- History Tours

Full Day Copan

Geography and Nature present stuning vistas

You will be picked up at your hotel for your transfer to Copán, Honduras. After completing legal requirements at the border, they will continue to the archaeological site of Copán. From the moment you enter the park, you can see elaborate sculptures everywhere. You will have plenty of time to explore and marvel at the magnificent stelae, majestic temples, and a complete field of Ballgame. They will return to Guatemala to embark on their journey back to Guatemala City.

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Nature & Condors

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The Culture

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Valleys and Rivers

Itinerary - 8 Days/7 Nights

Day 1: On arrival at London Gatwick, a private transfer takes us to, XXX, our hotel for the first three nights of our tour. In the evening our guests are invited to enjoy a welcome drink, followed by dinner with after-dinner guest speaker.

Day 2. Today we are guided through the key sites with the help of our official London Blue Badge Guide. We spend the morning unlocking the grisly secrets of the Tower of London. After lunch at the Tower, we head to the National Portrait Gallery for the best possible encounter and understanding of Tudor and Stuart portraits. We proceed to architect Inigo Jones’ Banqueting House – commissioned by Charles I with ceiling panels by Rubens proclaiming the divine right of kings. With the passing of the English Civil War, this glorious building became the site of King Charles’s own public execution. We pass by the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as we proceed to Westminster Abbey – this magnificent Gothic structure, re-purposed through events of the Reformation, has been the burial place of English monarchs for nearly a thousand years. We return to our hotel for overnight.

Day 3. We visit Hampton Court, seized from Cardinal Wolsey by his master Henry VIII, this building remained centre-stage through the tumultuous events of our story. After taking lunch at this historic Royal Palace, we drop off our guests in central London, allowing free time to explore the sites or shopping experience. In the early evening, we head to the Swan Restaurant to enjoy our pre-theatre dinner and drinks, then enjoy premium tickets to Shakespeare’s Globe, witnessing a live performance of the playwright’s own Much Ado About Nothing. The theatre is London’s own reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original Elizabethan theatre – creating a unique experience for players and audience alike. We return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 4. We leave London, heading north. On route, we visit Burghley House, home of William Cecil Lord Burghley, chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. After lunch, we travel through the East Midlands, taking in the Civil War site of the decisive Battle of Naseby (1645), before arriving at XXX, our hotel for the next three nights.

Day 5. We visit Hardwick Hall, the supreme manifestation of Elizabethan imagination and will, by its originator Bess of Hardwick. Fabulous architecture is heightened by glorious original décor and collections – including numerous remarkable needleworks, many seemingly hand-worked together by Bess and her prisoner, Mary Queen of Scots. Taking lunch at Hardwick, in the afternoon we visit Haddon Hall – this most romantic of homes, elevated above the banks of the River Wye, straddles the transition from medieval to the arrival of an early modern England. From Haddon, we head to the Peacock at Rowsley for drinks and dinner. Part of the Haddon Estate, this is one of England’s most splendid country inns. Return to hotel – in good spirits! - for overnight.

Day 6. We begin the day at magnificent Chatsworth. The last of our truly great English houses is Elizabethan in origin (another product of the prodigious Bess of Hardwick), and was transformed into Baroque splendour in the 1690s by Bess’s descendent, William Cavendish. This 4th generation Earl was created 1st Duke of Devonshire as reward for his pivotal role in instigating England’s ‘Glorious Revolution’. William helped overthrow King, James II, and invited James’ sister Mary and husband, William of Orange to rule as ‘constitutional monarchs’ (under the authority of Parliament). William and Mary were to be the last of the Stuart monarchs for a by-now United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. We take lunch at Chatsworth, then spend time in Chatsworth’s gardens. We return to our hotel to freshen up, then travel to Tissington Hall, where we are personally received and guided around this splendid Jacobean country house by Sir Richard FitzHerbert, Baronet. Sir Richard is host for our very special Tudor inspired evening meal in his dining room at Tissington. After drinks in the Withdrawing Room we return by coach to our hotel for overnight.

Day 7. We leave Derbyshire for Stratford-upon-Avon – forever associated with one of England’s most famous sons, William Shakespeare. We arrive late morning, to experience the sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm at Mary Arden’s House, the home of Shakespeare’s mother. We take lunch at the farm’s café, then proceed to the childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. We check into our hotel for the next two nights, the XXXX. Tonight, we come together in the hotel’s restaurant for our evening meal and after dinner speaker.

