Tours from just £695pp Enjoy the delights of Chelsea in autumn for the first time in its 108-year history You’re in safe hands with our 11‑step COVID-19 action plan
THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW September 2021
THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
BRITAIN IN BLOOM – A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE IN 2021 The world is starting to make plans for later this year and so are we. The recent government updates have provided us all with a hearty dose of hope and our dreams of taking a tour this year can now be fulfilled. Not only will this year mean a grand return to travel for many, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has also seen a momentous move – switching its schedule to autumn for first time in its history. Whilst horticulture tends to take second place to archaeology on a typical Andante Travels tour, we understand that many of our guests are garden enthusiasts and we don’t want you to miss out on this unique floral treat. We are delighted to introduce a superb new itinerary combining your travel interests – History & Horticulture: Hampton Court & the Chelsea Flower Show. Over four memorable days, this short break will allow you to experience the myriad attractions of the iconic flower show itself and also pay a visit to this historic palace. Combining both visits on the same tour offers a chance to compare the ways in which gardening has progressed over the years, while delving into the stories that shaped them. What’s more, our sister company Brightwater Holidays also has a range of Chelsea Flower Show trips on offer, starting from just £695pp. It’s no secret that the pandemic has created garden enthusiasts out of many more of us, with a survey last May revealing that gardening was the second most popular lockdown activity, and we hope our brand new tour appeals to your green-fingered side. The mental health and physical benefits of gardening have been under the spotlight all year long, with research suggesting that they are plentiful – so much so that the Chelsea Flower Show’s theme for 2021 is all about how plants have a positive impact on our wellbeing. As you can imagine, we simply can’t wait to get back out into the touring world, and where better place to start than in glorious gardens, surrounded by nature’s beauty. Best wishes, Jackie Willis CEO
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To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 671 191
NEW FOR ‘21 In addition to the show gardens, shopping and dining experiences for which Chelsea is so renowned, this year’s very special autumn edition of the event will have a theme close to many of our hearts. More and more of us have sought solace in our gardens in response to the challenging events of the past year and we have also embraced the restorative powers of nature, concepts that will be showcased at the 2021 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. That’s right, the event will celebrate and explore the positive impact that plants have on our wellbeing.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
KEEPING SAFE The event will take place during a year that continues to see our world recover from a pandemic, so extra measures will be put in place to ensure your safety.
There will also be a brand new category called ‘Sanctuary Gardens’, which includes a horticultural tribute to the NHS, a ‘Nordic Heritage Seaside’ show garden and a garden inspired by ‘the Calm of Bangkok’. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
It may also reassure you to know that we will operate our new Chelsea tour under our 11-step action plan, as will our sister company for the four Chelsea Flower Show holidays it is offering for 2021. We will update our websites with relevant information as the event approaches.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
OLD AND NEW The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
A HISTORIC SEASON-SWAP For the very first time in its 108-year history, the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show will take place in the autumn. Ordinarily a spring affair, this horticultural highlight had to be moved due to the pandemic, but instead of simply postponing it for another year the organisers decided to push it back to September. Not only is the timing of the 2021 Chelsea Flower Show unique, now taking place between the 21st and 26th September, it is also expected to inspire wonderful new autumnal displays. Seasonal highlights will include salvias, dahlias, asters, fruit and, of course, the humble vegetable. Its location, however, won’t be changing and it will continue to be held at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, unmoved since 1913. There have been a few events throughout the flower show’s history that are noteworthy and these include being cancelled for the duration of World War One along with stopping from 1939 to 1947 because of World War Two. In 1932, the show was hit with such strong rain that a summer house display fell to pieces and the first Chelsea Flower Show took place in 1862 under the name the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Great Spring Show’. Moving the Chelsea Flower Show to an entirely different season is bound to present a set of brand new challenges to exhibitors, but it will also offer a chance to work with plants that either wouldn’t be available or at their best in event’s usual month of May.
Our History & Horticulture tour itinerary was designed to shine a spotlight on the evolution of English gardens throughout the ages. At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you will come face-to-face with cutting edge garden design and traditionchallenging ideas, but in the magnificent grounds of Hampton Court Palace you will experience 500 years of garden history, as it was here in the early 1500s that Cardinal Wolsey laid out the first small knot garden before Henry VIII took over.
