We will be based for 5 nights in a 4-Star Deluxe London Bloomsbury Hotel. Joining us will be a Gardening Expert from Homestead Gardens, as well as Peter and Maria Martin, from Martin & Keegan LLC to ensure your trip becomes a stress-free and informative experience. Martin & Keegan LLC has been creating and leading custom-made European tours since 1997.
Each couple will receive a Royal Horticulture Society Membership with exclusive Member's Day Chelsea Flower Show Tickets, included visits to several world renowned gardens, and plenty of time to enjoy the city's museums, shops, theatre, and other wonderful attractions!
MAY 23-28, 2010
SUNDAY
- Guests will arrive at London Heathrow and transfer to our 4-Star Deluxe London Bloomsbury Hotel for our 5-night stay.
- In the early afternoon we'll enjoy a private coach/walking tour of London, with our private guide. We'll see the highlights and history as we enjoy views of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the shopping arcades along Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral.
- Our welcome dinner tonight will be in a local restaurant, where we will meet fellow travelers and go over our itinerary for the week.
MONDAY
- After enjoying breakfast in the hotel dining room, we depart for Wisley, the Royal Horticultural Society's most famous Garden. An hour south of London, this 250-acre garden is undoubtedly one of the great gardens of the world. Its huge plant collection is also diverse, with a comprehensive fruit-growing collection, alpines, vegetables, bulbs as well as herbaceous and woody plants. We’ll enjoy a private tour after which guests will have time for lunch and exploring on their own.
- After we return to London, guests will enjoy the rest of the day for personal discovery.
- This evening guests will be on their own to discover and enjoy one of London’s many excellent restaurants. Peter and Maria will always be available with suggestions and information on things to see, the latest London shows and concerts and the best restaurants for all tastes.
TUESDAY
- This morning we visit the world-renowned Kew Botanic Gardens. Often referred to as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is responsible for the world’s largest collection of living plants spread over three hundred acres. We’ll enjoy a private tour of the gardens and each guest will receive access to Kew Palace as well.
- In offering a flexible program, guests will spend as much time as they’d like at the gardens, returning to the hotel at their leisure using their London Travel Pass.
- This afternoon we'll also enjoy our exclusive pre-Chelsea lecture by best selling author Judith Blacklock. She will provide a short history and overview of the Chelsea show and give current up to date advice on what to see, what to avoid, the years favorites and how to make the best of our day at the show.
- This evening guests will be on their own to discover and enjoy one of London’s many excellent restaurants.
WEDNESDAY
- The Chelsea Flower Show opens at 8:00 a.m. and we’ll be there when the gates open for Member's Only Day. We’ll have the entire day to enjoy the internationally famed RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the most famous garden show in the world that celebrates the beginning of the summer garden season in England.
- In offering a flexible program, guests will spend as much time as they’d like at the gardens. They will be able to return to the hotel at their leisure using their London Travel Pass.
- This evening guests will be on their own to discover and enjoy one of London’s many excellent restaurants.
THURSDAY
- After breakfast a short commute to the Covent Garden Flower Market once again with best selling author Judith Blacklock. The Covent Garden Flower Market is a very unique London attraction, with over 30 companies selling cut flowers, plants, foliage and sundries offering a one-stop shop for the florist. Products arrive daily from Holland and elsewhere and it is also the only place a full range of English produce is available.
- In the afternoon guests will be free to explore the city on their own; to shop or visit one of the many museums or tourist sites available in the city, including the London Eye, Tower of London or one of the many galleries.
- For our last night together we'll enjoy our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
FRIDAY
- Guests will check out today for a morning transfer to London Heathrow Airport.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 5 Night's accommodation in a 4-Star Deluxe London Bloomsbury Hotel
- Heathrow Airport return transfers
- Tour of London with private guide and coach
- A year membership in the Royal Horticultural Society (1 per couple) and all the privileges that entails
- A day pass for the Chelsea Flower Show on one of the Member’s Only Day’s.
- Chelsea Flower Show Program Guidebook
- A pre-tour private lecture from best selling author Judith Blacklock on the Chelsea Flower Show
- A tour and private guide at Wisley Gardens, the Royal Horticultural Society's most famous Garden.
- Entry and tour of Kew Gardens including access to Kew Palace, A British Royal Palace
- Tour of the New Covent Garden Flower Market with best selling author Judith Blacklock
- A 7-Day London Travel Pass. Good for use on London’s transportation system in Zones 1 and 2. (1 Pass per person)
- A Gardening Expert from Homestead Gardens who will accompany us during the week.
- Two travel guides from Martin & Keegan LLC will always be available with suggestions and information on things to see: the latest London shows, concerts, attractions and the best restaurants for all tastes.
- Plenty of Free Time to explore one of the great cities of the world: London!
- 5 Full English Breakfasts and 2 dinners (alcohol and beverages are not included)
- Full information and welcome package a few weeks before the tour begins
- Hotel service charges and taxes
- Maximum tour size: 20 guests; minimum tour size: 8 guests
- Price Per Person - $3475.00 (Price does not include airfare)
- Single Supplement - $780.00 (note: single guests may request to be paired to avoid the single supplement fee)
DOWNLOAD PDF OF TOUR DETAILS »
Links
HEATHROW AIPORT
www.heathrowairport.com
HOTEL
www.radissonedwardian.com/bloomsburystreet
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
www.rhs.org.uk
WISLEY GARDENS
www.rhs.org.uk
KEW GARDENS
www.kew.org
NEW COVENT GARDEN MARKET
www.newcoventgardenmarket.com
JUDITH BLACKLOCK FLOWER SCHOOL
www.judithblacklock.com
LONDON TRAVEL PASS
www.londontoolkit.com