sign in sign up
<<
Home , Chiswick House, Eltham Palace

Classic Homes and Gardens with the Chelsea Flower Show May 21–29, 2022 LONDON’S TOWER BRIDGE

DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, The yearly Chelsea Flower Show is the world’s premier gardening event. We combine a full day at this iconic show with an exploration of many of the magnificent heritage homes and gardens of Greater London, uncovering the history of the capital of through this eclectic mix of properties. Our first home base is the luxurious Royal Horseguards Hotel, itself a historical attraction overlooking the Thames mere steps from Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. We conclude with two nights at historic Hartwell House Hotel, with a tour from the head gardener and a visit to jaw-dropping, neo-Renaissance Waddesdon Manor, including a tour of the Rothschilds’ famous wine cellar, with an exclusive tasting and luncheon.

With space for only 24 participants and pent-up demand, we anticipate this program will fill quickly. Please reserve by calling Criterion Travel at (888) 328-2089 or (650) 328-2089 or email [email protected]. For more general information, you may also contact the Vanderbilt Travel Office directly by calling (615) 322-3673.

With best wishes,

Cary DeWitt Allyn Director, Vanderbilt Travel Program

HIGHLIGHTS t See new cultivars, watch trends, and t Myddleton House receive expert advice during a full-day t Capel Manor visit to the Royal Horticultural Society’s t Great Comp Garden most sought-after event, the Chelsea t Red House , held in the grounds of the Flower Show t Royal Hospital Chelsea. t Park t House t Enjoy specially arranged visits to a t carefully selected mix of heritage homes Wrest Park t and gardens (list at right). Hatfield House t Waddesdon Manor

For more information visit www.vuconnect.com/travel

CHISWICK PARK GREENHOUSE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

LONDON AT SUNSET

WREST PARK WADDESDON MANOR ITINERARY

Saturday–Sunday, May 21–22 1930s Art Deco mansion next a grand country estate in Home / London, England to it. Enjoy dinner at a pub in Bedfordshire resembling a Depart the U.S. on Saturday with views across scaled-down French chateau afternoon and arrive in the Thames River. surrounded by stunning London on Sunday. Relax in ROYAL HORSEGUARDS HOTEL (B,L,D) formal gardens that pre-date the centrally located Royal Wednesday, May 25 the house by more than a Horseguards Hotel or join London century. Also tour the State an optional short walking Witness the finest in garden Rooms of Hatfield House, tour of the neighborhood design and receive superb home of young , a before gathering with your expert advice during a full day prime example of Jacobean fellow travelers for a welcome at the world-famous Chelsea architecture along with superb reception and dinner. Flower Show, held by the Elizabethan carvings, paintings, ROYAL HORSEGUARDS HOTEL (R,D) Royal Horticultural Society on and furniture. Check in to the Monday, May 23 the grounds of Royal Hospital historic Hartwell House Hotel London Chelsea since 1912. Awarding for a two-night stay. HARTWELL HOUSE HOTEL (B,L,D) See two hidden gems in a wide range of prizes within North London: (1) Myddelton categories such as Show Saturday, May 28 House Gardens, created over Gardens, Artisan Gardens, and Buckinghamshire several decades by self-taught Urban Gardens, the Chelsea Enjoy a morning tour of the horticulturist Edward Flower Show is among the ornate Waddesdon Manor, an Bowles, who has been called world’s premier gardening impressive renaissance-style one of the great 20th-century events. After the show, enjoy chateau built by the Rothschilds gardeners; and (2) Capel the evening at leisure. in the late 19th century. Manor Gardens, a colorful ROYAL HORSEGUARDS HOTEL (B) Have lunch on the grounds 30-acre oasis surrounding a Thursday, May 26 followed by a private visit to Georgian Manor House and London the impressive collection of Victorian Stables. Return to the Venture to the western edge Rothschild wines in the Wine hotel and spend the afternoon on London to explore Osterley Cellars with a short wine and evening at leisure. Park, a neo-classical house tasting. Return to our hotel for ROYAL HORSEGUARDS HOTEL (B) designed by Robert Adam a guided tour of the Hartwell Tuesday, May 24 with beautiful formal gardens House gardens by the Head London and a large landscaped park. Gardener. Gather for a farewell Board a motorcoach for a day Continue to , reception on the hotel terrace trip to Kent to visit Great Comp a Palladian with classical followed by dinner. HARTWELL HOUSE HOTEL (B,L,R,D) Garden, a Georgian farmhouse landscapes and 65 acres of and garden with one of the gardens designed by Richard Sunday, May 29 finest collections of salvias in Boyle, inspired by the work of London / Home the country. On the way back prominent English architect After breakfast, transfer to to London, take a detour to . London’s Heathrow Airport for Red House, the arts and crafts ROYAL HORSEGUARDS HOTEL (B,D) flights home. (B) home of William Morris, and Friday, May 27 stop in Greenwich for a guided Buckinghamshire tour of the medieval Great Journey northwest of London Hall of & the Eltham Palace and stop at Wrest Park, WADDESDON MANOR

HATFIELD HOUSE GARDENS ELTHAM PALACE GARDENS

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Royal Horseguards Hotel Built in 1884 in the style of a French chateau, this hotel’s storied past includes its roles as the first home of Scotland Yard and a base for MI5 during WWI. Located along the bank of the Thames River in the heart of London, mere steps from the Undergound and Charing Cross Station, it provides easy access to Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, The London Eye, St. James’ Park, and much more. The tasteful decór is modern, yet retains the traditional style of its surroundings with a nod to the past. Wifi is included for all guests, and there are excellent dining options on site.

