On day 2 after breakfast, we travel to Windsor for a relaxed town visit. See Windsor Castle rising above red-brick lanes, browse independent shops and cafés, and follow the river along elegant bridges and towpaths. If you wish, amble towards St George’s Chapel or the Long Walk that leads into Windsor Great Park, where broad avenues frame classic castle vistas.

A royal residence for nearly a thousand years, Windsor reflects England’s pageantry and continuity, from Norman fortifications to the traditions of the Order of the Garter. Enjoy unhurried time to explore and pause for photos and reflection before rejoining the coach for our afternoon return to the hotel to prepare for the evening’s celebrations.

On day 2 evening, dress to celebrate at our hotel’s New Year’s gala dinner. Share a festive menu with fellow travellers as conversation warms, then take to the floor to dance at the hotel disco. The setting at the Delta by Marriott Heathrow Windsor blends polished service with a relaxed party mood for a night that feels special yet comfortable.

As midnight nears, count down together and raise a glass of Buck’s Fizz at midnight. Music swells, embraces are exchanged and the chorus of Auld Lang Syne rings out to welcome the year, before you slip upstairs to your room with the celebrations still echoing pleasantly.

Enhance your theatre night by choosing to upgrade your Wicked ticket to Premium Stalls or front Dress Circle seats (additional cost; bookable on tour). From closer sightlines, feel the rush of flying sequences and quick-change illusions, catch subtle expressions, and appreciate the interplay between performers and orchestra.

Upgraded seating heightens sound, focus and atmosphere, while showcasing the Apollo Victoria Theatre’s art-deco details. Availability is limited and especially popular over the holidays, so request early to secure your preferred view for the evening performance on day 1.

Make the most of your Windsor time with Windsor Castle admission, including the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel (additional cost; bookable on tour). Discover glittering ceremonial rooms and Quadrangle views and, when on display, treasures such as Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, before stepping into the chapel where royal weddings and burials are commemorated.

Your visit brings the fortress’s Norman origins and the traditions of the Order of the Garter into focus. Timed entry and security screening apply, and opening arrangements vary seasonally; we align timings with our coach schedule so you can rejoin the group comfortably on day 2.

On day 1 evening, take your Dress Circle seat for the evening performance of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, moments from Victoria Station. The untold story of Elphaba and Glinda unfolds before Dorothy reaches Oz, as the Emerald City swirls to life through soaring vocals, witty storytelling and the showstopper Defying Gravity. The art-deco auditorium glows green, heightening anticipation as the orchestra strikes up.

Since opening in London in 2006, Wicked has become a modern West End classic. Settle in for spectacle, humor and heart; then, after the curtain call, our coach whisks you back to the hotel, the melodies still ringing in your ears from this landmark night in London theatre.

On day 1, after hotel check-in, our coach drops you in central London for an unhurried first look. With hours at leisure, you can enjoy a free afternoon browsing the winter bargains along Oxford Street, drift through Covent Garden’s covered market and buskers, or follow the Thames beside the South Bank for skyline views. Festive lights and decorated windows cast a seasonal glow across plazas and side streets.

On day 3, we return for more time to roam. You might pause for photos and reflection near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, step into galleries around Trafalgar Square, or sip coffee while Londoners start their year. This flexible time lets you set the pace before our mid-afternoon departure home.