Duration: 7 Days
If you’re looking for the perfect town and country getaway, by Jove, this is it! This 7-day tour of London and the surrounding countryside is just the right balance of city and scenery, royalty and ruins, and landmarks and landscapes. With six nights in London, you’ll relish plenty of time along the Thames as well as exciting day trips that trade Big Ben for the small, quaint villages of England. Beyond London’s legendary parks and palaces, you’ll explore Shakespeare’s roots in lovely Stratford-upon-Avon, walk the medieval streets of scholarly Oxford, study the cryptic remnants of prehistoric Stonehenge, and ponder the mystery of the curious stones as you enjoy a cuppa in one of Salisbury’s half-timbered tearooms. Serving up the right balance of guided, must-see sightseeing with ample free time to explore London on your own, this tour of London and country is the bee’s knees.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday, from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
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 FAVOURITE
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.
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)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
HISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England's capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben's quarter bells. See the hallowed halls of Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
On the Town in London
LONDON Free day. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & 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.
Country Charm & Classmates
STRATFORD-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 FAVOURITE
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.
Stone Temples & Time Travel
STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.
SALISBURY Spend time in this medieval cathedral city before returning to London.
186 mi / 299 km (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & 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.
Leisurely Day in London Town
LONDON Free day. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY 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. Be enthralled by a dazzling show at one of the West End's historic stages - a fabulous bookend to your time in London.
Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
