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Package prices from £349.00 per person
Day 1: Arrival in London.
Rest of the day free to explore the capital at leisure. Overnight in London.
Day 2: London - Oxford - Stratford-upon-Avon - Llandrindod Wells
Today we leave London and head towards Oxford, one of the most famous university cities in Great Britain. In Oxford, there are many impressive college buildings with elegant architecture and carefully manicured lawns. After exploring Oxford, we travel further north through the beautiful Cotswolds region and onto Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. After a visit to this medieval town, we carry on towards mid-Wales, where dinner and overnight await us in Llandrindod Wells.
Day 3: Llandrindod Wells - St. David's - Tenby - Cardiff
Our journey today first takes us through the welsh hillside to the West coast of the principality and to the old cathedral in the pilgrim town of St David's. We continue through Pembrokeshire to the popular seatown of Tenby, well known for it's impressive sea wall and beautiful extended beach. Late afternoon, we reach the Welsh capital Cardiff for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Cardiff
After breakfast, a half day sightseeing tour of Cardiff is on the programme. We'll see Cardiff Bay, a number of museums, the impressive Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle, which boasts a mixture of Roman, Norman and Victorian architecture. The afternoon is free to explore Cardiff further and/or to shop for some souvenirs! Dinner and overnight in Cardiff.
Day 5: Cardiff - Caerphilly - Brecon Beacons - Bath - Bristol
We leave Cardiff and drive through South Wales to Caerphilly. Here we visit the famous castle with its crooked towers and massive fortifications. From Caerphilly our journey continues through the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacon National Park and then across the Severn suspension bridge and back into England. Our first point of call in England is the picturesque Georgian city of Bath, where we tour the city and visit the Roman baths. Finally, we head for Bristol for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Bristol - Stonehenge - Salisbury - Nymans Gardens - Brighton
We travel East today to the see the 5000 year old prehistoric stone circle known as Stonehenge. We'll spend some time here, contemplating this amazing yet mysterious group of stones from many centuries ago. From Stonehenge, it's not far to Salisbury, a pretty market town in which the famous cathedral from the 13th century is located, which boasts the highest spire in the whole of England. From Salisbury in Wiltshire, we travel on through the counties of Hampshire und West Sussex to Nymans Gardens, especially well-known for their many differing types of vegetation. Dinner and overnight in the seaside resort of Brighton.
Day 7: Brighton - London
Before travelling back from Brighton to London, we take time to explore this much loved seaside town. Brighton is known for "The Lanes", small picturesque streets, littered with boutiques, small shops, charming coffe shops and welcoming pubs. Equally interesting is the Royal Pavilion on the outskirts of the town, built in oriental style. We travel back in the afternoon to London for our last overnight.
Day 8: London/Depart
At leisure until departure.
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Day 1: London
Arrival in London. Rest of the day free. Overnight in London.
Day 2: Stonehenge - Salisbury - New Forest - Bournemouth
We leave London and head westwards via Winchester and onto Stonehenge, Great Britain's most famous prehistoric monument, which dates back to the bronze age. We travel further through beautiful English countryside of the "home counties" onto the medieval market town of Salisbury, renowned for the imposing cathedral which houses England's tallest spire (ca. 135m). In the town hall, we can find one of only four original copies of the Magna Carta, founding document of the British constitution. We continue through the picture-book woods of the "New Forest", home to wild ponies and other animals. We reach Bournemouth on the south coast for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Bournemouth - Dorset - Devon - Dartmoor National Park - Polperro - Falmouth
We leave Bournemouth und continue our journey through the pretty Dorset countryside to the historic town of Dorchester, made famous by the author Thomas Hardy in his well-known book „The Mayor of Casterbridge". We travel on through the unique landscape of Dartmoor National Park with it's prehistoric granite tors to Polperro, a cornish village by the sea. It is also here that we experience our first impressions of Cornwall. Dinner and overnight in the costal town of Falmouth.
Day 4: Falmouth - Cornwall - Trebah Gardens - Lands End - St Ives - Falmouth
We depart Falmouth and visit the exotic subtropical Trebah Gardens, where enormous ferns and palms intermingle with tropical trees and bushes. We continue along the cornish coast to Land's End, the most southerly point of the British Isles and an area made famous by the novels of the writer, Rosamunde Pilcher. En route we have the opportunity to visit St Michael's Mount and the picturesque artist town of St Ives. Dinner and overnight in Falmouth.
Day 5: Falmouth - Cornwall - Garden visits - Falmouth
Today we depart Falmouth and continue our tour of Cornwall northwards towards St Austell. We visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, an area of some two acres in size created during the Victorian era and encompassing a subtropical jungle with paths leading through ancient woodlands. In the afternoon, we visit Caerhays Castle with its splendid gardens. Dinner and overnight in Falmouth.
Day 6: Falmouth - Glastonbury - Wells - Bristol
Our journey today takes us north to Glastonbury where we visit the legendary abbey in which King Arthur is buried. We continue to Wells to visit the impressive cathedral and enjoy a walk through the city's medieval streets and alleyways. Dinner and overnight in Bristol.
Day 7: Bristol - Bath - London
A short drive takes us to Bath, where we visit the ancient Roman Baths. For over 200 years, millions of litres of natural spring water have risen in this spot. Afterwards, we have time to stroll through the elegant streets of Bath with its designer stores and wide array of antiques shops before heading back to London in the afternoon.
Day 8: London/Depart
At leisure until departure.
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Day 1: London
Arrival in London. Rest of the day free. Overnight in London.
Day 2: London - Leeds Castle - Canterbury - Brighton
We depart London and continue in a south easterly direction through the county of Kent, the "Garden of England". We visit Leeds Castle, built in 1119 and described as the 'most beautiful castle in the World'. It is also known as the 'Ladies Castle' on account of it being home to many of the English Queens including Eleanor and Margaret, wives of Edward I, Philippa of Hainhault, wife of Edward III, Catherine de Valois, Henry VIII's fifth wife and many more. We continue to Canterbury, an historic market city, where we visit the imposing Canterbury Cathedral. With its 75m high tower, the so called "Bell Harry", the cathedral is a medieval masterpiece. Late afternoon we reach the popular seaside town of Brighton on the south coast of England. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Brighton - Arundel - Portsmouth
Our journey today first takes us to Arundel, a picture postcard town with an impressive castle. The castle itself was, for the main part, rebuilt in 18th century however the original watch tower from the 13th century remains intact. In the afternoon, we head for Portsmouth, birthplace of Charles Dickens and home to the British Navy. Here we visit the 'Mary Rose', a British warship from the 16th century and flagship of Henry VIII's navy. The ship was built in 1509 and named after Henry's sister, Mary. The ship was sunk in 1545 in the Solent during a sea battle with the French. In 1982, the wreck was discovered and carefully restored in Portsmouth. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Portsmouth - Isle of Wight day trip
We cross the Solent at the ferry terminal and in 35 minutes, we reach the Isle of Wight, a pretty holiday island off England's south coast. The precipitous cliffs and extended beaches are tourist attractions in themselves. Over the last 159 years, the "Round the Island Race" regatta has taken place around the Isle of Wight. Each June, the competitors assemble for the start of the race in Yarmouth, one of three ferry points on the English coast, which connect the Isle of Wight with the mainland. After a tour of the island, we have the chance to enjoy a 5 mile (8 kms) ride on a steam train before heading for Osborne House, erstwhile summer domicile and resting place of Queen Victoria, beautifully located overlooking the English Channel. The house also incorporates several hundred acres of beautifully cultivated gardens. Within the gardens, a play house in the form of a Swiss mountain house was built, aptly named Swiss Cottage. Return to Portsmouth for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Portsmouth - Bristol
Our journey today takes us north through the county of Wiltshire and to the medieval market town of Salisbury, renowned because of its imposing cathedral with the highest spire in England (ca. 135m). In the town hall, one can find one of only four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta, the blueprint of the British constitution. We carry on to Stonehenge, the most important prehistoric monument in Britain which dates back to the Bronze Age.
In the afternoon our journey continues across Wiltshire to the medieval village of Lacock, a picturesque place some 30 kms east of Bristol, with its beautiful abbey, built in 1232. The religious order here was disbanded in 1539 and the abbey has ever since been home to the Talbot family. The abbey was the scene of the wizard's school, portrayed in the first two Harry Potter films. Dinner and overnight in Bristol.
Day 6: Bath - Glastonbury - Wells - Bristol
A short journey brings us to the spa town of Bath, whose 2000-year old natural spring water proved popular with the Romans! A tour around this historic town takes us to all the important places such as the Royal Crescent, a crescent shaped row of magnificent house of Georgian architecture from the 18th century, the Queen Square, 'The Circus' and the splendid 'Assembly Rooms'.
