Paris and Brussels
7 Days
![Brussels, Belgium. Wide angle night scene of the Grand Place and Maison du Roi, one of Europe finest historic squares and a must-see sight of Bruxelles.](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels_519683941.jpg)
![France Paris aerial view fall](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_90,f_auto,c_lfill,w_400,h_400/ee-web/2024/03/EE_218868406-France-Paris-aerial-view-fall.jpg)
This vacation itinerary allows your group to experience two distinctly different European capital cities and their respective charms. Often referred to as “The City of Light,” Paris is an energetic, cosmopolitan capital city that somehow maintains a provincial ambience in some of its loveliest neighborhoods. It is the city of fashion, Napoleon’s tomb and 3rd century Roman baths. In Paris one can discover the Moulin Rouge, neighborhood cafes once frequented by some of the world’s best writers, incredible art collections – and food markets playing host to daily shoppers and local vendors selling everything from oysters to Camembert cheese.
As the capital of Belgium and the unofficial capital of the European Union, Brussels houses a remarkable mix of cultures. While the majority of its residents speak French, visitors to Brussels will also encounter many Flemish speakers. And – due to Brussels’ international presence, you’ll hear a lot of English spoken here as well. Its terrific mix of cultures, rich heritage, excellent museums, green parks and exceptionally tasty food are just a few reasons to spend some time enjoying Brussels. As part of this itinerary, the group will also experience the Flemish Region of Belgium with day trips to Ghent & Bruges.
Highlights
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Walking tour in Paris' historic Latin Quarter
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Seine River sightseeing cruise
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Admission inside the Eiffel Tower or the Montparnasse Tower
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Canal cruise in Bruges
Itinerary Details
International Arrival
Transfer to the hotel
3 Nights
Paris
Included activities
DAY 1: Arrive in Paris
Arrival to Paris, France's fashionable, dynamic – and very historic capital city. Upon arrival meet your local guide in the terminal's arrival hall for a panoramic city tour of Paris' best attractions by private coach en route to the hotel. See the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame, the Hotel Invalides, the Louvre and the River Seine. During the tour your group will also ascend either the Eiffel Tower or the Montparnasse Tower (admission included) to appreciate the spectacular view of Paris in all her glory. The tour will finish at the hotel. After check-in and time to freshen up, walk to a nearby local restaurant for a Parisian group dinner.
DAY 2:
After breakfast in the hotel, your group will meet its local guide in the lobby for a guided tour of the world renowned Louvre Museum, the most visited museum in the world. See Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Nike of Samothrace and Jacques-Louis David's The Coronation of Napoleon as well as works by Titian, Raphael, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and many more. After the museum visit, your group will be dropped off in the Latin Quarter. After time for lunch on own, enjoy a 90-minute walking tour of the historic heart of Paris. Here in the 5th arrondissement, this Parisian neighborhood was happening during the Roman times on through the Middle Ages right up to the present. See the Boulevard St-Michel, the Sorbonne, the Caveau de la Huchette jazz club, the very narrow Rue du Chat-qui-Peche and the Church of St-Etienne-du-Mont. Once the walking tour has finished, the group will be dropped back at the hotel. The evening is free to enjoy Paris.
DAY 3:
After breakfast in the hotel, travel to the Palace of Versailles for a half-day excursion. Constructed primarily in the 17th century, this magnificent royal palace was home to Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV, the Sun King. Your group will tour the chateau including the Grands Appartements, the Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors. Afterwards, there will be time to explore the palace's superb gardens before returning to Paris. The afternoon is free. All group members should be back in the hotel by the early evening for a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine. After embarking at the base of the Eiffel Tower, see the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite and the river's beautiful bridges. Once the cruise has finished, proceed to a local restaurant for a group dinner.
![Paris](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,x_w_mul_0.49,y_h_mul_0.63,g_xy_center,c_lfill/ee-web/2024/03/EE_2043202313.jpg)
![Paris and Brussels](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/shutterstock_101370463-e1718647565470.jpg)
![Sacre Coeur Paris, France](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,x_w_mul_0.48,y_h_mul_0.7,g_xy_center,c_lfill/ee-web/2024/03/EE-sacre-coeur-paris-france.jpg)
![Eiffel Tower](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/View-of-Eiffel-Tower-and-river-Seine-at-sunrise-in-Paris-France.jpg)
![Porta de Paris in Lille](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/EE-Porta-de-Paris-in-Lille-Nord-Pas-de-Calais.jpg)
Group transfer by private coach to the station
Travel first class by train to Brussels
Transfer to the hotel
3 Nights
Brussels
Included activities
DAY 4: Arrive in Brussels
After breakfast and check-out, your group will transfer by private coach to the station. Travel first class by train to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. As the train pulls into the station, a local guide will meet your group on the platform and lead it to the hotel by private coach. Even though the group's rooms will most likely not be ready this early, group members can store baggage with the hotel's reception staff before setting off on an exciting city tour of Brussels. This is a city of contrasts. One district of Brussels is home to major European organizations and governing bodies like the European Commission, the European Parliament, NATO and many others. However, it also contains a very historic city center and neighborhoods that have maintained traditional architecture and a slower pace. During the tour your group will visit one of Europe's most beautiful squares, the Grand Place, which is home to the medieval Town Hall. The tour will also feature a tour and tasting at the Cantillon Brewery, which has been brewing beer since the 1800s. As a country, in addition to chocolate – Belgium produces some of the finest beer in the world. The tour will finish at the hotel where there will be time to check in and fresh up before the group goes to a local restaurant for dinner.
DAY 5:
After breakfast in the hotel, the group has the morning at leisure to explore Brussels. This city has an amazing variety of museums, churches, green parks (and chocolate shops). After group members have had lunch on their own, they will all reunite in the hotel lobby for an afternoon excursion by private coach to the historic city of Ghent. During the walking tour, see St. Bavo's Cathedral, the gothic Cloth Hall & Belfry tower, Friday Market Square, Groot Kanonplein Square, and the streets of Graslei and Korenlei whose historic houses line Ghent's canals. After the tour, your group will return to the hotel in Brussels by private bus. A group dinner is not scheduled tonight, so group members can go out and individually explore Brussels' superb foodie scene.
DAY 6:
After breakfast in the hotel, today your group will travel by private coach to one of Belgium's best loved cities, Bruges, the capital of West Flanders. The entire city center of this Dutch-speaking city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival to Bruges, meet a local guide who will lead your group on a walking tour of this especially beautiful city, which is often called the "Venice of the North." In addition to exploring its cobblestone streets and medieval quarters, your group will take a boat cruise to experience Bruges' picturesque canals. During the visit to Bruges, there will be free time for lunch and shopping before all group members meet back up with the local guide who will accompany everyone back to the private bus. After boarding the bus, return to the hotel in Brussels. After freshening up, your group will dine together in a local restaurant on its last evening in delightful Brussels.
DAY 7:
After breakfast and check-out, your group will travel to the airport for its return flight to the US.
Transfer to the airport
International Departure
![Brussels, Belgium. Wide angle night scene of the Grand Place and Maison du Roi, one of Europe finest historic squares and a must-see sight of Bruxelles.](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels_519683941.jpg)
![Brussels at sunset, Belgium](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels_739707577.jpg)
![Brussels Jubelpark](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_70,f_auto,w_720,h_410,c_fill,g_face/ee-web/2024/03/Brussels-jubelpark.jpg)
Inclusions
Includes
- Guided city tours of the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles
- Guided city tour of Brussels including brewery visit
- Canal cruise in Bruges
- Accommodations: Paris 3 nights, Brussels 3 nights
- Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
- Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
- English speaking assistants and guides
- Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary