7 Days Windsor – Private Small Group Journey.
Highlights Include: The very Best of Britain – Horse Racing, History, and Shopping! Racing at Ascot, a visit and lunch at the beautiful gardens at Penshurst Place and Gardens, Kent, a visit to Windsor Castle and finally a specially arranged visit to the Mary Rose at the Historic Royal Dockyard in Portsmouth.
Specially customized for private small groups of 8 to 16 guests.
Cool Britannia
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON: You will be collected by coach from a designated pick up point chosen by yourself in or around London (e.g. Heathrow Airport). Transfer to Windsor for check-in to your hotel. Tonight you will enjoy a welcome dinner. (D)
DAY 2 ASCOT: For the fashionistas, here’s an opportunity to dress up as we depart in the morning for a race meeting at Ascot, the world’s most famous racecourse with a history of horse racing spanning 300 years as well as Princess Diana’s frequently visited venue. Be one of the very few lucky ones to receive a Premier Admission pass (please note, this is not the royal event and is also subject to availability) with afternoon tea.
Alternatively : Should no race day be available for Ascot we can arrange an alternative experience such as one of the below:
- Hampton Court– The official residence of Henry VIII – Entry to the Palace and Gardens, guests also enjoy tea/coffee and cake or scone with cream & jam in the Tiltyard Café Tearoom.
- A ¾-day walking movie tour, with its unique charm and history, London has long been featured in iconic film and TV production. Guests will see or stand at locations where some of their favorite films or TV shows were shot or where a famous actor/actress strolled.
- Anna’s Champagne Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor House. Enjoy the champagne afternoon tea of Anna (7th Duchess of Bedford) at London’s iconic Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane.
This evening, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (D)
Note: The Royal Ascot Race Meeting usually takes place in June each year.
DAY 3 WINDSOR CASTLE / RIVER CRUISE / ETON COLLEGE: Guided Private Evening Tour of the State Apartments including a glass of sparkling wine and a copy of the official guidebook (minimum 15 guests). In the company of an expert guide, your group can enjoy an exclusive ‘behind-the-ropes’ experience in the Castle’s magnificent State Apartments. Starting when the Castle has closed to the public for the day, your tour will take you on a journey through 1,000 years of royal history. You will discover how William the Conqueror’s wooden castle was rebuilt by Edward III as a stone fortress with magnificent apartments, how Charles II set out to rival the Versailles of his cousin Louis XIV, while George IV filled the rooms with outstanding works of art and gave the Castle its famous skyline.
Afterwards, enjoy the French Brothers River Cruise. Leaving Windsor Promenade, passengers will have excellent views of Windsor Castle and Eton College. After passing Windsor racecourse, the boat goes through Mill House and the Brocas Meadows.
Onwards to Eton College. Founded by 1440 By King Henry VI, Eton College is one of the oldest schools in the country. Its historic buildings are a fundamental part of the national heritage. Experience and share the beauty and traditions of the College with a visit to Eton College. Later, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)
DAY 4 PENSHURST PLACE / KENT: This morning, head towards Penshurst Place. Your VIP tour to this 14th century stately home, set in the beautiful weald of Kent and previously owned by Henry VIII, includes:
- 1-hour private house tour with the Head Guide
- Tea/ coffee and cake served in the Buttery (an atmospheric medieval room hung with tapestries that the general public do not usually see)
- Guests can then enjoy a 1 – 1 ½ hour tour of the stunning gardens by the Head Gardener
- 2-course lunch to be served in the restaurant
- Free-time to explore the rest of the estate and the quaint adjoining village
After the memorable tour, guests can relax and spend some free time in Kent before heading back to the hotel for dinner. (B/L/D)
DAY 5 MARY ROSE AT PORTSMOUTH: See the unseen at King Henry VIII’s favorite ship–the Mary Rose! Be one of the very few lucky ones to view the secondary collection and enjoy refreshments on the private balcony of the museum (74 miles southeast of London). Your tour incorporates:
- Arrival at Victory Gate escorted up to the new Mary Rose Museum
- Welcome/ Introduction (if the café is not available we can provide Tea/Coffee and freshly baked cookies for your guests), viewing of the Dan Snow
- Introductory film along with a short talk on the ‘Life on Board’ with artifact handling
- Specialist Talk about the building of the Mary Rose Museum – “Realizing the Dream”
- Tour of the museum
Enjoy shopping at Gunwharf Quays, home to over 90 designer outlets and 30 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants, where guests can avail up to 60% off on the best designer brands. Later, return to your hotel for dinner. (B/D)
DAY 6 BICESTER / BLENHEIM: First stop today will be at Bicester shopping village – Shop ’til you drop! Guests can be let loose to enjoy an additional 10% off already discounted prices at Europe’s leading luxury designer outlet. With 103 stores, some say it is the most fashionable street outside of London, “The best-kept secret of the savvy and sophisticated shopper!” Afterwards, travel to Blenheim Palace where you will enjoy a VIP experience. After enjoying tea or coffee on arrival, enjoy a 45-minute private talk by the palace historian at Blenheim Palace, ancestral house of Sir Winston Churchill with lovely views of the Formal Gardens and Pleasure Gardens and the Park. Later, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)
DAY 7 LONDON / USA: After breakfast, transfer to a London airport for your return flight home. (B)
Customize to Suit
The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers in London on Days 1 and 7
- Twin-bedded rooms in 4- or 5-Star hotels; hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling
- 3 breakfasts, 6 three-course dinners
- Lunch at Penshurst Place
- Entrance to Ascot Races (Should no race day be available, we can arrange for one of the following: Visit Hampton Court; or 3/4-day walking movie tour in London; or Anna’s Champagne Afternoon Tea at Grosvenor House)
- Eton College, Windsor Castle, and a French Brothers River Cruise
- Visit Penshurst Place
- Visit the Mary Rose
- VIP visit to Blenheim Palace
- Executive Luxury Coach for duration of tour
- Services of a professional driver
- Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
- Portfolio of travel documents
- 24-hour emergency customer service while in England
Private Departures
Please Call 1-800-818-8455 for Group Rates on this Custom Group Journey
This suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests. You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.
Group Discounts
On custom journeys, discounts vary depending on group requirements. Typically, travel with a group of 20 and the 21st traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land portion of the vacation price. A second traveler receives a 100% discount* off the land on a group of 40 paying passengers.
*Per person prices are land only and based on two people sharing a room. Above dates represent “land start” date. Air: Please note that airfares are not included in the prices above. Journeys Connect can quote you the lowest possible GROUP airfare available on the day that you book. Minimum of 10 seats from same gateway. Less than 10 air seats will require full payment at time of booking. Single Room Supplement: On Request. Triple Room Reduction: On Request. Group discounts cannot be combined with our Triple Room discounts. Not valid on Specialty, Customized Vacations or River Cruises, optional extensions, extra nights, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, or airport transfers. Other restrictions may apply. All passengers’ names must be advised before the discount is applied. *Group discount is on a twin-share basis only.
Contact Journeys Connect
Journeys Connect group and specialty services are available exclusively on a Business-to-Business basis, to travel industry professionals. If you are an individual interested in a Group Journey for 8 or more passengers, please do browse our collection and then contact your preferred Travel Agent and ask them to book through Journeys Connect.
Travel professionals, please call and speak with one of our Group Specialty Professionals:
1-800-818-8455