Compare Britain’s Brilliant Art and Architecture: A Queen Mary 2 Voyage by Road Scholar vs England & Scotland in 11 days - The Royal Capital and The Highlands - Charm by Exoticca

Day 1: Arrival Day, New York City

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: New York Marriott Downtown

Afternoon: Arrivals continue, with free time for those who have already arrived. At 6pm we will have an Orientation in the hotel. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. This program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside some free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: A seated Welcome Dinner will be taken in the hotel dining room with coffee, tea and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: Free time to settle in, relax and get a good night’s sleep for the programme ahead.

Day 2: The Frick Collection & The Queen Mary 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room. A breakfast buffet with a range of hot and cold items, as well as coffee, tea, water and fruit juices.

Morning: We begin our explorations of British art and architecture by investigating the world-class collection of British works at one of the world’s most impressive private galleries – hosted in a sumptuous Fifth Avenue mansion – The Frick Collection. Built in 1913 by wealthy industrialist Henry Clay Frick, today the gallery hosts works by Turner, Constable and Gainsborough among others. We then depart by motor coach for the Queen Mary 2 at 1:00pm.

Lunch: You may take a late lunch aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Afternoon: Group transfer from the hotel to the Queen Mary 2 boarding dock and embarkation on to the ship. You will then be able to take some time to unpack and familiarise yourself with the ship.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant. Delicious menus designed by Cunard’s Global Culinary Ambassador, Jean-Marie Zimmermann await you in Britannia and Britannia Club Restaurants. Make a dramatic entrance down the grand staircase into the elegant Britannia dining room and revel in the sumptuous menus and perfectly attentive service.

Evening: Free time. See a show tonight in the ballroom, or relax and watch a movie in the theatre, or perhaps wander to one of the bars for a beverage and chat. Perhaps even wander through the library, one of the best shipboard libraries available, to find a book and that perfect reading chair.

Day 3: The Georgian Revolution

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing. Select one of the King’s Court dining options on Deck 7, go down to the Britannia Restaurant or relax with breakfast in your room as you watch the televised descriptions of the day’s on board activities.

Morning: Your Study Leader begins his insights into British art and architecture with an illustrated lecture on Baroque Britain and the Georgian Revolution. We’ll examine the astonishing architectural adventurousness of late-Stuart Britain, with sublime creations ranging from Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre to London’s famed St. Paul’s Cathedral, before revealing an early Georgian period that was a constantly shifting world of dynastic change, social unrest and excessive gin drinking. It was this backdrop that was heavily reflected in the art of Britain’s first great native painter, William Hogarth.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing. Your options include the various King’s Court venues, the Britannia Restaurant, Todd English (at additional cost) or a light lunch in the Boardwalk Café if the weather permits.

Afternoon: Free time to enjoy a variety of shipboard-enrichment activities. Consider taking a class such as watercolour painting or ballroom dancing, enjoying one of the ship's swimming pools, and more.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: Free time. You may choose to enjoy a show in the ship’s theatre, practice your dance steps in the ballroom or simply return to your stateroom and enjoy one of the movies screened on the ship’s TV.

Day 4: The Golden Age of British Painting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: Settle in with your Study Leader as we discuss Neoclassicism and the Golden Age of British Painting. Between the creation of the Royal Academy and the advent of Neoclassicism British artists developed an appropriately grand and aspirational palette with which to express their increasing wealth and self-confidence, allowing painters like Reynolds, Gainsborough and Ramsay to flourish.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time. Choose from among the incredible variety of onboard activities, before joining your Group Leader and Study Leader for a welcome cocktail party.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: Free time. Enjoy a variety of shipboard-enrichment activities, including many kinds of evening entertainment featuring dancing, music and more.

Day 5: King George IV: Patron of the Arts

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: This morning we look at the fascinating figure of George IV. George was often regarded as the finest patron of the arts ever to sit on the throne and the colour, fun and eclecticism of the Regency period was epitomised by his larger-than-life persona. British art and architecture reached triumphant new heights during his reign and innovation was rife, however George himself was to deteriorate into an object of vicious satire.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time to take advantage of the many educational, social and physical activities available on board, or simple to relax in one of the deck chairs with a view of the glistening Atlantic.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: Free time.

