90th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge

Australia & New Zealand Wine & Culture Explorers

Day 1:  We board our overnight flight and cross the International date line to the beautiful city of Auckland, New Zealand.

Day 2: Upon our arrival into Auckland, we will transfer to our centrally located hotel to relax and enjoy the afternoon.  This evening our welcome dinner will allow us the opportunity to get to know our traveling companions.  Overnight - Auckland (B,D)

Day 3: After breakfast, we will begin a leisurely tour of Auckland with a visit to Sky Tower and Viaduct Harbour.  With stunning views across the harbour as well as boasting superb seafood restaurants, it makes for the perfect spot to have lunch.  This afternoon we will visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum which is housed in one of the nation’s finest heritage buildings.  The museum’s galleries showcase the natural, cultural and social history of New Zealand and boasts a priceless collection of Maori art.  Overnight - Auckland (B,D)

Day 4: This morning we depart Auckland and travel through the lush green farmland of central North Island.  Upon arrival into Hamilton we will visit the Waikato Museum of Art and History with a fascinating collection of New Zealand art and an impressive Te Winika (War Canoe ).  Then onto Rotorua, where we know you’ll be impressed with the thermal activity and healing mineral pools.  We’ll take you on an orientation tour before checking into our hotel for a little R&R and maybe a dip in the mineral pool.  Overnight - Rotorua (B,D) 
  
Day 5: Rotorua is also a major center of Maori culture and to encompass all this region has to offer, we will spend time at the Whakarewarewa Thermal Area.  During your visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, incorporating the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, you will catch a glimpse of the excitement of Rotorua.  The master carver teaches the trainees the prestigious art of tupuna ( ancestors ).  Whakarewarewa is the country’s best known thermal area and features the mighty Pohutu Geyser along with other geysers in close proximity that vary from cold to violently boiling cauldrons.  For the more adventurous, we will also have a guided walk to the crater of Mount Tarawera.  Overnight - Rotorua (B,D)

Day 6: After breakfast, we will tour the short but scenic route to Lake Taupo where we spend time on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake with views of the distant peaks of Mounts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.  We’ll then start our journey across a very different landscape with valleys, forests and gorges en route to Hawkes Bay. On the coast, far from the cultural cities where 20th Century design evolved, there lies a small city that is unique. Napier was rebuilt in the early 1930’s following a massive earthquake that destroyed most of the center. Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in styles of the 1930’s – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all Art Deco, the Jazz Age style – in such a concentrated area.  This evening we will have dinner overlooking the Bay before a stroll through town.  Overnight - Napier (B,D)

Day 7: After a leisurely breakfast, we will take a guided Art Deco walk with a local guide who will bring Napier’s fascinating architecture to life as we stroll through the Art Deco Quarter. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to browse through the incredible antique stores and boutiques before dinner.  Overnight - Napier (B,D)

Day 8: Today, we will tour the vineyards and taste the wines of Hawkes Bay, a traditionally leading wine producing area with a record of producing wines of the highest quality for over 100 years. It’s five rivers and significant protective mountain range to the west,  provide a consistent water supply and climate. Stony free draining soils and sunny climate result in full, fruit style wines, which we will have the opportunity to taste on our tour. Along our route will be enjoying lunch at Mission Estate Winery as well as visits and tastings at Vidal Estate and Esk Valley, one of Hawke’s Bay’s finest boutique wineries.  This evening we will enjoy a ‘sea view’ dinner and a leisurely stroll before an early night.  Overnight - Napier (B,D)

Day 9: After leaving Napier, we have a short drive to another wonderful Art Deco city of Hastings. It truly is a walk back in time to enjoy the beautiful architecture and pastels of days gone by where the buildings are exceptionally well maintained.  We will then tour south and enjoy views of Ruahine Forest Park and the magnificent mountain range of  Tararua Forest Park.  After journeying  through the rural farming region, we will arrive in the internationally renowned wine region of Martinborough with its 20 boutique wineries all within walking distance of each other .  We will have the opportunity to meet with a wine grower and enjoy a tasting in his vineyard before dinner and a chance to discover the wonderful terroir of the region. Overnight - Martinborough (B,D)

