Day 1 Arrival
Arrive in England and collect your hire car, travel from the airport direct to the historic city of Oxford. Remainder of the day at leisure to start exploring this timeless city of saints and scholars. Overnight at Oxford.

Day 2 Oxford - Coventry
Walking around Oxford, you can visit Christ Church college, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed, see the Bodleian Library and the picture-perfect college courtyards for which Oxford is justifiably famous. In the afternoon journey to Coventry to experience a unique cathedral with a profound message of peace and reconciliation. The cathedrals of England are a precious and unique part of the national heritage and Coventry is regarded as one of the finest. Overnight in the Coventry area.

Day 3 Oxford to Cambridge via Ely Cathedral
This morning, depart Coventry and proceed to Cambridge with an en route visit to Ely Cathedral. Its remarkable and wonderful architecture, the exceptional number of medieval monastic buildings surrounding it and the quiet and gentle charm of the small city in which it is set combine to make Ely Cathedral a most glorious place. Work on the present building commenced in the early 1080s under Abbot Simeon, and the church became a Cathedral in 1109. Highlights include the famous Octagon Tower built in 1322.
Continue to Cambridge, a wonderful mixture of the everyday and the extraordinary, a living city that has shaped history and today reflects the best of historic and contemporary life. It was the inspiration for Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton and many of the Monty Python gang. Take a guided tour of the magnificent chapel of Kings College, founded in 1441, and a fascinating walking tour of a city filled with beautiful buildings and historical quirks, including the famous 'Bridge of Sighs'. Overnight in the Cambridge area.

Day 4 Cambridge via Sudbury to Canterbury
Depart after breakfast for Sudbury and enjoy the beautiful English countryside. Sudbury is the home of painter Thomas Gainsborough. Visit the fascinating St Gregory's Church before continuing south to Canterbury.
In the Middle Ages this route between London and Canterbury was the most heavily travelled road in England as it was the pilgrimage route to the shrine of the martyr Thomas Becket, most famously described in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales". Nearer Canterbury you could visit Leeds Castle. Combining 900 years of history and 500 acres of beautiful parkland, Leeds Castle is the perfect backdrop to your journey through Kent. The castle is a blend of heritage and history, glorious gardens and fun-packed programme of special events. Overnight in the Canterbury area.

Day 5 Canterbury
Today, you have all day to explore the Canterbury area.
You could start with a visit to Canterbury Cathedral. For at least fourteen hundred years the worship of God has been offered on the site of this Cathedral. King Henry II appointed his friend Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, but there were disagreements between the two, regarding the jurisdictions of church and state. While the King was at a feast in France he shouted out angrily, "Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?" Four of the king's knights heard this and traveled to Canterbury, where they murdered Becket inside the cathedral. Soon afterwards the Pope made Becket a saint, and many people started to go to Canterbury as pilgrims to see Becket's tomb. Spend some time exploring the cobbled streets of this ancient city before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Canterbury

Day 6 London & Westminster
Today, you travel to Heathrow Airport to return your rental car before continuing to central London. After checking in to the hotel, you may decide to visit Westminster Cathedral or Westminster Abbey. Westminster Cathedral is one of the greatest secrets of London, No visit to London would be complete without a visit to Westminster Abbey - the coronation site for the Kings and Queens of England. Most recently the venue for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The abbey has stood here for over 1000 years - imagine if these walls could talk! Not far away are the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as well as Buckingham Palace the London home of HM the Queen.
This evening you could take in a West End show or an evening pub walk. Overnight in London.

Day 7 London
This morning, you could visit St Paul's Cathedral. A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has overlooked the City of London since 604AD, the current Cathedral - the fourth to occupy this site - was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Following your visit to St Paul's, you might visit the Tower of London which is nearby. Once inside the Tower Yeoman Warders "Beefeaters" conduct entertaining free tours. A highlight is the excellent Crown Jewels. If you've visited the Tower previously you could cross the river Thames to visit Southwark Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre or the Tate Modern Gallery. Before leaving this part of London you could take a ride on the "London Eye" giant observation wheel for spectacular views of London and its most famous landmarks. Overnight at your hotel in London.

Day 8 Departure
Sadly, it's time to leave the UK, check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport to join your flight home.

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Accommodation 3 Star Hotel   2012 Prices Cdn $ / US $  April 16 - May 30  $1148  May 31 - August 31  $1181  Sep 1 - Oct 31  $1148 Price includes: -7 nights accommodation as detailed above. The above prices are net per person sharing a double or twin room for 7 nights inclusive of breakfast, service and VAT. -Breakfast is full English breakfast or buffet breakfast except in London where it is continental breakfast. -Service & VAT tax -Compact automatic transmission car rental including CDW, liability, theft of vehicle, unlimited miles, airport fees. -Welcome Pack including maps Price does not include: -Lunches, dinners and drinks. -Personal expenses. -Entrance fees to points of interest To book or for more information email or call toll-free 1-800-876-5084