Overview
Itinerary
Your tour departs from your hotel at 2:00 PM. Venture to see the splendors of Windsor Castle, a residence of the King, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group, then dine and explore this intriguing medieval town as you wish this evening.
Travel to Blenheim Palace, the magnificent country house once home to Winston Churchill and the setting for popular TV shows and movies; tour the house and explore the gardens. Set off on a drive through the rolling hills of the quintessentially English Cotswolds, with charming villages and colorful gardens. Arrive in Bath, a striking city of honey-colored Georgian buildings with an ancient heritage. Take a walking tour of the city before visiting the famed Roman Baths. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B/D)
Visit prehistoric Stonehenge and marvel at the vast monoliths mysteriously erected 5,000 years ago. Enjoy lunch on your own and then explore the medieval city of Salisbury, with its charming local shops and splendid 13th century cathedral housing the world's oldest working clock. In Bath, your evening is free to do as you wish. (B)
Visit Winchester, where some say the legendary King Arthur had his roundtable. Delve into nautical life at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where you can see the Mary Rose, King Henry VIII's favorite ship, which sank in 1545. Enjoy dinner at your country house hotel. (B/D)
Take a scenic drive through the rural landscapes of Kent, known as “the garden of England”, with views of rolling hills, patchwork fields, and quintessential villages. Arrive in Canterbury to explore its medieval center and visit the imposing Canterbury Cathedral, a magnificent example of English Gothic architecture dating back to the 11th century. Dine in your hotel. (B/D)
At romantic Leeds Castle in Kent, once called “the loveliest castle in the world”, tour the storybook structure complete with a moat and colorful gardens. Travel on to London for a panoramic tour viewing some of London's highlights: the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Parliament and Big Ben. Back at your hotel, enjoy a drink with your group and then an independent evening. (B)
Visit Kensington Palace, the historic royal residence in the heart of London. Take in its 300 years of history as you tour the State Apartments, hearing how it has been home to Queen Victoria, Princess Diana, and currently, Prince William and Princess Kate.
After a light lunch, you are free to explore London as you wish. You might go shopping on Oxford Street, visit a pub, or see a show in London's West End. (B/L)
Depart London for the Roman city of St Albans or 17th-century Hatfield House, depending on your departure date. Next, visit the Cambridge American Cemetery, honoring the thousands of American soldiers who gave their lives in World War II.
Continue on to Cambridge for a sightseeing trip on the River Cam, as you go punting on a traditional flat-bottomed boat. Your evening is free to explore as you wish. (B)
Explore Lincoln, with its towering cathedral and castle overlooking the city, then enjoy a traditional Sunday roast in a local pub. Take a walking tour in York, a medieval city of narrow cobbled streets, charming tearooms, quaint pubs, and intriguing churches. The rest of the day is free for exploring. (B/L)
Visit the enchanting fishing town of Whitby, seeing its postcard-perfect harbor, picturesque beaches, winding cobbled streets, and quaint shops. Depart for Castle Howard, a stately 300-year-old home that has been the setting for film and TV productions including the hit show “Bridgerton”. Return to York for dinner in your hotel. (B/D)
Take a scenic drive through the lush green splendor of the Yorkshire Dales, pausing in the romantic market town of Richmond. In the famously beautiful Lake District, enjoy free time for lunch and sightseeing in the charming market town of Keswick. Dine with your group at your hotel near the banks of Lake Windermere. (B/D)
Take a scenic cruise on England's largest lake, Windermere, seeing mountain vistas, wooded isles, and lakeside villages. Enjoy a walking tour of fun, friendly Liverpool – birthplace of the Beatles – with free time on your own to explore the many attractions around the Albert Dock, including the Beatles Story, the Tate Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. (B)
In Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's hometown, visit Anne Hathaway's Cottage where The Bard's wife was born. The 500-year-old thatched house is surrounded by lovely gardens. Drive to Oxford to discover this storied university city on a walking tour. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. (B/D)
Your program ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Cruise on Windermere: Enjoy gorgeous views from the crystal blue water of England's largest lake.
- Stonehenge: See these ancient, legendary stone monoliths, among the world's most iconic and mysterious sights.
- Windsor Castle: Visit the Queen's magnificent home, the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.
- Blenheim Palace: Visit the gilded State Rooms with their priceless collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture, and an exhibition devoted to the palace's most famous son, Winston Churchill.
- Roman Baths: Explore the thermal springs, walk on the original Roman pavements, and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva in one of the best preserved religious spas of the ancient world.
- Punting in Cambridge: Enjoy views of the colleges of Cambridge university as you travel back to your hotel along the water.
- Canterbury Cathedral: Visit this vast and awe-inspiring cathedral, one of the oldest Christian structures in England and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- 13 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L) and 6 Dinners (D)
- Castle Hotel Windsor (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Bath (4 Stars)
- Buxted Park Hotel (4 Stars)
- Chilston Park Hotel (4 Stars)
- 100 Queen's Gate Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton (4 Stars)
- Hilton Cambridge City Centre (4 Stars)
- Hilton York (3 Stars)
- Briery Wood Country House Hotel (4 Stars)
- Hotel Indigo Liverpool (4 Stars)
- Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa (4 Stars)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Each of our vacations are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Dates & Pricing
USD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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