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England's Cotswolds

England's Cotswolds

Weber State University Alumni Association

in EnEngland’sgland’s September 15 to 23, 2012

Featuring LORD CHARLES -CHURCHILL Dear Weber State Alumni and Friends:

We are pleased to sponsor VILLAGE LIFE™ IN ’S COTSWOLDS, where time has passed with an unusually gentle hand over the rolling hills and small limestone villages that have changed little since the 16th century. The tranquil region combines stunning natural beauty and rich cultural traditions with grand historic landmarks and charming villages. This unique travel opportunity captures the essence of this most quintessentially English region, its culture and the way of life of its people. Still defined by its stately Regency houses, immaculate gardens and family-owned shops, the splendid town of , where you will stay for one full week, has been an acclaimed spa destination since the 18th century. From here, you will explore the fabled quads of and the fairy-tale castle of Broughton, as well as several charming Cotswolds villages in the surrounding area. By special arrangement, Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, Sir ’s cousin and brother of the present Duke of Marlborough, hosts an exclusive guided tour and private lunch in Blenheim , Britain’s grandest private residence. During the exclusive VILLAGE FORUM™, local residents share their insights about life in England’s Cotswolds. To further enhance your experience, this carefully designed VILLAGE LIFE™ itinerary encompasses a series of expert-guided excursions and cultural enhancements, including a fascinating lecture by a local historian. Complementing this one-of-a-kind sojourn are accommodations for seven nights in the historic QUEEN’S HOTEL, ideally located directly on Cheltenham’s grand promenade. Built in 1838, the hotel and its exquisitely maintained gardens still attract the area’s finest for traditional afternoon tea. VILLAGE LIFE™ IN ENGLAND’S COTSWOLDS is very popular and an exceptional value including accommodations, excursions, several meals and the convenience of unpacking only once. So don’t delay— space sells out quickly. We encourage you to join fellow alumni and friends and make your reservation today!

Welcome aboard!

Margie E. Esquibel Associate Director Weber State University Alumni Association

Cover: The idyllic cottages and elegant limestone façades of are typical of the Stroll past quaint row houses in the tranquil Cotswolds’ pleasing aesthetic. Cotswolds village of . in England’s Cotswolds Experience firsthand the true character, traditions and daily rhythms that are a way of life in the quintessentially English villages of the Cotswolds, a region known for centuries as “the heart of England,” where the past blends seamlessly with the present. This popular and innovative program in the VILLAGE LIFE™ travel program series immerses you for one full week in a comprehensive and personal travel experience at the right pace in the historic spa town of Cheltenham. An exceptional value, accommodations, carefully planned excursions and featured CULTURAL ENRICHMENTS are included in this exclusively arranged offering; and reserve by the Early Booking date for special savings!

The traditional QUEEN’S HOTEL has been specially selected for its attractive and comfortable accommodations in an ideal location; and you will only need to unpack once!

CULTURAL ENRICHMENTS are key educational components of VILLAGE LIFE™ IN ENGLAND’S COTSWOLDS and offer you a travel experience like no other: Hear it from the Experts! N Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill will personally greet you at Blenheim Palace and share personal recollections of his cousin Sir Winston Churchill, who was born there. Also, visit Sir Winston’s modest gravesite in nearby . N A local expert will lecture on the history of Cheltenham. Prorsum Semper— N A local guide will accompany you throughout the program “Ever Forward”—proclaims the Coat of Arms of the to enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of the Cotswolds city of . Cotswolds region and its deep-rooted history and traditions. Meet the locals during the exclusive VILLAGE FORUM™, when local residents will provide a fascinating and candid perspective on daily life in the Cotswolds. Experience the incomparable treasures and timeless traditions of the Cotswolds from the charming countryside and quaint villages to the historic university city of Oxford and Blenheim Palace, the historic home and estate of the Duke of Marlborough. Enjoy time on your own. Have a Pimm’s Cup at a local or observe daily life while strolling the streets of Cheltenham.

