AUGUST 7-13, 2017 INTRODUCTION WFYI and the British Telly Club are so excited to be partnering again in 2017 with Transcendent to present “Victoria” a 6-day tour of England for you, our loyal WFYI friends and patrons. As the home for the best in British drama, we are pleased to present the opportunity for you to give yourself a behind-the-scenes look at Queen Victoria. In partnership with Transcendent: Experience Based Travel, WFYI will be hosting you for 6 magnificent days as we travel between London, the Isle of Wight, Brighton and Windsor making stops to see gorgeous interiors at Buckingham Palace, Osborne House, the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, Windsor Castle as well as exclusive access to renowned Queen Victoria experts who will bring “Victoria” alive for us. The WFYI and Transcendent team will be with you every step of the way to help make connections between our tour stops and the great British programs you’ve come to love on Public Television. In between “scouting locations” with us you’ll have time for exploring shopping and dining on your own, but we are really looking forward to spending a fantastic time together making that change from looking at someone else’s pictures and videos to making your own. Sincerely, RICHARD MILES & STEPHANIE COLLINS WFYI A TOUR OVERVIEW WITH YOUR HOST: ANDREW LANNERD ANDREW LANNERD | TOUR DIRECTOR The reign of Queen Victoria lasted from 1837-1901, and Victoria ruled over an empire on which the sun never set. She gave her name to an age of progress and innovation. It is a great pleasure to unveil this remarkable 6-day tour of England which will take participants behind-the-scenes of Victoria’s remarkable life and reign. Along with other unique stops, we will discover the palace where she was born and came to the throne, as well as her beloved home on the Isle of Wight, Osborne House. Throughout the tour, participants will hear from experts and historians on Victoria including incredible access to Victoria’s clothing from the curators that look after the royal collection. In addition, guests will be staying at some sumptuous hotels, exploring lavish homes and gardens and enjoying fine dining along the way. In my book, traveling is about creating a blend of unique experiences, paired with delicious meals and superior accommodations. In this tour you can be assured of all three – alongside our personal touches and attention to detail which will ensure your enjoyment of the experience. I do hope you’ll join us for this remarkable tour of England in August 2017! "You really hit the mark on hotels, restaurants, travel arrangements, and everything else!" FROM TRANSCENDENT'S "Thank you for providing us with an experience we will never forget." PAST TOUR PARTICIPANTS: "We travel to England quite often, but this week was by far our best visit." "We had such a wonderful time and you were an amazing host." QUEEN VICTORIA EXPERTS AND HISTORICAL ADVISORS ON THE TOUR INCLUDE: HELEN RAPPAPORT | WRITER & HISTORIAN Author of Magnificent Obsession; Victoria, Albert and the Death that Changed the Monarchy—a study of the impact of Prince Albert’s premature death in 1861 on England, the monarchy, and Queen Victoria, and covering the first terrible ten years of her retreat from public view. Her 13th book The Victoria Letters has been written to tie in with the ITV/PBS drama series and was published in the autumn of 2016. She is currently a historical advisor for the ITV series “Victoria” premiering on PBS in January 2017. Helen is scheduled to join us for part of the tour where she will talk in-depth about the death of Prince Albert and its effect on the life and reign of Queen Victoria. IAN SHAPIRO | ROYALTY EXPERT We are pleased to be joined by royalty expert Ian Shapiro who will speak to us about the reign of Victoria as seen through historical documents, ephemera and signed items. Ian is a renowned speaker and writer on the subject of royalty and his specialty is in the documentation, care and authentication of historical objects. 3 DAY 1 ITINERARYMonday, August 7, 2017 • MORNING ARRIVALS TO LONDON • LATE AFTERNOON EXCLUSIVE VISIT TO KENSINGTON PALACE • BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR AND CURATOR LOOK AT QUEEN VICTORIA’S CLOTHING • EARLY EVENING “WELCOME TO LONDON” GROUP DINNER • OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, KENSINGTON This morning as you arrive to London you will be greeted by your knowledgeable host for the week, Andrew Lannerd who will get you settled into your lovely hotel – just steps from Kensington Palace. We begin our in-depth look at Queen Victoria today, at her birthplace: Kensington Palace. This afternoon, guests will enjoy a very exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the “Victoria Revealed” exhibition at Kensington Palace with the curator of the exhibition, as well as exclusive access to the room where Queen Victoria was born. In addition, you will enjoy a curator-led look at historical clothing worn by Victoria that is not on public