Taste of England - 14 day/13 night

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

Visit the University of Oxford, founded in the 12th century and one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Visit the Bodleian Library, home to more than 13 million printed items and with roots in the 14th century. In the afternoon, journey to Cambridge, where you’ll punt down the River Cam, enjoying views of the colleges of Cambridge University as you travel along the water. Enjoy free time for dinner in Cambridge. (B)

Visit Ely Cathedral, dating back to 672. This magnificent building was used as a filming location for “The Crown” and “The King’s Speech”. Travel to the equally resplendent York Minster; this Gothic cathedral has the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. Enjoy some free time in York to explore independently before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Journey back in time on a vintage train ride from the Goathland Station that portrayed Hogsmeade Station in the first “Harry Potter” film to the ancient seaport of Whitby. Take a walking tour with your tour director, then free time for lunch. Travel back to York where your afternoon and evening are free for exploring and dinner on your own. (B)

Visit Harrogate, a Victorian spa town in Yorkshire, for a walking tour with your tour director. Travel on to the Lake District, with a stop for lunch. Visit the Lakes Distillery, to discover how hand-crafted spirits are made and enjoy a sampling. Go to Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, and have a tasting of its traditional spicy-sweet treat, first made 165 years ago. Continue to your hotel on the shore of Lake Windermere for dinner. (B, D)

Visit the Armitt Museum, which preserves the cultural heritage of the Lake District, with a special focus on local artist Beatrix Potter. Depart for a scenic cruise down Lake Windermere, then board a train and travel the historic Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway for a picturesque ride through the Leven Valley. Travel on to Liverpool where you’ll check into your hotel and dine independently. (B)

Discover Liverpool, the famous port city and home of the Beatles. You are free to delve into some of the city’s long history today at your own pace. In the evening, gather with your group for a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner   >