The English Soccer Experience: London and Manchester

Participate in a training session at a local field in the area.

Take an in-depth look at London, from the royal haunt of Buckingham Palace (the official London residence of Queen Elizabeth II) to the slightly more democratic Speakers’ Corner of Hyde Park, where anyone can pull up a soapbox and orate to his heart’s content. You’ll see the changing of the guard (season permitting), the clock tower of Big Ben with its 14-ton bell, and Westminster Abbey, where almost every English king and queen since William the Conqueror has been crowned. After a stop at the Houses of Parliament, continue on to the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of London architect Christopher Wren.

Leicester Square is perfectly situated in the heart of London's West End, with Trafalgar Square to the south, Piccadilly Circus to the west, Covent Garden to the east, and China Town to the north.

Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and with the Royal Opera House, which itself may be referred to as Covent Garden. The district is divided by the main thoroughfare of Long Acre, north of which is given over to independent shops centered on Neal's Yard and Seven Dials, while the south contains the central square with its street performers and most of the historical buildings, theatres, and entertainment facilities, including the London Transport Museum and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

See how the King relaxes on this tour of the royal weekend estate, originally built as a fortress in the 11th century when William the Conqueror ruled. Tiptoe through the tulips in the East Terrace Gardens, see the Gothic-style St. George's Chapel, or peek into the rooms of Queen Mary's dollhouse with its gallery of pint-size perfect furniture. Get decorating tips for your own country estate!

Take a behind-the-scenes stadium guided tour of one of London's five Premier League sites, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace or West Ham. Most of the tours include a guided tour to visit areas such as the Director's Box, the Home and Away changing rooms, the Players' Tunnel, and the opportunity to go pitch side. Tours typically conclude with a visit to the museum or Trophy Room, followed by a visit to the club's super store.

Get up close and personal with the Tower of London. Towers, rather! Twenty stone towers as well as tunnels, winding staircases, and narrow passageways comprise this huge fortress covering 18 acres on the banks of the Thames. A royal residence from the 11th-16th centuries, the Tower also served as a jewel safe and a prison. The headless skeletons of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (Henry VIII's former wives who were executed here) are believed to be buried here. The Crown Jewels are housed here, including the largest cut diamond in the world (530 carats). Beefeaters (guards) lead tours through the Tower.

Walk along the Thames River in one of London's most popular and vibrant neighborhoods: the South Bank. Spot the National Theatre and the historic pubs, stop to view the London Eye from the tree-lined walkway, and pause to watch one of the area’s famous street performers.

Play an international friendly match against a local club or academy team. Your team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels and have the opportunity to make friends for life.

Participate in a training session at a local field in the area.

Drama, history, skill, art, style, faith, passion. Football! Experience the world's greatest sport at the National Football Museum. Whether you're a football fanatic or just enjoying the great city of Manchester, you are certain to enjoy your visit to the world's biggest and best football museum. In addition to being a museum, this is also the Hall of Fame for English Football. Meet the greatest players, managers and teams in the English game. This is where new Hall of Fame members are inducted every year.

See the home of the most famous soccer team in the world. Manchester United's stadium, Old Trafford, hosts the richest football club in Britain, and you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the seats, changing rooms, and field. Fill in any gaps in your trivia and stats knowledge at the attached museum.

Spend time exploring and shopping in the world-renowned Manchester United Megastore. From shirts to scarves, mugs to mouse pads, everything you could possibly want from Manchester United can be found here. In fact, there are more than 800 product lines available on the shelves, which are spread over 17,000 square feet. The Megastore is one of the biggest shops devoted to football in the world, and more than one million people file through its doors annually.

Participate in a special coaching clinic with a guest coach, player or instructor. The clinic will be designed exclusively for the team and to enhance skills in areas identified by the coaching staff.

Liverpool is a historic maritime city in northwest England, where the River Mersey meets the Irish Sea. A key trade and migration port from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, it is also, famously, the hometown of The Beatles. Ferries cruise the waterfront, where the iconic shipping and mercantile buildings known as the "Three Graces" stand on the Pier Head. Explore Albert Dock, built of brick stone and cast iron, which opened in 1846, saw a long period of decline, and has now been extensively renovated and refurbished. In addition to countless shops and restaurants, the area is home to the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Museum of Liverpool Life, the Beatles Story, and the Tate Gallery.

Play an international friendly match against a local club or academy team. The team will meet and compete against athletes of similar ages and skill levels, and have the opportunity to make friends for life.

Attend a professional soccer match. Seeing international players compete in person would itself be unforgettable, but add the passionate crowds singing, cheering and chanting and you will enter an atmosphere that can only be understood through personal experience. Please note that this activity is subject to availability as it is based on the league’s fixture list at the dates the group is travelling.