Itinerary Details
Avanti Destinations: Bite of England
Day 1 London
Claim your bags and make your way to your hotel on the Underground, using your Oyster Card. You have the rest of the day to explore London on your own.
Centrally Located Hotel In London, ()
Day 2 London
Today you’ll explore one of the oldest parts of London by taking a 4-hour guided tour of the London Docklands. Use your Oyster Card to get yourself to the Rotherhithe Tube Station in East London, where the tour begins. You’ll visit some historic pubs that used to be hangouts for sailors, pirates and even thieves. Today this former bustling port is a quiet residential area with cobblestone streets and old warehouses with breathtaking views of the Thames River. You’ll sample local craft brews, ciders and pub food, as this tour takes you back in time. You’ll finish near the Tower of London, and you have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
Centrally Located Hotel In London, (B, L)
Day 3 London
Borough Market Food Walking Tour: Today you’ll explore one of London’s oldest and largest food markets, located in the historic district of Southwark on the south side of the Thames. Using your Oyster Card, travel to London Bridge Tube Station, then walk across the bridge to the Market, only a few blocks away. Start with drinks and pastries at one of the chic restaurants in the Market, where you’ll meet your guide Celia. She will take you on an exclusive tasting tour of the Market, showing you the best of the food and wines—including fine cheeses and fresh seafood—as you hear the rich history of this fascinating Marketplace. After your 3-hour tour you have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
Centrally Located Hotel In London, (B, L)
Day 4 London
This morning you travel on your own to #9 Conduit Street, the starting point for your Mayfair Chocolate Tour. As you meet your guide you’ll be given a rich hot chocolate to savor, as you learn some of the history of chocolate in London, and also of the chic neighborhood of Mayfair. As you visit some of the famous chocolatiers of London you’ll sample Queen Elizabeth’s favorites and other specialties of the finest chocolate boutiques. After your 3-hour tour, you should be sated with chocolate and ready to walk off some of the calories by continuing to explore London.
Centrally Located Hotel In London, (B)
Day 5 York
This morning, travel by Underground to Kings Cross Station, where you’ll board your first-class train coach for the two-hour journey to York. After finding your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating walled city. Walk the narrow lanes of the medieval city center, and don’t miss York Minster, one of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in England. If time permits, the National Railway Museum is an attractive option.
Centrally Located Hotel In York, (B)
Day 6 York
This morning you’ll have a most enjoyable experience. Walk to 16 Gillygate at the appointed hour. This is the address of Love Cheese, York’s favorite cheese monger. Here you will have a guided tasting of 8 different teas, matched with 8 different cheeses provided by Love’s. At the end of the afternoon you’ll have a thorough understanding of the differences between white, green, black, oolong and Pu’er teas, and will have unlocked the secrets of pairing cheese and tea. You’ll be guided through each tasting by local tea and cheese connoisseurs.
Centrally Located Hotel In York, (B)
Day 7 York
This morning, take the short train ride from York to the spa city of Harrogate, where you’ll have a Food Tour. Meet your guide at 11:15am at the Starling Independent Beer and Coffee House, where the tasting begins! During your 3-hour tour you’ll visit: Hales Bar, the oldest pub in Harrogate; Farrahs, a sweet shop that’s home to the famous Harrogate toffee; Oliver’s Fish & Chips; Vanilli’s artisan ice cream shop; and Yorkshire Tapas, for small plates done in the British style. You’re guaranteed to be full at the end of this tour! Take the train back to York to further explore the city. (Note: this tour has the option of traveling to and from Harrogate by private roundtrip transfers for a supplement.)
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Day 8 York
After breakfast, head for the train station to continue on to your next Avanti destination!
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