Day 8. With a guided walking tour of Stratford, we then enjoy free time to explore the streets and sites independently. We include entrance to one more of the properties associated with the Bard – either Shakespeare’s Birthplace, New Place or Hall Croft. In the early evening, we walk through Bancroft Gardens and meet up at the Rooftop Restaurant of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, alongside the peaceful River Avon. After our dinner and drinks, we attend a live theatre performance of Shakespeare’s last works, the Roman tragedy, Coriolanus. We return to our hotel for our final night.

Day 9. We leave Stratford, and the England of the Tudors and Stuarts, and transfer to London Gatwick airport for departure. If guests would like to continue their vacation from Stratford, or from London – we will of course be happy to oblige.

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The Princess

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The Duchess

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The Fashion

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The Power of Fashion

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Welcome Dinner

Check into your London Hotel and join us at your welcoming dinner where a special guest speaker will be featured who will preview the theme and your upcoming travel experience.

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Welcome Dinner

Check into your London Hotel and join us at your welcoming dinner where a special guest speaker will be featured who will preview the theme and your upcoming travel experience.

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Welcome Dinner

Check into your London Hotel and join us at your welcoming dinner where a special guest speaker will be featured who will preview the theme and your upcoming travel experience.

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Welcome Dinner

Check into your London Hotel and join us at your welcoming dinner where a special guest speaker will be featured who will preview the theme and your upcoming travel experience.

Tour Inclusions

Expert and experienced Tour Director, to look after the group, helping shape and share the story 

Airport transfers from and to London Gatwick

3 nights in London at the XXXX

3 nights in the Derbyshire Peak District at XXXX

2 nights at Stratford-upon-Avon at the XXXX

Full English breakfast each day, 1 lunch and 5 dinners.

Complimentary bottled water on the coach

Travel to and from all excursions

All entrance costs

Porterage

Special Extras Include in Tour

Additional Welcome and Farewell dinners – customised to our theme, with engaging after-dinner speakers

Additional private and exclusive dinner at the Jacobean Tissington Hall, hosted by the owner and descendant from the original family.

Theatre ticket to Much Ado About Nothing at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre, London

Theatre ticket to Coriolanus at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford

Pre-theatre dinner and drinks prior to each performance

Special dinner at the Peacock Inn, Rowsley

Blue Badge Guided Tours of key London attractions

Guided tour of Haddon Hall

Guided tour of Chatsworth House

Guided walking tour of Stratford-upon-Avon

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The Palaces

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The Palaces

Departure dates for 2017

August 10, 2017

This tour starts in London with reception services upon your arrival at the airport or the hotel.

6 Days - 5 Nights

Tour Program Pricing

Program pricing is based upon hotel occupancy options

Single: £4300.00 plus taxes

Double:  £3900.00 plus taxes

Triple:  £3500.00 plus taxes

Quad: £3200.00 plus taxes

BOOKING AND PAYMENT INFORMATION

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HOW TO BOOK

All Bookings may be made online with either a depoist or full payment if within 60 days of travel. Please click on the Book Now menu Tab and you will be taken to the booking form. Choose the tour options you prefer and follow the reservations instructions. When you arrive on the checkout page, you will be required to agree to the Cancellation Terms, fill in your personal information and enter Credit Card information. Your credit card information is not stored or retained in the system in any manner, and is only used to transaction the deposit or final tour payment. Upon successful payment, you will be directed to your confirmation page and a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you have entered on the check out page. Travel documents will be sent to you 4-6 weeks before travel as an e-document unless printed documentation is requested.

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DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT

PRICES, QUOTES, DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS: All prices on this website are per person and based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated. and are quoted in Canadian Dollars. Single rates apply as stipulated. Rates are subject to change without notice. If a hotel included in a program is not available at the time of the reservation, we will substitute it for a hotel of similar category. Most programs can be customized. All itineraries are subject to change without notice. To receive a quote for any additional dates for this tour or a customzation, please contact us Toll Free at 1 855 900-9249 us or send an email to us. Once your deposit is received, the land portion of your vacation price is guaranteed with the exception of potential fuel related surcharges as charged by our vendors. Access Heritage Travel will always pass on these charges at cost in order to minimize the impact on the consumer.

