England 8 days, 7 nights

Itinerary – Welcome to London!   Arrive in London, clear customs, and meet your Tour Manager to begin your London & Beyond experience.

Transfer into Stratford-upon-Avon.   The town dates back to Roman times but feels like a quaint, Tudor market town. The town is beautifully maintained and features some spectacular timber-framed houses.   Lunch on arrival.

Take a short walking tour of Shakespeare’s hometown, then visit Shakespeare’s birthplace.  This half-timbered house houses an exhibition of the life of the world’s greatest playwright.

Overnight:  Stratford-upon-Avon

Meals:  Lunch & Dinner (based on arrival time)

Itinerary –  Take a front-of-house tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Learn more about the humble beginnings of the theater in 1879 and discover the history of the current Royal Shakespeare Company.

Travel to Oxford, the city of ‘dreaming spires.’   After lunch, take a walking tour to see the Sheldonian Theatre, Ashmolean Museum (Britain’s oldest public museum), the Bridge of Sighs, Bodleian Library, and Christ Church College. Scenes from the  Harry Potter movies were filmed around Oxford University and particularly, Christ Church College. The Great Hall served as Hogwarts School dining hall and the Bodleian Library was the school library in the film.

Overnight:  Stratford-upon-Avon

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Check out this morning and make your way toward Bath.  On the way, drive through the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty and one of the best examples of classic English countryside! See charming villages where honey-colored cottages cluster together in secluded valleys.  There will be a few stops for photos throughout the morning.

This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Bath.    Founded as a spa town by the Romans, Bath’s natural bubbling hot springs helped create one of England’s most-fashionable towns. The magnificent Georgian townscape features the graceful Royal Crescent of townhomes and smart shops and restaurants.  Visit the preserved Roman Baths and the Pump Room, once the social hub of the 18th-century spa.

Overnight:  Bath

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary –This morning, visit the mystical and monumental site of Stonehenge. The great and ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is one of the wonders of the world and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This afternoon, transfer to Windsor.  Visit Windsor Castle, an official residence of the King and the largest occupied castle in the world. A royal palace and fortress for over 900 years, the castle remains a working palace today. (Subject to availability)

Overnight:  London

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of London.  See all of the main sights including, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge. There will be numerous photo opportunities throughout the morning.

This afternoon, visit the Tower of London.  Work commenced on this riverside fortress Nine Hundred years ago, and the structure we see today was completed in the 14th century.  The Tower was the refuge of Richard II during the Peasants’ Revolt, the prison of Sir Thomas More, Sir Walter Raleigh, and the future Queen Elizabeth I.  The Tower was the execution place of Lady Jane Grey (British sovereign for nine days), Anne Boleyn, and Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s second and fifth queens.

While here, visit the Treasure to see the crown jewels.  Marvel at the Imperial State Crown worn at the State Opening of Parliament and be dazzled by the world’s largest, top-quality cut diamond.

After dinner, enjoy a West End show. The “West End” refers to the collection of approximately 40 professional theaters in the western area of London, many of which are late Victorian or Edwardian in construction and boast great character. West End theater, along with Broadway in New York, is recognized as the highest level of commercial theater in the English-speaking world and offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Overnight:  London

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – This morning, travel by Underground to the British Museum.  Discover the museum’s collections, including world-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.

This afternoon, take a leisurely river cruise down the Thames and view London from a different perspective.  The remainder of the afternoon is free for exploring in small groups.

Enjoy a Farewell Dinner before taking a ride on the London Eye.

Overnight:  London

Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, make your way to the airport for your flight home.   Leave with your wonderful memories of your Classical Adventure – London & Beyond!