Compare The Gardens of England & Wales with Chelsea Flower Show - 2022 by Insight Vacations vs London Like A Royal – A Deluxe Journey by Sky Vacations

Day 1: Arrive London

On arrival you are transferred from London Heathrow Airport to your hotel, Rubens at the Palace. Your base for the next four nights, this five-star hotel celebrates the very best of British culture, from the red tail-coated doormen to themed bedrooms. Ideally located by Buckingham Palace you have free time to explore, maybe visit the nearby Royal Mews? This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and trip briefing at your hotel.

Day 2: Chelsea Flower Show

A transfer in the morning takes you to the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show. Bringing together the very best show gardens, flowers, and gardening from around the world, lose yourself amongst the magnificent floral displays and model gardens. Enjoy elaborate displays featuring courtyard, city and roof gardens, and hear from the experts. This evening dine on a spectacular Thames River Dinner Cruise, the perfect way to toast your travel companions and complete your memorable journey! (Dress code for the dinner cruise: Smart attire – dinner jacket recommended)

Day 3: London Sightseeing

With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of London. See famous landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. Admire the Royal residence of Buckingham Palace and savor a taste of British pageantry as you watch the Changing of the Guard (if operating) before lunch in a typical English pub. Later, sip a glass of champagne with a bird’s-eye view of London from the London Eye.

Day 4: Kew Gardens & Hampton Court Palace

This morning visit the famous Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. Explore inside the vast Victorian glasshouses and see the indoor galleries. Later, discover the wonders of majestic Hampton Court Palace, home to the Kings and Queens of Britain since the time of Henry VIII. Discover the magnificent State Apartments and explore the riverside gardens.

Day 5: Wisley Gardens to Cornwall

Today travel to the gardens of Wisley, renowned as the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society. The gardens are proud to showcase inspirational gardening throughout their 240 acres. Most famous is the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden and the naturalistic Rock Garden, one of Wisley’s oldest and most magnificent features. Then continue to the idyllic county of Cornwall.

Day 6: Lost Garden of Heligan & The Cornish Coast

We visit Heligan, one of the most mysterious estates in England. Unveiled in 1992 from under decades of overgrowth, the Lost Gardens were restored on a shoestring budget and hailed by The Times as “the garden restoration of the century”. Today the mysterious gardens and estate offer over 200 acres for exploration! This afternoon is then free for you to relax at our hotel.

Day 7: Cornwall to Cheltenham

Our journey takes us through the English countryside to Bath. Visit the 18th Century Pump Room and the ancient Baths, then enjoy some free time to browse the quaint streets. Then it’s on to the town of Cheltenham where we stay for the next two nights.

Day 8: Cotswolds Excursion

A full day of sightseeing of the Cotswolds begins with a visit to Hidcote Manor Gardens, once of the greatest arts and crafts gardens in England. Our drive through the Cotswolds brings us to Bibury described as the ‘prettiest village in Britain’.Enjoy a delicious included lunch, before returning to our hotel.

Day 9: Cheltenham to Powis Castle & onto North Wales

Explore the magnificent Trentham Gardens. Enjoy glorious ancient woodland, and discover the Italian Gardens, the Rivers of Grass, and the Floral Labyrinth. At its heart is the spectacular, mile long Trentham Lake, a wildlife haven studded with small islands.

Day 10: Bodnant Garden Excursion

The day starts with a visit to the beautiful Bodnant Gardens, world famous for its botanical collections. Later move onto the village of Llanberis which sits at the foot of Mount Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, which, at 3,560 feet, is the highest peak in Wales. Enjoy a fabulous trip onboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway, for stunning views of the mountain and surrounding vistas.

Day 11: North Wales to English Lake District

We bid farewell to Wales and continue north to the picturesque English Lake District where you see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. We visit the village of Hawkshead, famous for its whitewashed cottages and cobbled lanes. Continue to our hotel close to Lake Windermere.

Day 12: English Lake District Experience

Today is devoted to this scenic Lake District wonderland, beginning with a visit to Hill Top, the home of author Beatrix Potter, famed for her beloved animal tales. Here she spent much of her life and wrote 13 of her 23 books. Next admire the finest, oldest and most extensive Topiary Gardens in the world at Levens Hall. Later, perhaps take a cruise on Lake Windermere?

Day 13: Lake District to Chatsworth & onto Nottingham

Heading through the rolling Derbyshire countryside we arrive at the Chatsworth Estate, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Visiting the house, we see the elegant interiors and admire the art collection of 16 generations of the Cavendish family. Our guided walking tour of the gardens provides an insight into the principle historic features of the garden before an included lunch. Later continue to the historic city of Nottingham.

Day 14: Blenheim Palace to Bampton Village, then onto London

This morning explore the magnificent house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Continue to the village of Bampton to see the street where many scenes from the “Downton Abbey” TV series* were filmed. Later, return to London to enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. *Disclaimer: This sightseeing is an unlicensed and unauthorized tour of sites featured in the television series "Downton Abbey" produced by Carnival Film and Television and NBC Universal International Limited. Insight Vacations Limited and this trip do not have association with, connection to, sponsorship by or endorsement of the television series "Downton Abbey", Carnival Film and Television or NBC Universal International Limited.

Day 15: Farewell London

After breakfast bid your Travel Director and fellow travel companions farewell, and transfer to London Heathrow Airport to meet your ongoing flight.

 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.