A Short Stop in London

Day 1 - Saturday 8^th February - Welcome to London

Arrive in London and be greeted by a private transfer that will take you to your luxurious hotel. Enjoy some time at your leisure to unwind and soak in the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Whether you choose to relax in your elegant accommodations, take a leisurely stroll nearby, or sip a cup of tea at a local café, the choice is yours.

Overnight: London | Haymarket Hotel, London
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe Room
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Sunday 9^th February - Day at Leisure

Today is yours to spend as you choose. Perhaps visit one of the city’s many parks for a peaceful stroll, like Hyde Park or St. James’s Park, where you can relax amidst iconic monuments. Alternatively, you could enjoy some shopping on Oxford Street or in the historic Covent Garden. Whether you’re drawn to peaceful green spaces or London’s storied past, the city offers endless ways to enjoy your day.

Overnight: London | Haymarket Hotel, London
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe Room

Day 3 - Monday 10^th February - Historic London

This morning you will be met by your local city guide in the lobby of your hotel and you will set off to discover more about war torn London during that terrible time during World War II.  Your first stop will be at the Churchill War Rooms which is part of the Imperial War museum.  Spend some time exploring this incredible insight into England’s history as you see where some of the biggest decisions of the war were made.  See if you can see the scratch marks made by the iconic man on his chair and learn how people used to live and work here during those dark days of the Blitz.

Afterwards, spend some time exploring the museum that showcases exhibits from both World Wars as well as a gallery dedicated to the personal stories of people who both survived and perished during the Holocaust.   When you are ready, your guide will take you out into the streets of London to explore more about how the war affected the London we know today and perhaps end the day with a trip to Westminster Abbey to hear about how the air raid in May 1941 destroyed parts of the building.  They will take you back to your hotel at the end of the day where you can relax or head out into the city to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants.

Overnight: London | Haymarket Hotel, London
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Tuesday 11^th February - The East End

You will head East to the City of London where the Romans founded our great city almost 2000 years ago.  Today, the City is our financial centre (The Wall Street of London) and the ruins of Roman London are now surrounded by gleaming skyscrapers by top architects such as Norman Foster and Richard Rogers.  The contrast between the new and the old is fascinating and the street-scape changes every time you turn a corner.  No wonder this part of London has featured in many films, including Harry Potter.

As you cross in to the East End, only yards from the glitz of the city, everything changes dramatically.  High rise gives way to low rise and the smell of curry fills the air in Banglatown, home to London’s Bangladeshi community.  Remnants of previous immigrants remain; the beautiful homes built by Hugonots 300 years ago and beigel shops founded by Jewish immigrants a hundred years ago.  Such a vibrant neighbourhood has attracted celebrities today and your guide will point out the homes and studios of well-known artisits and actors as you meander down the old streets of Spitalfields.  Our next stop will be another neighbourhood undergoing change; Kings Cross.  20 years ago the streets around the train station were rather intimidating with drug dealing and prostitution.  The transformation of Kings Cross kicked off with the arrival of the Eurostar train to Paris and Brussels.  The old industrial railway hinterland has been completely transformed and the result is pretty impressive.  Kings Cross is generally seen as one of the most successful urban transformations in London in recent history.

Overnight: London | Haymarket Hotel, London
Room Type: 1 x Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Wednesday 12^th February - Onwards Travel

Meals Included: Breakfast