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The Chelsea Flower Show 2012 & The Gardens of England
May 20- May 28th 2012
Our annual May tour to The Chelsea Flower Show 2012 in London offers women travelers a tapestry of classic Britain. Our 2012 tour is for women who enjoy all things English. You will visit beloved English gardens and The 2012 Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show. Women travelers who love to garden will be inspired by England's pastoral beauty, history and the pure pleasure of taking time for tea. Whether yours is a secret garden behind a wall, a wildflower meadow open to the sea or a courtyard plot in the urban landscape, you will be enchanted. Women who love the charming classic British country ways of living will enjoy our trip which embraces English country life and the magnificent landscapes that sweep the English countryside. You will spend your days immersed in the creativity, grandeur, and passion that is gardening in England. Sissinghurst in Kent and Hidcote in The Cotswolds are two of the world's beloved gardens that you will visit. Our women's garden tour to England will join the Royal Horticultural Society's members on The 2012 Chelsea Flower Show member’s only days to experience and relish this stellar world renowned gardening event. If you are a keen gardener or just beginning you will enjoy the exquisite beauty in the gardens of England. You will have the chance to savour classic British country living and the history and architecture of London, Bath and The Cotswolds. This trip is designed for women who appreciate the fine art of traveling well and offers you luxe accommodations, fine dining and touring.
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Depart for London, England from your nearest gateway. You may wish
to arrive this evening to be rested when the tour begins Sunday at noon
or arrive early Sunday morning as you wish.
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Women travelers will arrive at London’s Heathrow International Airport
early Sunday morning. Meet our driver who will transfer you to The
Knightsbridge Hotel in London; a distinctive, small luxury hotel. There
you will meet our founder, Peggy Coonley, who will accompany you for the
duration of your time in England. Unpack, freshen up, and join us
for a delightful afternoon getting to know London. Our private guide
leads us on a walk of the Royal London Parks in the heart of the city. View
Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament while walking the lanes and courtyards
of London. We will then enjoy a brief concert at Westminster Cathedral
before a light supper in Knightsbridge. D
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Following breakfast, we will depart for the world-renowned Royal Botanic
Gardens at Kew which comprise over 300 acres and more than 40,000
varieties of plants. An optional tram ride provides a complete tour
and overview of the grounds, or you can explore Kew walking as you wish,
perhaps visiting the spectacular greenhouses or other areas that spark your
interest. We
will have lunch at a tea room in the quaint village of Kew Gardens
before returning to London in time to continue exploring the nearby museums,
shops and history that surround us.
This evening, we will savour Tea at The Ritz, a British tradition to enjoy
prior to the theatre. Join me for the optional theatre experience. In past years we have chosen War Horse, Wicked, and Billy Elliott all were enjoyed by all. B/L/
Tea at The Ritz.
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The Chelsea Flower Show, known as the “grand dame” of flower shows, offers
RHS member’s only entrance today. Our English garden tour will join
other members of the Royal Horticultural Society this afternoon to wander
the breathtaking grounds and world class exhibits. Stroll Chelsea
at your leisure and return to Knightsbridge when you prefer. Sloane
Square and Knightsbridge are shopping areas you may want to explore. The
Victoria and Albert is nearby as is Harvey Nichols. B
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We leave London this morning for the rolling English Kent countryside known
as the Garden of England. We will visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s
glorious garden at Wisley, in Surrey, comprising the 250 acre estate garden
and excellent bookstore. Our visit will begin with a privately guided
tour and overview of Wisley. We will continue our sampler of England
as we travel through the heart of Sussex and Kent which is the English countryside
at its finest. Late afternoon, we will settle into our 14th century
lovingly restored historical small country manor. This exclusive country
house, set on 1000 acres, is run by the direct descendants of the original
owner who built it in 1432. We are well situated to continue relishing
the gardens, castles and landscape in the heart of Sussex and Kent. B/D