display. Following our unforgettable afternoon at Kensington Palace, we will enjoy an early evening “Welcome to London” dinner as we toast an enjoyable week ahead. Overnight accommodations will be at Kensington’s top-rated Royal Garden Hotel, located close to all that London has to offer. KENSINGTON PALACE, THE BIRTHPLACE OF QUEEN VICTORIA GUESTS WILL ENJOY A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL CLOTHING WORN BY VICTORIA... V I C T O R I A ’ S W E D D I N G D R E S S | 18 40 4 DAY 2 ITINERARYTuesday, August 8, 2017 • AN ELEGANT BREAKFAST AT OUR HOTEL IN KENSINGTON • A MORNING AT THE RENOWNED VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM (THE V&A) • A GROUP LUNCH AT THE V&A • A VISIT TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL AND THE ALBERT MEMORIAL • AN AFTERNOON TOURING THE STATE APARTMENTS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE • OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS AT ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, KENSINGTON Today after a delicious breakfast, we will spend the morning at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) where we will enjoy exclusive access to its renowned collections followed by a group lunch at the museum. Later in the day we will visit the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial—both commissioned by Queen Victoria to honor her husband Prince Albert who died suddenly in 1861 at age 42. In the afternoon we will enjoy a glorious look around the State Apartments at Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to reside at Buckingham Palace and today it remains the official London residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Guests will tour 18 of the magnificent State Apartments as well as the gardens of the palace. The evening will be at your leisure for theatre or further evening exploration of London. VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM ROYAL ALBERT HALL & THE ALBERT MEMORIAL 5 THE STATE APARTMENTS | BUCKINGHAM PALACE 6 ©HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II DAY 3 ITINERARYWednesday, August 9, 2017 • A FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST AT OUR KENSINGTON HOTEL • COACH JOURNEY TO SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND • A FERRY TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT • AFTERNOON AT OSBORNE HOUSE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT • ELEGANT GROUP DINNER ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT • OVERNIGHT AT THE ROYAL HOTEL ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT Today after breakfast, we will travel to Southampton in our luxury coach and then head to the Isle of Wight via ferry. The Isle of Wight is located four miles off the coast from Hampshire and is home to Osborne House, the beloved home of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children. At Osborne House, guests will enjoy a marvelous look around this intimate royal residence and you’ll quickly see why Victoria and Albert loved it so much. This was also the site of Queen Victoria’s death in 1901. We will then head to our beautiful home on the Isle of Wight, The Royal Hotel where guests will enjoy a memorable dinner and overnight stay in the lovely surroundings of the Isle of Wight. RIGHT & LEFT: OSBORNE HOUSE BELOW: QUEEN VICTORIA AT OSBORNE HOUSE 7 DAY 4 ITINERARYThursday, August 10, 2017 • BREAKFAST IN OUR BEAUTIFUL HOTEL ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT • TRAVEL TO BRIGHTON ON ENGLAND’S SOUTH COAST • PRIVATE TOUR & DRINKS RECEPTION INSIDE BRIGHTON PAVILION • OVERNIGHT AT DRAKES OF BRIGHTON Today after breakfast, we will journey to the wonderful seaside town of Brighton, home to Brighton Pavilion a splendid royal palace. We will enjoy a private tour as well as a drinks reception within the splendor of the palace. Queen Victoria was the last monarch to use the pavilion. Apart from the Royal Pavilion, guests will have time to enjoy charming Brighton. Our base in Brighton will be the top-rated Drakes Hotel located right on the seafront, and a close walk to all that Brighton has to offer. BRIGHTON PAVILION BRIGHTON PAVILION MUSIC ROOM DRAKES HOTEL DAY 5 ITINERARYFriday, August 11, 2017 • BREAKFAST AT DRAKES OF BRIGHTON • MORNING OF EXPLORATION IN BRIGHTON • VISIT TO RENOWNED SAVILL GARDENS - ONE OF BRITAIN’S GREATEST ORNAMENTAL GARDENS • TRAVEL TO OAKLEY COURT NEAR WINDSOR • GROUP DINNER AT OAKLEY COURT • OVERNIGHT AT OAKLEY COURT NEAR WINDSOR Today you will enjoy a leisurely breakfast and further exploration of wonderful Brighton. Perhaps you’ll want to take the morning to explore The Laines, known for wonderful small shops and boutiques. Or you may want to take a relaxing walk along the beach. Brighton is your oyster this morning. After lunch we will journey to the wonderful Savill Gardens, renowned as one of Britain’s greatest ornamental gardens. After our time in the garden, we’ll be off to Oakley Court our magnificent accommodations near Windsor for the next two evenings.