Getting on/off a motorcoach and boat; driving about 9 miles, approximately 1.5 hours; boat ride about 3 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Paved & cobbled courtyards, grass lawns, uneven stone and wooden floors; most upper floors and basements at Tower of London accessed only by stairs with handrails, including narrow spiral staircases; step-free access to Jewel House. Entrance & exit ramps at Westminster Abbey; 5 steps to the Cloisters, which can be avoided by using Cloister Entrance outside Abbey.
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers a range of hot and cold items such as eggs, breakfast meats, hash browns, mushrooms, tomatoes, cereals, cheese, cold cuts, yogurts, pastries, and toast, as well as milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.
We'll travel by motorcoach to the Tower of London, the City’s ancient defensive center. Built at the behest of William the Conqueror in 1097, the White Tower still stands guard over the Thames. It is here that monarchs, importunate princes, and lesser mortals were imprisoned and beheaded. Now the tower is best known as the repository of the world famous Crown Jewels, including the Koh-I-Noor and Cullinan Diamonds – two of the world’s most famous diamonds and worn in the crown of Queen Victoria. The Crown Jewels were remade for Charles II after the originals were melted down in the Civil War. They provide a spectacular insight into the power of the Royal Family throughout history.
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
We will travel by boat along the Thames to Westminster, the center of British political power. Here we will see the exterior of the Houses of Parliament. We’ll then continue on to an expert-led field trip inside Westminster Abbey before a ride on the London Eye, the Ferris wheel built to celebrate the new millennium which affords spectacular views over the city. We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach after our field trips.
Hotel plated meal.
At leisure. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore London.