About the PBS Friendship Tour
Bid on vacations in historic cities
To mark the seventh year of the PBS Friendship Tour, we are delighted to be working with seven of Britain’s most popular historic cities - Bath, Canterbury, Chester, Durham, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and York. You can bid for a special vacation package to two cities - as your favorite PBS stations are offering different city pairs, so be sure to check the where to bid page.
Britain’s Heritage Cities have in common an incredible historic legacy, so whichever two cities you visit, you will be guaranteed centuries of excitement.
A unique partnership
Established in 2002, this unique partnership between PBS television, VisitBritain - the tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales, American Airlines and BritRail, has raised more than $880,000 for public television stations.
Thank you to all those who have bid on packages and helped raise funds over the last six years. So far, more than 500 travelers from 36 states have shared the experience, visiting destinations including Birmingham, Brighton, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Scotland, Wales and York.
For 2008, we are heading to England...
Each of the vacation packages being offered by 35 PBS stations allows travelers to explore England on their own, and includes:
• Roundtrip coach air-fare to London for two people, from your closest American Airlines port, connecting with one of American Airlines gateway cities to the UK;
• A pair of First Class BritRail Four Day Flex Passes for rail travel in Britain;
• Six nights stay for two in England... you will stay for three nights in one of "Britain’s Heritage Cities" as specified in the auction package, followed by three nights in another city.
The PBS Friendship Tour is designed for travelers eager to explore Britain on their own terms. The package, for the seventh consecutive year, celebrates the spirit of friendship and cooperation between Great Britain and the United States. That friendship has been part of the fabric of this planet for over 200 years, and that friendship has more significance now than any moment in history.
Restrictions
All travel must be completed by April 30, 2009. High bidders will have one year to take their journey, from May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009. Please note that blackout dates are in effect: between June 1 – October 15 and December 15 – January 2. All federal, state and local taxes will be the responsibility of the traveler, as well as any applicable airport charge and international fees. Air travel and accommodations are based on availability. High bidders are encouraged to make their reservations with as much lead time as possible.