Reed Travel Features
LINGFIELD, England -- What would your clients pay to have dinner
with the governor of the Tower of London, spend an afternoon with
Winston Churchill's granddaughter or stay a few nights as guests in
a private estate?
The founders of a new luxury tour operator here, the Grand Tour
Co., are betting these and other extras will be worth $29,995 for
13 days of travel -- including roundtrip, first class air fare from
most U.S. cities.
The Grand Tour Co. was founded by Tom Webb and Michael Sydney,
who said their combined experience put them in an ideal position to
offer an upscale product. Sydney spent years working in the luxury
goods market and is a member of British National Trust. Webb was
managing director of the London Tourist Board from 1988 to
1995.
The company targets affluent travelers who want to see the
England not available to the masses, Sydney said.
Here is a look at what clients can look forward to:
Traveling in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.Lunch with the Earl of Munster at the Palace of
Westminster.A private tour of Oxford University.Dinner with Hugo Vickers, who has written extensively on the
British monarchy.Fly-fishing with the game keeper who taught Prince Charles to
fish.A stay at Kirby House, the private home of Richard Astor, a
descendent of John Jacob Astor.The inclusive itinerary also features stays in five-star, luxury
properties, such as Claridge's in London and Hartwell House in
Oxfordshire, plus gourmet meals, Sydney said.
Tour participants are "our guests from the moment they arrive,
and everything from meals to drinks to cigarettes and cigars" is
included in the price, he said. The only extras are telephone
calls.
The company plans to reach its audience through advertisements
in American Express' Departures magazine, which is distributed to
platinum cardholders and through the travel trade. In fact, the
company created an incentive for travel agents to sell the product,
which is commissionable at 10%.
The agent who makes the most confirmed bookings will receive a
one-week vacation in Britain for two with first class air fare,
accommodations and use of a chauffeured Rolls.
The departure dates for the program are May 10, June 7 and July
12. The land-only cost of the program is $22,500; there is a $5,000
supplement for a single room. Each itinerary, which will be
accompanied by one of the directors of the company, is limited to
14 participants. The tour begins and ends in London and takes in
Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Oxford.
Grand Tour Co.
Phone: (011) 44-134 283-2287
Fax: (888) 338-1498 (for brochure)
E-mail: tom.grandtour.demon.co.uk