‘THE PLAY IS NOT THE ONLY THING’ A Learning Vacation to Stratford-upon-AvonWhat better place to learn about Shakespeare than Stratford-upon-Avon, hometown of the immortal Bard? And what better spot to enjoy the rolling limestone hills, lush pastoral valleys, and colorful villages of the storied Cotswolds than from this charmingly preserved Elizabethan town? True to the drama of the region, epic sightseeing abounds here. Nearby Warwick Castle is regarded as England's finest medieval fortification. The ancient town of Coventry recalls the scene of Lady Godiva's famous ride. Further afield are the dreamy spires of the university town of Oxford and Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. On the latest of AHI International's Alumni Campus Abroad travel programs you'll combine relaxation and learning as you enjoy the picturesque beauty of England's heartland with its thatched cottages and sheep pastures enclosed by ancient stone walls. You'll meet the local people, visit Anne Hathaway's cottage, go backstage at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and enjoy a performance at one of Stratford's legendary theaters. You'll have high tea at Oxford's beautiful Christ Church College and visit the world's largest museum collection of cars at Coventry, Britain's "Motor City." Alumni Campus Abroad programs immerse visitors in the culture of a region, giving them a chance to get to know its people. Accommodations are in a single hotel, making it necessary to unpack only once. The featured hotel for the Stratford-upon-Avon program is Alveston Manor Hotel. Only a few minutes' stroll from the town center, this hotel has a history spanning 400 years. It is an imposing Tudor manor on seven acres of landscaped gardens that complement its classic country house furnishings and period décor. Stratford-upon-Avon, headquarters for this program, is situated on the edge of the scenic Cotswolds. A small Elizabethan town on the River Avon, it is famous as the birthplace in 1564 of William Shakespeare. The town center is lined with rows of 16th- and 17th-century half-timbered houses, including Shakespeare's home. Stratford is well known as a stage for Shakespeare's works, with three popular theaters: The Royal Shakespeare, The Swan, and The Other Place. This program includes a tour of the Cotswolds with visits to several picturesque villages. Other excursions visit Oxford, Warwick Castle, and Blenheim Palace. The educational focus of this Alumni Campus Abroad program includes a discussion of "Stratford: Its History and Ties to the Immortal Bard" and a backstage visit with the Royal Shakespeare Company for first-hand accounts on the staging and operation of the Royal Shakespeare Theater. There is a lecture, "World War II in Churchill's Britain" and a private journey to Lewis Carroll's Oxford with the chief custodian at Christ Church College. This is followed by a lecture on the rich history of this famous university. A "Meet the People" open forum offers a unique opportunity to meet residents of Stratford from various walks of life. Essential Information: Programs operate frequently from May through October, with departures also available from other U.S. cities. Costs vary with departure cities. Leaving from Newark you will pay $2,295 (based on double occupancy.) From Chicago you will pay $2,345, and from Los Angeles, $2,395. The 9 day/8 night program includes round-trip airfare to London via British Airways or a similar carrier, round-trip motorcoach transfers from London to Stratford-upon-Avon, a seven-night stay at Stratford's Alveston Manor Hotel, three meals daily, a welcome mixer, and a special farewell reception and dinner following the "Graduation Ceremony." Also included are all excursions and educational programs and the services of an AHI Campus Director. Cost for a land-only package is $1,895. For more information, contact:AHI International Corporation |
|
TM