Begin the day travelling across the Chiltern Hills to Oxford, the "City of Dreaming Spires", whose hushed courtyards and elegant, dignified timeworn buildings have inspired generations of scholars (including Bill Clinton in the 1970s!). During your walking tour you will see Christchurch College, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed and where Albert Einstein studied. You will also see the Bodleian library and the picture-perfect College courtyards for which Oxford is justifiably famous.

Next travel through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, an area steeped in history and heritage, to Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town at the edge of the Forest of Arden made famous for being the birthplace of playwright William Shakespeare. You will visit the Tudor-style birthplace of William Shakespeare, gaining an insight into his childhood with its typical parlor, bedrooms, kitchen, buttery and of course the glove-maker's workshop used by his father John. There will be time to explore this charming market town, its streets lined with unusual shops and boutiques.

Later you will take a short drive for an exclusive reception in the old orchard of the cottage, overlooking the beautiful gardens. Enjoy your tea with locally produced specialties, in Ann Hathaway's Cottage, the picture-postcard half-timbered childhood home of William Shakespeare's wife set in lovely surroundings and containing a treasure trove of historic domestic artifacts.

With France situated only a few miles across the English channel, a little over 2.5 hours away on the Eurostar, you won't want to miss this opportunity to spend a day exploring the City of Lights.

Depending how you prefer to travel, you have the choice of a fully independent or an escorted tour. You also have the choice of traveling in standard or first class, or maybe a little of both.

INDEPENDENT:
Value for money, unescorted tour to Paris, designed to give you freedom while visiting Paris. On arrival into Paris Gare du Nord the day is free for you to explore Paris. Whilst in Paris you can use your ticket on the Hop On Hop Off City Tour to see the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Champs Elysees and more at your leisure. The tour gives you the opportunity to have total independence to see what you want, when you want.

For your return, check-in at the Gare du Nord at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

ESCORTED:
This is a fully escorted day tour to Paris. On arrival in Paris you will be met at the station for a panoramic tour of Paris which will show you all the main sights of Paris, and includes a stop at the second level of the Eiffel Tower. The tour finishes at the Louvre where you will have free time for lunch.

In the afternoon continue with a guide or have independent time, the choice is yours. A ticket on the hop on hop off bus tour of Paris is included if you wish to explore on your own. If the guide is chosen, your Louvre Guide will take you for an optional tour of the Louvre (closed on Tuesdays - not included in tour cost), or with a Seine Guide for an optional River Seine Cruise (Cruise dependent on River Seine conditions - not included in tour cost).

For your return, you will be taken back to Gare du Nord station for check-in at least 30 minutes prior to departure.

Board the Eurostar to Lille where you will be met by a specialist French Battlefields guide.

"The Salient" struck fear into the Great War Tommy for being the hottest spot on the 70 mile front held by Imperial and Empire troops. Over a quarter of a million men gave their lives to hold this last bit of Belgium from the Germans. Although history records three great battles fought at Ypres, it was in fact a constant battle against shell, bullet, bomb, gas, water and rats.

On your day of touring the Salient you'll see some of the most important sites that remain; the German trenches at Kemmel, "Shot at Dawn" execution sites, sites of the first gas attack and where flame thrower were introduced into modern warfare, John McRae's Essex Farm site, the grave of double VC winner, Noel Chavasse, Hoogt crater and museum, the Passendaele dug-out and Tyne Cot cemetery.

You will walk the moonscape of the Hill 60 battlefield and see literally dozens of memorials to British, Australian and Canadian regiments. There is also time spent in Ypres itself with the opportunity to visit St George's Chapel, the Menen (Menin) Gate Memorial, and for those who want to take an optional tour of the "In Flanders Field" Museum to do so.

You will return to London from Lille onboard the Eurostar.

With a maximum group size of 11 and a university educated guide/driver, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience.