Day 1: Welcome to London

We’ll meet at our hotel in central London at 4 p.m. to get acquainted. Then we’ll set off on a neighborhood walk before finishing the evening with a “Welcome to London” dinner together.

Light walking: 2-4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain.

Day 2: Westminster and Whitehall

After an Underground/Tube orientation, we’ll wander through the City of Westminster. Our walk will take us down Whitehall and through St. James Park, a favorite for its resident pelicans, on our way to the majestic Westminster Abbey. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the abbey, where England’s kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066, and continue with a history-laced walking tour along Whitehall. After a busy morning, we’ll rest our feet while enjoying that quintessentially English experience: afternoon tea. Then you’ll be ready to explore the treasure-packed British Museum.

Strenuous walking: 2-8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Day 3: The Tower, The City, and St. Paul’s

This morning we’ll head out early to witness the opening ceremony at the medieval Tower of London. We’ll join a Yeoman Warder “Beefeater” for an entertaining tour and a close-up look at the UK’s magnificent collection of Crown Jewels. 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. Then we’ll continue on to England’s national church — Christopher Wren’s majestically domed St. Paul’s Cathedral — and hear how local “fire watcher” volunteers saved this symbol of British resolve during the bombing raids of World War II. The rest of your afternoon is free — consider staying near St. Paul’s to hear the evensong.

Strenuous walking: 2-8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Day 4: East London and the Churchill War Rooms

Today we’ll venture out to the culturally diverse East End of London, where we’ll find our lunch on a food tour. The tour will guide us through the history of the East End, tasting the influence of cultures along the way — from Indian curries to the beloved London takeaway fish and chips. Once we’ve had our fill, we’ll visit the Churchill War Rooms, where we’ll get the inside story on the London Blitz and Britain’s leadership during World War II. This evening is free and perfect for the theater (book a popular show in advance online or pick up a ticket in London).

Strenuous walking: 2-8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Day 5: Historic Windsor Castle

Today we’ll catch a train and head out of town to Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest castle residence in the world. We’ll spend the morning touring the Royal Family’s castle, ornate St. George’s Chapel, and the surrounding park. The remainder of the day is yours for poking around the quaint town of Windsor or for more sightseeing back in London. This is another good night for the theater.

Moderate walking: 2-6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Train: 2 hours.

Day 6: Borough Market and the South Bank

We’ll begin our morning with a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the half-timbered and thatched-roofed replica of the original theater that was home to the playwright’s productions in the late 1500s. Then we’ll take a walking tour along the South Bank of the Thames. We’ll see the Tower Bridge and Southwark Cathedral, and learn how this side of the river has evolved since Roman times. 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. The afternoon is yours to enjoy lunch at the market, visit the Tate Modern, hop on a Thames River cruise, or take a ride on the London Eye. Tonight, we’ll meet for our “last supper” and raise a toast to London and new friends. Cheers!

Moderate walking: 2-6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Day 7: Tour Over After Breakfast

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be easily reached by Tube, train, or taxi from our London neighborhood. For those not ready to return home yet, London is a great jumping off point to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, and many other exciting destinations. Cheerio!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.