A Tale of Two Cities

Day 1 – Depart USA

Fly through the night to England.

Day 2 – London

Welcome to London! Your TSA Tours representative waits at the airport to escort you to your hotel or homestay family.

Day 3 – London

On today’s London City Tour you will visit Westminster Abbey and see Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and other highlights of the largest city in Europe. Later, visit the British Museum where the history of civilization awaits you. Its vast collection includes Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman, British, Oriental and medieval antiquities. Among the major works on display is the Rosetta Stone. Discovered in Egypt in 1799, this tablet allowed linguists to finally decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics after thousands of years of mystery. Also on display are the Elgin Marbles, “stolen” from the Acropolis in Greece. These formidable panels, statues and sculpture provide a memorable Greek history and mythology lesson. Other highlights include a new collection of Egyptian mummies, the Lewis Chessmen, the Sutton Hoo Treasure, and an abundance of artifacts from Roman Britain.

Day 4 – London

Cross an actual drawbridge to the Tower of London. Originally constructed by William I in 1067, the Tower fortress was intended to dissuade citizens from revolution. The Tower has also housed the Royal Mint and served as a prison. Today it houses a noteworthy collection of royal and historical artifacts. Hear the spooky tales told by the Beefeaters and see the fabulous Crown Jewels, some of which date back to 12th century. Also on display is the Star of Africa in the Royal Sceptre. At 530 carats, the Star of Africa is the largest diamond in the world. Experience London at its best at tonight’s West End Theatre Performance.

Day 5 – London

Travel to Windsor Castle, weekend residence of the royal family and the largest castle still inhabited. Continue on to Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215.

Day 6 – Paris

Visit the Canterbury Cathedral, then cross the English Channel to Paris, via the Channel Tunnel.

Day 7 – Paris

Bienvenu à Paris! On your Paris City Tour see the magnificent Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Elysées, the majestic Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero, Les Invalides, Palais du Luxembourg, the Pantheon and the historic Latin Quarter. Continue to the Ile de la Cité and the Conciergerie and the Palais de Justice. Then on to the impressive Jardin des Tuileries and the stunning Place de la Concorde with its 3,300 year old Obélisque from Luxor. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral with its rose windows and collection of snarling gargoyles, and tour the Louvre. Originally constructed in 1200 as a fortress, the Louvre later served as the royal palace of monarchs and was a favorite haunt of Alexandre Dumas’ Musketeers. Today it is the largest museum on Earth, housing works of art such as da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the winged Victory of Samothrace and the exquisite Vénus de Milo. Later, visit the Palace of Versailles, home of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Take in the splendor of the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I. Stroll through the fabulous formal gardens and marvel at the luxury in which French royalty once lived.

Day 8 – Paris

Discover the magic of Paris with your advisors today. Option: Visit magnificent Chartres Cathedral on a tour with an expert guide. The sublime architecture of the cathedral is surpassed only by the sensational stained glass windows, which cover over 25,000 square feet and depict over 5,000 figures. This evening, enjoy a Bateaux Mouches Cruise along the romantic Seine. View the monuments of France from a unique perspective as you take in the brilliance of the lights of Paris after nightfall. Sail under the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, and the Petit Pont, the smallest bridge in the city. Glide between the Ile de la Cité and the Ile St.Louis, and be sure to make a wish as you pass under the Pont Marie.

Day 9 – Depart

Say au revoir to Europe. Board your flight and return home, with enough fantastic memories of Britain and France to savor for a lifetime!