New and Improved English Highlights Luxury Tour

Across the Pond Vacations has revised their English Highlights Luxury Tour to include even more exciting and sumptuous delights! Contact Across the Pond Vacations to book early to ensure availability! 310-791-6101, or e-mail annemarie@atpvacations.com

English Highlights Luxury Tour

10 Days – from $5,995.00* per person (based on double occupancy, land only) Independent Travel Package (non-group)

Your Tour Price Includes:

• Luxury chauffeur driven airport transfer to your centrally located London hotel, including airport ‘meet and greet’
• 8 nights in ideally located 5 star hotels and exclusive manor houses**
• Full English breakfast, daily
• Five days luxury rental car (automatic shift, A/C and GPS included)
• Private luxury chauffeur driven day tour (8 hours) of London (Chauffeur is accredited Blue Badge Guide)
• Private luxury chauffeur drive day tour (10 hours) of 'The Garden of England' - England's South East (Chauffeur is accredited Blue Badge Guide)
• Superior seats to a top London theatrical production+
• Champagne flight on the London Eye with priority boarding
• Fortnum and Mason Champagne Afternoon Tea
• Dinner at Simpson's-in-the-Strand, London
• Dinner at Mallory Court, Stratford-upon-Avon
• Dinner at Cliveden House Luxury Hotel
• Shakespearean Homes Tour, including transportation and River Avon Cruise
• Behind the Scenes Royal Shakespeare Company Tour
• Superior seats to a production with the Royal Shakespeare Company
• Entrance to Windsor Castle

SUMMARY

Day 1 - Departure from U.S. to U.K.

Day 2 - Luxury chauffeur airport transfer, London Eye Flight, London hotel

Day 3 - Full English breakfast, full-day private luxury chauffeur/guided day tour of London (8 hours), fine dining at Simpson's-in-the-Strand, London hotel

Day 4 - Full English breakfast, Fortnum & Mason Champagne Afternoon Tea, Theatrical Production, London hotel

Day 5 - Full English breakfast, Garden of England full-day (10 hours) luxury chauffeur/guided day tour, London hotel

Day 6 - Full English breakfast, luxury rental car (for 5 days), Bath hotel

Day 7 - Full English breakfast, Shakespearean Homes Tour with transportation, entrance fees and River Avon cruise, Royal Shakespeare Co. tour, fine-dining at Mallory Court, Royal Shakespeare Co. theatrical production, Stratford-upon-Avon spa hotel

Day 8 - Full English breakfast, dinner at Cliveden House Luxury Hotel, Berkshire hotel

Day 9 - Full English breakfast, entrance to Windsor Castle, Berkshire hotel

Day 10 - Full English breakfast, depart or continue on (please inquire for additional tour days)

Ideal for the first-time visitor or the returning Anglophile, the English Highlights Luxury Tour incorporates some of the very best that Southern England has to offer - and you will do so in luxury and opulence. Castles, gardens, manor houses, the theatre - this tour has it all and is one of our most popular tours!

Day 1 – Departure – Depart on your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 – Welcome to London - Upon arrival in London, you will be greeted by your personal chauffeur who will drive you via luxury sedan to your centrally located 5-star hotel in London. We have booked a Champagne Flight for you on the London Eye (with priority boarding) - the perfect way to take in the stunning view of this majestic city. (London Hotel: 5-star Hyatt Regency Churchill or equivalent.)

Day 3 – Touring London – (Full English breakfast at hotel.) We could think of no better way for you to see the city than to organize a day-long private chauffeur guided tour. You will travel via Mercedes luxury sedan to some of London's top sights, driven by an expert chauffeur guide. You can discuss with your Blue Badge driver/guide where you'd like to go and what sights you'd like to see such as Buckingham Palace, St. James Palace and Park, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul's Cathedral and more! Have lunch in an ancient pub, or perhaps at the Food Halls in Harrods. Your options are limitless. This evening, enjoy one of London's most famous restaurants for fine British dining, Simpson's-in-the-Strand. Master Cook Gerry Rae uses only the finest seasonal ingredients in a Bill of Fare that offers a wide range of classical dishes, including the best Roast Beef and Lamb in the country, and game in season. Roasts are carved at guests’ tables, from antique silver-domed trolleys, by Simpson's Master Carvers in a perfect example of restaurant theatre. What a day! (You'll sleep well tonight!) (London Hotel: 5-star Hyatt Regency Churchill or equivalent.)

Day 4 – Tea for Two - (Full English breakfast at hotel.) Today is the ideal day to take in some shopping! Gentlemen, Saville Row awaits. Ladies, perhaps a trip to Harvey Nichols or Harrods is the ideal way to spend the morning. Or, take in one of London's many fantastic museums, such as the British Museum, the Tate Modern, or the National Portrait Gallery. This afternoon, we have arranged for you to have a very exclusive tea experience - the Champagne Afternoon Tea at the famous Fortnum & Mason's more formal dining room, the St. James Restaurant where you will enjoy a glass of champagne, delicacies to enthrall the palate, finger sandwiches, a selection of teas, scones with clotted cream and preserves, and pastries (included). This evening, we have included tickets to one of London's West End's top theatrical productions+ - we shall secure the best seats in the house... just for you! (London Hotel: 5-star Hyatt Regency Churchill or equivalent.)

Day 5 – The Garden of England - (Full English breakfast at hotel.) This morning, your private luxury sedan and Blue Badge chauffeur/guide await to take you to the area of England known as 'The Garden of England', the county of Kent. Kent is known for it's pretty villages, gardens and castles. The day (8 - 10 hours) will be filled with wonderful sightseeing, where you will be able to see a selection of sights (3 - 4) such as Chartwell, Hever Castle, Leeds Castle, Penshurst Place and Gardens, Scotney Castle and Gardens, and still have time for a leisurely lunch at one of the local country pubs. Your chauffeur will return you to your London hotel at the end of the day. (London Hotel: 5-star Hyatt Regency Churchill or equivalent.)

Day 6 – Off to Bath - (Breakfast at hotel.) This morning after checking out of your hotel, you will collect your luxury (Mercedes or similar) rental car and drive west. On the way, we invite you to drive via Stonehenge, one of Britain’s oldest and most enigmatic structures. (For Stone Circle Access where you can walk amongst and touch the stones, advise us ahead of time and we can secure a reservation for you to do so (approximately 7am to 8am, not on Tues or Wed).) Whilst in the area, we recommend a look around the county of Wiltshire including a visit to Salisbury Cathedral where, in the Chapter House you can see the best-preserved of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. Continue driving (north)west towards the Georgian city of Bath. This afternoon, you'll visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room - a world famous sight not to be missed! Tonight you will stay in the Royal Crescent (one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK) in the Royal Crescent hotel. May we recommend enjoying the Thermae Bath Spa for a special pampering treatment? (Bath Hotel: Royal Crescent Bath or equivalent.)

Day 7 –Shakespeare Country - (Breakfast at hotel.) This morning, you check out of your Bath hotel and drive north towards Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. Included is a tour of the five Shakespearean Homes (with hop-on/hop-off bus transportation). Also included is a cruise down the River Avon. Then, it's a backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Tonight, you will be treated to world-class dinner and theatre! First, it's dinner at the Michelin award winning Mallory Court where you will enjoy a delicious three-course dinner. Then, a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company+. A day and evening to be remembered forever. (Stratford-upon-Avon Hotel: Menzies Welcombe Hotel Spa and Golf Course.)

Day 8 – Beautiful Berkshire - (Breakfast at hotel.) You carry on this morning to the Royal County of Berkshire, one of the oldest counties in England and your home-away-from-home for the next 2 nights. Berkshire borders Oxfordshire (among other counties) and we recommend seeing the beautiful town and it's famous university. (Perhaps you care to go punting on the Thames!) The day and evening are yours to explore. You will be staying at Cliveden, a beautiful three-story house in the classic Italian style dating back to 1851 (and one-time home to the Astor family). We have arranged for you to enjoy a fine dining experience at Cliveden tonight. At Cliveden's fine-dining restaurant, The Terrace Room, which offers not only the finest cuisine, but awe-inspiring views of the gardens and Cliveden Estate. Rest, relax, and enjoy. (Berkshire Hotel: Cliveden House or equivalent.)

Day 9 – Glorious Windsor - (Breakfast at hotel.) You awaken in a mansion. How glorious! Today, you will see the largest inhabited castle in the world, Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is one of the principal official residences of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II and she spends many weekends of the year at the castle, using it for both state and private entertaining. (The history at Windsor is rich and ancient - beware of potential royal spirits who may never have "left".) Explore the charming town of Windsor and return to your mansion hotel this evening on the final night of your tour. (Berkshire Hotel: Cliveden House or equivalent.)

Day 10 – Farewell, Fair England - (Breakfast at hotel.) You conveniently return your rental car at the airport and say farewell to this beautiful and green land (or contact us to extend your stay). We wish you joyous travels and a hasty return.

* Prices from $5,995/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.
+ Tickets subject to availability. Performances subject to change.

 

 

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