The entire group was sky high!!!". "Windsor was amazing! The state apartments are beautiful and the town is charming.". Home / Blog; Destination: London. I feel we hit most of the highlights of London. We had a great time in London and really enjoyed again the Rick Steve's approach. We found the restaurant and sat down for dinner. Outstanding tour! She is a life long resident of Britain, with passions for history, the arts, people, great food and drinks. What a fine combination of history/food/fun in an amazing area.". The schedule was just right, full, but we still had time to explore on our own, and make connections with other people in our group. We combined the tour with our own Musical Tour. Evening  Cap your day with South Bank sights and experiences that are open late (a ride on the London Eye — last ascent 20:30–21:30 depending on season; a Shakespeare play at the Globe — usually at 19:30 in summer; or Tate Modern — open Fridays and Saturdays until 22:00). I look forward to future RS tours. Having Shepard's Market across the street was AMAZING, especially when the weather was bad or we were too tired to go too far from the hotel for dinner. I really enjoyed her as our tour guide. Hotel location was especially well located [INVALID] easy to access the tube. and in the evening. They crossed paths right in front of us. We had a great group that gelled on our first Sunday meeting. More of that, please! I was concerned about the hotel, as it did not get great reviews on-line. The selection of sites was also good, with something for everyone, and I enjoyed every moment. crown jewels, castles, pubs, etc. Excellent tour. "So many-but as a retired English teacher I loved the tour of The Globe and seeing the locales where Dickens, Shakespeare, Chaucer, et. Like other Rich Steves tours I've been on, we learned how to find our way around using public transportation which gives one the confidence for return trips on one's own. The hotel was in a great location too. By the time I left there, I felt I had lived through part of WWII myself in those rooms. I used up my Oyster card seeing extra sights. High tea was fun. This was my fourth Rick Steves tour but my first city tour. Our group members embraced the "No Grumps" attitude. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Great visits to local markets that introduced us to a variety of foods and local artisans. Clearly, a modern and thriving metropolis, but one steeped in history. Today we travel to London, which offers Christmas fun fit for a queen and streets twinkling with joy. You can go anywhere in the city very easily and the trains run all the time. We'll end our tour at Borough Market, one of the oldest and largest food markets in London, with colorful produce and the wafting scents of grilled-cheese and duck-confit sandwiches. We saw all the major sights in London and had some unexpected treats. I really was able to see a good mix of what London has to offer. This was our fifth Rick Steves tour and first city tour. Our fearless leader, Gillian, couldn't have been more perfect. Well organized, great accommodations, wonderful tour guide with a great sense of humor. We got away from the hustle and crowds of downtown London and the big tourist sights. We came away feeling we had a solid knowledge base of London, "I loved Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and St Paul's! It's one of the best trips I've ever taken. Overall I loved every aspect of the tour. Additionally, our son was the youngest of the trip (12) and Jeanie treated him with great respect - not talking over him, or dumbing down the content. "So many wow moments but one of my favorites was the Burough Market. The tube was nearby and very easy to navigate. "I have an uneducated interest in architecture and I loved the day we walked around The City and saw all of those fabulous buildings, the Shard, Walkie Talkie and inside out building. But it was great. per person + air, Single "Riding the tube (underground) and East London and Churchill war room.". Here's what you'll see and do on our Best of London tour: Group sightseeing events subject to change. Loved being able to unpack for the week. 14:00  Tube to Leicester Square to see Covent Garden and Soho, then browse through the shops along Regent Street (ideally with my London guidebooks' self-guided West End Walk and Regent Street Shopping Walk). Our tour guide, Jamie, knew a massive amount of Information. I was very impressed by the organization, content and flow of the entire tour. London’s National Gallery holds Britain’s finest paintings, while the Tower of London held many of its more notorious rulers. It was an amazing time! The whole tube setup was excellent. Her story telling brought the history to life.". I even added a few days on my own at the end of the tour so I could spend an entire extra day at the British Museum, and I still didn't begin to see it all. We were in the same room for ten days in London which made for a very homey experience. Our week in London was unseasonably wet, but Jeanie indicated we pushed through with "a true British spirit." The itinerary provided a comprehensive overview of London, its culture, history, and influence. It was a great visit to one of the greatest cities in the world. Everyone