Day 1 | Istanbul – London | First Encounter with Christmas Lights
After luggage and check-in procedures at Istanbul Airport International Departures terminal, we depart for London, the capital of England, on Turkish Airlines flight TK1981 at 08:05. Arrival at 09:10 local time. After arriving at Gatwick Airport, we will witness the Christmas spirit of London during a panoramic city tour conducted with our private vehicle. Icons of London such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, Tower Bridge, and the Thames River will be seen panoramically during our city tour.
After the tour, we arrive at our hotel, check into our rooms, and take a short rest.
In the evening, we embrace the moments when London transforms into a fairy-tale city. We take a delightful walking tour under the Christmas lights along Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Covent Garden, feeling the warm, elegant, and inviting atmosphere of the city. At the end of the day, we return to the hotel for overnight accommodation.
Day 2 | Oxford & Burford & Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas Charm & Winter Wonderland
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for a tour of the city of Oxford and the town of Burford located in the Cotswolds region.
Our first stop is Oxford, one of the most prestigious and historic cities in England. With its historic colleges, cobblestone streets, and Christmas decorations, Oxford offers a calm yet elegant Christmas atmosphere. After our city tour, we will have free time at the Oxford Christmas Market, where we can enjoy handmade gifts, hot drinks, and the spirit of the season.
After our visit to Oxford, we will head to the town of Burford, known as the "Gateway to the Cotswolds." Decorated for Christmas, Burford offers postcard-like scenery with its charming stone houses, traditional English shops, and cozy cafes. You will experience the Christmas spirit and village concept in its most authentic form in this town, where you can feel the fairy-tale atmosphere of rural England.
After visiting Burford, we will visit Bourton-on-the-Water, known as one of the most picturesque spots in the Cotswolds. With its stone bridges, honey-colored houses lined along the river, and romantic atmosphere, this charming village transforms into a captivating sight during the Christmas season. During free time, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique scenery and peaceful environment of the village.
After our tour, we return to London. In London, we will have the opportunity to explore the famous Winter Wonderland (£80 per person), where we will enjoy enchanting lights, Christmas markets, and fun activities. Afterward, we will proceed to our hotel for accommodation.
Day 3 | A Christmas Tale Where Time Slows Down in Rochester
Today is perhaps one of the most character-filled and memorable days of the tour.
After breakfast, we head towards the city of Rochester, which has almost lost none of its historical texture. This small but impressive city takes on a completely different identity during the Christmas season: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol takes place here, while Great Expectations was also written in the city’s inspiring atmosphere. Unlike the markets and festivities of other cities, Rochester offers a time-travel experience with its historical texture, sparkling streets, and lively events, providing an intense and entertaining Christmas experience.
The Rochester Christmas Market and the famous Costume Festival invite visitors to the past. As we stroll among characters in period costumes, street performances, music, and lights, we experience much more than just a classic Christmas market. This location is one of the places where the English Christmas tradition is experienced in the most authentic and sincere way. In addition to the Christmas celebrations, the market, and the festivities, the city itself, with its historical texture and atmosphere, is impressive and worth seeing.
After this special experience in Rochester, we will proceed to Designer Outlet Ashford. After free time for shopping in selected brands, we will return to London for overnight accommodation and complete our day.
Day 4 | London – Istanbul |
After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out of our rooms. We will transfer to Stansted Airport and depart for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK1244 at 17:20. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 00:20 and the end of our tour.
• Economy class flight ticket with Turkish Airlines on the Istanbul (IST) – London Gatwick / Stansted – Istanbul (IST) route,
• 3 nights accommodation with breakfast at a 4* semi-central hotel in London,
• Airport – Hotel – Airport transfers,
• City tours included in the program: London – Rochester – Oxford – Burford – Bourton-on-the-Water, Christmas Markets, Outlet Shopping Tour,
• Airport and city taxes,
• Turkish guiding service,
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland tour,
• International departure tax
• Personal expenses
• Driver and guide tips
• Lunch and dinner,
• Visa fee
In international trips, it is mandatory to have a passport valid for at least 6 (six) months. Passports older than 10 (ten) years are not valid for international travel. Such passports must be renewed before the tour departure date. Torn and damaged passports cannot be used to enter the country.
There may be a risk of delays on scheduled and charter flights, and flight times may change before the trip.
SN Travel & Event reserves the right to change the tour itinerary as deemed necessary, provided that the content remains the same.
The minimum number of participants for this package tour is 25 (TWENTY-FIVE) people. If the number of participants for the package tour is insufficient, the consumer will be notified of the tour cancellation 21 (twenty-one) days in advance.
The excursions mentioned in the programs may be carried out on different days for any reason other than the specified day(s).
The **Rochester Costume Festival** is generally held on the **first weekend of December** each year. However, the festival dates are determined by local authorities and may vary from year to year. According to the current information, the announced dates are **December 5–6**.
If the included and optional (extra) tours cannot be conducted due to special circumstances, alternative tours will be arranged in their place.
Tours or excursions that are not permitted to be visited by local authorities will not be conducted. Alternative tours can be carried out provided there is a minimum participation of 15 (fifteen) people. If the participation is less than this, tours may be conducted at the discretion of the guide, and if necessary, prices may be adjusted. The agency cannot be held responsible for the inability to conduct these tours or excursions.
**Triple rooms**, subject to hotel availability, may have a third bed assigned that is smaller than standard beds.
Children aged **0-4.99** staying with two adults share the same bed free of charge. Baby cots are provided based on availability. The services included in the tour program include "breakfasts served at the hotel," which are offered in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country being visited and typically consist of a limited menu called "continental breakfast," which includes "butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee," and may be served in a separate hall designated for the group. Panoramic city tours are typically 3 (three) hours long, with one photo stop provided, generally visiting important points of interest in the city from the bus.
Children aged **0-4.99** staying with two adults share the same bed free of charge. Baby cots are provided based on availability. The services included in the tour program include "breakfasts served at the hotel," which are offered in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country being visited and typically consist of a limited menu called "continental breakfast," which includes "butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee," and may be served in a separate hall designated for the group. Panoramic city tours are typically 3 (three) hours long, with one photo stop provided, generally visiting important points of interest in the city from the bus.