For families visiting London this summer, take advantage of the great hotel rates I can offer and suggest that as part of their UK visit, they shake the dust off the history books with this imaginative 3 night visit to the great Viking city of York.

If you look more closely at what's on offer in both London and York, you'll see that there are a lot of exciting and family friendly ideas that can be customised into a memorable 2 city tour.

Day 1
Saturday.

Arrive London Heathrow where we will meet and take you to your central London hotel. To get the holiday off to a great start, we can include a visit to spectacular Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace on the way in. Once checked in, free time for independent sightseeing. Overnight in London for 2 nights.

Day 2
Sunday.

Choose from a city sightseeing tour and a round trip river cruise to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich or a short cruise from Westminster Bridge for a leisurely visit to the historic Tower of London. Alternatively we can arrange a D Day, James Bond or speed boat tour in and out of the River Thames or a more sedate Royal London Bike tour.

Day 3
Monday.

By taxi to Kings Cross station for the 10am train to the Viking city of York, arrives 11.51 and take a taxi for the short ride to your centrally located hotel. Once checked in and armed with your York Pass, take the City Sightseeing hop on hop off open top bus tour to get a good feel for the city, stopping off to see a couple of places on the way round.

Day 4
Tuesday.

As your bus ticket is valid for 24 hours, use it to get to some of the must visit attractions which today might include the National Railway Museum and the Jorvik Viking Centre. During the afternoon you might like to take a York Boat River Ouse Cruise or hire your own self drive motor boat for an entertaining few hours of messing about on the river.

Day 5
Wednesday.

Spend today walking through the past at the York Castle Museum, discovering 18th century elegance at the Fairfax Museum, delving into the city's dark past at the York Dungeon, visiting the UK's first and only Quilting Museum or taking the York Chocolate Trail. Finish the day on a high note with a Fish and Chip supper and taking part in the famous Ghost tour...

Day 6
Thursday.

With a leisurely breakfast and some last minute retail therapy, take a taxi to the station for the 13.55 train to London's Kings Cross, arrives 15.51 and then by taxi to the hotel. Theatre tickets for the performance of your choice can be made in advance as can recommendations for family friendly places to eat. Overnight London for 3 nights.

Day 7
Friday.

Subject to your interests, we can arrange an imaginatively themed day focusing on Royal London, Military London, Dramatic London with an actor led tour of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Shakespeare's London from Southwark Cathedral to the Globe Theatre with a flight on the London Eye or a backstage tour of the Royal Opera House with the possibility of seeing the Royal Ballet in class.

Day 8
Saturday.

Having been organised all week today is free for you to do your own thing. Why not finish on a high note with a theatreland supper and the West End musical of your choice.

Day 9
Sunday.

Private transfers back to London's Heathrow Airport for the return flight home.