TCS - The Gialketsis Family explore the Cotswolds

Gialketsis Family

Thursday 16th May – Thursday 30th May 2024

Number of Travellers: 4
Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

Overview

Enjoy exploring the heart of England on this incredible 15 day trip.  From the majestic sweeping crescents in Bath to the stunning vistas from the top of the Malvern Hills, let your guide immerse you in the history, culture and beautiful scenery that the Cotswolds are known for.  After enjoying the fresh country air, spend your last few days in London getting off the beaten path with your expert guide as well as enjoying some theatre shows and perhaps even some cricket!

Highlights

  • Steer a narrowboat along the canals around Bath
  • Visit Stratford Upon Avon where Shakespeare was born
  • Get off the tourist path in London to visit places you have never been to before

Day by Day

Day 1 - Thursday 16th May - Welcome to London

On arrival at Heathrow you will be met by the VIP team and whisked seamlessly through arrivals to your awaiting transfer.  From here, you’ll head into the city and check into your hotel ready to meet up with friends and spend a relaxing couple of days in the city.

Overnight: London | Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room Type: 1 x Hyde Park Suite and 2 x Superior Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Friday 17th May - Free Day London

Spend time with your friends in London today before you set off on your Cotswold Adventure tomorrow

Overnight: London | Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room Type: 1 x Hyde Park Suite and 2 x Superior Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Saturday 18th May - Arrive Bath

A private transfer will collect you from your hotel in London and you’ll set off on your Cotswold adventure.   You will arrive at the mystical site of Avebury, a collection of stone circles and neolithic burial sites, where your host and guide will meet you and you’ll set off to explore this incredible landscape.   Let your expert guide bring this landscape to life as you wander around the neolithic sites and artefacts before heading onto the ancient city of Bath.

Your accommodation is in one of the most iconic streets in Bath and once you have settled in, you can either head out to explore some of the city of simply enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants.

Overnight: Bath | Royal Crescent
Room Type: 1 x Master Suite and 2 x Deluxe Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Sunday 19th May - A Canal boat and the Royal Crescent

The ancient city of Bath is well known for its Roman Baths and the stunning architecture, however today you will explore it from a different perspective, enjoy the historic waterways of this region.  Arriving at the canal side you will step aboard a narrow boat and take to the canal for a day of leisure and locks.  Steer the boat through locks and round the gentle bends as the canal twists and turns through the ever-changing countryside.   Stop off at a pub for lunch or perhaps just enjoy a delectable picnic on board as you drift along.

In the late afternoon you will all meet up again and enjoy a private out of hours tour of No 1 Royal Crescent to explore what life was like for the fashionable Bathonian’s in the 18th century.

Overnight: Bath | Royal Crescent
Room Type: 1 x Master Suite and 2 x Deluxe Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 20th May - Exploring Bath

Spend the day exploring this incredible city with your expert guide, from the tranquility of Bath Abbey to the iconic Roman Baths.  Take a private tour of the Abbey Clock Tower, climbing the 212 steps to the top to see the city spread out beneath you and be rewarded with a refreshing glass of something cold and bubbly.  Explore the nooks and crannies of the city that are only known to the locals  as well as browsing some of the wonderful book and antique shops that are dotted about the city.

 

Overnight: Bath | Royal Crescent
Room Type: 1 x Master Suite and 2 x Deluxe Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Tuesday 21st May - The Mendip Hills and Meandering

Today Bill and George can set out to the Mendip hills for a hike, feeling the earth crunch under your hiking boots as you immerse yourselves in the wonderful scenery with the sounds of nature for company.

For Shelli and Reed, spend the morning exploring more of the city with your city guide, perhaps enjoy some spa treatments or simply enjoying watching the world go by from a local cafe with a coffee and a good book!

After meeting up at lunchtime, you will head to Bristol to explore some of the quirky shops in the suburbs and maybe lunch with a view of the engineering feat that is the Clifton Suspension bridge.  Learn the secrets of this urban city as you wander through the streets and before enjoying some local produce at dinner and then return to your hotel.

Overnight: Bath | Royal Crescent
Room Type: 1 x Master Suite and 2 x Deluxe Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Wednesday 22nd May - To the Cotswolds

Leaving Bath behind this morning, you will head to Bristol to explore some of the quirky shops in the suburbs and maybe lunch with a view of the engineering feat that is the Clifton Suspension bridge.

En route to your accommodation in the pretty town of Broadway, you will stop off at Sudeley Castle where you will meet a private guide and take a tour of the family apartments, castle and gardens where over 1000 years of history will be brought to life inside these ancient walls.  Hear stories of Royalty, ruins and everything in between as you explore this ancient building before continuing onto your hotel for the next 4 nights.

Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House
Room Type: 1 x Attic Suite and 2 x Courtyard Suites for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Thursday 23rd May - Hiking and Unconventional Homes

Bill and George will have the opportunity for a hike to Broadway Tower for it’s famous view of all 5 counties of the Cotswolds.  From here you can carry on hiking to Snowshill Manor where you can meet up with Shelli and Reed and enjoy a tour of this lovely National trust property and gardens.

For Shelli and Reed, spend the day exploring the gorgeous village of Broadway with it’s eclectic shops before heading out to discover some other hidden gems of the Cotswolds with your guide.  End the day meeting up with the boys to discover the unconventional home of Charles Wade – the architect who was famous for building a model Cornish fishing village that attracted visits from Queen Mary and Virginia Woolf!

Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House
Room Type: 1 x Attic Suite and 2 x Courtyard Suites for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Friday 24th May - Hidden gems of Stratford-upon-Avon

Spend the day exploring the home of William Shakespeare today as you head north to the pretty town of Stratford-upon-Avon.  Embark on a private tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre with an expert guide – exploring behind the scenes and seeing how the works of the bard are brought to life here.

Stratford is also home to loads of small, independent antique shops – perfect for browsing and finding some hidden treasures.

Later on visit the place where the bard was born and the church where he is buried as well as enjoying a decadent afternoon tea before ending the day taking to the water where you can put your steering skills to the test as you punt along the river!

Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House
Room Type: 1 x Attic Suite and 2 x Courtyard Suites for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Saturday 25th May - The ancient Malvern Hills

For Bill and George you can enjoy some hiking today with loads of amazing hills to choose from.  Perhaps head to the iconic Malvern Hills which are formed from some of the most ancient rocks in England.  These hills are well known for their pure spring water – which was the only water her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II used to drink – as well as the breathtaking views from the ridge line and well worth the effect to traverse the 8 miles from start to finish.  For Shelli and Reed, you will spend the day explore the little towns and villages around this area, from Ledbury with it’s Buttercross and unique shops to Great Malvern where the musician Elgar used to live.

There is an alternative option for today if you would prefer.   You will head to the hallowed grounds of Edgbaston to experience a true English spectacle – England vs Pakistan in the third T20 match.  A fantastic day spent hearing the thud of leather against willow and the roar of the Barmy Army as England storm to victory (we hope!)

Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House
Room Type: 1 x Attic Suite and 2 x Courtyard Suites for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Sunday 26th May - Return to London

It is time to head back to the city saying farewell to the rolling hills and chocolate box villages of the Cotswolds.

Before you arrive back in the buzzing metropolis, your final stop will be Blenheim Palace where you will take a private tour of this stunning place and enjoy a wander through the immaculate gardens that have been crafted by various designers over the years.  A fabulous way to end your time in the heart of England.

You will be dropped off at your London hotel in the late afternoon ready for more explorations tomorrow.

Overnight: London | Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room Type: 1 x Hyde Park Suite and 2 x Superior Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Monday 27th May - Exploring London

You’ll set out to explore some more of the lesser known areas of London today with your expert guide.  From Shoreditch to East London you can step off the beaten path and seek out places that the tourists never visit.  A unique and wonderful way to see the capital city through new eyes.

Overnight: London | Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room Type: 1 x Hyde Park Suite and 2 x Superior Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Tuesday 28th May - Soho markets and antiques

Take a foodie tour with a difference today as you explore Soho with a local guide before spending a wonderful afternoon exploring some more wonderful antique shops with your host.

Tonight you can enjoy dinner at the hotel or perhaps head out to the West End to immerse yourselves in the wonderful land of the theatre.

Overnight: London | Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room Type: 1 x Hyde Park Suite and 2 x Superior Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14 - Wednesday 29th May - Final day of Explorations

Spend your final day perhaps venturing out of the city with your guide to find some wonderful antique and book shops.  There are so many fascinating places to visit that you will be spoilt for choice on the last day in the capital city.

Overnight: London | Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park
Room Type: 1 x Hyde Park Suite and 2 x Superior Rooms for single occupancy
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 - Thursday 30th May - Depart London

A private transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you back to Heathrow in time for your flight home, taking with you happy memories of a wonderful vacation in the heart of England.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 15
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 3 to Day 14
  • Ground transportation from Day 3 to Day 14
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
    • Expert guide at Avebury Stone Circles
    • Private hire of a narrowboat in Bath
    • Private tour of the Abbey Clock Tower
    • Expert city guide in Bath
    • Out of hours tour at No 1 Royal Crescent
    • Private tour of Sudeley Castle
    • Private tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company
    • Afternoon Tea in Stratford
    • Tickets to a cricket match
    • Private tour of Blenheim Palace
    • Various activities in London – TBC at a later date
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision