Paris and London: Iconic Capitals

This morning, 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. Guests will see celebrated works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Nike of Samothrace, and Jacques-Louis David's The Coronation of Napoleon, among others. Afterward, guests will be transported to the Latin Quarter, where they will enjoy lunch on their own and then embark on a guided tour of the vibrant neighborhood. Later, they will be escorted back to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Art and history converge the Louvre, which is undoubtedly one of the world's most visited museums. Your group will navigate through its vast galleries, discovering masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Guests will have the chance to immerse themselves in the stories behind each artwork as they explore the museum's rich collection. After the museum visit, your group will be dropped off at the Latin Quarter. There will be time for lunch, after which, guests will enjoy a 90-minute walking tour of the historic heart of Paris. Here, in the 5th arrondissement, this Parisian neighborhood was buzzing with life during the Roman times, on through the Middle Ages, and right up to the present. Guests will see the Boulevard St-Michel, the Sorbonne, and the Caveau de la Huchette jazz club, among others. Once the walking tour is finished, the group will be dropped back at the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, travel to the Palace of Versailles for a half-day excursion. The afternoon is free for guests to explore Paris as they wish. Guests will reconvene at the hotel in the early evening for a sightseeing cruise on the River Seine. After embarking at the base of the Eiffel Tower, they will see the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, and the city's beautiful bridges. After the cruise, your group will proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.

This morning, your group will experience the grandeur of Versailles on a short, guided tour. Constructed primarily in the 17th century, this magnificent royal palace of Versailles was home to Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV, the Sun King. On this tour, your group will explore the majestic chateau, including the Grands Appartements, the Chapel, and the Hall of Mirrors with its 357 shimmering mirrors. Outside, guests will find meticulously landscaped gardens with its beautiful fountains and sculptures. Afterward, guests will be escorted back to Paris in the private coach.

After breakfast, your group will travel by private coach with a local guide to the fascinating Tower of London for a guided tour. The morning will be spent exploring this historic monument, and there will be free time for lunch, followed by a Thames river cruise. The tour will end back at the hotel with the rest of the afternoon at leisure for participants to unwind or step out to explore on their own. The evening offers a perfect opportunity for guests to dive into London's excellent theater scene, with a performance planned for your group.

The Tower of London dates back to the 11th century, and today, this imposing fortress is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by the guide, your group will begin the tour with a visit to see the Crown Jewels, which have been on display at the Tower since the 17th century. The Tower was the site of numerous executions, including that of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, the queen of England for 9 days in the 16th century, and Margaret Pole, who was accused of treason. Guests will hear captivating tales of intrigue and and revisit centuries of history. Afterward, there will be free time for lunch, and guests may want to consider "fish & chips" or "steak & kidney pie" at a local pub. Later, they will walk down to the Tower Pier on the River Thames, where prisoners were traditionally brought into the Tower. A boat will be waiting to take them out for a cruise down to Westminster Pier. Once the guests disembark at the pier, the private coach will pick them up and transfer them to the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will have a guided tour of one of London's terrific museums. The options are many - from the Tate Modern in Bankside to the iconic British Museum in Bloomsbury. After the tour, guests will have free time for lunch, shopping and relaxing. Later, your group will reconvene to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, an enduring custom in the British Isles. The last evening in London is free for guests to revisit some of its iconic sights. They may want to take a walk down the bustling Oxford Street, go up on the London Eye for a bird's eye perspective, or simply wander in some of the atmospheric neighborhoods, such as Soho, Camden Town or Shoreditch.

This morning, your group can enjoy a guided tour to one of London's several excellent museums. The list to choose from includes the Victoria & Albert Museum for art and design, the British Museum for a range of antiquities and historic collections, Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition, a reconstruction of the iconic Globe Theatre. The National Portrait Gallery houses numerous portraits of famous Britons, while the Tate Modern has a stunning collection of contemporary art. Based on the museum selected, the group will be transported to the location by private coach and enjoy an immersive, guided tour with commentary and insights shared by an expert. Afterward, they will be free to linger on, or step outside the museum to explore more on their own. (Please note that your group will need to select the museum in advance before the vacation begins so that necessary arrangements can be made.)

This morning, your group will be transferred by private coach to one of the airports in London for their return flight home.