Nine Network and Brentwood Travel presents: "On Location with Victoria"

​In September, Brentwood Travel in partnership with the Nine Network of Public Media, presented “On Location with Victoria”-a travel package that followed the footsteps of Queen Victoria and the filming of the TV series Victoria. The hit TV series portrays the dramatic life of the candid, spirited monarch who was perhaps the first woman who seemed to have it all!

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16 travelers, along with President and CEO of Nine Network, Jack Galmiche, and his wife Rosemary, traveled from St. Louis to Europe for a 7-night royalty-filled adventure. With stops at locations that serve as a backdrop during the filming, these 18 travelers truly got a royal experience of a lifetime!
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The Victoria travel group before boarding their flight to Europe.

~ DAY ONE ~
After arriving at the Manchester Airport, travelers went by motor coach to the ancient Viking city of York and checked into the Principal Hotel York. After a quick “freshen up” at the hotel, the travelers continued their day at Carlton Towers, which doubles as Windsor Castle in the TV series. 

The beautiful Carlton Towers.

The front entrance of Carlton Towers.

​Upon arrival at Carlton Towers, the group was surprised by Brentwood Travel with the chance to meet the one and only Tom Hughes and Jenna Coleman (the Actor & Actress who play Prince Albert & Queen Victoria)! The travelers were privy to very special views of filming of the TV series that was taking place at that exact time of day! After quite the exciting visit, a quaint English afternoon tea was enjoyed before the guests returned to their hotel for an evening of leisure.
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President & CEO of Nine Network Jack Galmiche with actor Tom Hughes, who plays Prince Albert in Victoria.

Tom Hughes and Jenna Coleman, the actor & actress who play Prince Albert & Queen Victoria in Victoria.

A special viewing of the TV series Victoria filmed at Carlton Towers.

A special viewing of the TV series Victoria filmed at Carlton Towers.

​​​​~ DAY TWO ~​
Day two mainly focused on the Royal Wedding scenes from Victoria. The day started with breakfast  at the hotel and continued on a morning tour of the small town of Beverley. The morning tour was led by a fantastic local tour guide named Alan Rowley. The tour continued on to Beverley Minster, a Gothic masterpiece in this lovely little town. The filmmakers used the Minster for all the Royal Wedding scenes.  

An informational poster on Victoria at Beverley Minster.

Inside Beverley Minster.

Inside Beverley Minster.

Day two continued with the travelers and local guide Alan returning to York for an afternoon walking tour of the main sites of York. The tour ended at York Minster, where some of the travelers decided to stay for Evensong, an evening prayer service.​

Exploring the town of York

Exploring the town of York

Exploring the town of York

Later that evening, the group met in the hotel lobby for a departure to the village of Nun Monkton, where a delicious dinner at the Alice Hawthorne Gastro-Pub was served, beginning with a glass of Prosecco! Yum!
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The Alice Hawthorne Inn where the group enjoyed dinner the evening of day two.

The Victoria group enjoying dinner together at The Alice Hawthorne Gastro-Pub.

~ DAY THREE ~
Day three was once again led by local guide Alan Rowley. The day started with a visit to Castle Howard which recalls the 1850 visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to the home of royal confidant, George Howard. 

Castle Howard

Castle Howard has served as many filming locations for the TV series and for the series Brideshead Revisited. Guests were able to see the rooms used in the filming, as well as the stunning garden on site. Dr. Ridgway, a Queen Victoria expert, met the group at Castle Howard for a private talk on the subject of Queen Victoria and her visit to Castle Howard. After the tour, guests were given the time to spend at leisure for lunch and to explore the gardens and park before heading out to their next location.

The Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday Park.

Castle Howard Gardens.

An informational Victoria poster at Newby Hall.

Newby Hall

Newby Hall Gardens

Day three continued with the group making their way to Newby Hall. Newby Hall, in the TV series, was used as the setting for Brooks, a Gentleman’s Club in Mayfair. This location is known for its gorgeous gardens as it was a former winner of the coveted Historic Houses Association/Christies Garden of the Year Award, which has also been awarded to Castle Howard in the past. Guests were served an afternoon tea with cookies before returning to York for the rest of their evening at leisure. 

Click through the slideshow below to view more pictures from day three.

~ DAY FOUR ~
On day four, local guide Alan led the group to the treasure-filled Harewood House, another top filming location of Victoria. Harewood House, set in a Capability Brown-inspired landscape, is the home of the Earl of Harewood, who is the cousin of Her Majesty, The Queen. The Victoria film crew used much of the State Floor, Below Stairs and the estate for the Buckingham Palace scenes. To continue bringing the story to life, the opulent State Rooms were used as the setting for many of the costumes used in the TV series.
Later in the day, the guests returned to York for an afternoon full of enjoying the local museums and fantastic shops at their leisure. 

