Buckingham Palace, & The Houses of Parliament

Your holiday begins when you board our private coach in the early morning and travel to Henley-on-Thames, a pretty riverside market town on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames. Known and lauded the world over for its Royal Regatta, it is inundated each summer by international oarsmen and visitors. After some free time we continue to our hotel for your included evening meal.

Following your included breakfast we return to the centre of London to take a flight on The London Eye, the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel and London's fourth tallest structure. At 135 metres, the London Eye is nearly a third again the size of Big Ben and of The Statue of Liberty. You can see around 40KM (25 miles) from the top as far as Windsor Castle on a clear day. During the 30 minute, 360 degrees rotation we will together enjoy spectacular panoramic views of London and its famous landmarks from a fully enclosed, high-tech glass capsule. The Houses of Parliament is our next destination, where we meet our Blue Badge Guide at the Visitor's Entrance for our included tour. After passing through the airport style security screening we make our way through Westminster Hall (the oldest part of the palace). The tour is a delight as we proceed through rooms such as the Queen's Robing Room into the spectacular Royal Gallery and onwards to The Prince's Chamber. We also enter the Chamber of the House of Lords where we can see the Throne. We continue the tour and take in many sights familiar from the television such as the House of Commons, before leaving Parliament through St. Stephens Hall and Westminster Hall. From here we return to our hotel for your included evening meal.

After your included breakfast we travel to Buckingham Palace, for our included entrance. There are 19 State Rooms to explore, which form the heart of the working Palace and are used regularly by the Queen and members of the Royal Family. Each one is lavishly furnished with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, from paintings by Rembrandt to exquisite Sèvres porcelain. During our visit a special exhibition will mark the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation with an unprecedented display of dress and uniforms worn by Members of the Royal Family and the maids of honour on Coronation Day, together with works of art connected with the Coronation. The centerpiece of the exhibition is Her Majesty's magnificent Coronation Dress and Coronation Robe. When you have finished the tour you may like to stop for a little light refreshment while admiring the garden where The Queen hosts her annual garden parties. Following our visit you have free time explore London. One of the best ways to see London is from aboard one of the original London Sightseeing Open Top Bus Tours. Should the attraction of the shops hold the greatest appeal for you, you won't be disappointed with the choice. If your taste leans towards more cultural activities, you will be spoilt for choice by the abundance of museums and art galleries. We return to our hotel arriving in time for your included evening meal.

Following your included breakfast we travel to Windsor. The imposing towers and battlements of Windsor Castle can be seen on our approach, creating a spectacular skyline. Should you wish to visit the castle (entrance not included), you should allow around 2 ½ hours since there's so much to see. Alternatively you can relax in Windsor Great Park, originally a Saxon hunting forest, or take an elegant horse-drawn carriage ride down the Long Walk. After some free time we commence the return journey, arriving back in your local area in the mid to late evening.