Deposits must be received at time of booking. Most Programs require a $600 per person deposit. If a program requires a different deposit amount it will be specified on the Program page. For full coverage, Travel Insurance should be purchased at the same time as your deposit.

Final payment must be received in our offices at least 60 days prior to tour departure. There will instances (due to conditions from our suppliers) where a final payment or an additional partial payment will be due outside of the 60 days terms. You will be notified of these special conditions upon booking your tour. Bookings may be cancelled if deposit or final payment is not received by due dates. Reservations made within 60 days of departure require full payment. Tour documents are issued after final payment and sent approximately 3-4 weeks prior to departure. Please note that E-Documents are becoming commonplace. We will be sending E-Documents unless a request for Paper Documents is made.

All programs are based on the participation of at least 2 travelers (unless specified as otherwise in the tour description). Single traveler departures can be arranged if available. Some tours do have minimum age restrictions for children which will be disclosed with all reservation requests.

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PROTECTION FOR YOUR HOLIDAY

We refers to Pelago Travel Ltd, a company registered in England with company number10069848. Registered office: Diamond Court, Water Street, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1EW.

We provide full financial protection for our package holidays. We do not provide flights as part of our package. We are members of Protected Travel Services. Any monies paid in advance of your holiday are held in a secure trust account, which is fully compliant with UK 1992 Package Travel Regulations. This means that you will be fully refunded for any monies you have paid to us in the unlikely event of our insolvency. It also means that if such an event happens whilst you are on holiday you will not be stranded abroad or in the UK and will be transferred back to the tour start point. Many of the services which make up our tours are provided by independent suppliers, often in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier's liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable international conventions. Where applicable, copies of relevant terms and conditions are available on request from ourselves or the supplier concerned.

The purchase of a Travel Protection Plan is highly recommended. Ask your Reservation Specialist for details.

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CHANGING YOUR RESERVATION

RESERVATION CHANGES A $50 per person fee will be assessed for each change to any booking made after final payment is received plus any additional fees that may be charged by our suppliers. Changes in departure date, itineraries or passengers are considered a cancellation and a new booking. No change will be made unless permitted under the terms of our cancellation policy, even if you transfer to another date.

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CANCELLATION INFORMATION

CANCELLATION FEES Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs, the following fees will apply. If you cancel, any non-recoverable expenses of our suppliers will be charged, plus the following per person charge:

60 days or more - Forfeiture of deposit

59-30 days - 50% of total package price pp (Independent and Customized tours) 100% of total package price pp (Waterways & River cruises)

29 day or less & no show - 100% of total package price pp (Independent & Customized tours)

TOUR EXTENSIONS

A DAY IN BATH

The best city to visit within easy striking distance of London is Bath — just a 1.5-hour train ride away. If ever a city enjoyed looking in the mirror, Bath's the one. Its streets a series of architectural chorus lines, Bath has more protected historic buildings per capita than any other town in England. Built of the creamy warm-tone limestone called "Bath stone," it beams in its cover-girl complexion. Proud locals remind visitors that the town is routinely banned from the "Britain in Bloom" contest to give other towns a chance to win. Bath's narcissism is justified. Even with its mobs of tourists and greedy prices, Bath is a joy to visit.

LONDON CITY STAYS

London is the L.A., D.C., and N.Y.C. of Britain — a living, breathing, thriving organism…a coral reef of humanity. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. Ogle the crown jewels at the Tower of London, hear the chimes of Big Ben, and see the Houses of Parliament in action. Cruise the Thames River, and take a spin on the London Eye. Hobnob with the tombstones in Westminster Abbey, visit with Leonardo, Botticelli, and Rembrandt in the National Gallery, and explore Harry Potter's stomping grounds at the film studio in Leavesden. Enjoy Shakespeare in a replica of the Globe Theatre and marvel at a glitzy, fun musical at a modern-day theater. Whisper across the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, then rummage through our civilization's attic at the British Museum.

DAY TOUR TO STONEHENGE

Visit world famous Stonehenge and nearby Salisbury. The countryside surrounding Bath holds two of England's most goose-pimply prehistoric sites, Stonehenge and Avebury. As old as the pyramids, and older than the Acropolis and the Colosseum, Stonehenge amazed medieval Europeans, who figured it was built by a race of giants. Today, it still retains an air of mystery and majesty (partly because cordons, which keep hordes of tourists from trampling all over it, foster the illusion that it stands alone in a field). Nearby Avebury is a prehistoric open-air museum, with a complex of fascinating Neolithic sites all gathered around a great stone circle that's likely even older — and for many, more enjoyable — than Stonehenge.

