In anticipation of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, marking Queen Elizabeth's 60-year reign, this is the perfect time to attend this popular event. In addition to attending the Flower show, take in all the sites of London...a Jubilee exhibition showcasing Queen Victoria's reign, the Tower of London and the crown jewels, and the UNESCO World Heritage site, Greenwich, which will be granted Royal Status during the celebration.

Price includes:
• 7 nights accommodations at St Giles Hotel, with baggage handling
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, and 1 welcome reception
• Sightseeing excursions and admission fees per day by day itinerary
• Professional tour director and motorcoach transportation
• One week zoned Underground & Bus Travel pass

Hightlights include:
• Comprehensive sightseeing of London's essential sites
• A full day at the world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show
• Tours of Kensington Palace (with the Victoria Jubilee exhibit), UNESCO World Heritage town of Greenwich, and Tower of London including the Crown Jewels
• A full day excursion to Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens and Scotney Castle & Gardens
• A full day free in London for independent activities

Limitations and Restrictions *Prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice. Single supplement may apply. Unless stated otherwise, airfare, taxes and government fees are not included. Fares may not reflect additional fuel supplement and vary by provider.This tour entails a lot of walking and standing; comfortable footwear is advised. Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers policies. Black out dates and other restrictions may apply. We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication, but reserve the right to correct errors. AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Note: Because international currency can fluctuate and affect pricing, rates may change.

Day 1 - Depart USA

Day 2 - Arrive London
Mid‐morning arrival in London. You are met and transferred from Heathrow Airport by private motorcoach to our central London hotel, the 3‐star ST GILES HOTEL, off Oxford Street. Upon arrival and check‐in at the hotel, you will be given each a 1‐week zoned Underground & Bus Travel Pass making visits to the sights, museums, theatres and shops of London easily accessible. The afternoon is free for independent activities. A Welcome Reception will be hosted at the Hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and the remainder of the evening at leisure. [Welcome Reception]
Accommodations: ST GILES HOTEL – 7 nights

Day 3 - London Sightseeing & Kensington Palace
Following breakfast at the Hotel, depart for a full‐day of sightseeing (including lunch) by private motorcoach accompanied by a local licensed Blue Badge Guide. On the panoramic tour, you will see the essential hightlights of the city: the West End and Theatre district, Covent Gardens, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, The Mall, St James Park, and Buckingham Palace before arriving at Knightsbridge for lunch at the renowned Fifth Floor Restaurant, located within the Harvey Nichols department store. Following lunch, visit Kensington Palace, the last home of Diana, Princess of Wales and also the home of Queen Victoria, the only other monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. During the visit to Kensington Palace you will see a new exhibition that has been created to help celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: ‘Victoria: Love, Duty and Loss’ which will tell the story of Queen Victoria, starting from the day that she became Queen in the rooms in which she lived her childhood. Late afternoon return to the Hotel; dinner and the remainder of the evening are at your leisure. [B, L]

Day 4 - Chelsea Flower Show
Following breakfast at the Hotel, transfer by private motorcoach to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, home to the world’s most famous Flower Show. Run by the Royal Horticultural Society for 5 days each May, it is officially called the ‘Great Spring Show’ and is attended by the great and the good from all walks of life making it a very special part of London’s Social Season. The most popular parts of the Chelsea Flower Show include the show gardens designed by leading names and the centre piece of the floral marquee. Today you will have the whole day to take in the sights, gather information and perhaps make a few purchases too at this, the world’s most exciting flower Show. You might also like to wander down to Sloane Square and see their ‘Sloane in Bloom’ ‐ Chelsea’s alternative floral art show organised in support of the main Show. Grab a bite to eat or have afternoon tea – one of the best in town! ‐ at the delightful ‘Botanist’ Restaurant located right on the Square. You may depart the Chelsea Flower Show when ready in the afternoon, or stay as long as you like, as tickets are valid until 8:00PM; you can shop or dine in the Sloane Square area and then use the Travel Pass to return to the Hotel. [B]