Day 10:  Today will be dedicated to exploring and enjoying the wines of the Martinborough region with some wonderful wines of Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris grapes. We will have an  tasting and escorted visit to Palliser Estate as well as Claddagh and Alana Estate with beautiful views across the vineyards and rolling farmland of the Wairarapa region. For the active, there will also be a short walk today to the Ruakokopatuna Glow Worm Caves so bring waterproof sandals. Dinner will be at a local restaurant again to enjoy the wine and cuisine of the region. Overnight - Martinborough (B,D)

Day 11: After breakfast, we will begin our journey to Wellington and enjoy a short city tour of New Zealand’s capital city.  Wellington is located in a natural setting surrounded by hills, a rugged coastline and one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.   It’s also a very compact city (only 2 km wide) with funky shops, exciting galleries and great restaurants.  This afternoon, we will take the Interislander across to Picton on the South Island. We then make our way to Blenheim, the largest town in the Marlborough region and located in the heart of this premier wine making district.  Overnight - Blenheim (B,D) 

Day 12: This morning, we will head to Nelson, a vibrant arts, crafts and festival center with numerous galleries, craft shops and heritage attractions located in the most beautiful of settings.  We will have the morning to meander and enjoy the large variety of lifestyle, leisure and “good living” products.  This afternoon we will spend in the Wairau Valley, New Zealand’s largest and best-known wine region. In the 1970’s grape planting was begun by Montana Wines and is renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc. We will enjoy tastings and tours of Cloudy Bay and Montana Winery before returning to Blenheim for dinner.  Overnight - Blenheim (B,D)

Day 13: Today we head south along the coast through Kekerengu and Kaikoura before arriving in Christchurch.  Later this afternoon we will enjoy an orientation tour of this historic town with it’s 11th century Priority Church and Highcliffe Castle’s stunning cliff top location.  Overnight - Christchurch (B,D)

Day 14: Today, we leave New Zealand and fly to Australia. Upon our arrival in Sydney, we will tour south and travel through the Royal National Park, the oldest national park in Australia.  We will have the opportunity to visit a wildlife reserve to view the Koala’s, Kangaroos and Kookaburras as well as many other species unique to Australia.  Early this evening we will be arriving at Coolangatta Estate. This will be a very special stay as your accommodations were built by convicts in 1822 and the estate is now a major winery producing award winning wines.  Dinner this evening will be at “Alexanders”, Coolangatta’s fine dining restaurant. Overnight - Coolangatta Estate (B,D)

Day 15: After breakfast, we will encounter a different blend of interests as we explore the Shoalhaven Coast, officially declared a new wine region in August 2002 and now producing award-winning wines of excellence from the boutique wineries. Before these tastings,  we will visit Gerroa, an alluring seaside village with Seven Mile Beach, as well as Gerringong, which is renowned for its happy blend of artisans and Crooked River Winery. The winery boasts 18 medals and is the largest winery on the South Coast with 13 reds and 9 whites, as well as specializing in port. We then make our way past Werri Beach to Kiama, a coastal town discovered in 1797 and now a beautifully located fishing harbour, as well as the famous ‘Blow Hole’. We will then make our way to the beautiful township of Berri and a chance to stroll around the fascinating antique stores. We then head back to Coolangatta Estate for our afternoon tasting among the vines overlooking the ocean and another delicious dinner at Alexanders.  Overnight - Coolangatta Estate (B,D)

Day 16: After leaving Shoalhaven, we will tour through the Blue Mountains with landscape 250 million years in the making. The name of the mountains comes from the haze of the oil released from the eucalyptus trees and the region is now a national park and resort area with waterfalls, flora and fauna and pockets of rainforest. After leaving this area we will settle in the Hunter Valley region for dinner and a good nights rest.  Overnight - Hunter Valley (B,D)

