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→ Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1 – USA / LONDON: Depart from the US on your overnight flight to London, England.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE IN LONDON / CARDIFF: Arrival in London, meet with your Tour Director and shortly afterwards depart and make your way towards Cardiff. After checking in to your hotel, enjoy a walking tour including spectacular views of Cardiff Bay, and entrance to Cardiff Castle, a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city center. Enjoy some free time before your welcome dinner in your hotel. (D)

DAY 3 – SWANSEA / MUMBLES / GOWER PENINSULA: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Afterwards, drive along striking coastal scenery to Swansea, where you visit the Dylan Thomas Centre that chronicles the life, work, and cultural context of Dylan Thomas, one of the most notable Welsh poets. Visit Dylan Thomas Square, named in honor of Swansea’s most famous son. The bronze statue of the Welsh poet, which is located in the square, is a commemorative and frequently photographed statue. Then on to the quaint village of Mumbles and a visit to the Lovespoon Gallery which is devoted to hand carved Welsh Lovespoons. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, followed by a special Gin tasting. Then continue along the Gower coast to Rhossili Bay and time permitting, the Worm’s Head formation. Later, return to Cardiff for overnight. (B)

DAY 4 – BATH / STONEHENGE / CIRENCESTER: After breakfast, depart from Cardiff and make your way towards Cirencester. Pause in the beautiful Georgian city of Bath, often regarded as one of the loveliest cities in all of England. From its beginnings as a Roman camp in the first century AD, Bath developed through troubled centuries to emerge in the 1700′s as a fashionable “spa” resort. Some of England’s best-preserved Georgian architecture is housed here, together with fascinating relics of earlier eras. Enjoy a walking tour including entrance to the Roman Baths, a remarkably preserved spa of the medieval world which still flows with natural hot water. Then on to visit Stonehenge, arguably the most famous prehistoric site in Europe, it inspires wonder at the effort it must have taken to drag the enormous stones over the land and erect them in circles. Afterwards, continue to Cirencester for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 5 – COTSWOLDS VILLAGES: After breakfast, depart on an excursion to the Cotswolds, regarded as one of the most quintessentially English parts of the country. Discover the famed cottages and villages built out of the honey-colored limestone that is so characteristic of the region. You will visit places such as Bibury, known as the most beautiful village in the Cotswolds and the 14^th century cottages on Arlington Row, one of the most photographed locations in the Cotswolds; Burford, focused on the High Street and home to the oldest chemist in England and an antique shop which used to be an inn and where Charles II took his mistress; Bourton on the Water, often referred to as the Venice of the Cotswolds; Stow on the Wold and its famous yew tree in the Church yard that is said to have inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, stunning architecture and many antique shops; Winchcombe and its famous Antique Centre. Visit Kiftsgate Court Garden which is situated above the village of Mickleton. Return to Cirencester for overnight. (B)

DAY 6 – COTSWOLDS VILLAGES: Enjoy breakfast. Afterwards, depart on another full day excursion exploring the Cotswolds villages. Visit Moreton in Marsh with its unique shops and stores; Daylesford Organic shop; Castle Combe which has featured in different films. Be sure to stop at the bottom of the village by the bridge and enjoy a great photograph moment! Visit Stroud and enjoy an afternoon tea including finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, and fine teas. Later, return to Cirencester for overnight. (B/AT)

DAY 7 – BLENHEIM / OXFORD / LONDON: After breakfast, depart from Cirencester and start your journey towards London. Pause to visit Blenheim Palace.  This home of the Duke of Marlborough, designed by the architect Vanbrugh, was the birthplace of wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill. A vast park, landscaped by Capability Brown, surrounds the palace. Then on to Oxford, home to England’s oldest university, where you may take a walk through the impressive buildings that are still home to the university’s main ceremonial and educational functions. Visit Christ Church Cathedral, the smallest cathedral in England and the seat of the Bishop of Oxford. It is unique in serving not only as a cathedral but as the chapel of Christ Church College. Afterwards, on to London for overnight. (B)

DAY 8 – LONDON & WEST END: After breakfast, head out on a full day sightseeing tour of the City of London. You will visit the Tower of London, where the Beefeaters guard the dazzling Crown Jewels, and where you will gain excellent views of Tower Bridge from the Medieval Palace. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Hear how the landmark survived the WWII Blitz, study the cathedral’s magnificent dome, and view the tombs of some of England’s most renowned leaders like Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Nelson. Admire the outside views of Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard (if available). This evening, enjoy a West End show (theatre and show to be advised). Overnight in London. (B)

DAY 9 – INDEPENDENT LONDON: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Today, you are free to explore London at your own pace. Use the included Oyster Card for unlimited use on London tubes and buses. This evening, meet back at your hotel and walk to a local restaurant for a farewell dinner. (B/D)

DAY 10 – LONDON / USA: After breakfast in the hotel, you will have a private group transfer to your London airport for your return flight to the USA. (B)

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

→ Inclusions

 Inclusions

• Roundtrip air from Chicago on American Airlines
• Services of a Private Tour Director
• Luxury coaches for services as per itinerary
• Cardiff – 2 nights, 4-Star Clayton Hotel
• Cirencester – 3 nights, 4-Star Kings Head Hotel
• London – 3 nights, 4-Star Mercure London Bridge
• Breakfast daily, except the day of arrival
• Welcome dinner in Cardiff and Farewell dinner in London
• Lunch in a local pub in Mumbles
• Dinner in a local restaurant in Cirencester
• Afternoon tea in a Cotswolds village
• Walking tour in Cardiff
• Guided visit of Cardiff Castle
• Entrance to the Dylan Thomas Centr
• Entrance to the Lovespoon Gallery
• Walking tour in Bath
• Entrance to the Roman Baths, Bath
• Entrance to Stonehenge
• Two full day excursions to Cotswolds Villages
• Guided visit of Blenheim Palace
• Walking tour in Oxford
• Visit Christ Church College, Oxford
• Full day London sightseeing tour
• Entrance to the Tower of London
• Entrance to St. Paul’s Cathedral
• West End Show (Theatre and show to be advised at a later date)
• 24-hour London Oyster Card
• Hotel porterage of one suitcase per person
• Portfolio of electronic travel documents
• 24-hour emergency customer service while in Wales and England
• IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

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