[ Image – Covent Garden Opera House ]
English stately homes, classics and opera tour.
Four opera and two theatre performances and a private recital includes, Glyndebourne, Garsington and Grange Park Opera.
Take an exhilarating journey with us from the uplifting summer opera festivals of Glyndebourne, Garsington and Grange Park set in picture-perfect English countryside, to the iconic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and a classic Evensong with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge.
Also enjoy world-class theatre performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
Explore great and small historic homes and their beautiful gardens, and enjoy art collections, walks through ancient university towns, and many delicious meals.
Includes
- Performances: First grade tickets for performances at venues, opera and festivals; Please note: The venues and festivals will announce their seasons early in that year and may differ from that advertised, depending on final confirmation of evening performances.
- Accommodation: 13 nights twin share hotel accommodation.
- Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Meals: B – Breakfast daily. L – One lunch. D six dinners including the Welcome and Farewell dinners. S – Social drinks and canapés following the recital.
- Entry Fees and Guided Tours: Entrance fees for museums, art galleries etc. as included in the final itinerary.
- Guides & Tour Manager: Tour manager and Local guides.
SMALL GROUP: The tour will operate with a minimum of 8 people and a maximum of 20.
RECOMMENDED: Members of the group must feel comfortable walking unassisted, standing for periods of time in museums, art galleries etc. and embarking/disembarking coaches.
Excludes
- Airfares.
- Gratuities.
- Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports and hotels at the beginning and end of tours. These can be arranged at an additional cost.
- Special Taxes: Special taxes and airport levies that are payable in cash at any destination.
- Visas: Costs associated with obtaining visas for countries visited on your tour. N.B: Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa for the United Kingdom.
- Travel Insurance: Please note that you are required to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your tour.
- Meals and drinks other than those stated as included in the final itinerary.
- Personal and discretionary expenses.
- Activities in Free Time, or not specified as Included in the final itinerary.
This tour commences and concludes in London
Itinerary
Day 1 – London, Cambridge
Meet at our London hotel at 10:30 am and transfer to Cambridge. Afternoon orientation tour of the historic university city before checking in at Graduate Cambridge (or similar) on the River Cam. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. D
Day 2 – Cambridge, Choir of King’s College
Morning punting on the River Cam, followed by a walking tour of Cambridge colleges and chapels. Afternoon Evensong at King’s College Chapel with its world-famous choir. B
Day 3 – Stratford-upon-Avon, Baddesley Clinton
Travel via Baddesley Clinton, a moated Tudor manor with lovely gardens, to Stratford-upon-Avon. Evening free to explore. Overnight at The Arden Hotel (or similar). B
Day 4 – Stratford-upon-Avon
Explore Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and Holy Trinity Church. Evening performance with the Royal Shakespeare Company. B
Day 5 – Blenheim Palace, Oxford
Depart Stratford for a guided visit of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. Afternoon orientation of Oxford’s historic colleges. Overnight Oxford. B
Day 6 – Oxford, Globe Theatre
Morning free in Oxford before returning to London. This evening attend a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the South Bank. Overnight London. B
Day 7 – Grange Park Opera
Morning free in London. Afternoon excursion to Grange Park Opera, one of the UK’s leading summer opera festivals. Return to London late evening. B
Day 8 – London, Covent Garden
Guided walking tour of central London: Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Westminster Abbey exterior. Evening performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. B
Day 9 – London at leisure
Day free to explore at your own pace—perhaps Tate Modern, British Museum, or a Thames cruise. Optional activities available. B
Day 10 – Garsington Opera
Excursion to Garsington Opera, held in the gardens of Wormsley Estate. Return to London late evening. B
Day 11 – Glyndebourne Festival Opera
Travel south to East Sussex to attend a performance at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Picnic on the lawns before the evening’s production. B
Day 12 – Syon House & Recital
Visit Syon House, the London home of the Dukes of Northumberland. This evening enjoy a private recital with social drinks and canapés. B, S
Day 13 – Stately Homes and Farewell Dinner
Visit one or more stately homes (final selection confirmed in the itinerary) before gathering for our farewell dinner tonight. B, D
Day 14 – London Departure
Tour concludes after breakfast. Transfers available at additional cost. B
THIS ITINERARY IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TOUR COMPANY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Available dates: 2025 tour dates: 7–20 JUNE, 2026 tour dates: TBA
Pricing: Email info@travlink.net or within NZ call 0800 99 77 88 for more about this unique tour
