History, art and royalty come to life on our landmark family trip to London and Paris. Seek clues on a London spy walk… see sights aboard a private double-decker bus… enjoy a speedboat adventure on the Thames… catch a hit play in the West End. Across the Channel, stroll through a fairy tale French palace… discover a hilltop treasure trove... and explore Paris' skyline landmark attractions.
See the most coveted attractions in unforgettable ways on our London and Paris family vacation. Peer into Royal life at Windsor Castle… take no prisoners at the Tower of London… pedal through Royal Parks… catch a bird's-eye view on a private London Eye capsule… and hide away in the British Secret Service's former quarters. Then cross under the English Channel to Paris, where you'll step into 17th-century opulence at Palace of Versailles… see street artists at work in Montmartre.
Highlights
Visit Château de Versailles, a 2,300 room palace built by Louis XIV, hearing what life was like in rooms such as the Hall of Mirrors; walk in the formal gardens
All gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides, and drivers
An interactive London "Spy Walk"
A guided tour through the British Museum
Private double-decker bus tour of London and a private capsule, sightseeing high above the city on the London Eye
A speedboat adventure on the River Thames
A bicycle ride adventure through the London Royal Parks
Tickets to a hit show in London's West End theatre district
Arrive London / Double-Decker Fun
Tour begins: 3:00 PM, London Marriott Hotel County Hall. Welcome to "merrie olde" England for the start of Tauck Bridges' fun and enriching London and Paris family vacation! A transfer is included from London's Heathrow Airport to London Marriott Hotel County Hall. Climb aboard one of London's signature double-decker buses for a private guided tour of this grand capital city; this evening, get to know your fellow family travelers at our welcome reception and dinner.
Towering London / Thames Speedboat
The 1,000-year-old Tower of London has served as a castle, menagerie, and prison through the centuries. Wander through turreted passageways to the Bloody Tower where prisoners like Sir Walter Raleigh were detained. View the Queen's priceless Crown Jewels before boarding a speedboat for an adventure* on the Thames River, finishing at the London Eye, one of the tallest ferris wheels in the world. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city aboard a private observation capsule 450 feet above the river. Join us tonight for a theatrical performance at a family-friendly musical in London's West End – where dazzling sets, catchy songs, and unforgettable characters light up the stage and leave the whole family smiling long after the final curtain call.
Bicycling, the British Museum, and a Spy Walk
This morning, join us on a bicycle ride* through the British capital's Royal Parks. Next – although two million years' worth of history and culture might be a little tough to see in one day, you'll get a taste of what the fascinating British Museum has to offer on a guided tour of this amazing place – housing the world's most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts, from maps to mummies and more, in nearly two-and-a-half miles' worth of galleries. Following lunch, uncover London's hidden secrets on a Sherlock Holmes Spy Walk, tracing the footsteps of the legendary detective through historic alleyways, iconic landmarks, and real-life spy locations. Led by an expert guide, this family-friendly adventure blends fact and fiction, bringing Holmes' world – and the intriguing mysteries of London's past – to life in fun, surprising ways around every corner. The remainder of the day is free to explore London with your family as you please.
Under the Channel by Eurostar to Paris
Hop aboard the high-speed Eurostar train from London to Paris which takes you under the English Channel through an underwater tunnel for 20 minutes of your two-hour ride from England to France. Sightseeing with a local guide starts as soon as you arrive in Paris when you take a walking tour from your hotel. And tonight... a magical evening with a special magique show.
Musée du Louvre scavenger hunt & Paris as you please
Explore the treasures of one of the world's most famous museums this morning – Musée du Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci's mysterious Mona Lisa, the 2nd-century Greek sculpture, Venus de Milo, and about 35,000 other works of art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century housed in this former palace – on a guided scavenger hunt and tour that also includes the nearby Tuileries Garden. the remainder of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore as you please.
Musée du Louvre scavenger hunt & a magical farewell
Today takes you about an hour outside the city for a guided visit to Château de Versailles, built by King Louis XIV and the largest palace in Europe, revealing a realm of grandeur and riches beyond imagination; it would cost more than $2 billion to build this sprawling palace complex today! Explore the opulent palace with a local guide and view the exquisite gardens, among the most extraordinary and famous in the world. Return to Paris; following some free time this afternoon, join us this evening for our private, exclusive farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Journey home
Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from Fauchon L'Hotel Paris to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for your flight check-in.