OXFORD CITY STAY

Ever since the first homework was assigned in 1167, the University of Oxford’s stellar graduates have influenced Western civilization; its alumni include 26 British prime ministers, more than 60 Nobel Prize winners, and even 11 saints. But that doesn't mean that Oxford is stodgy. Although you may see professors in their traditional black robes, this is a fun, young college town, filled with shopping streets, cheap eats, and rowdy, rollicking pubs. Step off the busy, urban-feeling High Street into the hushed sanctuary of a grassy college quad. See the dining hall that inspired the one where Harry Potter eats his meals, or the pub where J. R. R. Tolkien first spoke about hobbits. Just outside town is the magnificent Blenheim Palace, England's finest countryside estate.

ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

Enjoy the world class museums and art galleries of London. Whether you love Old Masters or modern art, contemporary sculpture or Impressionist paintings, London has an art gallery to suit you. London's smaller art galleries are full of hidden treasures. Whether you're into fine art, sculpture, photography, contemporary works or arty events, you will find hidden gems to satisfy your artistic interests in one of London's more intimate art spaces. The National Gallery - The crowning glory of Trafalgar Square, London's National Gallery is a vast space filled with Western European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Find works by masters such as Van Gogh, da Vinci, Botticelli, Constable, Renoir, Titian and Stubbs. The National Portrait Gallery - The National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square is home to the world's largest collection of faces and personalities, from Tudor times to the present. From Shakespeare to kings and queens, and icons of our time, it also has a photographic collection and one of the best roof-top restaurants in London. The list goes on with over 50 options available.

TRAVEL RESOURCES

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PASSPORT AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

TRAVEL & HEALTH DOCUMENTS: Passport and visa requirements, as well as vaccination certificates and other health requirements for travel between your home city and your tour destinations, may change from time to time. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to determine if any visas and vaccinations are needed. Passengers who do not have proper documentation may be prevented from boarding a flight and will consequently lose 100% of total package price.

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TOUR BACKGROUND MATERIALS

Please take this opportunity to learn a little more about your tour by surveying some of the literature, history, viset and web site resources available regarding your tour, the destinations you will visit and the people you learn about. Resources to be listed.

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SINGLE SUPPLIMENTS

Single Suppliments and Currency

All prices on this website are per person and based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated. and are quoted in Canadian Dollars. Single rates apply as stipulated. Rates are subject to change without notice. Tour prices are subject to change depending upon currency exchange rates. Final tour payment price may therefore change between th etime a deposit is made and when the final payment is due.

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ACTIVITY LEVELS

Relaxed

Our cruises provide a flexible holiday that can be very relaxed depending on the port of call excursions you choose. Suitable for travelers with limited mobility.

Light

Tour members should expect intermittent walking with occasional slight inclines and stair climbs. Overall the tour includes a good amount of free time with optional excursions for those who want more activity.

Moderate

Expect to be active most of each day with activities from breakfast right through dinner with a moderate amount of walking. There will be time to rest on the coach and between attractions.

High Energy

Expect varied terrain, such as cobble stones and hilly ground. The tour will include well-paced walking tours with intermittent breaks. Could be up to 2-3 hours walking per day.

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ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

To Be Listed

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ASK A QUESTION

If you any questions about this or any of tours, please contact one of our travel experts at Toll Free 1 855 900-9249 or

EMAIL US at Send Mail

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Kensington

TOUR ITINERARY MAP

 
 

2020 Group Programs

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Princess. Duchess, Fashion - England

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Shakespeare, Tudor and Stuarts - England

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Discover the Mayans - Guatemala


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Group options

History.tours offers a large selection of group options which can be tailored to your service level and area of interest. Explore the options and choose a few that suit your tastes or allow us to work with you in developing a combination of programs.


WHO WE ARE

History Tours is operated by Access Heritage Travel Ltd. a registered travel company. All tour departures and services are arranged and operated in conjunction with registered and bonded travel partners.

GET IN TOUCH

History Tours
#10-111 Smithe Street, Vancouver,
BC, V6B 4Z8, Canada
P: (604) 899-9249
Toll Free 1 855 900-9249  

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