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YORK & DEAUVILLE
10 Days, 9 Nights (including one en route)
AUGUST 13 to AUGUST 22, 2005

4 nights in York, 4 nights in Deauville
4 days of racing at York, Deauville & Clairefontaine
Training area & Farm visits in Yorkshire & Normandy
The Deauville Yearling Sale

Day 1
Sat  Aug 13
Depart U.S., if not joining the trip from elsewhere in the U.K. or Europe.
 
Day 2
Sun  Aug 14
Arrive in the U.K. Midlands. You will be met at the airport (either at Manchester for direct flights from the U.S. or at Leeds-Bradford, which is closer if you're flying in from elsewhere in Europe) and delivered to York and our hotel there, the York Marriott. We can also meet you at the York Rail Station; coming by rail is one of the best ways to get to York from London if you're already there. The remainder of the day is free for adjustment and your own activities. At 6PM we will meet for cocktails at the hotel to get our bearings with each other and prepare for our trip together. We suggest an early night

THE YORK MARRIOTT: You couldn't ask for a better location than the York Marriott. It's right next to the racecourse, and from the back terraces of the hotel you can look out across the Knavesmire — the open, flat lowland where racing has been conducted here for hundreds of years. You can walk the course at your leisure, and on the big race days to come, we'll beat the traffic by heading over to the stands on foot. It's also convenient to historic Central York without being in the middle of its congestion. The hotel is modern and very comfortable, and there's a fitness center with a pool on the property. Visit www.marriotthotels.co.uk/qqyyk for more information.

 
Day 3
Mon  Aug 15
Up early and away for a day trip to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, where our principal stop will be the training center in Middleham. The history of racehorse training in this area goes back a long way, and has undergone a renaissance of late. It's now the home of fifteen trainers. The gallops are a treat: spookily atmospheric on a windy, cloudy day and spectacularly lovely on a clear one; since we're coming in August, we're more likely to get the latter. We'll visit both the low and high moor gallops, and have a stop-in at a trainer's yard.

Middleham itself is charming, and we'll have a pub lunch after we're done with the horses, followed by a drive around parts of the Dales on our way back to York.

 
Day 4
Tue  Aug 16
The racecourse here has long been referred to as the "Ascot of the North", an appellation that hardly does it justice, but is quite apt in 2005. York will be hosting the Royal Ascot meeting this June while the Berkshire course undergoes a major renovation.

York has its own tradition of extremely high-quality racing, and the August "Ebor" Meeting is its showcase meeting of the year. The opening day's card is one of Europe's best. Topping the bill is the Group 1 Juddmonte International, one of the most important 10-furlong all-age races of the season, and won recently by such cracks as Giant's Causeway, Sakhee, and Falbrav. Second feature is the Great Voltigeur, a 12-furlong Group 2 for 3-year-olds, many of them prepping for next month's St. Leger. There's also the Group 2 Lonsdale at two miles, and the listed Acomb for 2-year-olds.

The racecourse has excellent facilities. Today we'll be based in the Voltigeur Restaurant, overlooking the course. We'll have our tables inside, and the Voltiguer also has an outdoor terrace with excellent views of the racing. The food service is copious and virtually non-stop from arrival through lunch and then tea, and the Yorkshire race fans are exuberantly enthusiastic. You'll have to remind yourself sometimes that there's also racing going on; but trust us, it can be done. A long, last sip-and-sit on the terrace after the races is a memorable pleasure.

 
Day 5
Wed  Aug 17
This morning we'll head out early to nearby Malton, another of the region's major training centers. We'll have a yard visit and a look at the gallops.

This afternoon: Day Two of the the Ebor Meeting and another superb day of racing. The Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, an all-ager for females, is the nominal headliner, and the Group 2 Gimcrack for 2-year-olds, a race with a 159-year history, is also on the card. But for most fans, the 1 3/4-mile Ebor Handicap is the truly big race of the day.

The Ebor's history goes back even further than the Gimcrack, and it's the richest handicap of the year in Europe. It draws a large and competitively-weighted field that is necessarily limited to 22, because many more would like to run. It's also the subject of a huge future-book gamble, which accounts in part for its popularity. But your true Yorkshire race fan will tell you that it really can't be fully explained: the Ebor Handicap is simply the greatest race in England.

We'll have members' enclosure badges today and be mobile, but those that wish to can upgrade for another day in the Voltigeur Restaurant. This upgrade must be booked well in advance.

 
Day 6
Thur  Aug 18
Getaway day for us from York. We'll leave the Marriott late in the morning, go to Leeds-Bradford airport, and fly to Paris. We'll be met there and transferred to Deauville, arriving about 8PM, having lost an hour to Continental Time. You can have an early night, or dress well and try your luck at the Casino.

