Luxury Lifestyle: A Historic Tour of England's Homes and Manors

Wondering what true luxury travel looks like? In Donna D’Urso’s case, it’s firsthand stories of the royal family, dinner at the Ritz, and private cocktails in the iconic “Downton Abbey” castle. Now that’s what we call an Exceptional Journey.

Last fall, we partnered with historian, Fr. Michael Collins to organize a tour through the historical homes and manors of England—a truly unique group tour that gave travelers a peek into the origins and lasting influence of English architecture. 

“As an interior designer, I was fascinated and have always loved the grand style of the stately homes in England,” D’Urso said. 

Donna had travelled with Exceptional Journeys before—and this time around, she was excited to gather a group of her friends from across the country to come together, share their love of high-class travel, and witness the timeless beauty of England—a destination which some of them had never visited before.

“As many have traveled on a tour with Exceptional Journeys and Corporate Travel, they knew it would be well planned and nice accommodations,” D'Urso said.

London Highlights

The tour began in London, where the group spent days exploring historic aristocratic townhouses like Spencer and Apsley house, and nights at the luxurious five-star Stafford Hotel in the city.

The London portion also included a private tour of Buckingham Palace and Gardens, a 5-course meal at the Ritz, and a secluded lunch at the Travelers Club—the oldest surviving gentlemen's club in Pall Mall. 

But the most special parts of the journey through London weren’t the typical tourist attractions—they were the exclusive experiences that only a well-connected, carefully curated group of travelers could access. That’s where Exceptional Journeys came in, opening doors to moments that ordinary itineraries simply can't offer.

A meeting with the Royal Photographer

In a rare and special tour opportunity, our group connected with Hugo Burnand—the official photographer for the royal family. Donna said his presentation was a major highlight of the trip for those who attended.

“We loved listening to Hugo, how he photographed so many special occasions for the royal family and also regaled us with some intimate stories,” she said.

Afternoon Tea

Would it be a trip to England without a proper cup of tea? 

Our tour group to enjoy a luxurious afternoon at Claridge's, which has specialized in the art of afternoon tea for over 150 years. For our travelers, it was a true taste of England’s culinary tradition—finger sandwiches, warm scones, and sweet pastries accompanied by delicious loose-leaf tea.

Bath Highlights

For some pilgrims, it was their first time visiting Bath—a grand, historic UNESCO World Heritage site. There, they spent three nights at the elegant Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, enjoying five-star accommodations (pictured here) that provided the perfect finale to a luxurious journey through England.

"(We) loved going to Bath,” Donna highlighted. “It was so charming and quaint.”

Bath Abbey

On a walking tour of the city, travelers explored the famous Roman Baths (which gave the city it’s name).

For the many pilgrims that wanted to experience the spirituality of England, they were also excited to see Bath Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery dating back to the 7th century.

Syon House

Some of our guests recognized this historic site from productions like Bridgerton, Napoleon, and Emma. Built in the sixteenth century, Syon House is rich with timeless artwork, furniture, and classical interiors that truly transport visitors back to its original time period. Our visitors enjoyed a private tour of the house, including the gardens and Great Conservatory. It was a special visit, as the site is the current residence of the Duke of Northumberland.

Castles, Cocktails, and Canapes with Lady Carnarvon

Like true royalty, the tour group was also able to walk the halls of the esteemed Highclere Castle—filming site of “Downton Abbey” (and one of our favorite sites in all of England). 

After the transfer from Bath, they perused the gardens before cocktails and canapes (appetizers) in the castle. They were welcomed by Lady Carnarvon—the chatelaine of Highclere—then began their private tour, seeing the saloon, staterooms, and bedrooms which have been pictured on Downton Abbey. 

Another Exceptional Tour through England

Donna shared that our attentive service allowed her to enjoy spending meaningful time with friends she doesn't see often. From the earliest planning stages through the final itinerary—along with concierge support, hotel arrangements, and curated restaurant recommendations—she wants potential clients to know that every detail is simply "exceptional". In her words:

“There will be very little to worry about when you have put your trust in Exceptional Journeys' hands!”