7 days The Best of Southern England ( 2017 )
This Southern England tour highlights some of the historical monuments
and beautiful towns found throughout Southern England. Your tour starts
in London with guided sightseeing of the city's must-see attractions,
including Big Ben and a visit inside St. Paul's Cathedral, the iconic
church famous throughout the world. History buffs are sure to be
delighted on the visits to Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William
Shakespeare and a town that brings to life what life was like in
16th-century England; mysterious Stonehenge; the fascinating Roman ruins
in Bath, once used over 2,000 years ago for bathing and socializing;
and Hever Castle, the 13th-century, double-moated castle and childhood
home of Anne Boleyn. Enjoy a walking tour of Hampton Court Palace's
gardens, with their sparkling fountains and ornamental flower displays.
Visit magnificent Salisbury Cathedral, consecrated in 1258 and home to
the best preserved original Magna Carta.
Throughout this tour of
Southern England, you will be accompanied and guided by local experts
who will bring these destinations to life with firsthand, in-depth
knowledge of southern England’s history, treasures, and secrets. Plus,
to give you authentic experiences, Globus has included special
adventures, such as tea and bara brith at The Anchor pub near the ruins
of 12th-century Tintern Abbey in the beautiful Wye Valley on the border
of England and Wales.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in London, England | Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay. |
| 2 | London | After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the Thames River, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Later, how about an optional dinner, followed by a cruise on the Thames River? Breakfast. |
| 3 | London–Hampton Court–Oxford–Stratford-Upon-Avon | Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions, and depart at 8 am for a lovely day of sightseeing. First, a special visit to admire the ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk through the breathtaking grounds. Then, drive through Runnymede, site of the sealing of the Magna Carta on June 15, 1215, and take a stroll in Oxford to see the colleges where Britain’s elite receives its outstanding education. Arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon in good time to take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. Breakfast, Dinner. |
| 4 | Stratford-Upon-Avon–Broadway–Bath | A particularly scenic day. Enjoy vistas of the Cotswold Hills as you travel to the Elizabethan village of Broadway. On to Wales for a drive through the beautiful Wye Valley to the romantic ruins of 12th-century Tintern Abbey. Stop here for Globus Local Favorite TEA and BARA BRITH (speckled bread) at The Anchor pub. Cross the 3,240-foot Severn Road Bridge, and in elegant Georgian Bath, see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS, with time to explore further on your own. Later, consider an optional excursion to the picturesque, 13th-century village of Castle Combe. Breakfast. |
| 5 | Bath–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Brighton | Today, try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric STONEHENGE. First, explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then take the shuttle to the stone circle and admire the magnificence of the monument up close. In Salisbury, visit the splendid CATHEDRAL, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture and home to the best preserved original Magna Carta, and enjoy Globus Local Favorite a light LUNCH in the Refectory restaurant. Your overnight is in the Regency seaside resort of Brighton. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. |
| 6 | Brighton–Hever Castle–London | Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before visiting spectacular HEVER CASTLE, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, a romantic, double-moated, 13th-century castle set in four acres of magnificent formal gardens that include Italian, rose, and Tudor gardens as well as a yew maze. Return to London around 3:30 pm. How about celebrating the end of your vacation by taking in one of the great West End shows? Breakfast. |
| 7 | London | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast. |