(If the group is willing, we will arrange a charter transfer from a York area airport directly into Deauville. This would save about three hours of transit time, and would also give us the option of leaving York earlier in the day. The additional cost of a charter would be substantial, an additional $400 per person at a minimum. Therefore, the decision of the group would have to be unanimous. We will poll the group and make the decision approximately six weeks prior to the beginning of the trip.)

THE NORMANDY and THE ROYAL: In Deauville, there are really only two choices — the Normandy for a bit more old-world atmosphere and the Royal for a bit more modern comfort. But both of these hotels have plenty of each. We have chosen the Royal, but since both hotels are owned by the Barriere Group, we may be able to get you into the Normandy if that's your preference. Both are across from the beach, close to the town's best restaurants and shops and the main racecourse, and the casino occupies a block between them. Look in at www.lucienbarriere.com to learn more. Continental or buffet breakfast is included each morning.

 
Day 7
Fri  Aug 19
DeauvilleDeauville is the high-summer headquarters of French horse racing. For much of July and all of August, the Paris racing circuit shuts down and the horses, owners, trainers, jockeys, administrators, and fans come here to this smart seaside resort. Like Saratoga, the racecourse opened in 1864, and like Del Mar, there's a beach. Unlike either, there's a legal casino and a contained, strollable downtown in close proximity to everything. It's a racing atmosphere like no other in the world.

You have the morning to take it easy, then some of us may want to join up for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the boardwalk and the beach. At about 2PM, we'll get organized and head over to Clairefontaine, for a day's racing at the second of Deauville's two racecourses. The pleasure here is not so much the quality of the racing, but the loveliness of the course itself. Low-key, backed by hills and bedecked with flowers, Clairefontaine is country racing at its very best.

Deauville is the site of France's premier yearling sale, and it begins in two days. The sales grounds are adjacent to the main Deauville racecourse, within walking distance of the hotel. You might want to look at some of the offerings after the races.

We'll arrange for a no-host group dinner at a local restaurant.

 
Day 8
Sat  Aug 20
Early this morning, we'll stop by the main Deauville Racecourse to see a bit of the morning training, and then head inland for a visit to a horse farm or two. Normandy is the principal thoroughbred breeding region of France and many of the nation's most important studs are located here. Afterwards, we'll have lunch in the country before heading back to town, arriving back mid-afternoon.

It won't be an organized racing day for us, but they'll be running at the Deauville Course if you want to drop in for a few races. The Group 2 Guillaume d'Ornano for 3-year-olds is the feature, with the Prix du Calvados, a Group 3 for 2-year-old fillies, also on the bill, as well as a couple of Listed events for 2-year-olds.

The yearlings are again on display next door. Golf at another nearby Barriere property is an additional option, but should be set up in advance.

 
Day 9
Sun  Aug 21
A lazy or active morning - your choice - is followed by our principal day of racing at Deauville. We'll have lunch in the restaurant overlooking the course, and, as the race viewing is excellent, we'll use our table to come and go from for the day. This is an important race day. The first French Group 1 of the season for 2-ear-olds, the Prix Morny, tops the card, and is supported by two Group 2s: the Jean Romanet for older females, and the 15-furlong Kergolay for stayers.

The yearling auctions start right after the races, and the first night's offerings are usually the cream of the entire sale.

As many as want to are welcome to regroup for another no-host dinner, to rehash our experiences in the two very different places we've been to together.

 
Day 10
Mon  Aug 22
The organized itinerary ends after breakfast and checkout this morning. Time to go home for those that have to. Your options to get down to Paris and your flight home are several, and some are outlined below. Bonne chance and travel safely.
 

CLOSING DATE:

This trip closed on June 16, 2005.

COME EARLY, STAY LATE:

This itinerary is designed to be full and busy. For those preferring a more leisurely experience, we invite you to consider coming to York earlier and / or lingering awhile in Deauville.

Even a day or two in York for adjusting will ease the pace of the early part of trip. Sightseeing opportunities abound in historic York itself and the surrounding countryside. There is racing here in "the north" most days.

Staying on in Deauville, relaxing in the sea air, has its own set of positives. Walk the town and beach a bit, and find your own favorite restaurant or sidewalk café. Play golf. There is racing for one more week after our dates here, and either Deauville or Clairefontaine are open most days. And for excursions, there's Honfleur, Bayeux, Mont-St-Michel, and of course the D-Day landing beaches and the American Cemetery, one of Europe's most moving experiences. The Barriere concierges can arrange most things.

The Marriott and the Barriere Group have promised to accommodate extensions as best they can, but the space is not blocked or guaranteed. Please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to do this. These are extremely busy times at both these places, particularly Deauville because of the yearling sale.