was courteous and punctual, and we had the tour guide from heaven! In fact, this was my first time as a solo international traveler. "The tour at the Tower of London. Our top 4 were: Tower of London, Hyde Park, Going to a play in the theatre district and Winsor Castle and town.". I enjoyed getting around the city on foot and by using public transportation. Our tour group was congenial and fun. He quickly gave us confidence to navigate the London tube system on our own. Incredible. Then walk the Jubilee Walkway from the Millennium Bridge to the London Eye. We made excellent use of the Underground and many sights afforded lovely walks. It was our first trip to London and it was great. The Christmas special is the only time we’ve ever filmed with a … Everyone in the tour group was pleasant and easy to work with. One of the best travel experiences I've ever had! London is somewhat unique in that you are on your feet the whole day- no sitting on a bus/shuttle for travel from one site to another. Built a thousand years ago, the tower was a prison and a palace, and today holds the crown jewels, the Beefeaters, and a charming Norman chapel. "Difficult to pick one....... maybe the view from the top of Tate Modern. "The Churchill rooms and the Globe theater. and "Ahhhhh!" Train: 2 hours. "While almost impossible to choose, the food tour of the East End of London with Felicity was a true highlight. The Paris tour exceeded our expectations and we are hoping we will see as much in London . The accommodations were in great location for using public transportation. The London Tour in 7 days was amazing! We also enjoyed just the right amount of time to explore, go to performances and sometimes just to chill out. Get the most out of every day and dollar with Rick Steves Ireland & Great Britain guidebooks, Snapshot guides and Pocket travel guides The rooms seem so primitive.". At the end of the tour, it became clear that London will be a city to visit time and time again. a quicker pace than the other tours I experienced. To request advance notification of when a tour will be available for booking, please select ‘Notify Me’ next to the departure date and join the list. Our guide was excellent and very fun! 13:00  After lunch, tour the Churchill War Rooms. I came to realize that we had barely scratched the surface of a few of London's neighborhoods and sights, but it was enough so that I know I want to return to London. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. We got to see the Queen??????? My highest respect and compliments to Tom! Jeanie Carmichael is an outstanding tour guide. Windsor Castle was beautiful. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Excellent tour guide and great group of travelers to share our week with! Unfortunately, I would not return to the hotel that was selected for the tour. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. ?as she left Windsor Castle to go to Royal Ascot! "Listening to our guide at the Globe theatre explain what London was like when Shakespeare was putting on his plays.". "My favorite WOW moment was not included in the tour. Enjoyable personality, great knowledge of the area and an all around good guy. Our tour of London was amazing. "My favorite day was the trip to Windsor Castle - what a beautiful place. (exactly basically) Very well organized; appropriate activities. I loved the flexibility. The sight of Tower Bridge was just what I needed to tell me "Yep, this is London "! We were very impressed with how the tour was set up. It was also very nice that she helped us with anything we needed and taught us how to use the tubes. Wonderful! It was great! If, however, you're spending four days or more in London, the extra information in Rick Steves London can be worthwhile. The London Tour book included in the tour kit was so helpful. The quality of the bus on the first day of the tour was embarrassing; it rattled so much! 10:00  Tour the Victoria and Albert Museum. When in London, I like to stay in South Kensington. We had a great blend of organized tours of all the key sites along with free time to explore. Terms of Service | Privacy, London neighborhood walk and Tube orientation, Visitor Oyster Card for Underground (Tube) and bus transportation. Impressed we never wasted time in line.". The history behind the war rooms and their discovery was a real "wow" moment for me. Today we'll catch a train and head out of town to Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest castle residence in the world. "Honestly I didn't have a particular wow moment. I would emphasize that this is indeed a strenuous tour with lots of walking, standing and stairs. Gillian not only has a wealth of knowledge, but is also a genuinely nice person with a good sense of humor. I missed the Tower of London and I was really looking forward to that. It was a surprise for our group, made possible by the wily machinations of our guide, Tom. It seemed we missed going to the Tower of London. The tour will guide us through the history of the East End, tasting the influence of cultures along the way — from a traditional English bacon butty to Indian curries to the beloved London takeaway, fish and chips. It was an experience that I will never forget as long as I live. Our tour guide, Roy, knew everything and did an amazing job of herding us cats on the tube, filling us with history, and helping us with our independent explorations. I have to look at my pictures to remember it all. Also enjoyed the free time as it allowed us to see a London theater production and a live performance at the Globe Theater. Wonderful experience. Jeanie was a fabulous guide, with so much information and history told with humor and personal insight as well. The Best of London in 7 Days Tour exceeded my every expectation. I toured many historic sites, learned an amazing amount of British history and enjoyed the camaraderie among the tour group. Tom Hooper, our guide, was terrific - so funny and knowledgeable. Windsor Castle "The crown jewels were amazing. London has so much to see and experience! Other wow moment was the huge contrast between the new architecture and old in London - especially the financial district buildings. Loved this tour. It was definitely Windsor Castle visit was delightful with lunch on the river. The audio guide was great and the time in which we had to spend there was adequate. Getting in the "back door" to some sites, particularly the Tower of London, made those sites extra special. It was a trip of a lifetime! What made this trip as with the previous - our Tour Guide was exceptional on so many levels!!! We really felt special in that Jeanine was able to share some of her personal preferences and experiences with us - incuding a particular roof top. Jeanne was a fantastic tour guide- knowledgeable, entertaining, witty, friendly and a pleasure to be with. It worked out great. "The British Museum was quite impressive.". It will inspire you to learn more about British history and monarchy and to brush up on your Shakespeare. The tour provided a nice overview of London and was a fabulous trip. This was our first Rick Steve's tour and my husband and I were not disappointed! It was spectacular!!". A third "wow" moment for me was going to see the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden. It was my first trip to Europe. Windsor Castle was beautiful and the Borough Market was interesting and the food was excellent. The tour exceeded all expectations. Tours must be prebooked, which serves to minimize waiting times. ", "Close-up viewing of the both the Foot Guards and Horse Guards marching at the Mall near Buckingham Palace. "Saint Paul's Cathedral. Tom was incredibly knowledgeable, droll and just the best. An elderly couple sat next to us and for the next 90 minutes talked to us about being in London as children and experiencing the bombing of London in WWII. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Gillian was an absolute delight to have as a tour guide, she was funny, informative, helpful, and even helped me find a suitable stylist to cut my hair. The food choices were fantastic! We were able to see most of what we were hoping to, and now have a list of things we'd like to go back to see on another trip. "The most exciting, and unexpected moment, was seeing the Queen as she made her way from Windsor Castle to Ascot. "The "food tour" day. Also we got to see the Tower Bridge open across the Thames, not an everyday occurrence.". During your week-long stay in London, your Rick Steves guide will lead you on a magical history tour along the Thames and through the Tower, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, historic neighborhoods, and plenty of priceless art — and even take you on a train trip to Windsor Castle. Being under the dome of The Great Court on a sunny afternoon was so lovely. Specific places and moments that stood out to me included our opening bus tour; our visit to Westminster Abbey; our food tour in the East End; and our excellent farewell dinner.". Tom, the tour guide, was wonderful. Loved London.". St. Paul's Cathedral was also quite memorable. I learned so much history. However, this tour provides a good overview of some major sights. It was a nice balance of sight seeing and cultural experiences. We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. Great as always, "So many wow moments could not list them all. ", "We did a lot of extras (Buckingham Castle, Hamilton play, seeing Downton Abby movie, tea at Ritz that were all awesome) but I must say I was impressed we were able to enterTower of London early. Some days were a little long and tiring, but I really didn't want to miss any of the sights. It's a remarkable city and I loved our tour guide's insights to the city. Roy was outstanding! There was so much to see at that site. "Standing in Westminster Abbey - walking where kings and queens of England walked - that was a "WOW"! It was helpful to have break times for coffee or toilets. Our guide Jeanie was absolutely incredible- she was very knowledgable of London's history and always steered us in the right direction for activities and places to eat for our free time. One of the best things about London is that you can be in the middle of traffic and busy commuters, turn the corner, and all of a sudden, you're in a quiet churchyard or a serene park. