If you’re on my Early Bird list or on Cathy Hay’s eList, then you’ve already gotten the news and may have already booked a slot (whee!), but if you’re just tuning in, I’ve got a brand spanking new tour lined up for September 2019, and I am super excited about it!
Since 2009, I’ve been taking groups to England to study historical fashion, visit stately homes, enjoy afternoon tea, and attend the opening weekend of the fabulous Jane Austen Festival in Bath. For 2019, I decided it was about time to dip into Continental Europe and go to some of my favorite places in Austria, then add on Paris and Versailles as the cream on top! Cathy Hay of Foundations Revealed has been a featured guest speaker on many of my tours, and next year she steps into her role of co-host, bringing along her knowledge of Paris and its delights. Together we are going to lead you through the beauties of Salzburg, Bad Ischl, Vienna, Paris, and Versailles!
The 2019 tour will focus on the fabulous 19th-century fashions of Empress Elisabeth as we explore her private hunting lodge in Bad Ischl and the jaw-dropping Schönbrunn Palace, both of which contain many of her original garments, portraits, plus reproductions of her most famous gowns (including one made by Worth). In Paris, our focus will include both 18th-century fashion and the iconic silhouette that Dior launched in 1947 with his “New Look.” We will enjoy a costumed outing to the beautiful Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau, which was the direct inspiration for Versailles. Two very special guests will teach historical costuming workshops, giving particular attention to the tailoring and techniques so beloved in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Our group will enjoy walking tours in each city we visit, and you will have ample free time to explore on your own as well.
And what about Bath? We definitely do not want to leave out our favorite event, so there is an optional Bath extension for the opening weekend of the Jane Austen Festival, complete with a two-night stay in our favorite hotel in the heart of historic Bath, a ticket to the opening event at St. Swithin’s Church, a ticket for the Grand Regency Promenade through the city (on a brand-new route!), and a ticket for the ball and supper to be held in the Assembly Rooms Saturday evening!
As of November 19, we have only six slots remaining out of 15 available. If you would like to join us, please drop me a line by clicking Contact in the menu. If you have been waiting to visit Europe, now is the time to stop hesitating and come along! As Cathy Hay wrote, “You know that once in a lifetime costume trip across Europe that you’re always dreaming about? The one with the fashion museums, the dressing up, the afternoon teas in quirky places, the romantic gardens that make you feel as though you’re in a costume movie… Isn’t it time you made that glorious adventure happen?”
Join us! We would love to have you.
Historical Fashion Tours with Sense & Sensibility 