BATTLES OF BRITAIN Blue-Roads | Europe Embark on a journey steeped in history on this tour of some of the most intriguing aviation and war museums in Britain. With an expert Tour Leader at the helm, we’ll walk in the footsteps of fallen heroes – and feel the thrill of flying over Cambridge in a fully restored Dragon Rapide aircraft. TOUR CODE: BEHBBLL-0 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach! About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Fly over Cambridge in one of the few remaining fully restored original These tour notes contain everything you need to know Dragon Rapide aircraft before your tour departs – including where to meet, Stay at Petwood Hotel, home of the what to bring with you and what you can expect to do Legendary Dambusters on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this See an authentic fully restored document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you Spitfire at Biggin Hill Hangar on tour. TOUR CURRENCIES Please Note: We recommend that you refresh this document one week before your tour + United Kingdom - GBP departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary DAY 1 | LONDON - CAMBRIDGE After meeting in London, we’ll head straight to our first stop – the Imperial War Museum – before we move on to the charming city of Cambridge, where we’ll see the likes of the famous university and Bridge of Sighs on a walking tour. After a rich day of sightseeing, we’ll enjoy a group dinner together. Accommodation: The Gonville Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Dinner DAY 2 | CAMBRIDGE - COTON - WOODHALL SPA This morning we’ll pay our respects to fallen veterans at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton before exploring Duxford’s Imperial War Museum and the American Air Museum, where we’ll observe dramatic displays performed by original aircraft. After that comes one of our trip highlights: a nostalgic flight over Cambridge in a fully restored Dragon Rapide. Then: onwards to The Petwood Hotel, the home of the legendary Dambusters, where we’ll make ourselves at home for the next few nights. Accommodation: Petwood Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 3 | WOODHALL SPA - CONINGSBY - SPILSBY - TATTERSHALL - WOODHALL SPA Today we’ll visit RAF Coningsby before continuing to East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre – where we’ll see Just Jane, the famous Lancaster NX611, up close. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre to learn more about the former airfield and the squadrons that were based there. Accommodation: Petwood Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 4 | WOODHALL SPA - SCAMPTON - CANWICK - LINCOLN - WOODHALL SPA On today’s agenda: included visits to RAF Scampton (the base of the Red Arrows), the notable Memorial Spire and Wall of Names, and the Chadwick Centre. Later, we’ll enjoy a tour of Lincoln’s Cathedral and Castle before returning to the Petwood Hotel for an evening of leisure time. Accommodation: Petwood Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 5 | WOODHALL SPA - COSFORD - LEAMINGTON SPA Today we’ll visit the award-winning RAF Museum Cosford, where we’ll have the chance to take a close look at the original bombers, before continuing to the uplifting National Memorial Arboretum. In the evening, we’ll move on to Leamington Spa – where a delicious dinner awaits. Accommodation: Mallory Court Hotel and Spa (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 6 | LEAMINGTON SPA- BLETCHLEY - WINCHESTER First today: a visit to Bletchley Park, the Victorian estate that was once the top-secret HQ of the WWII Codebreakers. After an insightful morning, the afternoon will see us touring the Swiss Garden and the Shuttleworth Collection – one of the most prestigious collections of aircraft and vehicles in the world – at Biggleswade. Winchester is where we’ll rest our heads tonight. Accommodation: The Winchester Hotel & Spa (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 7 | WICHESTER After a tour of the awe-inspiring Winchester Cathedral, the day will be yours to spend exploring historic sites (such as the Great Hall and Winchester College), visiting museums and galleries or tasting the local fare in one of the city’s excellent restaurants. Accommodation: The Winchester Hotel & Spa (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 8 | WINCHESTER - WAREHAM - PORTSMOUTH Today we’ll learn the history of armoured fighting vehicles on a guided tour of Bovington Tank Museum, before directing our attention to Portsmouth. Afterwards, we’ll continue to the D-Day Museum, where we’ll have the privilege of meeting an RAF veteran and hearing his personal wartime stories. Tonight, a farewell dinner is in order. Accommodation: Florence House Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 9 | PORTSMOUTH - LONDON Before we say goodbye, there’s still time to visit Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and Biggin Hill Hangar – where we’ll see six fully restored Spitfire aircraft. Then, it’s back to London, where our trip will end. MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page Other Information Finances CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders. Insurance Passports and Visas You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience: Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear Other things to pack: Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER: Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm That's it! We look forward to seeing you on tour..