Edinburgh, London & Paris

Day 1 – USA – Edinburgh, Scotland

Fly overnight to Scotland.

Day 2 – Edinburgh

Welcome to a beautiful city, sometimes called the “Athens of the North” by virtue of its rich cultural tradition. Your private bus and driver will escort you on a guided Edinburgh City Tour that includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, where you can see the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Great Hall and the enormous 15th century gun, Mons Meg. Also see the Palace of Holyrood House, former residence of Mary Queen of Scots, the John Knox House, St. Giles Cathedral, and take a drive along the Royal Mile.

Day 3 – Edinburgh

Your full day tour takes you to Trossachs, where fields of heather are punctuated by rocky crags. See the heartland of Scotland and picturesque Lake Katrine, associated with Sir Walter Scott’s poem “The Lady of the Lake.” Visit Stirling Castle, looming majestically above the plains where the Wars of Independence were fought. The Scottish forces of William Wallace, “Braveheart,” beat the English army in battle at Stirling Bridge, 1297.

Day 4 – London

Travel through the English countryside on a four-hour high-speed train, arriving in London in the afternoon. After you settle at your hotel, the evening is free to begin exploring this historical city.

Day 5 – London

Start your day with a London City Tour. See Piccadilly Circus, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Fleet Street, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben. Continue to Westminster where you’ll tour the formidable Westminster Abbey. See the Coronation Chair, the monument of the Unknown Warrior, and Poets’ Corner with tributes to Chaucer, Milton, Longfellow and Thomas. Tour the British Museum, home to artifacts and cultural memorabilia, including the Rosetta Stone.

Day 6 – London

Visit Windsor Castle, the country home of the Queen and weekend retreat of the royal family. It is the largest castle in Europe still occupied. William the Conqueror chose the site, high above the River Thames and on the edge of a Saxon hunting ground. See Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, The Gallery, The State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel and the Albert Memorial Chapel. This afternoon you are free to discover more historical sites with your advisors. As an option, attend a West End London Theatre performance this evening.

Day 7 – Paris

Travel to France via the Chunnel under the English Channel and through the French countryside to Paris. This evening, see why this majestic city is called at the City of Lights when you take the guided Paris Illuminated Drive.

Day 8 – Paris

Your day begins with a Paris City Tour. See the Arc de Triomphe, the Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and other highlights. Visit glorious Notre Dame cathedral, the jewel of the Ile de la Cité. Enjoy a guided tour of the Louvre Museum to see some of the world’s great masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa. Your afternoon is free to immerse yourself in the glorious scenery of Paris. Option: Enjoy a Bateaux Mouche cruise on the romantic Seine. View the monuments of France from a unique perspective as you take in the brilliance of the lights of Paris after nightfall. There is no better way to see the famous sights of Paris and her beautiful skyline, boulevards and bridges. Sail past the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero, the Grand Palais, the Petit Palais, the Palais du Tokyo, the Pont Alexandre III, the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, and the Petit Pont, the smallest bridge in the city. Glide between Ile de la Cite and the Ile St. Louis and be sure to make a wish as you pass under Pont Marie. It’s guaranteed to come true!

Day 9 – Paris – USA

Transfer to the airport for your journey home, with excellent memories of three stunningly beautiful European cities.