A Week In... London and Paris

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, The Biltmore Mayfair. A transfer is included from Heathrow Airport to The Biltmore Mayfair. Your luxury hotel is ideally situated in the center of London in the Mayfair district, steeped in history amidst an exclusive atmosphere. Please join us for this evening's welcome cocktail reception and dinner. Note: Small Group departures feature a special welcome dinner presentation by Carolyn Robb, former chef to the Royal Family, who will present anecdotes from her time in the service of the royal household of Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and young Princes William and Harry, and introduce a menu featuring a dish that was a favorite of the Royal Family.

 

This morning, take a guided city tour that includes the nearly 1,000-year-old Westminster Abbey, where Britain's monarchs and other great personages have been laid to rest since the 11th century; view the extraordinary medieval architecture and art collection. Travel from London through the countryside to Windsor Castle, home of the British royal family for over 900 years. See Queen Mary's Dolls' House, an exquisite miniature palace, and the Baroque State Apartments (if available, schedule permitting). The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy in London as you please.

The many treasures and rich history of the Tower of London – including the British Crown Jewels – await you this morning, followed by a completely different view of the city when you soar 450 feet above it aboard a private capsule on the world's highest observation wheel, the London Eye. This evening, enjoy a pre-show dinner at The River Restaurant in The Savoy prior to an included theatrical performancein the celebrated West End theatre district.

Take a guided tour of the British Museum, the country's largest museum; it contains the Rosetta Stone, the Black Obelisk, mummies, and sculptures from the Parthenon, as well as vast collections of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities. Indulge in one of England's great pleasures – Afternoon Tea – at the elegant department store Fortnum & Mason before spending a free afternoon pursuing what interests you most in London, from its famed gardens and unique neighborhoods to its legendary museums and historic sites.

Today you'll cross under the English Channel, traveling aboard the high-speed Eurostar train through the "Chunnel" to Paris in just a few hours. Upon your arrival in Paris, you'll have an orientation to the city on a walking tour, becoming acquainted with your hotel's neighborhood. Join us tonight for a special "welcome to Paris" dinner cruise on the River Seine, where you'll take in views of illuminated landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Musée du Louvre as you glide along this iconic waterway.

After breakfast, set out for a morning museum visit with a local guide, offering insight into one of Paris's great cultural institutions and the role it plays in preserving the city's artistic heritage. From there, continue on foot into the Latin Quarter and Île de la Cité, where a guided walk traces layers of Parisian history through streets shaped by scholars, writers, and centuries of daily life along the Seine. By late afternoon, the city opens up to you. Spend free time exploring Paris at your own pace – perhaps wandering through nearby gardens, lingering at a café, or browsing neighborhood shops and pâtisseries filled with delicate pastries and freshly baked breads. With your hotel well positioned near many of the city's landmark sights, it's easy to enjoy Paris as the day winds down.

Virtually glittering in gold, 17th-century Château de Versailles was built during the reign of Louis XIV, the "Sun King," and still impresses all who visit it. Head outside of the city this morning for a visit to this masterpiece of French baroque architecture for a guided tour that includes the magnificent gardens, where manicured lawns, elaborate fountains, and tree-lined paths reflect the grandeur of the French court. Have lunch in Versailles, then return to Paris. Join us this evening for a special farewell reception and dinner at InterContinental Paris Le Grand.

Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel to Paris' Charles de Gaulle International Airport. You should allow three hours for check-in.