An Insider’s London at The Lansdowne Club (2010)

Apr 28 2010 - May 4 2010

From $1,995.00, per person, plus airfare and V.A.T., based on double occupancy.

London, one of the world’s oldest cities, still pulses with a youthful vibrancy. Here, centuries of history continually beget new chapters in history, breakthroughs in science, an ever-blossoming arts community and an eternal fascination from this side of the pond. Even today, a new vitality is palpable as the city prepares to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. Discover London behind the scenes during this unique travel experience. Stay at The Lansdowne Club, a historic, private club in the city’s most exclusive neighborhood. Each day brings new adventures and insights you’ll gain from exploring the city and meeting people who have an insider’s perspective of venerable, world-renowned institutions such as the BBC and the London Theater.

Day 1
Depart for London, England, aboard scheduled jet service. (Provided for Air Program participants only.)

Day 2
Upon arrival to London, you will transfer by deluxe motorcoach to The Lansdowne Club. En route, see some of London’s most distinguished landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster and Trafalgar Square. (Transfer provided for Air Program participants only.)

Local Flavor and Excursion. Afternoon tea and an introduction to the neighborhood. Relax with afternoon tea before embarking on a guided walking tour to orient yourself with the club’s environs and the Mayfair district.

Tonight, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at the club.

Day 3: Windsor and London
Educational Focus: Inside the Palace Walls. A former royal bodyguard, shares his experiences protecting the royal family. SAS-trained Ken Wharfe was the bodyguard of Princess Diana and Princes William and Harry.

Excursion. Windsor Castle. Visit the world’s oldest castle still in residence. This grand castle bears little resemblance to the 11th-century motte-and-bailey structure built by William the Conqueror. See St. George’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the State Apartments.

Independent Exploration. Explore the village of Windsor. There is time to have lunch and shop for souvenirs.

Excursion. The BBC. Visit the BBC studios for a behind-the-cameras look at the British Broadcasting Corp. Guglielmo Marconi, the wireless communications trailblazer, helped establish this pioneering network in 1922. Since then, the BBC has become one of the world’s largest news organizations. On this side of the pond, of course, many people look forward to watching the BBC’s dramatic productions.

Day 4: London

Excursion. The West End. Go behind the scenes at the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and National Theatre, England’s oldest acting school. Many celebrated actors, including Anthony Hopkins, Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren, graduated from RADA. Meet current students and discover how actors learn their craft. At the National Theatre, tour the backstage and workshops where sets,
costumes and props are created.

Independent Exploration. The rest of the day is at leisure. Discover world-class museums such as the British Museum, home of the Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone OR continue the morning’s theatrical theme and take in a performance.

Day 5: Oxford and Blenheim Palace
Excursion. Churchill’s Boyhood Home and Dreaming Spires. Blenheim Palace is the home of the Dukes of Marlborough and Winston Churchill’s birthplace. Estate archivist John Forster shares the history of the family and the palace with you. Continue through the Cotswolds, where pretty villages are nestled in the limestone hills.

Arrive in Oxford, described by poet Matthew Arnold as “The City of Dreaming Spires” because of its magnificent architecture. Visit one of the University of Oxford’s colleges. Founded in the late 11th century, Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university.

Day 6: London
Independent Exploration. The day is yours to pursue your own interests. Stroll through Hyde Park and listen to the colorful orators at Speaker’s Corner. Ride the London Eye. Explore the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Tate Modern. Discover the dark history of the Tower of London. The choices are yours: this evening, attend a farewell to London Dinner at the club.

Day 7
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to North America. (Provided for Air Program participants only.)

Note: Itinerary sequence and/or scheduled events may change due to local conditions. Many excursions in this program involve walking, as some of the finest attractions are not closely accessible by motorcoach.

Updated July 22, 2009.