A Tale of Two Cities

Day 1 – Depart USA – London

Fly through the night to England.

Day 2 – London

Welcome to London! Your private bus and guide will escort you to the hotel or homestay family.

Day 3 – London

On today’s London City Tour you will visit Westminster Abbey and see Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and other highlights of the largest city in Europe. Later, visit the British Museum. Among the major works on display is the Rosetta Stone. Also on display are the Elgin Marbles, “stolen” from the Acropolis in Greece. Other highlights include a new collection of Egyptian mummies, the Lewis Chessmen, the Sutton Hoo Treasure, and artifacts from Roman Britain.

Day 4 – London

Cross an actual drawbridge to the Tower of London. Originally constructed by William I in 1067, the Tower fortress was intended to dissuade citizens from revolution. The Tower has also housed the Royal Mint and served as a prison. Today it houses a noteworthy collection of royal and historical artifacts. Hear the spooky tales told by the Beefeaters and see the fabulous Crown Jewels, some of which date back to 12th century. Also on display is the Star of Africa in the Royal Sceptre. At 530 carats, the Star of Africa is the largest diamond in the world. Experience London at its best at tonight’s West End Theatre Performance.

Day 5 – London

Travel to Windsor Castle, weekend residence of the royal family and the largest castle still inhabited. Continue on to Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215.

Day 6 – Paris

Cross the English Channel to Paris, via the Channel Tunnel.

Day 7 – Paris

Bienvenu à Paris! On your Paris City Tour see the magnificent Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysées, the majestic Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero, Les Invalides, Palais du Luxembourg, the Pantheon and the historic Latin Quarter. Continue to the Ile de la Cité and the Conciergerie and the Palais de Justice. Then on to the impressive Jardin des Tuileries and the stunning Place de la Concorde with its Obélisque from Luxor. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and tour the Louvre. Originally constructed in 1200 as a fortress, the Louvre later served as the royal palace of monarchs. Today it is the largest museum on Earth, housing works of art such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the winged Victory of Samothrace and the exquisite Vénus de Milo. Later, visit the Palace of Versailles, home of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Take in the splendor of the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I.

Day 8 – Paris

Discover the magic of Paris with your advisors today. Option: Visit magnificent Chartres Cathedral. The sublime architecture of the cathedral is surpassed only by the sensational stained glass windows. This evening, enjoy a Bateaux Mouches Cruise along the romantic Seine. View the monuments of France from a unique perspective as you take in the brilliance of the lights of Paris.

Day 9 – Depart

Say au revoir to Europe. Board your flight and return home, with enough fantastic memories of Britain and France to savor for a lifetime!