England and France
Two Fascinating Cultures, One great tour
12 Days to London – Bath – Stonehenge – Vimy – Normandy – Chartres - Paris

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

Day 2 Arrive in London, one of Europe’s great cities. 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 stepping inside 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 remains shrouded in 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 a famous war Memorial and then travel to Rouen where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Stand on the very spot where she spent her last breath. Can you feel her spirit? There is an amazing display of stained glass in the church nearby. The mighty Cathedral in Rouen was painted by the wonderful artist Monet. Overnight in the 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". See the famous Bocages inland where bitter fighting took place. 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 also world famous for lace-making. Continue on to the fortress mountain abbey of Mont. St. Michel. Overnight nearby.

Day 7 Mont. St. Michel is unique in all of Europe. 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 impressive Chenonceau Chateau one of the most unusual 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 will see how a million bottles of bubbly wine are stored in the labyrinth of chalk cellars.

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. See the Hall of Mirrors and the amazing large paintings of Napoleon's (and others) battles.  The treaty that ended World War One was signed here and it is interesting to note that the city of Paris (and environs) can no longer afford to continually run all the fountains here.  Transfer to Paris for overnight. Step out this evening for an unforgettable walk in a grand city.

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, Arc de Triomphe 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 shrine (Les Invalides), where we see the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

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