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Great Dixter is the home of Christopher Lloyd. We will visit his garden, stop for a pub lunch and then dream of kings and queens as we journey to Scotney Castle, often
referred to as the most romantic castle in England. After touring
the historical house, you can stroll the gardens and meander the exquisite
grounds savouring the splendor of Scotney.B/L
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This morning, we will take the short ride through pastoral landscapes to
Sissinghurst. You will experience the infamous beauty of Sissinghurst
Castle and Gardens this morning and wander the garden rooms, learn of the
life of Vita Sackville-West and be inspired by the beauty. Sissinghurst
is a National Trust garden and the most famous 20th century garden in England. Many
believe it to be one of the world’s finest gardens.. indeed the quintessential
English romantic garden. Vita Sackville West, author and poet, along
with her husband, Sir Harold Nicholson, created the gardens around an Elizabethan
house. There is a long and lovely walk to enjoy across the open meadows. After lunch, we will
depart for Bath, the World Heritage City famous for its hot springs, Roman
period baths, Medieval heritage, and stately Georgian architecture. B/L
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Today, we will savour a full day touring the quintessential Cotswolds including
the villages of Stow on the Wold, Upper and Lower Slaughters, and Bibury,
often referred to as the prettiest village in all of England. Traveling
to the top of the Cotswolds, we will immerse ourselves in the pristine setting
of Hidcote Manor, one of the world’s finest gardens. Designed and
created by the horticulturist, Lawrence Johnston, in the Arts & Crafts
style, Hidcote is made up of exquisite garden rooms each possessing its
own special character. Nestled in the Cotswolds with sweeping views across
the Vale of Evesham, Hidcote is unparalleled. B/L
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This morning, you can opt for a walking tour of Bath provided by the Mayor’s
office. Perhaps, after the two hour walk, catch a bite to eat at infamous
Sally Lunn’s, the oldest house in Bath, or lunch and tea at the Jane Austen
Centre. After lunch, you can take an informative tour and lecture on the
life of Jane. Maybe you will choose to unwind with a spa treatment
this afternoon at the Thermae spa. Whatever you choose, the wonder
and history of Bath surrounds your last days of classic Britain.
This evening, we will celebrate our time together in England with a farewell
dinner at a restaurant noted as one of Bath’s Bests. B/D
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You will depart independently for Heathrow this morning or afternoon, depending
on your individual flight times, and bid farewell for flights home with
memories, dreams, and colorful garden inspirations. Transportation
from Bath to Heathrow is independent.
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Our itineraries are thoughtfully crafted to provide you with the best experiences in travel wherever we go. The itinerary gives you a generous idea of what to look forward to and what to plan on. There will be spontaneous elements that will happen as we travel. You will add the rest when letting the essence of serendipity weave a rich tapestry of memories long after we all have said goodbye. Serendipity Traveler offers you personal service, unparalleled value, and exceptionally fine travel.
$7395.00 USD Private luxury accommodations*
Highlights of our 10 day England tour include a private walking tour of London's Royal Parks, concert at Westminster Cathedral, Afternoon Tea at the Ritz, guided tour of Kew Gardens, afternoon ticket and transportation to The Chelsea Flower Show on RHS Member’s only day, a visit to The Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley with a privately guided tour, delightful garden visit to the garden of Vita Sackville-West at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens in Kent, authentic pub lunch in Kent, visit to Great Dixter, visit to Scotney Castle, a full day touring in The Cotswolds with a visit to Hidcote Gardens, travel to Bath, a walking tour of Bath, and Fine Dining as noted in London, Kent, Sussex, The Cotswolds and Bath. The evening of theatre is optional. Our accomodations are luxe and we will dine around local neighborhoods while touring. Join our English Garden Tour 2012 for the glories of The world class Chelsea Flower Show 2012 and English gardens. The final tour price will be adjusted to reflect the GBP two weeks prior to departure.*
Reserve now for The Chelsea Flower Show 2012 by calling Serendipity Traveler 1 800-975-2357
or via email securely at:res@serendipitytraveler.com
Our women's travel groups are intentionally small and delightful.
Please click here now to reserve securely on line and put The 2012 Chelsea Flower Show and English Gardens on your 2012 May calendar!
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