2021 Best of Southern England – 8 Days / 7 Nights / 12 Meals
Day 1: Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus in London | Welcome Dinner
Begin your tour with a day of independent touring in London using your voucher for the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. Choose your route to see famous London landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, and more. Meet your group in the evening for a welcome drink and dinner at your hotel.
(D)
Day 2: Kensington Palace | London Eye
Visit Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. Head to the National Gallery to savor a classic afternoon tea. Proceed on to the London Eye, Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel, for a birds-eye view of the city from a private capsule. The evening is free to explore London and dine as you wish.
(B)
Day 3: Bristol | Bath Walking Tour | Roman Baths
Journey to Bristol, where your tour director will take you on a walking tour to explore its thousand-year history. Travel on to the city of Bath, famous for its natural geothermal hot springs. Enjoy a walking tour with your tour director, then visit the Roman Baths. Dine with your group in your hotel this evening.
(B, D)
Day 4: Cotswold | Chavenage House | Blenheim Palace
Journey through the rolling countryside of the Cotswolds to visit Chavenage House, where you will enjoy a welcome drink. View this Elizabethan manor house, built in 1576 and frequently used as a location for film and television, such as the current “Poldark” series. Next, visit Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage site and birthplace of Winston Churchill. Enjoy a free evening in Bath.
(B)
Day 5: Stonehenge | Mary Rose Museum | Portsmouth | Brighton
Travel to Stonehenge to view one of England’s most famous landmarks. Believed to have been created between 3000 BC to 2000 BC, the massive stone monoliths of this UNESCO World Heritage site each stand 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weigh approximately 25 tons. Journey on to Portsmouth to visit the Mary Rose Museum. Discover the history of this ship that was lost at sea in 1545 and recovered in 1982. Dine in your hotel in Brighton this evening.
(B, D)
Day 6: White Cliffs | Royal Tunbridge Wells | Sissinghurst Castle Garden or Scotney Castle
Travel to Birling Gap, part of the world famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. Head to the charming historic town of Royal Tunbridge Wells for independent exploration and lunch. The afternoon will be spent at either Sissinghurst Castle Garden, the country home and garden of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson, or at Scotney Castle, a 14th-century moated castle. Travel on to your hotel in Maidstone for dinner.
(B, D)
Day 7: Leeds Castle | Canterbury Cathedral | Shepherd Neame Brewery | London Dinner
Visit Leeds Castle in Kent, a 900-year-old castle built on an island in a lake, then on to Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by free time for lunch. Then go to Shepherd Neame Brewery for a tour and beer tasting. Return to London for dinner with your group.
(B, D)
Day 8: Tour Ends in London
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Visit Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
- Rise over 400 feet above London in a private capsule on the London Eye.
- Visit Kensington Palace, the childhood home of Queen Victoria and home to many notable royals over the last 300 years.
Dining Experiences:
- 7 breakfasts (B) and 5 dinners (D) including a welcome and a farewell dinner.
Trip Highlights:
Hotels:
GB-LON-GRA l London (2 night)GB-BAT-FRA | Bath (2 nights)GB-BTN-MAL | Brighton (1 night)GB-MAI-CPH | Maidstone (1 night)GB-LON-TTT | London (1 night)