Day 5 - Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens and Scotney Castle & Gardens
Following breakfast at the Hotel, travel by private motorcoach out of London to visit the glorious castle gardens of Scotney and Sissinghurst, both located in Kent, also known as ‘The Garden of England’ as a result of its outstanding natural beauty. Mid‐morning arrival at Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens set in the ruins of a great Elizabethan house and in the middle of its own landscape of woods and streams, and with long views across the Kentish Weald. The garden was lovingly created by Vita Sackville‐West, poet, novelist and gardener & Harold Nicholson, the writer and diplomat, in the 1930's but it has been owned and maintained by the National Trust since 1967. Today you will experience the evolving history of the gardens and the remains of the Castle; it is a true treat to visit such a tranquil place, a place that has seen and survived so many different periods of history. Enjoy the well presented exhibition, which tells of the Castle’s history from the Napoleonic wars right through to the popular hop‐picking era. The Castle itself was developed around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion with a central red‐brick prospect tower, which still stands today. The rooms inside these impressive turrets are intimate and romantic in atmosphere, and provide enchanting libraries and include the study, where Vita worked on her famous books. Guests will have time to wander through the many different themed gardens while observing the unusual variety of plants and flowers that are growing in this glorious setting. Lunch is included as a local restaurant followed by the short drive to Scotney Castle Garden & Estate, one of Britain’s top ten gardens to visit. Scotney is not one but two houses. At the top of the hill is the new house, designed by Anthony Salvin in Elizabethan‐style and built in 1837 for Edward Hussey III, who took the ‘Picturesque’ style as his inspiration. At the bottom of the valley are the romantic ruins of a medieval castle and moat. This is the focal point of the celebrated gardens featuring the particularly spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia in May and June each year and with trees and shrubs that provide autumnal colour later in the season. The visit to Scotney is for approximately 2 hours during which you have plenty of time to enjoy both the house and gardens at your leisure. Late afternoon return to the London Hotel. Dinner and the remainder of the evening are at your leisure. [B, L]

Day 6 - Greenwich
Breakfast included at the Hotel. Mid‐morning depart by private motorcoach to Greenwich, soon to be the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Recognition of the town’s long and illustrious heritage as well as its royal associations – a palace was built here as long a go as the 15th century! – is, many believe, long overdue and the granting of royal status will be a highlight of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. This acknowledgement of Greenwich will also highlight its global status as a World Heritage Site and add kudos to the Royal Borough when it hosts (to be confirmed March 2012) the 2012 Olympic equestrian events in Greenwich Park later in the year. The excursion to Greenwich will focus on its maritime and royal history and you will see the St Alfege Church, the Cutty Sark, the Royal Naval College and famous Greenwich Market, as well as included visits the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory. Accompanied by our local Blue Badge Guide guests will have time to visit the Royal Observatory & the Maritime Museum; touring through these World Heritage Sites is at their own pace but the Guide will be there too to answer questions & give informed comment along the way. Return to the Hotel at approximately 1:00pm where the remainder of the day is at leisure for independent activities. [B]

Day 7 - Tower of London & The Crown Jewels
Breakfast included in the Hotel. This morning is free to relax in the Hotel or its sports centre, wander along to Covent Garden for a coffee or perhaps attend a religious service – your Hotel Concierge will be able to give you the location of the nearest appropriate venue and service times. Early afternoon, depart the Hotel by private motorcoach to visit the Tower of London and see the priceless collection of Crown Jewels some of which will be used during the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II. You will visit the White Tower, begun in the reign of William the Conqueror (1066‐87); today it houses displays from the Royal Armouries' collection, which includes the armour of Henry VIII and the historic instruments of torture. You will see Traitors Gate, located beneath St. Thomas's Tower and which provides access to the Tower from the River Thames. A highlight of a visit to the Tower of London is to see The Crown Jewels. The Tower of London has been home to the Crown Jewels since the 14th century, and today you will marvel at this, the greatest working collection of Crown Jewels in the world, priceless symbols of British monarchy. You will also see some of the world's largest and most historic diamonds: the enormous Cullinan I and the notorious Koh-i-oor are part of this vast collection which numbers 23,578 pieces in total, many of which go to form the regalia used to crown the sovereigns of England and which will be used during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations next month. A late afternoon return to the hotel with dinner and the remainder of the evening free for independent activities. [B]

Day 8 - Independent Day in London
Breakfast included in the Hotel. Today is free for independent activities, further sight‐seeing and/or some last minute shopping. At 6:00pm, you will meet the Tour host in the Lobby of the Hotel to depart by private motor coach to a local restaurant for a delightful Farewell Dinner with wine. [B, D]

Day 9 - Depart London
Breakfast included in the Hotel or depending on the time of departure, packed breakfast boxes. Group motorcoach transfer to the Airport for your flight home to the United States. [B]

Optional Extensions & Excursions
Additional nights can be requested for London. AAA Sojourns European City Stay packages can be requested for other major cities in Europe such as Paris. Tickets for a London show or Shakespeare performance in Stratford‐Upon‐Avon can be arranged at an additional charge.