyday) with regular tour group
Simply Paris $314 in Standard Class Eurostar or $406 in First Class OR Free and Easy Paris $265 in Standard Class Eurostar or $367 in First Class
JACK RIPPER WALK 7:45 – 10:30pm $12 EDINBURGH DAY TRIP BY TRAIN 99 POUNDS (ABOUT $189) DAY TRIP TO YORK BY TRAIN 69 POUNDS (ABOUT $130)
DUBLIN March 15 – 18, 2005
15TH MARCH – Tuesday – HALF DAY GARDEN TOUR (afternoon) $48
Enjoy the views of Dublin’s beautiful southern coastline as you pass Dun Laoghaire and the picturesque village of Dalkey and continue on into County7 Wicklow known as “The Garden Of Ireland”. We visit the world-renowned lavishly landscaped gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes with secret hallows and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs at the Powerscourt Estate, spanning over 47 acres. Its incomparable beauty makes it a favorite for all. A scenic drive back to Dublin through the breathtaking Wicklow Mountains .
16TH March – Wednesday – WATERFORD (full day) $82
Drive into the South east of Ireland and pass through Kilkenny enroute to the Viking town of Waterford. Here we visit the world-renowned Waterford Crystal Factory and Showrooms where we will watch master craftsmen at work in the centuries-old tradition of glass blowing and engraving. Later we will have free time to stroll through the splendid glittering showrooms.
17th March – Thursday – St Patricks Day – on your own
Parade tickets available in the grandstand (around $100)
18th March – Friday – depart