Day 1 – Arrival in London
Your driver-guide meets you on arrival at the airport, and the journey into London begins! Along the way, your guide will talk you through the attractions of the day and set the scene for your English adventure.
Buckingham Palace
Your first visit is to Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the British monarch. Inside the palace, a guided tour leads you through the grand State Rooms used for royal ceremonies and official events. As you move through the palace halls, you see ornate chandeliers, historic paintings, and richly decorated interiors that reflect centuries of royal tradition. Walking through the palace offers a rare chance to experience the rooms where many of Britain’s most important royal gatherings take place.
Westminster & Big Ben
After leaving the palace area, you continue toward Westminster, where several of London’s most famous landmarks stand close together. Walking through Parliament Square reveals views of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament stretching along the River Thames. Nearby, the famous clock tower known as Big Ben rises above the surrounding buildings. The area offers an excellent introduction to London’s political and historic center.
Thames Riverside Walk
Later in the afternoon, you follow the Thames riverside paths where the city opens along the water. Boats move steadily along the river while historic bridges connect the streets on both sides of London. Walking along the embankment provides wide views of the skyline and several well-known landmarks while giving you time to enjoy the lively atmosphere along the river.
Overnight in London
Day 2 – Exploring London
A full day allows time to explore more of London’s historic landmarks and lively districts. The city blends royal history, medieval architecture, and modern culture, and today’s visits introduce several of the places that have shaped London over the centuries.
Tower of London
Your morning begins at the Tower of London, one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. Walking through the stone gates, you enter a complex of towers and courtyards that once served as a royal fortress and prison. Inside the walls, you can explore medieval buildings, see the Crown Jewels displayed in the treasury, and walk along sections of the old battlements that once protected the city.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Crossing into the historic City of London brings you to St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most recognizable churches in Britain. Inside, the enormous dome rises high above the marble floors while monuments and memorials line the walls. Walking through the cathedral gives time to admire the detailed interior architecture and learn about the historic events that have taken place here.
Covent Garden
Later in the day, you visit Covent Garden, a lively district known for its shops, cafés, and street performers. Walking through the covered market hall reveals small boutiques, food stalls, and craft shops, while performers often gather in the central courtyard. The surrounding streets are filled with theatres and restaurants, making it a pleasant area to explore at a relaxed pace.
Overnight in London
Day 3 – London to Oxford & the Cotswolds
Leaving London behind, the journey heads west into the English countryside. The route first reaches the historic university city of Oxford before continuing into the gentle hills and stone villages of the Cotswolds.
Oxford University
Arriving in Oxford, you walk through the historic center where many of the university’s famous colleges stand close together. The streets pass stone courtyards, libraries, and chapels that date back hundreds of years. Walking between the college buildings reveals ivy-covered walls, quiet quadrangles, and narrow lanes where students still cycle between lectures.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Continuing into the Cotswolds, you arrive in Bourton-on-the-Water, a village known for the River Windrush that flows gently through its center. Several low stone bridges cross the water while traditional cottages, small shops, and tearooms line the banks. Walking beside the river offers time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this classic English village.
Bibury
Later in the afternoon, you reach Bibury, often described as one of the most picturesque villages in England. Walking along Arlington Row reveals a line of historic stone cottages that date back to the 14th century. The quiet lanes, small gardens, and nearby river create a calm countryside setting that feels far removed from city life.
Overnight in Bibury
Day 4 – Bibury to Paris
Your morning begins quietly in the Cotswolds before traveling onward to France later in the day.
Morning Walk in Bibury
Before leaving the village, you take a short walk beside the River Coln. The path passes small stone cottages, open green spaces, and gently flowing water that reflects the surrounding countryside. Early in the morning, the village is especially peaceful, making it a pleasant moment to enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Cotswolds.
Journey to London
After leaving Bibury, the route returns toward London through the rolling hills of the English countryside. Fields, farms, and small villages appear along the road before the city gradually reappears. Arriving at St Pancras Station, you prepare for the next stage of the journey.
Eurostar to Paris
From St Pancras Station, you board the Eurostar train, which travels beneath the English Channel to France. The high-speed train arrives in central Paris in just over two hours. After arriving in the city, the rest of the afternoon is free to take a relaxed walk through the surrounding streets.
Overnight in Paris
Day 5 – Exploring Paris
Paris is a city built along the River Seine, and today’s visits focus on the historic neighborhoods that developed around the river.
Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité
Your morning begins on Île de la Cité, the historic island where Paris first developed. Standing in front of Notre Dame Cathedral, you can admire the detailed stone carvings, Gothic towers, and famous rose windows that define the building. Walking around the square reveals views of the cathedral from several angles, while the surrounding streets contain small cafés and historic buildings.
Latin Quarter
A short walk across the river brings you to the Latin Quarter, one of Paris’s oldest districts. Narrow streets wind between bookstores, cafés, and university buildings connected to the Sorbonne. Walking through the neighborhood reveals lively squares and historic architecture, while the relaxed atmosphere reflects the area’s long connection with students and writers.
Seine Riverside Walk
Later in the day, you follow the paths along the River Seine. Historic bridges cross the water while bookstalls line the upper quays. Walking along the river reveals views of famous landmarks appearing along the skyline while boats move steadily on the water beneath the bridges.
Overnight in Paris
Day 6 – Paris Landmarks
Today focuses on several of Paris’s most famous cultural and artistic landmarks.
Louvre Museum
Entering through the glass pyramid courtyard, you step inside the Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Walking through the galleries reveals thousands of artworks ranging from ancient sculptures to Renaissance paintings. The museum’s grand halls and historic collections make it one of the highlights of a visit to Paris.
