BRITAIN TRAVEL

Welcome to BRITAIN TRAVEL, an imaginative selection of set departures and tours designed specifically for the frequent traveler to Britain who'd like to spend two to three nights in one place with value-added, behind the scenes - sometimes 'rarely open to the public' - opportunities to see and experience more of the 'real Britain'. Ask our Britain Specialist to assist you or you and your group to include interesting and abundant opportunities to explore the many interesting venues with your next visit to Britain!

Bath England    Thames     East London
English Country House Hotels - New (and Newly  Updated)

One of Wales's most enduring attractions, the village of Portmeirion, is marking is 80th anniversary this year.

The complex was created by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis, who wanted to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it.

However, in order to achieve his objective he needed an economic basis on which to build his village.

Having considered several options, he decided that tourism could provide the revenue he required.

Cottages

On Good Friday, 1926, after less than a year'spreparation, the original old house on the shore opened as an unlicensed hotel.

Extra accommodation was added with two new cottages, the Angel and the Neptune, together with a reconstructed gardener's bothy, the Mermaid and a converted stable block.

Mr. Williams-Ellis recalled how year by year, improvements were made within and without in all departments.

As the news spread, any anxiety about sufficient patronage was soon replaced by embarrassment over inadequate accommodation.

In the 80 years since Portmeirion first opened, it has become an inspiration to all who care about the environment, sustainability and architectural good manners.

Charity

Portmeirion is owned by a registered charity, the grounds are a designated conservation area and all the buildings are listed.

The village has eight shops, several cafes and two hotels, the Portmeirion and Castell Dendraeth.

The latter was reopened in 2001 after extensive renovation in a contemporary style with extensive use of local Welsh oak and slate.

Last year, the Hotel Portmeirion's curvillnear dining room overlooking the estuary was redesigned by Sir Terence Conran.

In October, the hotel won the Wales Tourist Board award as Best Place to Stay.

A SPECIAL treat lies in store for U.S. visitors in Oxfordshire in the shape of Sulgrave Manor.

The modest building is little bigger than a modern executive dwelling but is the ancestral home of America's first president, George Washington.

Held in trust for the people of the U.S. and UK, Sulgrave was rescued from collapse a century ago with money raised by individual gifts to be preserved as a symbol of Anglo-American friendship.

The house was built in the 1540s by Lawrence Washington and gives an insight to the lives of the family in Britain.

Ancient deeds and artifacts on show trace the move to the U.S. and the house also offers atmospheric rooms and gardens to explore.

Record

The visitors' book is an attraction in itself, going back 80 years and containing a record of U.S. visitors traveling to the UK to trace the beginnings of the history of the modern United States.

Sulgrave Manor is regarded as a superb example of a modest manor house and garden of Shakespeare's time.

The doors which open for visitors are those through which Lawrence and his family would have entered their house in the 1500s.

The Great Hall is as Lawrence built it, dominated by a great board, or narrow table, like the one around which the family of 11 children would have gathered at meal times.

In recognition of the role of the house as a symbol of the links across the Atlantic, the Great Hall also has two portraits of George Washington, one as a colonial officer and the other the well-known Stuart portrait of his later years.

Above the Great Hall is Lawrence and his wife Amy's bedchamber with a superb four-poster bed, recently refurbished with hangings embroidered through the joint efforts of more than 500 American and British volunteers.

Letters

The display of historical documents found in and around the house includes manuscript letters of George Washington and mementos donated by generous patrons over the years.

There are also miniatures of George and Martha, a piece of George's hair, his coat, saddlebags and traveling liquor cabinet - just part of what is probably the largest collection outside the U.S. of memorabilia of the first President.

The rest of the house was added later and has been refurbished in 18th century style.

American holidays, including Independence Day and Thanksgiving, are all celebrated at Sulgrave.

Also, we suggest that you visit...

Bath

Computer image of the new spa

When the early Romans needed a vacation from carving out their eastern empire, they came to Bath for the hot mineral waters bubbling up from the earth. Jane Austen became so enamored with Bath, a charming museum marks the years she spent there defining British sensibilities. Above all, Bath is drippingly romantic, with crescent- shaped buildings and steep cobblestone streets flanked by Saxon cathedrals, quiet cafes and antique shops. It's the type of place people come to buy lace, and a train trip from London is less than three hours. However, since the 1970s, the 2,000-year old buildings housing the baths in the town square have only been used for taking pictures and holding court over lunch and tea in The Pump Room.

Paul Simons, project director of the BATH SPA PROJECT, changed that with the opening, in October, 2002, of a striking "symphony of glass, water and stone" enclosing every imaginable regenerative spa technology, along with an open roof-top spa, hot bath preventorium, gymnasium and solarium. A myriad of other pools, tubs and tables are the settings for alternative therapies and state-of-the art treatments derived through the team's spa research from Colorado to Kyoto.

