June 24, 2026
June 24, 2026 – London
We enjoyed another wonderful breakfast at the Savoy before meeting the group in the lobby at 9:30 a.m. Unfortunately, due to the extreme heat, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace was canceled, much to everyone’s disappointment.
Our guide, Fiona, met us and took us on a walking tour of the area surrounding our hotel. One of our first stops was Fleet Street, once the heart of London’s newspaper industry and home to many journalists and publishers. After that, we walked through the area where the royal family lived before Buckingham Palace became the official royal residence.
Fiona was continuing on to Trafalgar Square and Coventry Street with the group, but since we had already toured those areas, we decided to spend the day checking a few more items off our bucket list.
We hailed one of London’s iconic black cabs and headed to Harrods.
After a little shopping, we took another cab down to the waterfront because a boat ride on the Thames River had long been on our list of things to do. We boarded a river boat and traveled to London Bridge.
At that point, our group split up. Jeff and Susie explored the area around London Bridge, wandering through small neighborhoods and shops. After lunch along the Thames, they crossed the famous Tower Bridge and continued on to Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields Market. Although they never found the art galleries they were searching for, they got plenty of exercise and enjoyed seeing another side of London before taking a taxi back to the Savoy.
Steve and I stayed on the boat and returned to Embankment, where we walked across the footbridge to the London Eye.
The views were absolutely spectacular and well worth the wait. Seeing London spread out beneath us provided a wonderful perspective on all the places we had visited during our stay. The air-conditioned pods were also a welcome relief from the temperatures, which had climbed well into the 90s.
Buckingham Palace
Afterward, we walked back to the hotel. Feeling hungry, we decided to enjoy afternoon tea at the Gallery at the Savoy—our second high tea of the trip! It was every bit as elegant and delicious as the first in Bath at The Pump Room.
We spent some time relaxing in our room before getting ready for our farewell dinner.
What a memorable evening it turned out to be.
We were treated to a private dinner with Carolyn Robb, former chef to King Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry. We began with passed canapés and wine before Carolyn shared stories about her 13 years serving the royal family. It was fascinating to learn that she traveled wherever they went, often packing crates of food to accompany them. One particularly memorable story involved Prince Charles taking her into the woods to teach her which mushrooms were safe to forage and serve.
Carolyn Robb
Dinner followed, and both Carolyn and our wonderful tour director, Michelle, rotated among the three tables, answering questions and sharing stories. Caroline told us that Princess Diana’s favorite meal was lamb with mint sauce. As a special gift from Tauck, we all received a copy of Carolyn’s book, Tea at the Palace, along with a London tea towel.
Michelle stood for one final farewell. She thanked us for being part of the adventure and left us with a quote from Pat Conroy that seemed especially fitting:
“To travel is like reading a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
She wished each of us many more books to read in the years ahead—many more journeys, discoveries, friendships, and memories. It was a thoughtful and heartfelt way to end our wonderful Tauck tour. As we said our goodbyes, we talked about all we had experienced together and the many pages we had added to our own life stories during this unforgettable trip.
Just when we thought the evening could not get any better, a four-piece string ensemble—three violins and a cello—entered the room and performed for us.
It was a magical ending to an extraordinary journey through England, Scotland, and Wales.
Tomorrow we leave for Heathrow Airport and begin our journey home, carrying with us wonderful memories, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the history, beauty, and culture of Great Britain. What an unforgettable adventure it has been. ❤️🇬🇧
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