Britten’s Britain

United Kingdom
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In collaboration with David Vernier we are excited to present “Britten’s Britain,” a spectacular trip through England including special visits related to the life of Benjamin Britten and a variety of wonderful concerts and experiences, musical and cultural.

Musical highlights include tickets to four concerts as part of the Aldeburgh Festival, a top theatrical performance in London’s world famous West End, a performance at one of London’s top classical music venues and a choral experience at a famous Cambridge University college. Cultural experiences include a traditional afternoon tea with the expertise of a senior English Butler on hand, a visit to Beth Chatto’s Garden, plus visits to the Red House (where Britten wrote many of his signature pieces) and his childhood home.

Featured Experiences

The Butler’s Way

Cultural
United Kingdom

A traditional afternoon tea in the elegant surroundings of a top London hotel is an experience to savor. Doing so with the attention and expertise of a senior English Butler elevates the entertainment and educational value to no end. Be warned, though; breaches of etiquette may be observed and corrected by subtle suggestion!

Garden Party

Cultural
United Kingdom

The finest English country gardens are a source of national pride, and there is no better way to visit than with the gardeners themselves. Our invitation includes a personal tour of the typical wide paths surrounded by bursting flower displays, rosebushes, and topiary, as well as afternoon tea and a chin-wag with your hosts.

Royal Resonance Unveiled

Musical
United Kingdom

Uncover the captivating allure of London’s musical gem with an exclusive pass to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Journey through its illustrious history, admire exquisite craftsmanship, and venture into private rehearsal spaces. The crescendo of this privileged access culminates in a Royal Resonance, a private symphony soiree featuring virtuoso musicians, echoing within the storied walls of the Royal Opera House.

What's Included

  • Travel Concierge
  • Exquisite, Well-Located Hotels
    • London: Millennium Gloucester Hotel
    • Aldeburgh: TBD
  • Motorcoach transportation
  • Behind-the-scenes visit of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
  • Visits to many historic churches including:
    • All Saints Church
    • St. Peter’s Cathedral
    • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • Meet with a Cambridge University insider for a behind-the-scenes look at college musical life
  • Minimum two concerts as part of the Aldeburgh Festival
  • Choral performance in Cambridge
  • Visit to Britten’s childhood home
  • Welcome reception and dinner
  • “The Butler’s Way” Experience
  • Celebratory farewell dinner

Itinerary

11 Days

Day 1 OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Departure from the United States.

Day 2 LONDON

Arrive in London and meet your Encore Experiences Travel Concierge. Transfer by private coach to the 4* Millennium Gloucester Hotel in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and just steps away from landmarks such as the Royal Albert Hall and Victoria & Albert Museum. This afternoon your first privileged access experience is a behind the scenes visit of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Later enjoy a welcome reception followed by dinner. (D)

Day 3 LONDON

Your guide this morning will focus on London's rich musical heritage as you enjoy a panoramic tour by private coach taking in sights such as the Royal College of Music, The Albert Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields and London Coliseum. Later this afternoon relax in the welcoming setting of a top London hotel tea room for the classic afternoon tea experience, with a twist! Your host is an ex-head butler, expert in the etiquette of this great British tradition, who will engage and delight with history and anecdote from his years in service. This evening tickets are included to a top theatrical performance in London's famous West End. (B,L)

Day 4 LONDON

The morning is yours to explore London's musical, cultural and culinary scene. Your Tour Manager is available for advice and assistance in getting the most out of your day. An Oyster Card is included for use on London's extensive public transport network. This evening, attend a concert with venue and program to be announced in early 2022. (B)

Day 5 LONDON

An early departure by private coach brings you south into Kent where we stop in Tudeley for a visit of the lovely All Saints Church whose twelve stained glass windows were all designed by Marc Chagall. Continue to East Sussex and the town of Rye for a memorable lunch at the Mermaid Inn with origins dating back to the 12th century but more recently renovated in 1420! After lunch an hour's drive brings us to Canterbury for a visit of its stunning Cathedral. Return to London for a free evening. (B)

Day 6 ALDEBURGH

Leaving London today and heading to Aldeburgh, you will stop en route at Beth Chatto's Garden, where owner Beth transformed desolate wasteland that was deemed unfit for fruit farming, into a series of dramatically landscaped gardens. Continue to Aldeburgh and jump straight in to festival programming at the Snape Maltings concert hall for Schumann's Symphony No.2, Britten's Phaedra and Lachrymae, and music by Monteverdi and Ryan Wigglesworth. (B,D)

Day 7 ALDEBURGH

This morning visit the Red House, which Britten and Pears moved to in 1957; a house in a peaceful setting which allowed Britten to work without distraction and contributed to his and Pears' decision to stay there for the rest of their lives. Then take a stroll along Aldeburgh beach to see the famous Scallop sculpture created by a local-born artist in tribute to Britten. After time for lunch at one of Aldeburgh's traditional pubs, we visit St Peter and Paul's Church where Britten and Pears are buried. Later this afternoon return to the Maltings for a piano recital by Clare Hammond, featuring gems by 20th-century composers very rarely heard today, including a Russian exiled by revolution, a hugely prolific African-American, and two English women who were contemporaries of Britten. (B)

Day 8 ALDEBURGH

After a leisurely full English breakfast at your hotel, return to the Maltings and the Britten Studio for a recital from three exciting BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists who play music by Frank Bridge, Nahre Sol, George Crumb and Margaret Bonds. After the concert, we head north up the coast to visit 21 Kirkley Cliff Road, Britten's boyhood home in Lowestoft. This evening's highlight is "A Garland for the Queen", a collection of short choral pieces by many leading English composers created for HM Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, including Britten's dramatic Sacred and Profane, performed by the BBC Singers at Snape Maltings concert hall. (B)

Day 9 LONDON

En route back to London we will visit Ely Cathedral, a magnificent structure with a history dating back over 1300 years. Continue to Cambridge, for a walking tour of the many sights and pending scheduling, take in a choral performance at one of the city's many colleges and churches. Return to London for a free evening. (B)

Day 10 LONDON

Enjoy a day at leisure in London to take in a museum, browse the shops along Regent Street or climb the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral. This evening celebrate a wonderful week of musical memories over a sumptuous farewell dinner. (B,D)

Inside Saint Paul

Day 11 DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)

on flight

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