Beyond the Basics: London
Experience an off-the-beaten-path version of London
Spend anywhere from 4 to 6 nights immersing yourself in the unique scene of London. With ideally-located accommodations, you'll be able to enjoy different aspects of this vibrant city while discovering a few hidden gems with two exclusive private tours!
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to London (LHR)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- 4 nights in London at the Thistle Trafalgar Square Hotel, or similar
- Churchill War Rooms: Westminster Underground Bunkers Private Tour
- Warhol to Banksy: Tate Modern & Street Art Private Tour
- Breakfast daily
Great Ways to Explore
Enjoy an included tour of the Southbank district – home to various cultural and artistic landmarks in London.
Learn about the famed Churchill War Rooms with your included private tour!
Spend time in London's Little Venice.
Experience the Sky Garden – London's highest public garden.
Explore Neal's Yard for unique eats and interesting souvenirs.
Prepare to explore London in a new way! With this amazing package, you'll have the chance to experience various hidden gems and activities that are off the beaten path. Stay in an ideally-located hotel, where you'll be within close proximity to many top attractions in London including Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, and the famous London Eye.
Outside
of these well-known points of interest, your getaway also includes two
private tours that take you far beyond the basic experience of the UK's
most iconic city. Discover the history behind the Westminster Underground Bunkers with an included private tour as well as a visit to Southbank – one
of the trendiest and most creative hubs in London famous for its street
art, music, theatre, brutalist architecture, and the Tate Modern
Museum.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to London (LHR)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- 4 nights in London at the Thistle Trafalgar Square Hotel, or similar
- Churchill War Rooms: Westminster Underground Bunkers Private Tour
- Warhol to Banksy: Tate Modern & Street Art Private Tour
- Breakfast daily
Enjoy an included tour of the Southbank district – home to various cultural and artistic landmarks in London.
Learn about the famed Churchill War Rooms with your included private tour!
Spend time in London's Little Venice.
Experience the Sky Garden – London's highest public garden.
Explore Neal's Yard for unique eats and interesting souvenirs.
Prepare to explore London in a new way! With this amazing package, you'll have the chance to experience various hidden gems and activities that are off the beaten path. Stay in an ideally-located hotel, where you'll be within close proximity to many top attractions in London including Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben, and the famous London Eye.
Outside
of these well-known points of interest, your getaway also includes two
private tours that take you far beyond the basic experience of the UK's
most iconic city. Discover the history behind the Westminster Underground Bunkers with an included private tour as well as a visit to Southbank – one
of the trendiest and most creative hubs in London famous for its street
art, music, theatre, brutalist architecture, and the Tate Modern
Museum.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Prices From:
Departure Airport:
Departure Month:
Prices From:
Day 1. Welcome to London!
Once you have arrived in London, gather your belongings and board your transfer to your hotel. After you have checked in and get settled, consider heading out to discover a few of the city's unique points of interest.
Spend time in one of London's famous libraries or treat yourself to an evening cup of tea in a quaint residential area.
Transfer from airport to hotel
Welcome to the Thistle Trafalgar Square Hotel! Located just 15 miles away from London City Airport and Heathrow Airport, this hotel is conveniently situated near Leicester Square. Guests have close access to some of London's prime destinations including Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, and the West End Theatres! Feel free to explore London at your own leisure, as the hotel is located within walking distance of various restaurants and bars.Â
On the premises, this hotel offers a wide range of amenities. Visitors have access to 24-hour room service, fast and free unlimited wifi, and car parking. Additionally, there is a restaurant and bar conveniently located on-site. Standard guest rooms feature a contemporary design and offer coffee & tea making facilities, hairdryers, ironing materials, a work desk, an air-conditioning unit, a beautiful Samsung HD Smart TV, and complimentary toiletries! Other room options include mini-fridges with complimentary beverages, complimentary bathrobes & slippers, and a Nespresso Coffee machine, among other luxuries.Â
Just a 4 minute walk from Holborn Underground Station the Thistle London Holborn stands proud with a beautiful Edwardian facade that ties traditional and contemporary styles together. Guests can enjoy two on-site restaurants, a bar and lounge, and free Wi-Fi.
Rooms have sleek furnishings as well as satellite flat-screen TVs, a safe, air conditioning, a desk, ironing facilities, and a private bathroom complete with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Settling in London's Bloomsbury area, the British Museum, Theatreland, Covent Garden, and Oxford Street can all be reached in about 20 minutes of walking, and St. Pancras International is a 25-minute walk away, and offers access to the Eurostar link.
Recently refurbished to the highest standards, the Thistle London Hyde Park Kensington Gardens has the best of London right on the doorstep. Hyde Park is literally across the road from the hotel, while the West End shops and theaters are just a short cab ride away. Close to the hotel is Kensington Palace, which was home to Diana, Princess of Wales, and the famous Gardens that give the hotel its name. Fashionable and stylish Kensington High Street is a short stroll away. The Thistle Kensington Gardens hotel has 175 rooms, including spacious executive bedrooms offering wonderful views over Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
Located in the bustling Holland Park district is the accommodating Hilton London Kensington Hotel. Just 10 miles away from Heathrow Airport, this modern hotel is situated near a retail city center and a few of London's most popular tourist attractions. Some of which include Kensington Palace and Gardens, Battersea Park, and the Chelsea Football Club.
