Weekend Getaway in London

Day 1 : London

You will be welcomed at Heathrow airport by your local Abercrombie & Kent guide as you exit customs, and will transfer to your hotel, with assistance during check-in.

The Goring is the oldest privately owned luxury hotel in London. It overlooks its own private gardens and is a quintessentially English hotel, perfectly placed in Belgravia for all premier attractions. Its individually designed rooms and suites exude English style, while the latest technology is installed throughout. The Bar and Lounge is an ideal destination for afternoon tea or Champagne, and the Dining Room and private rooms thrive on their reputation for delivering the very best traditional English dishes. The staff works tirelessly to ensure that all visitors feel pampered and at home.

Day 2 : London

Let your expert guide help you find your bearings with a half-day orientation tour of London. Drive past sites such as the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. Get a spectacular panorama of the city on the London Eye, the world's largest cantilevered observation wheel, located on the South Bank of the Thames River. 

Day 3 : Windsor day trip

Travel west out of London with your guide and private vehicle to visit Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. With a history spanning nearly 1,000 years, it is an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and her preferred weekend home. Subject to opening restrictions, you may see the State Apartments, St. George's Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls' House. The castle ramparts offer excellent views of Eton College.

Day 4 : London

Today is at your leisure. Here are things to do as suggested by Editor-in-Chief Andrew Harper:

Floris

One of my favorite London shops is Floris, a bespoke perfume store and an invaluable source of gifts for women. Sometimes I also indulge in the "No. 89" aftershave, the preferred fragrance of James Bond.

Daunt Books

London’s independent bookshops have found life difficult in the age of Amazon. Fortunately, many remain in business, though doubtless with their profit margins reduced. Among my favorites is Daunt Books, with the finest selection of travel literature I have ever encountered.

DUKES Bar

One of the world’s best martinis is served at DUKES Bar in DUKES Hotel. With the ritual care of a Zen tea master, Alessandro Palazzi creates a perfect dry cocktail adorned with a graceful curl of lemon zest.

The Proms

The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts — universally known as “The Proms” — are an eight-week summer season of classical music, with many events staged in the Royal Albert Hall. Up to 1,400 tickets are sold each evening. At any season of the year, London stages chamber music recitals in a number of more intimate venues. One of our favorites is Wigmore Hall, located 15 minutes’ walk from either Claridge’s or The Connaught. Our other favorite setting for chamber music is St. John’s Smith Square, close to the Houses of Parliament.

Tate Modern

London’s art scene was revolutionized by the opening of Tate Modern in 2000, housed within the vast former Bankside Power Station. After a visit, I like to take the 15-minute trip along the Thames aboard the Tate Boat to Tate Britain, London’s principal collection of British art, which contains major works by Turner, Constable and Gainsborough, as well as those by contemporary masters such as Henry Moore and Francis Bacon.

Day 5 : Depart London

Meet your driver and guide and transfer in the comfort of your private luxury vehicle to Heathrow airport, where you will be assisted with check-in.

Related Itineraries