Treasures of England - On Sale with Goway
Price: From $3,769CAD Per Person
(Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season (advertised pricing based on 22 March 2023 departure – alternative dates available).)
Offer: Save $380CAD
Photo: Birmingham
First-Class | Private-Guided: Discover the rich and unique history of some of England’s most iconic and inspiring cities. Explore the Tower of London, set out on a private-guided walking tour of Birmingham, and follow in the footsteps of the Fab Four in Liverpool.
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- 3 nights in first-class accommodations in London
- 2 nights in first-class accommodations in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Vintage Double-Decker Bus tour with Thames cruise and Coca-Cola London Eye
- Private-guided tour of “London’s Hidden Treasures”
- Admission to the Tower of London
- Small group “Royals, Romans and Ruins” tour (max 16 guests)
- Private transfer from London hotel to train station
- First-class rail ticket from London to Birmingham
- Private-guided walking tour of Birmingham
- Private-guided day tour through the West Midlands including Coventry Cathedral
- First-class rail ticket from Birmingham to Liverpool
- Shared Liverpool Beatles Walk (max 25 guests)
- Self-guided Beatles Story
- Small group tour of the Royal Liver Building (max 16 guests)
- Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1)
Photo: Map of the Splendours of England itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in London
Upon arrival to London, meet your driver outside of the Arrivals terminal. This driver will be holding a sign with your name on it. After meeting your driver, you will be privately transferred to your hotel in London.
In the afternoon, set out to see some of London's most famous landmarks on a vintage double-decker bus. Enjoy great views of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the London Eye while meandering through the streets and history of this great city. The tour also includes a chance to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Later on, the tour, set out on a private boat trip on the river Thames to enjoy excellent views of St. Paul's Cathedral and Shakespeare’s Globe.
You will also take a spin on the Coca-Cola London Eye. Centrally located in the heart of the capital, and gracefully rotating over the river Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the Coca-Cola London Eye is the world’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel; a feat of design and engineering it has become the modern symbol representing the capital and a global icon. An experience on the Coca-Cola London Eye will lift you high enough to see up to 40 kilometers (~24 miles) on a clear day and keep you close enough to see the spectacular details of the city unfolding beneath you. Included with every ticket is entry to the amazing Coca-Cola London Eye 4D Experience, an inspiring journey of discovery that brings London to life through unique perspectives and multi-sensory special effects, including wind, bubbles, and smell. Please note: when the guard change does not take place, you will instead stop for photos of Buckingham Palace. 3 Nights at the Clayton Hotel City of London.
Day 2: Explore London
Spend your morning in an iconic “London Black Cab” with a private driver-guide leading the way to uncover the real hidden gems of London. As you pass by some of London’s most famous sites, you will also see lots of hidden treasures such as a Roman Bath, a medieval Banqueting Hall, Winston Churchill’s Cigar chair, the oldest church in London, and even a shop with a river running through it! After a four-hour exploration of London’s hidden treasures, your driver-guide will drop you off at a central London location of your choice. Enjoy a bite to eat on your own, and then make your way to the Tower of London where you can spend your afternoon independently exploring this historic site, which is known for housing the Crown Jewels, hosting the Yeoman Warders, and being the site where many of Henty VIII’s wives were beheaded! Includes breakfast
Day 3: Royals, Romans, and Ruins
Today join a small group shared tour to tick off three bucket list sites when visiting the UK; Stonehenge, Windsor, and Bath. Your first stop will be at pre-historic Stonehenge where you can marvel at the ancient Stone Circle, uncover its mystery, and learn about its probable purpose. Continue the tour by then heading west to Bath, a UNESCO-listed city steeped in Roman history. Follow in the footsteps of the Romans as you discover the Roman Baths and Roman Temple before transporting forward in history to see some of the beautiful 18th-century Georgian crescents. The final stop of your day will be Windsor, which is home to the oldest and largest continuously occupied castle in the world. When inside Windsor Castle you will get to see the state apartments, reception rooms, and the Royal Chapel of St George - a truly iconic castle! You will return to London at a central drop-off location. Please Note: Entrance to the Roman Baths is not included. Includes Breakfast.
Day 4: London to Birmingham
This morning you will be privately transferred from your hotel to the train station. Upon arrival, you will board a first-class carriage with service to Birmingham. Once you have reached Birmingham, please make your own way to your hotel by taxi (not included) for check-in.
