English Knights & Wizards

Your vacation starts at your London hotel at 2:00 PM. soaking in English culture as you see the capital's highlights on a tour of London. See some of the most historic buildings in the world: the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Trafalgar Square. See Temple Church, made famous by The Da Vinci Code. Board a private capsule to take a ride on the London Eye, the world’s tallest cantilevered observation tour; it will lift you 433 feet above the Thames for 360-degree views of this majestic city. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink.

Visit the Tower of London, a medieval fortress that both served as one of history’s most infamous prisons and is the current home of the Crown Jewels. Join up with a genuine expert on Harry Potter for a walking tour that will have you tracing the footsteps of the young wizard. Stop for lunch on your own and this afternoon see a musical in the West End—London’s version of Broadway! Enjoy free time in the evening to explore independently. (B)

Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the huge monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about how they were built over 4,500 years ago. Next head to Bath to visit the Roman Baths, hot mineral-rich springs that have been popular since Roman times. Meet costumed Roman characters who will tell you of their lives in Roman Britain. Travel to Wales to tour Cardiff Castle, fabulously renovated in Victorian times, before enjoying a fun Welsh banquet with entertainment. (B, D)

Take a panoramic tour of Cardiff followed by a walking tour to explore this historic port city. Travel to see a typical market town filled with half-timbered houses and charming shops. Proceed to Shrewsbury, which still retains its medieval street plan, and enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit a farm to see highly skilled sheepdogs herding sheep, before going on to your hotel near Chester. (B, D)

Head to Llandudno, where you will board the old funicular system known as the Great Orme Tramway. This tram will take you through an area rich in history dating to the Stone Age, and the home of wild Kashmir goats. Proceed to the walled market town of Conwy for lunch. Travel to the Llechwedd Slate Caverns where you will take a deep mine tour and experience the life of a slate miner over 150 years ago. (B, D)

Set out for Warwick Castle situated on the River Avon. This medieval castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and then rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. Proceed to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and learn about the Bard, starting with an exhibition about his life and work, before walking through the house where he was born. (B, D)

Discover how the magic was made at Warner Bros. Studio’s “The Making of Harry Potter”: see the original movie sets, discover the magic behind the special effects, and learn the secrets from behind the scenes. This visit to the studios where all 8 films were produced will let you walk the original stone floor of the Hogwarts Great Hall, and so much more. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D)

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner