New for 2013, the London and the Cotswolds tour combines the best of two different worlds with picturesque country rambling and an architecturally stunning city walk in the country’s capital.

Spanning nearly 800 square miles of some of the most beautiful countryside in England, and located just 100 miles west of London, the Cotswolds are rightfully designated as "an area of outstanding natural beauty. In the Cotswolds, time looks as if it is standing still. Steeped in history, its tiny villages of honey-colored limestone abound with thatched cottages that cluster around spired churches. This superbly picturesque countryside of undulating meadows and beech forests lends itself to a series of gentle walks with quite modest elevation changes.

Highlights of the Cotswolds portion of this tour include:

• 4 scenic guided walks with talks led by Lakeland experts
• Visits to charming and sleepy villages all with the architecturally pleasing honey-colored limestone houses: Stow-on-the-Wold, Stanton and Chipping Campden
  
• Hidcote Manor - world renowned gardens designed by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston
  
• Walk to Broadwell, a pretty village with a huge green, ford, and interesting churchyard.
• Walk to Stanton- the perfect Cotswold village, frozen in time

In contrast to the tranquil and rural setting of the Cotswolds, London offers a quicker pace with splendid sights packed into every square mile. Its various attractions, shopping and markets mean London has a bit of something for everyone.  The city itself is full of contrasts, giving the visitor a contemporary feel with its myriad museums and galleries and an historic appeal in its eye-catching architecture.

The London highlights will include:

• A Blue Badge guided tour to many of the major sights: Trafalgar Square, Horseguards, Embankment, Whitehall, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace
• A walk to The Inns of Court and Fleet Street
• St Paul's Cathedral
• The Barbican estate and Guildhall
• Visit to the Tower of London
• Explore the River Thames by boat

Day 1  Arrive at Charingworth Manor Hotel for the first of four nights. Following a light lunch, take a short walk to enjoy your first experience of the peace and tranquility of the area. Dinner awaits you on your return to the hotel. (L, D) 4 miles

Day 2  Walk via the lovely village of Ebrington to Hidcote Manor, one of England's world renowned gardens. Designed and created by the horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston in the Arts & Crafts style, it is made up of exquisite garden rooms, each possessing its own special character. Walk on to perhaps the loveliest of all Cotswold villages, Chipping Campden. Time to enjoy this gorgeous village before transferring back to your hotel. (B, L, D) 6 miles

Day 3 Transfer to Moreton-in-the-Marsh. Pass by Sezincote, a unique example of Mughal architecture, then walk through Longborough and Donnington to arrive at pretty Broadwell, with its huge green, ford, and interesting churchyard. Continue to Stow-on-the-Wold, the highest village in the Cotswolds, and unusually, built on a square, for free time. (B, L, D)   6 miles

Day 4 Transfer to Stanway with its beautiful Manor House and walk across the estate to Stanton, which is generally agreed to be a perfect Cotswold village, frozen in time. The main street is lined with beautiful golden limestone houses and it is no surprise that Stanton is frequently used as a movie location.  Walk via Buckland along the Cotswold Way to beautiful Broadway for lunch. Free time in Broadway before returning to your hotel for overnight. (B, L, D) 6 miles

Given the nature of this next part of the tour we ask that our clients pay for all entry fees, boat passages, lunches and dinners themselves.
With the multitude of restaurant choices available in London, you will have unrestricted dining options.

Day 5 Transfer to London via Highclere Castle, the castle featured in the Downton Abbey TV series.  We will stop nearby and take a short walk in the grounds which will include views of the house exterior before continuing on to the capital. Overnight London. (B)

Day 6 Discover essential London in the company of a local guide who will be able to provide an in-depth historical introduction to the capital's extraordinary history. Because London is so large, you will walk and use London buses and underground to get from place to place. Start with a walk taking in Trafalgar Square, Horseguards, Embankment, Whitehall, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. For a complete contrast, finish the morning by taking the bus or tube to Temple for a short, guided walk around the Inns of Court followed by lunch in Fleet Street. In the afternoon there will be a city walk from St Paul's Cathedral taking in some Wren churches, some of the city's stunning new architecture, little known parks, the old Roman city wall, the Barbican estate and Guildhall. Then, we make our way to the Tower of London and return to Westminster by boat along the Thames.  (B)

Day 7 Free day to visit museums, galleries, the theater, or the Olympic Village, however you’d like to spend the day. (B)

Day 8 Departure after breakfast. (B)

Dates & Prices:

Tour prices are per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement is only applicable if you are traveling solo and/or have a room to yourself.

Tour Dates	Tour Price	Single Supplement
May 19 -26, 2013	$3,475	$475
Interested in a different departure date? Consider a private tour or a self guided tour.

What's Included:

Your trip price includes the following. For additional information, please call or email us at and one of our exceptional Travel Advisors will be happy to share with you all kinds of details.

• 4 scenic country walks and 1 guided city tour
• 4 nights' lodging in a charming country hotel
• 3 nights lodging in a luxury city hotel
• Double-occupancy room with private bath
• 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
• Admission fees in the Cotswolds only
• Ground transportation during tour where applicable
  
  

“Meals at our hotel were superb, outstanding. Pub lunches were excellent. Our guide’s leadership was a high point of the trip — his knowledge of the region (topography, history, social and cultural characteristics), his overall concern for the group, his keen insight and well-developed sense of humor were magnificent.”
D Swoap     Clearwater, FL

“For the Cotswolds — an area steeped in history — one needs a guide who is steeped in the knowledge of it. Ours met this criterion to the max.”
J & C Tate     Malvern, PA

“It was a very friendly group — helping to make the tour an excellent experience. Meals were superb, both the quality of the food and the serving staff.”
A Matz     PA