%20(4)-v1.png)
Travel with Insight, Explore with Passion
2026 Solar Eclipse Cruise:
Totality in The Mediterraneanwith Sarah Rugheimer
FRANCE & SPAIN
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6277419%201-v1.jpg)
Great Music Masters of Italy: Verdi and Italian Opera
with Robert Greenberg
ITALY
ENGLAND & FRANCE
D-Day: Courage, Conflict, and History in England and France with Ed Lengel
Great Music Masters of Vienna: The Romantics
with Robert Greenberg
Enchanted England: Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Wonder
with Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman
Revisiting World War 1 in France
with Keith Huxen
Exploring Cuba: From Trinidad
to Havana
with Joyce Salisbury
Great British Mysteries: Conan Doyle, Christie, and More
ENGLAND
ENGLAND
FRANCE
CUBA
AUSTRIA
Travel with Insight, Explore with Passion
CLOSE MENU
William Shakespeare
Stratford-upon-Avon
The Globe Theater
Leadenhall Market
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Starting at $6,650 per person
Join esteemed actor, director, and Shakespeare scholar Alissa Branch on an insightful tour of London and Stratford-upon-Avon, developed to deepen your understanding of how Shakespeare’s words come to life, from page to stage. This unique experience explores key locations such as London’s iconic Globe Theatre, where you’ll witness how the historical setting shapes the performances of his plays. In Stratford-upon-Avon, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, gaining a firsthand look at how actors and directors interpret his works today. Alissa Branch’s expert commentary will guide you through Shakespeare’s creative process, from writing to performance, uncovering the techniques that have made his plays resonate for centuries. Whether you’re a theater enthusiast or literary scholar, this tour offers a profound exploration of Shakespeare’s enduring artistry on the stage.
with Alissa Branch
Shakespeare's England: The Play's the Thing
DEPARTURES AND PRICING
Explore the medieval Kenilworth Castle and its stunning Elizabethan gardens, originally designed to impress Shakespeare’s queen, Elizabeth I
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s birthplace and schoolroom in Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring the early environments that influenced his writing
Discover London through Shakespeare’s eyes, visiting landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Globe Theatre, including a behind-the-scenes tour
Witness live performances of Shakespeare’s plays (schedule TBC) and acquire the keys to unlocking his language to enable you to hear and understand them differently
Highlights
Alissa Branch
Alissa Branch is an Associate Professor of Acting in the Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma, where she created an advanced Shakespeare performance curriculum. She also serves as the Associate Artistic Director for the professional theatre company, Oklahoma Shakespeare. Born in Hastings, England, and raised in Oklahoma, Professor Branch discovered her love of storytelling at an early age and has presented acting/audition workshops in theatres and educational settings across the United States, the UK, and in South Africa. As an actor and director, her productions have several national awards. Her directorial credits include Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night, among other plays. Professor Branch has studied acting at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Shakespeare’s Globe, and she earned her MA in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis. For The Great Courses, she created Experiencing Shakespeare: From Page to Stage.
Journey Expert
Alissa Branch
London, England
Arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport on individual flights from your home city. Transfer independently to the Leonardo Royal London City Hotel. Later, gather with your fellow travelers and meet Professor Alissa Branch, who will be your expert for this journey. Join her for an introductory lecture about surprising ways you can approach Shakespeare. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and discuss your upcoming journey through Shakespeare’s England.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: Leonardo Royal London City Hotel
Guildhall
Embark on a guided Shakespearean walking tour through London. Follow in the footsteps of the famous playwright as you visit landmarks like Guildhall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Leadenhall Market, finishing at the Globe Theatre for a behind-the-scenes Heaven to Hell tour. In the afternoon, explore the National Portrait Gallery’s impressive Tudor and Elizabethan collection, followed by a traditional Afternoon Tea in Covent Garden where you will be joined by a special guest. End your day by joining Professor Branch at a captivating Shakespeare play at a renowned London theater. (Performance schedule TBC)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea
Accommodations: Leonardo Royal London Hotel, London City
The British Library
Gather this morning with your fellow travelers and Professor Branch for a lecture as she continues to reveal the secrets to unlocking Shakespeare’s language. Visit The British Library for a viewing of Shakespeare’s First Folio. As plays in Shakespeare’s day were meant to be performed and not read, plays were rarely printed. As such, many were lost. But a small cadre of Shakespeare’s friends and actors from the King’s Men acting company took on the complicated task of compiling his complete works into a bound volume. It was published in 1623, seven years after his death. Then, visit the newly opened Museum of Shakespeare, an immersive, interactive experience, built on the foundation of the Elizabethan Theater, The Curtain Playhouse. William Shakespeare’s acting troupe, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, used the Curtain Theatre as their base from 1597-1599. In that time, it is believed that Henry V debuted at the Curtain and that other famous plays were performed there, including the iconic Romeo and Juliet. Enjoy an evening free to explore London.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Leonardo Royal London Hotel, London City
Kenilworth Castle
Join Professor Branch for a workshop on Shakespeare’s verse and the hidden tricks for understanding it. She will give you invaluable insight into how an actor approaches his language, and you will have the opportunity to try speaking some verse yourself. No experience necessary! Then, depart London for the English countryside. Once one of the country's most formidable medieval fortresses, Kenilworth Castle was later transformed into a spectacular Elizabethan palace by Robert Dudley in an effort to impress his queen, whom he had hoped to marry. Explore the mighty medieval keep, climb up Tudor towers, and wander through the unique Elizabethan Garden. Continue to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. This evening, join Professor Branch and take in a show at the iconic Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Swan's Nest Hotel
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stroll through Stratford-upon-Avon, where history comes alive at every turn. Begin at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, a charming half-timbered Elizabethan house where the playwright was born and spent his early years. It’s here that he and his wife, Anne Hathaway, embarked on their married life together. Next, head to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, where young William’s education took shape and laid the foundation for his literary genius. A short walk will bring you to Shakespeare’s New Place, the home where he lived for nearly 20 years. At Holy Trinity Church, stand before his final resting place, surrounded by the peaceful serenity of the churchyard. Just a short distance outside of town, find Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a picturesque, thatched home where Shakespeare’s bride grew up. Finally, make your way to the village of Wilmcote for a visit to Mary Arden's Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother. This farm offers a rare look at the rural life that helped shape his early experiences. Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner with fellow travelers and Professor Branch this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Swan's Nest Hotel
Swan’s Nest Hotel (2 nights)
Swan's Nest Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon offers a charming and relaxing stay just steps from the River Avon and the town's historic attractions. The hotel features comfortable rooms, a cozy bar, and a restaurant serving delicious British cuisine. With its prime location near Shakespeare’s Birthplace and other cultural sites, Swan’s Nest provides a perfect base for exploring the rich heritage of Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Leonardo Royal London Hotel (3 nights)
The Leonardo Royal London Hotel offers a stylish and comfortable stay in the heart of the city, blending modern amenities with a welcoming atmosphere. Its prime location is within walking distance to major attractions such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and St. Paul's Cathedral, just across the bridge from Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market and surrounded by myriad dining choices from casual eateries to upscale options.
Enter your name and email and we will keep you up to date on trips that are coming soon. PLUS, you will be able to download a digital version of our beautiful full color 2025-2026 travel catalog.
Get updates on NEW destinations and a FREE catalog right to your inbox.
)
