Day 1 Arrive in London, England
Welcome to London! Your Tour Director will meet you upon your arrival at the hotel, and is available to help you make the most of your stay. This evening, enjoy a traditional dining experience combined with a relaxed, nighttime river cruise. A three-course welcome dinner with wine is followed by a private, narrated CRUISE on the Thames River to admire some of the capital’s most beautiful illuminated sights, including Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. (D)

Day 2 London
After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the Thames River, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. A special highlight is the LONDON EYE CHAMPAGNE EXPERIENCE—a ride on the giant observation wheel, with stunning views of the city while you sip a glass of champagne. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities. Later, why not take in one of London’s West End theater shows? (B)

Day 3 At Leisure in London
Today offers you the opportunity to join one of our optional excursions. Consider a visit to the Tower of London, which has been guarded by the Beefeaters since the 14th century and houses the fabulous Crown Jewels; to Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world; or one of the exciting full-day excursions available for your enjoyment. (B)

Day 4 London–Paris, France
Board the high-speed EUROSTAR TRAIN for an exciting ride to Paris. Meet your Local Guide and visit the magnificent NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL with its Rose Windows. This evening, you may wish to join an optional dinner at one of Paris’ fine restaurants, followed by a drive through the “City of Light.” (B)

Day 5 Paris
Your orientation drive features some of Paris’ main sites, like the Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, Champs-Elysées, and a visit to the second floor of Paris’ most iconic landmark: the EIFFEL TOWER. Next, continue to MONTMARTRE, Paris’ renowned art district. Ride the little TRAIN through narrow lanes, then follow your Tour Director on a walking tour and enjoy the spectacular view of Paris from the Sacre Coeur Basilica. End up at Place du Tertre, where artists display their art and where a special lunch with soupe à l’oignon (onion soup), a traditional crêpe, and wine, awaits you. In the evening, an optional cabaret show is available. (B,L)

Day 6 At Leisure in Paris
A full day to immerse yourself in this fascinating city. Ask your Tour Director for suggestions. You may wish to join optional excursions to the magnificent Louvre Museum and the opulent Palace and Gardens of Versailles, the most famous palace in Europe, built by the Sun King, Louis XIV. Tonight, a special farewell dinner with wine has been prepared at a local restaurant, the best way to say au revoir, Paris. (B,D)

Day 7 Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Transportation
Thames River cruise; high-speed Eurostar train; Montmartre train ride

GUIDED SIGHTSEEING:
LONDON
Welcome dinner, followed by a relaxed, narrated, nighttime river cruise on the Thames; guided sightseeing; London Eye Champagne Experience
LONDON–PARIS
By high-speed Eurostar train
PARIS
Guided visit of Notre Dame Cathedral; guided sightseeing, ascend the Eiffel Tower; Montmartre train ride and walking tour; a special lunch; farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Headsets in Paris

NOTE:
For operational reasons, slight schedule changes for the Paris program cannot be excluded.
December 26 Departure–New Year’s Eve in Paris

Meals
Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 light lunch with wine in Montmartre; 2 dinners with wine: a special welcome dinner at a local restaurant in London and a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Paris.

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:
Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church
Paris Banks of the Seine

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