Day 17: A great day to explore the Hunter Valley region with more than 90 wineries and the first commercial vineyards in Australia that was originally established for fortified wines. With our local guide we will explore and visit the well-known vineyards of Rothbury, Tyrells and Lindemans as well as smaller boutique wineries. There will also be an opportunity to discover Hunter’s new generation wines such as Verdelho and Chambourain as well as the classic varieties of Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz. Against the backdrop of rolling hills and sun-kissed vineyards it really is a wonderful way to spend our day.  Overnight - Hunter Valley (B,D)

Day 18: After breakfast we will tour south to the dynamic and diverse city of Sydney and agreed by many to be one of the best cities in the world.  We will begin our full day tour with visits that include Sydney Harbour Bridge and Hyde Park.  We’ll explore The Rocks, the landing place of 1400 settlers in 1788 with over half of them being convicts and now providing a fascinating look at Australia’s history as well as offering everything from boutique shops to fine art galleries.  Later this afternoon, a guided tour of the  Sydney Opera House that will take you on a journey through the extraordinary history and architecture of the building.  This evening we will have dinner at one of the many fantastic restaurants in Darling Harbour.  Overnight - Sydney (B,D)

Day 19: Today we will have a more in-depth exploration of Sydney, starting with a visit to Bondi Beach, Australia’s most famous beach and among the worlds most well-known beaches. We will also take a ferry ride to Watson’s Bay to see the very entrance to the harbour and to enjoy the best seafood lunch of your life.  We will then head to the Domain to visit the Art gallery of New South Wales.  Established in 1874, it now houses the finest works of art in Australia, holding significant collections of Australian, European and Asian Art. This evening, an option to attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House.  Overnight - Sydney (B,D)

Day 20: Today is yours to further explore this fascinating city.  Maybe a visit to prestigious Paddington with it’s fine shops and galleries, or to simply relax and enjoy the views at Darling Harbour.  This evening our farewell dinner and a final toast to the end of a wonderful journey and the beginning of new friendships.  Overnight - Sydney (B,D)
 
Day 21: Today we will transfer to Sydney Airport for our flight home.  (B)

Scottish Regional Explorer - Borders and Lowlands

We call this type of vacation, a “hub & spoke”, which basically means comfort and originality.  You will have time to enjoy the regions as well as the comfort of staying in just two separate hotels which both First Class and very original accommodations.  After exploring the culture and sights of Cumbria, the Lakes and the Lowlands, you will delight in the local flavours of the region, enjoy the entertainment or just relax and “blather” - your choice.  Your discovery of these unique sites are all the more enhanced by gentle rambles and your personal choices throughout the day.  This is a tour where you can obt to be busy ... or not !! Day 1: We board our International flight with dinner and breakfast onboard.  Day 2: Upon our arrival into Glasgow we’ll be met by our coach and taken on a leisurely orientation tour of Scotland’s largest city before we head south to our 17th Century Market Town Hotel for dinner.  Overnight - Cockermouth (D) Day 3: This morning we begin our journey to the site of Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria.  Here we discover the fortifications established by Emperor Hadrian in 200 AD.  We will go back in time to the conflict of William Wallace and Edward 1st, where many a priory and castle witnessed destruction and battle.  However, to really enjoy the region, the best way is on foot and we will be able to gently ramble a section on Hadrian’s Wall path and fully enjoy the rolling hills and magnificent views.  An excellent meal at our 17th Century Inn will follow.  Overnight - Cockermouth (B,D) Day 4: After breakfast we will head into England’s Lake District, an inspiring area of natural beauty with spectacular lakes and mountains at it’s heart, quiet valleys and unique towns and villages.   We will be visiting Wordsworth’s home at Dove Cottage where he wrote most of his famous poems as well as the lanes where Beatniks Potter came alive with ideas.  Then we’re off on a Steam railway journey to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lakes and rolling hills.  Back to our hotel for another scrumptuous meal and a glass or two.  Overnight - Cockermouth (B,D) Day 5: This morning we will begin our leisurely guided walk through Carlisle with its 12th century castle and wonderful shopping center ( sorry gentlemen ).  Some time for lunch in this lovely village before touring across the boarder to Gretna Green for a marriage ceremony.  This area is where young runaways would elope to be married by the Blacksmith against their parent’s knowledge or consent.  We will be choosing our own lucky couple from the tour!  Dinner this evening will be back at our Century Inn.  Overnight - Cockermouth  (B,D) Day 6: This morning we leave our Century Inn to begin our journey to Dumfries and Galloway region.  Both with a slower pace of life however always rich in history, culture and hospitality.  Here we will discover where Robbie Burns spent his last few years and his love for ... well everything!  We will follow the Burns Trail and actually pass through 800 years of history in one day.  A delightful town surrounded by the hills of Galloway.  There will also be an opportunity to visit the Aviation Museum on the site of where many Wellington crews trained in WW2.  This evening, we will have dinner at “The Globe”, with a Burns recital in the Inn and on the chair in which he sat and drank .. and drank.  We will meander upstairs and have the chance to visit his room which has been undisturbed by time.   We will then head to the Montgreenan Mansion House Hotel for dinner and an early night. Overnight - Montgreenan Mansion, Ayrshire ( B, D) Day 7: Today we will take a coastal ramble along the Mull of Galloway (spectacular area for ethnologists) and along the Solway Firth.  You will have wonderful views across to the Isle of Man and also a visit to Sweetheart Abbey, built on the foundation of love in the 12th century and a wonderful lament.  In the afternoon, cream teas and the time to admire local pottery and crafts on a local farm in a lovely picturesque setting.  The evening, time to enjoy the Scot’s cuisine and maybe a malt or sherry.  Overnight - Montgreenan Mansion, Ayrshire   (B,D) Day 8: We will tour through the glens and the pastoral countryside to Culzean Castle, a fairytale location overlooking the Atlantic as well as a boasting a gorgeous garden.  This is where the Eisenhower family had the top floors given to them after Ike stayed there to maintain the original planning of the Normandy Landings.  Nowadays, you can stay in the apartment as a paying guests.  Culzean Castle is a must for either garden enthusiasts or anyone interested in medieval armour.  Next is Burns Cottage, a simple auld clay biggin where the world’s most loved poet was born and has long been a must see destination.  The cottage has been  fully restored to its original condition and includes audio-visual interpretation to bring to life the childhood world of Robert Burns.  