London & Paris
June 1, Friday LONDON
On arrival in London, a private car & Driver will take you into the city where you will stay 8 nights in a superior room at Covent Garden Hotel, a lovely traditional hotel in the center of London’s lively Covent Garden neighborhood.
Note: Many hotels in Europe are now required to collect a room tax. This new tax cannot be prepaid and must be collected direct at check out.
June 2, Saturday LONDON
Enjoy London on your own.
The Tower of London is the imposing fortress, steeped in history built on the river Thames. Here you can visit the Crown Jewels, explore the towers and royal apartment. Be on the look-out for the large black ravens. Legend has it that should the six ravens ever leave the fortress, the White Tower will crumble and a great disaster shall befall England!
Borough Market is one of the oldest and best in London for fresh produce and artisan bread, cheese and pork pies. The upscale restaurant Roast is located here and the menu changes frequently based on what is available at the market. The nearby George Inn is one of the last of the old coaching inns in London and is now owned by the National Trust. www.boroughmarket.org.uk
ü We will include tickets for a show at the Globe Theatre tonight www.shakespeares-globe.org
June 3, Sunday LONDON
London is Europe’s hippest capital and a city strong in tradition and history. It has a wealth of fabulous museums: the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Tate and Wallace Collection are among the best. The recently opened Tate Modern is Britain’s national museum of contemporary art with works by Warhol, Picasso and Dali to name a few. Most museums offer free entry.
There are many opportunities for shopping in London and a visit to Harrods should not be missed. Harrods has 7 floors of shopping and over 15 million people visit each year. The famous food halls have several places to eat and there is also a pub “The Green Man” located here. Please note that large handbags or backpacks may have to be stored in a locker whilst visiting (fee applies) www.Harrods.com
Covent Garden area has shopping, restaurants and street performers. This area is also home to one of the oldest restaurants in London, Rules and also some of the oldest historic pubs.
- At 3:15PM, make your way to St Pauls Cathedral where you can enjoy a cathedral service led almost entirely by music. This 45 minute service “Choral Evensong” takes place in the stalls of the quire, towards the high altar, a space which allows the music to resonate perfectly and foster a sense of calm. As there are usually more people than can be accommodated in the quire, some also sit in the seats under the dome.
June 4, Monday COTSWOLD SIGHTSEEING
Your driver/guide will take you from London today out to the charming Cotswolds. You will have time to visit a few of the villages including Castle Combe & Chipping Campden
Castle Combe has been called 'The Prettiest Village in England' and with good reason. Visitors have been coming to enjoy its charms for at least a century, and the small street leading from the Market Cross down to the By Brook is a picturesque today as is ever was.
Chipping Campden is conveniently located to visit Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Hidecote Manor and the Spa town of Cheltenham; as well as many other tiny villages with incredible names: Upper (and Lower) Slaughter, Bourton on the Water, sometimes called the “Venice” of England; Stow-on-the Wold, Woodstock and Broadway.
June 5, Tuesday LONDON
The London Silver Vaults are located in the basement (there is an elevator) of Chancery House. Over thirty seven shops trade the world's largest collection of fine antique silver including ornate serving pieces, flatware and one of kind commissioned pieces. Each store is located within a vault that was also used to store important documents during the war. It has been said that if you can't find what you are looking for here, you can't find it anywhere. Located at 53-64 Chancery Lane the nearest underground station is Chancery Lane, located on the central line. Mon to Fri 9.00 AM -5.30 PM and Sat 9.00 AM- 1.00 PM
www.thesilvervaults.com
Brick Lane is located in the east end of London. Formally known for slums and the area where Jack the Ripper committed his murders this area is now home to edgy art galleries, festivals and restaurants. Due to the large Bangladeshi community Brick Lane has always been known for its authentic curry houses. The nearest underground station is Aldgate East on the District or Hammersmith & City line. www.visitbricklane.org
June 6, Wednesday OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE
Today you will meet your driver/guide at about 8:00 AM and set out first to Oxford.
In Oxford, follow in the footsteps of Oxford’s most famous alumni, including Lewis Carroll, Bill Clinton and TS Eliot, as you enjoy a peaceful walk through captivating college courtyards and cobbled lanes. See the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest libraries in Europe and take in the famous 'dreaming spires' on your visit. The narrow alleys and ancient squares of this naturally beautiful town will definitely capture your imagination. Christ Church, a treat for 'Harry Potter' fans of all ages, Christ Church was used as one of the major locations in the magical films! Marvel at the magical grandeur of the Great Hall, initially used for The Great Hall of Hogwarts.
