London & Paris: dynamic European capitals

Heathrow Airport - London

Day 1: Welcome to London!

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. Then, prepare to embark on a private black cab tour of London - an exciting way to begin your adventure!

This is the best way to see London on your first day. With your own personal driver-guide, you'll see London at your own pace. Stop to take photos whenever you like, and decide for yourself how long you want to spend at each attraction. This two-hour sightseeing tour (which can be taken by day or by night) hits all the must-see sites, including the Tower of London, Harrods, the London Eye, and Downing Street.

London

Day 2: The secrets of the British Museum

After breakfast, make your way to the British Museum. You'll join a small group tour led by an archaeologist, starting with a thorough overview of how the British Museum came into existence by visiting the Enlightenment Gallery, formerly known as the King’s Library - the first part of the new museum building as it is seen today.

Learn about how the discipline of archaeology evolved - in this very room! - from the work of Antiquaries. You'll also learn how art history was born here with the study of Ancient Greek sculptures and vase paintings, and how Greek art set the standard for fully-evolved art.

You'll then have the afternoon at leisure, to spend however you wish. If the weather is fine, why not counterbalance those hours indoors with a picnic in Hyde Park?

London

Day 3: Witness the monumental Changing of the Guard

After breakfast, make your way to your meeting point to witness the Changing of the Guard - a quintessentially touristy yet essential experience when in London. Your guide will ensure you're in the best position to see the extraordinary ceremony, while avoiding the crowds at the gates of Buckingham Palace. Rather than standing still for hours, you'll see various stages of the ceremony, including the inspection, Old Guard, New Guard, and even march alongside the Guards and Ceremonial Bands!

After the tour has come to an end, you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy at your own pace, soaking up more iconic sights or perhaps enjoying some retail therapy.

London

Day 4: Take a secret food tour of London Bridge

After breakfast, make your way to your meeting point for another fascinating experience: a London Bridge Secret Food tour!

Your guide will take you to Borough Market to soak up the buzzing atmosphere and feast on English fudge and chocolate. This foodie paradise wasn't even on the tourist map a few years ago; your guide will explain the history of the market and its surrounding areas, including Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind and the Shard.

See the world-famous London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the River Thames, before ending the tour with a feast of classic desserts, all washed down with a pot of refreshing tea. The afternoon will then be free for you to make the most of what London has to offer.

London - Paris

Day 5: On to charming Paris!

After breakfast, head to St Pancras International Station to catch the Eurostar, taking you under the Channel to Paris. There, you will be transferred to your centrally-located hotel for check-in and time to relax.

Then, make your way to a meeting point for an epic afternoon out, enjoying a skip-the-line Eiffel Tower visit, followed by a panoramic city tour by coach and an hour-long river cruise. This is an easy way to discover the capital's famous sights and monuments. From the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, be sure to take all the time to soak up breathtaking views of the city.

The city's best-known sights will be at your fingertips: Place Vendôme, the Opera House, the Pantheon, the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens, the Orsay Museum, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, and more!

Paris

Day 6: Take a French market cooking class

After breakfast, make your way to a chef’s kitchen in Paris, for a very special cooking class. You'll begin by visiting a French market with a professional chef as your guide, learning how to choose the best quality, fresh seasonal ingredients. Then, your expert chef will help you create a delicious four-course menu, which you'll get to feast on afterwards.

You'll have the rest of the day to spend at leisure afterwards, seeking out the many sights of Paris, a city steeped in romance, culture and history.

Paris - giverny - Paris

Day 7: Take a day trip to Monet's home

After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to Giverny, home to the manor and beautiful gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet.

With a guide by your side, experience the world of this supremely talented artist, famed for his landscape paintings. Admire the fairy-tale water lily pond with its show of light and colors, as well as the legendary Japanese bridge. Then, learn all about the painter's daily life by visiting his home and studio.

The return trip to Paris will take you via the Route des Crêtes to Vétheuil. Soak in the exceptional panoramas over the Seine, as well as the authentic and picturesque countryside as it rolls on before your eyes. You'll pass by extremely beautiful villages hewn out of rock, such as La Roche-Guyon.

Paris

Day 8: Visit the legendary Louvre Museum

After breakfast, make your way to the Louvre, meeting your guide near the entrance. Break the typical tourist mold by joining a private small group tour, with a certified expert and passionate art aficionado by your side.

In just two hours, you'll see more of the Louvre than most experience in an entire day. You won’t wait in line, and you’ll discover much more than just the clichés, exploring a surprising side of art history that’s both fun and accessible to all. Learn the secrets of Da Vinci, Delacroix, the ancient Greeks, the Italian Renaissance, and so much more amid a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. Then, once the tour has come to an end, you'll get to spend the afternoon at leisure in Paris.

Paris - Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport

Day 9: Au revoir, Paris!

After breakfast, enjoy your private transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home or to your next destination. Have a safe trip and be sure to visit again!