|
|
|
|
 |
Seasons Greetings |
|
|
Londoners love Christmas. Our ancient streets come alive as thousands of shoppers and party-goers make their way past carol singers and chestnut vendors under a canopy of shimmering festive lights. The shops are overflowing with gifts, decorations and delicious food, and there are thousands of seasonal events from carol services to wild parties as the holiday spirit takes hold.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
London at Christmas |
|
|
Take a tour this Christmas. London is a vast and beautiful city, and a tour is an ideal way to get a sense of her scale and see some of the main sights inside the space of a day. Soar high above the city on the London Eye or get a different perspective as you glide past the sights in the dining room of a luxury cruiser on the Thames. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Britain at Christmas |
|
|
London is the perfect base for making day-long excursions to some of the most ancient, beautiful sights in Europe. Even on winter days, the splendour of these surroundings will warm your heart. Each of these tours makes a perfect outing and will see you back in time for a hearty dinner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
. |
 |
|
|
|
| » Coach Tours of Britain from London - Christmas 2009 |
|
|
|
|
| Welcome to the festive season - we hope you have a wonderful Christmas in London!
Take a tour this Christmas and experience the magic of England during the festive season.
London is the perfect base for day excursions to some of the most beautiful sights in Europe. Even on winter days, the splendour of these surrounding will warm your heart. Each of these tours makes a perfect outing and will see back in time for a hearty dinner.
Celebrate Christmas with our preferred travel partners. They offer a selection of tours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Christmas Day Tours all include a traditional Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings. Click on the banner below to view available tours:
Christmas Thames Dinner Cruises:
1st December - 22nd December 2009 - Daily
Combining luxury dining, world-class entertainment and spectacular river views, the unique Thames restaurant cruises capture the excitement of the City of London.
Please click on one of the options below:
Classic Cruise - 69 pounds per person
Premium Cruise - 83 pounds per person
Elite Cruise - 105 pounds per person
|
|
|
Medieval Banquet - Christmas Entertainment
23rd November – 23rd December
This regal medieval banquet takes place by flickering torchlight in the vaulted cellars of Ivory House, just a stone's throw from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Join King Henry and his dancing wenches for a night of festivities.
Eat, drink and be merry! - click here for full details
Price:
50 pounds per person (Sun - Wed)
55 pounds per person (Thu - Sat)
Location: 5 minutes walk from Tower Hill
underground station (Circle and District line)
|
|
|
Elizabethan Medieval Banquet - New Years Evening
New Years Eve (31st December 2009)
This regal medieval banquet takes place by flickering torchlight in the vaulted cellars of Ivory House, just a stone's throw from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Join King Henry and his dancing wenches for a night of festivities. Eat, drink and be merry!
Price: £110 per person includes:
• Welcome champagne reception
• Special New Years five course banquet
• Unlimited beer and wine during dinner
• Medieval entertainment throughout the meal
• Champagne at midnight
• Disco until late
Location: 5 minutes walk from Tower Hill
underground station (Circle and District line)
|
|
|
Royal London and Windsor- Full Day Coach Tour
Christmas Day Tour (25th December 2009)
with traditional Christmas Lunch
Windsor Castle
Windsor to see the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world - a royal residence for over 900 years. We will enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch in an 'olde worlde pub' overlooking the Castle.
Panoramic Tour of London
After lunch we return to London for a panoramic tour of the city - passing The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and much more. We also have the opportunity to photograph the world famous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
Our traditional Christmas 3 course lunch will be held at the "Drury House" in Windsor.
|
|
|
Stonehenge, Salisbury and Bath - Full Day Coach Tour
Christmas Day Tour (25th December 2009)
After the morning pick up we first head to Salisbury where we will enjoy the Christmas services and festivities at the Cathedral. Salisbury is justly famous for its magnificent 13th century Cathedral, which boasts the highest spire in Britain at 404 feet tall. Entrance to the Cathedral and a guided tour is included in your ticket. We will also take you to the beautiful gothic Chapter House, home to one of the last remaining copies of the Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1215.
