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Day 1 Welcome to London!

Welcome to London! You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will be on your own to explore London for the next two days, but uniformed hosts will be available at the hotel to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London

After breakfast, you will have a full day to savor this majestic and vibrant city. Start the day off with a visit to Buckingham Palace, where you can see the iconic Changing of the Guard! You'll also want to see Big Ben, the Tower of London, and perhaps even treat yourself to a ride on the London Eye.

Day 3 London - Paris, France

Board the Eurostar train to Paris. Here you'll be met by your Tour Director and luxury motorcoach. Overnight for the first of two nights in Paris.

Day 4 Paris

Paris is a world-class city that probably has more familiar landmarks than almost any other city in the world. This morning, see them during your included city tour. 

Day 5 Paris - Lucerne, Switzerland

Your day will be filled with fascinating, ever-changing scenery today. Take in the views of Fontainebleau Forest, the wine-growing area of Burgundy, then prosperous farms and tidy half-timbered villages as you head through the Alpine heart of Switzerland to picture-book Lucerne, for the first of two overnights.

Day 6 Lucerne

Lucerne is one of Switzerland's finest cities, nestled amid its snowcapped Alps, surrounded by its lake, and embellished by the clear mountain waters of the River Reuss. Embark on a tour getting acquainted with the city today. The rest of the day is yours to explore (and/or shop!) at your leisure.

Day 7 Lucerne - Lugano - Verona, Italy - Venice Area

See more wonderful Alpine scenery as you drive into the mountain ranges that surround the massive St. Gotthard Pass. Once through its great tunnel, you'll start your scenic descent into the warmer and sunnier ambiance of the Canton Ticino. Stop in beautiful Lugano, the cross into Italy and drive through the Lombardy plains to Verona, where you'll have some time for sightseeing. Overnight for the first of two nights in the Venice area. 

Day 8 Venice

Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real live city, with criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and busy little piazzas. Your orientation starts with a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by a chance to watch Venetian glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. 

Day 9 Venice Area - Florence - Montecatini

Start the day by journeying south across the Apennines into the gentle and hilly countryside of Tuscany. Then, it's on to Florence for an included walking tour with a local guide. Overnight in Montecatini. 

Day 10 Montecatini - Pisa - Rome

This morning, stop in Pisa, then journey south to Rome. Spend the first of two nights in Rome. 

Day 11 Rome

Embark on a sightseeing tour of Rome today!

Day 12 Depart Rome

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. You will be transferred to the airport in time to begin your journey home. 

 DAY 1 – Welcome to London

Arrive into London Heathrow and meet your Sky Vacations ambassador for transfer to your hotel in London City Center. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. 

DAY 2 – London

Today you will meet with your private guide for sightseeing in London. Depending on the time of year you will have the opportunity to visit Buckingham Palace State rooms before exploring the Westminster area and they famous Abbey. Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is the London home and the administrative centre of the British royal family. The enormous building and extensive gardens are an important site of ceremonial and political affairs in the United Kingdom, as well as a major tourist attraction. But for a monarchy that dates back almost a thousand years, Buckingham Palace is a relatively new home. Westminster Abbey The Gothic masterpiece of Westminster Abbey has been at the heart of British history since the formation of the Abbey by Edward the Confessor in 1065. The Abbey became the coronation church for the English monarchy in 1066, was transformed into the modern stone Abbey in the reign of Henry III and has since been the venue for countless magnificent, joyous and sometimes unfortunate royal events. In modern times the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and funerals of the Queen Mother and Princess Diana have etched the Abbey into the common memory of billions around the globe. A visit of Westminster Abbey takes in such highlights as the Coronation Chair, the medieval Lady Chapel, museum containing a collection of royal effigies, and the Abbey Gardens, which whisk you away from the hubbub of the city. There is also a café and shop onsite.

