Group trips for garden enthusiasts

Thanks to English poet and artist William Blake, England is often fondly referred to as ‘this green and pleasant land’.  And it’s easy to see why: thanks to a temperate climate, England can rightly boast to have the most stunning countryside anywhere in the world and with it an abundance of gardens which continue to delight garden enthusiasts both from within the United Kingdom and throughout the world, many of whom come here for this reason alone.

Over and above the numerous iconic public gardens such as Kew Gardens in South West London and more than 200 owned by the National Trust, there also exist many more smaller ones which whilst not always open to the general public can be viewed by prior appointment for smaller groups.  Such garden visits have a much more personal and intimate feel, allowing groups to effectively have the garden to themselves.

Garden enthusiasts that visit the United Kingdom can therefore have the best of both worlds, by visiting both the abundance of gardens that are open to the general public, but also by private viewings at gardens that are not.

It is usually easiest for groups to do this in conjunction with a group tour operator that specializes in creating bespoke itineraries for groups.  This way, they group need not worry about gaining access to the gardens and with accommodation and meal  arrangements, since these will all be have been organized beforehand.

Given its geographical proximity to mainland Europe, gardening groups can travel to the UK with their own bus and the agency will take care of all ground arrangements upon arrival.  Alternatively, they can fly and meet at a UK hotel, and arrangements will then be made for ground transportation in conjunction with a UK coach company.

Either way, a well-planned garden themed trip to the United Kingdom will be a never to be forgotten experience for all participants.

中国管弦乐团，英国欢迎您！

说到经典音乐，鉴于其丰富的文化遗产，大英联合王国现在制造完美机会令中国管弦乐团能到欧洲环游旅行。

专业音乐教育机构例如，英国皇家音乐教育学院，皇家音乐学院，皇家苏格兰音乐 和戏剧教育学院，皇家音乐北方学院，伯明翰音乐学院和音乐市政厅学 校，皇家音乐和戏剧威尔士学院，甚至以及英国各大学为经典音乐家提供世界级音乐教学。

大英联合王国是各大著名管弦乐团，佳节，以及嘉年华的必选地。自19世纪初，英国皇家爱乐协 会（1813年成立）和 “舞会“，曾以国际地位呈献周年音乐节目。另外，具有国际地位的奥尔德堡欢宴，是由本杰明•布里顿成立的周年音乐活动。

由专业机构安排团体游览英国的制定日程，中国乐团无需操心所有演出的安排，参 观，以及住宿。一旦抵达目的地，办事处将处理一切安排。

此外，该机构还可在欧洲各区安排另外标志性的经典音乐演出场所行程。

前往经典音乐诞生地的一个完整的行程安排，将令您获取回报和无法遗忘的经验，惠及至所有的参与者。

有兴趣为您的乐团组织团队行程，请电邮至marc.jarrett@bartonhill.com以获取更多详情。

England set to host Euro 2020 AND 2028 finals after deal is struck with German Football Association

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-set-host-euro-2020-4159398

Formula 1 race on the streets of Britain's cities edges further up starting grid

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/formula-1-race-streets-britains-3845631#ixzz3DtwAXCP6

Cashing in on the Chinese Cash Cow - how the UK Tourism Industry can reach out to Tourists from China

Given that China is now the world’s most valuable tourist market, last year’s announcement by Chancellor George Osborne that Great Britain is to streamline the process of visa applications for Chinese tourists was perhaps not surprisingly broadly welcomed by all those involved in the UK tourism industry.

The benefits of this long overdue announcement works both ways: the Chinese love all things British -so much so that they even took the trouble to build ‘Thames Town’, about 20 miles from central Shanghai.  And thanks to Mr.Osborne’s announcement, they can now experience the real thing!

But how can those involved in the tourism sector attract more visitors from this colossal market?  Well, having a Chinese language section of your website is a good start, not least since practically all Chinese cannot read or understand English. 

Next, make it easy for prospective customers to contact you by telephone, by means of a local telephone number.  All calls must be answered in Mandarin, and possibly Cantonese – depending on where in China the caller is located. 

Whilst the Chinese do not share our love affair with email, it is important that you can be reached by other means, such as instant messaging and contact forms.  Agents that are deployed to answer inbound calls can also be tasked with making outbound ones on your behalf.

