Oxford English Countryside Cotswolds
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OXFORD ◆ ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE ◆ COTSWOLDS FFeaturingeaturing DDowntonownton AAbbeybbey ◆ BBlenheimlenheim PPalacealace July 14 to 22, 2017 Dear Alumni & Friends, For many, the unspoilt nature of England, Shakespeare’s “blessed plot,” lies in the traditional ways of town and country life practiced for centuries in this storied island’s idyllic university towns, pastoral villages and picturesque countrysides. Experience the time-honored quest for knowledge as played out in the hallowed classrooms, dining halls and quadrangles of Oxford University. Learn more about how the legacy of days gone by transcends time and forms the roots of contemporary country life as you interact with village residents. Call on stunning Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit incredible Windsor Castle, a royal residence of England’s monarchy since the 11th century and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Uncover the deep history behind Highclere Castle, the authentic Victorian manor house now known as “Downton Abbey.” Savor the extraordinary experience of traveling in a small, merry group to the university town of Oxford and through the Cotswold region—town and country juxtaposed—discovering the great heritage and character of England’s historic academic centers, great country manor houses and enchanting villages. Explore the age-old traditions of Oxford and become more familiar with the lives of great authors and icons of English history who were educated here or hailed from the surrounding region. Admire the picture-perfect scenery of thatched-roof cottages, English fl ower gardens and gentle streams, framed by the bucolic Cotswold landscape and dotted with evocative ruins and spectacular medieval churches built from the wealth of the wool trade. Hear about contemporary life from the local ladies and gents during the exclusive TOWN & COUNTRY LIFE® FORUM. Experience the best of quintessentially English culture while staying in an iconic, Five-Star hotel moments away from the regal grounds of Windsor Castle; a deluxe, typically English hotel in the center of a quaint country village; and a historic, Five-Star hotel ideally located in the heart of medieval Oxford. This comprehensive, one-of-a-kind, small group travel program is an exceptional value and the best way to experience the charm and beauty of English town and country life. So don’t delay—this popular program sells out quickly. Make your reservation today while Early Booking Savings and space are still available! Sincerely,y Kathy Barnard Executive Director of Alumni Relations Offi ce of Alumni Relations Disclaimer The University of Idaho, through its Offi ce of Alumni Relations,is pleased to provide this service of facilitating travel opportunities or its alumni and friends. We strive to work with the best partners to make available interesting and enriching travel options for University of Idaho alums. Please note that the university does not conduct tours, nor does it act as an agent for guests interested in tours. The Offi ce of Alumni Relations acts as a facilitator with tour operators, with whom tour participants make arrangements for completing travel. We’re pleased to act as a liaison with tour operators should you have any questions or concerns that may arise before, during or after your tour. The Offi ce of Alumni Relations encourages you to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the tour operator’s cancellation and refund policies, and also to investigate available services such as trip cancellation insurance. The university is not responsible for changes to trips or travel arrangements, or for losses or additional expenses resulting from travel. The Offi ce of Alumni Relations reserves the right to withdraw its affi liation with any individual tour should conditions warrant. (The University of Idaho Offi ce of Alumni Relations would like to continue sending you information on travel opportunities with “Vandal Voyagers.” However, if you wish to not receive future travel offerings or other notifi cations of commercial opportunities from the Offi ce of Alumni Relations via mailings or e-mail, please notify [email protected] or phone 208-885-6154.) Cover: Stroll through Oxford, the “city of dreaming spires” and see the impressive architecture of this world-famous Walk among quaint row houses in the tranquil university town. Cotswold village of Burford. ◆ ◆ OXFORD ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE COTSWOLDS Experience fi rsthand the storied destinations and steadfast traditions that have shaped English character for centuries in Oxford, the medieval town that serves as a beacon of academia; in the royal borough of Windsor and its revered castle, an offi cial residence of the Royal Family for more than 900 years; and in