FEATURE/Planes, Trains & Custom-Made Bentleys; Virtuoso & Rolls Royce/Bentley Offer An Exclusive Pilgrimage To England's Hallowed Motorcar Factory In Crewe

    LONDON--Feb. 13, 2001--What could be finer than driving a Rolls Royce or Bentley, mobile temples of hand-stitched leather, hand-carved exotic woods and the most revered engines in the world?
    How about watching one of these remarkable motorcars as it is painstakingly crafted and assembled at the factory in Crewe, England? Virtuoso, an exclusive network of travel specialists in the Americas, is now offering a rare five-day pilgrimage to England for the ultimate immersion into the world of Rolls Royce and Bentley.
    For this very civilized adventure, you'll fly into London, where a host and a chauffeur-driven Bentley will meet you at the airport to take you to your deluxe accommodations at Claridge's, London's highly fashionable historic hotel. The following day, after enjoying a full English breakfast at Claridge's, an expert London guide will accompany you in your private Bentley for a full day touring the city's most exclusive venues. That evening, your chauffeur will drive you to the Ritz hotel for a three-course dinner, followed by an evening theatre performance of your choice.
    On your third day, your chauffeur will drive you to London's Euston train station, where you will embark upon the express train for Crewe, the home of the Bentley/Rolls Royce factory. After enjoying first-class seating and lunch aboard the train car during your two-hour journey, you'll be transferred by Bentley to your suite at the Rookery Hall Hotel, a 19th-century manor house ideally situated for your visit to the Crewe factory.
    The next day features a full day at the factory. There is nothing mass-produced about a Rolls Royce or Bentley. Each motorcar is built to individual commission, its appearance and specifications determined by the owner in every detail. Much like meeting with the architect of an extraordinary home, meeting the designers and craftsmen at the Crewe factory is truly an amazing experience. Here you will view vintage motorcars and the future of Rolls Royce/Bentley. You'll visit the woodshop to observe craftsmen shaping and finishing the exotic woods used in the cars' interiors, and spend time in the trim shop where the fine leather steering wheels and seats are meticulously stitched. You'll have the pleasure of driving a new Rolls Royce or Bentley, followed by a visit to the factory galleries where the characteristics of a motorcar may be personalized.
    On the final day, your chauffeur will drive you to the Manchester airport for your flight home, or you may wish to end your adventure with a few nights at one of Scotland's famous golf course hotels, with tee times arranged by Virtuoso.
    Priced at $7,600 per couple (excluding airfare), the five-day Rolls Royce/Bentley pilgrimage may only be reserved with a Virtuoso travel specialist. To contact a Virtuoso specialist for more information, please call 800/401-4274 or visit www.virtuoso.com.