Christmas lunch is an absolute treat. We visit a charming English pub to enjoy Roasted Turkey with all the trimmings followed by delicious Christmas pudding in front of the roaring log fire! The
Stonehenge the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Step back in time 5,000 years while your guide explains the remarkable sequence of events that have surrounded these ancient monoliths.
Finally we head to the spa town of Bath for a walking and panoramic driving tour of the old Roman and Georgian town visiting the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Pulteney Bridge boasting fine views of the River Avon cascading down over the weir.
Please note that the Roman Baths and Stonehenge will be closed but the tour still provides a comprehensive overview if each attraction and includes Christmas lunch in a historic English pub.
Price:
95 pounds per adult
90 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
p
|
|
|
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath - Full Day Coach Tour
Christmas Day Tour 25th December 2009
with traditional Christmas Lunch
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle. Built high above the River Thames, Windsor Castle has been home to the Royal Family for 900 years and is still an Official Residence of the Queen. We will have a walking tour of Windsor to see the Castle and St George's Chapel.
Stonehenge
Clouded in mystery, the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is an amazing feat of engineering and the most important prehistoric site in England, but beyond its archaeological significance and possible astronomical role, Stonehenge is also a place of spiritual importance. Early legends link it with Merlin and King Arthur, but over the last hundred years the midsummer sunrise has attracted pagan groups and followers of the Ancient Order of Druids.
Christmas Lunch
We will enjoy a traditional Christmas Lunch in a beautiful Wiltshire town.
Bath
We also visit the beautiful Georgian City of Bath and take you on a panoramic tour of some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, including the Georgian Crescents, famous Pulteney Bridge, the Abbey and the Roman Baths and Pump Room.
Price:
95 pounds per adult
90 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Christmas Day in the Cotswolds - Full Day Coach Tour
Oxford, Stratford & The Cotswolds
incl. Champagne Christmas Lunch in the Cotswolds
Christmas Day Tour 25th December 2009
Oxford
We begin our day traveling across the Chiltern Hills to Oxford, the 'City of Dreaming Spires,' whose hushed courtyards have inspired generations of scholars including Bill Clinton and writers, including Lewis Carroll who wrote 'Alice in Wonderland,' C.S. Lewis who wrote 'Chronicles of Narnia' and the immortal J.R.R. Tolkein author of 'Lord of the Rings.' On the walking tour you'll visit Christchurch College, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed, see the Bodleian Library and the picture-perfect college courtyards for which Oxford is justifiably famous.
Cotswolds
Steeped in history and heritage, the area of England known as the Cotswolds is a charming blend of cottages with honey-coloured walls and thatched roofs, market towns with crooked half-timbered houses lining the High Street, and ancient stone crosses, all set in the gently rolling hills ('wolds') that are so typically English in character. The Cotswolds landscape has been shaped by its long history as a centre of wool production, your Guide will tell you all about the 'Cotswold Lion!'
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is renowned for being the birthplace of the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare. We'll visit the Tudor-style birthplace of William Shakespeare, gaining a fascinating insight into his childhood with its typical parlour, bedrooms, kitchen, buttery and the glove-maker's workshop used by John, Shakespeare's father. There'll be time to explore this charming market town, its streets lined with unusual shops and boutiques. We'll then take the short drive out for our visit to Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the picture-postcard half-timbered childhood home of William Shakespeare's wife, set in lovely surroundings and containing a treasure-trove of historic domestic artifacts.
Christmas Lunch
We will enjoy a traditional Christmas Lunch in Stratford.
Price:
95 pounds per adult
90 pounds per child (under 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Panoramic London & Lunch on the Thames
Christmas Day 25th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour / River Cruise
Panoramic Tour of London
Our morning tour will take you past all the famous sights around London's West End, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column.
Thames River Cruise
Enjoy a Traditional three course Christmas Lunch whilst cruising leisurely on the Thames. Here you will see more wonderful sights of London from the river.