IN GOOD HANDS If you’re looking to experience the 2021 RHS Chelsea Flower Show as part of a tour that has an even stronger focus on gardens, our sister company Brightwater Holidays has four stunning itineraries that range from a 7-day exploration of classic English gardens to an exclusive behind-the-scenes short break led by a former Head Gardener to HM The Queen Mother. From the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew to Stourhead, they can take you there later this year.
To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 671 191
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RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
HISTORY & HORTICULTURE
Hampton Court & The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Our love of horticulture has a very long history and can be retraced for thousands of years, from the elaborate gardens of ancient Persia to the spring bulb exhibitions at Keukenhof. We have combined the old and new with a chance to visit the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, home to cutting-edge design, and a day at Hampton Court Palace, where the first small knot garden was laid out in the early 1500s by Cardinal Wolsey.
Your Itinerary Day One | London Arrive at our London hotel independently and enjoy dinner. Day Two | Hampton Court We spend the day exploring the house and gardens at Hampton Court. Embedded with 500 years of history, primarily formal in nature, there are over 60 acres to explore here, including the Privy Garden and Orangery. Day Three | The RHS Chelsea Flower Show A full day visit to the RHS
Chelsea Flower Show awaits, which holds a rare position as a great British tradition and is an exciting source of inspiration and advice. This year there will be a new RHS category – Sanctuary Gardens – which seeks to highlight the positive impact that plants have on our health and well-being.
Day Four | London Our tour ends and we make our own ways home.
01722 671 191
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Hampton Court
Special Features » Discover the latest garden designs and enjoy uplifting displays at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show » Admire the Triumphs of Caesar, nine huge Renaissance paintings on display at Hampton Court » Explore, relax or lose yourself in the world-famous maze at Hampton Court Gardens
Your Tour Includes » 3 nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the Grange Beauchamp Hotel or similar » Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show » All visits as outlined in the itinerary » Comfortable coach travel throughout » Services of an Andante Tour Manager » Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Departure & Prices 22 September 2021 from £975pp
To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 671 191
Single Supplement £355
THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
WITH COLIN CROSBIE
RHS Chelsea Garden
his unique, specially arranged tour is led throughout by Colin Crosbie, who T will give us personally guided tours of RHS Garden Wisley, of which he is a former Curator, and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with which he has been involved for many years and has visited 28 times.
After an exclusive private dinner at Wisley, Colin will also give us a talk revealing the secrets of what goes on behind the scenes at the world’s most famous flower show, as well as anecdotes from his time both at Wisley and as a former Head Gardener to HM The Queen Mother in Windsor, where our short tour ends.
Your Itinerary
Guided by Colin Crosbie Colin’s extensive horticultural knowledge and experience coupled with his good humour have established him as one of Brightwater’s most popular guides.
Special Features
Day 1 Travel independently to the hotel. At an agreed time we depart by coach for the RHS Garden Wisley, where our guide, Colin Crosbie, will give us a personal guided tour. Once the site has closed to the public we will enjoy private access to the garden, before enjoying an exclusive three-course dinner with wine. Following dinner, Colin will give us a talk encompassing his experiences as Curator of Wisley and before that as Head Gardener to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The
Queen Mother, before moving on to the subject of the Chelsea Flower Show. (D) Day 2 Today we depart for our full day visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show where we enjoy a personal tour with Colin who will give us a unique insight into the hidden secrets of Chelsea. (B & D) Day 3 Our final visit is to Savill Garden at Windsor, where once again Colin will accompany the group. (B)
01334 766 071
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» Full day visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with personal guided tours by Colin Crosbie » Guided tour of RHS Garden Wisley with Colin along with a private three-course dinner with wine » Visit to the Savill Garden at Windsor » Stay at a 4-star boutique hotel in South Kensington
Your Tour Includes » Two nights’ bed & breakfast at the 4-star Bailey’s Hotel, South Kensington » One dinner with wine at the hotel and one private dinner with wine at RHS Garden Wisley » Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show » All visits as outlined in the itinerary » Comfortable coach travel » Services of Colin Crosbie as tour manager and guide
Departure & Prices 22 & 24 September 2021 from £695pp Single Supplement £170
01334 766 071 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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THE RHS
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
AND CLASSIC ENGLISH GARDENS
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show with some of Southern England’s T hisfinesttourgardens, affording the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of horticultural excellence. Revel in the delights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, wander around the unmissable gardens of RHS Garden Wisley, and discover the history of glorious Sissinghurst in Kent. We then head west, breaking our journey at the beautiful gardens of Heale House near Salisbury and finally on to Henry Hoare’s famous landscape garden of Stourhead. From our hotel in the West Country, we stop to visit the ancient Bishop’s Palace in Wells, the Harold Peto-designed garden at Iford Manor, and we also have some time in the town of Bath, famous for its Roman baths and its rows of elegant Georgian terraces.