In the afternoon, we travel through Somerset to Glastonbury, where one of Britain's oldest abbeys is located. According to legend, Glastonbury is also called the "Island of Avalon" and is the supposed burial place of King Arthur. We travel onto Wells, a pretty town at the base of the Mendip hills. We explore the town on foot and visit both the Bishop's Palace and the cathedral from where we have a fantastic view over the whole town. Dinner and overnight in Bristol.
Day 7: Bristol - Oxford - Blenheim - London
Today we travel to the university town of Oxford. The first students arrived in 1167 from France and founded the university, the oldest in Great Britain. Today the town boasts over 40 universities (almost of all of which are accessible by the public) and their classic courtyards offer an oasis of peace for the visitor. Oxford is also renowned for it's literary tradition: Evelyn Waugh, CS Lewis, Tolkein and Shelley all studied at Oxford. The library is one of the best in the World and the oldest museum in Britain, the Ashmolean, has a wide variety of art and antiques on display. To the north of Oxford lies the picturesque town of Woodstock, home to John Vanbrugh's architectural masterpiece, Blenheim Palace and birthplace of Winston Churchill. The building of Blenheim Palace was instructed by John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough, as a gift to the nation in thanks for the victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Overnight in London.
Day 8: London/Depart
At leisure until departure.
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Day 1: London
Arrival in London. Rest of the day at leisure to explore this fascinating and impressive capital. Overnight in London.
Day 2: London – Oxford – Bath - Bristol
Today we leave London and head towards Oxford, one of the most famous university cities in Great Britain. In Oxford there is a plethora of impressive college buildings boasting elegant spires and perfectly manicured lawns and well worth a visit! After a thorough exploration of the city, we leave Oxford and drive in the afternoon on through the beautiful Cotswolds countryside to spa city of Bath, where we will visit the Roman Baths. For over 2,000 years millions of gallons of warm spa water has sprung here. We have time for a wander thorugh the city to see the designer and antique shops before heading off to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Bristol.
Day 3: Bristol – Minehead – Barnstaple – North Devon - Plymouth
We journey today takes us to south west England through the county of Somerset and further on along the breathtaking north coastal road through Devon with steep cliffs and golden sandy beaches. We continue along the coast through picturesque towns and villages such as Minehead and Lynton onto the beautiful, unspoilt nature of Exmoor National Park.
In the afternoon, a journey through the famously mysterious Dartmoor is on the programme. Wide stretching moors and long hill ranges give the whole area a strangely romantic feel. The park often transcends into an early dusk through the frequent fog in the area, offering idea, material for many traditional legends and ghost stories! One only has to think of Sir Conan Doyles “Hound von Baskervilles” or the well-known Dartmoor prison.
In the late afternoon we reach Plymouth, one of the largest sea and war ports in England. It is historically the most important port, as here began England’s rise to world power with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Many conquerors, explorers and buccaneers started their journeys from Plymouth such as Sir Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh and James Cook. Dinner and overnight in Plymouth.
Day 4: Plymouth – Exeter – Dorchester - Bournemouth
Travelling back through the Dartmoor National Park, we reach Exeter, the county capital of Devon. In spite of its large city character, Exeter has retained its charm with the colours of red and green dominating the city. Many edifices are built from red brick or reddish sandstone, which contrast with the green splendour of the many parks in the city. Dominant also are the pretty houses which adorn the city from both Tudor and Stuart times as is the famous cathedral, which we will visit.
We continue onto Dorchester, an historic town made famous by the English author Thomas Hardy, who featured Dorchester in his classic book „The Mayor of Casterbridge“. Dinner and opvernight in Bournemouth.
Day 5: Bournemouth – New Forest – Salisbury – Stonehenge - London
We leave Bournemouth and travel through the picture-book woodland and wild moors of the “New Forest”, home to wild ponies and on to the medieval market town of Salisbury, well-known for its imposing cathedral from the 13th century which, at 135 meters, has the highest church spire in England. In the town hall is stored one of only four copies of the Magna Carta, the foundation of the British constitution.
In the afternoon, we travel eastwards to the 5000 year old prehistoric stone circle, known as Stonehenge, which dates back to the Bronze Age. We have time to view this mythical stone wonder before we continue our journey back to London. Overnight in London.
Day 6: London/Depart
At leisure until departure.
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