Compare Transatlantic Art Adventure: NYC to London on Queen Mary 2 by Road Scholar vs Best of Britain - Classic Group, Winter by Insight Vacations

Day 1

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: New York Marriott Downtown

Check In, Registration

Afternoon: Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and to learn where the Orientation session will take place. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The location of our meeting room will be posted. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. 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. Dining aboard the Queen Mary 2, breakfast and lunch are in the venue of your choosing. Traditional afternoon tea is served each day in the Queens Room. Road Scholars are invited to have dinner together in the Britannia Restaurant. Snacks along with juice, tea, coffee, water are available 24 hours a day at the buffet restaurants; and there is 24-hour room service. Free time is reserved 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: In the hotel dining room, enjoy a 3-course plated welcome dinner including coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: New York Marriott Downtown

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; walking at your own pace in galleries.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of hot and cold items, as well as juices, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: In the company of our Study Leader, we will begin our artistic adventure with a motorcoach ride to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the finest art museums in the world. With a permanent collection of more than 2 million works, the museum traces the history of mankind’s artistic endeavors from antiquity to the modern day. The Study Leader will introduce the gallery and some of his favorite works. We’ll then have time for explore independently at our own pace.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Met has several in-house dining options and there are numerous possibilities outside. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We’ll meet after lunch and make the short walk to the Guggenheim Museum. As famous for its eye-catching architecture as its expansive collections, the Guggenheim is a treat in every respect. We’ll take some time with our Study Leader to explore its impressive collection and marvel at its uniquely ramped construction. You will then be able to explore downtown New York independently.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. Go out exploring on your own, enjoy the hotel’s amenities, or just relax. The hotel is conveniently located near public transportation that can take you into Manhattan as well as a variety of local attractions. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Frick Collection, Embark Queen Mary 2

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Before settling sail on the Atlantic, we take the motor coach to one of the world’s most impressive private galleries, the Frick Collection, housed in the grand Fifth Avenue mansion of Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919), who became one of the wealthiest men in America thanks to his manufacturing and railroad interests. Frick was an enthusiastic patron and collector of the arts. His personal collection was opened to the public in 1935. Visitors see not only extraordinary works of art — including masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture and decorative arts — but also get a sense of how Mr. Frick himself viewed and enjoyed his collection in his home. Highlights include works by Bellini, Constable, El Greco, Fragonard, Gainsborough, Holbein, Titian, Turner, and much more. We will depart for the pier early afternoon, complete embarkation procedures, and board the Queen Mary 2.

Lunch: Aboard the Queen Mary 2, have a late lunch and choose from a menu with multiple options for appetizers and soups, salad and sandwiches, entrées, and desserts.

Afternoon: Take some time to settle in and begin to familiarize yourself with the ship. There will also be a mandatory Safety Drill this afternoon, so please listen out for the Captain’s announcements once on board.

Dinner: In the Britannia Restaurant, choose from the extensive menu — designed by Cunard’s Global Culinary Ambassador, Jean-Marie Zimmermann — offering multiple options for appetizers and soups, salads, entrées, and dessert as well as tea, coffee and water; other beverages available for purchase. It’s impossible not to feel special making a dramatic entrance down the grand staircase.

Evening: At leisure. The Queen Mary 2 is a floating city. The options for activities and entertainment are many and varied. You might like to see a show in the ballroom, go dancing, listen to music, watch a movie in the theatre, have a beverage and a chat with new Road Scholar friends in one of the bars, or wander through the library — one of the best shipboard libraries anywhere — to find a book and curl up in that perfect reading chair.

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

19th Century Modernism, Shipboard Activities

Activity note: The extent of your activities during the voyage depends on your personal preferences.

Breakfast: 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: In our private lecture room, our Study Leader will begin his onboard lecture series exclusively for our Road Scholar group, providing enlightenment and insights into the world of art. Today we’ll be discussing how the Modernists of 19th century France began to look ahead to the future.

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

Afternoon: Free Time. Take advantage of a variety of enrichment activities. You might attend a presentation by a guest speaker, take a class such as watercolor painting or ballroom dancing, take a dip in one of the swimming pools, or any of the many other options.

Dinner: Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy a variety of activities on board, from movies to shows or simply enjoying the ambiance of the many themed bars.

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Picasso and Matisse, Shipboard Activities

Breakfast: In the venue of your choosing.

Morning: The lecture series with our Study Leader continues, this morning focusing on the coming of two great masters: Picasso and Matisse.

Lunch: In the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free Time. Weather permitting, you might like to take a leisurely stroll around the Promenade Deck and take in the fresh sea air.

