London Getaway August 24-30, 2018

London is the only city in the world to rival New York in the richness and extent of its vibrant cultural activity, and London possesses a legion of historic and unique attractions to delight all visitors. This tour offers a balance of structured activity and free time designed to open the world of London and beyond to you. Highlights include guided tours of London - Westminster Abbey and British Museum, The National Gallery, Oxford and Sulgrave. Also included, one theatre performance in London's famous theatre district.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Aug 24th, 2018: Depart the USA

Depart the USA for your flight to London.

Day 2 - Aug 25th, 2018: Welcome to London!

Upon arrival, proceed through customs and collect your luggage. Meet our assistant and driver and transfer to your hotel, the Millennium Gloucester, a contemporary four-star hotel in elegant Kensington. The rest of the afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure or you may join our local host for an orientation tour to explore the prestigious neighborhood (Kate and William live nearby) around your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by a Welcome Dinner with drinks at the hotel. Overnight in London (Dinner)

Day 3 - Aug 26th, 2018: Panoramic London, Westminster Abbey and British Museum

First Lecture Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a panoramic tour of the legendary city of London. Appreciate famed landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square to name some of the included sights. Continue to a local pub for a traditional lunch in London. In the afternoon, admire one of the world's largest collections of artifacts at the British Museum. The extensive collection spans 6000 years of human history, featuring items from all over the world such as the Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Your guide will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum's galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight in London. (Breakfast)

Day 4 - Aug 27th, 2018: National Gallery and Optional afternoon to Windsor

Breakfast at the hotel and relaxed departure to the National Gallery housed in an impressive pantheon-style building raised on a terrace atop Trafalgar Square, with its round fountains and double-decker buses flowing by below. Over 2,300 masterworks have found their home behind the columns of the National Gallery, dating from the Middle Ages through the 20th century and including pieces from Masters such as Monet, van Gogh, da Vinci, Holbein, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Ruben and van Eyck. While this gallery could be considered small in comparison to other famous museums, the National Gallery has distinguished itself by precisely tracing the development of European painting across the centuries. For its encyclopedic scope, it deserves its place as the fifth-most visited art museum in the world. After the tour, spend some free time for lunch and the choice is yours to either continue the visit on your own, or to return to the hotel with the coach and join us for an optional afternoon tour of Windsor Castle, the largest working castle in the world that is still occupied by a monarch. For over 900 years, since William the Conqueror built a wooden fortress here, this landmark has been a royal home to the Kings and Queens of England. Queen Elizabeth spends a month here at Easter, a week in June and most weekends at Windsor where she often hosts state dinners for international dignitaries and entertains those she has knighted into the prestigious Order of the Garter. Aside from its daily use for royal business, much of the palace is open to the public including the State Apartments which feature fine works of art from the Royal Collection including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, St. George's Chapel, George VI's private apartments and Queen Mary's dolls' house, the largest and most beautiful in the world. Return to the hotel in London. Evening on your own. Overnight in London. (Breakfast)

Day 5 - Aug 28th, 2018: Day trip to Oxford and Sulgrave Manor

Second Lecture. Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Oxford. One the way, enjoy a visit of Sulgrave Manor, a Tudor and Georgian house built by direct ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States. Discover how Civil War, financial ruin, and a shipwreck led to Washington's great-grandfather seeking a fresh start in the New World. Continue on to Oxford for lunch before proceeding to our afternoon visit of "the city of dreaming spires". Oxford boasts one of the oldest and most prestigious Universities in the world, as well as some of the finest architectural structures anywhere. The colleges themselves stand among these fabled masterpieces and a visit of Christchurch College is included. Return to the hotel in London and evening on your own. Overnight in London. (Breakfast)

Day 6 - Aug 29th, 2018: Free day in London

Breakfast at the hotel and full day at leisure in London. We invite your to join our local tour escort on an optional museum morning visit. (museum TBD). In the evening, there is a farewell dinner at the hotel or in a local restaurant nearby including drinks, and a theater performance in London's National Theatre (Show TBA). Overnight in London. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 - Aug 30th, 2018: Departure day

Today we transfer to the airport filled with wonderful memories of a rich and fascinating voyage to London, England.

Included

  • Round-trip air transportation from PHL. Fuel surcharges included (valid at time of printing).
  • Round trip airport transfers in London.
  • Baggage handling at the hotel for your arrival and departure. (Based on one bag per person).
  • Services of a tour host throughout the program and local guides for guided tours
  • Licensed sightseeing guides for all tours.
  • First class hotel accommodations for 5 nights at the Millennium Gloucester in London including hotel tax and service charges.
  • Welcome cocktail
  • Daily breakfasts & two dinners - welcome dinner & farewell dinner (including water and wine/beer).
  • Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach transportation for all transfers and guided tours.
  • Orientation walking tour around the hotel.
  • Full day guided orientation tour of London's Highlights with visit to the Westminster Abbey and British Museum.
  • Full day guided tour to Oxford with visit of Sulgrave Manor and Christchurch College.
  • Farewell theatre performance at National Theatre in London including round trip transfers.
  • Whisper system for all guided tours.
  • Tips for guides & drivers.

