London & Country

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Welcome to London! Meet your Tour Director upon arrival at your hotel. Free time this afternoon before a welcome dinner, followed by a [LF] private, narrated cruise on the Thames River. (D)LOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE Experience a leisurely cruise on the gentle Thames River. In the company of a Local Guide enjoy a unique look at London as you glide serenely on this chief river of southern England, which flows from the Cotswolds Hills to the North Sea.

Day 2 - LONDON The Royal Treatment LONDON Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes sights of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS England’s national treasure of St. Paul’s Cathedral is home to a spectacular array of art from delicate carvings to gilded dome murals and modern works of art. As the seat of the Bishop of London, the cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London, where notable remembrances have been served here, including Queen Victoria’s jubilee, birthdays of Queen Elizabeth II, and funerals of luminaries like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

Day 3 - LONDON On the Town in LondonLONDON Free day. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Double-decker buses, Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge, British pubs, and sweet shops are waiting to be discovered with a leisurely day in London town. Find your hideaway in Hyde Park’s lush gardens, or find styles to suit your fancy in some of Britain’s most famous boutiques in Mayfair, Kensington, or Chelsea.

Day 4 - LONDON. EXCURSION TO SHAKESPEARE COUNTRY Country Charm & ClassmatesSTRATFORD-UPON-AVON [LF] Visit Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall.COTSWOLDS See its picturesque villages and idyllic rolling English landscapes.OXFORD Guided walk through the university city. 216 mi / 348 km (B)LOCAL FAVORITE HISTORIC SPOT If “the play’s the thing” then this is the place where the world’s greatest playwright penned his first tale. Find your seat during a fun visit to the schoolroom where a young William Shakespeare sat in the 1570s to learn the power of language. Also, discover Stratford’s Guildhall where he attended plays performed by the finest actors of the day.

Day 5 - LONDON. EXCURSION TO STONEHENGE & SALISBURY Stone Temples & Time TravelSTONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.SALISBURY Spend time in this medieval cathedral city before returning to London. 186 mi / 299 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Ponder the who, what, why, and how of Stonehenge, one of the most impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments in the world. Its sheer size and sophisticated architectural design have earned its legendary reverence as the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Although its original purpose is a mystery, the concentric monuments hold spiritual significance for people from around the world who gather at the massive stone circles to celebrate the summer solstice.

Day 6 - LONDON Leisurely Day in London TownLONDON Free day. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS A character in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice noted “London is so diverting; there is so much to entertain!” This is even more true today, from its panoramic views of wide-open spaces and leafy landscapes to its bustling British sense and sensibilities, museums, galleries, and iconic sights. Mingle with the serenity of Hampstead Heath and Kensington Gardens.

Day 7 - LONDON Safe travels until we meet again!Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)