United Kingdom Unpacked

Travel guides for the UK and London generally point you in the direction of the well-trodden paths of major sightseeing spots – Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Harrods, or Brighton beach. But the discerning traveller from Shanghai should look below the immediate ‘touristy’ surface to find a galaxy of inspiring, stunning and entertaining treats of the real Britain when visiting the UK and its capital city.

While global travellers throng Piccadilly and the landmarks of London, those with a more adventurous spirit, who wish to be involved with actual activities, can choose from an array of exciting options that are off the ‘tourist trail’.

Short ‘specialist’ fashion courses at world famous city colleges and within places such as the historical V&A Museum offer wonderful options that can be complimented by personal tailored ‘stylist and shopping’ expeditions. Here guests are taken around famous stores and given a personal experience with advice from former actresses and models.

Dance and Performing Arts classes can be taken in the famous ‘West End’ theatreland academies with performers that appear on stage later that day in some of the world-famous musicals and stage productions!

The ‘London Season’ comprising the summer treats of the Chelsea Flower Show then the Royal Art Academy summer exhibition, is followed by Royal Ascot where the entire Royal family (headed by the Queen) attends every day and is a world-famous sporting event. Famed for being a highlight of the fashion year as much as competition between the world’s greatest racehorses, Royal Ascot is the pinnacle of the London Society social diary and is held over five consecutive days in June. Entry to the Royal enclosure area requires ‘top hats and tails’ for men and couture dresses for ladies.

Other global ‘brands’ of the London season are Henley Royal Regatta and the polo events at the Guards Club at Smith’s Lawn, all which can be arranged for visiting if booked well in advance. As are such society gems as performances at The Royal Opera House and Covent Garden ballet.

Hampton Court Palace, a short train ride away or 40 minutes by car, offers a unique insight into the Tudor times of Henry the Eighth along with his several wives. The perfectly kept Palace, beautiful grounds and splendid gardens are a wonderful retreat from the busy city; hence why Henry and other Kings of the Middle Ages used it for holding Court rather than in the city itself. You can also get to Hampton Court Palace via riverboat which ferry up and down the Thames between the Palace and Chelsea Embankment, while taking in the beautiful surroundings of Richmond.

Fascinating inner-city walks, lunches and dinners in super-cool Soho or upmarket Knightsbridge can all be enjoyed, but it is essential to know exactly where to go and all the options in order to have an experience not to forget.

Away from the capital, visitors should travel to the fabulous green countryside that Britain offers. From the fields of rural Sussex, west towards Somerset, Cornwall and into Wales, superb country hotels and quiet villages offer relaxing and picturesque spots all surrounded by quiet walks and never too far from Britain’s wonderful beaches.

Heading north to the Lake District of Cumbria for walking, climbing or just looking at astonishing scenery, travellers will be entranced by its sheer majesty, none more so than going further north to Scotland, where the glens and mountains have no equal anywhere in the world. This is whisky-country and tours around them and to the distilleries of the Hebridean islands off the west coast can be arranged with experts on hand, along with the sampling that needs to be done!

British by origin and after 10 years of success now with a Shanghai office, Premiership Experience (PremEx) tailor-make itineraries for groups looking for British and European experiences and its long-held relationships also allow private tours to some of Britain’s famous schools. Along with tailored itineraries, PremEx have a standard 9-day tour to London’s Covent Garden where dance classes and theatre workshops form part of an experience which includes: three major musicals, a trip to the Harry Potter Experience, the London Eye and much more. As with all tours, no trip to the UK would be complete without visiting the Bicester Outlet Shopping Village near Oxford, before heading home.

Many activities, some surprises, international dining experiences and more are all included in a full schedule that will have you coming back to Shanghai to recover!

Along with tailored itineraries, PremEx have a standard 9-day tour to London’s Covent Garden where dance classes and theatre workshops form part of an experience which includes: three major musicals, a trip to the Harry Potter Experience, the London Eye and much more.