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Independent London: Roman Walls and Historic Royal Palaces

Program Number: 20935RJ
Start and End Dates:
8/31/2013 - 9/8/2013; 10/5/2013 - 10/13/2013;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: England, UK:England
Price starting at: $1,825.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Independent City Discoveries Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 9; 6 Breakfasts, 0 Lunches, 3 Dinners    
Meal Options: Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt; Gluten Free    

The City of London began when the Romans founded a settlement on the River Thames in A.D. 43 and named it Londinium. In the two millennia since, rulers and dynasties have come and gone, leaving their mark on the architecture, art and the way of life of Londoners themselves. Join us for a fascinating close-up look at the complex history of one of the world’s most storied cities. We’ll find ancient remains, royal intrigue, iconic landmarks and still leave plenty of time for you to make your own discoveries along the way.




Highlights

• Learn what daily life was like in London when it was a wealthy Roman provincial capital as an expert leads you on a walk revealing the walls, streets and archaeological sites of this period.
• Delve into the lives of the Tudors and examine the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
• Most afternoons are yours to explore London’s cultural, historic and architectural treasures on your own.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to four miles per day.



Included in the Program Only Price: Seven nights hotel accommodation, London Underground and museum passes, all breakfasts, two dinners, five expert lectures, six escorted field trips and an option to join additional escorted excursions at no additional charge. Not included: Airport transfers.




Date Specific Information

8-31-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival London, 7 nights; departure.



Overnight flight from the U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival London
7 nights
Departure

Our week begins with the first London, at the founding of this great city as a Roman outpost, Londinium. Learn about daily life in Roman London, festivals and feast days in honor of the gods. Walk to locations of Roman walls, gates and building sites. Take a field trip to the British Museum to see its collection of Roman and Saxon artifacts and treasure. At the Museum of London medieval gallery, learn the story of London from the collapse of the Roman city in the 400s to the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558.
Join an expert at the Tower of London to view the stunning Crown Jewels and the White Tower. At Hampton Court Palace, explore the wonders of this majestic building and the stories its walls can tell. Led by your local expert, follow in the footsteps of visitors to the court of George I and II. Climb the magnificent King’s Staircase, and see if you can master the games of court. See the lights and sites of London by night on the river Thames on a boat ride to Greenwich.




England

It was the seat of an empire on which the sun never set. It has been Merry, Dickensian and Victorian. It has given us common law, Shakespeare, tennis, the Rolls-Royce and the Beatles. England and its people have played an outsize role in shaping world history. It is a country whose past, politics, culture and characters never cease to captivate.
Accommodations
Hotel located right on the River Thames in the heart of London, with panoramic views over Tower Bridge and the river.
Meals and Lodgings
   The Guoman Tower Hotel
  London, England, UK:England 7 nights
 The Guoman Tower Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Located right on the River Thames in the heart of London, The Tower Hotel benefits from panoramic views over Tower Bridge, The River Thames and St Katharine Docks. The Tower Hotel is right next door to two World Heritage Sites - Tower Bridge & The Tower of London
  Contact info: St Katherine's Way
London,  E1W 1LD UK:England
phone: +44 871 376 9036
web: www.guoman.com
  Room amenities: Air-conditioning, direct dial telephone. Tea and coffee making facilities, flat Screen LCD TV With Free View, Hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Mini bar, in room safe, BT Openzone Wi-Fi. Trouser press.
  Facility amenities: Every room at The Tower hotel is air-conditioned, en-suite and has BT Openzone wireless internet access: your room rate also includes free use of our gym facilities, with room service available 24 hours a day. The Brasserie Restaurnat. Xi Bar and Lounge.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior:  For additional pre and post program accommodations, please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at (800) 241-1404 or via email to travelinfo@roadscholar.org
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  For additional pre and post program accommodations, please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at (800) 241-1404 or via email to travelinfo@roadscholar.org
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Check in to the hotel after 3:00pm. The concierge will store your luggage. Welcome meeting is at 5:00pm in the hotel. You will be staying at The Guoman Tower Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
The programme ends with breakfast in the hotel on departure day. Breakfast ends at 10:00am and check out is by 11:00am. You will be staying at The Guoman Tower Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. No documents required other then a valid passport.
  Parking availability:
Not applicable.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Underground, trains and buses available.
To Start of Program
  Location:  London, England
  Nearest city or town:  London.
  Nearest airport:  London Heathrow and Gatwick.
  Transportation to site: Buses and underground available. There are no transfers available on this programme. For a quick and easy transfer from Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport to the Tower Hotel in London we suggest you take the rapid and regular transfers provided by Hotel by Bus airport transfer company which provides on line booking facility, customer service information desk at each terminal, use of express bus lanes to and from the Airport, luggage allowance of 1 suitcase and 1 piece of hand luggage. You may wish to take other means of transport from London Heathrow Airport; you could take the Heathrow Express to Paddington station. From there take a taxi or underground from Paddington on the Circle and District Line to Tower Hill. The Guoman Tower Hotel is located approximately 100 yards from Tower Hill underground station which is on the Circle and District Line. Leave the station via the entrance on the left, go down the steps and through the subway. Turn left and walk past the Tower of London. Another subway takes you under the next road, and then simply follow signs for The Tower Hotel. Mainline rail: Fenchurch Street station is 0.5 miles away London Bridge Tube and rail stations are just a short walk away over Tower Bridge. London Heathrow Airport has three stations on London Underground's Piccadilly Line, one for Terminals 1, 2 & 3, one for Terminal 4 and the newly opened Terminal 5. Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3 station is located between the terminals, only a few minutes' walk via underground walkways. Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 stations are situated in the basements of the terminal buildings.
  From End of Program
  Location: London, England
  Transportation from site: Reverse the arrival details.
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Saturday, August 31)
   
