23rd August 2018
” There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
Henry James
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Having just celebrated Afternoon Tea Week, we delve into one of the most delightful of British traditions.
Explore the journey of tea; from the home of Earl Grey in Northumberland, to Woburn, where afternoon tea was popularized in the 1840’s when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford would drink tea to stop that afternoon ‘sinking feeling’. Since then tea has become synonymous with the British, and the taking of afternoon tea has graduated from a respectable practice for fashionable society to a chance to experience a leisurely and elegant ritual, take a rest from a hectic shopping day or celebrate with friends or family.
Join Dream Escape’s expert guides and take one of London’s tea trails from Garaways Coffee House, where tea was first sold in the 1650’s, to the ‘tea clipper’ the Cutty Sark in Greenwich and the Chelsea Physic Garden with it’s links to the tea trade.
Of course, in modern times there are many ways to enjoy afternoon tea, from traditional to themed and elegant to entertaining.
Perfect for families young and old, the magnificent Mad Hatters tea is on the ‘must do’ list of London’s elite with Alice’s Exotic Fruits “Drink Me” potion and treats such as a Mad March Hare Vanilla Pocket Watch Macaroon and a strawberry flamingo with a white chocolate Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé croquet truffle.
Take a fun twist on this traditional pastime with an Afternoon tea bus tour, which will keep everyone entertained with an endless flow of London’s iconic sights. Head on down to the potion room in a classic Soho bakery for a fully immersive Harry Potter themed afternoon tea. Spend a fun few hours mixing edible potions, drinking teas with names like “Elixir of Life” and “Unicorn Tears,” and Hubble Bubble – your very own cauldron with a lemon inspired potion.
Sample traditional afternoon tea at iconic London venues such as The Ritz and The Goring or perhaps travel to the west of Ireland and experience the splendour of a magnificent 13th Century castle and former Guinness Family home and the Connaught Room, where the ritual of afternoon tea has been preserved since 1868.
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“Tea tempers the spirits and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness, lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties.”
Lu Yu, Classic of Tea: Origins and Rituals
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Whether your clients are celebrating a milestone with a family get together or need some time to rest and recon...
Another year closes on the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The Show seems to be more and more spectacular every year and 2019 raised-the-bar yet again. Innovative garden designs and a riot of colour - lots of ideas for our gardens this summer!
Best Show Garden was awarded to the M&G Garden designed by Andy Sturgeon - his 8th gold medal! The first picture shows his fabulous stone platforms and burnt timber sculptures looking like rock formations in a woodland landscape.
Unfortunately the wait was too long to see the Duchess of Cambridge RHS Back to Nature Garden co-designed with Andrée Davies and Adam White. However it was covered on television with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louise enjoying the swing and paddling in the pond and it looked a fun garden for children.
There is always 2020 and Dream Escape would be happy to plan a tailor-made holiday for you to include private visits to a variety of beautiful gardens including a day at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. 🌹
Dream Escape are very proud to announce the expansion of our London office and welcome Sally Strange to the Dream Escape team.
Sally comes to us as a Blue Badge Guide for London and the South East of England and has been awarded Blue Badge Guide of the Year. A Londoner all her life with a passion for the arts, history and architecture, Sally will join Louise Murray and Michael Davies as the core England Dream Escape team. Between them, they have over 30 years experience in the luxury travel industry and will all look forward to sharing their creative passion of all things British with our Dream Escape clients.
With Dream Escape in London, you will discover a city full of unforgettable landmarks and exciting things to do. Your choice of accommodation will range from the hip boutique hotels like Soho House to the more traditionally elegant establishments steeped in history like The Ritz. Dream Escape will unlock doors to go behind the scenes thereby providing unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
Meanwhile, the Dream Escape Teams throughout the UK and Ireland have been out and about exploring and meeting with suppliers and educating visiting advisors as well as keeping our own teams up to date with new experiences and information on our destinations.
In Edinburgh we are joined by Laura Fitzpatrick for the summer season. Laura joins us from Dundee University where she has just completed her MA in International Business with Marketing. Laura is from Warrenpoint in County Down, Northern Ireland where, believe it or not, you can step through a wardrobe door and follow the Narnia Trail inspired by C.S. Lewis!
Dream Escape Team and Valerie Wilson Travel Advisors practicing their curtseying before visiting Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth in Northern Ireland. #dreamescapeltd #vwt_travel
Ballyfin is such a special place. Thank you Damian for sharing your spectacular property with us yesterday. The history, architecture and attention to detail of this stunning regency mansion, is second to none and should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit and stay. I think our Valerie Wilson Travel advisors would agree!
With David Tobin, Holly Tobin and Rosie Peattie
#warmwelcome #vwt_travel #ballyfin #ireland #luxurytravel #travel #newhorizons #newknowlege #information Virtuoso Travel @virtuosoltd
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What a treat we had in store for our Valerie Wilson TraveI advisors at the very special Lismore Castle yesterday. After a wonderful tour of the beautiful gardens with Darren followed by afternoon tea, our evening entertainment did not disappoint. Local music, song and dance at its finest. Thank you Denis and Helen for your very warm welcome and hospitality. With David Tobin Holly Tobin and Rosie Peattie Dream Escape
@vwt_travel Lismore Castle Gardens
#vwt_travel #lismorecastle Virtuoso Travel #virtuosoltd
#dreamescapeltd
