Delights of London & Paris (Winter Season)
10 Days from $2,494 per person
Two iconic European cities – one captivating cultural experience reflecting centuries of innovation, imagination and initiative. London and Paris vie for your attention as you savor such highlights as Big Ben, the Champs Élysées and a bit of French joie de vivre. Marvel at the majestic Palace of Versailles, visit Stonehenge and see Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
This page shows Winter Season departures and itinerary; click here to see the main season version of this tour!
Overview
Two iconic European cities – one captivating cultural experience reflecting centuries of innovation, imagination and initiative. London and Paris vie for your attention as you savor such highlights as Big Ben, the Champs Élysées and a bit of French joie de vivre. Marvel at the majestic Palace of Versailles, visit Stonehenge and see Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
This page shows Winter Season departures and itinerary; click here to see the main season version of this tour!
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Day 1: USA - Europe
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Arrive London (5 Nights)
After checking in at your hotel, why not start to explore this magical city? Whether you stroll through one of the Royal Parks, shop in the vibrant West End or visit one of the world-famous historical attractions, London has plenty to keep you entertained. Later meet with your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception.
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Day 3: London Sightseeing and Excursion to Windsor
See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace on your half-day introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Expert. This afternoon visit the town of Windsor with its vast Royal Castle. Explore the town, visit inside the castle or walk alongside the Thames.
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Day 4: Excursion to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon
Today enjoy a full-day excursion from London to two iconic destinations – Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon. Oxford is famed for its university – the oldest in England and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Enjoy free time to explore after an orientation provided by your Travel Director. You will also visit one of the colleges (subject to opening). Later travel to Stratford and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center. Stop to see Anne Hathaway's picturesque thatched cottage before returning to London.
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Day 5: London
A completely free day for you to explore the city - the options are endless and your Travel Director will be available to suggest a number of activities or help with organising any Optional Experience. Visit the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, have lunch in Covent Garden or explore Camden Markets. Shop in Bond Street and Knightsbridge, enjoy a top stage production or take a further trip outside of the city. This evening consider joining your Travel Director for dinner at a lively restaurant and a West End show.
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Day 6: Excursion to Bath and Stonehenge
This morning leave London and travel to Bath. Visit the Roman baths from which the city derives its name and enjoy an orientation of this World Heritage Site with its beautiful Georgian architecture. After free time for lunch travel through scenic countryside and stop at Stonehenge to visit the historic stone monoliths where pagans once worshipped. Later return to London.
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Day 7: London – Paris (3 Nights)
This morning travel through the Kent countryside before boarding your ferry in Dover. See the impressive White Cliffs of Dover on your channel ferry crossing to France. Pass the battlefields of Northern France before arriving in magical Paris. This evening enjoy a Regional Meal in the City of Light.
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Day 8: Paris Sightseeing and Versailles Excursion
Your Local Expert takes you on a sightseeing tour of Paris this morning. View the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. Ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower and see the city in all its glory. This afternoon enjoy an included visit to the Palace of Versailles. Tonight you might like to round off your day by attending a performance at a spectacular Parisian cabaret.
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Day 9: Paris
Today you are free to do as you please. There is time to sample delicious French breads or cakes in a pâtisserie, shop in the chic French boutiques or enjoy a visit to one of the many museums this city has to offer. This evening join your companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner in the city.
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Day 10: Depart Paris
After breakfast bid your newfound friends ‘au revoir' as your memorable trip comes to an end. Transfers to Charles De Gaulle airport are available. Conditions apply.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
- Festive Celebrations
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
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| 12 Oct 18 | 21 Oct 18 | $2,795$2,655pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 19 Oct 18 | 28 Oct 18 | $2,795$2,655pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 26 Oct 18 | 4 Nov 18 | $2,795$2,655pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 9 Nov 18 | 18 Nov 18 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 23 Nov 18 | 2 Dec 18 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 30 Nov 18 | 9 Dec 18 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 7 Dec 18 | 16 Dec 18 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 14 Dec 18 | 23 Dec 18 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Festive Celebrations
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21 Dec 18 | 30 Dec 18 | $2,875$2,731pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
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Festive Celebrations
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28 Dec 18 | 6 Jan 19 | $2,950$2,803pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 11 Jan 19 | 20 Jan 19 | $2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 25 Jan 19 | 3 Feb 19 | $2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 8 Feb 19 | 17 Feb 19 | $2,625$2,494pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 22 Feb 19 | 3 Mar 19 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 8 Mar 19 | 17 Mar 19 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 22 Mar 19 | 31 Mar 19 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 29 Mar 19 | 7 Apr 19 | $2,695$2,560pp | Early PaymentPay by Apr 26 | Request Quote Book Now |
- Festive Celebrations: Christmas and/or New Year Celebrations have been arranged for these departures.
These departures are subject to price, hotel and discount change. Prices and discounts will be confirmed in May 2018. These departures do not qualify for Airfare Savings or Early Pay Discount.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Triple Rooms are not available on this trip.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $76 per person.
Airport Transfers: Return transfers on the last travel day will arrive at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
Frequent Travelers: Save an additional 5% off the price of the vacation.
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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VIP Access
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Professional Travel Director
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Personal Flight Options
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Most Meals
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Hotel Tips
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
Meal Summary
11 meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 dinners, all with tea and coffee.
