ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA
Enjoy the service aboard your transatlantic flight to London, England.

Day 2: Arrive London
Transfer to your hotel and settle in before taking a private tour on a red, double-decker bus showcasing London’s West End. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening. City Inn Westminster (D)

Day 3: London
Visit Westminster Abbey this morning, the coronation site of nearly every English king and queen. Stroll through St. James Park to Horse Guards Parade, to see the arrival of the household cavalry that mounts their daily guard there. Continue to St. James’ Palace to see the parade of footguards making their way to Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Enjoy free time for lunch in the Covent Garden area — the setting used in the film, “My Fair Lady.” This afternoon, take a behind-the-scenes tour of Theatre Royal Drury Lane, exploring the front of the house, backstage and even the understage of this famous theater! This evening, enjoy dinner after which you will attend one of London’s top theater performances. (B,D)

Day 4: London
This morning, visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, an exact replica of the 16th-century auditorium where the Bard presented plays for nearly 20 years. After free time for lunch near the River Thames, visit the historic “City” of London, which originated as a simple Celtic fishing village. The medieval street plan of the “City” is still reflected in its narrow courts, alleys and steps. Then, tour the legendary Tower of London to view the dazzling Crown Jewels. Also stop at St. Paul’s Cathedral, built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London destroyed the original church in 1666. After a light dinner this evening, enjoy an exciting 30-minute ride on the world’s highest observation wheel, the London Eye. (B,D)

Day 5: London and Windsor Castle
This morning drive to Windsor Castle. Explore the Queen’s lavishly decorated State Apartments, St. George’s Chapel and Queen Mary’s Dolls House. Then cross the Thames at Windsor Bridge to view Eton College, founded in 1440 by Henry VI, and once attended by Princes William and Harry. Return to London, where the afternoon is free. After dinner, attend a second popular London theater performance. (B,D)

Day 6: London to Paris
Today, experience the technological marvel of the 1990’s —the famous Chunnel (or Channel Tunnel) that allows train travel under the English Channel between England and France. Enjoy a light meal that will be served en route. Upon arrival in Paris check into your hotel, then take a guided tour of the Musee du Louvre and marvel at the mysterious Mona Lisa (smaller than most imagine her!) and the glorious Venus di Milo. Tonight, dinner will be at a charming Parisian brasserie. Hotel Royal Saint Honore (B,D)

Day 7: Paris
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Paris, beginning with a drive along the Seine to one of the city’s two river islands, the Ile de la Cite. Here, stop to visit the beautiful cathedral of Notre Dame, a masterpiece of French architecture. Afterwards, you will be taken to visit a famous French bakery and patisserie and see how the most wonderful French breads and pastries are made in their workshop – all your favorites such as Pain aux raisins, Pain au chocolat, warm baguettes and plump butter croissants are there. A tasting will be included of course! This afternoon you visit the spectacular Musee D’Orsay where you will be amazed by how many world-famous paintings you will recognize by Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Bonnard, Renoir, Pisarro and many more! This evening you head for the Champs Elysees, one of the most famous boulevard in the world. Here you will visit the majestic Arc de Triomphe and enjoy the incredible view from the top. Afterwards, you enjoy a lovely dinner nearby. (B, D)

Day 8: Giverny to Versailles
Enjoy a morning drive to Giverny to visit the beautiful house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and painted. Monet spent half his life at Giverny where the ever-shifting light on the waters of the river Epte, and the flower and water beds he made inspired much of his greatest work. Then spend the afternoon at the shimmering Palace of Versailles, built in the 17th century for the “Sun King,” Louis the XIV, and considered to be the “palace of palaces” because of its grandeur and extravagant design. The spectacular gardens surrounding the palace are a highlight as they show off beds of glorious color and the famous fountains. This evening enjoy a dinner followed on one of the famous Bateaux Mouches which glide along the Seine River. (B, D)

Day 9: Paris
This morning, visit the lively artist quarter of Montmartre where famed artists such as Modigliani, Picasso, Toulouse Lautrec all once lived. You will then visit the Sacre Coeur and have the opportunity to have your portrait painted in the Place Du Tertre. Following a delightful lunch in one of the local restaurants, the afternoon will be free to spend as you like – perhaps enjoying a walk along the river Seine or in the Luxembourg Gardens – something typically Parisian on a Sunday afternoon! Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner atop the Eiffel Tower, with the glory of the "City of Lights" at your feet. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Depart Paris
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the United States. (B)

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