Sunday | Welcome to London
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Welcome to our London Program for Music, Theatre and Films. We're transferring you from London airports today. We'll take you to our city centre dorm or our neighbourhood in Richmond near the world-famous Thames River. After a short break, we will begin exploring both neighbourhoods by introducing bus stops, supermarkets, pharmacies and other important local points. When you visit a new place, this is what you need. A light welcome meal will be served tonight.
Duration: 2 hours
Monday's English Activity Programme : Westminster City - Buckingham Palace
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Houses of Parliament
The Houses of Parliament, known also as the Palace of Westminster is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (the House of Lords and the House of Commons) conduct their sittings. They lie on the north bank of the River Thames in the London borough of the City of Westminster, close by other government buildings in Whitehall. The oldest part of the building is still in existence, Westminster Hall, which dates from 1097. The palace originally served as a royal residence, but no monarch has lived in it since the 16th century. Most of the present Houses of Parliament structure dates from the 19th century when the Palace was rebuilt after it was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1834. The architects responsible for rebuilding the Palace was Sir Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin, and the building is an example of the Gothic revival.
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Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is a Church, burial ground, coronation site and much more, Westminster Abbey continues to attract visitors over 900 years after its founding. In many respects the architecture is common. There's the traditional cross-shaped floor plan with a nave, north and south transepts and several round side areas. But both its execution and use raise The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster (the official name) to among the highest examples of church construction. Here at Westminster Abbey lie buried kings and poets, scientists and philosophers who have themselves raised humankind to the highest levels. Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell (discoverer of electromagnetic theory, which later lead to radio and TV), Chaucer and Kipling, Dr. Samuel Johnson (creator of the first English dictionary) and many other justly famous names are interred here.
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Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace is still the official residence of Britain's monarchy, as it has been since Queen Victoria's designation in 1837. Much of the Buckingham Palace was constructed as early as 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham House (as it was then known) was purchased in 1762 by George III, who used it as a private residence. Over the following 75 years the house was expanded to form three wings around a central courtyard. When Queen Victoria discovered Buckingham Palace lacked several 'necessary' rooms - such as a formal ballroom, a nursery, visitor's bedrooms and others - major additions were undertaken, including adding an entire wing to form a quadrangle. Buckingham Palace is the home of the Changing Guard Ceremony in London. The Changing of the Guard has been a tradition for hundreds of years whereby the Household Regiment, the Queen’s Guards at Buckingham Palace, change shift in a fascinating show of pomp and circumstance.
Duration: 30 minutes
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After seeing some of London’s iconic landmarks including The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, it's time to return to Balham for your English lessons which are scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Tuesday's English Activity Programme - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
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Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
William Shakespeare is arguably the most famous British writer of all time, he wrote about life, love, death, revenge, grief, jealousy, murder, magic and mystery. His plays were the blockbuster entertainment of his day - some of his most famous are Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. You will understand how Shakespeare’s plays had a changing impact on the world by visiting the reconstructed Elizabethan theatre where there will be live commentary of the productions in Elizabethan times showing the power of performance, cultivating intellectual curiosity and excites learning to make Shakespeare accessible for all — the Shakespeare’s Globe Tour can give you an opportunity to learn more about this unique building and its most famous playwright, Shakespeare. Hidden under the Globe Theatre, the fascinating Exhibition delves into the life of Shakespeare, how London was at the time he lived there, and the theatre for which he wrote. You will be able to imagine the Globe as it would have been, nestled in the notorious entertainment district, surrounded by raucous taverns and bawdyhouses. Just let your guide to take you there.
Duration: 2 hours
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After visiting the world’s favourite theatre, we will return to Balham for your theatre and movie-themed English lessons that are scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Wednesday's English Activity Programme - 007 James Bond Sites Walking Tour
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Somerset House
Ready to follow the footsteps of 007? The follow us. Our Bond saga starts with one of the most iconic venues in London that's Somerset House. Somerset House is a massive neoclassical building in central London, built on the southern part of the beach with a view to the Thames River, just east of Waterloo Bridge. Sir William Chambers built the Georgian Quadrangle on the site of a palace in Tudor that belonged to the duke of Somerset in 1776. Somerset House's history goes back to Tudors in 1547 when our famous King Henry VIII passed away. Therefore, it's one of the important buildings in London and this is why 007 loves Somerset House. Let's get closer.
Duration: 2 hours
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In Bond's movie Spectre in 2015, you can clearly see London's oldest restaurant in Covent Garden. Filming took place inside and outside the Rules restaurant. Rules also mentioned in Downton Abbey series as well as in some novels written by famous writers.
Duration: 15 minutes
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National Gallery
We are now heading to the National Gallery where Bond climbed their stairs in the Skyfall movie at the entrance to Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is a very touristic public square with some of London's most popular attractions, from galleries and historic buildings to monuments and statues, you can be a witness of deep-seated British history. Square also holds a series of events all year round. Listen to the stories of the kings such as Charles I, Charles IV, Admiral Horatio Nelson, General Sir Charles James Napier and Major General Sir Henry Havelock who shaped the history of this nation. This is probably why Mr Bond loves this area.
Duration: 15 minutes
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That information will make you excited. Did you know that The SIS Building (MI6 Building) at Vauxhall Cross houses the real-world headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS, MI6)? Remember in Skyfall, again, MI6 was under attack, as M (Judi Dench) watches from a distance from the bridge. This is exactly where we will take you for today. Sure we are not going to enter the building.
