Tours in Britain and Music Festivals in 2011

Leading cultural tour operator Martin Randall Travel has greatly expanded its portfolio of tours exploring the rich cultural heritage of the United Kingdom. There are 16 British tours in 2011 including the following 8 new tours:

SNOWDONIA AND ANGLESEY (23–30 May 2011)
The tour visits the finest group of mediaeval castles to be found anywhere, as well as a choice variety of country houses, gardens, and historic walled towns, all to be found in some of Britain’s most beautiful landscape, highland and lowland. A geologist joins the tour to explain remarkable and beautiful rock formations. Price: £2,360 per person includes: accommodation in superb hotels in Bodysgallen Hall and Portmeirion—breakfasts, five dinners and two lunches (with wine, beer, water and coffee)—private air-conditioned coach—admission to sites and museums—tips for restaurant staff, drivers, etc—the services of the lecturers and tour manager.

CORNWALL (16–26 MAY & 3–13 October 2011)
Visiting gardens, houses, galleries, archaeological sites and historic towns and villages, this small-group tour has half-day walks on most days through some of the most beautiful scenery in England. Attention is also paid to geology, botany, ecology and other aspects of the natural world. Other ingredients include literary associations and some of the best of modern English food. Price: £2,840 per person includes accommodation in 4 different hotels—breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 picnics and 8 dinners with wine, water and coffee—private coach throughout—admission to houses, sites, museums—all tips for waiters, drivers, guides—the services of the lecturer and local experts.

THE COTSWOLDS (23–30 May & 19–26 September 2011)
A carefully selected itinerary which favours the lesser-visited and less accessible places over some of the more touristy ones. Several outstanding gardens are a feature, as are manor houses and a handful of the finest parish churches in the country. One hotel throughout, a 17th-century country house, of which tour participants have exclusive use. Price: £2,320 per person includes accommodation in Grade I listed Bibury Court Hotel—breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners with wine, water and coffee—private coach throughout—admission to houses, sites, gardens—all tips for waiters, drivers, guides—the services of the lecturer and local experts.

STONEHENGE (10–15 April & 18–23 September 2011)
Ranging through Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset, this small-group tour visits many of Europe's finest Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age monuments and features a special out-of-hours visit to Stonehenge. There is one hotel throughout, the 17th-century White Hart, a short walk from Salisbury Cathedral. Price: £1,540 per person includes hotel accommodation—travel by private coach—breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners with wine, water and coffee—admission to sites and museums—tips for waiters, drivers, guides—the services of the lecturer.

GREAT HOUSES OF ENGLAND: THE EAST (4–12 May 2011)
An elite selection of country houses in East Anglia and the East Midlands, with outstanding examples from the end of the Middle Ages to the Victorian era. The Tudor and Stewart age is particularly well represented, as is the Palladian style.
The tour looks at great architecture, major works of art, spectacular gardens, landscaped parks, and life on both sides of the green baize door and includes special arrangements and out-of-hours visits. Price: £2,750 per person includes hotel accommodation in 3 different hotels—private coach throughout—breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners with wine, water, coffee—admission to houses, gardens and sites—all tips for waiters, drivers, guides—the services of the lecturer.

COUNTRY HOUSE WEEKENDS: ARDGOWAN, RENFREWSHIRE (2–7 June 2011) & KENTCHURCH COURT, HEREFORDSHIRE (29 September – 3 October 2011)
These tours have a unique distinguishing feature: participants are not accommodated in a hotel but instead stay as house guests in a privately owned country house, a great historic building filled with fine furnishings and works of art. Most of the visits on the daytime excursions are to other country houses, also privately owned and often open rarely to the public. Price and details confirmed October 2011.

HISTORIANS AT THE CASTLE (5–7 NOVEMBER 2011)
Ensconced in the Castle Hotel in Taunton, with an audience limited to around 75, five of the UK’s most distinguished historians (Professor Mary Beard, Professor Tim Blanning, Dr Juliet Gardiner, Professor Helen King, and Dr Ian Mortimer) talk about their recent books and current research, and about the nature and study of history. Discussions and Q & A sessions form part of the programme and the speakers’ presence is continuous and extends to informal interaction during refreshment breaks and dinners. The residential package per person is £580 or £710 for a suite and includes admission to all the talks and discussions, accommodation for two nights in The Castle Hotel, two breakfasts and two dinners (wine and coffee included), refreshments before and between the sessions, gratuities for hotel staff.

Martin Randall Travel is the pioneer of all-inclusive music festivals, matching music with place by performing private concerts in appropriate historic buildings. These own-brand festivals comprise some of the most musically rewarding and intellectually stimulating music holidays available. The 5 festivals in 2011 are:

A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC IN VENICE (13–18 March 2011)
The finest interpreters of Venetian music, such as La Serenessima, La Venexiana, The Gabrieli Consort & Players, Christopher Maltman, Iestyn Davies and Accademia Bizantina, perform in seven contrasting but magnificent historic venues, including Sta Maria dei Miracoli, Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Palazzo Zenobio. Renowned musicologist Roderick Swanston sets the scene and introduces the music through a series of lectures. Accommodation is from a choice of eight 4- and 5-star hotels and there is a wide choice of walks and visits, led by one of our lecturers with a special knowledge of the city. Prices depend on the hotel and flight options available and range from £2,390 to £5,530 per person.

A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC IN CASTILE (11–15 June 2011)
Internationally-renowned musicians of the calibre of the Gabrieli Consort, Orphenica Lyra and José Miguel Moreno, perform Renaissance and Baroque music in a range of historic buildings, including the Casa del Cordón, Iglesia de San Nicolás and the majestic cathedral in Burgos, the Collegiate Church of San Pedro in Lerma, and the outstanding renaissance Palacio de Avellaneda. The festival is based throughout in Burgos, an architectural delight with Spain’s finest cathedral, outstanding churches and palaces and picturesque streets and squares. Festival participants are accompanied throughout by four expert lecturers who introduce the music, Spanish art and history through a series of morning talks. Special attention is paid to the food and wines. Prices depend on the hotel options available and range from £2,180 to £3,240 per person.

THE SEINE MUSIC FESTIVAL (3–10 July 2011)
Nine private concerts of French music in châteaux, churches and theatres along the Seine. Musicians of the highest calibre include the Labèque sisters, Joan Rodgers and Ensemble Clément Janequin. The audience lives on a comfortable river cruiser, the Viking Spirit, which sails through alluring scenery from the centre of Paris to Rouen and back again. Price from £3,600 per person.

THE DANUBE MUSIC FESTIVAL (26 August–2 September 2011)
The annual Danube Festival is transformed for one year only into a festival of Lieder with nine recitals in historic palaces, theatres, manor houses and concert halls. Full details available in October.

A FESTIVAL OF MUSIC IN FLORENCE (23–29 October 2011)
The newest addition to our unique collection of own-brand music festivals.
Venues include churches and some glorious palaces, both public and private. Details available in November.