Cultural Activities

Cambridge is relatively quiet and secluded now—hardly reflecting its reputation for radicalism in the 16th century, when the University became a center for church reformism (although its first college was established in 1271). One of its most striking features is "the Backs," a green swathe of land behind the old colleges, providing the town's most enduring image. Your guide takes you around the town and of course, to one of the colleges. Later you can try your hand at punting along the river or just relaxing in the town's peaceful charm.

Stonehenge & Salisbury - Stonehenge is that world-famous, controversial, mysterious ring of monoliths—a place of ritual sacrifice and sun-worship? An astronomical calculator? A royal palace? While archaeologists argue, modern day Druids and New Age travelers fight the authorities to get close to the monument to celebrate the summer solstice. Nearby is Salisbury, whose cathedral was built in the 1200s. The spire added in the 14th century is still the highest in England. Entrances to both Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral are included.

Greenwich - Five miles east of London, Greenwich has a charm and history all its own. It is a popular hangout for Londoners as well as tourists. The day starts on a riverbus going down the Thames. Once in Greenwich, your guide takes you to the National Maritime Museum exhibiting seafaring history from 1450 on, including more paintings of ships than you ever thought existed! Next, it's the Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich mean time and a museum about the history of time). Then relax with a picnic in the park, browse the markets or just sit on the meridian line, where west and east officially meet.

Stratford-Upon-Avon & the Cotswolds - No one can visit England without making the journey north to Stratford. If it weren't for the fact that John and Mary Shakespeare's first son, William, turned out to be the most celebrated writer in the English language, it probably would have disappeared into obscurity. Without Shakespeare's birthplace, museum and Anne Hathaway's Cottage to visit, numerous shopping areas and the Royal Shakespeare Company, it is an unremarkable market town. Its charter for a weekly market was granted in the 12th century whenStratford was a stopping-off place for stagecoaches traveling between London, Oxford and the north.You also stop in the Cotswolds to experience a typically quaint English countryside village.

Walking Tours
(These last approximately two hours.)

Shakespeare's London - A boat ride from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben down to Shakespeare's Globe theater and Elizabethan London traces a large slice of London's rich history. Then the real walking tour begins—first, explore the Bankside district, home to the new version of the rebuilt Globe theater, a centuries-old dock, the Clink prison and an ancient, swaybacked coaching inn where Shakespeare's plays are still performed in the courtyard.

Bloomsbury Walk - With your guide, explore the area once frequented by such literary greats as Dickens, Thackeray, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury circle. The list of famous writers to have lived in Bloomsbury goes on: George Orwell, W. B. Yeats and T. S. Eliot fell for the procession of handsome Georgian squares and humming streets surrounding the museum quarter. Walk in these illustrious footsteps and share in the wonder of Bloomsbury.

West End Walk- Your guide takes you first to the London's grandest riverside palace. Wonder at Nelson's Stairs, the Seaman's Hall and the Great Arches, and Fountain Court—as well as the King's Barge Room (housing to this day the old Navy Commissioner's Barge). In contrast, the rest of the walk takes you to interesting back alleys and the area from Covent Garden to the Royal Opera House.The finale is the Floral Hall with stunning views across the Piazza.