London

Welcome to London, capital of the United Kingdom. It is among the oldest of the world-s great cities-its history spanning nearly two millennia-and one of the most cosmopolitan. By far Britain-s largest metropolis, it is also the country-s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. London city has plenty of attractions for visitors, with parks, shopping and restaurants. Day at leisure and Overnight in London.

London - City Tour

Today meet your guide on board your air-conditioned coach, and then relax as you travel around central London to see the sights. Pass through Parliament Square, seeing the Houses of Parliament and the Big Ben clock, and then travel past Westminster Abbey where Prince William married Kate Middleton in a lavish royal wedding ceremony. Admire prestigious government buildings at Whitehall and Downing Street, and then see the hustle and bustle that surrounds Nelson's Column at Trafalgar Square. Travel to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the Queen, and walk around in front of the gates to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Have your camera ready to capture the pomp and pageantry of the Queen's Foot Guard as they march in their eye-catching red tunics and bearskin hats, and then travel by coach to a traditional London pub in Trafalgar Square. Rest and refuel with a hearty lunch (own expense), and then continue your day of sightseeing with a visit to the City of London, an area just east of the city center where many of London's banks can be found. Besides financial institutions like the Bank of England, the district is also home to iconic London attractions such as St Paul's Cathedral and Mansion House. Look out for the sights as your guide explains their history. Continue to the Tower of London, and head inside for a walking tour. The former prison and fortress, which looks out over the River Thames, was built to terrify potential invaders and Londoners alike. Steeped in centuries of murder and treason, the tower is fascinating to explore with its famous jet-black ravens and Beefeater guides. On a tour with one of the Beefeaters, hear tragic tales of the royals and nobles who met their end within the tower's walls. Inclusions: - Hotel pickup - Blue Badge guide - Transport by air-conditioned coach (maximum 50 people) - Entrance fee to the Tower of London Duration: 8.5 - 9 hours Departure Point: Victoria Coach Station, Hotel pickup is available from selected London hotels Departure Time: 8:45am

London - Chiltern Hills to Oxford

Begin the day traveling across the Chiltern Hills to Oxford, the "City of Dreaming Spires", whose hushed courtyards and elegant, dignified timeworn buildings have inspired generations of scholars (including Bill Clinton in the 1970s) and writers, including Lewis Carroll who wrote "Alice in Wonderland" here. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones as your tour starts and listen to your guide talking clearly about each site. If you want to wander aside and take photos of attractions, you won't miss any of the commentary! Find your own inspiration in the sense of tradition and intellectual curiosity that pervades this lovely City. You will visit Christchurch College, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed and where Albert Einstein studied. On your walking tour of Oxford you will see the Bodleian library and the picture-perfect College courtyards for which Oxford is justifiably famous. Through scenic countryside to Cambridge, bridging centuries of scholarly rivalry between these two venerable institutions! Cambridge's stately Gothic style College buildings rise spectacularly from the greenery along the River Cam where students and visitors enjoy punting along the River. You will visit the magnificent perpendicular chapel of King's College, founded in 1441, which is the finest and grandest example of late medieval Gothic architecture in England, and a fitting tribute to the great minds that have studied here. During your walking tour of the city filled with beautiful buildings and historical quirks, you'll visit the so-called "Bridge of Sighs", named after its look-a-like in Venice and several other Colleges that make up the University, each with their own stories to tell. Inclusions: - Hotel pickup - Entrance fees - Walking tour of Oxford - Walking tour of Cambridge - Blue Badge English speaking guide - Transport by air-conditioned coach (maximum 50 people) Duration: 10 hours Departure Point: Victoria Coach Station Departure Time: 8:45am Return details: Concludes at Victoria

London - Leeds Castle - White Cliffs of Dover - Canterbury - London borough of Greenwich - sunset cr

Board a coach at the Victoria Coach Station or your London hotel and relax on the 1-hour drive south to Leeds Castle. Built in 1119 as a Norman stronghold, Leeds Castle is beautifully situated on an island in a lake. Enjoy a private viewing of this famous castle before it opens to the public. Learn how the property has changed hands and transformed over the years, from a 13th-century royal palace for King Edward I to the residence of Henry VII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in the 16th century all the way up to the last private owner, American heiress Lady Baillie, who is credited for the castle's remarkable preservation and redecoration. Following a guide, explore the galleries, bedrooms, chapel, banquet hall and courtyards. Then take time to explore the surrounding gardens, walk around the lake and find your way through the famous maze. Re-board the coach for a coastal drive to the White Cliffs of Dover, a chalky cliff face that lines part of the English Channel. As you'll learn, these cliffs are symbolic throughout Britain, as they were the entry point for past war invasions and formed the first sight of England for travelers coming from Continental Europe. Drive up and over the cliffs to Canterbury. Here you'll visit Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most important Christian churches in the world and today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Immortalized by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales, this striking Gothic church is nearly 1,700 years old! After a guided tour of the cathedral, enjoy free time to explore the old town and have lunch at one of the many cafs or restaurants (own expense). Continue your journey to the London borough of Greenwich, notable for its maritime history and as the birthplace of many English rulers from the House of Tudor. Take a walking tour to learn about Greenwich's history, architecture, palaces and parks. Arriving back in central London in the evening, hop on a boat and savor the views on a relaxing sunset cruise along the Thames River. Have your camera ready as you pass top London attractions including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London against the sparkling city skyline. Arrive at Embankment Pier to conclude your trip. Inclusions: - Local guide - Entrance fees - Thames River cruise - Hotel pickup (selected hotels only) - Transport by air-conditioned coach Duration: 11 hours Departure Point: Tour departs from Victoria Coach Station or select London hotels Departure Time: 8:15am Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time. Return details: Concludes at Embankment Pier at approximately 7pm

