Victoria B.C. Canada - 19 to 27 Oct 2008

Victoria, the capital of B.C., is set on Vancouver Island off the spectacular west coast of Canada. It is known as the city of gardens and “a little bit of Olde England.” The fantastic Autumn/Fall colours of the maple and other trees add to the many attractions.  During these eight days we explore many aspects of this fascinating part of the world including museums, gardens, the famous Empress Hotel, Chinatown, many places of natural beauty and some excellent and interesting restaurants.

ACCOMMODATION is in a unique hotel with luxurious Manor Houses set in five acres of superb gardens. Rooms vary, some having four-poster beds, wood or gas burning fireplaces, kitchenettes and decks and all have en suite bathrooms, telephone, cable TV, high speed internet access. Just minutes from downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbour by ferry or bus this is a wonderfully relaxing refuge. One of the best restaurants in the city, which has won two prestigious awards, is in our hotel where we have our Welcome and Farewell Dinners. We have a buffet dinner at the world famous Empress Hotel, one dinner as part of our tour of Chinatown and four lunches in interesting restaurants.

CHAMBER MUSIC PLAYING will be on six mornings with COACHING on five of these.  We have  highly experienced coaches, members of the Purcell Quartet - who also had illustrious careers as principals in leading orchestras in England including St Martin’s-in-the-Field and the London Symphony Orchestra. Instrument rentals are possible. There is a selection of chamber music parts available but you are asked to bring one or two quartets/quintets and a stand if possible although there will be a limited number available. 

CONCERTS and THEATRE. On the afternoon of Sunday 26th there will be a concert by the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. The programme includes CPE Bach - Sinfonia; JS Bach - Violin Concerto; Schubert - Symphony no 3. Details of the theatre visit and other concert will be on this web site as soon as they are published.

SIGHTSEEING.

You will have some free time with the option of whale watching so famous in this area, salmon fishing, visiting a nature sanctuary or spending time relaxing in the hotel’s magnificent gardens.

We have been asked about other attractions in the area by people who will be coming from as far away as Europe, Australia and Japan and wish to prolong their stay. We suggest Vancouver, Banff and Lake Louise in B.C. while Seattle in the USA is a short ferry ride away.

PRICE PER PERSON  this eight day Holiday in GB pounds sterling. (Discount of £100 for payment in full before 15 April 2008.)

Double in Type A - £1,300
                   
Single in Type A - £1,468

Double/Twin in Type B - £1,396

Single in Type B -  £1,625

Double/Twin in Type C - £1,480

For non players there is a reduction of £100.

ACCOMMODATION

Type A - All suites have King or Queen sized beds, en-suite bathrooms, direct dial phones, complimentary tea and coffee, cable TV and high speed Internet access and are set in delightful Manor Houses in the gardens.

Type B - Suites have facilities as above but are more spacious, having a defined seating area. Only two twin rooms available so it would be advisable to book immediately.

Type C - Suites are the most luxurious many having four-poster canopy beds and either wood or gas burning fireplaces, vaulted ceilings or decks or balconies. There are a limited number of these suites available so early application is essential.

These Manor Houses were previously very large homes and the rooms vary. They have been completely refurbished and modernized without losing any of their charm.

Prices include accommodation as listed with a continental breakfast, meals as above, coaching, sightseeing as above, tickets for concerts and the theatre performance. All taxes (local and federal) are included.

For non players there is a reduction of £100.

Currency Converter

Payment can be made by a U.K. personal cheque, bank to bank transfers in British Pounds only or online using a credit card. (Bank transfers - Please note that with daily fluctuating exchange rates sending pounds sterling is the only way you can be sure the amount you send will be correct.) For payment details click here.

To book this holiday and pay online by credit card in Pounds Sterling click here. Note that the final invoice will include an additional Paypal handling fee of 3.5% of the total cost. If you encounter any problems please email Vivienne on cmhf@otenet.gr.

To book and pay with a personal UK cheque, UK online bank transfer or by international bank to bank transfer click here.

We reserve the right to make changes due to circumstances beyond our control.