Undiscovered England: London & the West Midlands

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.

Today join a small group shared tour to tick of 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.

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 local taxi (not included). After checking in to your hotel, take advantage of an afternoon at leisure. There are many excellent attractions throughout England’s second largest city. Consider visiting the Birmingham Science Museum, or the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. For those looking to do a bit of shopping, the Bull Ring and Grand Central, as well as the Great Western Arcade are sure to please. Alternatively, the Library of Birmingham may be of interest as it is host to a selection of Shakespeare’s archives. Another great option is to take a relaxing stroll along the picturesque canals that line the city.

Accommodation: Clayton Birmingham

After breakfast, get set for a day exploring the wonderful West Midlands. Today you will be met by a private driver-guide who will whisk you away to Coventry where you will explore Coventry Cathedral. 

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)!

Soon after, you’ll visit The Reel Store, an immersive digital art gallery where you will enter a 360-degree display that features awe-inspiring presentations that will dazzle. Later in the day, it is time to satisfy your inner motor-head with a visit to the Coventry Transport Museum. Here you can tour a range of interesting exhibits and displays that showcase some 300 cycles, 120 motorcycles and 250 vehicles, including the Thrust SSC, which holds the World Land Speed Record. Set back in 1997, the Thrust SSC reached a top speed of ~1228 kilometers per hour (763 mph)!

Your last stop of the day is the Land Rover Factory Experience where you’ll discover the history of this iconic brand and hear the stories and history that led to the creation of one of the world’s most renowned vehicles. Following the Land Rover Factory Experience, you’ll 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.

Meeting your private driver-guide after breakfast, you’ll set out this morning en route to Warwick. Upon arrival, you’ll explore this lovely market town and catch a glimpse of formidable Warwick Castle before carrying on to the British Motor Museum. Host to the world’s largest collection of British automobiles, motor enthusiasts will love the visit; the first Land Rover (from 1948), the Nuffield Gutty prototype, the final Aston Martin DB7 and the Sinclair C5 are just a few examples of the vehicles you'll see here. After exploring the museum, you’re off to Shakespeare’s Distillery, an excellent artisan producer of spirits, for a tour of the distillery and of course a few samples. After touring and tastings, your day comes to an end with a return transfer to your hotel in Birmingham. Upon return, the rest of your evening is at leisure. Known for its excellent and diverse cuisine, why not head out for a delicious meal on your last night in 'Brum'? From fine dining experiences at Purnell's to authentic, local Balti cuisine at Shababs, there are a wide range of delicious options.

Your time in England has come to an end. Aligning with your outbound flight, you will be privately transferred to London Heathrow (or Gatwick) Airport.