Tuileries Garden
Just outside the Louvre lies the Tuileries Garden, a large formal park stretching toward the Place de la Concorde. Walking along the wide gravel paths, you pass fountains, statues, and rows of carefully planted trees. The garden provides a pleasant place to slow the pace while enjoying views across the center of Paris.
Montmartre
Later, you travel to Montmartre, a hilltop neighborhood known for its artistic history and village-like streets. Walking up the hillside paths leads to the white domes of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. From the terraces in front of the church, you can enjoy wide views across the rooftops of Paris stretching toward the horizon.
Overnight in Paris
Day 7 – Paris to Florence
Flight to Florence
After traveling to the airport, you board a flight to Florence. As the plane crosses the Alps, mountain peaks and valleys appear below before the landscape changes to the rolling hills of Tuscany. On arrival in Florence, your private guide meets you and takes you into the historic center where the city’s Renaissance architecture begins to appear.
Florence Historic Center
Your first walk through Florence reveals narrow streets, historic palaces, and lively piazzas that form the heart of the city. Small shops, cafés, and artisan workshops fill the streets while church towers and domes rise above the rooftops. The compact historic center makes it easy to explore on foot.
Overnight in Florence
Day 8 – Exploring Florence
Florence is one of the most important Renaissance cities in Europe, and today’s visits focus on its most famous landmarks.
Florence Cathedral (Duomo)
The Florence Cathedral dominates the city skyline with its enormous red-tiled dome designed by Brunelleschi. Standing in the square, you can admire the cathedral’s marble façade and the nearby bell tower. Walking inside reveals a vast interior, while the surrounding piazza provides views of the cathedral from several angles.
Piazza della Signoria
A short walk leads to Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s main historic square. The open space is surrounded by impressive palaces, including the Palazzo Vecchio. Sculptures stand throughout the square while cafés and restaurants line the surrounding streets, making it one of the liveliest places in the city.
Ponte Vecchio
Later, you walk across Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s most famous bridge. Small jewelry shops line both sides of the bridge while the Arno River flows quietly beneath the stone arches. Looking out from the bridge offers views along the river and across the historic rooftops of Florence.
Overnight in Florence
Day 9 – Siena & San Gimignano
Today’s journey explores two of Tuscany’s most famous historic towns.
Siena
Siena’s historic center is built around Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square surrounded by medieval buildings. Walking through the narrow streets reveals small shops, churches, and historic houses that reflect the city’s long history. The square itself remains one of the most distinctive public spaces in Italy.
San Gimignano
Continuing through the Tuscan countryside brings you to San Gimignano, a hilltop town known for its medieval towers rising above the surrounding landscape. Walking through the historic streets reveals stone houses, small squares, and panoramic views across the vineyards and olive groves of Tuscany.
Overnight in Florence
Day 10 – Chianti Countryside
Chianti Scenic Drive
Today’s drive passes through the rolling hills of the Chianti wine region. Vineyards stretch across the slopes while cypress trees line winding roads between small villages. Traveling through this landscape reveals one of Tuscany’s most recognizable views.
Greve in Chianti
The small town of Greve sits in the center of the Chianti region. Its triangular main square is surrounded by arcaded buildings where cafés, bakeries, and wine shops gather around the piazza. Walking through the town offers time to explore local food shops and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Castellina in Chianti
Continuing through the hills brings you to Castellina in Chianti, a hilltop village overlooking vineyards in every direction. Walking along the stone streets leads to viewpoints across the countryside, while historic buildings line the village center.
Overnight in Florence
Day 11 – Florence to Rome
Journey to Rome
A high-speed train carries you south through the Italian countryside before arriving in Rome. As the train approaches the city, historic buildings and church domes begin to appear along the skyline. After arriving, you settle into your hotel before exploring the surrounding neighborhood.
First Walk in Rome
A relaxed walk through the historic center reveals several of Rome’s famous squares and fountains. Streets open into lively piazzas where cafés gather around historic monuments while church towers rise above the surrounding buildings.
Overnight in Rome
Day 12 – Ancient Rome
Colosseum
The Colosseum stands as one of the most famous symbols of ancient Rome. Walking through the enormous amphitheater reveals the scale of the structure that once hosted gladiator games and public events. The surrounding ruins give a sense of how central this area once was to Roman life.
Roman Forum
Nearby lies the Roman Forum, once the center of political and social life in ancient Rome. Walking through the ruins reveals the remains of temples, government buildings, and public spaces where citizens gathered centuries ago.
Capitoline Hill
From Capitoline Hill, you can look across the Roman Forum while historic palaces surround the elegant square above. The hill provides one of the best viewpoints for understanding how the ancient city once developed around this central area.
Overnight in Rome
Day 13 – Vatican City & Trastevere
Vatican Museums & St Peter’s Basilica
The morning is spent exploring Vatican City, home to some of the world’s most famous artworks. Walking through the Vatican Museums reveals galleries filled with sculptures, tapestries, and Renaissance paintings before reaching the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. The visit continues inside St Peter’s Basilica, where the enormous interior contains grand marble columns and historic sculptures.
Trastevere
In the evening, you cross the Tiber River to explore Trastevere, one of Rome’s most characterful neighborhoods. It’s one of our favorite areas of Rome, because it looks so stereotypically fairytale Italian. Narrow streets wind between historic houses covered in ivy while small squares open between churches and restaurants. The area becomes lively in the evening as cafés and traditional trattorias fill with locals and visitors.
Overnight in Rome
Day 14 – Rome
Your final morning allows time for a relaxed walk through Rome’s historic center before your transfer to the airport. Enjoy a coffee in one of the city’s lively squares while taking in the atmosphere of the surrounding streets.
Later in the day, the tour concludes, bringing your two-week journey through England, France, and Italy to an end.