HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW Blue-Roads | Europe Aromatic gardens, esteemed stately homes, charming countryside vistas - this leisurely tour of South East England's greatest gardens is certainly one for the photo books. And the main event? A trip to the green-fingered event of the year, the Hampton Court Flower Show. TOUR CODE: BEHFHLL-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 Stroll the fabulous show gardens at the Hampton Court Flower Show These tour notes contain everything you need to know Tour the historic manor houses and before your tour departs – including where to meet, beautiful gardens of South East what to bring with you and what you can expect to do England on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Enjoy overnight stays in historic royal document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you towns Tunbridge Wells and Windsor 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 - HAMPTON COURT PALACE - KEW GARDENS - LONDON After meeting in London, our tour of England’s green and pleasant land will begin at the splendid Hampton Court Palace and Gardens. Then: onwards to Kew Gardens. The palm house, a jaw- dropping example of Victorian engineering, is sure to add a flourish to that holiday photo album! Accommodation: Richmond Hill Hotel (or similar) DAY 2 | LONDON - HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW - LONDON Today the Hampton Court Flower Show will be yours to enjoy. From urban patches with remarkable water features to gardens that conjure images of different countries from around the world, this spectacular event showcases the very best of contemporary garden design. Accommodation: Richmond Hill Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 3 | LONDON - CLIVEDEN - WADDESDON MANOR - WINDSOR This morning it’s onwards to Cliveden, which boasts colourful gardens for every season (not to mention glorious views over the River Thames). Then, we’ll swap English country houses for an elegant French château: the Grade One listed Waddesdon Manor. Rich in history and royal tradition, Windsor will be our final stop of the day. Accommodation: Sir Christopher Wren Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 4 | WINDSOR - THE SAVILL GARDEN - WINDSOR What better way to spend the day than discovering Windsor’s regal highlights? First, we’ll visit the Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park. As we walk through the themed gardens, be sure to keep an eye out for an array of rare plants from around the world! After some free time, an afternoon tea cruise awaits us back in Windsor. Accommodation: Sir Christopher Wren Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 5 | WINDSOR - RHS GARDEN WISLEY - HEVER CASTLE - TURNBRIDGE WELLS After breakfast in Windsor, we’ll make tracks to the tranquil RHS Garden Wisley, where we’ll take in the sounds of the water flowing through the rock garden and relax in the Alpine Meadow. This afternoon will see us wandering the award-winning gardens of Hever Castle – the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second queen, Anne Boleyn. We’ll rest our head in Tunbridge Wells tonight. Accommodation: The Royal Wells Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 6 | TUNBRIDGE WELLS - SISSINGHURST - GREAT DIXTER - TURNBRIDGE WELLS This morning our road will turn east to Sissinghurst Castle Garden, an iconic retreat that’s renowned for its romantic design and colourful rose arrangements. Then: we’ll swap sculpted layouts for a naturalistic approach to planting at Great Dixter. Here, we’ll tour the old timber- framed house that was home to famous British gardener Christopher Lloyd – and explore the gardens that were his pride and joy. Tonight, we’ll clink glasses over a farewell dinner back in Tunbridge Wells. Accommodation: The Royal Wells Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 7 | TUNBRIDGE WELLS - SCOTNEY CASTLE - IGTHAM MOTE - LONDON Our final day will begin at the charming Scotney Castle, where we'll take some time to wander the gardens. We’ll then move on to one of the most unique manor houses in Kent: Ightham Mote. This medieval house dates back over 700 years, and can only be reached via an ancient stone bridge that stretches over its very own moat. Then: it’s back to London, where our tour will come to a close. 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..