Itinerary and all visits are subject to change without notice. All highlighted activities in black bold letters listed may be an extra charge and are not confirmed at the date of this publication.
Departure from the Penn State Harrisburg campus for Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 11:30 a.m. Check-in at United Airlines no later than 2:45 p.m. Flight UA918 leaves for London Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 5:45 p.m.
Arrive at London Heathrow Airport at 5:55 a.m. Transfer to the Royal National Hotel and leave luggage in storage. Check in at 2:00 p.m. for a seven-night stay. Enjoy a three-course welcome dinner at the hotel. Following dinner, depart for the closing night performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musical Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre.
After breakfast, depart for Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter & The Cursed Child behind the scenes tour. Learn about the design process for sets, props, costumes, and special & visual effects for one of the most successful movie franchises, later-turned West End/Broadway Plays. Return to the hotel and travel to the Palace Theatre for a performance of the award-winning play Harry Potter & The Cursed Child. Dinner on your own.
Londom
Following breakfast, enjoy a full day of sightseeing with a guide. In the morning observe the centuries-old tradition of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and a London City Tour. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon continuing sightseeing to see London’s iconic landmarks including Big Ben, the Tower of Lond, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square. Dinner on your own at the multi-arts and cultural Barabican Centre. In the evening, enjoy The Royal Shakespeare Company’s critically acclaimed production of My Neighbour Totoro.
After breakfast, travel to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater where you will take a tour of the Globe Theatre to learn of its reconstruction and architecture. Experience one of William Shakespeare’s plays in the unique, open-air auditorium. Show TBD. Dinner on your own.
Following breakfast, travel to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a tour of one of London’s Oldest Theatres. The tour will be led by expert actors who will recount the entertaining history of the 400+ year old space. Afterwards, students will partake in afternoon tea in the Grand Saloon and attend a performance of a contemporary musical (TBD). Return to the hotel and dinner on your own.
After breakfast, board the coach for a full day guided excursion to Stratford upon Avon. Here you will explore Shakespeare’s birthplace as well as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan Theatre. Students will attend one of the Director Talks, a session where the RSC creative team discusses their artistic process and influences that shape their productions and see a performance from the renowned company. Dinner on your own.
Following breakfast, free time to explore London (morning and afternoon). The group will enjoy a three-course farewell dinner at the hotel and depart for Punchdrunk Theatre. The internationally esteemed, avant-garde company will present their new show, The Burnt City. An immersive theatre piece based on the myths of the Trojan War. If the Burnt City is not extended until March 2024, the group will attend the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet your assistant in the lobby. Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for your flight. Check in at United Airlines counter no later than 9:00 a.m. Flight UA919 departs LHR at 12:05 p.m. and arrives at Washington Dulles (IAD) at 3:45 p.m. Upon arrival, meet your driver and coach to return to the Penn State Harrisburg campus.
INART 5 – Theatre Performance in London
(3 credits) (satisfies GEN ED: GA)
Regarded by many as the theatre capital of the world, London is home to 40 venues in the main theatre district and over 250 total throughout the city. INART 005 will focus on London’s rich performance history and students will learn about the craft of acting, production design, and theater architecture by visiting multiple theatrical spaces in London during the 2024 Spring Break. This GA course is open to students of any major and is designed to give students broad exposure to multiple areas of the performing arts by attending productions at a variety of prominent London theatres including Drury Lane, His Majesty’s Palace, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Through a mix of guided backstage tours, panels with theatre professionals, and live performances, students will think critically about the process of theatre production and consider the cultural impact of the performing arts on London’s metropolis. Through the exploration of these iconic performance sites, students will learn about the longstanding presence of theatre performance in London’s cultural history and the preservation efforts enacted to protect these national landmarks. In the weeks leading up to the trip, students will learn about London’s vibrant theatre community and post-trip reflections will center on the personal benefits.
Course registration is separate from trip registration.
Upon receipt of your deposit, Celestial Voyagers will send you a receipt that you must present at the Penn State Harrisburg Registrar’s office to register for the course.
To register for course credit:
1) Meet with your academic adviser to discuss how this course will impact your educational progress. Have your adviser sign a drop/add form to add this class. Forms are available at registrar.psu.edu/registration/dropping_courses.cfm.