The Chinese do, however, share our love affair with social media – albeit with altogether different platforms.  A Facebook or Twitter campaign aimed at winning more business from China is therefore an exercise in futility.  The good news is that specialist agencies exist who will take your existing social media channels, then screen and translate all material into Chinese, and then help spread the word about your offering to Chinese social networks such as Sina Weibo, Tencent QQ Weibo, RenRen.and Wechat.

As for search, Baidu is their google – but all listings need to be vetted beforehand..

When deciding your pricing, avoid the number 4 if possible.

 The Chinese are a superstitious people, and this number is associated with bad luck.  The number 8, on the other hand, is associated with good luck, so bear this in mind when setting your pricing.

When it comes to paying you, don’t be surprised if your new customers pay you in cash.  For online and telephone bookings, it is important that they can pay you using UnionPay, the only domestic bank card organization in the People's Republic of China.

When your Chinese visitors arrive it is important to treat them with courtesy and respect.  For them, travelling is an honour and they expect to be treated with respect when they get here.

Whilst their fondness of all things luxury is well known, those in the lower to middle end of the market need not worry.  Some stay at budget hotels, only to end up spending thousands of pounds shopping for branded consumer goods which are cheaper for them than in mainland China.

If your offering is a quintessentially British one, then milk it for all its worth – Brand Britain sells well to this vast receptive audience.

If you operate tours, try and include Bicester Village in Oxfordshire on your itinerary if possible.  Their ‘Chic Outlet Shopping’ centre is proving to be a hit with Chinese tourists with Yuan to burn.

Given the expected number of tourists from China, those that spend a little time, money, and effort to increase their visibility to Chinese visitors today can expect dividends both immediately and in the years to come.

Inventive Incentive - James Bond themed trip to London

Companies can reward their staff with exciting and motivational themed trips to London, for example a James Bond themed one including an Aston Martin experience, a tour with a James Bond expert, and a dinner suit fitting at Moss Bros.

Day 1

Arrival Heathrow airport & Private transfer to Luxury Hotel
Welcome drinks & canapés will be served on arrival (in your suite or in the Lobby).

In the afternoon, drive to Moss Bros Shop (Men’s formal wear) to be fitted for a Dinner suit.
If ladies present, they will be escorted to shop for cocktail dress hire.

After the fitting, drive to the London Eye panoramic wheel. Return to hotel and time to change.

Meet in hotel Bar to meet the James Bond Look‐alike for photo‐shoot & aperitif before going out
to dinner.

Afterwards, drive to the Embankment Pier and board the Bateaux London for dinner cruise down
the Thames. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 2

After breakfast, coach, driver & “James Bond Expert” will collect party from hotel.
This guided James Bond Tour is designed for true fans of 007, the most famous spy in the
world. On this tour you will have your own driver plus a knowledgeable James Bond expert. Get
behind the scenes information on how the films were made, see movie clips as we pass the
actual locations, discuss the books and your favorite moments from the films.

Along the way you will be given plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and see the film
locations up close.

Lunch at Pinewood Studios where you will have the chance to lunch alongside production crew,
actors and others who work at the studios where the Bond films have been made since Dr No in
1962. Following lunch you will be able to see the location used as SPECTRE Island from the 1963
film From Russia With Love.

Return to hotel and time to change.

Transfer to your restaurant for dinner, then return to hotel for overnight

Day 3

After breakfast, Coach, Driver & Guide will collect party from hotel.

Transfer to Silverstone for the “Aston Martin Experience”   This is followed by Lunch in a nice
country house nearby. Return to hotel.  Put on your Dinner suit for a night to remember !
Transfer to your restaurant for dinner. After dinner you will be taken to a “Casino”
You will be given an amount of “chips” to gamble with.  Transfer back to hotel and overnight.

Day 4

Morning at leisure. Or alternatively you can spend the morning at Westfield Shopping Centre for
some “retail therapy” – this is one of the largest and luxury London Mall.
In the early afternoon, coach, drivers & Guide will collect party from hotel and drive you to
Heathrow airport for overnight flight back home.