Watch the long twilight glow of a perfect English summer evening creep over Chipping Campden, a serene, quintessential Cotswolds village. UNESCO DAY BY DAY ITINERARY World Heritage Site Day Destination ENGLAND Air Routing

1 DEPART FROM THE U.S. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 2 LONDON,ENGLAND/CHELTENHAM CHIPPING AMPDEN N C Check into the QUEEN’S HOTEL. BROADWAY STOW-ON-THE-WOLD CHELTENHAM HELTENHAM LOUCESTER 3 C /G GLOUCESTER N Cheltenham walking tour and Blenheim Palace BLADON visit to . BURFORD OXFORD CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: T N Lecture on the history h LONDON am of Cheltenham. es Riv COTSWOLDS er 4 BLENHEIM /BLADON/OXFORD N Tour of Blenheim Palace . N Visit to Winston Churchill’s grave in Bladon. N Walking tour of Oxford. CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Cheltenham N Meet Lord Charles With its stately parade of Regency columns Spencer-Churchill. and wrought ironwork, grand houses 5 COTSWOLDS VILLAGES and majestic gardens, Cheltenham evokes N Visits to , its heyday when upper-class Victorians Chipping Campden and Broadway. traveled to this spa town located in the 6 COTSWOLDS VILLAGES heart of the Cotswolds. The domed N Tour the villages of , Pittville Pump Room houses the original Upper and Lower Brailes and 19th-century marble pump that still taps Shipston-on-Stour. the famous mineral waters that drew N Visit to Broughton Castle. King George III here in 1788. 7 COTSWOLDS VILLAGES CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Attend the N Visits to the villages of Bibury, exclusive presentation by a local expert Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold. on the history of Cheltenham. CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: N Cheltenham VILLAGE FORUM™. Gloucester Cathedral 8 CHELTENHAM/STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Shrouded in legend and mystique, N Day at leisure in Cheltenham. Gloucester Cathedral stands as a CULTURAL ENRICHMENT OPTION: true architectural jewel and one N Excursion to Stratford-upon-Avon, of the finest examples of Norman hometown of William Shakespeare. and Gothic architecture in Britain. 9 CHELTENHAM/LONDON/U.S. Originally consecrated as an abbey in 1100 by Britain’s Norman conquerors

