SATURDAY: Royal Ascot, learn about hats, horseys, and fine wine

Hello Tastourians!!

Like society events? Want a chance a wink at the Queen? Join award winning Tastour (www.meetup.com/tastour) travel via luxury transport, enjoy a posh picnic and make friends that may last a lifetime.

Royal Ascot has become a Tastour tradition. This is our 6th year!!!

Tickets are limited to 15 Tastourians. Please see the bottom of the invite for cost and booking link. This event sells out every year. We have several members that attend every year with us... it's that good.

Please note that the number of people signed up on this site, so not reflect the total number of tickets available. RSVPing on this site does not confirm your place - you need to buy a ticket on http://www.tastour.com E

What is Royal Ascot?

And why do 300,000 attend this festival each year?

It's

• The most popular and prestigious horse racing event of the year
• A piece of British Heritage. This is the ultimate British experience
• A chance to see the Queen and rub shoulders with her friends
• A great day out and a good excuse to get dressed up
• An experience you will never forget
• The people and hat watching
• THE social gathering of the year!

Why come with the group:

• You'll learn how to bet on the horseys & the history of hats

• We'll drink fine wine, included in the price

• You'll receive inside tips on how to get the most of the day

• Our carefully arranged meeting points means you can explore and rejoin the group as you wish

• Your host will queue for an hour to reserve your spot

• Meet others with good taste and enjoy good company

"The final day of the Royal Meeting always provides a dramatic climax, featuring one of the world’s most important sprint races: The Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

As the second British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, it is also Britain’s joint most valuable sprint race, alongside the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Although the fashions are as elaborate as they are during the rest of the Royal Meeting", there is a real party feel. via

www.ascot.co.uk (http://www.ascot.co.uk/royal-ascot-2014/gold-cup-day#raceday-head)

On the day: We will arrive in the inside track around 10:30am. We will enjoy a light morning tea (known as elevenses) with Champagne, cute little sandwiches and delicous treats.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/5/9/0/event_218413712.jpeg

I will be on hand to explain the betting, which races are worth watching, and where to find the best viewing areas. I will also give a presentation on the History of Hats, and we will be hat spotting throughout the day.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/e/d/b/event_15884763.jpeg

We'll see the Queen in her carriage. I know the best spot. See above for photo. We can decide on our dining options as a group, however, there are so many things to see, people to speak with and races to watch, in my experience, it is not worth I don't advise spending the time having afternoon tea.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/8/a/9/event_33659561.jpeg

At the end of the day, we will sing traditional English songs around the bandstand. They enjoy a posh picnic with table and chairs under our hot pink gazebo in the car park.

Note from the organiser

I realise that this is a large amount of money to commit, especially if you are new to the group. Please do phone me if you have any questions. 07919053064

Here are some of the questions you have asked in the past...

Do I have to bet, or gamble to go to Ascot?

No... Personally I go for the hats.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/4/d/2/event_218413522.jpeg

But we have had a few big winners

How much wine will be served?

Only fine wine will be served. We're fairly generous as we want to kickstart the day :) In previous years people have complained there was too much, or at least more than they were expecting.

Once inside, will I be able to find the group?

Yes, I've carefully plotted out meeting points (which improve each year) and it's easy to find us throughout the day. This means you can wonder off and rejoin us.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/8/9/2/event_218414482.jpeg

What's the after party like?

It's crazy. It's fun. Did I mention it's crazy? It's about 1,000 people all having a blast - high on the air of Ascot. Not to be missed.

Depending on when the first minibus fills up, we may, like last year, take a second minibus.

Photos of 2012 (https://www.meetup.com/Tastour/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=9412942)

Photos of 2011 (https://www.meetup.com/Tastour/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1996531)

Photos of 2010 (https://www.meetup.com/Tastour/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=960920)

2009 photos

About your ticket

The Grandstand Admission ticket at Royal Ascot provides similar access facilities around the racecourse as it does for those with Royal Enclosure tickets. (Silver Ring tickets are greatly restricted.)

The Grandstand Admission ticket provides excellent facilities and viewing areas at ground level and lawn level. Grandstand Admission customers can watch the Royal Procession and the racing action from the lawns in front of the Grandstand. The Pre-Parade Ring, Parade Ring and track are both within a short walking distance, by crossing the Concourse in the main Grandstand.