Jack Galmiche's wife Rosemary in front of The Harewood House.

Interior room of the Harewood House.

​Click through the slideshow below to view more pictures from day four.

~ DAY FIVE ~
On the fifth and final day in York, Alan took guests on a full-day tour to Brodsworth Hall and Haworth, West Yorkshire, which was home of the Bronte sisters and is considered a literary mecca. ​

Brodsworth Hall

Brodsworth Hall Gardens

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Brodsworth Hall was built by the famously wealthy Charles Thellusson and was home to the Thellusson family for more than 120 years. It illustrates the grandeur of Victorian living. Guests fully experienced the “Grand Rooms” and even viewed many of the original furnishings, which were designed in the Italianate style of the 1860s. They continued on with a unique, privately guided tour around the rest of the home which has been preserved exactly as the last resident, Sylvia Grant-Dalton, left it.  Once the tour was over, the group was given free time to explore the gardens on their own. The morning finished up with a delicious lunch before leaving Brodsworth for the day.
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Living quarters at Brodsworth Hall.

Staircase at Brodsworth Hall.

Dining room at Brodsworth Hall.

​​On the way back to York, the group stopped at the charming village of Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters – three quiet, sheltered Victorian women whose writing became a worldwide phenomenon. Who has not heard of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights?! Here, guests visited the Bronte’s parsonage home where they enjoyed a guided walk through of the home and village to experience what it was like during the time of the Bronte’s. ​Travelers enjoyed the Airedale village, exuding a vintage charm to make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a different era.
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The Bronte’s parsonage home.

Mr. Bronte's Bedroom

Mr. Bronte's Study

​After quite a busy fifth day, travelers arrived back in York where they were given a bit of time to freshen up in their hotel rooms before departing for a very special dinner on their last evening in York at the Star Inn – The City Restaurant.
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Click through the slideshow below to view more pictures from day five.

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Side entrance to The Burghley House.

​~ DAY SIX ~
Day six started with an earl​y departure out of York to make the journey to London. Guests had a full day traveling to London led by Transfer Manager, Alison Lowe. On their way, the group paid a visit to the stunning Burghley House, an Elizabethan treasure in the English countryside, with enough time to fully experience the house and enjoy lunch in the Garden Café.
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Later that afternoon, the group arrived at their hotel in London, Bailey’s Hotel with the rest of their evening spent at their leisure. 

The Chapel inside The Burghley House

To view more photos from The Burghley House click through the slideshow below.

Nine Network President & CEO, Jack Galmiche at The Burghley House.

The Burghley House

Queen Elizabeth's bedroom inside The Burghley House.

~ DAY SEVEN ~
On day seven, the guests spent their day with local Blue Badge Guide, Liz Cooper. Liz led the travelers on a tour of Victorian London where they saw the great buildings and institutions of this very important time in British history.
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Queen Victoria Statue in Kensington Gardens

Queen Victoria's Study at Kensington Palace

Queen Victoria's desk at Kensington Palace

​ On day seven, the group got to learn all about Queen Victoria’s extraordinary life at her childhood home of Kensington Palace. The group even learned about the beautiful Princess Diana and the enormous impact she had on the life of the royals.
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After their visit at Kensington Palace, the group then visited Buckingham Palace where Queen Victoria made many additions and improvements to the original design. Did you know that Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to call Buckingham Palace her official residence?
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The rest of the day was given to the travelers to explore London on their own! 

Some of Princess Diana's dresses on display currently at Kensington Palace

~ DAY EIGHT ~​
Day eight was the last and final day of this amazing adventure. Guests were either transferred from their hotel to the airport for their return flight home or extended their vacation to enjoy more of what London has to offer! 
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A view of the London Eye

​Travelers' Thoughts…
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“From our serendipitous encounter on the very first day to our splendid dinner on our last night in York, every minute of this trip was a life experience. I've been to England several times, but I've never been to York and found it to be as welcoming and appealing as one could wish for. Our guide on the trip was knowledgeable, charming and entertaining and the places we visited were delightful. I can't wait for the next season of Victoria to begin so I can try to spot all the places we visited.” -Client Sharon Dougherty

​“First-class. Exceptional. Stellar. Our needs were regularly anticipated and met with THE highest level of professionalism. Thanks and more thanks!” – Client Lucie G. Watel

Make sure to watch this beautiful video montage below
created by the team at Nine Network!

​Continue following the drama of Queen Victoria’s life when Season 3 of “Victoria” premiers Sunday, January 13th! 

​*All photos and videos provided by Jack Galmiche, President & CEO of Nine Network *
​*Blog written by Travel Consultant Christine Hakenjos*

If you would like to go “on location with Victoria” yourself or experience the life of true royalty the way these guests did, contact Group Travel Director, Cathy Robinson at 314-439-5700;Ext. 114 or send her an email!