DAY 3 – London

Today you will visit Kensington Palace along with the Tower of London with your private guide. Kensington Palace Explore the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. Walk in the footsteps of royalty in Victoria’s re–imagined childhood rooms and the magnificent King’s State Apartments and Queen’s State Apartments. Tower of London On the banks of the River Thames in the heart of London stands the Tower of London and nearly 1000 years of history and intrigue. The Tower of London has been used at various times as a palace, barracks, military stronghold, Zoo and most famously as a prison incarcerating famous names like Sir Walter Raleigh, Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes. During a visit to the Tower visitors can see crown jewels worth over £20 billion, meet the ravens who legends say have the fate of the Kingdom in their claws, talk to the distinctive Yoeman guards with their white ruffs, and learn about the gruesome torture that went on within the walls. The Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the only intact medieval buildings on the list. At the Tower there are also cafes and a shop. 

DAY 4 – London

Meet with your driver guide today for a tour out to Kew Gardens & Palace along with Hampton Court Palace. Kew Palace Kew Palace is the smallest of all the royal palaces.  It was originally built as a fashionable mansion for wealthy London silk merchant, Samuel Fortrey in 1631. George II (r 1727-60) and Queen Caroline were first attracted to little Kew, thinking it a perfect lodging for their three eldest daughters.  After them, several generations of Georgian royalty used Kew and nearby Richmond Lodge as weekend retreats from an intensely public life in town. Kew reflects the intimate personal and domestic life of Georgian kings and queens for much of the 18th century. Today the interior of this tiny, atmospheric palace tells the powerful story of George III, his mental illness and the members of his family who lived and died there. Hampton Court Palace Discover the magnificence of Henry VIII’s favourite royal residence. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the bustling Base Court and marvel at the breath-taking grandeur of Henry’s State Rooms. Tickle your taste buds in the vast Tudor kitchens, stroll through over 60 acres of enchanting gardens, lose yourself in the famous maze and appreciate the beauty of one of the greatest palaces on earth. Creep along the Haunted Gallery and discover another palace, the Baroque Palace, full of intrigue and gossip from the Stuart and Georgian era.

DAY 5 – London

Spend today at leisure in London, why not do some legendary shopping or visit one of the many free museums within the city. In the evening you will enjoy a dinner river cruise on the Thames. Bateaux London The crème de la crème of our cruise experiences: let us seat you at your table on the river in preparation for an evening that’ll take your breath away. As we depart from the dock and the sun begins to slowly set, sip on an aperitif, soak up the sounds of our talented live musicians and take in the unmatched scenery as we serve up dishes from our seasonal five-course à la carte menu complimented by free-flowing selected wines. As day turns to night, we journey further down the river, floating past majestic architecture, illuminated skylines, divine river lights and ever-changing scenes of a city from a beautifully unique perspective.

DAY 6 – Kent

Meet your driver guide again today for a full day tour out to Kent where you will visit Leeds Castle & Chartwell House. Leeds Castle Leeds Castle in Kent, England, has been called the “loveliest castle in the world”. Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence and a royal palace. It’s situation is stunning, set on two islands in a magnificent lake. The Royal Manor was originally built in 857AD and owned by a Saxon royal family. After the Norman Conquest, work began on building the first stone castle on the site. In 1278 the Castle became a royal palace for Edward I and his Queen, Eleanor of Castile. Major improvements were made to the castle during the reign of Edward I. The Barbican, constructed during this time, is unique in that it is made up of three parts, each having its own entrance, drawbridge, gateway and portcullis. The medieval Keep, incorporating the Great Hall, is called the Gloriette, in honour of Queen Eleanor. Perhaps the Castle’s most famous owner was King Henry VIII, who transformed the castle for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The stunning painting of the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’, which commemorates the meeting between King Henry VIII and the French King Francis I in 1520, hangs here at Leeds Castle. Chartwell House Discover the house that Churchill called home, where he brought up his young family. Decorated as it was in the 1930s, make your way through rooms like the library, study, sitting room and dining room displayed as if the family have only just left the room. Explore the museum rooms filled with gifts that Churchill received and see the personal possessions that Churchill and the family kept at Chartwell. As you make your way around the house uncover the home and family man behind the statesman.

DAY 7  – Farewell

Transfer to London Heathrow airport for your onward journey.