Centre Court at Wimbledon: Inside the World’s Most Historic Tennis Tournament

England

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See the best players compete at historic Wimbledon, where you’ll discuss the day’s match with legendary athletes, esteemed commentators, historians and a former tennis umpire.

Rating (4.67)

Active

Program No. 21150RJ

Length

9 days

Starts at

6,399

Flights start at

1,150

9 days

8 nights

12 meals

7B 2L 3D

In Flight

London, England

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

At a Glance

Strawberries and cream. Borg and McEnroe. Venus and Serena. Federer and Nadal. In all of sports there is nothing like the tradition, history and athletic perfection of the Wimbledon Championships. Join us for two days of the tournament with coveted seats at the All England Club’s Centre Court. Outside of the tournament, we have an exciting schedule planned, offering a complete immersion into the wonderful experience of tennis in its birthplace.

Activity Level

Active

Best of all, you'll ...

See the best players in the world compete for two days at Center Court.
Discuss the history of Wimbledon with Richard Evans, broadcaster, journalist, author and esteemed tennis historian.
Hear insights from ESPN commentator Chris Bowers. Learn the history of Real Tennis from a professional at historic Hatfield House, and try the game for yourself.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Chris Bowers

Chris Bowers has been reporting on the international tennis scene since 1986, the year Boris Becker and Martina Navratilova won singles titles. He has commentated on Wimbledon for the BBC since 1994. Fluent in French and German, Chris is the author of several books, including “The Book of Tennis” and “Roger Federer: The Greatest,” which chronicles the career of the 16-time Grand Slam and seven-time Wimbledon champion.

Chris Bowers

Suggested Reading List

View 9 books

Richard Evans

by Mc Enroe: Taming the Talent

The Authorised Biography. Based on interviews with McEnroe, this book describes his middle-class New York Irish upbringing, his rise to stardom and the slump in his career. It goes on to examine his renowned on-court behaviour, his stormy relationship with the press, and marriage and fatherhood

Richard Evans

by Open Tennis: 25 Years of Seriously Defiant Success on and Off the Court

Richard Evans is among the select few who have followed and fully understood the inside story of open tennis since it exploded on an unsuspecting public 25 years ago. As professional tennis has defied every economic downturn, Evans has followed the action of each tournament closely, observing a continual growth in prize money, spectator interest and international television coverage. This book analyses the phenomenal impact that John McEnroe and other superstars have had on sporting conduct, charts their greatest matches, and reveals the very latest insider politics that helped create the new ATP tour. As well as examining the heady early days of open tennis and such greats as Laver, Newcombe and Rosewall, this book comes right up-to-date and tackles such topical issues as the bizarre behaviour of Monica Seles, the increase of bigger rackets wielded by bigger players and the shortcomings of power tennis.

Chris Bowers

by Novak Djokovic: The Sporting Statesman

In this study of both Djokovic and Serbia, Chris Bowers paints two powerful portraits. He traces the story of the boy from modest surroundings, telling of how he met the woman who not only taught him tennis but how to deal with life as a high-profile icon, charts his battle with illness and his relationship with a volatile father, and how his on-court deeds have made his country proud. But he also tells the story of Serbia, pulling no punches about its role in the 1990s wars but offering a sensitive interpretation of the hopes and aspirations of a people with a troubled past. Bowers, biographer of Swiss tennis star Roger Federer and the British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, weaves together these sporting and geo-political strands to present a sensitive portrait of a man and his people, and how determination married to sensitivity can create a sporting statesman

Chris Bowers

by Federer - The Biography

Chris Bowers is an official member of the International Tennis Writers Association, a commentator for BBC Radio, and a writer for the "Independent," the "Observer," and the "Times."

Richard Evans

by Ilie Nastase

Review: "This is a wonderful biography of one of the greatest talents and most controversial personalities of Open Tennis which I highly recommend to any tennis fan. The book, written by someone who knew well and understood Nastase goes a long way in exploring and analyzing the multifacets of Nastase’s complex character and personality."