Simons says, "People think about Bath for its Roman history, Georgian architecture and crescent parks - but we're much more than that. Bath now has the largest working spa north of the Alps in a traditional European spa sense, that of using the mineral waters right out of the ground. Bath has the only hot thermal springs in the British Isles and it's the only complete World Heritage City in the British Isles." He adds that, "Using what was considered a sacred source, the Romans made tourism happen in Bath. People flocked to Bath. We hope we''ve just re-invigorated a 2,000 year-old cycle."

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Thames

A funny thing happened on the way to the Abbey - the London Underground extended its Jubilee line across the Thames to the South Bank and into Greenwich. The new pedestrian Millennium Bridge also crosses the Thames from St. Paul's Cathedral to the following:

TATE MODERN

Tate Modern - Opening Light Show

Exemplifying how much the old guard is changing, the NEW TATE GALLERY OF MODERN ART moved into the propaganda poster-styled Bankside Power Station. The $205 million project houses one of the foremost inventories of modern and contemporary art in the world.

NEW GLOBE THEATER

Globe Theatre from the Thames

Nearby, the painstakingly accurate reproduction of SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE THEATRE opened for business with plays by both the Bard and others being performed. Also an educational facility, the Globe is the planet's most extensive exhibition devoted to Shakespeare and the "actors, audience and architecture" whom all helped bring life to the words. As it was in the day, standing at the edge of the stage floor only a foot away from a male Cleopatra pleading for the love of one confused Antony...it is about as good as it gets.

VINOPOLIS

Vinopolis-City of Wine (seen from Bank End)

After an afternoon jaunt through the Tate and a play at the Globe, a staggering selection of 210 wines by the glass await at VINOPOLIS-CITY OF WINE. Museum isn't exactly the word here. Rather, Vinopolis is a 100,000 square-foot maze of tasting halls, restaurants, retail shops and a series of high-tech anterooms focusing on different wine regions. Using a plethora of fun and interactive multimedia displays, oenophiles can learn not only about wines, but the historical and cultural context in which to appreciate them.

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East London

The Millennium Dome

The same heavy pilings a young Charles Dickens scurried around still anchor dockside markets lining bohemian East London. The upscale CANARY WHARF and charming town of GREENWICH also provide respite from the hustle of London, and a day trip is highly recommended whether taking the Jubilee or a 35-minute river boat ride. The must-see ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH sits atop verdant hills overlooking the National Maritime Museum and the elegant Cutty Sark. And just off in the distance is the mother of all millennium projects: the $1.2 billion MILLENNIUM DOME with a myriad of shows and interactions, where, much earlier, men studied the stars to create longitude, latitude and the time zones, where, basically, standardized time mapped the globe.

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English Country Houses
New (and Newly Updated) Hotels

From the Cotswolds to Cornwall to the Lake District, new (and newly updated) hotels are redefining tradition - in their looks, their menus, even their manners.

Cowley Manor    Cotswold House    The Samling
Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa     St. Edmund's House

COWLEY MANOR
Cowley, the Cotswolds

COWLEY MANOR is a contemporary country hotel, with 30 rooms and a modernist spa. It is set in 55 acres of spectacular countryside with four lakes and an extravagant Victorian cascade. It is an hour and a half from London and 35 miles from Oxford. There is plenty of space to work, rest or play- or even to do all three. Ask us to help you check it out!

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COTSWOLD HOUSE
Chipping Campden,
the Cotswolds

At THE COTSWOLD HOUSE, is everything you have been looking for and, right at your doorstep, some of the most beautiful landscape in England. Whatever your plans- a long stay to discover the beauty of the Cotswolds or a well-deserved break from the nine to five - they can promise you all the traditions of service and comfort you would expect from a privately run hotel, with all the contemporary touches that will make your stay very special. Why not ask us to help you treat someone special to a stay? Gift Vouchers, in any amount, can be sent to an address, anywhere in the world.

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THE SAMLING
Windermere, the Lake District

A few hundred feet above one of the most beautiful lakes in Britain beckons a small gem of a hotel THE SAMLING. Set in its own sixty-seven acre estate, it’s like no other place you’ve stayed. This is a hotel in the country where you’ll discover deep comfort, the fruits of a thoughtful kitchen and service so good you hardly notice it. Food here is light, full of good ideas and loved unreservedly by their guests. Their cellar gains new admirers with every visit, too - fans of the grape have a treat in store, as do those with an eye for a view. (It is  three and a half hours from London and one and a half to two hours from Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Glasgow. There is a helipad in the grounds and they can personally transfer you from airports and train stations. The nearest airports are Carlisle, Glasgow, Teesside and Newcastle, the nearest train station is Oxenholme.) You can ask us to book The Samling like any other hotel, or you can have it all to yourself and your travel club.

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SEAHAM HALL HOTEL & SERENITY SPA
Seaham,
the North Sea Coast

After an afternoon jaunt through the Tate and a play at the Globe, a staggering selection of 210 wines by the glass await at Vinopolis-City of Wine. Museum isn't exactly the word here. Then, we know you'll be ready to enjoy the SEAHAM HALL HOTEL & SERENITY SPA!

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ST. EDMUND'S HOUSE
Padstow,
Cornwall

ST. EDMUND'S HOUSE is a new six-suite property set back from the waterfront, opened by Rick Stein, who also runs Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant. Everything there is delicious, from Dover sole meunière to the freshest fillet of cod you will ever taste. The busy Padstow restaurant is popular with celebrities. Perhaps it is this smattering of glamour that inspired Stein, who already has the run of this small Cornish fishing village, with the 13-room St Petroc's Hotel, a café, delicatessen and cookery school, to open St. Edmund's House. It has been furnished by Rick's wife, Jill, who shows both design talent and a true five-star sensibility, each room featuring a huge cherrywood four-poster, a claw-footed bathtub, wooden floors and crisp white wood-paneled walls. The three bedrooms on the ground floor open out onto a modern landscaped garden; those upstairs have garret-style bathrooms with lethally low beams (painted white, so you can't see them). There's no room service, but there is adjacent parking, a prize in Padstow, come the popular month of June, as is the Ryanair London-Newquay route, now up and running. Ask us to make your hotel and dinner reservations at this unique country house hotel.

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Also, Lest We Forget...
In the Heartland of England - the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham

For those who have already done London, the British countryside is a must, specially for VIPs looking for centuries-old manor houses and boutique hotels. The combination of original buildings and antique furnishings with modern spas, fitness area and restaurants is a perfect fit for the traveler seeking Old World charm. Activities in the heartland range from antiquing, nature walks, visiting gardens and high-end shopping. You won't find the energy of London, which is exactly why this area is growing in popularity.

Billesley Manor     Coombie Abbey      The Lygon Arms Hotel
Malmaison Birmingham     The Moat House

MALMAISON BIRMINGHAM
Birmingham

Birmingham is the place for high-end retail (it has one of the largest shopping centers in Europe). Stay at the chic MALMAISON BIRMINGHAM, a three-year-old boutique hotel. The spa is popular with locals and visitors so advance reservations are a must. Ask us to request the Elemis Advanced Performance facial which includes a hand, arm and scalp massage; ask for us to ask for Alex, one of the most requested therapists in town. Plan to spend the afternoon at the spa; it has a steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi and massage chairs. For a city hotel spa, the area is actually quite spacious and the feel is very tranquil and relaxing. As for the hotel, we like the Executive Suite (room 701) on the top floor for its views of the city. It also has a spacious lounge and bedroom with a double vanity bathroom and walk-in shower. The Executive Lounge can be used with the suite for families or those traveling with an entourage. If we can't get the Executive Suite, ask us to request another room on the seventh floor; they have larger windows and higher ceilings.

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COOMBE ABBEY
Warickshire

COOMBE ABBEY is a former monastery from the 12th century; it's set among 500 acres of parkland. The vibe is old-world charm with strong religious overtones. The front desk is a replica of a burial crypt;the payphones are in confessional booths and the vaulted ceilings give the sensation of being in a church. The overall vibe? We found it to be serene and comforting. All 89 rooms on premises are unique in terms of size, decor and views. Ask us to request the Lady Craven room; it's the largest, has amazing view of the gardens and has a four-poster bed, sunken bath and cherubs on the walls and ceilings. Otherwise, rooms 203 and 149 are great picks as they're spacious and offer large bathrooms. There is no spa here, but the Cloisters restaurant is quite well-known in the area and reservations are a must. Additionally, the setting - the large gardens, the antiquated and ethereal fell - make Coombe Abbey especially popular for weddings (we spied three on a recent visit). Private limo and helicopter services (there is a helipad on premises) can be arranged by the General Manager.)

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THE LYGON ARMS HOTEL
The Cotswold Hills

The Cotswold Hills is arguably one of the most picturesque places in England, with rolling hills, honey-colored stone houses and plenty of antique shops. THE LYGON ARMS HOTEL hosts CEOs and celebrities and is perfect for those who want the old-world charm of a 16th century manor with the creature comforts of a modern spa. Ask us to arrange private transfers in a Bentley, limo or helicopter (helipad on grounds)) with the Gerneral Manager. Original features from the 16th century - including ceiling moldings - are combined with antique furniture and ample lounge, bedchamber and bathroom space. Nine other rooms include four-poster bids and large bedrooms and baths; standard rooms on the first floor have higher ceilings and great views. Also, ask us to request the King Charles I Suite (he's said to have stayed there at least twice).

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BILLESLEY MANOR
Stratford-upon-Avon

At Stratford-upon-Avon, stay at the BILLESLEY MANOR, a 16th century manor house on 11 acres of parkland. Ask us to request a suite; they have four-poster beds, lounge space and a large bath. Otherwise, standard rooms on the third floor have the best views. The Spa Director recommends the Knebo Total Tranquility message; the General Manager handles VIPs and welcomes us to contact him for your requests.

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