3cPlatform

You board your aircraft for the  overnight journey to London eagerly anticipating the experiences ahead

Upon arrival in London you will be met by your driver who will take you on a brief tour through the countryside and into London where you will see all the major sights in a brief orientation tour before arriving at your hotel. We have booked you a table for lunch which gives you the chance to unwind and discuss your upcoming experience. After lunch you have the option of taking a walk in the neighborhood (Buckingham Palace is close by) or taking a leisurely bath to re-hydrate from the flight. The evening has been left open since many people opt for a light snack and an early sleep.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to the Thames where you board a boat for the trip down river to the town of Greenwich which has a long and interesting history going back to Tudor times. As you proceed down the Thames you will see the extent of the docks in days gone by, now converted into trendy apartments. We arrive at Greenwich, home of Greenwich Mean Time at the Meridian Line, Longitude 0. Your first stop will be the Old Royal Naval College including a visit to the Painted Hall and Chapel. You will then proceed to the Royal Observatory stopping en route to visit Queen's House. After touring the Royal Observatory you will have lunch at a local tavern before visiting the National Maritime Museum. Inside you will see many interesting artifacts of Britain's naval past including the uniform that Lord Nelson was wearing at Trafalgar when he received his fatal wound. You will return to London on the light rail system giving you an interesting winding trail through the financial center of Canary Wharf and the homes of East London.

This morning you will depart for Bloomsbury to hear about the "Bloomsbury Group", artists, writers, musicians, philosophers and just plain bohemian characters who lived and worked in the area during the early 20th Century. You'll also learn about Charles Dickens' association with the area. After lunch you will visit the "British Museum" with its unmatched collection of artifacts from all over the globe. You'll see the Rosetta Stone that opened up the key to Egyptian hieroglyphics, the Egyptian mummies and the Elgin Marbles taken by Lord Elgin from the frieze of the Parthenon in Athens. For would be "Indiana Jones'" this is a must see. You have the option of spending more time at the museum or returning to the hotel with your host. We have left this evening open for you to try a restaurant recommended by friends or you can get some advice from your host or the hotel's concierge.

Today we will explore London as Capital of the British Empire. Your first visit will be to Apsley house given to the Duke of Wellington by a grateful nation for his defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. The house is the last remaining major London townhouse in existence and the top floors are still occupied by the Wellesley family You will then be taken to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. With costumes and bearskin hats dating back to the Napoleonic wars it is British pageantry at its finest. You will then proceed to Trafalgar Square dedicated to Lord Nelson and celebrating the Naval Victory at Trafalgar. Nelson gave his life defeating France at sea and Wellington gained victory on land and was able to enjoy the fruits of his victory into old age. Such is fate. You will then visit Whitehall, site of many ministries and 10 Downing Street famous as the home of the Prime Minister. Your last visit for the day will be the War Cabinet Rooms where Winston Churchill managed the British war effort in World War II while German bombers roared overhead. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Today you will visit some little known or rarely visited corners of London which will expand your understanding of the diversity this city offers. You will start with a visit to "Little Venice" a beautiful leafy village of London. The village was home to Robert Browning and many current celebrities still live here. During your visit we will tell you who and, perhaps, where. From here you will take a boat trip down the Regent's canal to Camden Lock, a very lively area of town with its colorful market, clothing and food stalls. After taking time to explore and have some lunch, the rest of the day is free.

We have left today open for you to pursue your own activities within London. Whether it is shopping the stores in Knightsbridge and Bond Street or taking time to visit one of London's justly famous museums and art galleries the choice is yours. You might decide to wonder through London's many parks and take out a pedal boat on the Serpentine. Your options are many. This evening your host will meet you at the hotel for a quintessential English tradition, a dinner at Simpson's–in-the-Strand. This heritage restaurant is famous for its roast beef carved at your table from large domed trolleys. If fish is your thing the Dover Sole is also excellent. What better way to end your London visit? After dinner your host can take you back to the hotel or you may want to spend some time clubbing in the west end.

After breakfast your driver will be waiting to take you to the airport for your return flight to the US