Not Included

  • Anything not mentioned under INCLUSIONS
  • Optional Windsor afternoon excursion (Day 4)
  • Optional Museum morning visit (Day 6)
  • Meals and drinks not mentioned
  • Entrance fees not mentioned
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Luggage service at the airport

Pricing

Tour price is $2,995 per person, double occupancy. For single occupancy, add $595. Fuel surcharges and air taxes are included and air taxes are valid at the time of printing and are subject to change.

Optional Extension: Paris - City of Light

Day 7 - Aug 30th: Transfer from London to Paris

Breakfast at the hotel and private coach transfer to London's St Pancras Station for a journey on the EuroStar train to Paris. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check in and evening on your own. Overnight in Paris (B)

Day 8 - Aug 31st: Panoramic tour, Lunch cruise and Covered Passages of Paris

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for a panoramic introduction to Paris including the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Arc of Triumph, Champs Elysées, Opera, Madeleine church, Trocadero, Place de la Concorde. Later, at the base of the Eiffel tower, we will board our boat for our luncheon cruise on the Seine. Following an aperitif, enjoy a tasty lunch while listening to popular French music and informed commentaries on the sites along the Seine River. In the afternoon, set out to discover some of the most guarded secret places in the city. As a visitor to Paris, you would never know that behind many Parisian tree-lined wide boulevards, charming hidden passageways lie. Known as "Les Passages Couverts", or covered shopping arcades, these passageways were the fashionable, high-class shopping malls of the 19th century. Only the most affluent and high-class bourgeois ladies of the time could afford to stroll up and down the passages in their fine gowns, indulging in what was to become a favorite Parisian pastime-window shopping. Today, many of these beautiful architectural wonders still exist intact; some restored to their former elegant 19th Century condition and some now a little tired and faded. The boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and cafés to be found inside are truly exquisite. Some have not changed in 150 years. So bring your camera and explore these secret passageways on the Right Bank close to the Louvre with our expert guide who will lead you through 3 "Passages Couverts" and together you will evoke those romantic days and hear some entertaining stories of how life used to be. Return to the hotel for an evening on our own. Overnight in Paris (B, L)

Day 9 - Sept 1st: Optional Opera Bastille, & Opera Garnier

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day discovering the "City of Light" at leisure, or depart by coach on an optional guided tour to Paris' most eye-catching modern theatre, the Opéra Bastille, located in the 12th Arrondissement of Paris, and cutting a striking silhouette against the city's many traditional baroque theatres. It was the 20th century composer Pierre Boulez who spearheaded the campaign for a new government-built opera house, initially intended to replace the historic Opera Garnier, or Palais Garnier, and encourage a new generation of concertgoers to enjoy classical music. The two theatres now compete for the title of Paris' most prestigious classical venue, with the original Opera house remaining the home of the Paris National Ballet and the celebrated Opéra National de Paris moving to the contemporary Opéra Bastille. Inside, the acoustically homogeneous main auditorium features 2,700 seats, each with an unobstructed view of the stage, and makes an atmospheric setting for champagne-fuelled classical music concerts and operatic performances. Stop for lunch in a local French restaurant. Afterwards, continue to the Opera Garnier. The Opera Garnier is Paris' main opera house and one of the largest in Europe. Officially named "Palais Garnier" in recognition of its luxurious grandeur and elaborate décor, the opera house is fascinating to explore. While explaining the opera house's intriguing history, our guide will point out the most notable features, including the Chagall ceiling and grand staircase. Return to the hotel after the tour. Dinner on your own. Optional Tour price including Lunch: $195 USD. Overnight in Paris (B,L)

Day 10 - Sept 2nd: Departure Day

Breakfast in Hotel. Check-out and transfer by private coach and assistant to the airport for homeward bound flights.

Extension Tour Includes

  • Eurostar train ticket from London to Paris
  • Meet and greet at Paris train station including assistant
  • 3 nights at the Paris Etoile Saint Honoré Champs Elysées Hotel **** hotel centrally located
  • Hotel city taxes
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Porterage at the hotel (1 bag per person IN & OUT)
  • Tour leader/guide throughout the itinerary
  • Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach throughout the itinerary
  • Water in coach during full day tours.
  • Full day Panoramic tour of Paris + Lunch cruise (3 course meal + drinks) + Covered Passages of Paris tour
  • Whisper system
  • Airport Transfer from the hotel including assistant
  • Tips to guides and drivers

Important Information

Full Terms & Conditions are Available in your Group Leader's Group Master Contract

Air Arrangements

Fares and schedules are based on regular scheduled carrier service. All applicable airline rules apply and schedules are subject to change. Basic airfares do not include fuel surcharges, airport departure taxes, passenger facility charges (PFCs), customs or immigration fees, and excess baggage charges. For mileage accrual information, please contact the carrier directly for details. Air inclusive group packages are non-changeable and non-refundable once deposit has been paid. Rules and fees for canceling and revising airfares vary depending upon the type of airfare purchased. Refundable airline tickets will be processed once the original paper tickets (if applicable) are returned to us via a traceable method of mailing. E-tickets do not need to be returned. Lost paper tickets have no refund value.

