London Theater Weekend. Have the most memorable weekend in London! The package includes round air transportation for 2, 4 nights accommondations in the charming Radisson Edwardian-Leicester Square and top price theater tickets for up to 3 shows.

The Complete London Experience - Beyond the Ordinary. A week stay at a conveniently situated flat, west of Sloan Square. Use 4 best-in-house tickets for a top football (soccer) game in the Barclaycard English Premier League. Soak up UK history with 2 seven day "Great British Heritage" passes, offering entry to 600 historic houses, castles and gardens throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Experience Northern Ireland. A week stay for up to14 at Belle Isle Castle, one of Northern Ireland's most spectacular vacation destinations. You'll stay in the castle, which dates to early 17th century, on a magnificent country estate. Lord John Alderdice, speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and member of the House of Lords in London, will host tea for 4.

Escape to Edinburgh. Spend 3 nights, with full traditional breakfast for 2, at the exclusive Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh - one of the world's most fascinated cities. Also enjoy a private tour of the National Portrait Gallery.

Highland Adventures in Scotland. Mellow out in the Scottish Highlands! 2 people can spend 3 nights in deluxe accommondations at the renowned 4-star Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside, the Scottish country town at the epicenter of Scotch Whisky world. This includes passes for 2 rounds of golf at Ballandalloch Golf Course.

A Week in the English Countryside. Enjoy a week's stay for 2 away from it all in the English countryside. You'll be lodged just 1.5 hours from London at Manor Farm, Elkington, Northampton, at a holiday cottage or farmhouse.

Fishing Expedition to a Fabled Canadian Walleye Lake. Put luck on your side with this fabulous 3-day fishing expedition for 2 to one of the great walleye destinations, Gunisao Lake. Package includes air travel between Winnipeg and the Lodge, deluxe accommondations with gourmet meals at the Lodge.

Relax in Luxury and Beauty - Costa Rican Style. Travel to beautiful Costa Rica for 4 days of relaxation and beauty. Enjoy a small luxury hotel with breath-taking ocean views. Suite accommondations for 2, tropical breakfast and horseback tour included.

At Home by the Taj Mahal. Schedule some time now for a special visit to Agra, the fabulous Indian city that is home to the Taj Mahal. 2 night stay for two on a private home, filled with a collection of Indian antiques, all on display.

Visit Santa Fe. Enjoy 2 airline tickets, valid for travel anywhere in the continental U.S. We suggest using them to travel to Santa Fe, where you'll stay minutes away in an exclusive Antoine Predock-designed 2 bedroom home in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for 3 days.

Dine with the British Consul General. Let Consul General Robert Culshaw of British Consulate in Chicago be your host for a private dinner for 6 at the Minneapolis Club.

Year of the United Kingdom Public Forums
Public forums for the Year of United Kingdom explore England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland today and in the post-war period, with an emphasis on economics, politics, U.S.-U.K. relations, and British society, traditions and the arts. MIC program speakers are always of the highest caliber and are drawn from a variety of professions and political points of views. For past focus years we have typically been honored to host the country's current ambassador to the United States, senior government ministers, leaders from the non-governmental sector as well as prominent journalists and authors. Click here to view the latest in MIC's public forums.

Something for the Classroom - UK in a Suitcase
Somewhere between a travel trunk and a culture kit, the latest addition to MIC's library of international resources is the UK in a Suitcase. MIC packs the valise full of age-appropriate resources before each school visit. When UK in a Suitcase arrives in the classroom, it is sure to pique students' curiosity about England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. To make the experience even more personal, a MIC International Speaker from the United Kingdom will accompany the suitcase to introduce this region of the world to the class.

This introduction to the United Kingdom does not end after the speaker leaves because the suitcase will stay in the class for two weeks giving the students a chance to explore all the resources inside! When the MIC volunteer arrives to collect the suitcase, the students are left with a deeper understanding of the United Kingdom, and also their very own copy of Big Ideas a three and a half inch square booklet published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

For ideas on how to use UK in a Suitcase in your class or for more information, call Isabelle Hoag at 612-625-4421 or email ihoag@globe.mic.umn.edu.

Annual Symposium
On June 6, 2002 MIC's focus year culminates with the first of two annual events. This all-day symposium features high-level experts from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and focuses on business and trade relations between the United Kingdom, the United States and Minnesota. We are expecting more than 200 corporate leaders to attend. Keep your eye on our Upcoming Events for the latest information on the Year of the UK Symposium!

Annual Gala Benefit
The Minnesota International Center's 2002 annual gala benefit will take place on Friday, June 7 from 6-9 p.m. on the grounds of a private and historic Lake Minnetonka home. The benefit will celebrate the culture, arts and cuisine of the United Kingdom - and the connections that exist between the people of the United Kingdom and Minnesota.

"Benefit guests will enjoy themselves in a spectacular outdoor setting reminiscent of a gala event at an English country manor home; with great food, lovely gardens at a setting par excellence all around and an amazing array of silent auction items upon which to bid," according to MIC Benefit Co-Chairs Patricia Jaffray and Suzanne Joyce. "MIC's silent auction always has something special on offer for every budget and interest, from one-of-a-kind international vacation packages to great values on local dining and entertainment opportunities." Honorary Chairs for the event are Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Glen Nelson.

MIC is planning for at least 400 benefit guests. The benefit is MIC's largest single fundraising activity, raising about 20 percent of the organization's annual budget and helping to support MIC educational and public affairs programs in the state. Tickets for the benefit are available at $100 per person.

E-mail Nancy Kolb at to reserve your tickets to the benefit today!


Other Great Organizations Supporting MIC's Year of the UK:

British Tourist Authority
www.visitbritain.com

British Booking Center
www.britishbookingcenter.com

Daughters of the British Empire
www.bcabinfo.com

Financial Times
www.ft.com

The Economist
www.economist.com

Britain USA
www.britainusa.com

British Embassy
www.britainusa.com/consular/embassy/embassy.asp

British Consulate Chicago
www.britainusa.com/chicago/

US Embassy, London
www.usembassy.org.uk



MIC's Recent Year of the United Kingdom Programs:

The British Perspective: Challenges for UK - US Relations, featuring Robert Culshaw, British Consul General, Chicago.

British-American Relations; Consul General Robert Culshaw addressed MIC corporate members regarding UK-US business issues.

Tea with Scrooge, featuring Gerald Charles Dickens, British actor and great-great grandson of the famed novelist Charles Dickens.

A British Perspective on Terrorism, featuring Sir Eldon Griffiths, National Chairman, World Affairs Councils of America.

The Introduction of the Euro; Sir Eldon Griffiths shared his insights on the introduction of the euro into the world market at a business briefing for MIC corporate members.

The State of the US - UK Investment Relationship, a business briefing featuring Tom Harris, British Consul General in New York and Director-General of British Trade and Investment, U.S.A.

London: An Insider's View, MIC and guests traveled along with John Dimmock, president of the British Booking Center in St. Paul, to explore the unforgettable treasures of London.