English Highlights

Step outside your hotel, for a stroll through the streets of the heart of the English-speaking world. In this city of nearly seven million, you'll see everything from 12th-century fortifications to modern skyscrapers, formal parks to punk rockers. Your Tour Director will lead you to some of the most famous sites. Walk along the Thames River. Cross Trafalgar Square. See bustling Piccadilly Circus. Pass trendy shops and cafés in Bohemian Soho on your way to Covent Garden, a 13th-century fruit and vegetable garden transformed into a maze of narrow streets and pedestrian walkways burgeoning with street performers, open-air markets and boutiques.

Located in an impressive domed building right in Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses a rich collection of over 2,000 works of art dating from the mid 13th century to 1900. Explore the beautiful marble hallways to see famous paintings by van Eyck, Turner and Van Gogh.

Nothing’s more British than fish and chips—there are eight fish and chip shops (“chippies”) for every McDonald’s in the country. Head to an authentic pub with your Tour Director for a taste of this national food, generally served with malt vinegar.

Join a licensed local guide for an in-depth look at London, from the royal haunt of Buckingham Palace (the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II) to the slightly more democratic Speakers’ Corner of Hyde Park, where anyone can pull up a soapbox and orate to his heart’s content. You’ll see the changing of the guard (season permitting), the clock tower of Big Ben with its 14-ton bell, and Westminster Abbey, where almost every English king and queen since William the Conqueror has been crowned. After a stop at the Houses of Parliament, continue on to the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of London architect Christopher Wren.

See William Shakespeare's childhood home, furnished in a style typical to the Elizabethan period. Then tour the thatched cottage where his wife, Anne Hathaway, lived before her marriage. The adjoining Shakespeare Tree Garden is planted with trees and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare's plays.

The Magical Mystery Tour is coming to take you away. Get a guided look at the Beatles' hometown for a better sense of their musical heritage. You'll see the Albert Docks, the Liver Building, the Cavern District, and the Tate Gallery. Check out the The Beatles Story Museum for memorabilia, and head to some of the Fab Four's first performance venues.

Liverpool grew up around its ports, but their influence has not always been positive. The city was at the center of the slave trade in the 1700s, bringing men and women up from Africa and trading them for guns and other goods. The ports, however, also allowed over nine million European emigrants the chance to escape wars and famine as they made their ways to America and Australia. Learn the fascinating history of the city's sea trade and walk through life-sized models of the many vessels that came through.

Journey to Britain’s largest national park, where meandering rivers cut through what some describe as the country’s most beautiful region. Along the scenic ride, encounter countless lakes glittering between rugged hills, jagged mountain peaks hovering above, and rippling waters flowing to and from every direction. Venturing on, enter the picturesque village of Grasmere, home to William Wordsworth since 1799. Stop for an intimate tour of Rydal Mount, the house where the master wordsmith spent the last 37 years of his life (1813-1850). Wander through the garden terrace (designed by Wordsworth himself) to a small cabin-like abode for a peek at his favorite spot for penning poetic prose. Along the riverbanks, discover the inspiration of literary genius -- and leave with a little of your own.

An essential stop for fans of classic literature, Dove Cottage offers a rare glimpse inside the life of famed English poet, William Wordsworth. It was here, between 1799 and 1808, that Wordsworth wrote much of the poetry for which he is remembered today. The cottage remains mostly untouched from that time, with many of the Wordsworth’s household items still displayed. The adjacent Wordsworth Museum, The Jerwood Centre and the “half-wild” garden provide an even more detailed look at one of England’s true romanticists.

Charming York combines medieval mysteries with modern flair. Gothic buildings and cobblestone streets lead to bustling shopping districts; ancient stones make up the now-picturesque city walls. Explore the birthplace of Guy Fawkes with your Tour Director.

Spectacular York Minster has the largest medieval stained-glass window in the world, and holds half of all of England's medieval stained glass. The largest Gothic building in the country dazzles visitors with these intricate works, from the silvery Five Sisters Window to the apocalyptic East Window, which depicts both the beginning and the end of the world.

See the home of the most famous soccer team in the world. Manchester United's stadium, Old Trafford, hosts the richest football club in Britain, and you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the seats, changing rooms, and field. Fill in any gaps in your trivia and stats knowledge at the attached museum.