NEW! British Isles & Viking Shores

  • From AU$21,595
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  • 22 Days
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  • 17 Guided Tours
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  • 8 Countries

London (Tilbury), England

  • Scenic sunset over rural landscape with windmill

London is the beating heart of England with a wealth of tradition that is unique to the iconic capital, from the guarding ravens of the Tower of London to the decorated pearly kings and queens, where every London borough has its own royalty. Samuel Johnson’s assessment in 1777 still holds true today, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Amid a pomp and pageantry steeped in centuries-old tradition, the city straddling the Thames thrives in the modern world, standing as a major cultural hub. Today, these colossal buildings still command awe and reverence.

Videos

Historic castle surrounded by lush greenery

Highclere Castle

Join Karine at the “real Downton Abbey,” the historic and renowned Highclere Castle in Hampshire, England, home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Women walking dogs near countryside castle

Highclere Behind the Scenes: Gwyn, “The Butterfly Lady”

Join Karine to meet one of the longest serving residents on the Highclere Castle estate. And join them on a journey of joy and firsts, taking delight in the smaller things in life.

Person painting exterior near historic building

Highclere Behind the Scenes: Pat the Painter

Meet Pat Withers, one of the castle’s favorite, most colorful characters, who came to Highclere as a teenager and never left. As the longest serving staff member at Highclere, she’s worked for three generations of the Carnarvon family.

Museum visitors admire ancient sculpture

Tutankhamen and Highclere Castle

Uncover the fascinating history behind the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb by archaeologist Howard Carter and George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, and get an exclusive look at Highclere Castle’s collection of Egyptian relics.

Beekeeping activity with honeycombs outdoors

Highclere Behind the Scenes: Mike the Beekeeper

Join Karine and Finse as they explore the world of bees with Mike Withers, a thirty-year member of the Highclere staff, whose passion for these hard-working, misunderstood insects spans 60 years.

Group gathering in vintage interior setting

Explore Chavenage House, the home from the PBS series “Poldark”

The friendly, very personable, longtime owners of Chavenage House, welcome you into this quintessential English estate, tucked away in the picturesque Cotswolds.

Historical figure in formal office setting

Churchill’s Britain

Discover the remarkable life and times of revered British statesman Sir Winston Churchill. During this 5-night London extension with Viking, gain Privileged Access to Cabinet War Rooms; visit Churchill’s private Chartwell estate and his birthplace at Blenheim Palace; learn how the British broke the Nazis’ secret code at Bletchley Park and much more.

Scenic view of Oxford skyline at sunset

Visit the University of Oxford

Join Karine as she goes behind the scenes at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious educational institutions and alma mater to kings and presidents.