Sample choir itinerary

 

Sunday                    TWICKENHAM – WINDSOR (18miles) - ETON (4miles)

       

09:30hrs                   Depart Twickenham for Windsor

                               Blue Badge guide will be at the entrance to Windsor Castle waiting to greet you upon arrival

10:30hrs                   Arrive at Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people Upon arrival you will be offered ‘children’s activity packs’ and ‘audio guides’ which are included in the price already paid

12:45hrs                   Transfer to Eton College, noted as being ‘The most famous public school in the world’, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI

13:15hrs                   Arrive Eton for a guided tour of the College. Upon arrival you will be taken directly to the Chapel to perform an impromptu concert lasting approximately 15mins 

Following this you will be divided into two groups and shown around the College to include: the Museum, School Yard and Lower School

14:45/15:00hrs        Transfer by coach to Twickenham Stadium

15:30hrs                   End your day with a guided tour of Twickenham Stadium, the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world. Upon arrival you will be split into two groups and taken around the North stand, hospitality boxes/rooms, royal box and the Changing rooms.

16:15hrs                   Once your guided tour ends you will have time at leisure in the interactive Museum on site

17:00hrs                   Transfer by coach to your central meeting point in Twickenham. Once the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond

                                

Overnight Twickenham area

 

Monday                   TWICKENHAM – CANTERBURY (75miles each way)

     

08:15hrs                   Prompt departure this morning to Canterbury

10:00hrs                      Arrive at Canterbury Cathedral for your guided tour (there will be two guides assigned to our group)

11:15hrs                   Tour finishes and free time prior to concert

12:00hrs                   Recital starts which takes place in the Quire, on the steps before the High Altar (there may be a possibility for a quick warm-up in the Cloisters, subject to availability on the day) 

12:30hrs                   Concert ends and free time for lunch (packed lunches provided)

13:30hrs                   Re-join your coach for your transfer to Finchcocks Musical Museum, Kent

15:00hrs                   Arrive Finchcocks Musical Museum, a fine Georgian manor surrounded by parkland. It now houses a collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments, of which over forty are in full working order.

15:15hrs                   Demonstration / recital of instruments in the main hall

16:00hrs                   Opportunity to look around the Museum independently with a chance to play some of the instruments

16:45hrs                   Tea will be served in the cellar restaurant – 

                                 Free time to look around the garden

17:30hrs                   Opportunity for a short recital to be held in the main hall

18:00hrs                   Depart Finchcocks and transfer to Twickenham (approximate time of arrival 20:00hrs)

                                 Once the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond

                                 Overnight Twickenham area

Tuesday                  TWICKENHAM – LONDON (15miles each way)

08:00hrs                   Transfer this morning to St Edmunds Catholic Primary School, Nelson Road, Whitton, Twickenham, TW2 7BB

08:30hrs                   Arrive St Edmund’s Primary School and their on-site Chapel where there will be the opportunity for rehearsal prior to your performance

09:00hrs                   Concert begins in the School’s Chapel performed for various local schools confirmed

                                 At the concert end refreshments and biscuits will be served

10:30hrs                   Depart St Edmunds School and transfer to St Paul’s Cathedral

                                                                                                                                                    

12:00hrs                      Arrive at St Paul’s Cathedral where you will have time for rehearsal in the Choir Practice Room prior to your performance

13:00/13:15hrs        Performance at St Paul’s Cathedral

13:45hrs                   Depart St Paul’s by coach driving along the River Thames and transfer to the Australian Embassy, Strand

14:15hrs                   Arrive at the Australian High Commission where a recital has been arranged

in the Downer Room

The two smaller rooms adjacent to the Downer Room have been reserved and can be used as a relaxation room and a place to leave personal belongings.

16:00hrs                   Approximate time the recital ends. Walk the short distance accompanied by Martin, via Waterloo Bridge to the London Eye

17:00hrs                   Enjoy a flight on the London Eye

                                 

17:45hrs                      Transfer by coach to your central meeting point in Twickenham. Approximate arrival time 18:45hrs

                                 Once the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond

           

Overnight Twickenham area

 

 

Wednesday             TWICKENHAM – LONDON (15miles each way)

9^th June 2010          

08:00hrs                   Depart by coach for Cranbourne Primary School, Lovel Road, Winkfield, Nr Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 2EU

08:30/08:45hrs        Arrive at Cranbourne Primary School

09:10hrs                   Concert recital performance to the Schools children 

                                 Coach to continue to Hatchet Lane after dropping off choristers and wait here until it is time to pick up again

                                 Squash and biscuits will be served after the performance

09:45hrs                   Depart Cranbourne Primary School for central London and Buckingham Palace

                                 

11:15hrs                   Arrive at Buckingham Palace in time for the ‘Changing of the Guard’ which takes place at 11:30hrs lasting approximately thirty minutes. For the best view try and get as near as possible to the railings at the Victoria Monument

