Southern England is a treasure chest of quintessential destinations, from regal palaces to rural splendor, archaeological ruins to Georgian spas. Every angle seems to resemble the revered image of England, filled with quaint traditions and fabulous architecture. This handcrafted 11-day Southern England tour loops across these coveted destinations, taking in everything from high tea to country pubs with roaring log fires. Classical and exclusive, this is England at its most iconic.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
London – A High-Tea Welcome
Iconic England loves its pomp and ceremony. In the ornate Palm Court of the 1906 Ritz, guests are expected to dress formally as they sit down to an afternoon of champagne afternoon tea. Smoked salmon finger sandwiches beneath glistening gold ceilings with raisin and apple scones standing on a regal tiered cake stand. This Central London affair is the perfect introduction to quintessential Southern England. After the overnight flight, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your five-star hotel in the heart of Central London. Dress for the occasion and enjoy an afternoon at the Ritz, sipping on the bubbles and getting acquainted with the etiquette of old England. A luxury chauffeur provides the drop off, completing the impression of royalty and immediate connection with English heritage. After high tea, the rest of the day is free. Dinner reservations can be recommended and arranged. Consider reading some of our England traveler reviews to further refine and perfect your own personalized itinerary.
What's Included:
Day 2
London – West End Show
Day 3
London – A Free Day in London
Day 4
Bath – Downton Abbey, Stonehenge, and Salisbury
Day 5
Bath – The Georgian Splendor of Bath
Day 6
The Cotswolds – The Birthplace of Shakespeare
Day 7 - 8
The Cotswolds – Quintessential English Villages
Day 9
Oxford – The Famous University Town
Day 10
Oxford – Final Memories of Iconic England
Day 11
Oxford – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Start your exploration with three nights in London, including being welcomed with a high tea experience at the Ritz
- Explore the capital at your leisure, with West End shows, famous shopping streets and all the iconic architecture
- Get lost in famous history by experiencing Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), Stonehenge, and the fabulous Salisbury Cathedral
- Enjoy two nights in the Georgian spa town of Bath
- Get out into the country with three nights in The Cotswolds, lost amidst quintessential villages and Shakespeare's birthplace
- Complete the vacation in the famous university town of Oxford, filled with ancient libraries, prestigious colleges, and dazzling palaces
- This seamless loop across the south of England is made even easier with a private car and driver
Detailed Description
Dream of England and what comes to mind? Perhaps high tea in an early 20th-century hotel? Maybe the noble splendor of Downton Abbey or a sublime stately home? A West End musical or a rural country pub surrounded by sheep? Southern England is liberally sprinkled with all these iconic images, every few miles seeming to bring a different yet equally quintessential sight. With Shakespeare's birthplace, Georgian baths, Stonehenge, cathedrals with nearly ten centuries of history, nothing looks the same but it all resembles the England of travel reveries. And it's all found in such close proximity. The longest journey you have between destinations is 90 minutes. Southern England packs it all in, from the city wonders to the cute villages, the inspiring countryside to the crumbling ruins. When one thinks of England, it's difficult to look past these iconic destinations.
A private driver takes you across Southern England, seamlessly connecting your four different bases. En route, you often stop at out of the way destinations to embark on the finest England tours. Start with three nights in London and a royal welcome with high tea at the Ritz. London can take you in so many directions, and the itinerary is free for you to piece together the capital you want to see. Tickets for a West End musical ensure another famous piece of heritage is ticked off. Then, you weave through royal England, stopping first to explore Highclere Castle, which you might now know as Downton Abbey. Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral reveal an ancient history before you settle into two days of Georgian splendor in the old spa town of Bath.
Picture rural England and the Cotswolds is about as close to the fairytale image as you can get. Sheep roam green hills, log fires warm country pubs, most buildings are at least 300 years old, and the country road winds to another timeless village. Three nights immerse you in this cute little dream, revealing a quiet and untouched side to England. You're also just around the corner from Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, another eternal highlight from this trip. Complete the vacation in Oxford, a world-famous university town that's packed with sublime architecture. Explore the 100 miles of shelves at the 400-year old Bodleian Library, roam through the grounds of Magdalen, see the Gothic chapel at Exeter College and visit the home of the Duke of Marlborough. With this iconic loop of destinations, you're already halfway back to London for your return flight.
Starting Price
$6,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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