English Highlights – the Heart of It All
10 Days – from $2,695.00* per person (based on double occupancy, land only) Independent Tour
Your Tour Price Includes:
- Airport transfer via authentic London taxicab from airport to your hotel, including airport ‘meet and greet’
- 8 nights in centrally located 4 star hotels**
- Full English breakfast, daily
- BritRail Pass***
- Entrance fees/tickets to:
- London Eye Flight
- Tower of London
- Jack the Ripper or London Ghost Walk Tour
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Kensington Palace
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- Madame Tussaud's
- Roman Baths & Pump Room
- Shakespearean Houses Tour, including transportation
- Windsor Castle
- Roundtrip Stonehenge Tour (including entrance fees to Stonehenge) from Bath
- Top London Theatrical Production+
- River Thames Dinner Cruise (Dinner and Dancing)
- Changing the Guard++
- Airport transfer to London airport upon departure
SUMMARY
Day 1 - Departure from U.S. to U.K.
Day 2 - Airport transfer, London Eye Flight, London hotel
Day 3 - Full English breakfast, Changing of the Guards, Shakespeare Globe Theatre, Tower of London, Jack the Ripper Walking Tour, London hotel
Day 4 - Full English breakfast, St. Paul's Cathedral, Kensington Palace, Theatrical Production, London hotel
Day 5 - Full English breakfast, Madame Tussaud's, Dinner and Dancing River Cruise, London hotel
Day 6 - Full English breakfast, train to Bath, Escorted Stonehenge Tour, Bath hotel
Day 7 - Full English breakfast, Roman Baths & Pump Room, train to Stratford-upon-Avon, Stratford-upon-Avon hotel
Day 8 - Full English breakfast, Shakespearean Houses Tour (including transportation), Stratford-upon-Avon hotel
Day 9 - Full English breakfast, train to Windsor, Windsor Castle, Windsor Hotel
Day 10 - Full English breakfast, Airport transfer from Windsor, depart or continue on (please inquire for additional tour days)
This tour incorporates some of the best that Southern England and the Heart of England have to offer. Not only will you see some of London’s most famous highlights, but you will also experience some of the best that Britain has to offer, including Stonehenge, Bath and the home of The Bard himself, Stratford-upon-Avon. This tour is ideal for the first time visitor, or the returning anglophile wishing to revisit some of the timeless features in this ‘green and pleasant land’.
Day 1 – Departure – Depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 – Extraordinary London - Upon arrival at London’s Heathrow or Gatwick airport, you are greeted by your driver who will take you via authentic London taxicab to your four-star hotel. The day is yours to do as you please, whether you choose to get caught up on your sleep from a flight across the pond, or the excitement of the city overcomes you, and you decide to go exploring on your own. Tonight, you will see this beautiful and magnificent city in all its glory from a bird’s eye view on the London Eye. Located on the banks of the River Thames, this 135 meter-high observation wheel lays the grand city’s unrivaled views before you. Then, it’s back to your hotel for a good night’s rest. (London Hotel: Millennium Gloucester hotel or equivalent.)
Day 3 – Majestic London – You’ll start your day off with a Full English breakfast. Then, head to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard+++. The regular hand-over of guards in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace draws thousands of visitors to watch the soldiers and listen to the music. Soldiers are drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards. Then, how about a bit of Shakespeare? Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Exhibition explores the life of Shakespeare, the London where he lived, and the theatre for which he wrote. A fascinating guided tour then takes you into the unique space. Afterwards, you’ll make your way to one of the oldest edifices in all of England, The Tower of London! This historic palace has been an integral part of British history for nearly 1,000 years. Drenched in history, it is only at the Tower of London that you can marvel at the breathtaking Crown Jewels, stand on the execution site of three English queens, and listen to Beefeaters share with you the myths and legends that make a visit to the Tower an excursion ‘to die for’. Now that we’ve got you in the mood to wonder at some of London’s more grizzly tales, we’re sending you out tonight to walk the streets of where some of London’s mysteries still capture our attention. You’ll experience either the ‘Jack the Ripper’ walk, or the ‘London Ghost Walk’, presented by Richard Jones’ London Walking Tours. Hold on to someone close… just in case things do go ‘bump’ in the night! (Overnight in London.)
Day 4 – Notable London - Today, bathe yourself in English history. This morning, take a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral. This Cathedral, dedicated to St. Paul, has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, a constant reminder to this great commercial centre of the importance of the spiritual side of life. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Next, you’ll visit Kensington Palace, one time home of Princess Diana. A Royal residence since 1689, today’s visitors can explore the magnificent State Apartments and the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. This evening, you are treated to a top theatrical production in London's famous West End**. (Overnight in London - full English breakfast included.)
Day 5 – Modern London - Your final (full) day in London, today you visit the world-famous Madame Tussaud's More than just a wax museum, Madame Tussaud's is an ever-changing attraction with several figure launches every year. Boosting numerous interactive experiences such their time limited Warhol's Women exhibition and the Big Brother Diary Room there is always something new to experience for everyone. This afternoon, may we suggest a cream tea – the quintessential English experience? Let us recommend some of the more exquisite locales for this time-honored tradition of relaxing and experiencing the good life. This evening, you’ll have the opportunity to dress up and soak in London from a new point of view… the River Thames. You’ll enjoy dinner and dancing as you sail down the river on this dinner cruise offering a four course meal and live music - a perfect finale to your stay in London. (Overnight in London - full English breakfast included.)
Day 6 – Southern History - Time to travel on. You’ll journey via British Rail to the beautiful Roman city of Bath. After checking in to your four-star hotel, you’ll join a small group for a tour to Salisbury Plain to see one of Britain’s oldest and most enigmatic structures – Stonehenge. Standing as a timeless monument to those who built it, Stonehenge attracts people from all over the world who wonder at its mystery. The evening is yours to explore the ancient city of Bath. Enjoy a luxurious and romantic dinner, or just spend some time with the locals in a neighborhood pub. (Overnight in Bath – hotel Harrington’s Hotel or equivalent. Full English breakfast included.)
Day 7 –Bath and Bard - Today, you visit “the best preserved Roman religious spa in the world”, the Roman Baths. In Roman times, these sources of hot water were something for which there was no natural explanation, so they were considered to be the work of the Gods. This sacred aspect added to their perceived curative powers and Bath was one of several sites in the Roman Empire where natural hot springs became a focus for pilgrimage and curative bathing. Regarded as the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries, the Pump Room is a striking neo-classical salon and is the place where hot Spa water is drawn for drinking. Traveling on, you’ll take the train to the home of William Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon. Check in to your 4-star hotel, then, the evening is yours to visit one of Stratford's many quaint pubs, or even take an early evening sail on the Avon River, should the mood suit you. (Overnight in Stratford – hotel MacDonalds Swan’s Nest or equivalent. Full English breakfast included.)
Day 8 – Shakespeare Country - One of England’s gems, Stratford-upon-Avon, with its river setting and Elizabethan buildings is home to many treasures, including theatres, castles and family attractions. Today, you’ll visit the five famous Shakespearean homes: Mary Arden’s House, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and Nash’s House & New Place. You’ll easily get around to these homes as you have a ticket for the ‘hop-on/hop-off’ bus, so you can spend as much or as little time as you like at each locale. If you haven’t had a chance yet for a peaceful sail along the Avon, and a pint at a friendly local watering hole, we suggest you give that a try tonight. Alternatively, see what the Royal Shakespeare Company is performing at one of the Stratford Theatres+++. (Overnight in Stratford - full English breakfast included.)
Day 9 – Charming Windsor - You take your final train trip today… to Windsor. The ancient town of Windsor, located just west of London, is the ‘home away from home’ for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Check into your four-star hotel and you are within walking distance of Windsor town centre. Then, you’ll visit Windsor Castle, an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. Your final evening in England is yours to spend just as you like, whether it's taking a stroll through town centre, getting in some last minute shopping, or an elegant dinner out. (Overnight in Windsor – hotel Mercure Castle Hotel or equivalent. Full English breakfast included.)
Day 10 – Farewell, Fair England - Your authentic London taxicab await you at your hotel to take you back to the airport. We hope you’ve come to love the land we hold so dear in our hearts.
* Prices from $2,695/pp based on double occupancy. Single, triple and quadruple occupants will change rate. Final price will be based upon exchange rate at time of booking, and time of year traveling.
** Hotels listed in tour description indicate first choice. Equivalent hotels of same star quality and location supplied if first choice unavailable.
*** BritRail is for 4-day Consecutive Pass, England only, standard class. First class available, but price will increase.
+ Tickets subject to availability. Performances subject to change.
++ Changing the Guard does not take place daily – ask us for dates and details. Note, also, that the ceremony does not take place in extremely wet weather.
+++ We will happily purchase theatre tickets for you, if you choose to see a production. The cost will be added to your overall tour price.
All individual tours can be made into group tours for already assembled groups
For further information on this tour, contact Across the Pond Tours at 310-791-6101 or email info@atpvacations.com
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