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The Big Value Tour (1 Night - 2 Days)

A bargain-priced country tour, which will fit most budgets and makes an ideal getaway if you have limited time. You'll stay in a guest house on a bed and breakfast basis; comfortable, but a little less luxurious and therefore less expensive accommodation than with our other tours. We see much, but avoid some of the higher entrance fees - another saving. On the food front, you are left to choose your own evening meal - we always stay close to good inns, restaurants, etc. As far as lunches, snacks, drinks and afternoon teas are concerned we don't cut any corners. (Didn't someone once say that an army marches on its stomach?). In conclusion, we recommend this tour to first-time visitors who are spending most of their time in London, have a desire to get a brief taste of England on a sensible budget and prefer to take a private tour than go by big bus.

Day 1: Begins with a short drive to Hampton Court Palace, where we'll take an interesting walking tour of the park and gardens, hear the history of the palace, and admire some fine architecture. A short coffee stop, then a motorway drive to Salisbury. After an interesting tour of the famous C13th Cathedral, including the Chapter House and Magna Carta, we enjoy a good pub lunch. The experience may come as a pleasant surprise to any of you who remember the bad old days when all a pub ever offered by way of food was a ploughman's lunch or a cheese or ham roll; you'll discover that standards have risen considerably! Salisbury is also an ideal place to give the shoppers in the group an opportunity to pick up a souvenir or two.

Leaving Salisbury, we head North, and make a short journey to Stonehenge, examione the structure and hear the theories, before we visit a less well-known series of equally impressive megalithic structures around Avebury. It's now late afternoon and time to head for our destination for tonight. We stay in or close to one of Wiltshire's charming little towns, like Marlborough, Devizes, or Frome. Your Factsheet gives lots of ideas for things to do tonight! (B&B)

Hampton Court Palace  Avebury Stone Circle  A stroll through Lower Slaughter

Day 2: A good breakfast will revive those who got too carried away on last night's pub-crawl, and we'll be on our way by 9 am if possible, as there's lots more to see today. The day begins with a brief look at one of the famous White Horses of the area before traveling into the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds region. Here, we'll explore a village or two before taking a good lunch at a historic old tavern.

Woodstock is our next destination, where we enjoy a bracing and picturesque walking tour of Blenheim Park. Sir Winston Churchill was born here at the Palace, and you'll hear all about the history of the Spencer-Churchills and the Dukes of Marlborough.

Our final port of call is Oxford town and its' world-famous University. We tour a college, hear about some of the famous (and infamous!) characters who have passed through these doors, then take a final afternoon tea in the town. A motorway journey of a little over an hour will take us to London, arriving early evening. A verdict often heard at the conclusion of this fantastic value trip is 'we did more in two days with you, than we could have done in four or five on our own!' Perhaps that best explains its' popular appeal.

Christchurch Cathedral - Oxford   On the steps at Longleat House   Druids at Stonehenge

PRICES:

EITHER:

You pay just £900, to cover the cost of your Minivan which carries up to 8 persons, your driver-guide's services and all miles driven. Complimentary drinks and occasional snacks are provided along the way. The driver-guide's hotel/subsistence expenses are included, but not your own. We can arrange guest house/inn/hotel accommodations from £70 per twin or double room, £90 a family room per night including breakfast, or you can go on-line and choose your own with our help. Please note that entry fees to the sites visited and gratuities (discretionary) are not included. Total luggage handling throughout.

This is the most economical way to go, costing just £112 per person for a family or group of 8 to £224 per person for a family or group of 4, for all your travel and guiding services.

OR:

A fully-inclusive, more luxurious option. Prices include quality accommodation with private bath and full English breakfast, entrance fees & taxes, lunch on 1 day, dinner on 1 night and high tea on 1 day, your own driver/guide and minivan for 2 days. Total luggage handling throughout:
No of People
Total Price in £'s
Cost Per Person (pp) in £'s
4 People
£1,320
£330 (pp sharing twin/double rooms)
5 People
£1,550
£310 (pp sharing twin/doubles& 1 single room)
6 People
£1,650
£275 (pp sharing twin/double rooms)
7/8 People
£1,890
£270 (pp sharingtwin/doubles & 1 single room)

 

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April 4, 2008