During this 12-day tour you will see two of the most interesting cities of Europe and the entire world – London and Paris! Incude your own ‘tale of two cities’ into your traveling history! Moreover, you will explore more of Britain’s wonderful cities and other places.
Day 1: Arrive In London, England
Your tour will start with your arrival to London – the capital of the UK. Welcome to one of the most amazing and versatile cities of the globe!
Day 2: London
After a nutritious English breakfast enjoy the morning London on a comprehensive sightseeing tour incuding some of the major famous local landmarks: the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more! In the afternoon, enjoy the time at leisure – walk around London, join some optional tours (such as to the Tower of London or to Windsor Castle), a cruise on the River Thames, etc. (B)
Day 3: London – Hampton Court – Stonehenge – Bath
At 8 AM, you will begin the new sightseeing day! Visit the breathtaking Ornamental Gardens in King Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace – the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden, and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Afterwards, go to Stonehenge, visit the city of Bath with the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths, and return to your hotel for a welcome dinner. (B,D)
Day 4: Bath – Stow-On-The-Wold – Stratford-Upon-Avon – Llangollen, Wales – Chester, England
Today you will see some of the enchanting medieval towns of England and Wales: the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, the birthplace of Shakespeare – Stratford-upon-Avon, Llangollen in North Wales that is home of the annual international contest for poets and musicians, and the historic Chester. (B,D)
Day 5: Chester – Grasmere – Gretna Green, Scotland – Edinburgh
In the morning, have a walking tour including the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and “The Rows” – the two-tiered shopping arcades. Later, explore the tranquil Lake District, take a break in Grasmere where you can try the original gingerbread, and head north for the Scottish border with a stop at Gretna Green – the place where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Then go to Edinburgh where you will enjoy the optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
Day 6: Edinburgh
In the morning explore the city of Edinburgh during a comprehensive sightseeing your with your local guide: enjoy the 2 year old “New Town”, learn about its famous novelists and scientists; drive around the “Old Town” and explore Edinburgh Castle with Scotland’s Crown Jewels and Holyrood Palace, and in the afternoon have the time at leisure and explore the capital of Scotland at your own pace. In the evening, there is an optional tour on board of the former Royal Yacht Britannia, that once served as the royal residence for the times Queen was visiting the city. (B)
NOTE: For the departures from July 27 till August 18 you will get bonus tickets for the Military Tattoo performance – a spectacle of Scottish pipe bands!
Day 7: Edinburgh – Abbotsford – Jedburgh – York, England
Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s Abborsford House that has been newly refurbished, and then enjoy a cup of tea and shortbread at Ochiltree’s Dining. On the way back to the English border, visit the Melrose Abbey and the ruins at Jedburgh. Then visit the Northumberland National Park before arrriving to York – England’s most complete medieval city. Here, visit York Minster and explore the amazing streets of the city. (B,D)
Day 8: York – Stamford – Cambridge – London
After you leave Yorkshire this morning, you will visit the market town of Stamford, the famous university city of Cambridge, and later come back to London. Here you can enjoy a night out at your leisure – London offers multiple opportunities for this! (B)
Day 9: London – Paris, France
After breakfast, you will board the high-speed Eurostar train that will take you to Paris. Spend the rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 10: Paris
Begin exploring Paris from visiting some of its most famous highlights: the fmous Louvre museum and the gothic Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral. (B)
Day 11: At Leisure in Paris
Spend the full day at leisure exploring the beautiful city of Paris! (B)
Day 12: Paris
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
| Tour description | |
|---|---|
| Tour price | $2671.00 |
| Tour duration | 12 days |
| Features |
|---|
| City Highlights |
| LONDON |
| Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if held |
| HAMPTON COURT |
| A special walking tour through the palace’s ornamental gardens |
| STONEHENGE |
| Visit the prehistoric monument |
| BATH |
| Visit the Roman relics; welcome dinner |
| STOW-ON-THE-WOLD |
| Take a stroll in this Cotswolds village |
| STRATFORD-UPON-AVON |
| Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace |
| LLANGOLLEN |
| Visit the picturesque village |
| CHESTER |
| Walking tour |
| GRASMERE |
| Visit Wordsworth’s village; [LF] try original Grasmere gingerbread |
| EDINBURGH |
| Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace |
| ABBOTSFORD |
| Guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s house, then enjoy [LF] a cup of tea & shortbread at the Ochiltree’s Dining |
| JEDBURGH |
| Take pictures of the abbey ruins |
| YORK |
| Walking tour |
| CAMBRIDGE |
| Explore the university city |
| LONDON-PARIS |
| By high-speed Eurostar Train |
| PARIS |
| Guided sightseeing, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and The Louvre |
| Headsets in Paris |
| Launch Date |
| 9/17/13 8:00pm |
| Meals |
| Full English breakfast daily and breakfast daily in Paris (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Bath |
| Notes |
| NOTE: |
| Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures July 27 through August 18 |
| Title |
| Britain Sampler with Paris |
| Transportation |
| Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; high-speed Eurostar train |
| Hotels |
|---|
| LONDON Hilton London Metropole (SF) or Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (SF) |
| BATH Hilton (F) |
| CHESTER Mercure Abbots Well (F) |
| EDINBURGH Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street (F) or The Carlton (SF) |
| YORK Mercure York Fairfield Manor (F) |
| LONDON Holiday Inn London – Kensington Forum (F) or Hilton London Metropole (SF) |
| PARIS Crowne Plaza République (SF) |