Overview

1. Day 1: USA - Europe

   Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included).

2. Day 2: Arrive London

   Welcome to London, a vibrant mix of old and new that marches to its very own unforgettable multicultural tune. Spend your day exploring the city's iconic sights – its royal heritage, exquisite architecture and fascinating museums. Then take to the city's streets this evening, enjoying the buzz of Soho or perhaps attend a West End show.

   hotel:Hilton Kensington

3. Day 3: London – Windsor – Bath – Bristol (2 Nights)

   This morning meet your Travel Director. Leave the bright lights of the British capital behind and journey through lush landscapes to the historic market town of Windsor, enjoying free time to ramble through its quaint streets and visit the elegant 11^th century castle. Journeying east, we arrive in the stately Georgian town of Bath whose beautiful Pulteney Bridge and 15^th century Gothic Abbey, provide a picturesque backdrop for the Roman Baths from which the city takes its name. See the steamy thermal pool of the 'Great Bath' before traveling to easy-going Bristol where we'll enjoy an orientation of the city including views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Brunel's SS Great Britain, the world's first ocean-going luxury liner.

   meal(s):FB, WR

   hotel:Hilton Garden Inn City Centre

4. Day 4: Longleat Stately Home and Lacock Excursion

   Leaving trendy Bristol behind, we embark on a scenic drive through the English countryside arriving at Longleat Stately Home near Warminster for a fascinating Cultural Insight into English heritage. Delve into centuries of British tradition during a included guided tour of one of the country's finest stately homes, currently home to the 7^th Marquess of Bath. Wander through its grand rooms featuring priceless collections of art, antiques and tapestries collected by 15 generations and admire the exquisite surrounding ‘Capability' Brown landscaped parkland. Later, we stop in the picturesque village of Lacock – its honey-coloured stone cottages and 15^th century inns have served as a picturesque backdrop for such famous films as 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Harry Potter', among others.

   meal(s):FB

5. Day 5: Bristol – Dunster – Exmoor National Park – Lynmouth – Bideford

   Take a step back in time to the medieval village of Dunster with its picturesque thatched cottages, 17^th century yarn market and Working Watermill, built on the site of a mill mentioned in the Domesday Survey of c1086. Driving through the dramatic landscapes of Exmoor National Park, we stop in Lynmouth perched along the breathtakingly rugged Devon coast for some time at leisure and perhaps a ride on the famous funicular cliff elevator to nearby Lynton. Our home for this evening is the historic port town of Bideford with its imposing 15^th century bridge that spans the Torridge River.

   meal(s):FB

   hotel:Durrant House

6. Day 6: Bideford – Tintagel – Exeter (2 Nights)

   Tales of knights and medieval myths and legends take center stage today as we enjoy views of the ruined Tintagel Castle, reputedly the birthplace of King Arthur. We join the Kempthorne family for a light Be My Guest Cornish lunch and tales of farming heritage at their homely Cornish farmstead which has been in their family since the early 18^th century. As the day draws to its close, we sit in quiet contemplation with the sounds of Gregorian chants and choral music filling the historic St. Martin's Church as part of a Join Trafalgar initiative to support The Churches Conservation Trust. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the medieval center of Exeter on your terms.

   meal(s):FB, BG

   hotel:Mercure Southgate

7. Day 7: Cornish Excursion including Plymouth, St. Ives and Dartmoor National Park

   Meandering along the dramatic coastline of Cornwall today, past smugglers' coves and quaint coastal villages, we stop in the maritime city of Plymouth and view the Mayflower Steps from which brave pilgrims are said to have left English shores for an unknown new world. Discover lovely St. Ives, a popular retreat for artists, before enjoying views of St. Michael's Mount with its 17^th century castle which sits dramatically atop the tidal island near the seaside town of Penzance. We travel through the brooding landscape of Dartmoor National Park, stopping at a traditional pub for a memorable Farewell Dinner with our travel companions.

   meal(s):FB, FD

8. Day 8: Exeter – Stonehenge – Salisbury – London

   See the ancient monoliths at Stonehenge rise up imposingly on Salisbury Plain this morning and imagine a time when pagans and druids would gather in their mysterious midst. We'll visit the town of Salisbury, home to Britain's tallest spire, before returning to London.

   meal(s):FB

   hotel:Hilton Kensington

9. Day 9: Depart London

   Say a fond farewell to your traveling companions at the end of a wonderful vacation, as you prepare to return home with treasured memories.

   meal(s):FB