The Early Years of Anne Boleyn Tour
Itinerary
The Tudor Trio:
The Early Years of Anne Boleyn Tour
Day 1 – Thursday 4th September 2025
Brussels
Today, you will arrive in historic Brussels and journey to the hotel. We will have our traditional "Welcome Meeting" and dinner in the evening. Following dinner, we will enjoy our first presentation by the brilliant Tudor Trio.
Day 2 – Friday 5th September 2025
Mechelen
Following breakfast,. we leave for Mechelen for a full-day excursion to the historic city where Anne Boleyn journeyed from England in 1513 to complete her education at the court of Archduchess Margaret of Austria. You can enjoy lunch on your own in this beautiful town. Following lunch, with our local guide, we will see the remaining parts of the breathtaking Hof van Savoye, where Anne lived in Margaret’s court. We will learn about how the architecture of this stunning city shaped Anne’s later building taste; when she played a pivotal role in shaping the designs of the Palace of Westminster when she was Queen. We will experience the heyday of the Burgundian Renaissance in the renovated permanent exhibition at the magnificent Renaissance palace of the Hof van Buslyden, the intellectual hub of the Renaissance, where Erasmus of Rotterdam, Thomas Boleyn, Thomas More and Margaret of Austria shared thoughts and ideas. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel to enjoy dinner together and a presentation by our special guest, award-winning historian, author and broadcaster, Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb.
Day 3 – Saturday 6th September 2025
Calais & Ghent
After breakfast, we leave for Calais with the Tudor Trio and Suzannah Lipscomb, who will guide us through the importance of this once English-held port City to the story of Anne Boleyn. This was where a young Anne Boleyn likely landed from her voyage across the English Channel. Later, in 1520, it was the site where she almost certainly served as an attendant to Queen Claude at the famous Field of Cloth of Gold summit and where she possibly first glimpsed King Henry VIII. We will also discover the importance of Calais in 1532 when a recently ennobled Anne Boleyn journeyed again to mainland Europe as King Henry VIII’s queen-in-waiting to gain support for her forthcoming marriage. Next, we make a short stop at Dunkirk, where Owen will share his vast knowledge of the incredible events that took place here during WWII. Next, we continue on to Brussels. You will be free to enjoy lunch and dinner on your own..
Day 4 – Sunday 7th September 2025
Travel to Loire Valley
This morning, we leave for the Loire Valley. During our journey to the ‘Garden of France,’ we will enjoy a lunch stop before checking in to our hotel. Dinner is on your own.
Day 5 – Monday 8th September 2025
Loire Valley
Today, we will enjoy a full-day excursion to the stunning Loire Valley, where Anne Boleyn spent much of her time serving Queen Claude of France. We will visit the Chateau Royal de Blois, one of France's most prestigious Renaissance monuments, where Anne soaked up the style and sophistication of the French court. Following lunch on our own time, we will then travel to Amboise to visit the incomparable Chateau d'Amboise, which belonged to the formidable and influential Louise of Savoy, before exploring the nearby Chateau du Clos Lucé, where the great Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked from 1515. Returning to our hotel, we will enjoy dinner on our own.
Day 6 – Tuesday 9th September 2025
Paris
After breakfast, we travel to Paris, the global centre for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. After checking into our hotel, you will enjoy some free time to explore and have lunch on your own before experiencing the incomparable Sainte-Chapelle and visiting the breathtaking 16th-century artwork of The Louvre. In the evening, we will enjoy our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 – Wednesday 10th September 2025
Tooday, we say our goodbyes ahead of our return trip home or onward journeys, taking with us connections to new friends and memories of a wonderful adventure!
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Disclaimers and Fine Print Details:
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All payments are refundable in the case of travel restrictions beyond our control. Refunds will only be withheld should the trip go forward and a guest still chooses to cancel. For this reason, travel insurance is strongly recommended and may be purchased separately.
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Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
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Prices include: accommodation at four star hotel, excursions, and meals as listed in the itinerary.
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Prices DO NOT include: airfare, optional excursions, and single supplement.
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For optimal tour experience, guests are encouraged to read/revisit books by The Tudor Trio as listed in their bios.
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Final payment due on or before May 16, 2025
Embark on an unforgettable journey through history on The Tudor Trio: The Early Years of Anne Boleyn Tour. Beginning in Brussels, you’ll delve into the vibrant culture of Anne’s formative years with captivating presentations by renowned historians, including Prof. Suzannah Lipscomb. Explore the grandeur of Mechelen, where Anne was educated in the court of Archduchess Margaret of Austria, and discover the architectural influences that shaped her later life as queen. Walk in Anne’s footsteps through Calais and Ghent, pivotal locations in her remarkable story. Journey to the breathtaking Loire Valley, visiting Renaissance châteaux that echo with the sophistication of the French court. Finally, conclude in Paris with visits to Sainte-Chapelle and The Louvre, celebrating art, history, and Anne’s enduring legacy. This adventure offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and camaraderie, leaving you with cherished memories and newfound connections.
Cost: $4195 per person double occupancy
With a single supplement of $677.