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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show
“Gardening is medicine that does not need a prescription and has no limit on dosage”
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Special Features » The Great British gardening event of the year, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show » Guided tour of RHS Wisley » Exclusive out of hours guided tour of the world-renowned courtyard gardens of Sissinghurst Castle » Hestercombe Gardens – a horticultural masterpiece from Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens » Private visit to the romantic award-winning Italian garden, Iford Manor, which were designed by Harold Peto RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019
Your Itinerary
Your Tour Includes
Day 1 We start our tour with a visit to the RHS Garden Wisley, where we enjoy a guided tour. This outdoor space is home to glasshouses, an arboretum and many glorious gardens. (D) Day 2 Today we begin at Sissinghurst, where we are treated to an exclusive guided tour before the garden opens to the public. The history here is rich and fascinating, and the gardens themselves are simply stunning. We continue to another classic English Garden, Great Dixter. (B & D)
Day 3 We devote our entire day to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a great British tradition and exciting source of inspiration and advice. (B & D) Day 4 This morning we explore the gardens of Heale House, just north of Salisbury (we will visit Wilton house on the May 2022 departure). Later, we depart for a visit to the garden at Stourhead. Temples, urns, a grotto and a wealth of trees all contribute to the special atmosphere of this celebrated landscape garden. (B & D)
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Day 5 We start our day at The Bishop’s Palace in Wells, a stunning medieval building. Later we visit Hestercombe, one of Gertrude Jeykll’s greatest masterpieces. (B & D) Day 6 We take a trip to Iford Manor this morning where we have an exclusive private visit before enjoying some free time in Bath. (B & D) Day 7 We travel to Tyntesfield with its immaculate terraced lawns before returning to our original departure points. (B)
» Six nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: three nights at the 3-star Holiday Inn Farnborough (or similar) and three nights at the 3-star Walnut Tree Hotel, North Petherton, Somerset (or similar) » Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show » All visits as outlined in the itinerary » Comfortable coach travel, picking up at London and Heathrow Airport » Services of a professional tour manager
Departure & Prices 23 September 2021 & 19 May 2022
from £1295pp
Single Supplement £330
01334 766 071 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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THE RHS
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
AND GARDENS OF LONDON
RHS Chelsea Garden
his tour combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS Chelsea T Flower Show with some of the London’s finest gardens, affording the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of horticultural excellence. Nowhere is this excellence more apparent than in the perfectly manicured surroundings of RHS Garden Wisley, where our tour beigns. After a full day at Chelsea our tour continues with visits to the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, with its iconic pagoda, and Ham House, an unusually complete survivor from the 17th century. Chiswick House dates from the following century and features Italianate gardens filled with temples, while at the venerable Chelsea Physic garden we learn all about medicinal plants. Our tour ends on a high at the Sky Garden.
Kew Gardens
Your Itinerary Day 1 We transfer to RHS Garden Wisley, which is where the Royal Horticultural Society shows the gardening public how it should be done. A guided tour is included here. (D) Day 2 After breakfast this morning we depart for our full day visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. (B & D) Day 3 Today we visit the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, which is now a World Heritage Site and boasts a unique collection
of plants from all over the world. We later visit Ham House and Garden in Richmond. (B & D) Day 4 Our first stop today is to Chiswick House, then it’s on to Chelsea Physic Garden, which contains around 5,000 different medicinal plants which have changed the world. It is hoped we will also visit the Sky Garden, a unique rooftop garden which offers panoramic views over London before returning to our original departure points. (B)
01334 766 071
info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Special Features » » » » »
Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site A sumptuous statement of wealth and power at Ham House Italianate style at Chiswick House and Gardens The unusual Chelsea Physic Garden Stunning panoramic views of London from the Sky Garden
Your Tour Includes » Three nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast at the 4-star Holiday Inn Brentford Lock (or similar) » Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and » All visits as outlined in the itinerary » Coach travel from Bristol, Swindon, Reading, Heathrow and London » Services of a professional tour manager
Departure & Prices 24 September 2021 from £695pp
Single Supplement £120
ARTS AND GARDENS OF LONDON &
THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
RHS Chelsea Garden
his new tour combines the colour, prestige and excitement of the RHS T Chelsea Flower Show with a stimulating blend of some of London’s finest gardens, art galleries and historic houses. These include the National Gallery, home to countless art treasures; Eltham Palace, which marries medieval gardens with Art Deco style; Syon Park, one of the last great houses of London with a wealth of art and Hampton Court Palace, one of London’s must-see attractions.
