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Rick Steves' Best of London in 7 Days Tour, Day by Day
London has just what you need for a quick escape: direct flights, the best live theater scene on the planet, an inviting pub on every corner, and the simple pleasure of conversing with Europeans with (almost) no language barrier. During your week-long stay in London, your Rick Steves guide will lead you on a magical history tour along the Thames and through the Tower, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, historic neighborhoods, and plenty of priceless art — and even take you on a train trip to Windsor Castle. Join us for this slideshow preview of our Best of London in 7 Days tour. Let's go!
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Day 1: Welcome to London
We'll meet at our hotel in central London to get acquainted. Then we'll set off on a neighborhood walk before stepping aboard our very own double-decker bus for a panoramic tour of "The Big Smoke" (London). We'll finish the evening with a "Welcome to London" dinner together.
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Day 2: St. Paul's, The City and the British Museum
After an Underground/Tube orientation, we'll visit England's national church — Christopher Wren's majestically domed St. Paul's Cathedral — and hear how local "fire watcher" volunteers saved this symbol of British resolve during the bombing raids of World War II. Next, we'll take a walking tour of The City, the oldest part of London and today one of the world's key financial centers. After a busy morning, we'll rest our feet while enjoying that quintessentially English experience: afternoon tea. Then you'll be ready to explore the treasure-packed British Museum.
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Day 3: The Tower and East London
This morning we'll head out early to witness the opening ceremony at the medieval Tower of London. We'll join a Yeoman Warder "Beefeater" for an entertaining tour and a close-up look at the UK's magnificent collection of Crown Jewels. Next, we'll venture out to the culturally diverse East End of London, where we'll find our lunch on a food tour. The tour will guide us through the history of the East End, tasting the influence of cultures along the way — from Indian curries to the beloved London takeaway fish and chips. This evening is free and perfect for the theater (book a popular show in advance online or pick up a ticket in London).
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Day 4: Westminster and the Churchill War Rooms
This morning we'll wander through the City of Westminster. Our walk will take us down Whitehall and through St. James Park, a favorite for its resident pelicans, on our way to the majestic Westminster Abbey. We'll enjoy a guided tour of the abbey, where England's kings and queens have been crowned and buried since 1066. Later this afternoon, we'll visit the Churchill War Rooms, where we'll get the inside story on the London Blitz and Britain's leadership during World War II. Your evening is free. This is another good night for the theater.
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Day 5: The South Bank and Borough Market
We'll begin our morning with a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the half-timbered and thatched-roofed replica of the original theater that was home to the playwright's productions in the late 1500s. Then we'll take a walking tour along the South Bank of the Thames. We'll see the Tower Bridge and Southwark Cathedral, and learn how this side of the river has evolved since Roman times. We'll end our tour at Borough Market, one of the oldest and largest food markets in London, with colorful produce and the wafting scents of grilled-cheese and duck-confit sandwiches. The afternoon is yours to enjoy lunch at the market, visit the Tate Modern, hop on a Thames River cruise, or take a ride on the London Eye. This is another good night for the theater.
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Day 6: Historic Windsor Castle
Today we'll catch a train and head out of town to Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest castle residence in the world. We'll spend the morning touring the Royal Family's castle, ornate St. George's Chapel, and the surrounding park. The remainder of the afternoon is yours for poking around the quaint town of Windsor or for more sightseeing back in London. Tonight, we'll meet for our "last supper" and raise a toast to London and new friends. Cheers!
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Day 7: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be easily reached by Tube, train, or bus from our London neighborhood. For those not ready to return home yet, London is a great jumping-off point to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, and many other exciting destinations. Cheerio!
Ready to explore jolly old London? Learn more about our Best of London in 7 Days tour!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.