May 7 to 21, 2012

15 days, 14 nights

Start/finish: London Heathrow or London Gatwick.

Swaffham, Norfolk - 4 nights

Long Melford, Suffolk - 5 nights

Tonbridge, Kent - 5 nights

Small Group Escorted Holiday - maximum 22 passengers

2012 May

07 Mo Arrival day	Meeting service at Gatwick or Heathrow and transfer directly to Swaffham in the heart of Norfolk to stay 4 nights at the Best Western George Hotel [D]
08 Tu Norwich	This morning explore Norwich with your guide - the 900 year old Cathedral with its imposing spire and  the Norman Castle contrast with the impressive modern Forum, the local Millenium project. Free time to explore on your own before returning to Swaffham. [BD].
09 We  King’s Lynn & Sandringham	In April 1792, King’s Lynn’s most famous son, Captain George Vancouver’s ship Discovery beat a convoy of American ships to the northwest coast of America to declare the land as “British Columbia”.  Tour the Sandringham House estate in West Norfolk -- the private home of four generations of British monarchs - Edward VII,George V, George VI and Elizabeth II. Queen Victoria purchased it in 1862 for Prince Edward (later Edward VII) and his wife Alexandra. You can see gifts given to the Queen over the years and explore the 60 acres of colourful gardens. [BD]
10 Th The North Coast	Visit Blakeney, in medieval times a major port with a beautiful 14th C Guildhall. Nearby is Holkham Hall a magnficent Palladian mansion built in the 1700s by the Coke family.  Still occupied by the family, it has been described as “the perfect English house from the Golden Age of the Grand Tour, surviving intact in its original setting”.  Fakenham, a market town since 1250, has great church adjacent to the market place showing its importance in medieval times. [BD]
11Fr Swaffham to Long Melford	Drive to Ely; visit the Cathedral known locally as the 'Ship of the Fens' famous for its unique Octagon tower. Oliver Cromwell inherited a large estate in Ely, became local tax collector for the Dean of the Cathedral. Permitted to keep any excess collected, he soon became a man of property. You can still visit his house (now local Tourist Information Centre) as well as Ely’s waterside area.  Continue into Suffolk to Long Melford and The Bull Hotel to stay 5 nights [DRB]
12 Sa Melford and  Lavenham	The morning at leisure. This afternoon visit the Guildhall of Corpus Christi in Lavenham is famed for its wealth of timber-framed buildings, which make it one of the best-preserved medieval villages in England and then continue to  Melford Hall, a family home for almost 500 years; Beatrix Potter spent many holidays here. [BD]
13 Su The East Coast	One of England’s most complete and unusual keeps is the unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle with its magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness. A maze of passages leading to the chapel, kitchen and other chambers in the turrets.  The Stud at Hollesley Bay Colony is the largest and probably the oldest stud farm for Suffolk Punch horses in the world. It keeps two stallions and about 20 mares and foals. Visit Ipswich, given a Royal Charter by King John in 1200; by the year 1500 the town was made a King's Port - one of only eleven ports which enjoyed many trading privileges. Adventurers from the town were among the first to settle in the New World. [BD]
14 Mo Cambridge	Spend the day in nearby Cambridge - which has profoundly shaped the world we live in, where there is a real sense of living history almost everywhere you look. The University and its 31 colleges dominate the centre with atmospheric cobbled courts, chapels, gardens and bridges, but Cambridge is no museum piece - dramatic modern architecture sits side by side with the traditional, and visitors will find much to fascinate them. [BD]
15 Tu Bury St Edmunds & Newmarket	Visit one of Britain’s most significant theatre buildings and the only surviving Regency playhouse in Britain, the recently restored Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.  Then on to Newmarket - famous not only for Queen Boadicia and Nell Gwynne but also (and mainly) for horses and horse racing since the days of James I. [BD]
16 We Long Melford to Tonbridge	Drive through Dedham, heart of the Constable country to Roman Colchester (which is also famous for its oysters). South then across the Thames into Kent to Chartwell. Bought by Sir Winston Churchill for its magnificent views over the Weald of Kent, Chartwell was his home and the place from which he drew inspiration from 1924 until the end of his life. Arrive in Tonbridge at the Best Western Rose and Crown Hotel to stay 5 nights. [DRB]
17 Th   Leeds Castle & Sissinghurst Gardens	This morning visit Leeds Castle Originally the Saxon manor of Esledes was an ideal place for the descendant of one of William the Conqueror’s lords, Robert de Crevecoeur, to fortify and build a castle in 1119.  Leeds Castle passed into royal hands in 1278 and became part of the Queen of England’s dower - the settlement widowed queens received upon the death of their husbands. Over the course of 150 years it was held by six mediaeval queens. In Tudor times Henry VIII visited frequently, notably with his Queen, Catherine of Aragon, and their entire court on the way to the tournament of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, which took place in France in 1520. Henry’s son, King Edward VI, granted the castle to one of Henry’s courtiers for his services. Nearby is Sissinghurst - celebrated gardens designed by writer Vita Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicolson in the intimate setting of the grounds of an Elizabethan mansion lakeside and woodland walks.  The Vegetable Garden supplies fresh organic vegetables and fruit to the restaurant. [BD]
18 Fr Canterbury and Dover	After breakfast drive to Canterbury. The Cathedral's history goes back to 597AD when St Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory the Great as a missionary, established his seat (or 'Cathedra') in Canterbury. In 1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in the Cathedral and ever since, the Cathedral has attracted thousands of pilgrims, as told famously in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Later continue to Dover Castle, set high above the famous white cliffs, which boasts a colourful and fascinating history. Re-live the turbulent war years as you discover the labyrinth of Secret Wartime Tunnels built deep within the cliffs. Walk through the rooms where Sir Admiral Ramsay planned the “miracle of Dunkirk” and tour the underground hospital as you follow the story of a wounded wartime pilot. [BD]
19 Sa Battle of Hastings & Bateman’s	The events surrounding the Battle of Hastings and the actual battle itself are well documented - but there are many misconceptions about the events! What claim did Duke William of Normandy have on the throne of England? Why did King Harold lose the Battle of Hastings? Was he a bad leader? Did he just have some bad luck? Was he betrayed? And where did the Vikings fit into the story of the Battle of Hastings? This morning you have the opportunity to answer these questions before visiting  Bateman’s -a Jacobean house, home of Rudyard Kipling, left just as he left it, reflecting the author's exotic oriental tastes. See the original illustrations for The Jungle Book, drawn by Detmold brothers. Explore the delightful gardens which run down to the River Dudwell and a working watermill. [BD]
20Su Knole	Thirteen generations of Sackville-Wests have lived here since 1604, when Thomas Sackville bought a large Kent manor to prove his arrival in society. After years as a favoured courtier of Queen Elizabeth, who would send him on awkward foreign missions to find her a husband, Thomas wanted a house he could show off.   Knole is a great house, allegedly with 365 rooms, 52 staircases and seven courtyards. Nobody seems to have actually counted the rooms, but it is about the size of an Oxbridge college, with as many gables and chimneys, and even a clock tower. Farewell dinner this evening at the hotel. [BD]
21Mo Homeward Bound	During the morning transfer to Gatwick or Heathrow Airport.  Alternativel you may wish to join our “Chelsea Flower Show” London stay. Details on request. [B]