Overnight - Montgreenan Mansion, Ayshire (B,D) Day 9: A gentle day - as you like it!  A chance to stroll around Moffat in the morning or afternoon to browse through the Woolen Mill, the book stores or the highland craft stores.  Alternatively you can join two rambles, one up past the waterfall of Gray Mares Tail to Loch Skeen and the other up to Arthur’s Seat and hart Fell Spa, both with an interesting history and panoramic views.  Overnight - Montgreenan Mansion, Ayshire  (B,D) Day 10: After breakfast we will explore the Lead Hills and Drum Castle; we will also spend the afternoon at New Lanark, a World Heritage site designed by Charles Rennie Macintosh during the Industrial Revolution. You will be amazed at this beautifully restored 18th century cotton mill village which is still a living community.  A wonderful dinner awaits us again at the Montgreenan Mansion in Ayshire  (B,D) Day 11: This morning we take the Scenic Trail through the heart of the lowlands to Edinburgh.  We begin our tour at the top of the Royal Mile and a visit to Edinburgh Castle.  For centuries the seat of Kings, the castle houses the State Rooms, the Great Hall as well as the room in which James VI of Scotland was born.  We then make our way down the Royal Mile and get the full story of “Greyfriars Bobby” and a visit to St. Giles Cathedral before a chance to explore Princes Street and maybe do some last minute shopping.  This evening, we will be having a Farewell dinner with our own Highland Entertainment in the comfort of our own “hame”. Overnight - Montgreenan Mansion, Ayshire (B,D) Day 12: This morning after breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight home -  but all with great memories and a sense of history and well being.  (B)   Hike and Bike Switzerland Are you looking for something different? Why not visit one of our favourite destinations in the Swiss Alps! APPENZELLERLAND Do you dream of tranquil lakes and craggy heights, crystal-clear springs amid gently rolling hills and dales, picture-book villages and friendly folk? Then it's time to visit the Appenzeller land. The countless hiking trails let you enjoy walks at different altitudes and physical challenges but you will never tire of the scenery and good feeling this region offers.  KANDERSTEG Between Gstaad and Grindelwald sits this charming Alpine Swiss village. It is one of the most famous summer resorts of the Bernese Oberland. Here is where you will find wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and crystalline glaciers. The area is a hikers and walkers paradise you do not want to miss. LIECHTENSTEIN Liechtenstein might seem small with an area of only 160 sq. km, but the fact that two thirds of the area are ideal for hikes and walks on beautiful and varied mountain paths makes the heart of every hiker beat faster. Over 400 km of well kept and marked hiking trails and mountain climbing routes await you. TICINO Ticino, which is sheltered by the Alps, is the only Italian speaking canton of Switzerland. The region enjoys a temperate, almost Mediterranean climate. Much of the success as a centre of tourism derives from this pleasant climate and beautiful surroundings with its plethora of vineyards and palm trees. Sample Packages: HIKE IN TICINO: Land Only package includes: 7nts accommodation, breakfast and 5 course dinner daily, roundtrip train transfer (2nd class), free use of spa and fitness facilities, tennis courts and city bikes, all local taxes and service charges. HIKE IN THE APPENZELLERLAND: Land Only package includes: 7nts accommodation, breakfast and 4 course dinner daily, roundtrip train transfer (2nd class), Appenzell Card (for unlimited travel with local trains and postbus, admission to several museums), admission to a folkloric performance, all local taxes and service charges. BIKE & HIKE FROM PLACE TO PLACE BIKING TOURS    HIKING TOURS Alpenpanorama Route Aare Route Lakes Route   Super Tour Jurs          Best of Trans Swiss TrailTrans Swiss Trail - Emmental Trans Swiss Trail - Ticino      Boer and Zulu Wars - African Explorers For all our Battlefield enthusiasts we are inviting you to join us as we discover the Boer Battlefield Sites of Majuba, Dundee and the Talana Museum, Ladysmith, Elandslaagte, Spioenkop and Colenso. We will also be including the Zulu Battlefields of Blood River (1838), Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift & Fugitives Drift (Jan 1879), Ulundi, KwaBulawayo as well as the Graves of Shaka Zulu (Sept 1828) & Mpande(1872), with the ZAR mini tour of the old Eastern Transvaal. There will also be an opportunity of a 2 day Safari in the Kruger National Park.  