ON THE TRAIL OF THE TUDORS

ON THE TRAIL OF THE TUDORS

The Ambient Tours Concept Who we are Ambient Tours is a division of Ambient Events Limited. The organisation provides a hands on, professional, cultural heritage activity planning and tour management service for special interest groups and individual travellers throughout the UK and other European destinations. Our experienced planning team is on hand to offer advice on the choice of destinations and venues and recommend itineraries that can be specifically tailored to meet our client s individual requirements. In addition, Ambient Tours provide knowledgeable tour leaders and expert guides who travel with our groups to project manage and bring alive the itinerary and to ensure that everything runs smoothly from the moment our guests arrive every step of the way! Ambient Tudor Tours The Tudor period was one of the most influential in England s long and turbulent history. Not only do the exploits of the Tudor Kings and Queens continue to enthral, but also the rich cultural heritage of many other famous Tudors can be seen in the fine castles and country houses that they built and lived in, the discoveries they made and the battles they won. The art that they created and the books and plays that they wrote are still admired, read and produced today. Why Ambient Tours? The Concept The footprint of the Tudors is visible across the whole of the country. For this reason, Ambient Tours has produced a number of unique packages to cater every interest. Each package introduces an authentic flavour of Tudor times that is brought alive through visits to the actual places where the key historical events took place and the background information provided by our experienced tour leaders assisted by specialist tour guides. It is possible to mix elements of the recommended packages to produce a bespoke tour for Groups of 20 or more people.

Heritage Hotels and Eating Places The concept planners at Ambient Tours have made available a large selection of accommodation from four and five star country estate hotels to traditional two and three star heritage hotels and coaching inns that are full of history and character and provide a Real Taste of England with excellent accommodation and food. Lunches included in the itinerary of the chosen tour will either be provided at the historic venues visited or in restaurants or traditional English Pubs in one of the many small country villages or towns through which the tours will pass. Knowledgeable Tour Guides bringing history to life All our tour leaders and guides have been selected because of their knowledge and enthusiasm for Tudor history. They will help to bring alive the Tudor experience and provide excellent background information on the venues that are visited, the people who lived there and the impact they have made on the history of the world. A Broad Market Appeal The On the Trail of the Tudors tours will appeal to couples or individuals who have an interest in cultural heritage and are looking to increase their knowledge of Tudor times and would like to be part of an authentic Tudor experience. They are not really suitable for young children but will provide an opportunity to bring history to life for older children and students. Pricing Structure The Ambient Tours pricing structure is based on Group sizes from 20/30 people and on 2 people sharing a twin or double room. The final price is dependent on the type of hotel chosen (i.e. country estate hotel or heritage country inn) and the agreed structure of the final itinerary. There will be a supplement for single occupancy. The prices quoted include all coach transfers in the UK, the services of an Ambient Tours tour leader, professional tour guides, all accommodation, meals, entry to places of interest, and private tours included within the chosen itinerary.

Tour 1 Tudor Monarchs This tour brings alive the story of the scandals and intrigues surrounding the Tudor Kings and Queens from Henry VII who ended the rule of the Plantagenet dynasty by defeating Richard III at Bosworth Field; his son Henry VIII (and his six wives):. Henry s children: The sickly Edward VI who died so young; the tyrannical Mary I (known as Bloody Mary) who vowed to return the country to Rome and Catholicism and who married Philip of Spain; Elizabeth I (the Virgin Queen) who upheld Protestantism in England; and not forgetting Lady Jane Grey who reigned for just nine days after the death of Edward VI. The death of Elizabeth I in 1603 brought an end to the Tudor line. Our Groups will walk in the footsteps of the Tudor monarchs, visit the places associated with them and experience what life would have been like in their times. See sample itinerary

Tour 2. The Influential Tudors The Tudor Kings and Queens were the figureheads of the Tudor period but who were the real power brokers? This tour will provide a background to some of the most influential Tudors whose decisions, advice and actions have shaped history. The subjects of our Tour include: Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII and special representative of the Pope. Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry VIII and Edward VI. He was tried and convicted of treason by Mary I and died a Protestant martyr. Sir Thomas More eminent scholar and the Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII. He was subsequent beheaded, canonised in 1935, and later declared patron saint of politicians and statesmen. Sir John Seymour was a confident of Henry VIII and was the father of Jane, the third wife of Henry VIII and mother of Edward VI. Edward Seymour eldest of John s children became the 1st Duke of Somerset was Protector of England during the reign of Edward VI. Thomas Seymour, Baron Seymour of Sudeley, was third son of John and second husband of Catherine Parr, the surviving wife of Henry VIII. William Cecil served under Edward VI and Queen Mary I. He became secretary to Queen Elizabeth I who gave him the title Lord Burghley and the position of Lord Treasurer. Bess of Hardwick rose to prominence as a result of four moneyed marriages. A friend and rival of Elizabeth I, she was a shrewd political operator who founded a dynasty of dukedoms that still survive to this day. Our Groups will visit the places and buildings associated with these famous Tudors and learn how the actions they instigated impacted on their times and still resonate to this day. William Cecil

Tour 3 Tudor Seafarers, Adventurers and Explorers During Tudor times, England cemented its position as one of the great seafaring nations. From his Palace of Placentia at Greenwich, Henry VIII established the naval dockyards at nearby Deptford and Woolwich. His daughter Elizabeth I continued the naval tradition and Greenwich was the site for launch parties for the many voyages of exploration and from where the Queen signed orders that sent out the fleet against the Armada. This tour centres around two of England s most pre eminent men, Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake. You will follow their story through their ups and downs to discover the truths, the myths and the legends that surround them Sir Walter Raleigh is perhaps best know for placing his cloak in a muddy puddle for Queen Elizabeth I to cross. During the tour, you will gain a better understanding of a man who was a courtier, politician, soldier, seaman, explorer, businessman, philosopher, historian and poet. These attributes made him one of Elizabethan England s most influential and popular men. Your tour will also follow the life of Sir Francis Drake from apprentice in a small trading ship to the great seaman who circumnavigated the world and who become the Scourge of the Spanish Fleet. After having taken the time to finish off his game of bowls! Our Groups will visit Greenwich, the Tower of London and other places associated with both men including Plymouth Hoe. Sir Walter Raleigh

Tour 4 Famous Tudor Literary Figures Our literary tour provides an insight into the intrigue surrounding two of the most famous Tudor literary figures, Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Your will examine the lives and times of these two literary giants. Where they lived, studied and wrote their many great masterpieces. Their paths intersected in many ways which is perhaps why some scholars claim that many of Shakespeare s works should be attributed to Marlowe!!! Is this why Marlowe was murdered? Your journey will help to separate myth from reality and provide a better understanding of why their works are still relevant and enjoyed today! Included on this tour are visits to Canterbury, Cambridge, Stratford upon Avon and London. There will a chance to see a production of one of Shakespeare s plays either at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford or at the replica of the Globe Theatre in London.

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