Included Highlights
Cultural Insight
- Walk in the footsteps of one of the world's greatest writers and visit the house where he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center gives visitors an opportunity to learn about his family life, enjoy live theater on demand and see a rare collection of artifacts from his extraordinary life
Local Expert
- For included sightseeing in London, Paris and Versailles
Hidden Treasure
- Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure
Sightseeing Highlights
- City tour in London, Paris
- Orientation of Windsor, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath
- Visit one of the famous Oxford Colleges, the Roman Baths in Bath, Stonehenge, Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Palace of Versailles
- View Anne Hathaway's cottage, the Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe
- See Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the White Cliffs of Dover
Optional Add-Ons
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
London
London Under The Stars and Fine Dining
Adult Price: £47
Enjoy dinner in one of the city's top restaurants (voted best restaurant in 2015 by Harpers). After, we'll journey through the capital by private coach to take in the sights illuminated in the night sky, such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the West End Theatre district.
Wonders of the Thames
Adult Price: £61
Experience the heart of London through its main artery, the Thames. First, you’ll tour the incredible Tower of London. Built in 1066, this iconic castle is world-famous not only for housing the Crown Jewels, but also for its famous prisoners. Then, hop on an open-air boat for a cruise through the City to the London Eye. Seeing London from one of the tallest Ferris Wheels in the world provides a unique and breath-taking view of England's capital.
Les Miserables and Dinner
Adult Price: £77
The timeless story of Jean Valjean, set in 19th century France and his quest for redemption after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread.
Mamma Mia and Dinner
Adult Price: £76
Mamma Mia uses ABBA’s greatest hits to tell the musical story of a young woman on a quest to find her real father before she gets married on a Greek island.
Wicked and Dinner
Adult Price: £71
Wicked tells the musical tale of two unlikely friends in the land of Oz (pre-Dorothy) and their remarkable journey to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Paris
Seine Cruise And Paris Illuminations
Adult Price: € 38
Paris at night is a city transformed. Enjoy this superb 'City of Light' on a leisurely cruise along the River Seine. Afterwards, as we drive through this amazing city, we’ll stop at some vantage points for you to capture the fascinating sights on camera. In summer, this trip may take place before sunset.
Nouvelle Eve Cabaret And Dinner
Adult Price: € 139
Join us for dinner with wine included at one of the most prestigious cabaret shows in town, where you’ll watch an evening of exciting acts, stunning tableaux and wonderful entertainment – including the world famous Can-Can. A Parisian night you’ll never forget.
Moulin Rouge Cabaret And Dinner
Adult Price: € 162
Enjoy dinner and cabaret, including wine and champagne, at the world-famous Moulin Rouge – the original Paris cabaret. Immortalized by the award-winning film of the same name, this Parisian institution features 60 dancers and entertainers and over 1000 costumes!
Notre Dame And Latin Quarter
Adult Price: € 33
A guided drive through Paris' bohemian Left Bank with our Local Specialist brings us to amazing Notre Dame to discover one of the world's most famous Cathedrals and the epitome of Gothic architecture. Afterwards, take a stroll through the delightful Latin Quarter, a medieval maze of winding cobblestone alleyways where you'll have free time to enjoy the sidewalk bistros, boutiques and hidden squares.
Le Grand Louvre
Adult Price: € 50
The biggest and best-known museum in the world, The Louvre was once palace to the kings of France. You’ll follow your Local Specialist through the sumptuous maze of galleries to view masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' and Winged Victory, one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world.
This optional involves reservation and entrance pre-payments. Cancellation within 24 hours will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Windsor
Windsor Castle Revealed
Adult Price: £26
Take a tour of Windsor Castle, with entrance to the State Apartments included. Inside the apartments you’ll also have the use of an individual audio guide. On Sundays, St George's Chapel is closed to the public.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in England is the Pound (£) and in France is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some euros for when you first arrive in France, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate when you arrive in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable parts of traveling is sampling the cuisine. Restaurants around London serve specialties such as fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, sausages, stilton cheese, and scones with clotted cream. Culinary experiences to not to miss include a traditional pub meal, afternoon tea, and full English breakfast.
The French have an ongoing love affair with food and wine. Meals are lovingly prepared and consumed leisurely through a bevy of appetizers and main courses, usually accompanied by a number of wines. Boeuf bourgignon (beef stew with wine, herbs and vegetables), coq au vin (chicken cooked with bacon in a white wine and herb sauce) and bouillabaisse (fish stew) are featured on many menus. Cheese lovers will not be disappointed with hundreds of varieties to choose from. And no visit would be complete without a visit to a pâtisserie, with its delicate pastries you will definitely be tempted.
Wine is the most popular drink in France and is consumed at both lunch and dinner. Coffee is generally served black, unless a café au lait or café crème (with milk) is requested. For a simple and inexpensive lunch or snack, stop by a local bakery or food cart for a baguette au jambon (ham sandwich), crêpes, or a savory buckwheat galette filled with melted gruyère cheese and mushrooms. Many restaurants also offer a simple three course menu at a reasonable price.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. Keep in mind that your shoulders and knees should be covered while visiting religious sites. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Restaurants in London often include a service charge of 12.5 percent, especially for large groups. If service isn’t included, it’s customary to leave 10-15 percent of the bill.
In France, a 15% service compris is included by law in the price of food and drink. Tipping in addition to this service charge is never expected, but always appreciated. If you’d like to leave something extra, keep in mind that even in the fanciest restaurants, people rarely tip more than 5-10%. A good rule of thumb is to leave an extra €1 for every €20 spent. Rather than adding gratuity to your credit card slip, leave coins in the tray where the check was presented to ensure that your waiter receives it.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