London - Edinburgh

Day to depart central London in the early morning and head north by train on your 4.5-hour journey to Edinburgh. Travel through England's open countryside, skirt the canals and waterways of the Midlands and pass old mill towns built during the Industrial Revolution. Upgrade to first class train tickets if you wish, for wider seats, complimentary snacks, free Wi-Fi and quieter coaches. On arrival in Edinburgh, head to the bus stop for the city's open-top sightseeing service it's located right by the station and is easy to spot! Jump aboard for a bird's-eye view of Scotland's majestic capital and enjoy the freedom to hop on and off as you please. Frequent departures throughout the day mean you have total flexibility to plan your day. Perhaps alight at Edinburgh's historic Old Town and stroll along the city's famous Royal Mile, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The charming Royal Mile runs right through the Old Town, with cobbled alleyways leading down the hillside to the city center. St Giles' Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland are close by. Cross the courtyard at the top of the Royal Mile and head through the grand entrance of Edinburgh Castle. There has been a castle on this site since the 12th century, and over the years it has been used as royal residence, prison and army garrison. Gaze out over the city from your vantage point on the castle ramparts, before heading inside to discover the dazzling Honours of Scotland, the country's crown jewels. Wander through the Royal apartments where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the boy who was to become King of Scotland. You might decide to visit the Scotch Whisky Heritage Center to learn about the nation's favourite tipple, or head down the hill to gaze up at the famous Scott Monument, decorated with 64 characters from Walter Scott's novels. Jump back aboard the hop-on hop-off bus service to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where state ceremonies and official entertaining take place when the Queen is in Scotland, or stroll along Princes Street checking out the tartan, whisky and shortbread that have made Scotland famous. Enjoy complete freedom to explore Edinburgh at your own pace, then travel back to London by train where your tour will come to an end. Inclusions: - Entry to Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh city map and guide - Hop on Hop off tour of Edinburgh - Return train ticket from London to Edinburgh Duration: 16 hours Departure Point: Customer information desk, King's Cross Station, central London Departure Time: 6:30am Return details: Returns to original departure point at approximately 10:15pm

London - Windsor Castle - Stonehenge

Depart from London and travel out of the city in your air-conditioned coach toward the majestic Windsor Castle. Home of the British Royal Family for 900 years, Windsor is the world's largest and oldest occupied castle and widely considered one of England's finest. Explore the lavishly-decorated State Apartments and St George's Chapel with your guide and hear of the castle's fascinating history and heritage. Continue on through the rolling green Wiltshire landscape to Stonehenge, a collection of stones dragged to this lonely plain near Salisbury 5,000 years ago. This ancient stone circle is still a place of strong spiritual significance, and continues to capture the imagination of the many visitors it welcomes each year. Why the stones were placed here and what purpose they served remains a mystery though, so wander around the site at your leisure and decide for yourself why these age-old rocks have found themselves here. Take a look around the visitors' center and learn the history of this ancient, mysterious site. Next, hop back in your coach and continue onward to Bath, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and widely considered one of England's prettiest cities. Follow your guide on a panoramic tour of Bath and be enchanted by the town's beautiful streets and alleyways, capturing the sites on camera as you go. You'll see Bath Abbey and the much-photographed Pulteney Bridge, modeled on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. During the tour, visit the city's famous Roman Baths the best preserved Roman spa from the ancient world. At the end of your time in Bath, travel back to London's Victoria Coach Station where your tour will come to an end. Inclusions: - Hotel pickup (selected hotels only) - Entrance to Windsor Castle and a tour of the State Apartments and St George's Chapel - Admission to the ancient circle of Stonehenge - Panoramic Tour of Georgian Bath, Admission to the famous Roman Baths - Professional guide , Transport by air-conditioned coach (maximum 53 people) Duration: 11 hours Departure Point: Victoria Coach Station, Gates 1-5. Departure Time: 8:45am Return details: Concludes at Victoria

London - Lake District

Take a rail tour to the beautiful Lake District, and visit Hill Top where Beatrix Potter was inspired to create Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten and the Flopsie Bunnies. You'll travel by train through the Midlands towns and into the rolling green hills of Cumbria to visit the Word of Beatrix Potter and her former home, Hill Top. Her home remains exactly as she left it, and in each room you'll see details that appear in her books. The cottage garden contains the pleasing mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables as grown by Beatrix. Your rail tour includes: - Cream tea at Lindeth Howe Hotel, former home of Beatrix Potter - Scenic lake cruise - Visit to the medieval village of Hawkshead - Hill Top, home of Beatrix Potter - Tam Hows, one of the Lake District's most picturesque beauty spots - Tour through the Langdale valleys to Grasmere - Villages of Bowness and Oxenholme Inclusions: - Lake cruise - Local guide - Guided tour of Lake District - Afternoon cream tea at Lindeth Howe Hotel - Return standard class train ticket from London to the Lake District Duration: 13 hours 30 minutes Departure Point: Euston Rail Station Departure Time: 8:00am Return details: Returns to original departure point at approximately 9:30pm

Proceed to the airport for your onward journey