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THE GLAMOUR AND GRANDEUR TOUR
New York, The Hamptons and Charleston Sunday April 26 – Wednesday May 6 When it comes to style, fashion, architectural, design and creativity, New York truly is one of the world's most inspiring destinations. Here, fine lines and great design are not only celebrated in the architecture and interiors, but also in the museums, streets, stores, hotels, restaurants and even the parks and gardens – particularly during spring when the beautifully designed flower beds errupt in scented patterns of colour and style. From the sublime design stores of the Flatiron Quarter to the architectural treasures of the upper East Side, the haberdashery havens of the Garment District, the quaint charm of the West Village, the petal pleasures of the Flower District, the elegant boutiques and grand department stores of Madison and Fifth Avenues, the swish exhibitions at the new Anna Wintour Costume Center and FIT, or the graceful greenery of Central Park’s secret corners, there is far more to New York than iconic skyscrapers, cinematic scenery and Jay-Z’s catchy lyrics. This is the New York we want to show you on our fantastic new GLAMOUR AND GRANDEUR TOUR, a wonderful tour designed to appeal to those who love gardens, architecture, elegance and glamour, fashion, films, style, a little whimsy, and of course hearing about the great stories and history of this magnificent city. We’re also spending a leisurely weekend in the Hamptons and then heading down south to Charleston, recently voted No. 1 City in the World by two of the best travel magazines. So come with us – we’d love to have your company. Includes 10 nights staying in beautiful hotels, domestic flights, travel and transfers, luxury coach and driver, a welcome dinner, a farewell dinner, all garden entrance tickets, all guided tours, all talks by locals, all tips (a US custom), services of tour guides and many extra activities. Twin share AUD $7870. (Single AUD $9970) Contact: Reho Study Tours, 484 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne Vic 3004 Phone: (03) 9823 5288. Email: studytours@reho.com Website: www.rehostudytours. com.au ITINERARY Day One: Sun April 26 – NEW YORK, NEW YORK! We arrive in NY today (we can arrange an airport-to-city transfer if you need it) and check into our beautiful midtown hotel. Our Welcome Dinner will be held at a wonderful Manhattan restaurant. Day Two: Mon April 27 – STYLE AND DESIGN To begin our tour, we're off to beautiful Bryant Park this morning to hear about the books hidden beneath it and have a brief look at the New York Public Library and whimsical Library Way. Then it's off to the scented Flower District, before heading to the Flatiron Building and its Design District. Then we'll visit a cluster of gorgeous stores, from the new Marimekko store to a flea market selling amazing antique jewellery (including Chanel and Dior), and not forgetting the amazing ABC Home store (a must-see!). Then we’ll walk a few short blocks to Gramercy Park’s historic neighbourhood where we’ll have lunch. After our late lunch, we’ll stop for a rest in tranquil Washington Square Park, with a peek at a secret street on the way. Then the afternoon and evening is free. Book lovers can head for The Strand’s bookstore (great fashion and design titles), while design lovers can wander the Flatiron ‘hood. (We’ll have maps and ideas for places to see.) Day Three: Tues April 28 – GLAMOUR AND GRANDEUR. We head to bucolic Central Park this morning to see an enchanting 6-acre formal garden hidden behind the former gates of the old Rockefeller chateau. Then we’ll meander down grand Fifth Avenue to the new Anna Wintour Costume Centre (fashion exhibition TBC). Afterwards, we’ll pause for coffee on the splendid rooftop terrace to take in the NY skyline. Then it’s a small detour through the park to see an amazing mosaic arcade and fountain before heading to Ralph Lauren’s elegant flagship store and Kate Spade’s fabulous new boutique (very Mad Men!). We’ll stop for lunch in either Ralph Lauren’s brand new restaurant or Ladurée. From there, we make our way back to Fifth Avenue for some architectural insights into The Plaza hotel. Then we'll show you New York's most beautiful little department store (and a secret place to buy great gifts), before finishing the day seeing the sun set over Manhattan. Day Four: Wed April 29 – GORGEOUS GARDENALIA We head first to MePa this morning to explore its boho streets, galleries, bars and lofts, and then hit the High Line to see its amazing elevated garden and city views. At the end of the High Line walk, we’ll emerge at the pretty and highly desirable West Village, where we’ll explore the charming streets, homes and stores. Then it’s into taxis to the wonderful Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which errupts into blossoms this time of year. Day Five: Thur April 30 – DOWNTOWN We’ll explore the East Village this morning (with a stop in John Derian), then wander SoHo’s famous cobbled streets, pause in NoLita (lots of Aussie stores) and have lunch at either Balthazar or the Mondrian’s conservatory-style restaurant. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free. You may like to finish shopping in SoHo, return to the West Village, or explore another NY neighbourhood you loved. Day Six: Fri May 1 – FABRIC FANTASIES We visit some of NY’s most gorgeous fabric and interior design stores today, beginning with the Garment District, where you can buy remnants from the recent collections of Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Armani and many others. (Even if you’re not a seamstress, the Garment District will amaze you.) From there, we’ll head to either FIT for a fashion exhibition, the D&D Building, or one of New York’s other small museums, depending on what’s showing when we’re in town. Day Seven: Sat May 2 – THE HAMPTONS After check out, we board our coach to head for the Old Westbury Estate, inspiration for Baz Lurhmann’s film The Great Gatsby, then to a small but sublime private home owned by a famous author and designer. Depending on time and availability, we may also visit another Hamptons beach hideaway owned by a well-known architect. From there, we’ll head to the legendary villages of Southampton and East Hampton, detouring down picturesque back roads to see the famous grand weekenders. We’ll also see the former writer’s colony and fishing port of Sag Harbor with its Victorian-era architecture. Many people think this is the prettiest village in the Hamptons. Its main Street, also known as ‘Captains’ Row’, is worth seeing for the many gracious Georgian, Italianate, and Greek Revival homes. Day Eight: Sun May 3 – THE HAMPTONS This morning is free: you may like to sleep in, go for a walk along the beach, brave the ocean for a swim, or just wander the villages and boutiques. In the afternoon, we’ll take the coach for more Hamptons touring before returning to JFK airport for our flight south to Charleston. Day Nine: Mon May 4 – CHARLESTON CHARMS Gracious, sophisticated Charleston was recently voted the best city in the world by two leading travel magazines, and it’s easy to see why. This morning, we’ll do a leisurely walking tour around the colourful architecture and charming old streets of the historic Downtown area – including ‘Rainbow Row’, home to the cutest houses in town. Lunch will be at a lovely cafe then there’ll be a talk by a local landscape architecture about gardening in the south. Day Ten: Tues May 5 – CHARLESTON GARDENS We take a formal guided tour of two of Charleston’s most beautiful historic homes and gardens before lunch at a lovely café. The afternoon is then free for you to shop, wander Charleston on your own, or take a taxi to one of the plantation estates. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be at one of the city’s famous bistros. Day Eleven: Wed May 6 – HOME It’s a last look at Charleston this morning, as we pack up and head back to New York after lunch today, for the end of our tour. Back in New York, you can transfer to your flight home, or spend a few extra days seeing New York on your own. NOTE: Some of these days may be switched around to accommodate activities, but all of the promised itinerary will be covered. |
NEW YORK / HAMPTONS / CHARLESTON HIGHLIGHTS
• An inspirational 10-night / 11-day tour, including 5 days / 6 nights in New York City. We’ll visit many places not known to tourists, including lovely small museums, historical streets and neighbourhoods, enchanting parks and gardens, tucked-away bars and boutiques, and even fabulous places selling incredible vintage Chanel and Dior fashion and jewellery. • Insightful walking tours of New York’s most beautiful and memorable neighbourhoods by highly knowledgable tour guides who have frequented NY for years, including a well-known New York author and former Ralph Lauren executive. • A long leisurely weekend in the Hamptons, with beach walks and bike rides. • Visits to several unforgettable gardens and homes. • Several days exploring the gracious architecture and spring gardens of Charleston, one of America’s most beautiful cities and recently voted No 1 City in the USA and the World by readers of Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines. • Gorgeous hotels, a small group to encourage friendships, and an itinerary that has room for flexibility and free time, so you can explore places on your own. 
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