After years hidden away and far from the bright lights of London, Birmingham has come to life. With a growing cultural appetite that’s allowed a top-notch creative scene to flourish, the new 'Brum' is worth exploring alongside an expert. With that in mind, you’ll soon meet your private guide to embark on a two-hour walking tour of the city. Lined with lovely canals and eye-catching architecture, your local guide will immerse you in the sights and sounds of the city as you travel back through the centuries to discover how and why this city exploded from a small market town to the second largest in the UK. During your tour, you’ll learn about the city’s history and gain an authentic insight into modern city life today while exploring hidden gems along the way! Afterward, the rest of the evening is yours at leisure. Known for its excellent and diverse cuisine, why not head out for a night on the town? From fine dining experiences at Purnell's to authentic, local Balti cuisine at Shababs, there is a wide range of delicious options. 2 nights at Clayton Hotel Birmingham, includes breakfast.
Day 5: Birmingham and the West Midlands
The best way to explore the West Midlands is with a private driver-guide leading the way, and today you will head out of the city for a full day of discovery in this diverse region of England, with Coventry Cathedral being your first stop of the day. On the night of 14 November 1940, the city of Coventry was devastated by bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe, and the decision to rebuild the cathedral was taken the morning after its destruction. Rebuilding would not be an act of defiance, but rather a sign of faith, trust, and hope for the future of the world. As soon as it was re-opened in 1962, Coventry Cathedral became a major tourist attraction, welcoming thousands of visitors each year.
Just steps away from the Cathedral, you'll find a statue commemorating a decidedly different chapter of Coventry's history. Here your guide will detail stories of one of the city's most famous historic residents, Lady Godiva, who is depicted on horseback and topless; catch only a glimpse lest you lose your sight as the original "Peeping Tom" did centuries ago (or so the story goes)!
Continuing by foot just a few minutes away is St Mary’s Guildhall. St Mary’s Guildhall is one the finest surviving medieval guildhalls in England and has been one of Coventry’s premier historic venues for more than 600 years. First built in the 1340s for the merchant guild of St Mary, with its magnificent medieval interiors and fine artworks, the guildhall offers a window into Coventry’s glorious past.
Next is a change of scenery, as your driver-guide will escort you to Kenilworth Castle. One of the country’s most impressive medieval fortresses, the castle was later transformed into a spectacular Elizabethan palace by Robert Dudley to impress his queen, and your guide will spark your imagination with stories of epic sieges and royal scandals at mighty Kenilworth.
Finish your day by taking a stroll through Stratford-upon-Avon where the life and times of William Shakespeare take center stage in this riverside town. After a day exploring the West Midlands, you will be returned to your hotel in Birmingham. Please note: Admission to Coventry Cathedral is free of charge, though guests are highly encouraged to make a modest donation to the cathedral while visiting. Includes Breakfast.
Photo: Birmingham Canals
Day 6: Birmingham to Liverpool
After breakfast, make your own way to Birmingham Train Station by taxi (not included). You will then board a first-class carriage with service to Liverpool. Upon arrival, please make your own way to your hotel by taxi (not included). The afternoon and evening are at leisure. With much to see, do and taste in Liverpool, your afternoon and evening are sure to be a delight. 2 Nights at Hard Days Night Hotel. Includes Breakfast.
Day 7: Fab Four in Liverpool and Royal Liver Building
The original Liverpool Beatles Walk is a 2 hour Beatles magical mystery tour in the heart of Liverpool city center. This shared tour with a local Liverpool tour guide is a perfectly fun introduction to Liverpool’s World Heritage Site and to learn all about the legacy left by the Beatles, and to understand how that helped win Liverpool’s bid to host the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
This magical history and culture tour includes an amazing 8-minute panoramic Beatles Film and the brand-new Cilla Black statue. Your guide will entertain you and will give you lots of ideas for things to do in Liverpool during the rest of your visit.
Soon after, make your way to the award-winning Beatles Story; the world's largest, permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of the Beatles. Located on the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Albert Dock, the Beatles Story will take you on an atmospheric journey through the lives, times, and music of the world's greatest band. Living History audio guides are available in ten different languages and are narrated by John Lennon's sister, Julia.
You can also enjoy a number of interactive experiences including a map of Great Britain allowing you to explore musical roots across the country, a video history booth to record your own memories, and an exclusive Ringo Starr interactive drum lesson.
Finally, in the afternoon, make your way to the Royal Liver Building. For the first time in its more than 100 years of history, the Royal Liver Building is unlocking its doors to the public and inviting you to explore this landmark building. You’ll get a tour of some of the building’s hidden secrets, journeying to the 15th floor to get breathtaking panoramic views across Liverpool from the most iconic viewing point in the city, getting up close to the world-famous Liver Birds.
See an excellent, immersive audiovisual experience set in the original mechanism room, telling the story of Liverpool’s recent history exploring the building’s significance, and how a city full of culture, sport, history, and music has made its mark across the world. Includes Breakfast.
Day 8: Departure
Your time in England has come to an end. Aligning with your outbound flight, you will be privately transferred to Manchester Airport. Includes Breakfast.