Day 6: The Gothic Revival & The Pre-Raphaelites

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: Today we’ll examine a period of innovation, reflection and turbulence in early Victorian Britain as the Gothic Revival of the 1830s and the rise of the Pre-Raphaelites changed the way in which Victorians looked at the world. However, artists began to struggle with reconciling the benefits of mass-production in the process of artistic creation, leading to influential critics such as John Ruskin and William Morris beginning to question the benefits of the Industrial Revolution and yearning for a simpler time.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time. You can grab a ticket for this afternoon’s planetarium show, polish your bridge skills during a tournament, or perhaps retreat to the spa for a massage.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: Free time.

Day 7: Victoria & Albert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: Discover just how important Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were in shaping the cultural heritage of Britain, from grand building programs to patronage of the arts. We’ll examine Victorian architecture such as the Houses of Parliament and the “Cathedrals of the Steam Age” – Britain’s beautiful Victorian railway stations. We’ll also look at how the monarchy influenced the Victorian art world, and how some artists deliberately looked in the other direction and became increasingly fascinated with the everyday life and experiences of the common man.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free for shipboard activities.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: Free time.

Day 8: The Country House in Modern Times

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II.

Breakfast: Breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: Your Study Leader will lead a final session as you prepare to disembark and begin learning about the art and architecture of Britain first hand. Today we look at Georgian & Victorian Oxford. We’ll discuss the innate aesthetic conservatism of this University City and explore the history of the great country houses that England is justifiably famous for.

Lunch: Lunch on board in the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time to prepare for disembarkation, and perhaps enjoy a final few activities on board.

Dinner: Taken in the Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: Free time to enjoy your last evening on board ship.

Day 9: Disembarkation & Transfer to Oxford: Basildon Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel

Breakfast: Early breakfast on board in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: We depart the Queen Mary 2 and make our way to the motor coach for our transfer to Oxford. En route we will visit the National Trust’s Basildon Park, a Georgian mansion set in landscaped parkland and a major location for the filming of Downton Abbey. The house has been painstakingly restored by its current tenants and today appears much as it would have during the 18th Century.

Lunch: Lunch will be taken in an historic English pub.

Afternoon: The transfer continues, before we check in and have time to relax before dinner.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore Oxford.

Day 10: Georgian Oxford & The Ashmolean Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel

Activity note: Walking up to three hours on paved streets. Rest stops available.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Today we explore Oxford, the “city of dreaming spires”. We’ll begin at the Ashmolean, Oxford University’s repository of the arts and Britain’s oldest museum, before exploring how the city’s architecture developed throughout its history – from the colleges of the University to the terraces of the poor.

Lunch: Taken in a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We continue our exploration with a walk around the architectural sites of this magnificent city. Expect to see the Clarendon Building, the Radcliffe Camera and a selection of the colleges that made Oxford a famous seat of learning.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: Free time, or enjoy an optional walk with your Study Leader to some of Oxford’s historic pubs. The pub is a very British institution and treated as much more than just a place to drink; it was in public houses that free thinkers, radicals and intellectuals met to let innovation flow as freely as the beer.

Day 11: Compton Verney & Upton House

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we board the motor coach and make our way to Compton Verney, a former Georgian mansion turned national art gallery. The building is a Grade I listed house built in the early 18th Century and its current interiors were originally designed by influential neo-classicist architect Robert Adam.

Lunch: Taken at Compton Verney.

Afternoon: We continue on to the National Trust’s Upton House. Home to one of the finest private art collections in Britain, Upton House itself has had a long and storied history – as well as expansive and beguiling gardens.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: Free time.

Day 12: Victorian Oxford

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel

Activity note: Walking up to three hours.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Free time.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: For our last afternoon in Oxford we’ll enjoy a walking exploration of the stone and brick delights of the city. From Butterfield’s Keble College to Park Town and North Parade we’ll examine an era when, briefly, Oxford led the world in architectural innovation.

Dinner: Farewell dinner in the hotel.

Evening: Free time.

Day 13: Program Concludes, Oxford

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast: In the hotel. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast.

