Visit Britain, in conjunction with Britain’s Heritage Cities, proudly presents an adventure for two designed for the independent and adventurous traveler - The Friendship Tour. Enjoy six nights in the United Kingdom ~ three nights each in two of Britain’s Heritage Cities seven destinations.

The Friendship Tour is designed for travelers eager to explore Great Britain on their own terms. The package, for the seventh consecutive year, celebrates the spirit of friendship and cooperation between Great Britain and the United States. That friendship has been part of the fabric of this planet for over 200 years, and that friendship has more significance now than any moment in history.

High bidders will have one year to take their journey, from May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009.

Please note that blackout dates are in effect: between June 1 – October 15 and December 15 – January 2.

Air travel and accommodations are based on availability. High bidders are encouraged to make their reservations with as much lead time as possible.




The journey begins on with roundtrip coach air transportation for two to London via one of seven gateway cities in the United States to London provided by .

As official airline sponsor of the Friendship Tour, makes getting to London easy with daily nonstop service from seven US cities:

High bidders travel will begin and end their journey in the nearest city providing direct service on .

For travelers who wish to extend their United Kingdom stay, will extend the air transportation travel window for up to two weeks on either end of the journey. For instance, a high bidder visiting Britain from March 15-19 can depart the US as early as March 2, and return as late as April 3.

All travel must be completed by April 30, 2009.

All federal, state and local taxes will be the responsibility of the traveler, as well as any applicable airport charge and international fees.

Once arriving in the United Kingdom, travelers can begin using their first class four day BritRail FlexiPasses. The passes provide unlimited usage for any four days while in country.

The BritRail FlexiPass

If hopping on and off the train is your cup of tea, with your BritRail FlexiPass in hand, you can explore the length and breadth of Britain with ease - from its vibrant cities to its quaint villages. And you’ll be helping to save the planet! Did you know that trains emit approximately 50% less harmful Green House gases per passenger kilometer than cars; a train will emit only one quarter of the gases compared to a plane traveling the same distance. Britain’s train drivers are taking “Eco-Driving” lessons in simulators in order to learn how to maximize energy efficiency.

There is a wide variety of BritRail Pass durations from which to choose, but Friendship Tour participants are being provided with a 4 Day First Class BritRail FlexiPass. The Pass - as its name implies -- is totally flexible. No need to use the 4 days consecutively (unless you want to). And you can take as many train trips in one day as you'd like.

If you wish to spend a few fabulous days in London before exploring Britain’s Heritage Cities, you can use the first of your 4 travel days upon arrival: Validate your BritRail FlexiPass right at Heathrow or Gatwick and let the Airport Express train whisk you into the heart of London. (Or you may prefer to save that travel day for a longer distance jaunt and simply buy a rail transfer ticket to London right at the airport.)

Whenever you are ready, you can beetle off by train to start your Friendship Tour adventure. The BritRail FlexiPass allows you to hop on and off the train at will for a few hours of exploration along the way to your ultimate destination. Of course, you can use the pass to get back down to London to catch your flight home.

Travel where you want, when you want with the BritRail FlexiPass - the most versatile train pass ever! Although your time will be limited on this trip, the Pass actually allows unlimited access to over 18,000 daily train departures. High speed trains glide through verdant countryside to over 2500 fascinating destinations in England Scotland and Wales.

Visit BritRail's website for detailed product information and sample itineraries, maps and more.

High bidders will stay three nights each at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel in Bath and at the Holiday Inn Stratford-upon-Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon.

BATH

The golden city of Bath, rich in Roman and Georgian heritage has been welcoming visitors for over 2,000 years. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site the city nestles in a sheltered valley surrounded like Rome, by seven wooded hills, Bath is nourished by Britain’s only natural hot springs. Bath presents some of the finest architectural sights in Europe such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge.

Bath is a city ‘shaped by its waters’ – the Celts worshiped at the hot springs, the Romans bathed in them, the Georgians erected magnificent buildings around them, and the Victorians sought a ‘cure’ in them. Today visitors can enjoy the stunning 21st century spa complex, Thermae Bath Spa, the only place in the UK where you can bathe in natural thermal waters.

