Mon,.

UNITED STATES TO LONDON

Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meals as you travel to London.

Tue.

LONDON ARRIVAL & WINDSOR CASTLE

After landing at Heathrow Airport and completing customs and immigration formalities, your CIE Tours guide will welcome you to England and escort you to the motorcoach.  Drive west through the magnificent English countryside to visit Windsor Castle, where British Sovereigns have been living for almost 900 years. Take a guided tour through the elegantly furnished staterooms and stroll through the gardens. See the Upper & Middle Wards, the Round Tower and the Lower Ward where St. George’s Chapel is situated. Then check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to settle in before joining your group for dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: OAKLEY COURT HOTEL, WINDSOR

Wed.

STONEHENGE & BATH

This morning depart Windsor and travel southwest to Salisbury Plain to visit Stonehenge, one of Britain's most important prehistoric monuments.  This huge megalithic structure, probably of religious significance, was erected about 5,000 years ago.  Continue north to Avebury, one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, which is even older than Stonehenge.  In the midst of it is the pretty village of Avebury, surrounded by circles of massive sarsen stones and an impressive embankment and ditch.  After your visit travel west to Bath, a spa town which has been well known for its natural hot springs for almost 2,000 years since the Roman era.   The fashion of “taking the waters” was revived in Regency times during the 18^th century and many of the finest houses, streets and parks date from then.  Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before dining with your group.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: FRANCIS HOTEL, BATH

Thur.

Bath to CAERPHILLY & castle visit

Leaving Bath this morning travel northwest into Wales and continue to the town of Caerphilly to visit Caerphilly Castle, the largest castle after Windsor Castle. Built in 1268 to 1271 by Gilbert de Clare, Lord of Glamorgan. The castle is seeped in history of the turbulent wars in medieval Wales.  After your visit, check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day free for individual pursuits.  In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: BRYN MEADOWS HOTEL, CAERPHILLY

Fri.

St. david’s cathedral & FISHGUARD

Depart Caerphilly this morning and travel to the most westerly point of Wales, St. David’s for a look around this lovely area.  St. David's is the smallest city in the United Kingdom, with a population of under 2,000 people. It lies on the River Alun, on Saint David's peninsula and is the final resting place of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales.  The city is built around St. David's Cathedral, which in the Middle Ages was a popular place of pilgrimage.  Visit the Cathedral which was built upon the site of St. David's 6th century monastery.  It has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for many hundreds of years and remains a church serving a living community.  After some free time to browse on your own, drive northeast to the town of Fishguard and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

OVERNIGHT: FISHGUARD BAY HOTEL, FISHGUARD

Sat.

Brecon beacon national park & CHEPSTOW CASTLE

Depart Fishguard this morning and journey southeast through the scenic Welsh countryside.  Travel through the Brecon Beacons National Park, which covers 519 square miles, over half of which is 1,000 ft above sea level. Enjoy this breath-taking scenery as you travel to the town of Chepstow.  Upon arrival visit Chepstow Castle, a Norman castle perched high above the banks of the river Wye. Construction began in 1067, under the instruction of the Norman Lord William fitzOsbern, later known as the Earl of Hereford.  After your visit, check into your hotel and enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your group for dinner

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: ST. PIERRE HOTEL, CHEPSTOW

Sun.

TINTERN ABBEY & CAERLEON

This morning drive north to visit the Cistercian abbey of Tintern, one of the greatest monastic ruins of Wales. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain, and the first in Wales, and was founded on May 9, 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. It soon prospered, thanks to endowments of land in Gwent and Gloucestershire, and buildings were added and updated in every century until its dissolution in 1536. Its position well away from the Welsh heartland meant that it suffered little in the periodic Welsh uprisings of the medieval period. Tintern's crowning glory, its great church, was built between 1269 and 1301. After your visit, drive west to the town of Caerleon for some free time to relax or browse independently.  Return to Chepstow where the balance of the day is at leisure before dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: ST. PIERRE HOTEL, CHEPSTOW

Mon.

Shakespeare's Birthplace & Anne Hathaway's Cottage

After breakfast this morning depart Chepstow and travel northeast via the outskirts of Gloucester to reach in Stratford-upon-Avon, a lovely old riverside town which is rich in half-timbered Tudor houses and famous for its association with William Shakespeare.  Upon arrival visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, a timber-framed house where he was born in 1564, containing numerous exhibits of the Elizabethan period and Shakespeare memorabilia.  Then head over to the village of Shottery to visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. This Elizabethan farmhouse was the home of Shakespeare’s wife and, with much of its original 16^th century furniture, conveys the atmosphere of Shakespeare’s life.  Return to Stratford and check into your hotel where the balance of the day and evening are at leisure for independent activities and dining.

OVERNIGHT: SHAKESPEARE HOTEL, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Tue.

WARWICK CASTLE & FREE TIME

This morning drive a short distance north to visit Warwick Castle, home to the mighty Earls of Warwick. The castle played a part in the Wars of the Roses and scenes are recreated in “Kingmaker - A preparation for Battle”.  Tour the state rooms to view collections of arms, furniture and paintings, and you’ll also have time to visit the beautiful gardens, landscaped by “Capability” Brown.  Return to Stratford-Upon-Avon and enjoy the balance of the day free for individual pursuits.  In the evening you are free to choose from the many restaurants that Stratford has to offer.

OVERNIGHT: SHAKESPEARE HOTEL, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

Wed.

OXFORD TOUR & LONDON

Depart Stratford-upon-Avon this morning and travel south to the beautiful university town of Oxford. See some of the famous colleges such as Christchurch, whose chapel is the Cathedral of Oxford; Merton, one of the oldest; Magdalene, probably the most beautiful; New College, over 500 years old with its lovely gardens. Then continue your drive into the capital city of London and check into your hotel.  Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure for independent sightseeing or shopping. Art lovers can view some of the world's finest art collections in London's galleries such as the National Gallery, the British Museum or the Victoria & Albert Museum. If shopping appeals to you, London offers a huge array of shops and designer boutiques.  Try the popular stores along Oxford Street, the special boutiques of Bond and Jermyn Streets or the famous Harrods in Knightsbridge. In the evening take advantage of London's worldwide reputation for its entertainment ranging from the theater, musicals, opera and ballet to rock concerts and nightclubs. Or choose from the many restaurants of all types scattered throughout the city. 

OVERNIGHT: WESTPOINT HOTEL, LONDON

Thu.

LONDON SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Today take a guided tour of London’s best-known landmarks to include the West End, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.   Drive by the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.  Stop for a visit to Westminster Abbey with its glorious medieval architecture and impressive tombs and monuments to some of Britain’s greatest public figures.  Next visit the famous Tower of London where you can see the Crown Jewels, closely guarded by the Beefeaters, before returning to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to do some shopping or further sightseeing on your own.  

This evening join in the fun and feasting at the Ivory House, located a stone’s throw away from the Tower of London. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the vaulted cellars during which the King Henry, fighting knights, strolling players and ladies transport you in spirit to the magical medieval pageant for your delight.

OVERNIGHT: WESTPOINT HOTEL, LONDON

Fri.

RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

Today your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Heathrow Airport in plenty of time to check in for your transatlantic flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft. Enjoy your flight across the Atlantic Ocean back to your hometown in the United States.