Duration: 30 minutes
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After a lovely 007 experience in London, it's time to return our school in Balham for your scheduled movie, theatre and music themed lessons between 14:30 to 17:30.
Duration: 3 hours
Thursday's English Activity Programme - Walking Tour of Theatreland
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West End
West End is London's Broadway. Be sure not to overlook Covent Garden in West End. It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a very popular shopping and tourist site. Not really gardens at all, the area is a spectacular array of theatres, shops (many people visit London just for the shopping) and more where the street performers compete with restaurants, bars, clubs and shops for tourists' attention. Covent Garden is also the prime destination of theatregoers and patrons of the Royal Opera House by night. It’s right situated in the heart of London’s Broadway West End. The area wasn’t used to be a fancy part of the city, however, series of developments after 70’s made this district as a prime destination of the tourists. Indeed, Covert Garden is one of the vibrant places of interests in London. It plays a great role in today’s cultural life with its theatres, restaurants, cafes, street performers, stalls, markets and many attractions. It’s a must-see place in London.
Duration: 45 minutes
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Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House tours will showcase other aspects of the Royal Opera House's beautiful building, and visitors will be given the opportunity to learn some little-known facts about the organization, as well as gain an insight into how they make costumes, sets and props, together with an overview of the stagecraft that underlies everything they do here at the Royal Opera House. Our professional guides will give you a better aspect of the soul of the West End in the combination of significant places, buildings and art life of London.
Duration: 1.5 hours
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After visiting London's Theatreland, we will return to Balham for our music & theatre-themed lessons in our school. Your lessons are scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 for today.
Duration: 3 hours
Friday's English Activity Programme - Shopping in London
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Oxford Street
Let’s go shopping in some of London’s most iconic shops. it's time to practise in English while shopping. Shopping = Oxford Street we say. Oxford Street is one of London’s stretching between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch. It’s also Oxford Street is one of London’s artery stretching between Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch. It’s also Europe’s busiest shopping street hosting around half million visitors daily. Today, there are more than 300 shops, cafes, restaurants, language schools, department stores and many more. It’s the heart of daily business, fun, leisure and of course shopping in London. Like everywhere in London, Oxford Street has its history. The street route used to be part of the Via Trinobantina, a Roman route that passes through London between Hampshire and Essex. It was known as the Tyburn Road during the Middle Ages when Tyburn Gallows was also known for its public hangings. It became known as Oxford Road and then Oxford Street in the 18th century and began to change from residential to commercial and retail use by the late 19th century, attracting street traders, confidence tricksters and prostitution. The first department stores in the UK opened in the early 20th century, including Selfridges, John Lewis & Partners and HMV. Unlike nearby shopping streets such as Bond Street, it has retained an element of downmarket trading alongside more prestigious retail stores. The street suffered heavy bombing during World War II, and several longstanding stores including John Lewis were completely destroyed and rebuilt from scratch. Oxford Street, with several chain stores on the street and a number of buildings listed, remains in demand as a retail place amid the competition of other shopping malls, including Westfield Stratford City and the Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Because shopping is simply a tradition on this street and especially tourists love this experience during their stay in London.
Duration: 2 hours
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After our shopping in Oxford Street, we will proceed to our English school for music, theatre and drama themed lessons. Your last lessons will be scheduled between 14:30 and 17:30 at our language school in London.
Duration: 3 hours
Saturday's English Activity Programme - Madame Tussauds - Hard Rock Cafe - West End Musical
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Madame Tussauds London
Our full-day excursion starts with London Madame Tussaud's. This immaculate wax museum is one of the very few attractions in London that is both centuries-old and completely modern. Madame Tussaud learned her unusual craft of modelling figures in wax by creating death masks of those executed by guillotine in 18th and 19th century France. Among her 'clients' were Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. That mixture of precise art and macabre display is reflected in the modern museum - but with a much greater sense of fun! The Wax Museum displays a large collection of famous figures from world history along with the latest Hollywood celebrities. The collection traces its origins to Madame Tussaud's inheritance of her tutor Dr. Curtius' collection. In 1802, she moved from Paris to London and the museum began in 1835. But far from being an historical relic, the Madam Tussauds wax museum collection has been continually updated and there are several very different subsets for tourists of all interests. Sherlock Holmes fans. Don't miss Sherlock Holmes Experience gallery in the basement. The Spirit of London is a taxi-ride ala Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, but here it's through 400 years of English history. One highlight of the ride is a portion showing the sights and sounds. Walt Disney's Star Wars and 4D Marvel movie experiences are simply not to be missed activities in lovely Madame Tussauds.
Duration: 1.5 hours
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The world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe will follow Madame Tussauds. In 1971 London HRC was the world's first Hard Rock Café in the world. You can also visit the Vault under the Hard Rock Cafe. See the worldly musicians' original articles, lyrics and music-oriented articles, such as John Lennon from the Beatles, Freddie Mercury, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Guns N' Roses, Jimi Hendrix and many more. Well, you will love the shrine of Britain's music culture.
Duration: 60 minutes
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Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Tonight we will invite you to have an immaculate fine art experience in the heart of London. West End is the Broadway of London. Therefore we will take you one of the theatre shows in the West End district of London. Our show will be one of the fanciest shows in London. Your tickets will be ready and we are pretty sure that you will love this experience. Get your seat and enjoy the show in the world's art capital
Duration: 3 hours
Sunday | Transferring to the Airport
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Today is the last day in London unless you continue our program. Well, all good things must come to an end. We provide your transfer service back to the airport with a private vehicle. This is the end of our service and we hope to see you in our various programs here in London.
Duration: 60 minutes