Romantic gardens and classic stone houses are just two English traditions that live on in the Cotswolds, a bastion of beauty, history and culture. Immerse yourself in more than 700 years of history during the visit to the classic English estate of Broughton Castle, currently the residence of Lord and Lady Saye and Sele. and later converted into a cathedral by Cotswolds Villages Henry VIII, this beautiful church has Visit the picturesque Cotswolds been featured in numerous films. villages of Bibury, Burford, Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold and Blenheim Palace Chipping Campden which embrace Britain’s largest private residence and the time-honored traditions of the the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, English countryside. Blenheim Palace is among the most Bibury was called “the most monumental edifices ever constructed beautiful village in England” by in the British Isles. Built in the the Victorian artist and designer 18th century for John Churchill, . The is famed the Duke of Marlborough, as a for Arlington Row, a classic collection reward for military bravery at the of 16th-century weavers’ houses and the , the estate is now Saxon Church of St. Mary’s. home to the 11th and current In Burford, the great Church of Duke of Marlborough. Beyond the St. John the Baptist is a medley of extraordinary labyrinth of opulent architectural styles providing a flourish hallways and chambers, the estate’s to the village’s main passage down to grounds are spread over a bucolic the . 2,200-acre park designed by the Simply beautiful, Broadway is legendary English landscape architect, often referred to as the “Jewel of “Capability” Brown. the Cotswolds” and was the home of CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Meet William Morris. Its main road is lined Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill during a personal greeting at Blenheim Palace. Oxford Affectionately named the “city of dreaming spires,” by adoring poets, Britain’s oldest university counts Margaret Thatcher, Sir Thomas More and J.R.R. Tolkien among its illustrious alumni. Steeped in eight centuries of history and erudition, Oxford still nurtures great scholars while blending its ancient traditions with cutting edge research and instruction provided by many of the world’s brightest minds. Magnificent cobblestoned squares, medieval alleyways and quadrangles fill the grounds of the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Experience the medieval grandeur of Gloucester Cathedral, one of Britain’s finest Gothic churches. THE QUEEN’S HOTEL Enjoy seven nights in the stately QUEEN’S HOTEL, built in 1838 with a neoclassical facade modeled after Rome’s Temple of Jupiter. Ideally located at the top of the Cheltenham’s main tree-lined promenade in the heart of town, the hotel overlooks the lovely Imperial Gardens, which were originally used as ornamental leisure grounds for visitors of the spa. Today, the garden abounds with beautiful floral displays that have been nationally recognized as the best in the country and still attract Cheltenham’s finest for traditional afternoon tea. Each of the 79 comfortable guest rooms features a private bathroom, individual climate control, satellite television and hair dryer. The hotel’s restaurant serves regional and continental cuisine, and 24-hour room service is available. The intimate lounge and bar are perfect for relaxation and conversation. with honey-colored limestone buildings CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Residents of dating back to the 16th century. Cheltenham discuss daily life during the Stow-on-the-Wold is a delightful exclusive VILLAGE FORUM™. that stands exposed on a 700-foot-high hill at a junction of Broughton Castle seven major roads, including the ancient “English to the core,” so wrote Roman , the first great Henry James of 14th-century Roman road in Britain. The town was Broughton Castle, one of Britain’s most founded as a planned marketplace by scenic pastoral estates whose spectacular Norman lords to take advantage of trade gardens, classic moats and medieval on the converging roads and, at the fortifications evoke the romance and height of the Cotswolds wool industry, magic of an old English fairy tale. the town was famous for its huge annual Today, the castle is the residence of fairs where as many as 20,000 sheep Lord and Lady Saye and Sele, who have were sold at one time. Narrow-walled made it their lifework to ensure that the alleyways called “tunes” were built to estate’s historical character is preserved. funnel sheep into the market square which is still lined by an elegant array of Stratford-upon-Avon Cotswolds town houses. Option Chipping Campden is the Set in the beautiful perfect example of a well-preserved, countryside on the banks of the prosperous medieval village, where River Avon, the picturesque village undulating, weather-beaten roofs cap of Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the amber-hued houses, and mullioned most important cultural destinations windows overlook the picturesque in the U.K. Stratford-upon-Avon is the 15th-century parish church, and birthplace of William Shakespeare, 17th-century almshouses and market hall. whose writing captured the pulse Hidcote Manor’s lavishly landscaped of his lifetime, and home to grounds are considered one of The Holy Trinity Church where England’s finest gardens. England’s he was baptized and buried. now maintains the CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: See the buildings “garden of rooms” inspired by the where Shakespeare and his family lived, . went to school and conducted business. Included Features Meet N Seven nights in the historic Regency-style Lord Charles QUEEN’S HOTEL. Spencer-Churchill N Private welcome reception in the hotel. during a Private Tour N Breakfast each morning, three lunches and two dinners. Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, cousin of Sir Winston Churchill, is your Tours and excursions led by expert host for this exclusive local guides: tour of his ancestral N Walking tour of Cheltenham, the popular and home, Blenheim Palace, charming Victorian spa resort town. a UNESCO World N Visit Gloucester Cathedral, one of the finest Heritage site. Lord Charles examples of Norman and Gothic architecture personally greets you as in England. privileged guests before your N Private guided tour of Winston Churchill’s guided tour of the grandeur of birthplace, Blenheim Palace, culminating with this splendid palace, his childhood home. a specially arranged, private luncheon in the During your special visit, learn about Palace’s Indian Room. the estate’s storied past. Marvel at N Visit to Winston Churchill’s grave in Bladon. its priceless furnishings and artifacts, N Walking tour of the legendary university town and take a behind-the-scenes look of Oxford and a visit to one of the colleges. at the life of one of history’s N Visits to the traditional Cotswolds villages of greatest figures, Sir Winston Churchill. Chipping Campden and Broadway and the Outside, admire the tranquil beauty of exquisite gardens of Hidcote Manor. Blenheim’s 2,200-acre park—created by N Scenic tour through the Cotswolds’ countryside the noted landscape architect, followed by a specially arranged visit to “Capability” Brown—featuring Broughton Castle, including lunch at the castle. the world’s second largest symbolic N Visits to the picturesque villages of Bibury, and one of Britain’s most Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold. exquisite formal gardens. Dine in the original, mural-lined Indian Room Exclusive Cultural Enrichme Enrichmentsnts while enjoying delightful views of N A local historian/prolific author/artist presents Blenheim’s water terraces and gardens. an engaging talk about the Cotswolds. Afterwards, continue to the nearby village N Private meeting with Lord Charles of Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill Spencer-Churchill who offers personal insight lies buried in a modest grave alongside his into the lives of Winston Churchill and the beloved wife. Duke of Marlborough in Blenheim Palace. N Unique opportunity to learn more about the Scheduled guest speaker may be altered due to circumstances beyond our control. architecture, cultural traditions and timeless See Terms and Conditions. way of life of the English countryside during visits to centuries-old Cotswolds villages, including Ebrington, Upper and Lower Brailes and Shipston-on-Stour. N Exclusive VILLAGE FORUM™ with Cheltenham residents to gain insight and perspective into contemporary life in the Cotswolds. Comprehensive TravelTravel Services N All transfers and luggage handling abroad for all participants who have purchased their air tickets through Gohagan & Company and whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s). N Gratuities for local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers. N Services of an experienced resident Program Director throughout the program. N Hospitality desk in the hotel. See the splendor and learn more about the N Travel document wallet, name badge and rich history of Blenheim Palace in the company of pre-departure information. Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill. Experience the charm and tranquility of life in the English countryside while strolling through the limestone villages and sleepy towns of the Cotswolds.