The scenery is beautiful and as we stand on these evocative battlefields  there are many stirring stories to be told, battle tactics and problems to be discussed and poignant cemeteries and memorials to be visited. While on the tour, you will experience the best in hospitality as well as an opportunity to see the most sensational wildlife. Day One:  Depart Toronto for our overnight flight to Johannesburg and Durban. Day Two: We arrive in Durban where you will be met your guide for a short orientation tour. We will then make our way Zimbali Lodge for a Welcome drink and then an early dinner. (D) Day Three: After breakfast, we will visit the Old Fort, a reconstruction of the defences held by the 27th Regiment against the Afrikaners who besieged Durban. We then drive north along the coast to Shaka’s Grave with a history of the best known African leader in the 19th century. Dinner and overnight at Zimbali Lodge.  (B,D) Day Four: Today we discover Fort Pearson from where the British crossed the Thukela to attack Zululand. We will also visit the Ultimatum Tree where, under its branches, the Zulu representatives were given an ultimatum which was rejected precipitating the invasion of Zululand. We will also visit the sites of the battle of Inyezane and Ginginlovu as well as the fort and military cemetery at Eshowe. Dinner and overnight Protea Hotel Shakaland where we also have Zulu dancing after dinner. (B,D) Day Five: After breakfast we tour onto Colenso before visiting the site of the siege of Ladysmith and the site of the Guns. We will also see where Winston Churchill was captured as well as the site of the Battle of Spion Kop in 1900 before dinner and accommodation at the Nest Hotel. (B,D) Day Six: We will continue our visit of Ladysmith with a visit to the Ladysmith Siege Museum, and Wagonhill Battlefield. We will also visit the site of the Battle at Talana and the Talana Museum before our return to Nest Hotel for dinner. (B,D) Day Seven: Today, a full introduction to Zulu Culture as we also visit the Ulundi battlefield where the last pitched battle of the Anglo Zulu War was fought. We then tour to Dingaan’s Kraal as well as Mpande’s Kraal and museum before our accommodation and dinner at Villa Prince Imperial. (B,D) Day Eight: After breakfast, we will visit the Prince Imperial Monument where, under Queen Victoria’s orders, a simple white cross was erected to commemorate the spot where the son of Napoleon III was ambushed and killed by the Zulus. We then visit Blood River, where 64 full size bronze wagons are dedicated to the famous battle, as well as Ncome Museum for a perspective of Zulu culture. We then return to Villa Prince Imperial for dinner. (B,D) Day Nine: After breakfast, we tour onto the Itala Game Reserve after a visit to Kambula Battlefield where some 25000 Zulu warriors attacked a fortified British position. En route we will visit Nqebeni Valley before arriving at Itala Game Reserve for overnight accommodation and dinner. (B,D) Day Ten: Today, we will tour through the rugged, mountainous thornveld of northern KwaZulu-Natal with the reserve’s multitude of habitats which host a spectacular array of wildlife species. We will arrive at Isandlwana Lodge, a luxury twelve bedroom lodge overlooking the Isandlwana battlefield, where we will stay for 3 nights. (B,D) Day Eleven: After breakfast, a tour of Isandlwana Battlefield, where the British army suffered its biggest defeat ever of a native foe. We will also visit Mangeni falls before an afternoon of leisure at the lodge with dinner in the evening. (B,D) Day Twelve: This morning a tour of Rorke’s Drift where a handful of British soldiers managed to rout the Zulus and then onto Fugitive’s Drift and Trail. This is the site where the fleeing British from Isandlwana were to cross the Buffalo River and the scene of two VC’s of Lt’s Melville and Coghill. Dinner at the Lodge. (B,D) Day Thirteen: Today we have a wonderful and scenic drive to Pretoria with a few stops on the way to take in the beautiful landscapes. We will arrive at Kievets Kroon Country Estate in time for dinner.  (B,D) Day Fourteen: This morning, a tour of Pretoria visiting the State Model School, where Churchill was imprisoned, Melrose House, where the peace treaty was signed, President Paul Kruger’s House and Schanskop Fort with its ‘Long Tom’ gun. In the afternoon we will also have a tour of Johannesburg, the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa, a modern, bustling metropolis that powers the country's economy. It is the center of a vast urban industrial complex that covers most of the province of Gauteng. We will then have our Farewell Dinner at Kievels Kroon. (B,D) Day Fifteen: After checking out, we will transfer to Johannesburg Airport for our flight home. (B)   Avenues of Aviation This unique journey focuses on the exploration of aviation history and visiting the United Kingdom and Europe’s most impressive and famous museums dedicated to the last 100 years of aviation development.  We’ll visit the basis of the “Mighty Eighth”, Imperial War Museum-Duxford, RAF Cosford and RAF Battle of Britain Museum Hendon.  Also on our itinerary is the Aviation House at Southampton and Army Aviation at Middle Wallop as well as the private museum at RAF Tangmere.  If you decide to extend your tour, we will be crossing over to Europe to visit famous Aviation Museums in the Netherlands, Belgium and La Coupole V2 rocket sites, before we visit Paris and the Aerospace Museum at Le Bourget.  Join us for camaraderie, fun and a shared interest. Day 1: Depart on your International flight to London with dinner and breakfast onboard. Day 2: Upon our arrival into London, we will be met by our tour manager and board our coach.  We will tour up to Bedford where we will meet our first host of the tour, the President of the Glenn Miller Society, who will be showing us the Control Tower at Twinwoods where Glenn Miller departed for France in 1944, never to arrive.  Upon our arrival into Cambridge, there will be the opportunity of an orientation tour of this beautiful historic city before we check into our hotel from some R&R before an early dinner.  Overnight - Cambridge (B,D)   Day 3: After a great English breakfast, we will depart to Madingley American Military Cemetery, an area that was given to the United States by the University in honour of the loss of young men and now the final resting place of many 8th and 9th Air Force personnel.  A short distance away is the Imperial War Museum - Duxford.  This was an RAF and USAAF Fighter base in WWII and is now Europe’s top Aviation Museum with over 120 historic aircraft.  There is a new American Air Museum with many US combat aircraft as well as new exhibits on a regular basis.  After leaving Duxford, there will an opportunity to visit the Shuttleworth Collection in nearby Bedfordshire with exhibits from the aviator extraordinaire - Richard Shuttleworth.  This evening we will be dining in the Officers Mess at Duxford.  Dinner attire required.  Overnight - Cambridge (B,D) Day 4: Today is dedicated to the Airfields of the 8th Airforce operating between 1942 to 1945, and we will begin with a short tour to 100th Bomber Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbotts.  The museum is housed in the original control tower.  We then tour onto Halesworth, home to Zemkes Wolfpack and 56th Fighter Group / 489th Bomb Group Air Museum.  After lunch near Bungay we will visit the Norwich and Suffolk Aviation Museum, a private museum run by volunteers who are looking forward to meeting you.  This evening we’ll have a “Pub” dinner at a local British Country Inn.  Overnight - Cambridge (B,D) Day 5: We leave Cambridge this morning and pass by many renowned bases such as Alconbury, Molesworth and Grafton Underwood before taking the opportunity to visit the Carpetbaggers and Northants Aviation Museum dedicated to the 801/492nd Bomb Group.  We will take the route through Birmingham to Cosford to spend the afternoon at the Aerospace Museum, which is one of the largest aviation collections in Europe.  You will be able to view over 70 aircraft including a B24 Liberator together with missiles, engines and memorabilia.  After leaving Cosford, we will make our way to our hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon in time for dinner and maybe a Shakespearean play.  Overnight - Stratford-upon-Avon (B,D) Day 6: This morning, an opportunity to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace before leaving Stratford.  We will then travel down to London and arrive at RAF Hendon to view Britain’s National Museum of Aviation Displays.  You will see the USAF Exhibition with B-17, B-25J, P-51 and American Crew Room.  There is also the famous Battle of Britain Museum adjacent.  We then transfer on to our London hotel before dinner at the famous Albert Carvery, a politician’s haunt through the ages and close to Westminster.  Overnight - London (B,D) Day 7: We begin with a morning panorama tour of London by coach to view Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square as well as Fleet Street and Tower of London.  We will be getting off the coach to visit the Cabinet War Rooms where Churchill’s coalition Government worked during the dark days of the Blitz, as well as St. Paul’s Cathedral to visit the American Memorial.  In the afternoon, there will be the opportunity to visit the Imperial War Museum, the largest and most famous museum in the world dedicated to WWI and WWII.  In the evening we can arrange an optional West End Theatre Performance.  Overnight - London (B,D) Day 8: After breakfast we will leave London and head south where we will arrive at Middle Wallop, home to the Museum of Army Flying.  Army aviation is the oldest form of military flying in the UK and via its impressive display halls the museum tells the story from man-lifting kites to new attack helicopters.  Here, you will also glimpse the restoration work as well as many aircraft exhibits and special exhibitions.  We will then travel the short distance to the Hall of Aviation in Southampton.  