Norfolk has an amazing heritage and the county is filled with gorgeous historic buildings ranging from the spectacular Norwich Cathedral to lovingly restored windmills. Discover all sorts of facts about Norfolk's past, its world-class industries and the great heroes that were brought up here and you will not be short of tales to tell when you get home! Great gardens? Norfolk has wonderful gardens and grounds surrounding magnificent stately. Or run your hands along thick rugged walls of ancient flint and stone and trace the steps of monks around whispering priories. Step inside cool churches and hear the church bells calling people to the heavy pews.

Visit Suffolk and your senses will be brought to life. From the wetland Broads in the north to the beautiful Wool Towns in the south; the shimmering greenery of the west to the stunning Suffolk Coast in the east. With its rich agricultural heritage, Suffolk grew wealthy on wool and textiles during the Medieval era, and the trade shaped the beautiful architecture of towns like Lavenham, Sudbury and Long Melford. Elsewhere, the county's celebrated equestrian heritage still thrives in Newmarket, the international home of horse racing, and the Suffolk Punch Trust near the coast in the village of Hollesley. History in Suffolk is never far away, from the architectural flights of fancy to the lives of the Anglo Saxons in ancient Suffolk. And the castles of Suffolk have also witnessed pivotal moments in English history, when, for instance, Mary Tudor was declared the first ruling Queen of England. Or discover Georgian splendour at the fully refurbished Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.

Kent is steeped in history and heritage and is also rightly renowned throughout the world as the Garden of England. Discover the captivating essence of the Garden of England wending along lanes past lavender fields, orchards, vineyards and oast houses. Look out for the world-renowned Kent hops - base for some of the country’s finest ales.  Be enriched by England's oldest county, alive with its exciting past: visiting Canterbury with Chaucer's pilgrims and Dover  following the maritime adventures that have shaped Kent from Roman invasion to World War II. Much of Kent is a neatly manicured landscape of lush farmland, cultivated country estates and  fruitful orchards, dotted with glorious public gardens on a grand scale.  In Kent there are tales to be told from King Harold to World War II.

Rates are based on tariffs and rates of exchange at May 31 2011

Land tour rates are based on minimum 12 maximum 22 passengers

Join us on this exploration of the Garden of England

Tour costs include:

Basic Land Tour:

• Accommodation: Swaffham 4nts; Long Melford 5 nts; Tonbridge 5nts. at moderate first class hotels in rooms with private bath.
• Meals: full breakfast daily; 14 table d'hote dinners at hotels, one with wine.
• Transportation: by private touring coach throughout the stay in the United Kingdom.
• Escort: a Canadian escort will travel with the group; in addition the group will be joined by a local guide where appropriate
• Entrance fees: entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary.
• Tips & Taxes: local taxes on all included services. Gratuities to drivers, guides, servers for included meals; hotel porters for one bag per person.

Home pick up + round-trip air:

For those taking this option the price includes:

• Transfer from your Kingston/Prince Edward County area home to Toronto Airport and return.
• Air tickets: Toronto London return in economy class with all taxes included on either Air Transat or Air Canada as chosen..

Tour costs do not include:

• Passport and visa fees; travel insurance; personal items (laundry, bar bills etc); any other item not specified above or in the itinerary.

For full details of our General Conditions please see our website General Conditions.

DEPOSITS & FINAL PAYMENTS

Deposits: at time of booking

 + insurance premium if applicable

Final Payment:

Invoices will be issued March 2 for payment by March 16 2012
Payments may be made by personal cheque, Visa or Master-Card.

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

Once a deposit has been paid the following scale of cancellation charges will apply: (insurance premiums, once paid, are non-refundable)