Early Booking Price Regular Price through after Land Tariff March 27, 2012 March 27, 2012 Per person, based on double occupancy $2995 $3295

N Singles are available upon request for an additional $800.

N Taxes are an additional $239 per person and are subject to change.

in England’s Cotswolds Reservation Form Send to: Please make my/our reservation(s): 2012 Village Life in England’s Cotswolds Weber State University c/o Thomas P. Gohagan & Company For more information, J Double occupancy please call Eleven South LaSalle Street, Second Floor Gohagan & Company (one double bed). Chicago, IL 60603-1240 at (800) 922-3088. J Double occupancy (two twin beds). ______Title Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport) J Single accommodations. ______Title Full name (exactly as it appears on your passport) J I am reserving as a single but prefer to share ______accommodations and will Street Mailing Address allow you to select my roommate (shares cannot ______-______be guaranteed). City State ZIPCode

______Telephone: (Home) (Business) J I/We want you to book ______my/our air from Email Address (Mobile)

______Preferred name(s) on badge(s) Tour No. 081-09/15/12-448 (fill in departure city) to and from London, England, Program reservations require a deposit of $600 per person. at additional cost to be advised.‡ By forwarding of deposit, I/we accept and agree to the Terms and Conditions. J Economy Class J Enclosed is my/our check(s) for $______as deposit. J Make checks payable to Thomas P. Gohagan & Company. Business Class J I/We authorize you to charge my/our deposit of $______to: J First Class J Visa J MasterCard ‡Note: Airfare is subject to change and ______availability and is nonrefundable. Card Number Exp. Date

______J I/we will make my/our own Signature as it appears on credit card air arrangements. All FINAL PAYMENTS are required to be made by check or wire transfer by June 12, 2012. PAID Company Gohagan & U.S. Postage PRSRT STD

Explore the legendary quadrangles and magnificent ’s most famous university at Oxford.