the quintessentially English Cotswold villages spread across the seemingly endless verdant shires of England—Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire—where bucolic country Fortis est Veritas— life unfolds amidst charming villages, rolling vales and lush woodlands. “The truth is strong”— Learn about the rhythms of daily life and the generations-old customs and proclaims the Coat of Arms of the city of Oxford. ceremonies of the hallowed universities in England’s towns, chinwag with local village residents and chat with the ladies and chaps of the countryside. Enjoy an enriching and intimate small group travel experience like no other, including all excursions, deluxe accommodations and specially arranged meals— an excellent value. This exclusive program is one of the popular TOWN & COUNTRY LIFE® series that immerses you in an intimate, comprehensive travel experience at just the right pace. CULTURAL ENRICHMENTS are specially arranged and only available on this custom-designed itinerary: ◆ Enjoy an authentic experience in historic English university towns, a royal residence and in quaint, traditional Cotswold villages and countrysides. ◆ Immerse yourself in a carefully planned, balanced itinerary of all included, guided historical and cultural excursions and time on your own to partake in local daily rituals while sipping afternoon tea, watching punting boats glide along the River Thames or having a Pimm’s cup in a local pub. ◆ Explore the ornate State Apartments of medieval Windsor Castle, the vast country estate of the former English and current British monarchies and the largest inhabited castle on Earth. ◆ Tour UNESCO World Heritage-designated Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and enjoy a private lunch in the lavishly decorated Indian Room. ◆ Visit “Downton Abbey,” the splendid, authentic Victorian-era Highclere Castle, to explore the estate’s magnifi cent period state rooms, special Egyptian exhibition and extensive gardens; and the village of Bampton, a fi lming site for PBS’s popular MASTERPIECE series. ◆ Experience the venerable tradition of Formal Hall dining during the exclusive, private Farewell Dinner in one of Oxford University’s grand collegiate dining halls. ◆ Hear it from the Experts! Experienced, accredited local guides will accompany you throughout the program and share their expertise of historical, cultural and contemporary England. ◆ Engage locals during the TOWN & COUNTRY LIFE® FORUM, where residents share their stories and discuss contemporary life in the Cotswolds. The long twilight glow of a perfect English summer evening sweeps over Chipping Campden, a serene, quintessential Cotswold village with a deep-rooted history in the wool trade. ITINERARY STRATFORD- ENGLAND Day UPON-AVON ◆ TOW ON CAMBRIDGE’S COLLEGES AND CHAPELS S - - HIPPING AMPDEN THE OLD CAMBRIDGE PRE-PROGRAM OPTION C C -W 1 Depart the U.S. BROADWAY Blenheim Palace LADON 2 LONDON, ENGLAND/WINDSOR BURFORD B Check into the Five-Star CIRENCESTER R OXFORD iviv MACDONALD WINDSOR HOTEL. e BIBURY r BAMPTON T h LONDON 3 WINDSOR/BROADWAY ames CULTURAL ENRICHMENTS: Highclere WINDSOR ◆ Visit to medieval Windsor Castle, UNESCO Castle World Heritage Site country residence of the British monarchy. Air Routing Check into the deluxe LYGON ARMS HOTEL. Cotswolds nnel 4 BROADWAY/COTSWOLD VILLAGES English Cha ◆ Excursion to Cirencester, Bibury and Burford. CULTURAL ENRICHMENTS: Windsor, England ® ◆ TOWN & COUNTRY LIFE FORUM. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, 5 BROADWAY/STRATFORD-UPON-AVON/ William the Conqueror called for the building COTSWOLD VILLAGES of a fortress in Windsor, which became a ◆ Excursion to Stratford-upon-Avon, residence of the English monarchy fi rst used Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. by King Henry I. When England, Scotland and CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Ireland merged and became the United Kingdom, ◆ Visit the childhood cottage and gardens of the British monarchy was established, and the Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s wife. ◆ th castle has served as the Royal Family’s sprawling Learn about the prosperous 14 -century country estate ever since. English wool trade and the wealth it generated. CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Tour Windsor Castle’s 6 BROADWAY/BLENHEIM PALACE /BLADON/OXFORD ◆ lavish State Apartments, adorned with Privately guided tour of Blenheim Palace. priceless original furniture, decor and fi ne art ◆ Visit to Sir Winston Churchill’s grave refl ecting the changing tastes of English and in Bladon. ◆ Walking tour of Oxford. British royalty over centuries. CULTURAL ENRICHMENTS: Broadway ◆ Private luncheon in Blenheim Palace. Simply beautiful, Broadway was fi rst settled by Check into the Five-Star the Romans in Worcestershire and is often MACDONALD RANDOLPH HOTEL. referred to as the “Jewel of the Cotswolds.”