Hartwell House Hotel Set in over 90 acres of gardens and parklands, Hartwell House is a historic countryside home with a fascinating history stretching back nearly 1,000 years. Boasting both Jacobean and Georgian features with outstanding decorative ceilings and panelling, fine paintings, and antique furniture, the current house was constructed in the early 17th century and converted to a hotel in 1989. The sprawling gardens, notably laid out by around 1750, feature statues, an obelisk, and a lovely ornamental bridge. Each room is unique and tasefully decorated. Amenities include free wifi, fine dining options, and a spa/fitness center with an indoor pool. CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW CHISWICK HOUSE

GENERAL INFORMATION

PROGRAM RATES and cobblestoned terrain, and extended periods of Per person, double occupancy...... $6,990 standing. Participants must be in good health and able to keep up with the group without assistance from Single supplement...... $1,000 tour staff. By forwarding the deposit, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other To reserve a place, please contact Criterion Travel by condition or disability that would create a hazard for phone at (888) 328-2089 or (650) 328-2089 him/herself or other participants. Up-to-date information or email [email protected] about COVID-related protocols and restrictions is being Contact the Vanderbilt Travel Program directly at: monitored and will be sent to confirmed participants in (615) 322-3673 or email [email protected] pre-departure mailings.

PROGRAM RATES INCLUDE A NOTE ABOUT COSTS All accommodations, meals, and excursions as specified Tour costs are based upon current fuel prices, currency values, taxes, tariffs, and a minimum number of in the itinerary, including seven five-star hotel nights, participants. While we will do everything possible to seven breakfasts, three lunches, five dinners, and maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change. If two wine receptions • Comprehensive program of briefings, lectures, and presentations • Airport transfers there are significant changes, details and costs will be from/to Heathrow on group arrival and departure dates advised prior to departure. • Gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, and wait staff TRAVEL INSURANCE for all group activities • Entrance fees • Bottled water We strongly recommend the purchase of trip on motorcoaches • Complete packet of pre-departure cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of information • Professional tour manager throughout the expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness program or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a AIR ARRANGEMENTS U.S. domestic and international airfare is not included travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the in the program rates. Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. can only source of reimbursement. help with airline arrangements for this trip and can be PROGRAM RATES DO NOT INCLUDE reached at 877-376-1754. You are also welcome to book U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport/visa your air transportation through your local travel agent, expenses • Medical expenses and immunizations • an online travel site, or the airline of your choice. Further Travel and trip cancellation insurance • Private transfers information about making flight arrangements will be or airport transfers outside of group arrival and sent to confirmed participants. departure days • Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour • Airline baggage charges • Meals GROUP SIZE This exclusive program is limited to 24 participants. not specified in the itinerary; dishes and beverages not part of the included meals; liquor or soft drinks except WHAT TO EXPECT as noted • Laundry or dry cleaning • Telephone, fax, The pace of this tour is moderately active with internet, and email charges • Room service • Other considerable walking each day, often over very uneven items of a personal nature

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Complete Terms and Conditions including Statement of Responsibility final payment deadline (February 21, 2022). Cancellations after final will be made available to you at time of registration, or in advance payment date: All payments are 100% nonrefundable, regardless of upon request. A signed “Terms & Conditions, Release from Liability, booking date. For this reason, trip cancellation insurance is strongly Assumption of Risk and Binding Arbitration Clause” is required from recommended. Note: Neither the Vanderbilt Travel Program nor each applicant prior to participation on the tour. Criterion Travel, the tour operator, accepts liability for any airline cancellation penalties incurred with the purchase of nonrefundable RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS tickets. A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve space on this program. To reserve a place, please contact Criterion Travel by phone ITINERARY CHANGES at (888) 328-2089 or (650) 328-2089 or email The itinerary presented for this tour is subject to modification and [email protected]. Final payment deadline is February 21, 2022. change by the Vanderbit Travel Program and Criterion Travel. Every For those who register after February 21, 2022, full payment is due reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; upon registration. Final payment must be made by check or bank however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require the transfer. itinerary to be altered, the Vanderbilt Travel Program and the tour operator reserve the right to do so for the safety and best interest CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS of the group. Any extra expenses incurred in this situation are the Upon payment of the $1,000 per person deposit, all reservations are responsibility of the participant. subject to the cancellation provisions set forth below and by which the passenger agrees to be bound. Cancellations shall not be in effect California Seller of until they are received in writing and confirmed by the Vanderbilt Travel Program Travel Program and Criterion Travel. Deposits are reundable until CST #2088800-40 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Vanderbilt Travel Program PAID 2301 Vanderbilt Place Permit No. 604 PMB 407735 Sacramento, CA Nashville, TN 37240-7735

For more information visit www.vuconnect.com/travel