GOODWOOD FESTIVAL of SPEED
DAY 1 July 3 You are met at the Hilton Hotel Terminal 4. At Noon, we journey down to the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel on England’s south coast. Please note your departure out of the U.S. would be on July 9). The remainder of the afternoon is left for your leisure. At 6:00 p.m., we meet in the hotel lounge for welcome cocktails. Dinner this evening is in the hotel and will include guest speaker, Le Mans winner, and F1 pilot, Richard Attwood . Next 5 nights at the Marriott Hotel (4 star).
DAY 2 July 4 A journey up to the village of Grove, home to Williams F1. Our visit will include the wonderful collection of Formula 1 race cars and a look at the Awards Room where all the trophies from the marques illustrious history are housed. A gourmet lunch is served in the VIP meeting room. This afternoon, we travel the short distance to Stonehenge, the second most visited place in England. This evening, we relax in a local ‘pub’ overlooking the Solent.
DAY 3 July 5 Today will be our first visit to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. First, this morning, we travel into the New Forest to the National Motor Museum, which is without question the finest road/race car collection in the country. This afternoon, we arrive at Goodwood House, the venue for the Festival. You will have a roving grandstand ticket allowing you to view the on track cars from different locations. This afternoon is great for getting a feel for the event. It will be busy, but nowhere near as busy as the weekend. Please note, you may omit the Museum visit and go directly to The Festival in the morning. This evening, we dine al fresco at a waterside restaurant.
DAY 4 July 6 An early start this morning as the roads will be very busy. The next two days we are housed in our private Hospitality Suite. Directly in front of us, the cars will be maneuvering the long curve that heads up the hill. It is also where many of the vehicles will be doing donuts, burn outs and all sorts of shenanigans. We are served a champagne breakfast on our arrival. Throughout the day, we are served lunch, drinks and afternoon tea. The Suite has a veranda for viewing, but there is also a large plasma tv inside in case there is a shower. Alain DeCadenet will be leading a walkabout of the paddocks during the day. Not to be missed. This evening is left for your leisure.
DAY 5 July 7 Once again, we return to Goodwood House. Today the racers get a bit more serious with their timings, and the ‘final ten’ shootout is very intense. Lunch time, we are joined by Targa Florio winner, and three time F5000 champion, Brian Redman. This afternoon, there will be time to visit more of the show – even with three days, you won’t get it all in! We return in the late afternoon back to the hotel. We’ll be dining in a private suite at the hotel and will be joined by five time Le Mans winner, Derek Bell.
DAY 6 July 8 Following breakfast, we depart the hotel for Heathrow and your return flight to the US. Those adding the London schedule will journey on to Central London.
LONDON ADDITION
DAY 6 July 8 We journey into London to the Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. At 6:00 p.m. we walk to the ‘London Eye’ for an early evening flight. London is at your feet. We then stroll along the south bank to our dinner restaurant ‘The Swan’, attached to the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. The next 3 nights are at the Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel (4star).
DAY 7 July 9 A morning visit to the Churchill War Rooms, a sobering but dramatically interesting tour. Today, we are visiting the main thoroughfares linking the City of Westminster and the Old City of London. Trafalgar to the Strand, then Fleet Street on into the City, and St Pauls, the Tower of London looms, and then we return to Westminster bridge by boat from the ramp at Traitors Gate. In this short distance, we have covered the soul and history of London. This evening, we have the West End theatre planned. You can go with our show suggestion or make your own choice. Whichever you choose, we’ll get you there and back.
DAY 8 July 10 Today we leave you to enjoy London in your own time – museums, shopping, walking the parks. Late afternoon, a special treat, English High Tea at the Ritz. Not just a meal, but an experience. This evening, a final theatre production. Once again, we can suggest or you can choose. We’ll give you all the information months before the trip.
DAY 9 July 11 This morning, we head back to Heathrow for your U.S. return or ongoing travel.
