Thames River Luxury Cruise & England Tour

Morning mist flutters away as a soft chorus of birdsong comes from the trees. Rural England spreads out in all its splendor; oak trees tower above, branches hang over the river, and a stone bridge dots the horizon. The Thames is a narrow river, weaving through Central London before contracting as its journeys north. On a barge cruise, you always enjoy views of everything along the riverside; unlike some of the world's rivers, nothing is too far away. Throughout the itinerary, you also benefit from private mooring locations, enabling you to breathe in the sense of history from secluded parts of the Thames.

Step from the barge and you're practically outside Hampton Court Palace, the elaborate 16th-century home of Cardinal Wolsey confiscated by Henry VIII. Over 60 acres of manicured riverside gardens spill out in front of you, centered on a labyrinthine stretch of cultivated hedges and indigenous trees. Relax in the gardens and admire the splendor of the palace. Hampton Court is an elegant evocation of its time, complete with ornate towering ceilings and mammoth oil paintings of its former residents. Back on the barge, you cruise north, winding through a historic neighborhood before docking at Bell Weir Lock in Runnymede. Given the tranquility, it's hard to believe you're less than 30 miles from the capital city.

The British flag flies proudly when the Queen is at home. And what a home she has! After all, not everyone can lay claim to living in the world's largest inhabited castle. Windsor Castle is also the world's oldest continually used castle, built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror and yet to be breached by invaders. Today's day tour offers a guided journey through its wealth and history, starting with the fascinating tradition of the changing of the guard. It looks bizarre on photos. It's equally unfathomable when the soldiers stamp their feet and swap places with trademark precision.

Now go into the castle, along hallways that are dotted with the work of Rembrandt and Michelangelo. The members of the British monarchy are quite the collectors, and you'll find multi-million dollar artwork all over the walls, elaborately framed in gold as it screams of regal riches. Explore the state rooms, filled with velvety tones and the sense of opulence you'd expect from the Queen. Sink your shoes into the red carpets, gaze up at the exquisite ceilings, and discover just how luxurious a four-poster bed can look. Heading outside, along the walls and turrets, you find the security of this fortress, thick walls of stone circling high above the gardens with an air of impenetrability. The tour complements a relaxed day in Runnymede, where you have free time to wander through the village, use the facilities at an adjacent luxury hotel (perhaps some more afternoon tea?), and lounge on the split level deck of the barge.

After a leisurely breakfast, you continue the journey along the Thames. You pass English history slowly and intimately; manor houses with lawns extending down to the river, World War II lookouts that rise above the river, old shipping yards filled with rustic scents. Over the years, the Thames has been a royal playground, a medieval trade route, a World War II defense, and the essential link between quaint little villages. Dock at Boveney Lock, where you enjoy a private tour of Dorney Court, a stunning Tudor Manor house that's been used as the setting for a variety of period films (including Poirot and The Other Boleyn Girl). You're now in the heart of Buckinghamshire, the English county that's synonymous with royal connections and high-class history.

Forests line the Thames as you cruise onwards, the thick awnings of green uninterrupted by human presence. Just occasionally they break, offering a glimpse of classic pastoral England, with sheep dappled along the grass fields. After lunch, you enjoy exclusive access to Cliveden Reach, an ancient estate that isn't usually opened to the public. For many centuries, this has been a social hub of royal life. Gazing at the marble columns and ornamented courtyards makes all the stories easy to believe – Cliveden Reach's glittering history presents a roll call of famous names that have popped champagne corks in a hidden setting.

An early journey brings you to Cookham, the village of Stanley Spencer and one that evokes the quaint charms of yesteryear. You'll find tiny tea shops serving fresh scones, tiny boutique ornament stores, and architecture that seems expertly frozen in time. The Stanley Spencer Gallery presents the greatest collection of the artist's work, including many hypnotic religious paintings and unique self-portraits. Seeing it up close enables you to appreciate the intricacy and imagination of his religious scenes, and you'll need a couple of hours to take it all in.

After lunch, the afternoon offers an iconic impression of what a luxury Thames river cruise is all about. Lounge on the split level deck as the colors of England gently drift past. Whether it's a cold beer or a warming mug of tea, all drinks are included throughout the trip, so order at leisure. Inside the temperature-controlled salon, the panoramas continue, with large windows ensuring there's no interruption to the rural countryside. There are four luxury ensuite cabins on board, meaning a maximum capacity of just eight passengers. Mountain bikes are provided if you'd like to explore when the barge is docked. There's also always an easy walking path that takes you along the river. As each day of cruising, this afternoon you just need to sit back and enjoy the soft charms of iconic England.

Wake in Hurley-on-Thames, the final mooring point for this journey along the Thames and a village that dates back to the 11th century. A series of walkable attractions reflect the eclectic tapestry of the river. Over 300 years of tradition is found in Peter Freebody's Boatyard, where craftsmen continue to mend the barges and bend steel into shape. Quiet village streets unravel a much longer history; tiny inns lean hypnotically to the side, townhouses emit the faint whips of chimney smoke while England's oldest public bar is the place to raise a glass to the journey. Ye Olde Belle revels in its history, the scent of brews atmospherically clinging to the walls and the wooden bar a blueprint for what you'll see in traditional British pubs around the world.

Into the afternoon, and you take a guided city tour of nearby Oxford and the world's oldest university. Wander through the hallways of Christ Church College and admire ceiling of wooden intricacy. Discover ancient chapels that still come alive with the resonant tones of the university's choir. Explore the hundreds of miles of shelves that line Bodleian, the historic library where thousands of the world's famous figures have studied. You can find grandeur in universities and colleges all around the world. But it all started here, over 800 years ago. An expert local guide reveals the narrative before you have some free time to explore the lanes and alleys of the city. Return to the barge for a gala farewell dinner and a final night nestled upon England's famous waterway.

With a luxury barge cruise, you're transported into unseen England, meandering out to bucolic landscapes and attractions that are mostly away from the tourist trail. Completing the itinerary is two nights in the heart of Central London. Many iconic landmarks can be found within the 10 or 15 minutes walk from your five-star hotel; think Big Ben, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the West End, Convent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, and the other famous names that have graced television screens around the world.

These two days are at your leisure, giving you a chance to explore some of England's premier attractions. Two days aren't enough to see them all of course; it's just a chance to pick and choose the favorites that have always lingered in your travel reverie. Included is a final treat, one that's similar to how this luxury itinerary started. Enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea experience at the historic hotel where Queen Victoria used to enjoy her scones and clotted cream. For tradition and elegance, it's the finest high tea destination in the capital.

You're picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your international departure. Relaxed and reenergized, you return home with an evocative impression of England's history and its famous old waterway.