2) Contact the travel agency https://keyword.celestialvoyagers.com/ to make a deposit or pay the total cost of the trip and obtain a receipt.
3) Take your signed drop/add form and travel agency receipt to the Office of the Registrar in the Swatara Building to complete enrollment in the course.
Award funds are available to undergraduate honors students through the Penn State Harrisburg Honors programs. The University also has funds for students traveling internationally. Students who enroll in an embedded course will be automatically considered for a $1,000 grant ($500) for graduate students based on financial need and academic merit. A limited number of travel awards are available through the Penn State Harrisburg Office of International Programs. The application deadline is October 27, 2023. Please visit: harrisburg.psu.edu/international-programs/grants-and-awards.
Register for the trip online at: https://keyword.celestialvoyagers.com/register-tour/?cvins=142298&cvtou=157919
After registering, you must mail your deposit within 48 hours with a copy of your passport, if available (photos or scans of passports are acceptable). You can also e-mail a copy of your passport to Marriam @ marriam@keyword.celestialvoyagers.com
Indicate on your check the:
Mail your deposit to: Celestial Voyagers, Inc. 145 Merrits Rd. Farmingdale, NY 11375
Visas are not required for United States citizens traveling to the United Kingdom. All international students are responsible for determining if a visa is required and should immediately apply for the visa. Please check the website at gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-new-york for visa requirements. Trip fees cannot be refunded if a visa is denied. Also, alert the International Programs office if you are applying for a visa.
Royal National Hotel
38-51 Bedford Way London WC1H 0DG
+44 20 7637 2488
https://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/hotels/royal-national-hotel?utm_source=mybusiness&utm_medium=organic
Tour price: $3,648 sharing in a double room
(includes airfare, accommodation, transfers, taxes and fuel surcharge)
Single room supplement: +$675
Deposit: $500
Final payment date: January 16, 2024
| Date | Airline | Origin | Destination | Departure time | Arrival time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 1, 2024 | United #918 | Washington Dulles | London Heathrow | 5:45 PM | 5:55 AM +1 |
| Saturday, March 9, 2024 | United #919 | London Heathrow | Washington Dulles | 12:05 PM | 3:45 PM |
Celestial Voyagers’ terms are based on contracts with airlines, hotels and other suppliers. The terms and stipulations mentioned below are bound by these contracts and will be strictly enforced. A passport valid until September 9, 2024 is required.
Deposit: $500
$150 of this is a non-refundable processing fee to Celestial Voyagers. Your deposit will assure your reservation with the airline, the hotel and other suppliers. The deposit must be sent with a copy of your passport as soon as you register online.
Send your deposit as soon as possible, prior to December 8, 2023. After this date, space may not be available, and a supplement may apply.
Balance due no later than January 16, 2024.
All payments by check must be made to Celestial Voyagers.
In case of cancellation, penalties will apply. All cancellations must be received in writing.
Written cancellation received between December 6, 2023 – January 10, 2024, will incur a penalty of $350 plus a processing fee of $150 – a total of $500.
Written cancellation received after January 10, 2024, or no-shows incur a penalty of 100 percent of the total trip cost – $3,648.
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured.
Click on the link below for more details:
https://keyword.celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
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Passport
If you intend to travel internationally, apply for your passport immediately. Failure to provide passport information may delay airline ticketing for our group.
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before September 9, 2024, you must apply to renew your passport.
Visa
If you are not a US citizen please check with the consulate of the United Kingdom or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA.
Travel arrangements:
Celestial Voyagers, Inc.
145 Merritts Road
Farmingdale, NY 11375
E-mail: gineth@keyword.celestialvoyagers.com
Phone: 212-203-1021
Program information:
Stephanie Ponnett
Administrative Assistant, International Programs, Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike, C114R Olmsted Building, Middletown, PA 17057
Phone: 717-948-6062, E-mail: slp29@psu.edu
Dr. Maria Enriquez
Associate Teaching Professor of Theater
717-948-6331, mse19@psu.edu
Matthew Mitra
Adjunct Instructor
717-948-4382, mrm45@psu.edu
Gineth is in charge of the Operations Department, supervising ticketing and travel planning. With over twelve years of experience in the travel industry, Gineth has exceptional leadership experience, and her passion for travel has contributed to her successful career.