Please Note: Dress: Smart Casual (no jeans or trainers)
Price:
120 pounds per adult
115 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
London Panoramic Tour - Morning Half Day Coach
Christmas Day 25th December 2009
Half Day Coach Tour
Here is an extraordinary chance to see London virtually free of traffic.
Our morning tour will take you past all the famous sights around London's West End, including Westminster Abbey,
the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Whitehall, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Column and much more. There will be plenty of opportunities for photographs.
Tour Departs:
Christmas Day (25th December 2007)
Price:
£30.00 pounds per person
£25.00 pounds per
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
The Magic of London - Full Day Coach tour
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
After your morning pick up we enjoy a panoramic tour of London to take in all the highlights London has to offer. We will see Londons most famous landmarks including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and many other sights.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
After our sightseeing drive we visit Westminster Abbey. The Abbey is contains a unique pageant of British history - the Confessors Shrine, the tombs of the Kings and Queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. Our professional guide will take you through this architectural masterpiece that has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous Royal occasions.
THAMES RIVER CRUISE & PUB LUNCH
Next we enjoy a short cruise on the River Thames as we enjoy excellent views of St. Pauls Cathedral and Shakespeares Globe before heading for a traditional pub lunch on the Southbank (food/drink not included)
LONDON EYE
Our day is completed by a flight on the worlds highest observation wheel which boasts spectacular views across the whole city. The London Eye, built to comemorate the Millennium allows passengers to see as far as 25 miles in each direction.
Tour Departs:
Boxing Day (26th December 2009)
Price:
70 pounds per adult
65 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Lunch at Leeds Castle, Canterbury & Dover
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
Leeds Castle invite you to a unique opportunity - Lunch in the Castle, served by the castle's own butlers.
A traditional 3 course lunch will be served in the formal dining room, served by the castle’s own butlers. After lunch enjoy a tour of the Castle. The Castle was described by Lord Conway as ‘The loveliest castle in the world’. Spanning the centuries, it has had many lady owners so is now sometimes referred to as the ‘Ladies Castle’. There will be time to explore the castle and grounds where you will find the ‘Lady Baillie Garden' with views over the lake, an aviary and maze.
En-route to Leeds Castle, we pass through Greenwich, which has a wealth of maritime history, it is home to the Cutty Sark the most famous tea clipper, and now in dry dock, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Naval College and the Old Royal Observatory.
In the afternoon, we continue to Canterbury. Canterbury Cathedral is the most important church within the worldwide Anglican faith. You will be amazed by its stunning architecture, dating back over 900 years.
We then journey to Dover to see the famous "White Cliffs" and take in a bit of fresh sea air before returning to London.
Tour Departs:
Boxing Day (26th December 2009)
Price:
95 pounds per adult
85 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Lunch at Warwick Castle, Oxford,
Stratford & the Cotswolds
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
Medieval Warwick Castle
A warm welcome awaits us at medieval Warwick Castle. After a tour of the castle, we enjoy a traditional English lunch.
Stratford upon Avon
then on to Stratford-upon-Avon where we will see Shakespeare's Birthplace. if you have ever used the expression: 'Too much of a good thing', 'Come what may' or 'Laughing stock,' you are quoting the great playwright. We will visit his Birthplace, and will gain a fascinating insight into his life.
The Cotswolds
We drive through one of the most scenic areas of England, the Cotswolds. Passing through charming villages with thatched cottages, tea shops and ancient inns.
Oxford
After the Cotswolds, we drive to Oxford for a walking tour passing many of the famous colleges and a visit to Christchurch, where much of Harry Potter was filmed!
Tour Departs:
Boxing Day (26th December 2009)
Price:
95.00 pounds per adult
85.00 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
London Highlights, The London Eye & Pub Lunch
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Morning Half Day Coach Tour
London Eye
Our tour starts with a flight on the London Eye. The London Eye stands 135m high on the South Bank between Waterloo and Westminster Bridges. Your "flight" will take about 30 minutes and offers spectacular views of some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Nelson's Column and St. Paul's Cathedral.
Panoramic Tour of London
After the London Eye we take a panoramic tour of London, including St Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London and Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square and much more. There will be plenty of opportunities for photographs.
