The Best of the Bard: The World and Words of Shakespeare in Stratford-Upon-Avon and London

10 days
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4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
In the canon of Western literature, there is but one artist who stands above all others: William Shakespeare. Led by acclaimed theater critic, director and instructor, Giles Ramsay, join other lovers of the Bard on an immersive look into Shakespeare’s life and works in Stratford-upon-Avon and London. Walk the streets of his birthplace, learn about life in Eli...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Join acclaimed Road Scholar theater expert Giles Ramsay and guest speakers on a complete immersion into the life and works of William Shakespeare.
    • Enjoy a private reception at Shakespeare’s birthplace — a shrine to millions — and get a tantalizing glimpse into his world and take dinner in the RSC Rooftop Restaurant.
    • Enjoy three performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company and two at the Globe, an amazing reproduction of the original Elizabethan playhouse.

What's this trip about?

    In the canon of Western literature, there is but one artist who stands above all others: William Shakespeare. Led by acclaimed theater critic, director and instructor, Giles Ramsay, join other lovers of the Bard on an immersive look into Shakespeare’s life and works in Stratford-upon-Avon and London. Walk the streets of his birthplace, learn about life in Elizabethan England, become inspired by Shakespeare scholars, and of course — watch a selection of outstanding performances. This is a truly special opportunity to experience why Shakespeare still speaks to us generation after generation. As the Bard said, “O this learning, what a thing it is.”

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityStratford-upon-Avon
End CityLondon

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

Activities

  • Educational/ Learning
  • Historic Sightseeing

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 24

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Itinerary

Day 1: In Transit to Program

In Flight

Day 2: Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner: Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Alveston Manor

Lunch: Take a light lunch in the hotel.

Afternoon: Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. At 5pm we will have an Orientation in the hotel. The Group Leader will g...

Day 3: Shakespeare's Family Homes, Performance: Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Alveston Manor

Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel. Choose from a variety of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, baked beans, hash browns, cold cuts and cheeses, toast, jams, marmalade, yogh...

Day 4: Private Reception at Shakespeare's Birthplace: Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Alveston Manor

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Giles Ramsay gives an illustrated lecture on Shakespeare's verse and Shakespeare's world.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy the local fare of your chosing...

Day 5: Meet an RSC professional, RSC Rooftop Restaurant Dinner: Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Alveston Manor

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Giles Ramsay in conversation with an actor or director from one of the plays you'll see.

Lunch: On your own, your group leader will offer suggestion...

Day 6; Backstage at the RSC: London, England

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Bloomsbury Street

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy an expert-led exploration of the Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre. Discover the public and private areas of the theatre, learn abo...

Day 7: A Performance At The Globe: London, England

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Bloomsbury Street

Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Multi-media Lecture by Giles Ramsay "Shakespeare's Plays in Production from his Death to the Present Day".

...
Day 8: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: London, England

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Bloomsbury Street

Activity note: The Shakespeare's Globe site includes an open air theatre, the Exhibition, and Swan at the Globe Bar and Brasserie. The entrance to the Exhibition is accessed via a ...

Day 9: Meet a Leading Theatre Critic: London, England

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Bloomsbury Street

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Free morning.

Lunch: A light lunch of soup and sandwiches in the hotel.

Afternoon: A leading London theatre critic con...

Day 10: Program Concludes: London, England

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast: In the hotel. Some transfers may depart before breakfast.

Morning: Transfers by private car to London Heathrow Airport terminals.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,599
Price per day$360
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Alveston Manor: 4 nights, Warks

Situated in the heart of Shakespere country, the historic Alveston Manor Hotel is set in its own grounds just 5 minutes walk from all the cultural attractions of Stratford-upon-Avon and retains some 16th century original features. Most bedrooms are in the modern wing.

Radisson Blu Bloomsbury Street: 4 nights, London

Recently completely refurbished and upgraded. Located in Bloomsbury , close to the West End and the British Museum. Nearest underground Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines)

Guides
Giles Ramsay Giles Ramsay is an independent theatre director and producer who specializes in creating new work with artists in developing countries. He is the Founding Director of the charity Developing Artists, a Fellow of St. Chad’s College, Durham University and Course Leader in Theatre at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He has devised and instructed on Road's Scholar programs since the early 1990's and has run theatre projects in countries ranging from Kosovo to Zimbabwe.
Travel Insurance
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Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 6 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
roadscholar-21787RJ

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