The Best of England and Wales
10 Days
This tour covers the breadth of England and Wales including impressive castles, fairytale cottages, porcelain factories, iconic monuments and more. In between visits to a historic university, the birthplace of Shakespeare and impressive museums, you will delight in the scenic views of Wales and the English countryside.
Highlights
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View the large Impressionist collection at the National Museum and Gallery in Wales
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Learn the process of making a piece of China on the Wedgwood Factory Tour
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Attend a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company
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Visit historic Oxford University, also a site of the Harry Potter films
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Head out for England's West Country by private coach
1 Night
Bath
Included activities
DAY 1: Arrive in Bath
Upon arrival to London, your group will clear customs and meet its tour director in the arrivals hall. From here the group will head out for England's West Country by private coach. Travel through quaint towns with thatched roofs and red, bricked cottages to Salisbury where we will visit mysterious Stonehenge. More than 4,000 years ago, the people of the Neolithic period decided to build a massive monument using earth and stones, placing it high on Salisbury Plain. Marvel at this work of primeval architecture. We continue on to the historic City of Bath. First settled by the Celts (legend has it that they discovered the hot springs' medical qualities) and later occupied by the Romans, Bath became a fashionable resort during the Victorian Era.
Head to Cardiff city
2 Nights
Cardiff
Included activities
DAY 2: Arrive in Cardiff
This morning after breakfast we will first visit the magnificent Roman Baths. We then head to Cardiff, the capital of beautiful Wales. As one of Europe's youngest capitals, Cardiff has a progressive and confident personality to match. A century ago, it was the busiest coal port in the world. Today those very docks have been transformed into a dazzling waterfront complex of restaurants & visitor attractions.
DAY 3:
This morning after breakfast we will set out to explore some of Cardiff's history at magnificent Cardiff Castle. Situated in the very heart of the capital, alongside city-center shopping and the magnificent Bute Park, the castle's fairytale-like towers conceal an elaborate and splendid interior. Contained within its mighty walls is a history spanning nearly 2,000 years, dating from the coming of the Romans in the first century AD. The balance of the day you are free to explore on your own. You will never be at a loss for something interesting to see or do in and around Cardiff: arts, heritage, sports, family attractions and much more are within easy reach. With Cardiff's proximity to the coast and the mountains, the city truly has something for everyone. The city's arts facilities are exceptional, with the National Museum and Gallery housing the second largest Impressionist collection after Paris. Cardiff's Bay has been transformed into a stunning waterfront with a wealth of attractions, leisure facilities and its own Visitor Center 'The Tube' full of information. This evening enjoy a Welsh Banquet at Cardiff Castle.
Head to north Wales and Colwyn Bay area
2 Nights
Colwyn Bay
Included activities
DAY 4: Arrive in Colwyn Bay
This morning after breakfast we will be heading to north Wales and the Colwyn Bay area. Our first stop of the day is Portmeirion, the fascinating Italianate fantasy village created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, and home to the Portmeirion pottery. Here, the Tour Director will offer an optional exciting ride on one of Wales' Great Little Trains from Minffordd to Blaenau Ffestiniog. This narrow-gauge steam railway takes you back in time while enjoying some of the stunning scenery of the Snowdonia National Park.
DAY 5:
This morning we head to the Isle of Anglesey where we will visit the village most commonly known as Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. The longer name of the town is officially the longest recognized place name in the UK and one of the longest in the world standing at 58 letters in length (51 in the Welsh alphabet). Visit the train station and have your picture taken with the station sign or visit the nearby Visitors Center. While in Anglesey keep a close eye on the locals as this is now the home of HRH Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Katherine. We will then head to Conwy where we will visit Conwy Castle, a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Walk along walls that are over 700 years old.