At the Roman Baths Museum gain a fascinating insight into the bathing complex and the great Roman temple of Sulis Minerva. Above the Museum you can taste the waters, take a meal and enjoy the music in the 18th century Pump Room.

Bath has a wide variety of museums and galleries including such gems as the Museum of Costume, Holburne Museum, American Museum, No 1. Royal Crescent, the Museum of East Asian Art and the Jane Austen Centre, celebrating the life and times of Bath’s famous writer. The oldest house in Bath is home to the famous Sally Lunn bun which is still made to the original secret recipe

Yet Bath is not buried in the past! Festivals, theatre and vibrant street entertainment, bring life and excitement to this beautiful city. Bath is also a celebrated shopping centre, with a reputation that goes back to Georgian times. Set within a compact and accessible city centre Bath’s range of specialist and well known stores leaves shoppers spoilt for choice.

To make the most of Bath, there are guided walking tours, open top bus tours and even balloon flights for a unique view of the city and surrounding countryside!

And if all this leaves you feeling hungry or thirsty there is a mouthwatering selection of restaurants, pubs and tea shops.


Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel

Bath has been welcoming visitors for over 2000 years. The five star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, with Butler led service, private suites, fine dining and a luxurious new Spa, offers Guests a combination of contemporary style with timeless elegance and traditional values.

• 129 bedrooms including 21 rooms in Imperial Suites private residence, 6 four-posters, 5 four-poster suites;
• Vellore Restaurant and Alfresco Restaurant;
• Colonnade Bar & Rotunda Bar
• Drawing Room;
• 6 conference and business suites.
• The Spa with Thermal Suite including Rock Sauna, Infra Red Cabin, Salt Infusion, Ice & Aroma Steam Rooms, Experience Showers.
• Indoor heated pool, gymnasium and sauna;
• Whirlpool, 6 treatment rooms, croquet lawn,
• WiFi Internet Access.

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

The picturesque market town of Stratford-upon-Avon is the home of William Shakespeare. This is Shakespeare’s England. Swans glide gracefully along the River Avon, willow trees overhang the water’s edge, barges move slowly around the canal basin and the distant spire of Holy Trinity Church completes the perfect English landscape.

Holy Trinity Church is where Shakespeare was baptised and buried. The church is a quiet place to begin or end your Stratford journey. It offers a place for reflection and a time for peace. Lying along the banks of the river, it is just a short distance from one of Stratford’s newest landmarks, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Courtyard Theatre.

The Courtyard Theatre, which opened in 2006, is the Royal Shakespeare Company’s main venue in Stratford during the transformation of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which began in spring 2007. During the first few months of 2008, the RSC’s repertoire continues with the staging of all of Shakespeare’s History plays and familiar faces return from April to November as two acting ensembles perform a season, rich with Shakespeare. Patrick Stewart and David Tennant return to Stratford in Gregory Doran’s new production of Hamlet. David also plays Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Taming of the Shrew will also perform in repertoire.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about Stratford’s favourite son in the five Shakespeare Houses around the town. Imagine what life was like for Shakespeare in the house where he was born and bred and explore the thatched cottage of Anne Hathaway where he wooed his wife to be.

Holiday Inn Stratford-upon-Avon

Situated on the River Avon and set in beautiful landscaped gardens, the 4 star Holiday Inn Stratford-upon-Avon is the perfect location for discovering the delights of Shakespeare's birthplace, while other local attractions and historical sites are within walking distance.

The hotel is within easy reach of J15 off the M40 and 20 miles from Birmingham Airport and the NEC and only a short drive from the amazing Warwick Castle.

All 259 refurbished bedrooms have air-conditioning, wireless internet access and tea and coffee making facilities.

Renowned as an excellent meeting and conference venue and with the impressively modernised Ballroom with adjoining exhibition areas Holiday Inn Stratford-upon-Avon can host events for up to 550 delegates.

To dine in style, the Terrace Lounge and Bar, Riverside Restaurant and G's Bar offer excellent food to suit all tastes. Or to really unwind and recuperate, the leisure club is available for all guests to use with a wide range of first class facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and whirlpool.

Discover Stratford-upon-Avon and visit the many nearby places of interest including the National Exhibition Centre, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Warwickshire and the Heritage Motor Centre.