Other highlights of a Grandstand Admission ticket include:

• Over 1,000 free seats are available from which to view the racing.
• Big Screen TVs on the Plaza Lawn.
• Military Bands performing in the Parade Ring before the Royal Procession each day.
• Traditional sing-along around the Bandstand after racing on each day. Free song books provided.
• Food outlets selling a variety of value for money cuisine options.

*And the best part is, you get to mix with the Royal Enclosure. To obtain a ticket to the Royal Encloser you must be recommended by two people who have attended for more than four years.

Grandstand Admission Dress Code

Ladies with a Grandstand Admission ticket are required to dress in a manner appropriate to a smart occasion. (Garden Party or Wedding Wear) Many wear hats although this is not compulsory.

Gentlemen in the Grandstand Admission area must wear a shirt and tie, preferably with a suit or jacket. Sports attire, jeans and shorts are strictly forbidden.

Hats

Just a warning, if you don't wear a hat, you will wish you did! It is fun and all you really need is a simple feather from Accessorise.

We will be hosting a Pre-Ascot Hat hire party which will teach you the history of the British hat making industry and show you where to buy a £300 looking hat for £30!
Food on the day

Sandwiches, Salads and all the fixings will be available for purchase (next to the Champagne bar!) We will have a light lunch and several glasses of Nino Franco before going into the betting area.

Guest

This is an experience to share. Please invite your friends, the more the merrier!

How to book

CLICK HERE TO PAY FOR YOUR TICKETS (http://tastour.com/upcoming-events/?ee=133)

Attending on your own? Don’t be nervous. Most attendees will be on their own and our events are designed to make you feel like you're one of the regulars as soon as you arrive.

What's included:

• Grandstand Admission

• Tutorial on How To: Bet on the Horsey

• A guided Fine Wine Tasting

• Canapés / light lunch to start your day inside the race track

• Return transport

• Organised meeting points

• Booking & PayPal fee

Cost

Early booking discount:
£130

from 1st June, £175
after the 11th June, £180

Bon Vivant's save £15
Members discount: Please log in for your discount.
Membership Information: Membership is on special offer for £70 per year, you can join as a Bon Vivant and attend all monthly social drinks for free, receive exclusive invites and save up to 70% off each event. Apply to upgrade here (http://www.tastour.co.uk/membership)

For all Tastour award-winning events, pre-booking early on www.tastour.com (http://www.tastour.co.uk/) is advised due to high demand.

Notes

** We will take a luxury minibus to Ascot, enjoy a glass of Champagne on the coach and several goodluck glass in tthe inner racetrack. We will provide return tickets via train to Waterloo. This is best way to experience the picnic area and return party on the train. Allowing you to leave when you are ready. It really is the best of both worlds!

On the day

Meet fellow Tastourians at our coach pick-up location near Embankment on the south side, near the river.
Events Pre/Post Ascot

TBC Pre-Ascot Hat Party

Have you ever thought about the history of hats? We've put together a opportunity to learn about and try on hats which cost over £300, whilst having tea on the veranda!

Refunds

If we are able to resell your ticket, we will offer a refund, with a £20 admin fee, if requested via email before the 13th May. However after the 13th May, we welcome your friend to take your place on this unforgettable experience.

With regrets, if you miss the bus, I will not be able to meet you or offer refunds. I have tried this for the past 5 years, and it has affected the whole group.

Feedback from last year's Ascot Tastour
"It was the most British day I've had since moving here a year ago. I saw the queen and won a little cash and got totally swept up in the people watching. ” Lisa

"A mammoth feat of organisation by Kelly made for a great day out - thanks!" Amber
Note from the organiser

I realise that this is a large amount of money to commit, especially if you are new to the group.

As the upfront cost of this event are so high, I nearly didn't host this event in 2013, however, I've received several emails from past attendees and some from those who were unable to make it in previous years encouraging me to host this event again. It is worth every penny and should be on every experience seekers 'list to do before the die'. There's horse racing... and there's Royal Ascot. This event is truly special.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to phone me. Kelly 0791 905 3064 or email info@tastour.co.uk

Your questions answered:

It says no food on the website, where are you having your picnic?

Our picnic is held inside the race track car park (which is more expensive than the normal car park, and means we take two smaller coaches as larger coaches are not allowed) The atmosphere is wonderful and it's great to see the track from the inside, as when you're on the inside you wonder what's it like to be in the centre (or at least I did!). It's a unique experience. This is also where we do the wine tasting. The Ascot website is referring to the area where they sell their own food and drink (once you go past the ticket barriers and are effectively on the outside of the race track.) Whereas our picnic is literally on the inside of the track. I hope this makes sense!