During your stay at this wonderful accommodation, enjoy access to a fitness center, room and concierge services, and an on-site restaurant. Within the guest rooms, visitors are provided complimentary beverages, bathrobes, slippers, and an array of elegant bedding accessories. The rooms are crafted in a contemporary style that features flat-screen televisions, a work desk, a mini-refrigerator, and air-conditioning!Â
Welcome to the sleek and ultra-modern Holiday Inn Bloomsbury! This hotel is situated right in the Bloomsbury area and is conveniently located near several attractions including the British Museum, Charles Dickens Museum, and the Grant Museum of Zoology. With a wide array of restaurants and bars within walking distance, visitors can also explore other popular areas of London such as Covent Garden, Soho, and even Westminster!Â
The Holiday Inn Bloomsbury offers guests several in-room and onsite amenities. Guests will stay in smart rooms that are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary tea and coffee makers. Those staying in executive rooms and suites can opt for room service as well. For hotel dining options, visitors are able to enjoy meals at the Callaghan's Pub or hot and cold beverages at the Junction Bar. Other amenities include access to business services for those on work trips!
Day 2. London
Start your first full day in London off with your included private tour of the Churchill War Rooms in Westminster! This historical landmark served as a safe haven for ex-prime minister and war hero Winston Churchill, who effectively strategized a plan of attack against Nazi forces attempting to invade Great Britain during WWII.Â
In the evening, treat yourself to a delicious meal of fish and chips at a local restaurant or pub.Â
Churchill War Rooms: Westminster Underground Bunkers Private Tour
Begin your exploration within the heart of London's parliamentary district, the epicenter of British and Allied operations across Europe and beyond. Learn about Churchill's formative years, personal life, and remarkable ascent to governance as you encounter the Winston Churchill memorial. Engage with remnants of structures scarred by the blitz, visit landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the Prime Minister's residence, and pay homage at the iconic Cenotaph war memorial, special service headquarters, and Ghurka memorial.
Following your enlightening walking tour, delve into the depths of the Churchill War Rooms, an intricate network of subterranean bunkers that housed British wartime activities, strategic planning, and cartography. These war rooms served as a haven for government officials during the blitz and facilitated the discussions and plotting of Allied intelligence and strategies during WWII.
As you navigate through the expansive "Slab," discover that the Churchill War Rooms encompass two distinct museums. The Cabinet War Rooms, anchored by the mesmerizing Map Room, illuminate the strategic and tactical maneuvers of the war command. It was here that Churchill presided over 115 cabinet meetings, shaping the course of Allied offensives across Europe. The Churchill Museum, on the other hand, unravels the life and legacy of this eminent figure, tracing his journey from early childhood to his state funeral. Of particular intrigue is the extensive collection of deeply affectionate letters penned by Churchill to his wife Clementine, unveiling the tender facets of this resolute statesman.
Concluding your tour within the War Rooms, you're free to continue your exploration at your own pace or seek recommendations from your guide, perhaps including a visit to Churchill's local pub for sustenance.
Day 3. London
Continue your off-the-beaten-path experience of London with your included tour of Southbank. Take a deep dive into the area's renowned culture to learn more about its contributions to the worlds of art, music, and brutalist architecture.
In the evening, head out to enjoy London's alternative nightlife scene in Camden Town!
Warhol to Banksy: Tate Modern & Street Art Private Tour
Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of London's creative epicenter, Southbank, as you traverse from Warhol to Banksy, with a private tour that unveils the vibrant tapestry of art, culture, and architectural marvels, all set against the backdrop of the iconic Tate Modern museum.
Commence your exploration at the Millennium Bridge, offering breathtaking panoramas along the serene River Thames. Proceed to the Tate Modern, where you'll be treated to a 1.5-hour guided tour of this renowned repository of contemporary art. Marvel at the former power station's imposing presence, highlighted by its 99-meter-tall brick tower, standing just shy of St. Paul's Cathedral in stature. Within its expansive turbine hall, you'll encounter a treasure trove of world-famous art, spanning paintings, sculptures, installations, performances, and video pieces created by an illustrious array of artists, including Picasso, Rothko, Warhol, Dali, Chiriko, Beuys, Fontana, Hirst, Barlow, Gallagher, and many others.
Following your art immersion, amble along the riverbanks, reveling in awe-inspiring vistas of London, en route to the Southbank Centre. Here, you'll explore Europe's largest arts complex, a sprawling and lively hub of artistic and performance venues celebrated for its iconic Brutalist architecture. Venture into the vibrant Undercroft of Southbank, a hallowed birthplace of British skateboarding and a canvas for political street art. Feast your eyes on the street art adorning Hungerford Bridge, and as you continue toward Waterloo, encounter the remarkable Covid tribute to the NHS, a superhero mural crafted by the acclaimed artist Lionel Stanhope.
Conclude your expedition by descending beneath the bustling streets and rumbling train platforms of London's Waterloo Station to discover Southbank's concealed treasure trove of street art and graffiti: the Leake Street Arches and Street Art tunnels, an initiative kickstarted by none other than Banksy in 2008.
Day 4. London
Utilize the final day of your London vacation to explore a few more hidden gems in London. Consider observing more street art at the quirky Waterloo Vaults or snap Instagram-worthy photos at the mesmerizing Tulip Stairs at the 17th-century Queen's House in Greenwich.
Alternatively, consider heading to Neal's Yard today. This micro-village is one of London's prettiest streets and is home to various humble restaurants and bars. In addition to purchasing fine soaps and handicrafts from the street's flagship store, "Neal's Yard Remedies," one can indulge in a few bakeries, pizza joints, and even Michelin-starred restaurants.
If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, spend your final hours in the manicured displays at Sky Garden on Fenchurch Street.
Day 5. Depart London
Enjoy one final hotel breakfast before checking out and boarding your transfer to the airport. As you fly home, reminisce on your off-the-beaten-path experience in the magnificent city of London.
Transfer from hotel to airport
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.