Lunch is taken in a typically English pub, close to Trafalgar Square, where we enjoy 2 courses, with tea or coffee.
Tour Departs:
Boxing Day (26th December 2009)
Price:
69 pounds per adult
59 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Day in the Cotswolds - Full Day Coach Tour
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
A full day tour in the Cotswolds, Boxing Day, discovering some of the prettiest villages, Great Tew, Bourton on Water, Moreton in Marsh, including a traditional English lunch in a village pub.
Great Tew
When we think of a typical Cotswold village, Great Tew must be it. The thatched roofs of the cottages and the local pub and post office give the village an atmosphere of times gone by.
Bourton-on-the-Water
This village is often described as the Venice of the Cotswolds because of the bridges that span the crystal clear River Windrush, which meanders through the centre of this quintessentially English country village.
Moreton in Marsh
Moreton is located at the head of the beautiful Evenlode Valley and is a thriving market town dating back 1000 years to the Saxon era.
A traditional English lunch will be served in a pub in one of the villages.
Tour Departs:
Boxing Day (26th December 2009)
Price:
69 pounds per adult
59 pounds per child (3 - 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Windsor, Stonehenge, Salisbury & Bath
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
After the morning pick-up we head off to Windsor Castle for a guided walking tour of the old market town taking in the charming cobbled streets and medieval buildings including the house that William Shakespeare lived in when he wrote the Merry Wives of Windsor. You will also see the warrant for Charles I execution signed by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Christopher Wrens intriguing Guildhall before heading to the long walk that boasts the most impressive views of Windsor Castle. Your professional guide will pause here explaining to you the dramatic history of the oldest working Castle in the world. The walk will continue around the perimeter of the Castle before heading down across Windsor Bridge into Eton where we can see the college that Prince William and Harry attended.
Journeying south-west we pass through Runnymede where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215 before heading to Stonehenge the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Step back in time 5,000 years while your guide explains the remarkable sequence of events that have surrounded these ancient monoliths.
After a visit to Stonehenge we shall have a photo stop in Salisbury. Salisbury is justly famous for its magnificent 13th century Cathedral, which boasts the highest spire in Britain at 404 feet tall.
We visit a charming village pub for lunch (food and drink not included). The Inn has provided hospitality to many famous travellers including Samuel Pepys and the Duke of Monmouth who had his head chopped of at the Tower of London! An a la carte menu is available with a wide selection of options including Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and delicious homemade apple crumble.
Finally we head to the spa town of Bath for a walking and panoramic driving tour of the old Roman and Georgian town visiting the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Pulteney Bridge boasting fine views of the River Avon cascading down over the weir.
Please note that the Roman Baths and Windsor Castle will be closed on Boxing Day but the tour will still provide a comprehensive overview of each attraction.
|
|
|
Warwick Castle, Oxford, Stratford & the Cotswolds
Boxing Day 26th December 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
Warwick castle: This is, quite simply, the greatest medieval castle in Britain. With a history that dates back over 1,000 years, Warwick Castle will take you back in time - to a world of sumptuous banquets, bloody battles and royal splendour. Enter over the footbridge and explore the castles ramparts, towers and gardens. The castle really brings history to life. Visit the waxwork displays of Madame Tussauds, where you can watch, and hear, the Earl of Warwicks preparations for battle. Feeling brave? Then take a look at the ghostly dungeons where prisoners were tortured. Alternatively, relax with a stroll through the castles beautiful gardens.
Next we head off to Oxford for a festive walk through this ancient University town passing by the ivy-clad colleges and picturesque honey coloured buildings. We will pass Christ Church where Lewis Caroll wrote his enchanting tales of Alice in Wonderland and more recently Harry Potter was filmed. Your guide will explain to you the traditions of college life as you take in such famous buildings as the mighty Romanesque Radcliffe Camera and The Ashmolean, the oldest museum in the UK.