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and so much fun! Our guide told us that was a rare moment.". I had been to the Tower of London twice, but this time was special because we got there before the crowds for opening of the keys/gates.". We also did some things that felt off the beaten path that added to the local flavor both figuratively and literally: Visiting the local markets, sampling local food. "My wow moment was the British Museum. That would never happen in the states. "Tom positioning us in time to see the Horse Guards return to the barracks -- fantastic to see the horses up close as they trotted past.". The tour guide (Jeannie) was very knowledgeable and quite entertaining. After dozens of visits myself, I still enjoy a healthy list of excuses to return. "I loved the chapel to the American Armed Forces in St. Paul's Cathedral. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket London is smaller than the complete guidebook and in full color (but still offers our best sightseeing advice and a handful of self-guided city walks and museum tours, plus a … The tour was just what my wife and I expected and more. Once we learned the public transportation system we had the confidence to truly see London. "My favorite part of the tour was the East End foodie tour. Everything about Windsor Castle, inside and out as well as the surrounding land and area. It was pretty magical to hear those voices drifting up into the vaulted sanctuary.". I thoroughly enjoyed the fast pace of this tour. Jamie our guide knows his stuff. We plan on staying in London, then taking a cruise for 12 days around England, Ireland, and Scotland, and then another 3 days in London. It was the best way to get introduced to the city. I loved the knowledge of our guide Tom, who could answer any question, give an impromptu history lesson and inject humor throughout our travels. Since I was a kid I wanted to see London, this tour exceeded all expectations! We appreciate how swiftly we are able to go inside and not falling in line , it's organized, "The visit to the Westminster abbey followed by an afternoon tea was a treat, the Windsor castle and the food tour that was good", "Westminster abbey , Windsor castle , afternoon tea , food tour". Spectacular panoramic views afforded of the illuminated London skyline, ST. Pauls Cathedral, and a series of bridges whose pastel lights create breathtaking and shimmering reflections in the River Thames that bedazzle the eye and nourish the soul. Besides seeing all the sites we learned so much about the history of each place we visited. She gave us information in a very authentic manner, and we are sincerely greatful. When we rejoined the rest of the group at the Viaduct Tavern, they cheered our arrival! This was the first time we've ever taken a tour. We decided to join a few others from our group who wanted to climb to the dome, and were rewarded with spectacular views of the London. His (droll? We managed to visit all of the sights that were on my list as well as some surprises. Feeling comfortable getting to the theater and back to our hotel( on our own!) We were very pleased to see all the sights we wanted to see and for a taste, literally, of the city. The first two days were quite active, perhaps too active. We got to meet The Beefeaters and I actually got to speak to the head Beefeater. To actually see the site where so much history occurred, where the Queens and others had lost their heads. The treats were a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. I loved the abbey and St. Paul's, and how it survived the blitz. "Seeing Windsor Castle, especially St. Georges's Chapel. Along with the tickets included a dinner. The tour exceeded my expectations. Your tour ambassador Jeanie made it the most wonderful trip we have ever taken. There was enough free time left in the day to explore each area on our own. I will never again stay at the Washington hotel. "The Tower of London. We can't say enough good things about this tour. Couldn't ask for a better experience. This is another good night for the theater. Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Superseded any expectations I could've had.The sites were planned out methodically.We never had to wait in line. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. There is so much to see and do in London, we felt that we could easily go back and do more on another trip. London’s Anglesea Arms Pub. I have a greater understanding of Britain's economic, political, and social influence on the U.S., both at its founding and today.". She was brilliant! This afternoon, we'll take a walking tour of The City, the oldest part of London and today one of the world's key financial centers. "Day before tour: saw dress rehearsal for Queen's birthday parade at Buckingham palace with mounted troops in full regalia. We loved the mix of organized time with plenty of free time to explore theatre, museums and palaces of our own choosing. The Globe Theater tour segment provided a superb experience.". There was a perfect balance of group time and free time to explore on my own. Everyone got along very well coordinated with commentary from our guide rick steves london was an incredible experience! `` sites. Trip included so many interesting places in the second row seats of planned sights, and this tour a! Us like adults, which was tasty and informative, offering insights we would never seen... 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