The area around the Solent is steeped in aviation history and the hall illustrates this heritage vividly, being dominated by the Sandringham Flying Boat, which flew from here to all points around the globe from the 1920's to 1950's.  You will also see the 1929 Supermarine, the prototype Spitfire as well as aircraft and displays of Avro, Britten Norman, de Havilland, Folland, Saunders-Roe and small concerns like Wright which all have connections locally.  Overnight - Portsmouth  (B,D) Day 9: This morning, a guided visit of the D-Day Museum or an option of visiting the Royal Marine Museum or Nelson’s Ship “Victory” as well as the “Marie Rose”.  We will then have lunch at the Golden Lion near Southwick House and sit where Monty and Ike had many social and private discussions during the planning of D-Day - and a chance to taste the local ale !  After lunch we will visit a private museum at Tangmere, site of the famous RAF Fighter Command base during the Battle of Britain, and also Southwick House, Operational Headquarters of Eisenhower where D-Day decisions were made. This evening our farewell dinner where we’ll toast the end of a wonderful journey and the beginning of new friendships.   Overnight - Portsmouth (B,D) Day 10: This morning after breakfast we will transfer from our hotel to the airport for your International flight home.  (B) Dinner onboard the aircraft. Day 10: If you plan on taking the extension programme into the Netherlands, Belgium and France, please read on.    OPTIONAL EXTENSION to EUROPE: Day 10: Today we will cross over to Amsterdam and our first visit will be Aviodome Schiphol, Schiphol Centrum where we will view such aircraft types as a Tiger Moth, Spitfire, DC-3, DeHavilland Rapide (in pieces), and many other displays with many in Dutch markings. We will also have an orientation tour of old Amsterdam on our way to the hotel. Overnight – Amsterdam(B,D) Day 11: This morning we’ll begin with a tour of Amsterdam and the opportunity to visit the Airwar Museum Fort Veldhuis which contains the results of the detailed investigations carried out about the air war over the Netherlands during the Second World War. On display are aircraft parts such as engines, guns, droptanks, uniforms, etc. Every aircraft that crashed over Dutch territory during WW2 and has been recovered by The Aircraft Recovery Group 1940-1945, can be found in the museum. In the afternoon, we will tour down to Militaire Luchtvaart Museum (Museum of Military Aviation) where you will be able to view such displays as a Dornier 24T-3, DC 3, Convair, Avro Anson and many, many displays. This evening, we will have  a canal cruise of Amsterdam to give you another perspective of this famous city. Overnight Amsterdam (B,D)   Day 12: As we tour south past Den Hague and Rotterdam we will arrive in Brussels and visit the Belgian Air Force Hall at Parc du Cinquantenaire. Our Belgian air force guide will  take us through the displays such as the F-86, Hawker Hunter, MiG-23, -21, -15, Delfin, Yak11, Stampe, Harvard, T33, Magister, Invader (not the A-6), Battle, Mosquito, Hurricane, Spitfire, Tiger Moth, C-119G, Pembroke, Anson, Wessex, Vampire, Gloster Meteor, CF100, Fiat G91Y, ThunderFlash, ThunderJet, Mirage, F104. There is also an impressive collection of tanks and weaponry adjacent toe the Aviation Museum. This evening, we will have a short walking tour of the Grotte Markt and mannekin Pis after our restaurant dinner in Brussels. Overnight Brussels (B,D)    Day 13: After leaving our hotel today, we will travel down through northern France where LA COUPOLE is a gigantic underground bunker designed by the Nazis, in 1943-1944, to store, prepare and launch the V2 rockets (first missiles to reach the stratosphere), the secret weapon that Hitler was counting on to destroy London and reverse the course of the war. You will also discover a "twist in the tale" - how captured German rocket scientists were taken to both Russia and the USA - to work on the arms race and the space race, eventually landing man on the moon. We then tour through the Somme area and a visit to the battlefield of Beaumont Hamel as well as the Somme Memorial at Thiepval and the interpretation centre. Overnight - Paris (B,D) Day 14: This morning a visit to Le Bourget and the famous Musee de l’Air et de l’Espace.  The Air and Space Museum comprises five large halls and includes an exhibit of the balloon age, the Hall of Prototypes and newly opened Space Hall as well as the prototype Concorde 001.  So much to see!  In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a tour of Paris - or spend the day here and enjoy.  This evening our farewell dinner will be at a restaurant near Champs Elysees, and later a night tour, which includes a cruise on the Seine so you can truly enjoy the “City of Lights”! Day 15: After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Paris Airport for your flight home.  (B) Dinner onboard the aircraft.