Next we journey to the limestone hills of the Cotswolds a region of picture book villages made famous by the wool merchants in the 14th century who helped build some of the magnificent manor houses and perpendicular Churches that we will pass.(food and drink not included)
Sit back and enjoy a delicious traditional English lunch served in this charming Elizabethan pub. The Inn boasts a superb collection of real ales and fine wines and for those in the mood why not relax in front of the log fire with a brandy or two?
In the afternoon we journey to Stratford-upon-Avon passing by Anne Hathaways cottage before arriving in this picturesque market town. It is famous of course for William Shakespeare, Britains most famous writer who was both born and lies buried here. We stop for photos on our short walk at both his birthplace and the delightful Holy Trinity Church where the great man finally came to rest.
Please note that Christchurch College and Shakespeares Birthplace Museum will be closed on Boxing Day but the tour includes entrance into Warwick Castle and a comprehensive overview of the other attractions.
Tour Departs:
Boxing Day (26th December 2009)
Tour returns at approx 5pm subject to traffic conditions.
Price:
70 pounds per adult
65 pounds per child (under 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath
New Years Day 1st January 2009
Full Day Coach Tour
After the morning pick-up we head off to Windsor Castle for a guided walking tour of the old market town taking in the charming cobbled streets and medieval buildings including the house that William Shakespeare lived in when he wrote the Merry Wives of Windsor. You will also see the warrant for Charles I execution signed by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Christopher Wrens intriguing Guildhall before heading to the long walk that boasts the most impressive views of Windsor Castle. Your professional guide will pause here explaining to you the dramatic history of the oldest working Castle in the world. The walk will continue around the perimeter of the Castle before heading down across Windsor Bridge into Eton where we can see the college that Prince William and Harry attended.
Journeying south-west we pass through Runnymede where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215 before heading to the picturesque Salisbury plains. There will be plenty of time for a photo-stop at Stonehenge the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Step back in time 5,000 years while your guide explains the remarkable sequence of events that have surrounded these ancient monoliths.
Bath, a world heritage site, is a beautiful Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces and architecture. Following our guided tour of the city, there will be plenty of time to visit Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge overlooking the river Avon cascading over the weir. And you can shop, explore and take afternoon tea in the Pump Rooms while listening to the string quartet.
At the sun sets, the flares and torches are lit encircling the magnificent Roman Baths, where over one million litres of boiling water still burst from the hot springs everyday. As the other visitors are asked to leave, we enjoy a private viewing of this great site -- exclusive to Premium Tours. Feel free to explore the baths on your own should you wish, or just soak up the atmosphere as the pockets of mist swirl above the bubbling pools. A truly magical end to a wonderful day.
Tour Departs:
New Years Day 1st January 2010
Return: Back to London at 8.30pm
-
subject to traffic conditions
Price:
73 pounds per adult
67 pounds per child (under 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Warwick Castle, Oxford, Stratford & the Cotswolds
New Years Day 1st January 2010
Full Day Coach Tour
OXFORD
Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, boasts one of the worlds greatest - and oldest - universities, as well as some of the finest architecture in Europe. The colleges themselves, which make up the university, are amongst the architectural highlights, their ivy-clad stone walls protecting beautiful chapels, halls and libraries. We enjoy a private tour away from the crowds which journeys through the Alice in Wonderland Gardens where real life Alice chased her Cheshire cat. These gardens are normally out of bounds to the public and exclusive to Premium Tours. The grandest of all the colleges is Christ Church, home to Oxfords cathedral and the universitys largest quad. So atmospheric is the colleges dining hall that it was chosen as a key location in the Harry Potter film, and its here in the hall that well linger for a special Champagne reception either in the Gardens or in the Great Hall, exclusive to Premium Tours, so you can relive the magic of the film and learn about the traditions of college life. Your guide will tell you about the colleges famous students, which include Albert Einstein and Lewis Carroll, who wrote his enchanting tales of Alice in Wonderland here. Before visiting Christ Church you can even take tea in the shop where the real-life Alice bought her sweets! Our trip to Oxford promises an unforgettable experience for young and old alike
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
The birthplace of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language, and home to the theatres of the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford is a charming market town set in the heart of rural England. A delightful river winds its way through the town, past the beautiful Holy Trinity church, where Shakespeare lies buried. There are some wonderful half-wooden buildings that date back to Shakespeares time, including the famous cottage of Anne Hathaway, who married the great writer in 1582. You can even see the school Shakespeare attended. Our tour includes a visit to Shakespeares birthplace, before we enjoy lunch in a 15th century inn in picturesque Cotswolds.