 In Transit Overnight: Overnight flight from North America.

Day 2:
(Sunday, September 1)
   
 Arrive To: Independent transfers on own to the hotel.
 Lunch: Excluded.
 Afternoon: Hotel check in is at 3:00pm. The concierge will store luggage. Check in to the hotel, unpack and relax. 5:30pm welcome meeting for introductions, a review of the programme itinerary and site orientation.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Discover Londinium (Roman London). London Highlights overview.
(Monday, September 2)
   
 Breakfast: In the hotel.
 Morning: Lecture at the hotel focusing on Londinium (Roman London) founded in about AD50 and the centre of administration for the province of Britannia. Panoramic field trip: The coach departs hotel for a panoramic overview of London's monuments and most famous sights. Your London expert continues a discussion of the city's history, as well as its architecture throughout the ages.
 Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Afternoon: At the Museum of London, on site lecture and field trip: Learn about daily life in Roman London, festivals and feast days in honour of the gods. Your Study Leader will give you suggestions for a self-guided exploration of Roman London.
 Dinner: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4: Discover Anglo Saxon London. British Museum.
(Tuesday, September 3)
   
 Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Lecture at the hotel- After Rome: Saxon London. On-site lecture/Field trip to the British Museum: for Roman and Saxon artefacts, notably the Mildenhall Treasure, Sutton Hoo Treasure, Frank's Casket, named after Sir Augustus Frank.
 Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration of the River Thames and Southwark area.
 Dinner: In a Thameside pub.
 Evening: Excursion: Take a River Boat to Greenwich to see the lights and sites of London by night on the river Thames
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Discover Medieval London. Museum of London and City Walk.
(Wednesday, September 4)
   
 Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Lecture at the hotel Medieval London. On-site lecture/Field trip: We walk from the Hotel to Tower Hill Station to take the tube to visit the Museum of London medieval gallery that tells the story of London from the collapse of the Roman city in the 400s to the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558.
 Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration of the Guildhall area of London near to St Paul's Cathedral.
 Dinner: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6: Discover Medieval and Tudor London. Tower of London.
(Thursday, September 5)
   
 Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: On site lecture/field trip. Join your expert to walk to the Tower of London, walk round the walls as the lecturer gives insights into the history of this iconic fortress. On-site Lecture/Field trip: the Tower of London, where we spend the day. Visit the Crown Jewels and the White Tower, which was completed in 1100, and now houses an exhibition of armour and a range of fascinating artefacts connected with the history of the Tower and the Monarchy.
 Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration of further areas of the Tower.
 Dinner: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7: Discover Hampton Court Palace.
(Friday, September 6)
   
 Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Lecture at the hotel The Tudors. On-site lecture/Field Trip: Led by your local expert, take public transport to discover the History of Hampton Court Palace and explore the wonders of this majestic building, and the stories behind them.
 Lunch: Excluded. Food may be purchased in the Hampton Court Cafe or Privy Kitchen.
 Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration of Hampton Court and other areas of London such as Whitehall.
 Dinner: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8: Discover Kensington Palace.
(Saturday, September 7)
   
 Morning: Lecture at the hotel- Fielding's London: The Eighteenth Century. On-site lecture/Field Trip: Led by your local expert, follow in the footsteps of visitors to the court of George I and II. Climb the magnificent King’s Staircase and see if you can master the games of court.
 Lunch: Explore area restaurants on your own.
 Afternoon: Free time for independent exploration of the Kensington and Hyde Park areas.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Guoman Tower Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 9:
(Sunday, September 8)
   
 Breakfast: Full English and continental breakfast in the hotel.
 Morning: Independent departures for return flights to North America. Some early transfers may leave before breakfast which ends at 10:00am. Your Group Leader will give you helpful information about getting to the airport and will be able to assist you with arrangements if needed.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Divorced, Beheaded, Died...: The History of Britain's Kings and Queens in Bite-Sized Chunks


Author: Kevin Flude


Description: Written by the course director Kevin Flude. The tales of the various monarchs of Britain are some of the most interesting in our history. From Henry VIII and his six wives and Edward VIII's abdication to some of our lesser known and mythical monarchs such as King Arthur, "Divorced, Beheaded, Died..." takes you on a gallop through the history of Britain's monarchs from the legendary King Brutus, through the houses of Tudor and Stuart, and up to the Windsors, including the major monarchs of Scotland and Wales. Discover the sticky end that befell Edward II, the story of the teenage queen of England who reigned for less than a fortnight, and find out whether Macbeth really was a king of Scotland. Presented in an accessible, chronological format, "Divorced, Beheaded, Died..." will fill all those gaps in your history knowledge, together with some fascinating and amusing facts that are guaranteed to entertain any history enthusiast.



London


Author: Edward Rutherfurd


Description: Available in audio-cassette form: ISBN 0679443819 - fiction but gives a real feel for the period. London has perhaps the most remarkable history of any city in the world. Now, its story has a unique voice. In this epic novel, Edward Rutherfurd takes the reader on a magnificent journey across sixteen centuries from the days of the Romans to the Victorian engineers of Tower Bridge and the era of Dockland development today. Through the lives and adventures of his colourful cast of characters, he brings all the richness of London's past unforgettably to life.



London - The Biography


Author: Peter Ackroyd


Description: Probably there is no one better placed than Ackroyd--the author of mammoth lives of Dickens and Blake, and novels such as Hawksmoor and Dan Leno and the Lime House Golem which set singular characters against the backdrop of a city constantly shifting in time--to write such a rich, sinewy account of "Infinite London". Ackroyd's London is no mere chronology. Its chapters take on such varied themes as drinking, sex, childhood, poverty, crime and punishment, sewage, food, pestilence and fire, immigration, maps, theatre and war. We learn that gin was "the demon of London for half a century", and that "it has been estimated that in the 1740s and 1750s there were 17,000 'gin-houses'." Fleet Street was an area known for its "violent delights" where "a 14-year-old boy, only 18 inches high, was to be seen in 1702 at a grocer's shop called the Eagle and Child by Shoe Lane." By the mid 19th century "London had become known as the greatest city on earth." By 1939 "one in five of the British population had become a Londoner."



London A Social History


Author: Roy Porter


Description: 'Roy Porter, a historian of formidable range, turns to urban history in this marvellously lucid, informative and passionate book... Porter's facts are always at the service of the narrative, which has a finely maintained momentum, balancing statistics with the words of historians, diarists and novelists, poets and churchmen: Pepys, Boswell, Fielding, Walpole, Blake, Mayhew, Wells, Woolf, Spark, ... a timely and brilliant book.' CLAIRE TOMALIN, EVENING STANDARD 'A vivid celebration of the city, but also an elegy for its decline, bubbling with statistics and anecdote, from Boadicea to Betjeman.' RICHARD HOLMES, DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOKS OF THE YEAR





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