London Jubilee: 30 Years of England

Join us for this Exclusive Excursion: 24-31 March 2007

To celebrate this personal and professional milestone, I first thought of inviting you to dinner at the same place Jerry Kelley and I ate with friends on the eve our first flight to England in 1977 (Little Tijuana in Minneapolis). But then I thought, I can do better.

Please join Jerry and me aboard the wonderful Bateaux London as we dine and dance our way down the River Thames in the heart of our favorite city.

 “Why London? Why so often?” I think it’s because London is like a second home that never fails to welcome. Never fails to surprise and excite. Once one gets past the Tower, Buckingham Palace, and the obligatory, traditional tourist stops there is always a new delight to discover, a new neighborhood to explore.

And it’s the little things: a day spent book shopping, an hour-or-so prowling the food halls (Fortnum's, not Harrods), smashing into someone famous on the Kings Road, an overheard conversation in our favorite pub, the Grenadier (“As I said to Her Majesty the other day...”), or being welcomed back with open arms at our favorite restaurant, YMing in Soho.

As Dr Johnson said, and I concur, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."

Brian Nystedt

In 1977 as we stepped off the return flight from our first trip to England, we realized we had learned things the hard way; had made too many tyro travellers' mistakes. I was determined never to make the same misjudgments again. We over-planned and failed to appreciate the elegance of simplicity. I discovered that the best plans are flexible plans. Every moment of every day needn't be mapped out. I actually wrote down on 3x5 cards every day's activities, mileage and sights, e.g.: "50 minutes drive from Bath to Wells, 1 hour for Wells Cathedral, pee, 45 minutes for lunch". Crikey, I had made my own "If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium".

When we first arrived at London's Gatwick Airport we had ten days for which we planned 4 nights in London (two fore, two aft) and 5 nights driving from London to Bath, then east across the southern coastline, swinging thru Brighton, Arundel, Hastings, Beachy Head, Dover, Rochester and back into London. Well, we arrived in Bath during a spell of "Queen's weather", bright blue skies and brilliant sunshine that turned the famous Georgian facades the color of honey. The 3x5 cards were thrown and we stayed in Bath, to hell with the coastline. What a magical week it was. We had glorious food (the renaissance in English gastronomy started here in the early '70s with a fabu restaurant called "The Hole in the Wall"), great shopping - especially books - and the countryside was just over the hill; the Cotswolds and Salisbury plain less than an hour’s drive.

When we returned to London we had learned a thing or two. We now knew to just put on stout, but fashionable, walking shoes and follow our noses. We had a great time, we discovered OUR London. Sure we visited some of the sights we had dreamed of since childhood, but for the most part we just walked. Walked for hours. It wasn't 'til four trips later that I finally made it to the Tower, Jerry didn't make it ‘til 1996!

So over these 30 years we've traversed London by tube, taxi, bus but mainly and most rewardingly, by foot. In 1989 I was amazed to discover that after four days in London I had never referred to a my always-present map. One of my proudest moments.

So when you join us in March you will have the benefit of our 30 years of London. We can guide and suggest the best way to take advantage of the world's most exciting and eclectic city. But rest assured, we will most likely push you out of your hotel’s front door of a morning and let you follow your nose. If you get lost, just throw your arm in the air and yell "taxi". But   getting lost in London is the way to find YOUR London.

And then please join us as we travel on the next week for
Exclusive Excursions: The Heart of Europe, Prague and Vienna

Brian Nystedt and Jerry Kelley

London Jubilee includes:
7 nights starting 24 March 2007 at the Millenium Knightsbridge Hotel,
daily breakfast buffet, with all taxes and gratuities
Dinner and dancing aboard the Bateaux London as you float down
the River Thames
Deposit of $350.00 at sign up, no space is held without a deposit.
Final payment due 15 January 2007
Due to the special nature of this tour all payments are non-refundable.
Travel insurance is highly recommended—a brochure will be sent with confirmation of deposit.

Call us about airfare and/or traveling on to Prague & Vienna. 

RSVP to London Jubilee
Double Occupancy, per person, $1649.00
Single Supplement. $1210.00
Deposit: $ 350.00

Phone 612.305.0025 or 1-800-853-1880