Thames to the Seine
Highlights of England and France 12 Days
 
London – Stonehenge – Bath – Vimy – Normandy 
– Mont St. Michel – Chartres - Paris

Day 1 Begin our incredible journey. Overnight flight to London, England.

Day 2 Arrive in London. Our group is welcomed by our tour guide and escorted by private motor coach to our hotel. We are given a light introduction to the sights of London.

Day 3 Our London City tour includes the Tower of London (to see the Crown Jewels), the incredible British Museum (including the Rosetta Stone), Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, National Museum and more.

Day 4 Full day tour to Bath includes a visit to the ancient Pumphouse and Bath house. Touch the water that has been flowing here for almost 2 thousand years. The souvenir shops may sell Roman coins that are up to 1500 years old for a few dollars each! Admire the incredible spectacle of Stonehenge. The massive stones of Stonehenge were left here thousands of years ago and still remain in a shroud of mystery. The very first traces of civilization date back 5,000 years. Return to London exhausted by a very busy travel day.

Day 5 Depart for Northern France with our motor coach being transferred on Eurostar. Visit Vimy Ridge to see war trenches and famous war memorial and then travel to Rouen where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. The Cathedral here was painted by the wonderful artist Monet. Overnight Normandy area.

Day 6 Travel to Normandy landing beaches to see the spot where Allied Soldiers came ashore on D-Day and where you can still see the "Mulberries". The Arromanches War Museum is a fascinating chronicle of the invasion. Visit Bayeux where the immense Bayeux tapestry chronicles the invasion and conquest of England by the Normans in 1066. Bayeux is world famous for lace-making. Continue on to the fortress mountain abbey of Mont. St. Michel which is surrounded by water at high tide and a massive tidal plain at low tide.

Day 7 Mont. St. Michel is unique in all of Europe and many consider it the highlight of the tour. Walking through the corridors and narrow winding streets of this Gothic fortress/abbey, built on an island, is a fascinating step back into history. Depart to Chenonceau Chateau one of the most unique Chateaux in Europe. Chenonceau on the Cher was built over a river. It was home to Catherine Medici of Italy and Mary Stuart. Both grand ladies left their indelible mark here. In the grand winery of Monmousseau we see how a million bottles of bubbly wine are stored in the labyrinth of chalk cellars. Don’t lose your way!!

Day 8 Tour the Loire Valley with a stop in Orleans to visit the birthplace of Joan of Arc. Take a photo with her statue. Step into Chartres Cathedral where you can see the "Shroud of Mary" and the gorgeous stained glass windows. The color "Chartres Blue" was born in this Great Cathedral.

Day 9 Nine miles southwest of Paris is the Palace of Versailles which is one of the largest and most opulent Palaces ever built. Built by Louis XIV it took a half-century to build and features beautiful grounds, fountains and gardens. Transfer to Paris, City of Lights, for overnight.

Day 10 Enjoy a city tour that will see the world’s most famous museum, the Louvre (take photos of Mona Lisa), Jardins Tuileries, University District, Notre Dame Cathedral on the Isle de la Cite, and much more. Ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower for an incredible view of the most popular city anywhere.

Day 11 Enjoy a free day in Paris to shop and visit sights of interest. Walk over to the Champs Elysees or Montmartre, visit Musee D’Orsay or perhaps the gold-domed burial place of Napoleon Bonaparte (Les Invalides).

Day 12 We are transferred to Charles De Gaulles airport for departure home.