London Vintage Bus Tour and River Thames Cruise

See London’s highlights on this action-packed half-day tour, and then finish up with a lunch at the Kensington Palace Orangery! Touring the city by vintage double-decker bus, see famous sights such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Cruise down the River Thames on a sightseeing cruise to Westminster; watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, and visit Kensington Palace (own expense). Alternatively, finish with a lunch at the Kensington Palace Orangery if you wish!

Hop aboard a vintage red double-decker bus, and then sit back and relax on a sightseeing tour of London. On a route around the city center, watch out for iconic London monuments like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey -- where Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011. Listen to details of each site’s history from your guide.

Pass St Paul's Cathedral, a much-loved Baroque cathedral has hosted countless services for London’s dignitaries over the years, and your guide will talk to you about significant occasions like the wedding of Lady Diana to Prince Charles. Amble down to the banks of the River Thames for a photo stop outside the Tower of London. Designed to terrify Londoners while deterring foreign invaders, the formidable-looking tower is now home to the Crown Jewels and the famous Beefeater guards who protect them.

Walk along the river to Tower Pier and hop aboard a River Thames sightseeing boat for a leisurely cruise to Westminster. Sit out on deck or relax in the comfy seats in the saloon, listening to audio commentary about all the sites that you pass. Cruise under London Bridge, gaze at Shakespeare’s Globe, and see the London Eye just across the river.

Next, head to the Queen’s famous residence -- Buckingham Palace -- and see the legendary Changing of the Guard ceremony from outside the palace gates. In time to drumbeats from a military band, soldiers from the Queen’s Foot Guard march to Buckingham Palace in their eye-catching red tunics and bearskin hats.

Watch this traditional ceremony, and then travel by coach to Kensington Palace where your sightseeing tour ends. Feeling hungry? Upgrade to include a lunch in Kensington Palace Orangery. Your tour finishes here, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy tea or to make a visit to Kensington Palace if you wish.

• Local guide
• Tour by vintage bus
  
• River cruise
• Buffet lunch at Kensington Palace (if option selected)
  

• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and drinks, unless specified