Dinner: Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. 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 6

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

The Arrival of Abstraction, Shipboard Activities

Breakfast: In the venue of your choosing.

Morning: We continue to learn about the world of art with our Study Leader. In today’s lecture we’ll see how artists pushed the boundaries of art itself with the burgeoning abstraction movement.

Lunch: In the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take advantage of the many educational, social and physical activities available, or simply relax in a deck chair with a view of the glistening Atlantic.

Dinner: Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. You may wish to visit the Queen Mary 2’s beautiful theatre, home to nightly productions from stars of stage and screen alike.

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

The New York School, Shipboard Activities

Breakfast: In the venue of your choosing.

Morning: We will gather for another illuminating lecture by our Study Leader, today giving his thoughts on the rise of the New York School.

Lunch: In the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time. A perfect opportunity to visit the spellbinding planetarium show, polish your bridge skills during a tournament, or perhaps retreat to the spa for a massage.

Dinner: Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. The Golden Lion, a traditional English pub aboard the QM2, runs a competitive pub quiz — perfect for showing off your newly gained knowledge.

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

The Beat Generation, Shipboard Activities

Breakfast: In the venue of your choosing.

Morning: Enjoy another colourful lecture with our Study Leader. As the Beat Generation emerged in the 1960’s, we’ll take a look at the repercussions it had on the art world, including the emergence of Pop Art.

Lunch: In the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time. When not performing in the ship’s theatre, members of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art give you the opportunity to flex your acting muscles at daily workshops.

Dinner: Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. The Queen Mary 2 travels with expert sommeliers, who host nightly wine tasting and appreciation events.

Day 9

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Queen Mary II

Modern Developments, Shipboard Activities

Breakfast: In the venue of your choosing.

Morning: Our Study Leader will deliver the final onboard lecture as we prepare for the sights and sounds of London. We’ll round up the series with a discussion of modernism, and how art has changed in the last 30 years.

Lunch: In the venue of your choosing.

Afternoon: Free time. You may wish to explore the history of the Cunard Line at a unique exhibition running through the halls of the ship.

Dinner: Britannia Restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy your last evening onboard and prepare for disembarkation and transfer to London in the morning.

Day 10

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Disembarkation, Southampton Gallery, Transfer to London

Breakfast: Early in the venue of your choosing.

Morning: We will complete disembarkation procedures and make our way to the motorcoach for our transfer to London. En route, we will visit the Southampton City Gallery, considered one of the finest art galleries in the south of England. Its internationally renowned permanent collection spans some 800 years of artistic output, with a world-class collection of contemporary British art.

Lunch: At the Southampton City Gallery.

Afternoon: Our transfer to London continues. The journey is 79 miles, approx. two hours. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: Three course served and plated dinner In the hotel. Tea, coffee, water included. Additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. The hotel is conveniently situated near a variety of historical and cultural attractions as well as transportation options if you wish to go out exploring on your own. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Or simply relax and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 11

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Tate Britain, Tate Modern

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of hot and cold items, as well as juices, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We will begin our exploration of London’s vibrant art scene with a field trip via motorcoach to the Tate Britain, holding the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day as well as and international, modern and contemporary art. Our Study Leader will introduce the galleries, and you are then welcome to wander through the chronological display of artworks from 1545 to the present day or focus on specific periods or art movements by dropping into the circuit of galleries wherever you wish. Other areas of the gallery are devoted to artists who have a strong relationship with Tate Britain. These include the Turner Collection, the William Blake room, and the Henry Moore rooms, where you can immerse yourself in the work of these iconic British artists.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We will wend our way up the Thames, like countless Londoners before us, by river boat. Framed on either bank by iconic buildings and monuments, our next field trip destination is the Tate Modern, Britain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art. In this self-directed experience, view timeless works by luminaries such as Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Dalí, Pollock, and Warhol. We will be able to enjoy the awe-inspiring Turbine Gallery, an exhibition space almost overwhelmingly large and the former home of the power generators that kept London running day and night. There is often a special, large scale installation on display.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

The National Galleries

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We begin the day aboard our motorcoach as we ride to iconic Trafalgar Square for field trips to explore Britain’s two National Galleries. The National Portrait Gallery spans six centuries of history and tells the story of Britain through portraits of the men and women who have made a significant contribution to British life. There is some world-famous portraiture on display and the chronological galleries help to illustrate the evolution of the portrait as a medium. An expert from the Gallery will help us understand the background of these fascinating portraits.

Lunch: The Crypt Café in St-Martins-in-the-Field near the National Portrait Gallery.