After breakfast, head to Chester en route to Stratford-upon-Avon
2 Nights
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Included activities
DAY 6: Arrive in Stratford-Upon-Avon
This morning after breakfast we will head to Chester. Upon arrival we will have a tour of this town before you are free to explore. With 2,000 years of history, this is one of Europe's top heritage cities - and it is easy to see why! Chester boasts a complete circuit of walls, sections of which date back to Roman times, as well as a Norman cathedral. The famous Rows, unique two-tiered galleries built in the traditional black and white 'magpie' style, contain a wide range of shops selling goods from antiques to high fashion. In fact the city is one of the top retail centers in the UK, boasting large branches of national stores and attractive shopping malls. Our route then brings us through the bustling heartland of England and by the towns of Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, both famous for their fine porcelain and china. Here we will stop to explore the creative delights of the famous Wedgwood Factory. At Wedgwood we shall tour the working factory and see the processes that go into creating a Wedgewood piece. There is also time for shopping not just for Jasper, but also Black Basalt, Queensware and others. We continue on to Stratford where we will spend the next two nights.
DAY 7:
Today after breakfast we will explore Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Set in the beautiful, rural Warwickshire countryside, on the banks of the River Avon, it is one of the most historic destinations in the United Kingdom. The house has been owned by the Shakespeare family from the time of Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare. Today it is owned by The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The house holds 400 treasures in 8 rooms, including documents, portraits, pictures and old coins. This afternoon we will enjoy a tour of the Cotswolds, enjoying the charm, stunning scenery and charming towns and villages that this area has to offer. After an early dinner we will attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre.
Head south to London
2 Nights
London
Included activities
DAY 8: Arrive in London
This morning we head south to London. Our first stop is Oxford, which is situated on the River Thames and best known for its university. Founded in the 12th century, Oxford University is one of the oldest universities in England. It dominates the life and culture of the city. The University is divided into many different colleges with the most famous colleges being Balliol, Trinity and Christ Church. Each one maintains its own style and features beautiful architecture. The great hall at Christ Church was used as a location for the Hogwarts School of Magic in the Harry Potter films. We board our coach again and head south to Windsor Castle, the residence of Her Majesty the Queen, and the largest inhabited castle in the world. View the guard change, the fantastic Doll's House and St George's Chapel where many Kings and Queens are buried. The lavish staterooms are of breathtaking elegance and beauty. After a busy day we arrive in London and check into our hotel for our last two nights.
DAY 9:
This morning after a full breakfast, we board our coach for a full-day tour of this exciting city. We will see such historic sites as Buckingham Palace, the colorful pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, Westminster Abbey, where the Kings and Queens of England are crowned, Parliament and Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly the traditional "Heart of London," and the massive Tower of London. Inside a history of intrigue, injustice, treason and torture lingers at every turn. Anne Boleyn was executed at the Tower, and tradition says the Little Princes (Edward V and his brother, the Duke of York) were murdered inside as well. The Jewel House with its priceless treasures of the Royal Regalia and the Yeoman Warders (also known as Beefeaters) in their Tudor uniform, provide a contrast to the grim, yet fascinating interior of The Tower of London. This evening you are free to explore the multitude of restaurants and bars in this cosmopolitan city, where every taste under the sun is catered for.
DAY 10:
After breakfast, we bid farewell to England and Wales as we board our coach for transfer to Heathrow Airport where group members will board flights to return to the US.
Board coach for transfer to Heathrow Airport
International Departure
Inclusions
Includes
- Investigate mysterious Stonehenge
- Learn the history of the Roman Baths
- Attend a Welsh Banquet
- Admire the scenery of Snowdonia National Park
- Visit 'the Potteries,' and area famous for fine porcelain and china
- Visit the largest inhabited castle in the world, Windsor Castle
- Full-day tour of London's most famous sites including Parliament, Big Ben and the Tower of London
- Accommodations: Cardiff 2 nights, Colywyn Bay 2 nights, Stratford-Upon-Avon 2 nights, London 2 nights, Bath 1 night
- Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
- Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
- English speaking assistants and guides
- Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary