Join Vaillancourt Folk Art for a historic tour of Dickens' England. Tour includes London, Kent, and the Cotswolds. To book your reservation, contact Alden Anderson (508-721-2601).

Day One
You arrive today from your overseas flight. Transfers are provided to your London hotel. (Dinner included)

Day Two
You'll enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning followed by a guided tour of London - one of the world's great cities. Sights on the "get acquainted" tour will include a drive around Buckingham Palace and Parliament Square where you'll see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Royal Horseguards. You'll visit St. Paul's Cathedral - the magnificent and historic church in the center of London; long the focal point of the London skyline, the present St. Paul's Cathedral, built by Sir Christopher Wren from 1675 to 1711, replaced the old gothic cathedral which burned in the Great Fire of 1666. St. Paul's and the area around it figures prominently as background scenery for many of Charles Dickens' works. You'll finish the afternoon with a visit to Tower of London where one of the splendidly dressed Beefeaters will tell you about the Tower's history and the crown jewels. Built on the site of Roman fortifications, the central part of the Tower was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror. The Tower is also featured prominently in many of Dickens' novels. Join the group tonight for a welcome reception and dinner. Immediately following, Gerald Charles Dickens will perform Kinderszenen (Scenes From Childhood) accompanied by Mr. Dicken's wife, Liz, playing the piano with music composed by Robert Schumann that will capture different experiences of childhood along with the reading. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day Three
After breakfast this morning, you'll enjoy a visit to Westminster Abbey (the most famous of England's churches) and the historical burial place of kings, queens, statesman, poets and writers and see. Charles Dickens is buried in the Poet's Corner. Later this morning you'll enjoy a guided visit to the London Dickens Museum, with your host the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, Gerald Charles Dickens. It was the home of Charles Dickens from 1837-9 and played an important part in his life as two of his daughters were born here, and some of his best-loved novels were written here including Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby. Next you'll visit the nearby Foundling Museum and see the hospital collection, which tells the story of the Foundling Hospital founded by Sir Thomas Coram and supported by Dickens, which poignantly tells the story of London's abandoned children a central theme to his novels). You'll make a brief stop in Covent Gardens - many of Charles' characters frequented the area - and today it's a bustling market area. Not far away is Seven Dials - an Infamous slum and criminal district where seven streets converge. Dickens noted that "a stranger who finds himself in The Dials for the first time will see enough around him to keep his curiosity and attention awake for no inconsiderable time". Dickens said the poor are "heaped upon the floor like maggots in cheese". Today it's an eclectic mix of shops, residences and restaurants. Dickens frequently dined and drank at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - you may attempt to do the same. Later in the day you'll visit the site of the Marshalsea Debtors' Prison where Dickens' father was imprisoned for fourteen weeks in 1824 for a debt to a baker. Dickens made the Marshalsea the centerpiece of Little Dorrit, basing his work off his own experiences with the prison. Next to the prison wall is the Church of St. George the Martyr. The church has strong associations with Charles Dickens who once lived nearby, lodging in a house that belonged to the Vestry Clerk of St George's. This was during the darkest period of his life when, as a teenager, with his father in prison, he had to work in the 'blacking factory', and his literary career must have seemed an impossible dream. Later, he was to set several scenes of the novel Little Dorrit in and around St George's Church. There is a small representation of Little Dorrit in the east window of the church. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day Four
This morning enjoy an early breakfast before you're off on a special visit to admire the ornamental gardens of King Henry the VIII at Hampton Court Palace. Then it's a bit north to Runnymede, site of the sealing of the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215 - one of the world's most historic documents of freedom (celebrating its' 800th anniversary in 2105). A visit to the historic college town of Oxford is next for a stroll through this iconic University town. In the afternoon you arrive in Stratford-Upon-Avon - the birthplace of England's most famous of writers, William Shakespeare. You'll visit Shakespeare's birthplace in addition to Anne Hathaway's classic cottage. You'll enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day Five
After breakfast you'll journey through the scenic Cotswold Hills stopping at the historic Elizabethan village of Broadway along the way. On to Wales for a drive through the beautiful Wye Valley to the romantic ruins of the 12th century Tintern Abbey. This is a great place to enjoy tea and scones. From the brief visit to Wales, you'll cross back into England and enjoy a scenic drive into Bristol for overnight. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day Six
This morning you'll enjoy a delightful stroll in the historic in the historic city of Bath, followed by a canal boat ride on the Avon River through the downtown. Then it's off to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge and the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Here you'll gain insight into the ancient monuments as you explore the new Visitor's Center before seeing the ancient stone monoliths themselves. Prior to heading back to London you'll stop for a visit in Salisbury - known as 'the city in the countryside' as it's surrounded by a landscape so quintessentially English it's almost too good to be true. If you pause on the edge of the water-meadows to take in the awesome sight of the Cathedral rising up from these lush green fields, it's easy to understand why this was described as 'Britain's Best View' by readers of Country Life magazine. At the majestic Salisbury Cathedral you'll view one of the best preserved of the four original manuscripts of the Magna Carta (celebrating its' 800th Anniversary in the year 2015). Later in the day you'll enjoy a leisurely drive to Maidstone in County Kent where you'll enjoy dinner and overnight. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day Seven
After breakfast today you'll travel to Rochester for a guided walking tour to complete the Dickens' theme in Kent - a part of England that was very influential in the novels of Charles Dickens when he lived at Gad's Hill. Charles Dickens' great great grandson Gerald Charles Dickens will be your host for this memorable day. You'll visit the historic Dockyard of Chatham where Charles Dickens was often brought as a child by his father - and subsequently became the gloomy backdrop for many of his novels. This stunning museum of historic buildings, warships and galleries will help you gain insight into the mind of Dickens. This afternoon you'll visit DICKENS WORLD - a 90 minute interactive guided tour experience that will take you back in time to the Victorian England that Charles Dickens knew and wrote about in his novels and short stories. You'll also visit Gad's Hill a part of England that was very influential in the novels of Charles Dickens when he lived here for a time. Your day will end with a thrilling and memorable performance by your host Gerald Charles Dickens at your hotel which consists of The Signalman-a ghost story written a year after Dickens had survived a terrible rail crash--and Nicholas Nickleby. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day Eight
After breakfast this morning those returning to the US will be dropped off at the London Heathrow Airport for the return trip home. (Breakfast included)
PLEASE DO NOT PLAN A RETURN FLIGHT PRIOR TO 2:00 PM.
Those wishing to extend their time in London may do so at an additional charge.

OPTIONAL LONDON EXTENSION - 3 nights ($945.00pp dbl.):
Day Nine
A great way to see London on your own is via one of the open double decker busses that traverse the city - a Hop On Hop Off sightseeing ticket will be included for your convenience. Perhaps you'll want to visit the world famous department store Harrods or Selfridges or take a river cruise along the Thames. What ever you like - we've left this day up to you. Perhaps you'll want to see one of London's many West End shows this evening. Tickets can be easily arranged. (Breakfast included)

Day Ten
Sleep in late this morning and enjoy another free day in wonderful London. You'll enjoy the second half of your Hop On Hop Off sightseeing ticket once again included for your convenience. Perhaps you'll want to visit one of the many of London's world famous museums or art galleries. One of the hottest tickets in town is the Churchill Imperial War Museum, the actual faithfully reconstructed hidden bunker where Churchill, his cabinet and the Allies conducted business during WWII. What ever you like - we've left this final day up to you. (Breakfast included)

Day Eleven
Enjoy breakfast this morning at your hotel in preparation for the journey home. Transportation is provided to the airport. You'll return to Boston later this afternoon - arriving the same day.



Land rate per person $2,980 based upon double occupancy. Single occupancy rate add $780. Airfare is additional and may be quoted at the time of your inquiry or reservation.

For reservations, contact Alden Anderson ([email protected]) directly:
Young's/American Express Travel - a Division of American Travel Solutions, LLC
714B Southbridge St.
Auburn, MA 01501
1-508-721-2601

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Time:

Trip Mon, Aug 8 - Thu, Aug 18, 2016

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England, Departing From, Boston, MA 02128

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