Next onto Cambridge, visit the elegant city of Cambridge, famous for being home to the University of Cambridge. Take a peaceful through this picturesque city, which includes the renowned Cavendish Laboratory, King’s College Chapel, and the Cambridge University Library. Have a look at the oldest college that’s still in existence, Peterhouse, which dates back to 1284. Estimated arrival time back to London is around 7pm
June 7 & 8, Thurs & Fri LONDON
Two days to enjoy all the London has to offer on your own, and rest after yesterdays full day of sightseeing.
- We can include dinner reservations at the restaurant of your choosing at the Shard.
www.the-shard.com/restaurants
June 9, Saturday PARIS
Privately transfer to the rail station where you will board the train to Paris, France. 1st class tickets & reserved seats are included for the 2 ½ hour rail journey.
When you arrive in Paris, a car & Driver will take you to stay 6 nights in a deluxe room at Hotel d’Aubusson, a beautifully refurbished 17th century townhouse, located in the 6th district within an easy walk to the Louvre. www.hoteldaubusson.com
Tonight you will board the Don Juan II boat for a deluxe dinner cruise down the Seine River. Your dinner includes a class of Champagne at sunset while you see the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. All other drinks are payable direct.
June 10, Sunday PARIS SIGHTSEEING
Meet a private coach & licensed driver/guide for a full day of sightseeing in Paris including an inside visit the Louvre Museum.
- This evening we include tickets to “Summit the Eiffel Tower”
June 11, Monday NORMANDY
Your Licensed Driver-Guide will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the region of Normandy, sharing with you his knowledge & passion for this part of France, driving you in a private deluxe air-conditioned
Walk down the path of History! A day in Normandy, theatre of the final throes of WWII, is nowadays a true haven of peace and tranquility, dotted with lush meadows and bucolic farmland, sturdy Castles and stunning Cathedrals! A hundred miles from Paris, situated to the north-west of France, ever since the Roman Empire; this region has been at the heart of history, culminating with the Allied Invasion in 1944, which brought an end to World War II. We can all agree that the combination of cultural heritage and gastronomic pleasure is a winning formula.
After a wonderful drive through Normandy's landscapes, your Licensed Driver-Guide will bring you to the very theatres of the Allied Invasion: Omaha Beach, Juno Beach, Pointe du Hoc and Pegasus Bridge; all these Sites, so different one from each other, full of history, to this day still seem to be inhabited by the souls of those few you fell for so many.. Your Licensed Driver-Guide will show you all of these magical places, where you can reflect on events that changed the face of the World for ever. If you wish, your guide will take you to the impressive American War Cemetery, a place where you can contemplate and pay tribute to these young soldiers who paid the ultimate price for other’s freedom.
As it is a full day tour, ask your guide where you would like to have lunch, depending on your tastes and budget, he will find a place which suits you perfectly. (French cheese and fresh seafood/shellfish are a must-do in Normandy!)
June 12, Tuesday LOIRE VALLEY
Your Licensed Driver-Guide will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the Loire Valley, sharing with you his knowledge & passion for this part of France, driving you in a private deluxe air-conditioned vehicle. It is your Tour, totally custom-made to fit your desires: YOUR way, and nobody else's.
Situated 150 miles south-west of Paris, let us introduce you to the Garden of France, with its abundant vineyards, fruit orchards, artichoke and asparagus fields, lining both banks of the Loire River... Welcome to the natural beauty which is the Loire Valley! As there are over three hundred castles, you will be introduced by your guide to the very best ones, those famous the world over. First of all, you will visit what was the official residence of Charles VIII, the Château d'Amboise! Built on a spur in fabulous scenery by Domenico Da Cortona and Fra Giocondo, this Château overlooks the Loire River...! Learn the secret and incredible stories synonymous with this castle, from King François the First to Leonardo Da Vinci, where the Florentine genius finished his days at the Clos Lucé Manor, and where he created some of his last masterpieces like Saint John the Baptist, The Virgin and Child with Saint-Anne and of course the Mona Lisa!
