Itinerary – London Arts & Shakespeare
London Arts & Shakespeare
Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? There’s no better place to go for the arts and Shakespeare than England, starting in London, an artistic metropolis encompassing centuries of history, culture, and yes, literature. Wander the famous streets name-dropped throughout your favorite books and films, visit countless richly inhabited museums and galleries, and explore the picturesque surrounding countryside where Shakespeare was born, Stonehenge was erected, and innumerable UNESCO World Heritage Sites abide.
Itinerary
Day 1: London – Arrival
Upon arrival to London, you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 2: London City Tour
Enjoy a morning tour of London in a vintage double decker bus. See Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, London Bridge and Buckingham Palace, where you will see the Changing of the Guard (subject to availability). Enjoy a ride on the London Eye and a Thames River Cruise for views of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.
Day 3: London – Stonehenge & Bath
Experience a full day tour to Stonehenge and Bath. Marvel at the prehistoric splendor of the massive stones at Stonehenge and continue to Bath, an elegant World Heritage City, originally founded as a health spa by the Romans. Explore this picturesque city and visit the Roman Baths before returning to London in the evening
Day 4: London Arts Scene
Enjoy a guided tour of the National Gallery, which houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings from the 13th to the 19th century. In the afternoon, visit the Tate Modern which, as Britain’s national gallery of modern art, begins chronologically where the National Gallery ends. In the evening, consider an optional West End theater performance.
Day 5: London – Highclere Castle, Bampton & Oxford – Stratford
Depart London for Stratford-upon-Avon. En route, stop first in Oxford for a walking tour of this venerable university town. Next, visit Bampton, the setting of various village scenes from the acclaimed Downton Abbey television series. Visit the Church, Mathew Crawley’s mother’s house, the hospital and more. Continue to Highclere Castle. Bulit by Sir Charles Berry, who also bult the houses of Parliament, the castle is the country seat of the Earls Carnarvon. Your tour of the Castle’s public rooms includes the magnificent public main hall, the library and sitting rooms, in addition to other rooms featured in Downton Abbey. You will have free time to explore the lovingly designed grounds or enjoy tea in one of the tea rooms. Continue to your hotel in Stratford for an overnight stay.
Day 6: Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Castle
enjoy a guided tour of Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and the cottage of Ann Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife. Travel to the medieval Warwick Castle to see Tussaud’s waxwork, spine-chilling dungeons and tended gardens.
Day 7: Stratford-upon-Avon – Departure
Bid farewell to England and transfer to the airport for your return flight.