ENGLAND

W e e k e n dG u e s t s o f t h e A s t o r s

CTilvEDEN
Taplow, Berkehireo England

s surprisingly comfortableas it is overwhelmingly grand, this National

Trust property is England's most majestic country-house hotel. Even
adjectiveslike "spectacular" and "magnificent" seem inadequate amid
the aristocratic proportions of the ltalianate dining rooms, and palpable air of exclusivity,
villa, much of whose present-day character but what you may enjoy most is the royal treat-
reflects three generations of Astors (preceded ment extended even to titleless guests.
by one Prince of Wales, among others), who Wu.m hotel, restaurant. WnEnn: l0 miles/
lived here until 1966. (In the 1960s Cliveden 16 km northwest of Windsor. Tel 4411628-
was also the setting of the infamous Profumo 668-561, fax 44/1628-661-837 ; reservations
scandal that led to the collapse of the @clivedenhouse.co.uk; www.clivedenhouse.co.
Conservative government in 1964.) A dinner uk. Cosr: doubles from $320. Prix fixe dinner
in the excellent restaurant Waldo's is reason at Waldo's $75. Wnnn: dinner onlS daily.
enough to drive from London, though as an
overnight guest you'll have the luxury of
working it off on the hotel's 376 acres of riding
paths or jogging trails. Overlooking the River
Thames, lS-foot-high windows afford views
of the hotel's antique boats, including Nancy
Astorossilent electric canoe. Piloted by uni-
formed boatmen, these are available for pre-
dinner Champagne cruises or picnics with
large hampers of food furnished by the hotel.
Take pleasure in the formal gardens, drawing- Cliued.onwas built in 1666 by the SecondDuke of
room fires, tailcoated footmen, chandeliered Btrckingham.

England's Most Visited Historic Site

WTNDSoRCnsrru
Windeor, Berkghire, England

tanding at the very heart of the British national identity, Windsor is the
oldest and largestcastlein Britain and, with 1,000 rooms,the largestoccu-
pied castle in the world. The presentqueen,ElizabethII, spentmuch of her