You will then head to the Château de Chenonceau, and learn why it is also called Le Château des Dames (The Ladies Castle),burned down and rebuilt between 1515 and 1521, it was notably Catherine de Medicis' (The Iron Queen) favorite castle. Last but not least is the Château de Chambord, very distinctive by its unmistakable French architecture, also the largest in the Loire Valley. With a marvelous harmony of shapes and structures, this castle is the accomplishment of a young king's dream, the "architect Prince" François the First. Discover with your guide how unique the Loire Valley actually is.
As it is a full day tour, ask your Driver-Guide where you would like to have lunch, depending on your tastes and budget, he will find a place which will suit you perfectly. Once your trip through France’s Royal history and your immersion into the enchanting place that is the Loire Valley comes to an end, your Licensed Driver-Guide will drive you back safely to your hotel
June 13, Wednesday PARIS
For your sightseeing convenience we include for the following:
· Le Paris Visite passes the only ticket you need to navigate the city like a Parisian. Travel the fast, efficient Métro, or move at a more leisurely pace above ground on the extensive Paris bus routes.
· Museum & Monument Pass open the doors of 70 Paris museums and monuments inside and outside Paris—the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame, Versailles and other famous sights. La Carte covers your admission for each venue, and you go straight to the head of any line without waiting.
The two most popular museums are the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay, and the most popular monuments are the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame Cathedral. After the elegance of the Right Bank, try to find time to for an evening stroll and dinner in the Latin Quarter. Some of the livelier streets include the rue de la Huchette and rue Monsieur-le-Prince. If you love contemporary art and architecture, don’t miss the spectacular Pompidou Centre.
Note: Most museums including the Musee d’Orsay are closed on Monday. The Louvre is closed on Tuesday.
If you are looking for a delightful place to enjoy lunch amid the splendor of a bygone era, try Le Train Bleu, located at the Gare de Lyon rail station. Built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, it was called the “Buffet de la Gare de Lyon” (Lyon Station Buffet) and renamed “Le Train Bleu” in 1963 and granted historical monument status in 1972 by André Malraux.
For the best view of the city, have lunch or a drink at Terrasse des Galleries Lafayette, located on the 7th floor (rooftop) of the main building. To get there, you have to go through the 6 floors of the Galleries Lafayette, which can be very difficult for a shopaholic! On the roof, you are in one of the best spot to see Paris. The restaurant is contemporary and very good. The chef used to work with Alain Passard, Michelin’s 3 stars restaurant (l’Arpège). The flagship Galleries Lafayette has a new service for English speaking customers. <<Le Concierge>> located on the 2nd floor is a lounge offering high quality services to make your shopping experience unique: VAT tax refund for purchases, private wifi network, restaurant reservations and delivery to your hotel.
The new “in” neighborhood is the Marais. The Marais (literally; the Marsh); the area of the 4e arrondissement directly north of Ile Saint Louis; was in fact a swamp until the 13th century; when it was converted to agricultural use. In the early 1600s; Henry IV built Place des Vosges; turning the area into the Paris's most fashionable residential district and attracting wealthy aristocrats; who erected luxurious but discreet hotels & private mansions. When the aristocracy moved to Versailles and Faubourg Saint Germain during the late 17th and 18th centuries; the Marais and its mansions passed into the hands of ordinary Parisians. Today the Marais is one of the few neighborhoods of Paris that still has almost all of its pre-Revolutionary architecture.
June 14, Thursday MONT ST MICHELLE
You will be driven through some of most beautiful and charming landscape France has to offer; while travelling from the French capital to "The Wonder of the Western World": Mont Saint-Michel, situated at 225 miles west of Paris. Indeed, once you arrive, you will start to see the shape of a tower in the heart of an immense bay; subject to some of the most fluctuating high and low tides in Europe (they can vary up to 46 feet between high and low tide water-marks). The Mount dedicated to Saint Michel in 708; and its Bay are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites: more than 3 million people visit there each year; whether it be for a Pilgrimage or a simple Tourist Visit.
Become one of them, walking on the Grand Rue, with its museums, shops and houses dating from the 15th and the 16th centuries, or taking the Grand Staircase, whose majesty is a prelude to the "Marvel". On its peak, after admiring the Abbey (and its panorama of medieval architecture from the 11th to the 16th century), enjoy the most beautiful, matchless and timeless view over the Bay!
July 15, Friday LONDON HEATHROW
Privately transfer to the Charles de Gaulle airport this evening for your 6:10 pm flight to London Heathrow Airport where you will stay a final night at Hilton London Airport
July 16, Saturday DEPART
Services conclude after breakfast.
