Description

Your tour starts from Westminster Abbey, perhaps the most beautiful early Gothic building in Great Britain and still used for daily worship and royal functions. The Abbey, a royal mausoleum for many centuries, was used from 1066 after the coronation of William I to crown all kings and queens of England, except two. Rebuilt in 1220 in the then new Gothic style, inside is the Henry VII Chapel (1503-19) is one of the most beautiful examples of the perpendicular Gothic.Walk down Whitehall towards the Banqueting House. This was built in 1619-22 by Inigo Jones for James I Stuart in Palladian style. His son Charles 1st continued this richly decorated Royal Palace, an extravaganza largely used for masques, plays, balls and other ceremonies for the Queen and King. Enter Trafalgar Square, then cross to the National Gallery. With Nelson's Column in the center, you can see through theAdmiralty Arch, the Mall which leads to Buckingham Palace. The National Gallery opened in 1838 to house one of Europe's greatest collections of Old Master's paintings. Italian Renaissance, Flemish, Dutch, Spanish, French, English and German works from their great artists are displayed. View art works by Jan Van Eyck's famous "Arnolfini Wedding", Piero della Francesca's magnificent "The Baptism of Christ", Botticelli's sensuous "Mars and Venus", Leonardo's "Virgin of the Rocks", Ruben's breathtaking "Chapeaux de Paille", Rembrandt's moving last self portrait and the great French Impressionists collection with Renoir, Monet, Pissarro and Cezanne.This in-depth private tour is hosted by a professional guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at time of booking to alert our guide, so that he or she can better prepare for your private tour.

Additional information

Inclusions

Exclusions

Schedule details

Departure point

Tour departs from Westminster Abbey

Departure time

Refer to your voucher for details.

Return details

Concludes at Trafalgar Square