The Gardens of England & Wales with the Chelsea Flower Show
An in-depth journey through the gardens and countryside of England and Wales including Hampton Court Palace, The Gardens of Wisley and Bodnant Gardens. Starting with a visit to The Chelsea Flower Show and ending with the house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this truly is a tour that highlights the very best of the region.
Overview
An in-depth journey through the gardens and countryside of England and Wales including Hampton Court Palace, The Gardens of Wisley and Bodnant Gardens. Starting with a visit to The Chelsea Flower Show and ending with the house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, this truly is a tour that highlights the very best of the region.
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Day 1: Arrive London
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transferred to your trip hotel. This evening, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Drink and trip briefing at your hotel.
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Day 2: Chelsea Flower Show
A transfer in the morning takes you to the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Enjoy the extensive displays of show gardens and magnificent floral displays before a transfer in the afternoon back to your hotel. Later, enjoy a glass of champagne and a bird’s eye view of London from the London Eye before dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 3: London Sightseeing
On your guided sightseeing this morning see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. Witness the pomp and pageantry of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (if operating) before enjoying lunch in a typical English pub. This afternoon you are free to enjoy London at your own pace.
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Day 4: Kew Gardens & Hampton Court Palace
This morning visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. Explore inside the vast Victorian glasshouses and see the indoor galleries. This afternoon, discover the wonders of majestic Hampton Court Palace, home to the Kings and Queens of Britain since the time of Henry VIII. Discover the magnificent State Apartments and explore the riverside gardens.
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Day 5: London - Wisley Gardens - St. Austell
Travel to the gardens of Wisley today, renowned as the flagship garden of the Royal Agricultural Society. Then continue to the Cornish Riviera and our hotel, perched high on the rugged cliffs of St Austell Bay.
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Day 6: Lost Garden of Heligan & the Cornish Coast
We visit Heligan, one of the most mysterious estates in England. Unveiled in 1992 from under decades of overgrowth, the Lost Gardens were restored on a shoestring budget and hailed by The Times as “the garden restoration of the century”. Today the mysterious gardens and estate offer over 200 acres for exploration! This afternoon is then free for you to relax at our beautiful hotel.
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Day 7: St. Austell - Cheltenham
Our journey takes us through the English countryside to Bath. Visit the 18th Century Pump Room and the ancient Baths, then enjoy some free time to browse the quaint streets. Continue to Hidcote Manor Gardens, one of the greatest arts and crafts gardens in England. Then it’s on to the town of Cheltenham where we have a two night stay.
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Day 8: Cotswolds Excursion
Full day sightseeing of the Cotswalds begins in Burford, where there’s time to visit the small tea houses before heading south to Bibury described as the ‘prettiest village in Britain’ for an included lunch. Later we return to Cheltenham.
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Day 9: Cheltenham - Powis Castle - Llandudno
Today we travel to the David Austin Nursery for roses where we enjoy morning tea followed by a tour of the gardens. Next, visit Powis Castle gardens with its spectacular terraces and stunning vistas.
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Day 10: Bodnant Garden Excursion
The day starts with a visit to Bodnant Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK. Later visit the village of Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, at 3,560 feet the highest peak in Wales including a fabulous trip onboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
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Day 11: Llandudno - Lake District
Farewell Wales and continue north to the English Lake District where you see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. Admire the Topiary Gardens, the finest, oldest and most extensive garden in the world at Levens Hall. Then continue to our traditional hotel set on the shores of Lake Windermere.
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Day 12: Lake District Experience
A day devoted to this scenic wonderland, beginning with a visit to Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter and where she spent much of her life. We then visit the picturesque village of Hawkeshead, famous for its whitewashed cottages and cobbled lanes. Then there is free time to relax in your tranquil surroundings. Perhaps take a cruise on Lake Windermere?
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Day 13: Lake District - Chatsworth RHS Flower Show - Nottingham
Head into the rolling Derbyshire countryside, where the Chatsworth Estate offers a glorious backdrop for the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, offering a new celebration of plants and gardens. You can expect to see all your favourite RHS Show features, including a fantastic range of specialist nurseries, outdoor lifestyle shopping and garden inspiration at every turn! Later continue to the historic city of Nottingham.
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Day 14: Nottingham - Blenheim Palace - Bampton Village - London
This morning explore the magnificent house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Continue to the village of Bampton to see the street where many scenes from the “Downtown Abbey ”TV series were filmed. Later, return to London for a spectacular Thames River Dinner Cruise!
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Day 15: Farewell London
After breakfast your trip comes to an end with a transfer to London Heathrow Airport for your onward flight.
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: $2,070 p.p.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Professional Travel Director
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Most Meals
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Personal Flight Options
Included Quality Dining
14 Breakfasts, 7 Dinners, 2 Lunches
Insight Experiences
- Explore the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show
- London – Thames River Dinner Cruise
- London Eye excursion with champagne
- Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew
- Discover the wonders of Hampton Court Palace
- Visit the Gardens of Wisley and the Lost Garden of Heligan
- Bodnant Gardens excursion, Wales
- Snowden Mountain Railway Excursion
- Visit Hilltop, the home of Beatrix Potter
- Visit Blenheim Palace
- Enjoy morning tea at the David Austin Nursery for roses
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in the UK is the Pound (£). While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive in the UK, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate when you arrive in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
English specialties include fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, sausages, Stilton cheese, and scones with clotted cream. Culinary experiences to not to miss include a traditional pub meal, afternoon tea, and full English breakfast. In larger cities like London you’ll also find restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine.
Food and drink in Scotland goes far beyond haggis, porridge, and whiskey. Other specialties to try include kippers, fish and chips, Scotch broth, smoked salmon, sausages, shortbread, and Dundee cake. For a meal that’s inexpensive and authentic, try a pub meal with a pint of Scottish ale.
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Packing
The climate in the UK is temperate, with regular rainfall throughout the year. We suggest packing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. A few important items to bring include sturdy walking shoes and a waterproof jacket with a hood. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Tipping is less common in the UK than in the U.S. When dining out, some restaurants will add a service charge of 12.5 percent to your bill, especially for groups. If a service hasn’t been added, it’s appropriate to leave 10 – 15 percent gratuity.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
TIPS & TAXES & PORTERAGE: Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage. All tips are included for services on trip provided by dining-room waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Airfares, airport taxes and charges imposed by third parties, passports and applicable visa fees, laundry, phone calls, items of a personal nature, beverages, meals and sightseeing not detailed on the itinerary, tips and gratuities to the Travel Director, coach drivers and local city guides, excess baggage, optional experiences and travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance is highly recommended. Please see your Travel Agent for further details.
DEPOSIT: A deposit of $200 per person is required within 3 days of booking.
FINAL PAYMENT: Required to your travel agent no later than 70 days prior to departure.
PRICE: The advertised price is in US dollars. No surcharges in regards to cost or currency fluctuations will be made once deposit is received. This guarantee excludes fuel surcharges and does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or its agencies. No discounts are applicable with this trip.
DISCOUNTS: Frequent Traveler & 2nd Trip Discount apply only. No other discounts are available on this trip.
CANCELLATION FEES: The following scale of charges apply when cancellation is notified:
| No. of days prior to trip commencement | Cancellation fee as % of total trip price |
|---|---|
| More than 70 days | loss of deposit |
| Between 69 & 30 days | 38.5% |
| Between 29 & 8 days | 55% |
| Between 7 days to departure | 100% of fare |
AMENDMENTS: A fee of $50 may apply to any change made to your booking once confirmed.
REFUNDS: No refund is available if cancellations occur after the trip has commenced or in respect of any trips, accommodation, meals or any other services not utilized.
ITINERARY CHANGES & TRIP CANCELLATION: GET reserves the right to vary itineraries should circumstances dictate, as well as cancel or reschedule any trip departure in accordance with operating requirements, or circumstances beyond its control. The advertised trips require minimum numbers to depart. Should these not be met Insight Vacations reserves the right to alter or cancel arrangements.
HOTELS: The hotels listed in the itinerary are confirmed, although subject to change for reasons beyond our control.
ROOMING ARRANGEMENTS: Please note that single accommodation is usually limited. Occupying a single room either by choice or circumstance is subject to the applicable supplement.
TRIP MEMBERSHIP: Any person aged 8 years or more is eligible, though if under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The Travel Director may, at his or her discretion, require any person to withdraw from any trip if he or she deems the person’s acts or conduct offensive or a nuisance to other passengers, and we shall have no further liability.
PORTERAGE: For one suitcase on trip is included in the trip price and at arrival or departure from each trip hotel. Due to limited coach capacity this single bag should have a weight not exceeding 30kg (66lbs) and dimensions not exceeding 77.5cm (30.5in) x 56cm (22in) x 32cm (12.5in). Charges will be levied in the event these limits are exceeded and our promise to transport you as indicated may be invalidated. Note: Airlines may restrict check-in baggage to 20kgs per person.
DOCUMENTATION: Approximately 2 weeks prior to departure from US, documentation will be received by your travel agent including a trip itinerary, a full Hotel list, an Optional Experiences list, baggage labels & ticket wallet.
HOLIDAYS & CHANGES: During local or national holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums, sightseeing trips and shopping may be limited. In such instances, and whenever possible, slight itinerary adjustments are made by Insight Vacations to minimize inconvenience to our passengers. If, however you feel your enjoyment might be diminished by such minor limitations please check with the respective national tourist office before selecting a specific departure. Similarly, holidays, closing days and other circumstances may necessitate a change of the day of the week for scheduled highlight dinners, sightseeing or other activities. Due to the unreliability of domestic air scheduling, religious festivals, and other unforeseen circumstances, the itineraries, hotels or order of sightseeing may change at short notice. Pre or post trip accommodation is subject to availability. If not available, an alternative may be offered.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS: These conditions incorporate the basis upon which bookings are accepted by your Travel Agent and Insight Vacations. By making a booking you are agreeing to these terms & conditions. Insight is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or re-scheduling of any trip departure. For further information about Insight Vacations please refer to Insight’s brochure. These conditions must be carefully studied prior to making the commitment of paying the deposit as they must be referred to. Additional terms and conditions may be applicable to group bookings and will be advised.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