Morning: Transfer to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) for onward flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to London. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: London

Arrive in London and self-transfer to the hotel*. London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. Located on the banks of the River Thames, London has been an important human settlement since it was founded by the Romans originally named Londinium almost two millennia ago. London is a global city, one of the nerve centers in the arts, commerce, education, maintenance, fashion, finance, media, research, tourism and transport. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in London. * You will have the option to add a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the next step of the booking process. Please contact our customer service if you require a transfer from an airport other than LGW or LHR.

Day 3: London

Breakfast at the hotel. See London from a different perspective today, with a sightseeing cruise along the River Thames! Take in the views of several of the capital's most emblematic riverside landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, Southbank and the London Eye and enjoy the fully-stocked bar to buy drinks and snacks as you listen to the entertaining onboard commentary! Afternoon free to enjoy the capital at your leisure. Overnight stay in London.

Day 4: London

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to continue exploring the wonderful city of London. Overnight stay in London.

Day 5: London - Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer* to the London Kings Cross Station to take the train to Edinburgh. Arrive in Edinburgh and self-transfer to the hotel. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its charming medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with neoclassical gardens and buildings. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. Please note: During the winter season, the itinerary may be affected. In this case, it is important to review the notes section before your departure. * You will have the option to add a transfer from your hotel to the station and from the station to the hotel in the next step of the booking process.

Day 6: Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city’s most famous tourist sights and monuments on a panoramic walking tour of Edinburgh with a professional English-speaking guide, visiting the Grassmarket area of the city, the elegant Georgian New Town and the historic Old Town. Among its main attractions, there is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral and The National Gallery of Scotland. Stroll along the majestic Royal Mile and visit Canongate. Take some free time in the afternoon to wander through the city's atmospheric streets at your leisure, browsing the shops or stopping for a warming 'dram' of whiskey in one of the local bars. We recommend an optional visit to legendary Edinburgh Castle*. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. * Optional Edinburgh Castle visit: Edinburgh Castle is an ancient fortress built on a volcanic rock located in the centre of the city. It has been used for military purposes since the 12th century, being used for civil uses only in very recent times. Enter it and explore all the corners of this wonderful castle!

Day 7: Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to continue discovering this amazing city. Why not take in the views from Carlton Hill or, if the weather is good, take a hike up Arthur's Seat for an unforgettable panorama of Edinburgh and beyond. Alternatively, Edinburgh is a paradise for shoppers, with plenty of quirky boutiques to explore. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day 8: Edinburgh - Stirling - St Andrews - Aberdeen

After breakfast, meet your guide and depart towards Stirling. The castle played an important role during the Scottish independence wars and many will recognise it as it is featured in the 1995 film, Braveheart. Continue to St Andrews where to visit this picturesque town, known as the home of golf. Enjoy some free time to take in the sea views before continuing towards Aberdeen, stopping on the way to take pictures of beautiful Dunnottar Castle. Overnight stay in Aberdeen.

Day 9: Aberdeen - Castle Fraser - Cairngorms National Park - Aberdeen

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the city of Aberdeen on a guided Panoramic coach tour. Visit the area surrounding the Cairngorm Mountains, home to breathtaking scenery, typical of the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy some free time at your disposal at lunchtime. In the afternoon, head to Speyside, famous for the whisky distilleries. Here, pay a visit to a local whisky distillery for a fascinating tour and tasting session. Afterwards, return to Aberdeen for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Aberdeen - Inverness - Aviemore

Breakfast at the hotel. Head west today as you depart on a guided coach journey towards Inverness. Along the route, admire the wild nature of the Highlands as you pass by spectacular landscapes of moorlands and glens. Arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy a city tour. Afterwards, leave the city behind as you head to your hotel in the beautiful area of Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Overnight stay in the Aviemore area.

Day 11: Aviemore - Trossachs - Glasgow - Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart south towards Glasgow via the beautiful Trossachs where you can admire the scenery and see the largest Loch in Scotland, Loch Lomond. On arrival in Glasgow, the second most important and largest city in Scotland, enjoy a panoramic tour and some free time to explore the city at your leisure. In the evening, return to Edinburgh to enjoy your final night in Scotland at your leisure. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day 12: Edinburgh - US

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer** to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** You will have the option to add the airport transfer in the next step of the booking process.