London and Plymouth - Thanksgiving Weekend in the UK

Plymouth’s waterfront and Hoe Park are popular areas for both locals and visitors and feature several attractions to explore after you arrive in this famous waterfront city. Whether you visit the Royal Citadel, the National Marine Aquarium or the Mayflower Museum, you will enjoy your day at the seaside before tonight’s Thankgiving Dinner. On the way to London on Friday, you will stop at Stonehenge, before arriving in the capital city in the late afternoon. After a Saturday morning tour of London, you can choose to visit Windsor Castle in the afternoon, or stay in the vibrant metro area enjoying it’s attractions and vibrant nightlife. Maybe you will even enjoy a night at the theatre!  On the return ride you will experience a mid-day crossing of the English channel, completing your Thanksgiving in the United Kingdom with a view of the white cliffs of Dover.

Thanksgiving only happens once a year and this historic anniversary will never happen again.  Whether you board the bus at Pulaski or Smith Barracks, don’t miss your chance to visit Plymouth and London with Army Outdoor Recreation! Register today!

Price, on or prior to Friday, September 26

• Double Occupancy: $1099 per person
• Single Occupancy: $1329

Price, on or after Saturday, September 27

• Double Occupancy: $1199 per person
• Single Occupancy: $1429
   
• Registrations on or after Friday, October 24 are subject to hotel room availability.  Price supplements may apply. 
   
• One child aged 3-11 in triple room with 2 paid adults: $979
• Infants under 3 on existing bedding in double or single room: $329
• Rates for additional children upon request based on personalized requirements
• Infant price does not apply in triple rooms.

Trip Includes:

• Round trip transportation starting from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks
• Free on-post parking
  Round trip ferry transfer to United Kingdom
  1 overnight at Crowne Plaza Plymouth**** or equivalent with breakfast
  2 overnights at Copthorne Tara Hotel Kensington**** or equivalent with daily breakfast
  3 course Thanksgiving Dinner
  Admission to Stonehenge
  Guided tour of London

Optional Excursion, paid on site to tour manager: Windsor Castle: £65

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes and clothing
• Credit/Debit card or British Pounds
• Power banks (ODR cannot guarantee charging capacity on 3rd party contracted busses)
• Military ID and Passport with valid tourist visa or UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Passports:

• Valid passports are required for all passengers, regardless of age.
• All passengers, regardless of age, will need either a valid tourist visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) associated with their tourist passport.  
• Visit https://www.gov.uk/get-eta to determine and apply for the authorization you need.
• All travel documentation and application fees are the responsibility of the individual traveler.
• No refunds are available for missing/forgotten passports, lack of a proper visa or ETA before trip departure, or denial of entry by customs for any other reason.

Departure: 

• 6 p.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, bldg. 2905
• 7:30 p.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks

Return: Sunday Evening

Estimated Itinerary

Wednesday: Depart to Plymouth

Army Outdoor Recreation makes it easy for you to visit Plymouth, the starting point of the Mayflower’s voyage to the new world.  Our private charter bus will pick you up at your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks, where both locations have plenty of free, on-post parking.  You wont have to meet a bus at a dark, out of the way, park-and-ride in the middle of the night or make multiple stops to pick up more passengers or consolidate busses along the way. After settling into your seat, just lean back and relax while your comfortable coach takes you directly to the ferry crossing. Don’t forget the essentials for your overnight ride. Blankets, pillows, power banks, and drinks will all help make your overnight journey relaxed and restful.

Thanksgiving Day: Plymouth and Thanksgiving Dinner

You will have the chance to get off the bus, stretch your legs and have breakfast as you sail across the Strait of Dover. Once you arrive in the United Kingdom, you will continue through southern England, arriving in Plymouth this afternoon.  Your hotel is just a short distance from Hoe Park and Plymouth’s waterfront which are home to the  Mayflower Museum, the National Marine Museum, the Royal Citadel, the Elizabethan Gardens and the Plymouth Gin Distillery.  Don’t spend too much time sightseeing though, you wont want to miss your three course Thanksgiving Dinner at your four star hotel.

Friday: Stonehenge and London

In-between Plymouth and London, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the worlds oldest and most mysterious monuments, Stonehenge. Steeped in myth and legend, this pre-historic monument is believed to be over 4000 years old and is featured in the ancient British folklore and the Arthurian legends.  Once you are checked into your hotel in London, you will be free to enjoy London’s nightlife, an evening at the theatre and sightseeing.

Saturday: Free time or Windsor Castle

A city tour of London this morning will introduce you to London’s most famous landmarks and locations. In the afternoon, you can continue to Windsor Castle, originally built by William the Conquerer and the preferred weekend residence of Queen Elizabeth herself.  Whether you choose to remain in London for the afternoon, or visit the royal residence, you will enjoy your day in the capital city of the United Kingdom. 

Sunday: Return to Germany

After breakfast you will board your bus for return to Germany.  After viewing the White Cliffs of Dover from the deck while crossing of the English Channel this afternoon, you will return to Germany this evening.