British Landscapes
 Join us for an online presentation from your home computer on 12/8 at 7 pm. Contact Jodi Rowe at 217-854-3231 for webinar registration.
Presented by Blackburn College Alumni

Day 1: Thursday, October 07, 2010
Overnight Flight
Feel the vibrant energy of England, hear the unique sounds of Scotland and see the rolling countryside of Wales on a trip that combines the exploration of dramatic history and natural wonders.

Day 2: Friday, October 08, 2010
London, England - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in London, the magnificent capital of Britain. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Today Dinner is included.

Day 3: Saturday, October 09, 2010
London
This morning, see the quintessential sights of London, hosted by a local guide. View Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the changing of the guard (when held). London has one of the best live theatre scenes in the world. Later today, enjoy one of London’s spectacular theatre* performances.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 4: Sunday, October 10, 2010
London - Cambridge - York
Today you visit Cambridge, home of the famous university which is nearly 800 years old. Later, stroll through the medieval city of York and the famous “Shambles,” a quaint, narrow street that appears today almost as it did during the Middle Ages. Here you’ll find great shopping and a street that is so narrow in parts that you can almost reach both sides with your outstretched arms. A visit is included to the magnificent 13th-century York Minster, one of the finest medieval cathedrals in all of Europe.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 5: Monday, October 11, 2010
York - Cheviot Hills - Edinburgh, Scotland
Today, head north through rolling fields covered with thousands of sheep. Stretching over the open moorland you will find Hadrian’s Wall, which once marked the northern border of the Roman Empire. Stop to see this ancient fortification that was built in AD 121 in response to repeated barbarian invasions against the Romans. Next, drive through Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills before arriving in Edinburgh, the "Athens of the North." Enjoy discovering Scotland's exciting capital city which is rich in scenic beauty and culture.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 6: Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Edinburgh
Enjoy a locally-guided tour of Edinburgh that includes Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels. You will get a glimpse at what life is like for the royals during your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse**, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh, and once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Your evening is at leisure to sample one of Edinburgh’s fine restaurants and perhaps take an evening stroll through the Princes Street Gardens to view the illuminated castle.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 7: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Edinburgh - Lake District, England - Wales
Your final stop in Scotland is at the border town of Gretna Green where generations of runaway couples came to be married. Here you will discover what it means to be married “over an anvil.” Later today you’ll return to England and travel through the picturesque English Lake District. In the heart of the Lake District, visit the charming village of Grasmere, home of the poet William Wordsworth. End your day with an overnight stay in a beautiful castle situated in the north of Wales. Tonight, enjoy a medieval dinner complete with Welsh entertainment.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 8: Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wales - Stratford-Upon-Avon
This morning, a brief tour of the castle introduces such niceties as the ladies walk and gardens (and the not-so-nice whipping pit and dungeon). Next, journey to Stratford-Upon-Avon, your home for the next two nights and birthplace of William Shakespeare, England’s most famous playwright. Walk in Shakespeare’s footsteps, visiting his birthplace as well as his wife’s thatch-roofed home, Anne Hathaway’s cottage.
Today Breakfast is included.

Day 9: Friday, October 15, 2010
Stratford-Upon-Avon - Bath - Stonehenge - Stratford-Upon-Avon
Journey through some of England’s most beautiful countryside. Stop in the ancient Roman town of Bath - renowned for more than 2,000 years for its spas and natural hot springs. Visit the Roman Baths Museum to see the elaborate spas, valued since Roman times for their curative properties. Finally, no visit to Britain would be complete without a visit to Stonehenge of Celtic and Druid lore. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Today Breakfast and Dinner are included.

Day 10: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Stratford-Upon-Avon - Tour Ends
Your journey through Britain ends today.
Today Breakfast is included.

Collette Logo
October 07 - October 16, 2010

Highlights...
London • London Theatre Performance* • Cambridge • York • Edinburgh Castle • Lake District • North Wales • Stratford-Upon-Avon • Bath • Stonehenge •

10 Days • 13 Meals:
8 Breakfasts • 5 Dinners

Per Person Rates*:
Double $2999
Single $3449
Triple $2969

*Included in Price: Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $150 (subject to increase until paid in full), Hotel Transfers, Round Trip Air from Lambert St Louis Intl.
Click Here for Details
 *Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $200 per person.

YOUR ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
DAY 1
  Overnight Flight
DAY 2 - 3
  Park Plaza Riverbank, London
DAY 4
  Marriott York, York
DAY 5 - 6
  Apex City Hotel, Edinburgh
DAY 7
  Ruthin Castle, Ruthin
DAY 8 - 9
  The Falcon Hotel, Stratford-Upon-Avon

On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Experience It!
Walk in William's footsteps

Birth records say he was born the son of a glover, a local leather merchant. He was the third of eight children, three of whom died in childhood. Little is known about the next few stages of his life - we know he was educated, but no one is certain as to where. We know he was married and had three children, but much of his life remains a mystery. It is believed that during his late 20's he began to write plays - at least 37 of them. Although they were popular with the commoners at the time, his writing received very little praise from those in the educated circle. They called it "tawdry" and "vulgar entertainment." A fantasy taking place on a hot August evening… the story of a shady salesman from Italy… and a tale about the ill-fated lives of two star-crossed lovers. Four hundred years later, these plays are classics entitled, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, and Romeo and Juliet. In his day his works did not receive critical acclaim but William Shakespeare is undoubtedly one of the greatest literary forces of all time. Join Collette Vacations as we rediscover Shakespeare. Walk in his footsteps through his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon and tour his birthplace as well as the childhood home of his wife.

Click here for: Important Reservation Information.

For more information call
Jodi Rowe
 Blackburn College Alumni
(217) 854-3231

Please Note:
• Passport is required.
• *On most dates the theatre performance will be a matinee performance. **The Palace of Holyroodhouse may occasionally be closed when the Queen is in residence or for official state functions. Passengers arriving into Edinburgh between August 6-28, 2010 will be provided with tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo Show. Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Collette air passengers will arrive and depart from London airport. On day 10, all Collette transfers will depart from Stratford-Upon-Avon for the London airport. Days and features are interchangeable.
• This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
• To complete your vacation, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing Collette airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.
• Due to transfer scheduling, flights on the last day of your tour should be scheduled after 11:30 AM.