ITINERARY & PRICES:

The itinerary includes:

  • Eight(8) nights lodging as indicated: four(4) in York and four(4) in Deauville.
  • Breakfast each morning as indicated.
  • Four(4) escorted days' racing: at York, Clairefontaine, and Deauville, including transportation to and from the racecourse, members' enclosure admission or equivalent, and race card. Restaurant seating one(1) day at York and at Deauville.
  • Lunch on Four(4) days: in Middleham August 15, at York Racecourse August 16, in rural Normandy August 20, at Deauville Racecourse August 21.
  • Afternoon Tea on One(1) day, at York Racecourse August 16.
  • Full Day excursion from York to Middleham, including gallops and yard visit.
  • Morning excursion from York to Malton, including gallops and yard visit.
  • Excursion in Deauville including morning racecourse visit and farm visits.
  • Transfer from Manchester or Leeds-Bradford airport to the York Marriott Hotel, York.
  • Transfer from the York Marriott Hotel, York, to Leeds-Bradford airport.
  • Economy Class airfare from Leeds-Bradford to Paris.
  • Transfer from Paris Airport to Normandy/Royal Hotels, Deauville.
  • Complimentary racing newspaper each day.
  • Welcome cocktails at York Marriott Hotel.
  • Accompaniment throughout by a knowledgeable and remarkably personable American escort.
The itinerary does not include:
  • Airfare to and from the U.S.A.
  • Transfer from Normandy/Royal Hotel, Deauville, to Paris airport. (See some options below.)
  • The cost of dinner on any night, or lunch except on days indicated.
The Cost of the Trip does not include:
  • Any charges incurred at hotels other than the basic cost of the room, including but not limited to room service, mini-bar, television or video, restaurant or bar service, laundry or dry-cleaning, business services, golf or other activities, and activities arranged through hotel concierge. (All group members will be required to provide a credit card imprint upon check-in at each hotel to guarantee payment for any individual charges.)
  • Excess baggage charges. Please check intra-European baggage limitations.
  • Costs related to obtaining passports or visas.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Charges incurred for anything other than what is specified in the "Itinerary Includes" summary above.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Any gratuities. Please note your principal escort does not expect and will not accept a gratuity.
The Cost of the Trip Is:
    $4,495 per person, based on double occupancy.
    $1,865 single supplement*

    *Please note singles will be accommodated in the same class of double rooms as the double-occupancy members of the group.

    We will attempt to match single travelers wishing to double up and thereby avoid the Single Supplement, however it will always be the single traveler's decision whether or not to accept a roommate. Because of the limited number of rooms that we have been able to reserve at these very busy times, we regret we must reserve the right to limit the number of single travelers on each trip.

    Trip prices are subject to change up to forty-five(45) days prior to trip departure to reflect fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Dollar prices quoted here are based on the following exchange rates:

      1 US $ = 0.521 UK pound // 1 UK pound =1.92 US $
      1 US $ = 0.741 Euro // 1 Euro = 1.35 US $

OPTIONS:

  • Additional Nights at the York Marriott Hotel, York, if available: $110 per night, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement $110 per night.
  • Upgrade to Voltigeur Restaurant at York Racecourse on August 17: $275 per person. Must be booked well in advance.
  • Additional Nights at the Royal Hotel, Deauville, if available: will vary, depending on length of stay.
  • Some options for transfer from Normandy or Royal Hotel, Deauville, to Charles de Gaulle Airport, near Paris:
    1) Private car transfer: $650 per person, traveling alone
    $325 per person, based on two(2) passengers
    $220 per person, based on three(3) passengers
    $165 per person, based on four(4)
    2) Mini-bus transfer: $90 - $135 per person, depending on number. Minimum five(5) passengers.
    3) Self-Drive Rental Auto: $70 per person, based on two passengers, for one-day compact-class car rental, plus insurance if necessary, but including drop charge.

    *Please note the costs listed for this transfer are our best estimates. We can advise you of a more precise cost when your exact times and details are known. We will do our best to assist and to advise on possible multiple-member consolidation, but due to the uncertain departure time of each guest, all arrangements for this transfer are the responsibility of each group member.

    *Please note the approximate driving time from central Deauville to Charles DeGaulle airport is approximately three hours. If you are driving, remember you must arrive at the airport in sufficient time to turn in your car and get to check-in by the time your airline has advised you. We recommend leaving Deauville a minimum of six(6) hours prior to your departure time. Therefore, we advise a departure time for your flight from Charles de Gaulle as late in the day as you can make it, consistent with the time you want to be back in the U.S.

*The trips are designed for ten to sixteen people. We reserve the right to cancel a trip if it has less than ten subscribers. Should we need to do this, all payments made toward the cost of the trip will be fully and promptly refunded.

*You must have a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom and France.

View the itineraries for our other 2005 trips:
For June, click here   For July, click here   For September-October, click here

Racing photos © www.actionplus.co.uk

 

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