Richard Evans

by The Wenger Code: Will it Survive the Age of the Oligarch?

Arsene Wenger; coach, manager and enigma at the heart of one of the greatest London football clubs. He is a walking conundrum of ideas, philosophy, sports psychology and an unwavering sense of self. He is the talisman of a Gunners side who have ridden the highs and the lows of the Premiership, but who in the modern game has employed a unique code of management. The Wenger Code explores the essence of Wenger's genius and what makes him standout as Arsenal Manager and leader unmoved by the gargantuan finance of 21st century football. In the no nonsense writing of life long fan, Richard Evans, the reader is given the painful truth, the inspiring truth and the future hopes for Arsenal Football Club as it builds upon the intense vision and belief of one man, one manager, and one code. With evidence vividly brought to life from the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, The Wenger Code is a must read for football fans; as much a book about football management itself as a book about the mighty Arsenal FC.

Richard Evans and John McEnroe

by The Davis Cup: Celebrating 100 Years of International Tennis

Throughout 1999, the International Tennis Federation is celebrating the centenary of the Davis Cup, the oldest team competition in tennis. In this text, Richard Evans tells the story of the Davis Cup, from its beginning as a match between the United States and Britain, to the late 1990s era

Chris Bowers

by Roger Federer: The Greatest

This acclaimed sports biography, researched and written by the experienced and multilingual tennis writer Chris Bowers, considers who Federer is as a person and what place he will occupy in tennis and sporting history. Roger Federer is a legend not only in the world of tennis but also in the wider sporting arena. With a record-breaking tally of 16 Grand Slam titles to his name, he shows no sign of slowing down and in 2010 added another Australian Open win to his collection, as well as taking the trophy in the end-of-season ATP World Wide Tour Finals in London. This authoritative and affectionate biography traces the rise of Federer, from his first tentative strokes with a tennis racket to how he dealt with being sent away to a training academy where he struggled to communicate in a French-speaking part of Switzerland; and how he handled the sudden death of his first real coach and mentor. It looks at his development as a sportsman and how he has matured into a family man with his marriage to Mirka Vavrinec and the birth of their twin girls. It also examines how Roger bounced back from arguably one of the most challenging periods of his career as, following a serious illness and a dip in form, his run of successive Wimbledon championship wins was ended and he was toppled from the number one spot by his long-time rival Rafael Nadal. In characteristic style, Federer silenced his critics by winning the French Open title for the first time, reclaiming his Wimbledon crown and ending 2009 at the number one position for the fifth time.

Chris Bowers

by The International Tennis Federation: A Century of Contribution

lively retelling of the history of tennis, using never-before-published photographs and rare memorabilia. For all fans of tennis, this lavish edition features all the highlights of the game as it developed from the early traditions of lawn tennis to the wildly popular spectator sport of today, including notorious matches; the advances in technology and physical standards for players; the politics of tennis as impacted by world events; and the legends of the game, who have influenced players at the grassroots level. Full-color action shots by the sport s top photographers are accompanied by an impressive collection of archival photographs and memorabilia. One of the few comprehensive and beautifully produced books on tennis, this volume will become an instant classic and an important addition to any collection of sports books.

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9 days

8 nights

12 meals

7 B 2 L 3 D

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

DAY

Overnight flight from US

In Flight

DAY

Arrival Day and Welcome

London, England

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Lunch: Lunch on arrival day is not included.

Afternoon: At leisure before a welcome meeting and programme overview in the hotel at 5:30 p.m.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Your group leader will lead an orientation of the area.