Important Note on Fuel Surcharges

Fuel surcharges imposed by the airlines are valid at time of contract and are included in the price of your tour. As fuel continues to fluctuate, if the fuel surcharges change prior to your departure date, you will be assessed this additional amount.

Cancelation Policies

No charges other than the non-refundable initial deposit are levied for individual passengers canceling up to 120 days prior to the commencement of Jet Vacations LLC services. However, services which have been prepaid by Jet Vacations LLC on behalf of individual clients maybe non-refundable, non-exchangeable, non changeable and/or maybe subject to a cancellation- change fee (e.g. theater tickets, Train tickets, Airline Tickets, Event Tickets, Passes, Entrance fees etc.).

Full Cancellation

Failing to pay the contractual deposits (other than the initial deposit) constitutes a cancellation. In the event of non-compliance with the payment due dates, Jet Vacations LLC shall have the right to demand the Customer to immediately pay the outstanding balance. Payment shall then be received by Jet Vacations LLC within eight days as of the date of Jet Vacations LLC's written request. Should payment not be received within this time limit, the group stay shall be deemed to be canceled by the Customer. In the event of full cancellation of the agreement by the Customer, which is not justified by Jet Vacations LLC's failure to meet its obligations, cancellation penalties shall be invoiced and calculated as follows:

  • Initial deposit**: non-refundable after 120 days.
  • Up to 120 days prior departure: 0% penalty of the total cost per person.
  • From 119 to 91 days prior to departure: 500USD per person. penalty of the total cost per person.
  • From 90 to 61 days prior to departure: 50% penalty of the total cost per person.
  • From 60 to 31 days prior to departure: 75% penalty of the total cost per person.
  • From 30 to day of departure & no show: 100% penalty of the total cost per person.

** Deposit to hold the space and First deposit is non-refundable after 120 days before departure date. All subsequent deposits are non-refundable. If a passenger cancellation creates a change in the price schedule, the tour price will be revised based on the remaining number of participants. A passenger becoming a single as a result of a partner's cancellation must pay the single supplement.

NOTE: The following non-refundable fees will be added to the penalty charges listed on the cancellation (full or partial) schedule above: Travel protection premiums. Airline tickets - airline penalties, which may be up to 100% of the ticket value. Refundable airline tickets will be processed once the original paper tickets (if applicable) are returned to us via a traceable method of mailing. E-tickets do not need to be returned. Lost paper tickets have no refund value.

Hotel Selection

It is the responsibility of client to ensure that the hotels and venues that are suggested and selected in this proposal are adequate for their clientele. Jet Vacations LLC cannot and will not be responsible for room sizes, room air condition, room amenities, room service which vary and differs throughout the world, countries, cultures and hotels. We strongly advise client to peruse hotel rating web sites such as Tripadvisor.com to get an approximate "feel" and "judgment" on each suggested and selected properties, to insure that selected hotels/rooms will be adequate to the client's group travelers. Client understand that no refund nor legal claims regarding the selected hotels, venues, rooms and /or services will be possible once this contract has been signed and agreed upon.

Hotels Check-in Times

Hotel rooms are usually not ready for check-in until after 3 pm. If your flight is arriving early, especially European flights, you should plan for the day's activity until your room is available. Most hotels will store your luggage until your room is ready.

Air Conditioning

Jet Vacations LLC is not responsible for air conditioning standards or availability, as these factors can vary greatly between properties and countries.

Single Rooms

The single supplement rate is quoted on the basis that single rooms shall not exceed approximately 20% of the total rooms required, unless otherwise agreed and confirmed. Some hotels may charge a further fee should the group exceed this configuration.

Activity Level

This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.

Itinerary Variation

We will make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Situations may arise, voluntarily or involuntarily, that require changes or exceptions in the airport of departure, the itinerary, land arrangements, hotels, trains or ports of call. On these occasions, we reserve the right to make such modifications and substitute conveyances/hotels as deemed necessary.

Minimum Participants to Operate

Group needs a minimum of 20 participants to operate. Optional tours need a minimum of 15 participants to operate.

Tour Cancelation

We reserve the right to cancel the entire trip (or any component of the trip) for any reason and/or time. In this event, our liability, if any, shall be limited to and liquidated by refunding to each prospective participant the payments made. CST#2111829-40; Fla Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST40436.