CONTRACT: TERMS & CONDITIONS. IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY. RESPONSIBILITY: Thomas P. Gohagan & Company, the sponsoring associations/organizations, and its and their employees, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors or trustees, successors, agents, and assigns (collectively “Gohagan”), do not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip including, for example, lodging facilities, airline, vessel, or other transportation companies, guides or guide services, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Gohagan is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity of any third party. In addition and without limitation, Gohagan is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay, or damage to Weber State University Alumni Association 3701 University Circle Ogden, UT 84408 person or property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, DISCOUNTED RESERVATIONS: Discounts apply only to those animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities reservationsreceivedintheofficesofGohaganinwriting,accompaniedbythe of any kind, sickness, illness, the lack of availability of or access to required deposit, by March 27, 2012. In the event a “discounted” reservation appropriate medical attention, overbooking or downgrading of must be cancelled, no “replacement” reservation can be substituted at the accommodations, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other discounted rate. A “replacement” reservation is a new reservation and can be means of transportation, or for any failure of any transportation substituted only at the full-fare tariff. Cancellation penalties may apply. mechanism to arrive or depart on time. CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations for all or any part of the trip If due to weather, flight schedules or other uncontrollable reservation(s) will not be effective until received in writing in the offices factors, you are required to spend an additional night(s), you will be of Gohagan. Should you have to cancel, the following terms will apply: responsible for your own hotel, transfers and meal costs. Baggage is reservation cancellation(s) are subject to a $200 per person administrative entirely at owner’s risk. The right is reserved to decline to accept or fee from the time of booking through 120 days prior to departure; from 95 retain any person as a participant on these trips at any time. Specific through 119 days prior to departure, $600 per person; from 45 through room/cabin assignments are within the sole discretion of the hotel/ 94 days prior to departure, 50% of the published full regular tariffs; from cruise line. 22 through 44 days prior to departure, 75% of the published full regular Gohagan reserves the right to change the itinerary or trip features tariffs; cancellations 21 days or less prior to departure, a no-show, or early at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and Gohagan return from the trip will result in forfeiture of 100% of the published shall not be liable for any loss of any kind as a result of any such full regular tariffs. In addition, any applicable airline cancellation fees, changes. Ship schedules, port calls, hours of arrival and departure, optional excursion cancellation fees and administrative fees may apply. sightseeing events, special programs and guest lecture series (if TRIP INSURANCE: Because our cancellation policies are strictly applicable), are subject to change or cancellation without prior enforced, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation notice. Gohagan is not responsible therefore and is not required to insurance. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a compensate passengers under these circumstances. Gohagan may travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source cancel a trip (or an option) for any reason whatsoever; if so, its of reimbursement. Trip cancellation insurance is available through sole responsibility is to refund monies paid by the participant to it. Thomas P. Gohagan & Company and others for comprehensive coverage Gohagan is not required to cancel any trip for any reason including of such expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or without limitation, United States Department of State, World Health accident, and damaged or lost luggage. We will send you an application Organization or other Warnings or Advisories of any kind. Gohagan upon receipt of your reservation. is not responsible for penalties assessed by air carriers resulting from RATES: Prices quoted are based on fares in effect at the time of printing operational and/or itinerary changes, even if Gohagan makes the and are subject to change at any time. Gohagan reserves the right to flight arrangements or cancels the trip. Gohagan reserves the right to increase the tour price in the event of cost increases due to changes in substitute vessels, hotels or attractions of a similar category for those airfares, currency fluctuations or fuel or energy surcharges and all such listed in this brochure. increases are to be paid to Gohagan upon notice to the tour participant NOT INCLUDED: Taxes; passport, visas and associated fees; of such increases. personal expenses such as laundry and telephone calls and Internet REGISTRATION: CST#: 2031868-40, WST#: 601 767 666, OST#: TA0905. access; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; ARBITRATION AGREEMENT: Any controversy or claim arising out gratuities to hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess of or relating in any way to these Terms and Conditions, the brochure, or baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air/airport tax(es); airfare any other information relating in any way to the trip, or to the trip itself, and associated local taxes, airport facility and security taxes and shall be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Chicago, federal inspection fees not listed in the “Included Features” section Illinois, in accordance with the commercial rules of the American of the brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/ Arbitration Association then existent. hotel on day(s) of arrival and/or departure if you have not purchased The arbitrator and not any federal, state, or local court or agency your international air arrangements through Gohagan or if you are shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the arriving earlier or later than and/or departing earlier or later than interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation the scheduled group transfer(s); any overnight on land due to flight of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part schedule(s); meals, alcoholic or other beverages and all other services of this contract is void or voidable. not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section. ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT: By forwarding of deposit, the AIRFARE: Airfare is subject to change and availability and is participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical or nonrefundable. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between you other condition of disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or and the airline, even if purchased through Gohagan. other participants and accepts the terms and conditions of this contract. LUGGAGE: Luggage allowance policies are set by the airlines and may change without prior notice. Please contact your airline(s) for the Photo Credits: Alamy; Photolibrary; PhotosOfEngland.com; all images most current luggage allowance policy. are rights managed and cannot be used without permission. PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY: All programs require physical independence and mobility. Any physical or mental condition that may require special medical attention or physical assistance (for example, the need for a wheelchair) must be reported in writing when you make your reservation. Travelers must be able to embark or disembark motorcoaches alone or with minimal assistance from your traveling companion and climb stairs without assistance. Travelers requiring assistance must travel with a companion who will be responsible for handling equipment. 1/12-2