DAY

Real Tennis at Hatfield House

London, England

B,L

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Field trip to Hatfield House, to explore the childhood home of Elizabeth I. In the morning, we will explore the world of "Real or Royal Tennis." Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original indoor racquet sport from which the modern game of lawn tennis (usually simply called tennis), is descended. It is also known as court tennis in the United States, formerly royal tennis in England and Australia (now real tennis), and courte-paume in France (a reference to the older, racquetless game of jeu de paume, the ancestor of modern handball and racquet games; many French real tennis courts are at jeu de paume clubs). The term real was first used by journalists in the middle of the 20th century to distinguish the ancient game from modern lawn tennis (even though that sport is seldom contested on lawns these days outside the few social-club-managed estates such as Wimbledon). Real tennis players often call the game "tennis" while continuing to refer to its more widely played offshoot as "lawn tennis." Real tennis is still played by enthusiasts or realists.

Lunch: At Hatfield House.

Afternoon: The field trip continues. Discover the treasures of this historic royal home with an expertly guided visit.

Dinner: Excluded.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

Guest speaker Chris Bowers

London, England

B,L,D

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: In the hotel. Lectures by Richard Evans. Richard is a tennis commentator, broadcaster, journalist and author of books on the history of tennis, the lawn tennis association. Teas, coffees and pastries.

Lunch: Buffet lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon: Free afternoon.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: After dinner talk by Chris Bowers-The Professional Game. Chris will be commentating from Monday for ESPN and has just returned from the French Open at Roland Garros and the Women's tennis tournament at Eastbourne.

DAY

Lectures by Richard Evans

London, England

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: The View from the Chair by a Lawn Tennis Association professional tennis umpire at the National Tennis Centre, Roehampton (subject to availability).

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: Free afternoon to maybe watch the Opening Rounds on TV as Novak Djokovic defends his title.

Dinner: Excluded.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

Centre Court at The Wimbledon Championships

London, England

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotlel.

Morning: A full day at Centre Court, The Wimbledon Championships. Travel by underground to Southfields station (London travel card, underground map and useful information will be included in your welcome packet). Take a shuttle bus to The Wimbledon Experience, where you wil receive your reserved-seating tickets, Wimbledon souvenir map, official programme, complimentary tea, coffee and Danishes. You then have admission to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. For a sporting venue known for its strict adherence to tradition, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is impressively futuristic, with its 3D cinema explaining the science of the game and a holographic John McEnroe (yes, seriously) roaming the dressing room. Interviews with players are broadcast on TV screens and an interactive area allows visitors to handle racquets, test their reaction skills in simulation games and have their picture taken with the singles trophies. Tracing the history of lawn tennis, there is memorabilia dating as far back as 1555, while new additions to the collection include outfits worn in the 2011 Championships by winners Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova and an exhibition dedicated to Fred Perry. At the centre of the show are the famous Championship trophies, as held aloft by the game's greatest players. There is also a display dedicated to a proud Wimbledon tradition, the queue.

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: The tennis continues.

Dinner: Excluded.

Evening: Tennis continues perhaps under the roof.

DAY

Centre Court Wimbledon

London, England

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: The tennis continues at Wimbledon outer courts.

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: Tennis on Centre Court.

Dinner: Excluded.

Evening: Tennis continues.

DAY

At Leisure

London, England

B,D

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotlel.

Morning: Free day to enjoy London's many museums, galleries and parks.

Lunch: Excluded.

Afternoon: At leisure.

Dinner: Farewell dinner in the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

Program Concludes

London, England

Breakfast: Full English breakfast in the hotel.

Meals

12 Meals

7 Breakfasts

2 Lunches

3 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Low Fat, Vegetarian, Low Salt, Gluten Free

Lodging

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Jun 28, 2018 - Jul 06, 2018

Jun 28, 2018 - Jul 06, 2018

Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

7 nights

London

A modern hotel in fashionable Kensington, next to Gloucester Road underground station.

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4.67 Average

Lisbeth

Class of 2017

Ashland, OR

(5) 10 days ago

If you love Tennis and Wimbledon, this is definitely your program.

Suzanne

Class of 2016

New York, NY

(4) a year ago

An excellent experience for anyone wishing to attend two days at Wimbledon.

Carol

Jamesport, NY

(5) a year ago

Excellent Program! "Seemed" to be expensive with all the free time and meals on your own, but the seats at Centre Court were wonderful! I hope to enroll again.