Your Itinerary
Guided by Trevor Edwards Horticulturalist, garden design consultant and broadcaster Trevor Edwards, is one of our busiest and most popular tour managers and has led many garden tours around the world.
Special Features
Day 1 Travel independently to London and in the afternoon visit The National Gallery, which houses an encyclopaedic collection of over 2,300 paintings. (D) Day 2 We begin today at Eltham Palace and Gardens, whose exquisite 1930s Art Deco entrance hall will be familiar to many, as it is frequently used as a location for film and TV productions. This afternoon we visit the Garden Museum in Lambeth Palace Road. (B & D)
Day 3 We begin at Tate Britain before visiting Syon House, one of the last great houses of London, which has been in the family of the present owner, the Duke of Northumberland, for over 400 years. (B & D) Day 4 We spend the full day at the RHS Chelsea Flower show. (B & D) Day 5 Our final visit is to Hampton Court Palace and Gardens before the group disperses. (B)
01334 766 071
info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
» Full day visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show » 1930s Art Deco meet medieval heritage at Eltham Palace » Some of the most famous paintings in the world at the National Gallery and Tate Britain » Guided tour of the classical interiors and extensive gardens at Syon » The Tudor splendour of Hampton Court Palace and Gardens
Your Tour Includes » Four nights’ dinner, bed & breakfast: at the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton London Chelsea » Full-day ticket for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show » All visits as outlined in the itinerary » Comfortable coach travel » Services of Trevor Edwards as tour manager
Departure & Prices 21 September 2021
from £1075pp
Single Supplement £300
01334 766 071 | info@brightwaterholidays.com | www.brightwaterholidays.com
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You might also like… From a chance to wander around Monet’s iconic gardens in Giverny to an insight into how the Roman elite lived in the Bay of Naples at grand villas, these itineraries were designed to shine a scenic spotlight on gardens, architecture and culture.
NEW FOR 2021
THE BIRTH OF FRENCH IMPRESSIONISM
Social contexts and inspirations 7 Days
From £2,495pp Departing June & September 2021
Activity Level
French Impressionism, that radical and innovative artistic movement born in Paris in the 1860s, was a product of its time and context. This tour explores the birth of the movement, examines revolutionary paintings and follows in the footsteps of these artists, visiting locations that were truly inspirational to Impressionists.
Day One | London - Paris After settling into our hotel in Paris, we will visit the Musée de l’Orangerie situated in the Tuileries Gardens. Day Two | Paris Our exploration of the inspirations and social contexts of French Impressionisms continues at the Musée de Monmartre/Jardin de Renoir and then the Gare Saint Lazare, the subject of a series of Monet’s works. Our afternoon is spent in the most famous and significant Impressionist museum in the world, the Musée d’Orsay. Day Three | Paris & Auvers-sur-Oise In Bois de Boulogne, we visit first the Musée Marmottan Monet then after lunch we venture to the outskirts of Paris to Auvers-sur-Oise, which is associated with many painters, including Van Gogh, Daubigny, Corot, and Pissaro. Here, we visit the Musée Daubigny. Day Four | Barbizon & Moret sur Loinget-Orvanne Today we continue to explore the origins of Impressionism by travelling to Barbizon to visit to the Maison Atelier de JF Millet and then we continue to the
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Musée des Peintres de Barbizon. After lunch, we visit the Eglise Notre Dame de la Nativite, the 13th century Gothic church painted by Sisley. Our day ends at the Musée en plein air Sisley. Day Five | Paris - Giverny - Rouen We travel to Giverny to the iconic Monet House and Gardens, where Monet settled in the end of the 19th century. We continue Rouen Cathedral, the Gothic masterpiece that was the subject of a famous series of Monet paintings. We end our day at the Musée de BeauxArts de Rouen. Day Six | Le Havre & Honfleur This morning takes us to Le Havre, where Monet spent part of his childhood and where his teacher, Boudin, developed his talent. First to the Musée Andre Malraux, which houses one of the most significant collections of Impressionist paintings in France, and then on to Honfleur to visit the Musée Eugene Boudin. Day Seven | Rouen - Paris - London We set off in the morning for Paris in order to catch our return flights back to London.
