England  - Wales

Day 1. United States. Depart the United States on your overnight jet flight to England. Enjoy an excellent dinner service in flight.

Day 2. London - Bath. Drive into the glorious Cotswold Hills area this morning with a stop in Broadway for coffee. Drive past thatched cottage villages to the ancient Roman city of Bath: Transfer to your hotel, the afternoon at leisure to explore independently.

Day 3. Bath. A morning tour of the city stopping at the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey dating from 1499 and the Pump Room , the perfect meeting place for Catherine and Mr. Tilney in Jane Austen's "Northanger Abbey". See the classical architecture of the Circus and Pulteney Bridge by Robert Adam with its domed end pavilions and central Venetian Window. In the afternoon drive to Worcester for a special tour of the 11th century cathedral. See King John's Tomb in the Choir, an outstanding example of the Early English style, the Beauchamp Tomb, the alabaster effigy of the Virgin and Child and Prince Arthur's Chantry and its delicate tracery. Time to explore the city in the afternoon including the Royal Worcester Porcelain Works, The Commandery, Charles II headquarters at the Battle of Worcester and the Guildhall with statues of Charles I, Charles II and Queen Anne. Return to Bath in time for dinner at your hotel.

Day 4. Bath. Drive to nearby Wells this morning to visit England's smallest cathedral city. The famous West Front boasts a rich display of mediaeval sculpture with over 300 statues. The richly decorated interior includes scenes from everyday life, the Jesse or Golden Window in the Chancel and the Astronomical Clock of 1390 featuring the Sun and a star revolving around a 24 hour dial and a Knight's Tournament where a Knight is struck down every quarter-hour. Continue to nearby Glastonbury to experience the myths and legends of King Arthur visiting the ruins of the famous Abbey before driving to the twisting and turning Cheddar Gorge to sample the "original" Cheddar Cheese. Visit Wookey Hole, six chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, "frozen" waterfalls and translucent pools through which flows the River Axe. Return to Bath and your hotel.

Day 5. Bath - Gloucester. A scenic tour this morning via Cirencester, "Capital of the Cotswolds" Tetbury, an elegant town built of silver grey stone and the Westonbirt Arboretum with over 14,000 trees and shrubs from all over the world. Continue in the evening to Gloucester to visit the glorious cathedral with its massive Norman columns, the magical East Window; the largest of its kind in mediaeval glass commemorating the Battle of Crecy, and the wonderful light Lady Chapel. Transfer to your hotel

DAY 6. Gloucester/St. David's. Drive west this morning into Wales following the beautiful Wye Valley to the red sandstone mountains called Brecon Beacons extending high over rolling moorlands and lush valleys cut by the River Usk. Continue in the afternoon to Pembroke Castle, dating from the llth century with its massive Keep and unparalleled Norman Hall. Continue to St. David's Cathedral, Wales greatest church built in lichen encrusted purple stone. Together with the Bishop's Palace it reveals itself with dramatic suddenness as you pass through the gatehouse. Transfer to your hotel in time for dinner.

DAY 7. St. David's/Caernarvon. Drive north this morning via the pretty port of Fishguard and along the Pembrokeshire coast line to Crugiau Cemmaes from where the bluestones of Stonehenge were cut. Stop in Cardigan where the Norman Castle still guards the southern approaches and see the fine six arched bridge. Continue north via the resort town of Aberystwyth with its l3th century castle and along the coast of St. George's Channel to Caernarvon and your hotel.

Day 8. Caernarvon/Chester. A morning visit to the strategically situated castle guarding the Menai Strait, built in the l3th century and later restored to its present grandeur. Drive east to another impressive castle with bristling towers guarding the walled town of Conway. Visit this masterpiece of medieval architecture as well as the town, its walls built at the same time as the castle provide a scenic walk. Continue along the Irish Sea coast to Chester and your hotel.


Day 9. Chester/Coventry Enjoy a morning tour of this ancient and attractive city with its Tudor shopping arcades called The Rows. Stop at the l3th century cathedral before driving south to Coventry where Lady Godiva made her legendary ride through the streets. There is time to stroll through this pleasantly modern city, designed and rebuilt after the heavy bombing of World War II. In the late afternoon visit the new cathedral designed by Sir Basil Spence who created the impression of height from the soaring pillars, light from the Great West Screen, a wall of engraved glass by John Hutton and color from the Baptistery Window by John Piper. See the sculpture of St. Michael defeating the Devil by Jacob Epstein and the huge tapestry Christ in Glory by Graham Sutherland.

DAY 10. Coventry. This morning enjoy a visit to majestic Warwick Castle standing beside the River Avon. The curtain walls date from the 14th century, the Bear Tower and Clarence Tower from the l5th century. Collection of furniture, arms and armor are displayed in the State Rooms and the Great Hall. See works by Van Dyk, a portrait of Henry VIII after Holbein as well as the dungeons, torture chamber, rampart walks and Ghost Tower. In the afternoon tour the beautiful Shakespeare country including his birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Mary Arden's House with herring bone timber framing. Linger in Stratford-upon-Avon with the option to attend a performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre before returning to Coventry and your hotel.

DAY 11. Coventry/ St. Albans. Drive south this morning to Knebworth House. View the great Hall with its richly carved screen and minstrels' gallery and the State Drawing Room with its turreted fireplace, painted panels and stained glass windows. In the afternoon visit Hatfield House, designed by Robert Adam with grounds by Capability Brown and the ancestral home of the Marquess of Salisbury. See the fine Wernher Collection of English and Dutch paintings, French tapestries, Byzantine art and Faberge Jewelry that belonged to Anastasia, daughter of Grand Duke Michael of Russia. Continue to the cathedral city of St. Albans and your hotel. Enjoy a late afternoon stroll through its winding streets lined with many venerable inns and houses of character.

DAY 12. St. Albans/London. After a leisurely morning drive south into London. In the afternoon there is a familiarization tour of the city viewing Trafalgar Square, Buckingham House, The Mall, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

DAY 13. London/Detroit. After a leisurely morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to the United States, arriving in the early evening.