WARWICK CASTLE
This is, quite simply, the greatest medieval castle in Britain. With a history that dates back over 1,000 years, Warwick Castle will take you back in time - to a world of sumptuous banquets, bloody battles and royal splendour. Enter over the footbridge and explore the castles ramparts, towers and gardens. The castle really brings history to life. Visit the waxwork displays of Madame Tussauds, where you can watch, and hear, the Earl of Warwicks preparations for battle. Feeling brave? Then take a look at the ghostly dungeons where prisoners were tortured. Alternatively, relax with a stroll through the castles beautiful gardens.
Tour Departs:
New Year's Day (1st January 2010)
Return: Returns at 7pm subject to traffic conditions
Price:
73 pounds per person
67 pounds per
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Dover, Greenwich & Thames River Cruise
Private viewing of Leeds Castle plus Champagne cruise on the River Thames
After we have picked you up directly from or close to your hotel, we drive straight to Leeds Castle for a unique private viewing before the castle opens to the public. From here we travel to the coast to have lunch in a charming inn overlooking the white cliffs of Dover and with breathtaking views of the English Channel. Our afternoon is spent enjoying the delights of Canterbury with its magnificent Cathedral, before heading to Greenwich for some free time to enjoy the markets, or an optional walking tour of this historic town. As the sun begins to set we board our luxury boat for a Champagne cruise along the river Thames taking us all the way back to London. What a day!
LEEDS CASTLE
Described as the "loveliest castle in the world", Leeds Castle was once a Royal residence for six of Englands medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII, and a retreat for the rich and powerful. The setting is simply idyllic. The Norman castle was built on two small islands, in the middle of a lake, and is surrounded by a vast estate. Our day begins with a private viewing prior to the castle opening to the public. We will explore the chapel, galleries, courtyards and banqueting hall before taking time to enjoy the setting and wildlife, which includes wildfowl, black swans and the birds of the aviary.
DOVER
Youve heard of the famous white cliffs of Dover? This is your chance to see them. Following our scenic drive along the old coastal road, we take lunch* in the Lighthouse Inn, dramatically positioned overlooking the cliffs. On a clear day you can even see France. The Inn has provided hospitality for a vast collection of people from bootleggers and smugglers, to Second World War soldiers. The fabulous home cooking here includes traditional British fare, such as fish and chips, and bread and butter pudding. Dover itself is an historic port with a magnificent 12th century castle.
*Food and drinks not included in the price.
CANTERBURY
The ancient city of Canterbury has been the centre of Christian worship for almost 1,700 years. Its greatest treasure is the cathedral, infamous as the setting for the brutal murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170. When Henry II snapped "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?", four of his knights rode to the cathedral and sliced Becketts head off. Canterbury became the centre of one of the most important medieval pilgrimages in Europe, immortalised by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. Your ticket includes entrance to the Cathedral and also allows some free time to explore the atmospheric old town.
GREENWICH AND THAMES CRUISE
Packed with exquisite parks, gardens, and architecture, Greenwich has strong connections with the sea, science, sovereigns and time. We will have time to take a look at the Cutty Sark, the fastest sailing ship of its time.
As the early evening approaches we enjoy an exclusive Champagne reception, as we gently cruise back to the centre of London. We will pass by historic sights such as the Tower of London, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, before arriving at Westminster pier where our tour ends
Tour Departs:
New Year's Day (1st January 2010)
Return: Cruise returns to London at 6.30pm
Price:
73 pounds per person
67 pounds per child (under 16 years)
Courtesy pick-up service from or near your hotel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
