Pen and Brush -
Britain's Writer's and Artists
11 Days
  ngland,
a relatively small island, has a cultural background which is second to
none. It is this culture which we wish to share with you, starting with
a look at the works of some of the great English masters such as
Turner, Gainsborough and Constable. Surrounded by ocean and containing
a rich mixture of countryside it is no wonder that many English artists
are most famous for their depictions of landscapes and maritime scenes.
After enjoying the poetic majesty on canvas, you will tour where some
of England’s greatest literary creators were born, lived or based their
works. From Shakespeare to the Bronte sisters, if the classics are your
passion, then this tour is bound to provide an exciting insight into
the works of some of England’s masters.
Day 1 - Departure
Depart from your home destination.
(Airport transfer, airfare, and airfare upgrade can be arranged*)
Day 2 – Arrival in London
On arrival, you are transported directly to your luxury hotel in the
center of London. After a long flight, you have the remainder of the
day to relax or to explore a little of London.
 Day 3 – A Look at the Masters
Today
you are off to the world famous Tate Britain Gallery. Tate Britain is
the world center for the understanding and enjoyment of British art and
works to actively promote interest in British art, internationally. The
displays at Tate Britain call on the greatest collection of British art
in the world to present an unrivaled picture of the development of art
in Britain from the time of the Tudor monarchs in the 16th century to
the present day. Here you will find works from all of the English
Masters including Gainsborough, Constable, Turner and Blake. After the
Tate, you'll dine in one of London's most notorious restaurants, known
well to the Sherlock Holmes enthusiast, Simpsons-in-the-Strand, where
Holmes is written to have dined often.
Days 4 – Portraits
Today
you are off to a very unusual home of art, where the exhibits are more
about the painted than the painter. The National Portrait Gallery
houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of this type of art.
The Gallery was established in 1856 and houses portraits going back to
the 1505 painting of Henry VII. One of the most famous portraits is the
1610 portrayal of William Shakespeare which, it is said, was the first
portrait to be presented to the gallery. After you visit the gallery,
spend the evening in the “Covent Garden Piazza”, the only area in
London licensed for street entertainment. Here, jugglers, mime artists
and street musicians from all over the world thrill the crowds. Dine in
any one of the many restaurants which surround the square. Later this
afternoon, you are off to the birthplace of the Bard,
Stratford-upon-Avon. Your luxury hotel awaits.
 Day 5 – The Birthplace of the Bard
Today, you will visit what is undoubtedly the most famous home of
English literature, Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace and home of
William Shakespeare. In this exceedingly well preserved Tudor town, you
will visit its five prime sites.
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace
- The half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 is
Stratford's most cherished historic place. Descendants of the dramatist
lived here until the 19th century.
- New Place - Nash House
- New Place, Shakespeare's home from 1597 until his death in 1616, was
pulled down in the eighteenth century but its foundations and grounds
can still be seen, including a beautiful Elizabethan-style Knot.
- Halls Croft
- This impressive house is where Shakespeare's eldest daughter,
Susanna, lived with her medical genius husband. It is near Holy Trinity
Church, where Shakespeare is buried.
- Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
- Before marrying William Shakespeare in 1582, Anne Hathaway lived in
what is justifiably described as one of England's most famous and
exquisitely picturesque buildings.
- Mary Arden’s House
– Just 3 ½ miles outside Stratford and still retaining its country
setting in Wilmcote, this timbered Tudor farmhouse is the house in
which Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, grew up before marrying John
Shakespeare and moving to Henley Street. It is also home to the
Shakespeare Countryside Museum, two historic farms, displays of farm
implements, daily demonstrations by the Heart of England falconry, a
blacksmith's forge, and a duck pond. How lovely!
We've arranged for a lovely dinner for you tonight at one of
Stratford's more luxurious restaurants - a perfect ending to a perfect
day.
Days 6 – The Play's the Thing
An exciting day awaits you. Your day begins with a visit to the Holy
Trinity Church in Stratford, the burial site of William Shakespeare and
Anne Hathaway. Your afternoon consists of a behind-the-scenes tour of
the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre, followed by an evening
performance of what's on at the theatre, an experience no Shakespeare
enthusiast should miss.
Day 7 – Off to the Lakes
This morning you travel north to the Lake District National Park, home
of the famous romantic poet, William Wordsworth. This area of
outstanding natural beauty was the inspiration for such famous words as:
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
After
arriving and checking into your luxury hotel, spend the afternoon
taking in the sights and sounds of this quaint area as you travel the
winding roads to Rydal Mount, home of Wordsworth. Walk the beautiful
gardens, sit in the poet’s summerhouse, enjoy the breathtaking views of
the lakes and hills and you will easily understand why Wordsworth loved
to write here! A romantic dinner awaits you in your luxury hotel
tonight, a wonderful opportunity to ponder the beauty and romance of
the Lake District.
Day 8 – The World of Peter Rabbit
Today you explore the world of one of the original great children’s
authors, Beatrix Potter. Close by are several attractions including,
Hill Top Farm which Potter owned, and was the inspiration place for
several of her books. Also not to be missed are the Beatrix Potter
gallery and the World of Beatrix Potter Exhibit.
Day 9 – A Family of Writers
Travel across country to the small town of Haworth in West York.
Haworth, which sits above the Worth Valley amid the Pennine moors, is
world famous for it’s association with the most impressive family of
writers to have ever lived, the Brontė’s. Whilst the Brontė’s were born
in the town of Thornton, the majority of their famous works were
written while living at Haworth Parsonage. Charlotte, Emily and Anne
Brontė are the authors of some of the best-loved books in the English
language. Charlotte's novel ‘Jane Eyre’ (1847), Emily's ‘Wuthering
Heights’ (1847), and Anne's ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ (1848) were
written in this house over 150 years ago, yet their power still moves
readers today. Local attractions to be visited include ‘Top Withens’, a
desolate ruin isolated in the moors which is accredited as being the
setting for Heathcliff’s farmhouse in the novel, ‘Wuthering Heights’.
We return in time for dinner at one of the Lake District’s fine
restaurants.
Day 10 – Return to London
Today,
you drive south through England's beautiful countryside to your home
base of London. If you depart early enough, you'll have the afternoon
to soak in even more of London - perhaps visit the Sherlock Holmes
Museum or even another gallery. Tonight, you're booked into one of the
hottest plays running, Noel Coward's 'Hay Fever', starring Dame Judi
Dench.
Day 11 - Depart for Home
(Airport transfer, airfare, and airfare upgrade can be arranged*)
The above tour is subject to change without notice.
E&OA
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