                                 Following this enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing accompanied by Martin to include the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, The Thames and Trafalgar Square finishing at the South Bank and Southwark Cathedral

15:30hrs                   Upon arrival at Southwark Cathedral there will be approximately twenty-minutes available for a ‘warm up’ prior to your recital 

16:00hrs                   Start of recital at Southwark Cathedral

16:45hrs                   Recital ends. Transfer to your central meeting point in Twickenham

                             

18:00hrs                   Approximate arrival time in Twickenham. Once the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond

                                 Overnight Twickenham area

 

Thursday                TWICKENHAM – WINCHESTER (55miles) LONDON (71miles)

       

09:00hrs                   Depart Twickenham and travel south this morning to Winchester

10:45/11:00hrs        Arrive Winchester Cathedral where a guided tour is arranged - the group will be split into two with one guide per group

12:00hrs                   Enjoy lunch at leisure (packed lunch provided) on the lawn in the Inner Close, (the Undercroft in the Education Centre has been reserved in case it is wet)

12:45hrs                   Opportunity for a brief rehearsal prior to performance

13:00hrs                   Concert performance in the Cathedral’s Nave 

13:45hrs                   Prompt departure following the recital and transfer to central London and The Tower of London

15:45hrs                   Arrive at The Tower of London for your visit. Highlights of your tour should include the Crown Jewels, one of the unmissable highlights of a visit to the Tower of London (takes approximately 20 minutes), the White Tower built by William the Conqueror, which today houses displays from the Royal Armouries’ collection (takes approximately 30 minutes), see the famous ravens next to the White Tower and explore the story of how the Tower was attacked and defended in our interactive Fortress displays (takes approximately 10 minutes)

17:15hrs                   Depart Tower Bridge by coach for The British Museum

18:00hrs                   Arrive at The British Museum where Martin will give a guided tour

19:00hrs                   Depart The British Museum by coach and return to Twickenham (approximate arrival time 20:00hrs)

                             

                                 Once the choristers have been collected by families, the coach will transfer the staff to the Riverside Hotel in Richmond

                                 Overnight Twickenham area

 

Friday                      DEPART LONDON 

Pilgramage to Iona

Day 1:  Leave Home

Day 2:  Glasgow

On arrival in Glasgow, pass through Customs and

Immigration and move to the arrivals hall where you will be

met by your driver who will take you to the coach.  Once the

coach is loaded, you will be taken into Glasgow and to the

Cathedral where a visit has been arranged.

After your visit, re-join the coach and transfer to the Jurys Inn Hotel where accommodation has been arranged on a bed and breakfast basis for tonight.

Day 3:  Glasgow – Iona

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast check out of the hotel and meet your coach

and driver for the start of your journey to Iona. The first leg

of this journey is by coach and will take you from Glasgow to Oban. 

Once in Oban you will board the ferry and sail to the Isle of

Mull. Upon arrival you will be driven from one side of the island to the other to the port of Fionnphort. 

At this point you will leave the coach which will be staying on Mull. You will then catch the foot passenger ferry to Iona.  On arrival on Iona, make you way on foot to the St Columba Hotel where accommodation has been arranged for the next three nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant.

After dinner you will have the opportunity to attend the evening service on the island.

Day 4:  Iona

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

Today you will be taken on a full day guided tour/pilgrimage around the island. The terrain can be challenging in places so walking boots are advisable.

Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant.

After dinner you will have the opportunity to attend the

evening service on the island. 

Day 5:  Iona

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

Today you will have a free day on the island for personal

reflection.

Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant.

After dinner you will have the opportunity to attend the evening service on the island. 

Iona - Edinburgh

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your way

on foot to the port where you will travel on the ferry to Mull. 

On arrival in Fionnphort, your coach and driver will meet

you to drive you across the island. Board the ferry and

travel back to the mainland landing at Oban.

You will now be driven through the Scottish countryside to

      Edinburgh. Depending on the times of the ferries, we hope

to be able to offer a panoramic tour of the city on arrival.

You will then be taken to the Edinburgh City Hotel where

accommodation has been arranged for tonight on a bed and

breakfast basis.

 Day 7: Edinburgh – Lindisfarne – Durham

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet

your coach and driver for the journey to Lindisfarne. The

causeway is open today between 08.50 and 14.15 hours so

an early start from Edinburgh will give you time on the

island.

On arrival on Lindisfarne a visit has been arranged to the Priory.

After your visit and some free time, re-join your coach for a prompt departure to be across the causeway by 14.15 hours.

Back on the mainland the driver will continue your journey to Durham.

On arrival in Durham you will be taken to the Premier Inn

City Centre Hotel where accommodation has been arranged

for the next two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

     Day 8:  Durham

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. 

After breakfast, meet you guide for a tour of Durham.  Visits

today will include Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.

The group will have the opportunity to attend Evensong in

the Cathedral, currently this is scheduled at 17.15 hours but

may be subject to change.    

Day 9:  Durham – Whitby - York

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach

and driver for the journey to Whitby. On arrival in Whitby

you will be taken to the Abbey for a self-guided tour.

After your visit make your way to Whitby Station on foot – 

this is approx. half a mile. Here you will board a steam train

which will take you to Pickering travelling on the North

Yorkshire Moors Railway. (Availability subject to Whitby

station expansion tbc)

The coach and driver will make their way to Pickering

station. Re-join the coach for the onward journey to York.   Please note that there are no parking facilities directly

outside Pickering Railway station.

Arrive at the Royal York Hotel where accommodation has

been reserved for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis. 

Day 10:  York

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant

After breakfast, meet your guide for a full day of sightseeing

in York. A visit is also arranged to York Minster.

You will also have the opportunity to attend Evensong at the

Minster which is currently scheduled for 17.15 hours.

Day 11:  York – Coventry – Cambridge

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach

and driver for today’s journey. The first leg of the journey

will take you south down the central spine of England to

Coventry. A comfort stop will be made en-route. On arrival

in Coventry you will be taken to the Cathedral where a visit

has been arranged.

This is a long day of travelling on the coach so some free

time may be possible subject to driver’s hours and traffic on

the day.

After your visit, re-join the coach and transfer to

Cambridge. On arrival you will be taken to the Royal

Cambridge Hotel where accommodation has been arranged

for the next two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 12:  Cambridge – Walsingham – Cambridge

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

This morning a visit has been arranged to King’s College, Cambridge.

After your visit, meet your coach and driver for the transfer

to Walsingham. On arrival, make your way to the Shrine of

our Lady of Walsingham where a visit has been arranged.   You will also have the opportunity to visit the Shrine Church,

the visitor centre and the Shrine shop.

Re-join the coach for your transfer back to Cambridge. 

  

Day 13:  Cambridge – Salisbury

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, please check out of the hotel and meet your

coach and driver. Once the coach is loaded you will start

your journey to Salisbury. A comfort stop will be made en-route.

If time allows, it may be possible to take a small diversion

to allow you to be driven past Stonehenge.

On arrival in Salisbury you will be taken straight to the

Cathedral where a visit has been arranged.

After your visit, re-join the coach which will then take you to

the Best Western Red Lion Hotel where accommodation has

been arranged for tonight on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 14:  Salisbury – Glastonbury – London

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach and driver and start the journey to London.

A comfort stop will be made en-route. On arrival in London you will be taken to the Regency Hotel where

accommodation has been arranged for the next two nights

on a bed and breakfast basis.

The rest of the day is free for personal sightseeing.

Day 15:  London

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, meet your coach, driver and guide for a full

day panoramic tour of London. Visits today will include

Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.

   

Day 16:  London – Canterbury

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach

and driver. Today you will be travelling to Canterbury.

For those of you who would like to walk a part of the Pilgrim’s Way, arrangements have been made for the coach to drop you at xxx and collect you once again at xxx.  However, for those of you who would prefer to stay on the coach you will be taken to xxx for a visit.

Steven – I don’t know if Jenny has a particular part in mind to walk – it would be useful if you could find this out so that I can arrange something for the coach/non-walkers and timings etc

On arrival in Canterbury you will be taken to the Falstaff  Hotel where accommodation has been arranged for the next

two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Subject to the timings of the day and schedule of services the group will have the opportunity to attend Compline at the Cathedral.

Day 17:  Canterbury

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

This morning meet your guide for a half day sightseeing tour

of Canterbury. 

This afternoon a visit to the Cathedral has been arranged.

The group will have the opportunity to attend either the

Choral Evensong or Compline at the Cathedral.

Day 18:  Canterbury – home

Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your coach

and driver for the transfer from Canterbury to London

Heathrow for your flight home.