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Shakespeare |
Jane Austen |
Charles Dickens |
Virginia Woolf |
Day 1
Arrive in London, transfer on your own to our hotel located in Knightsbridge, just a short walk from Harrod’s.
Late afternoon talk on Literary London and what makes it tick: antiquarian bookstores, literary festivals, book auctions, publishing. Visit to an antiquarian bookseller.
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A Celebration of Oscar Wilde |
Day 2
The British Library is a unique place that booklovers will relish. Imagine 6 glass enclosed stories of books, the King George book collection. Be amazed at a computer that allows you to actually turn pages by gliding your hand over the page.
Afternoon: Oscar Wilde & Dickens
Evening: There are a wide range of literary talks each week in London. We will look for the most interesting one to attend, probably a talk at the British Library. I attended a very interesting discussion on Kafka.
Day 3
Day trip to Bath the setting for two of Jane Austen’s novels, Persuasion
And Northanger Abbey. We discuss the novels and visit such famous sites as the
Pump Room for lunch and The Assembly Rooms where all those balls were held and the Jane Austen Centre. Time for a visit to the Roman baths, also.
Day 4
”Don’t Be Afraid of Virginia Woolf” is
the engaging title of a talk on Virginia Woolf that introduces us
to our lecturer, a Fellow from Brasenose College, one of the 37 colleges
at Oxford University. Dr. Carole Bourne-Taylor asked if I wanted
a serious or snappy talk. Can you guess which I chose? A capsule
look at Woolf’s novels and a lively discussion of the Bloomsbury
Group followed by an informal tea and more time for a question and answer
period.
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The Globe Theatre |
Day 5
Your optional day to do just what you wish. Part of that day should
be theatre. The National Theatre and the Old Vic, according to what’s
on, are just two of our favorite theatre venues. The Royal Court and the
Donmar Warehouse are two others.
Day 6
Cynthia Gamble author of John Ruskin, Henry James
and the Shropshire Lads will accompany us to Rye in Sussex to visit Lamb House, the house has a fascinating history. It is most famous as Henry James home for the last 18 years of his life. James is a fascinating literary figure that we follow to Venice in our Literary Venice Tour and even to my home town of Hudson, New York where he and Edith Wharton were stranded when Edith’s car broke down.
Cynthia promises to reveal some new James lore unearthed during her James research.
Day 7
Fascinating walking tour in The City (London’s financial district)
that holds many unusual insights into the life and times of Dickens and
Shakespeare.
We will walk across the Millennium Bridge to The Globe Theatre, which
opened in 1997. The Globe is a replica of the original theatre of Shakespeare’s
time. You’ll have time to visit the many exhibits that chronicle
the history of The Globe and the long process of its rebuilding spearheaded
by the American actor and director, Sam Wanamaker.
Itinerary subject to some minor modifications.
Cost
The cost will be $3,450 (USD) without airfare. Price will include 7 night
hotels (no single supplement), breakfast, 4 dinners, most activities
except Optional Day. The price does not include airfare, airport transfers,
lunches, stops for coffee, wine and alcoholic beverages.
You may enjoy reading these musings about London
bookshops.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/literary-guide-to-london
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