London Theatre + Culture Trip

Depart this evening on an overnight flight to London 

Morning arrival to Gatwick airport.  Transfer to central London by coach and drop the bags at the hotel.  Conveniently located one block from Russell Square, The Royal National is perfectly located in Bloomsbury, close to Covent Garden, Oxford Street and so much more! 

After arrival, explore the local neighbourhood, have lunch at one of the many restaurants and pubs in the area.  Later this afternoon there will be a guided West End walking tour including Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Piccadilly, Soho and Leicester Square before a 'Welcome to London' dinner! 

After breakfast, walk the short distance to the British Museum.  You will have a timed entry ticket and can enjoy the museum's magnificent collections for as long as you like!  Dedicated to human history, art and culture, its permanent collections number over eight million works and is one of the largest in the world.  Included in the collections is the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, ancient Egyptian mummies and much more. 

Afternoon at leisure.

Enjoy pre-theatre dinner. GHT's Recommendations: Mr. White's London (subject to availability at the time of booking and confirmation).  Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White's latest endeavour is a vibrant and lively restaurant and bar in the heart of Leicester Square.  

This evening enjoy a West End Theatre performance.  We will arrange group tickets in advance (preferred show: "Six" at the Vaudeville Theatre starting at 20:00.  We are including a budget of ￡45 per ticket)  

This morning explore London with plenty of choices based on your personal preference (at your own expense):

• Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery (this is free)
• Buckingham Palace & Birdcage Walk
• Westminster Abbey & Houses of Parliament
• Shopping on Oxford Street (incredible Christmas Lights!)

Later this afternoon enjoy afternoon High Tea at one of London's hippest hotels, the Ham Yard, owned by famous British interior designer Kit Kemp.  High Tea is served between 12 noon- 4:45 pm.  Menu here: https://www.firmdalehotels.com/printed-material/ham-yard-hotel/afternoon-tea/ham-yard-afternoon-tea/ 

This evening experience the incredible ABBA Voyage Concert at the purpose built area located at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.  This spectacular motion-capture concert is euphoric.  Blending pre-recorded elements with a live ten-piece band, state of the art projection, and pioneering, fully-immersive lighting effects, you will be transported to the heyday of ABBA through a combination of their greatest hits and new recordings. Be prepared to dance!

The concert is 90 minutes long and starts at 7:45 pm.  Round-trip transportation on the "ABBA Bus" to the Arena leaving from Victoria Station at 5:45 pm will get you to the concert in comfort.  With a scene-setting video and on-board soundtrack to compliment the ABBA Voyage experience, guests can start their experience from the moment they get on board. 

Last full day in London to enjoy the city!  Possible activities:

• Explore Thames' Southbank including Borough Market and Tate Modern or
• Free time to visit Tower of London (Crown Jewels!) or
• Boat Cruise to Greenwich or
• Pick a museum: Victoria and Albert, Tate Britain, Natural History Museum etc... 

Optional matinee theatre performance: for those interested attend a matinee performance of one of London's top shows. 

Tonight's final dinner will be at a fun restaurant.  GHT's recommendation: Brasserie Zedel, a grand Parisian Brasserie with an authentic Art Deco interior. Hidden underneath the ZL Café in the heart of Piccadilly, it serves traditional French food in “probably the best and most authentic series of 1930s interiors in this country”.  Part of the Zedel complex is also the American Bar (cocktails) and the Crazy Coqs Cabaret & Theatre where you can stay to enjoy the show if you want!  

For a 'grand finale' experience the lights of the city on the London Eye (optional). 

Early morning departure by coach to Gatwick airport for the return flight to Toronto.