Day 1: Arrival into London

On arrival you are transferred from London Heathrow Airport to your hotel, TheClermont Victoria. Your base for the next two nights. Ideally located by Buckingham Palace you have free time to explore, maybe visit the nearby Royal Mews or take a stroll through Green Park? This evening join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a trip briefing and Welcome Dinner.

Stay: The Clermont Victoria, London - 2 nights
Meals: Dinner with wine

Day 2: London Sightseeing and Wisley Gardens

With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of London. See famous landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London and Trafalgar Square. Admire the Royal residence of Buckingham Palace and savour a taste of British pageantry as you watch the Changing of the Guard (if operating). The gardens of Wisley were gifted to the Royal Horticultural Society in 1903 and since then it has evolved into a world class garden. Explore the beautiful Bowes- Lyon Rose Garden and delight the senses with roses of all shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances. Stroll through the picturesque orchard, the huge cathedral like Glasshouse and the Exotic Garden.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Cambridge

Visit RHS Garden Hyde Hall, in the heart of rural Essex, in a landscape of rolling hills with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. An oasis of tranquillity, it combines diverse garden styles and inspirational planting, with its eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles. In the university city of Cambridge, join your Local Expert for a walking tour, experience some of the most famous universities, seeing architectural highlights including Kings College and Trinity College.

Stay: Hilton Clayton Hotel, Cambridge
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Harewood House

One of the Treasure Houses of England, the historic Georgian Harewood House sits within “Capability” Brown designed landscape. Enjoy tea and delicious scones before you discover rare Chippendale furniture and stunning interior designs in the State Rooms and admire remarkable views from the award-winning terraces. Your journey continues to York, one of the cities in England. (Breakfast, Tea and Scones)

Stay: The Grand Hotel & Spa, York
Meals: Breakfast & Tea and Scones

Day 5: Fountain Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden

Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city. Visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. The magnificent Abbey was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence. The atmospheric ruins are a window into a way of life which shaped the medieval world, and Studley Royal with its awe-inspiring water garden, follies and lawns, make this a World Heritage Site. Traversing the Yorkshire Dales to the Lake District where you will see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.

Stay: Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge - 2 nights
Meals: Breakfast & dinner with wine

Day 6: Lake District Experience

Visit the village of Hawkshead, famous for its whitewashed cottages and cobbled lanes. Admire the gardens of Holker Hall. The gardens have evolved over many hundreds of years, under the guidance of generations of the Cavendish Family. Each owner has made their mark, adding new features and plantings, to create a garden that is now rich in character and beauty. Springtime provides a riot of colour with displays of tulips, daffodils, wallflowers and spring meadows, framed by majestic Rhododendrons and Magnolias. Later, perhaps take a cruise on Lake Windermere?

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: The English Lakes to Chester

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. During your orientation with your Travel Director see the Jubilee Clock, the cathedral, city walls and famous black and white Rows. Enjoy a delightful Farm-to- Table dinner at a local restaurant.

Stay: Crowne Plaza Chester - 2 nights
Meals: Breakfast & dinner with wine

Day 8: North Wales excursion including Bodnant Gardens

Journey into north Wales, passing the mighty Conwy Castle before a visit to the beautiful Bodnant Gardens. Bodnant is home to the earliest and grandest laburnum arch built in 1880, and to Britain’s earliest magnolias introduced from China in the late 1800s. Admire the fine collection of exotic plants, from the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas to the Fire Bush of the Andes and enjoy Wales’ largest collection of UK Champion Trees.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Stratford-Upon-Avon, the Cotswolds, Bath

Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to delight audiences today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses round the doors. Continue to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, built in amphitheatre style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director introduces you to the Pulteney Bridge, built in mellow local stone. See the angels climbing Jacob’s Ladder on Bath Abbey.

Stay: Francis Hotel, Bath
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Bowood House and Southhampton

After a relaxed start, we discover the rich and fascinating history of Bowood House and the Lansdowne family, set within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland. Surrounding the Georgian House is the Italian-inspired Terrace Garden, the Private Walled Gardens, and the herbaceous border, all radiating colour throughout the seasons. Driving through the New Forest you arrive in Southampton, on the south coast. (B, DW)

Stay: Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour, Southampton - 2 nights
Meals: Breakfast & dinner with wine

Day 11: Isle of Wight excursion including Osborne House visit

The Isle of Wight was possibly Queen Victoria’s favourite place on earth. Which is why she built her own opulent holiday home here. Marvel at the gorgeous Italianate architecture and unearth the royal family’s secrets to relaxation. There was nowhere Queen Victoria loved more than the Isle of Wight, a diamond-shaped pearl in the English Channel. Visit Osborne House, her opulent holiday home, marvel at the gorgeous Italianate architecture and gardens. Take in the islands stunning scenery, thatched cottages before returning to the mainland.

Meals: Breakfast & dinner with wine

Day 12: Leonardslee Gardens and London

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens re-opened in 2019 after a major restoration project. Set in a steep-sided valley, the gardens offer a variety of scenic walks, with seven interlaced lakes, extensive woodlands and lovely parkland. During the seasons the estate features outstanding displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells in spring, summer wildflowers to its beautiful autumnal colours. From March to June the garden comes alive in a riot of colour. At every turn, you will find flowers in so many different colours - a joy to see. Returning to London, with free time. (B)

Stay: The Clermont Victoria, London - 3 nights
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Chealsea Flowe Show

This morning we head to the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Be amazed by the extensive displays of show gardens and magnificent floral displays and pick up tips from the experts, before returning to your hotel in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Kew Gardens and celebration dinner Thames Cruise

Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses over 50,000 living plants within its grounds. Visit stunning glass houses and walk through beautiful, sculptured gardens, featuring floras from Asia to the Alps. Enjoy a Thames River Dinner Cruise and admire this magnificent city from the water. Sit back and take in the striking landmarks and bridges and enjoy the eclectic riverbank architecture along with a delicious meal.
(Dress code for the dinner cruise – Smart attire – jacket recommended)

Meals: Breakfast & dinner with wine

Day 15: Farewell London

After breakfast bid your Travel Director farewell and transfer to London Heathrow airport to meet your ongoing flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Departure: 12 May 2024

Prepaid gratuities option for your Travel Director and Driver $329 per person.

*The advertised price is in Australian dollars. No surcharges in regard to cost or currency fluctuations will be made once deposit is received. This guarantee excludes fuel surcharges and does not apply to any taxes, charges or levies imposed by any government or its agencies. No discounts are applicable with these escorted journeys. Global Tour Rewards and 2nd Trip Discount apply if the second trip is a brochure trip, and the discount comes off the brochure trip. No other discounts are available on these trips. A deposit of AUD$350 per person is required within 7 days of booking. Insight hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage. All tips are included for services on trip provided by dining-room waiters, chambermaids and porters at hotels. Not included in the price: Airfares, airport taxes and charges imposed by third parties, passports and applicable visa fees, laundry, phone calls, items of a personal nature, beverages, meals and sightseeing not detailed on the itinerary, tips and gratuities to the Travel Director, coach drivers and local city guides, excess baggage, optional experiences and travel insurance. Please note that travel insurance is highly recommended. Please see your RAC travel consultant for further details. Insight Vacations reserves the right to vary itineraries should circumstances dictate, as well as cancel or reschedule any departure in accordance with operating requirements, or circumstances beyond its control. The advertised trip requires minimum numbers to depart. Should these not be met Insight Vacations reserves the right to alter or cancel arrangements. Further terms and conditions apply. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant.

A further $165 deposit per person is due at time of booking. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.