Your Peninsula Travel Specialist On: Highlights Of England

By MAUREEN JONES (Star Patcher)

Someone asked me recently how often I have been home and it is around 150 times. I go several times a year with an empty suitcase and buy up Marks and Sparks and John Lewis which are my two favorite stores. I just spent a week in London inspecting twenty seven apartments to write an article for the travel industry on what I recommended.

Here are some suggestions for a seven day tour which is absolutely perfect introduction to one of the world’s most iconic destinations. It takes you to UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic cities, stately homes, traditional cuisine, celebrated culture and more types of architecture than you can shake a spirit level at. Visit the Queen’s official residences, discover what life was like as a Viking (Norwegian) and see where your favorite literary heroes got their inspiration.

Day 1 London

You could spend weeks in London and not see everything this world class city has to offer but with careful planning you can cover the best bits in a day. Start with towering Big Ben and Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square. A gentle stroll across royal St. James Park where pelicans perch on the benches will take you to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11.00 am. Always carry a brolly (umbrella). You must have heard the joke – Limey’s are buried holding their brolly. We are called “limey’s” because in the olden days, many British sailors died on ships from scurvy. They discovered that eating a lime regularly solved the problem, so from then on, we are Limeys.

Head along to the picturesque Dickens Inn in St. Katherine’s Dock for a traditional pub lunch – I always have a Ploughman’s Plate, bread, cheese, apple, pickle and a shandy – half beer and half lemonade.

Take a short walk to the Tower of London, pass the Beefeater guards and be dazzled by some of the world’s most famous whopping sized gems which belong to the Queen. From there, take a cruise boat along the River Thames which will give you a fisheye view of the city. For your evening entertainment, book a pre theatre supper in one of Covent Garden’s restaurants before heading to the theatre. There are 74 theatres in London, and I have so many favorite restaurants I don’t have room to mention them.

Day 2 Windsor and Oxford

Hop on a train from Waterloo Station to Windsor, home to the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It’s an official residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Highlights include the posh state apartments and St. George’s Chapel (burial place of ten British monarchs. ) Lunch in the Crooked House of Windsor whose 400 year old wonkily leaning structure is one of the town’s must sees.

After lunch, take a train to a city famous for its Harry Potter connections. Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English speaking world and its colleges are scattered through the city center. You can explore them by yourself taking in Christ Church’s Great Hall . Magdalen’s high street dominating tower and the purple wisteria that drapes the old stone walls of Jesus College. Afterwards, soak up some local nightlife in the Eagle & Child.
I must say at this point, since my younger sister was a Professor at Cambridge University, Cambridge is another great town to visit.

• Previously from Maureen: Your Travel Expert On: Classic Cuba
• Also see: Good News For Bay Area Travelers: Flights Added To SJ, SFO Airports

Day 3 Blenheim Palace and Bath

Only eight miles from Oxford is Blenheim Palace. This world heritage site is home to the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of former Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The gardens are lovely. You can take a public bus back to Oxford and jump on the train to Bath, only 1.5 hours away.

Day 4. Bath and Stratford on Avon

Bath is another destination that really deserves a few days. Since you are short on time, take an organized tour, either by bus, walking, or a chauffeur driven. I like the “In the Footsteps of Jane Austen tour”. Don’t miss the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent

If you have time, browse the shops along Milsom Street and book a session at Thermae Bath Spa, in operation for some 2,000 years. For a smashing experience, buy a package that includes entry to the Roman Baths, two hours in Thermae and lunch in the Pump Room restaurant where you can “take the waters” just like they did in Jane Austen’s time.

Day 5 Stratford on Avon

Join the hop on hop off bus which will give you the highlights of Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and the Royal Shakespeare theatre. Go see the Museum of Wizardology and Magic Alley on Henley Street to buy your own magical wares. It’s just like stepping into the pages of a Harry Potter book. Take the evening train to York

Day 6 York

Head straight to York Minster, Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral, visit the Jorvik Viking Centre, have afternoon tea at Betty’s teashop on St. Helen’s Square. Take the train back to London

Day 7 London

Go on the London Eye, one of London’s top attractions. Take the tube to the National Gallery for lunch. Go to the theatre, and have dinner in Covent Garden

• Previously from Maureen: Your Travel Expert On: Classic Cuba
• Also see: Good News For Bay Area Travelers: Flights Added To SJ, SFO Airports

Enjoy! Maureen

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street, Los Altos. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.