2022 Gems of Southern England - 8 Days/7 Nights

Duration: 8 Days

Price: Starts from $0 USD

Itineraries

Day 1: Arrival | Windsor Castle
Meet your guide at 2:00 PM in your Windsor hotel. Venture to see the splendors of Windsor Castle, a residence of the Queen, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group; dine and explore this intriguing medieval town as you wish this evening.


Day 2: Blenheim Palace | Cotswolds | Bath
Travel to Blenheim Palace, the magnificent country house once home to Winston Churchill and often seen as the setting for popular TV shows and movies; tour the house and explore the gardens. Set off on a drive through the rolling hills of the quintessentially English Cotswolds, with charming villages and colorful gardens. Arrive in Bath, a striking city of honey-colored Georgian buildings with an ancient heritage. Take a walking tour of the city before visiting the famed Roman Baths. Dine at your hotel this evening.
(B,D)


Day 3: Stonehenge | Salisbury
Visit prehistoric Stonehenge and marvel at the vast monoliths mysteriously erected 5,000 years ago. Head to the medieval city of Salisbury, with free time for lunch and sightseeing. Along with charming local shops, Salisbury boasts a splendid 13th-century cathedral housing the world’s oldest working clock. Head back to Bath, where your evening is free to explore and dine as you wish.
(B)


Day 4: Winchester | Portsmouth
Visit Winchester, in medieval times the most important city in England; some believe this is where the legendary King Arthur had his Round Table. Enjoy some free time to explore. Next, delve into nautical life in Portsmouth, where you’ll visit the historic dockyards. Head on to dinner at your hotel in the countryside.
(B)


Day 5: Birling Gap |Royal Tunbridge Wells | Sissinghurst
Visit Birling Gap for a gentle cliff walk. Head to Royal Tunbridge Wells, a delightful old spa town, for some free time to discover its exquisite Georgian and Victorian architecture and charming shops and pubs. Next take a stroll to explore Sissinghurst Castle Garden, one of the finest gardens in England. Head to your hotel for dinner.
(B, D)


Day 6: Leeds Castle | Canterbury Cathedral
Journey to romantic Leeds Castle in Kent, once called “the loveliest castle in the world”. Tour this storybook structure, complete with a moat, and discover its colorful gardens. Proceed to the beautiful city of Canterbury. Take time to explore its medieval center before visiting its imposing cathedral and hearing some of its enthralling tales. Head to London where you’ll dine with your group.
(B, D)


Day 7: Kensington Palace | Afternoon Tea | London Exploring
Visit Kensington Palace, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate. Next, savor afternoon tea, a classic English experience, before spending the rest of the day at leisure, exploring London.
(B, D)


Day 8: Tour Ends in London
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)


B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Highlights

Authentic Local Experiences:

  • Visit Blenheim Palace – the birthlace of Winston Churchill, it gives insight into the real world that inspired Downton Abbey.
  • Explore Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard; at the height of the British Empire, it was the world’s greatest naval port.
  • Visit Kensington Palace, the childhood home of Queen Victoria and home to many notable royals over the last 300 years.

Trip Highlights:

  • Stonehenge
  • Kensington Palace
  • Blenheim Palace
  • Roman Baths
  • Canterbury Cathedral
  • Windsor Castle

Dining Experiences:

  • 7 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunches (L) and 4 Dinners (D)

Hotels:

  • MGallery Castle Hotel | Windsor (1)
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Bath | Bath (2)
  • Hilton Avisford Park | Arundel (1)
  • Chilston Park Hotel | Maidstone (1)
  • Hilton London Kensington | London (2)

Gems of Southern England - 8 days/7 nights

Not included

Hotels

Gems of Southern England - 8 days/7 nights land tour
SupplierNameSupplierRating DescriptionImage
SupplierName Castle Hotel WindsorSupplierRating **** Castle Hotel is a characterful and harmonious building, with a unifying palette and design features. The concept of how history and people have made their mark permeates the entirety of the property's new creative interior design. Immerse yourself in history in a unique location. Castle Hotel Windsor is an elegant Georgian building with a rich past and an enviable address: directly opposite Windsor Castle. Walk through the doors and walk back in time, as you discover fascinating authentic features and lovingly restored décor, before you retire to your gloriously relaxing room. The town's cobbled streets offer much to explore, and you'll have the best view possible for the pomp and grandeur of the Changing of the Guard.
SupplierName DoubleTree by Hilton BathSupplierRating ****
SupplierName DoubleTree by Hilton BathSupplierRating ****
SupplierName Avisford Park HotelSupplierRating ****
SupplierName Chilston Park HotelSupplierRating **** Set back from tree-lined lanes, the manor house at Chilston Park Hotel in Lenham, Kent sits in 22 acres of parkland, featuring a two AA Rosette restaurant. The Grade I listed hotel offers a wide variety of unique feature bedrooms, from mews Classic double rooms to the Manor House master suite. You are more than a number when you stay at Chilston Park – each of the 53 bedrooms is known by a name, not a digit, and has its own unique history and feel. There are romantic four posters, large family bedrooms, a range of superior bedrooms and many feature stunning views across the gardens and lake. The period charm of this traditional Kentish country housel sets the tone for an authentic and memorable dining experience in the heart of the county. For formal yet relaxed evening dining, Culpeper’s award-winning restaurant near Maidstone offers a menu of seasonal modern British dishes. The elegant Marble Lounge offers an idyllic setting for traditional Afternoon Tea, with plenty of contemporary touches, and in the summer enjoy a light bite out on the terraces.
SupplierName Hilton London KensingtonSupplierRating