Delights of London & Paris (Winter Season)
10 Days from $2,012 per person
Two iconic European cities—one captivating cultural experience reflecting centuries of innovation, imagination and initiative. London and Paris vie for your attention on this leisurely vacation 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 view the royal residence of Windsor Castle.
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 on this leisurely vacation 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 view the royal residence of Windsor Castle.
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)
Embrace the pomp and pageantry of a city that combines the fascinating heritage of yesteryear with all the verve of a modern capital. Spend time strolling through the leafy Royal Parks, shopping up a storm on the trendy West End or visiting some of London's world-famous historic attractions or museums to gain a sense of a place that is certainly larger than life. This evening, we join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception.
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Day 3: London Sightseeing and Excursion to Windsor
London's iconic sights take center stage today during a half-day introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. See Big Ben, the imposing Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, before traveling to the town of Windsor with its vast Royal Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Spend the afternoon following in the footsteps of royalty. Explore over 900 years of royal history, amble through quaint streets of this historic market town or settle back at an authentic British riverside pub and enjoy delicious pub fare washed down with an ale.
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Day 4: 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 5: London
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the captivating sights and sounds of London. Ask your Travel Director for recommendations on how to spend your last day in the city or join one of several Optional Experiences. Delve into centuries of history and admire exquisite royal jewels at the Tower of London, meander through the stalls of Covent Garden or take a leisurely cruise along the Thames River. Spend the afternoon shopping on Bond Street and in Knightsbridge or consider joining your Travel Director at a lively restaurant and enjoy a West End show.
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Day 6: London – Paris (4 Nights)
Departing London, we travel through the lush green Kent countryside to board our ferry in Dover, watching the impressive White Cliffs disappear into the distance as we cross to France for the next four days. We pass the bloody World War I battlefields of the Somme en route to magical Paris where we will spend four nights.
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Day 7: Paris Sightseeing
The City of Light shines brightly today as our Local Specialist takes us on a sightseeing tour of Paris this morning. We'll view the grand Champs Élysées, Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, renowned for its tumultuous history, before ascending to the second level of the Eiffel Tower for a bird's-eye view of the capital. This afternoon is at leisure to soak up the sophistication of this beautiful city. Wander the charming streets of Montmartre and admire the imposing white domes of Sacre Coeur, enjoy a light-hearted picnic in the pretty Tuileries gardens or pay a visit to da Vinci's Mona Lisa at one of the world's most visited museums, the Louvre. This evening we indulge in a unique encounter with Parisian culture, enjoying a special Be My Guest experience in the City of Light.
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Day 8: Versailles Excursion
Join a Local Specialist today to explore the opulent Palace of Versailles—its splendor and beauty created to reflect the self-proclaimed majesty of King Louis XIV, the Sun King. See the exquisite sprawling gardens, the Hall of Mirrors with its impressive chandeliers and glinting mirrors and the quirky hamlet that Marie-Antoinette once used as a retreat from her royal lifestyle and to masquerade as a peasant. This evening we return to Paris to enjoy the city by night, or perhaps attend a colorful Parisian cabaret performance.
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Day 9: Paris
Spend the day at leisure delving into the sophistication and glamour of Paris on your own terms. Sample delicious French cakes at a local 'pâtisserie,' amble along the cobblestone lanes of trendy Le Marais or journey into the macabre underground catacombs dating back to the 19th century. On our last evening together in Paris, we join our travel companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner in the city.
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Day 10: Depart Paris
After breakfast, we bid our newfound friends a fond farewell as our memorable At Leisure vacation comes to a close. Return transfers will arrive at Charles De Gaulle airport at 8am and 10:30am. 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
- Valentine's Day
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 18 | 21 Oct 18 |
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$2,395pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 19 Oct 18 | 28 Oct 18 | $2,395$2,215pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 26 Oct 18 | 4 Nov 18 | $2,375$2,197pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 9 Nov 18 | 18 Nov 18 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 23 Nov 18 | 2 Dec 18 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 30 Nov 18 | 9 Dec 18 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 7 Dec 18 | 16 Dec 18 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 14 Dec 18 | 23 Dec 18 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Festive Celebrations
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21 Dec 18 | 30 Dec 18 |
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$2,475$2,289pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |
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Festive Celebrations
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28 Dec 18 | 6 Jan 19 | $2,495$2,308pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 11 Jan 19 | 20 Jan 19 | $2,225$2,058pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 25 Jan 19 | 3 Feb 19 | $2,225$2,058pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Valentine's Day
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8 Feb 19 | 17 Feb 19 | $2,175$2,012pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 22 Feb 19 | 3 Mar 19 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 8 Mar 19 | 17 Mar 19 | $2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 22 Mar 19 | 31 Mar 19 |
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$2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 29 Mar 19 | 7 Apr 19 |
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$2,295$2,123pp | Early PaymentPay by Aug 30 | Request Quote Book Now |
- Festive Celebrations: Christmas and/or New Year Celebrations have been arranged for these departures.
- Valentine's Day: This departure includes a alternate itinerary for Valentine's Day.
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 $84 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.
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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
-
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.
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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.
