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Tour organized to Chelsea Flower Show

Love growing plants, gardening and seeing beautiful gardens? Join Cornell University as they visit the world’s greatest flower show and experience the beauty of London’s world-class gardens with Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Horticulture at Cornell University.

Running from May 19 to 25, 2019, the tour will include the Chelsea Flower Show as well as three public gardens in London.

This package trip includes:
• Five days in London, plus two travel days
• Roundtrip airfare to/from JFK Airport in New York and London Heathrow Airport* (see below for alternative travel arrangements)
• First-class hotel accommodations at the Courthouse Hotel Central – centrally-located hotel in downtown London www.courthouse-hotel.com
• Meals: 5 breakfasts and 2 dinners (gratuities are included)
• A guided tour of London on the day of arrival (see details below)
• Admission tickets and guided tours of 3 classic public gardens, plus free time to explore on your own at Kew Botanic Garden, Hampton Court Palace & Garden, & RHS Wisley Garden
• Admission to the Chelsea Flower Show
• An evening of garden lectures by a Cornell University horticulture professor
• Complete bus transportation and shuttle service in London (gratuities included)

Day #1: Sunday, May 19, 2019 – Overnight flight
Participants will fly out from JFK Airport together on Virgin Atlantic Airlines and arrive in London early on Monday, May 20.* (See below for alternative travel arrangements)

Day #2: Monday, May 20, 2019 – The tour begins with the sights of London
The bus will pick us up at the Heathrow Airport, and along with a local guide, give us a tour of Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park Corner, photo stop at Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall (Downing Street), Trafalgar Square, lunch stop at Covent Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, and Tower Bridge. Lunch is on your own at the Covent Garden; finally we check into the first-class Courthouse Hotel Central in early afternoon. That evening everyone will have dinner together at the Admiralty Restaurant (included in price).

Day #3: Tuesday, May 21, 2019 – Hampton Court Palace & Gardens
After a leisurely morning, we visit the Hampton Court Palace & Gardens. We begin with a 90 minute guided tour of this living museum, and the remainder of the day is on your own to visit the yew tree maze, formal gardens, and other unique horticultural garden destinations.

Day #4: Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – Kew Gardens www.kew.org
This day is dedicated to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. This 300-acre garden is one of the world’s greatest collections of plants and is featured as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We begin with a 60 minute guided tour of the gardens and then have the remainder of the day to explore the gardens on your own. That evening, when we return to the hotel, you can enjoy a private presentation on “Plant Collecting in Chile” by Dr. Mark Bridgen, a professor of horticulture and plant breeding from Cornell University.

Day #5: Thursday, May 23, 2019 – The Chelsea Flower Show
This day will be spent at the famous Chelsea Flower Show! You will have full access to the gardens and displays and will be amazed at the variety of gardens and unique plants on display. This is like no other garden show in the world!

Except during times of war, the Flower Show has been held since 1913. Modern displays and new innovative designs will leave you speechless, but inspired. This is a “bucket list” horticultural event!

Day #6: Friday, May 24, 2019 – The RHS gardens at Wisley www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
The last full day of this trip will be spent at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) garden at Wisley south of London. This stunning 60-acre estate is the flagship garden of the RHS with an astounding array of common and exotic flora. It is truly a spectacular garden. At the end of the day, after returning to the hotel, the entire group will travel to the Heddon Street Kitchen for dinner together (included in price).

Day #7: Saturday, May 25, 2019 – Return home
You will have the morning to stroll the streets of London or just to relax before the flight leaves in the afternoon to return back to JFK in New York.

Participants need to arrange their own transportation into JFK Airport in New York City on May 19. Travel Concepts is available to assist with these reservations. The cost of the trip, including air fare, will be $2,695 per person in a double room (we will help you to find roommates if needed) or $3,399 per person for a single room.

*Alternative travel arrangements: If you want to pay for your own flight, the land-only prices are $1,880/person for a double room and $2,590 for a single room. These rates are based on 40 participants and will be adjusted slightly if minimum capacity is not met. The trip is subject to change and may be cancelled if minimum capacity is not met. Travel insurance is recommended, but not included in these prices.

**Space is limited** Book a reservation by January 15, 2019 to reserve a seat on this trip. Payment can be made by check or credit card. For on-line reservations, go to: https://concepts.us.com/registration-cornell-2019.asp  If you have registration questions, call Denise at 203-262-6260 or 1-800-274-5801.

Contact Dr. Mark Bridgen if you have questions about details of the trip:
Email: mpb27@cornell.edu
Mobile phone: 631-921-4941

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