To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 671 191
Tour Highlights • Explore Monet’s house and spectacular gardens in Giverny, the starting point for so many of his iconic paintings • Visit the wonderful Musée d’Orsay, home to the finest collection of Impressionists in the world • View the Gothic Cathedral in Rouen and the Musée de Beaux-Arts de Rouen
Guided by Dr Agata Chrzanowska Dr Agata Chrzanowska is an art historian specialised in both Early Modern painting and in photography studies.
Price includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport
Accommodation • Accommodation at Novotel Paris Centre Bercy & the Mercure Champ de Mars in Rouen
Culinary inclusions • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners • Water with all meals, tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
7th - 13th Jun
£2,495
£555
27th Sep - 3rd Oct
£2,545
£555
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/afim Image: Monet’s house Giverny
NEW FOR 2021
CAMPANIAN VILLAS & GARDENS
How Roman and Bourbon elites lived in the Bay of Naples 7 Days
From £1,975pp
Activity Level
Departing September 2021
The Bay of Naples is steeped in history, preserving remains of how its inhabitants cultivated open spaces for food and, importantly, for comfort and enjoyment. We explore extraordinary ancient gardens preserved by Vesuvius’ eruption, along with sumptuous gardens on the Amalfi coast and those created by the Bourbon nobility around Naples.
Tour Highlights
Caserta
Naples
• Visit Pompeii, including parts of the recently excavated areas as well as newly restored houses and their gardens
Boscoreale
Portici
• Discover the Roman villa at Oplontis with its internal gardens and the majestic royal palace and park of Caserta
Villa Oplontis
Pompei Cava de' Tirreni Salerno
• Enjoy the breathtaking 18th century garden in the cloister of Santa Chiara, located in Naples
Day One | London – Naples - Cava de’ Tirreni We fly into Naples and, by coach, head to the south end of the Bay of Naples to our hotel, which is situated in the mountains of the Sorrento Peninsula. Day Two | Pompeii A whole day in Pompeii awaits. Even if you are returning, you will see many buildings now reopened after conservation. It is not just the buildings, but the private gardens of many houses – Menander, Venus in the Shell, Golden Cupids and more – that have been restored with specimens of plants, shrubs and trees that we know were grown there in the Roman period. Day Three | Naples We head north to Naples to the formal Orto Botanico, then afterwards we visit the spectacular cloister of Santa Chiara, an oasis of calm in the centre of Naples. In the afternoon, we head out to Capodimonte to visit the famous art galleries found there. Day Four | Oplontis, Boscoreale & Portici Today, we visit the villa at Oplontis – still with its fine array of wall paintings Image: Caserta
intact, including beautiful internal gardens between rooms. In contrast, we will also visit the rural villa – in effect a farm house – at Boscoreale to see and consider the countryside around Pompeii. We end our day with a visit to the Royal Bourbon Palace at Portici. Day Five | Ravello & Salerno This morning we view some 18th and 19th century gardens at Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello. Facing south, this coast allows for the growing of many tropical species. After lunch, we then take a trip to the Giardino della Minerva at Salerno. Day Six | Caserta We drive to the region north of Naples to visit the Royal Palace and the park at Caserta. Said to have been designed by Charles VI of Naples in close collaboration with his architect Vanvitelli, this palace is one of the largest in Europe. Day Seven | Cava de’ Tirreni – Naples London We leave our hotel today and return to Naples for our flight back to London.
Ravello
Guided by John Shepherd An archaeologist who has worked extensively in the field throughout Europe, John is a specialist in ancient glass.
Price includes • Expert Guide Lecturer & Tour Manager • Entries to all sites & museums • All taxes & gratuities
Included travel • Return flights from London & all local transport
Accommodation • Accommodation at the Hotel Scapolatiello
Culinary inclusions • 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 6 dinners • Water with all meals, wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Dates & prices per person Date
Twin/Dbl Share
SS
28th Sep - 4th Oct
£1,975
£115
For full details of this tour visit andantetravels.co.uk/avag
To book a tour today visit andantetravels.co.uk or call 01722 671 191
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Tel: 01722 671 191 Tel: 01722 713 800 | Email: tours@andantetravels.com | www.andantetravels.co.uk Unit 4 Oakridge Office Park, Southampton Road, Whaddon, Salisbury, SP5 3HT