Afternoon: Next, we will make the very short walk to Britain’s National Gallery. This vast repository of artistic treasures contains classic pieces by artistic luminaries such as Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh. Our Study Leader will provide an introduction, followed by time for your independent exploration. The motor coach will then return to the hotel.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Royal Academy of Arts, Courtauld Gallery

London, England  B,D  Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will board our motor coach and travel to the Royal Academy of Arts (RA), a unique, privately funded gallery created to promote the appreciation and understanding of art as well as its practice. The RA is led by artists of different backgrounds and perspectives, all committed to art and a belief in the contributions artists make to the world. The vast collection includes a rare work by Michelangelo. All members of the RA donate one of their own works, so that the collection has become a treasure trove of British art.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Our field trip this afternoon is to the Courtauld Gallery, home to a fine and intimate collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. It was founded in the 1930s by a trio of eminent collectors dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of visual arts. The collection includes paintings from the Renaissance to the 20th century, prints and drawings from Michelangelo to Picasso, sculpture and decorative arts spanning centuries. Highlights of the Gallery are 12 Cezannes, three Gaugins, and three Monets, among many others. An expert will be on hand to help make the most of our time in the Gallery.

Dinner: In the hotel, enjoy a plated and served farewell dinner. Share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for departure in the morning.

Day 14

Meals: Breakfast

Program Concludes

Activity note: Hotel check out by 11:00 a.m. See the “Travel Information” section regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation from Last Location.”

Breakfast: Hotel buffet, depending on individual departure times. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1: Welcome to London

Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

Amba Hotel Marble Arch, London.

Day 2: London and Medieval York

At 07:30, meet your Travel Director to begin your journey north to Stratford-upon-Avon, with its wealth of black-and-white, timber-framed houses. Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to shape society today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Continue to historic York to stroll the narrow lanes including the Shambles and view York Minster, England's largest medieval cathedral. Later, join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner and the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening.

Hilton York.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 3: Hadrian's Wall to Edinburgh

See a part of Hadrian's Wall, once spanning 80 miles from coast to coast, marking the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Continue past Jedburgh Abbey en route to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, for your two-night stay in this stunning city.

Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.

Breakfast

Day 4: Edinburgh Sightseeing

In the morning, join a Local Expert to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty the Queen, at the end of the Royal Mile. Continue past the Sir Walter Scott Monument to the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. Visit Edinburgh Castle, home of the Honours of Scotland, to view Mons Meg, and see the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, select departures will attend the spectacular Military Tattoo - a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.

Breakfast

Day 5: Loch Lomond to Glasgow

Drive via historic Bannockburn and Stirling and enjoy the scenery of the Trossachs. Continue along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, before arriving in Glasgow for an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.

Breakfast

Day 6: The Glorious Lake District

Travel via Gretna Green to the English Lake District, with scenery so beautiful it inspired a host of writers. Learn about the life of William Wordsworth and visit his grave in the picturesque, stone-built village of Grasmere.

Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Windermere.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: The Welsh Marches and Cardiff

Stop in ancient Ludlow, one of England’s most attractive towns, dominated by its castle, rich in tragic royal history. Why not spend time exploring the traditional open-air market, admiring the local crafts and perhaps sampling the produce? Afterwards, cross into southern Wales and head for the capital of Cardiff for an orientation of the port city, upon the River Taff. See Cardiff Castle and the impressive Principality Stadium.

Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.

Breakfast

Day 8: Georgian Bath and Devon

Cross the Severn Bridge back into England and drive to the Georgian City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the well-preserved Roman Baths, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, which serve as a hub of culture and education for the local population. Continue to Glastonbury, steeped in legend and reputed to be the final resting place of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Continue on to your hotel in the heart of Plymouth.

Jurys Inn Plymouth.

Breakfast

Day 9: Dartmoor National Park Relaxed Start

Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose to join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park. Spend time reconnecting with nature amidst the stunning landscape of towering granite tors, open moorland, beautiful rivers and lush, wooded valleys. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic cruise of Plymouth Harbour and see the Mayflower Steps, Barbican, Royal Citadel and Plymouth Hoe.Later this evening, savour an unforgettable Celebration Dinner at Heskyn Mill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for the ultimate Farm-to-Table dining experience. Enjoy a mouth-watering meal prepared from organic seasonal produce, freshly picked from the surrounding fields, served with a glass of wine.

Jurys Inn Plymouth.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Stonehenge and London

Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the pre-historic and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Return to London for a final evening at leisure.

Amba Hotel Marble Arch, London.

Breakfast

Day 11: Homeward Bound

Your journey ends this morning.

Breakfast