Majestic London & Paris

Depart for London

Your journey begins on an overnight transatlantic flight from the United States to the United Kingdom. If the sun is out and the weather is clear, you’ll have spectacular views of the River Thames as your plane descends into London!

Arrive in London

If you purchased airline tickets through YMT Vacations, a friendly representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. Settle into your centrally-located hotel, which is within walking distance to several great restaurants and cafes. The afternoon and evening are yours to relax so why not take a stroll through the bustling streets of your home for the next several days? This evening, enjoy a delicious included three-course Welcome Feast at the hotel. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers, companions for the trip and possibly friends for life! (D)

London Sightseeing

Savor a delicious breakfast before stepping out into London for a city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. See the Tower of London, Big Ben, and Piccadilly Circus; and take a tour of the world-famous coronation site of Westminster Abbey. Stop for photos and a short walking tour at Buckingham Palace, and then cross the street for a private high tea at the historic Palace Hotel overlooking the Royal Mews. The refined afternoon snacks will include delicate sandwiches, pastries, and cakes, as well as coffee, and perfectly prepared cups of fine English tea. (B, high tea)

Windsor Castle

Today you’re in for a treat—Spend the day at Windsor Castle, the stunning British residence that has housed English queens and kings since the time of Henry I. Home to Britain’s reigning monarch for over 1,000 years, Windsor is the largest and longest-occupied palace in Europe. With grounds and a castle covering 13 stunning acres, its Georgian, Victorian, and Gothic architectural features makes it one of the most beautiful palaces in all of Europe. Enjoy a self- guided tour, followed by free time for lunch and shopping on your own in the historic neighboring town—also called Windsor—the quintessential British market village. (B)

Eurostar Train to Paris

Today, board the famous Eurostar train and head to Paris! This high-speed railway will transport you on a journey across empires that takes approximately 2 ½ hours. En route, travel through one of history’s most expensive and ambitious construction projects, the Channel Tunnel. The Chunnel, as it’s called, took 6 years and $21 billion to complete—and it takes riders an average of 150 feet beneath the choppy waters of the English Channel from London to Paris. After your arrival in Paris, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments at an included welcome reception at your hotel. Your first night in Paris is then yours to experience at your leisure. (B, light hors d’oeuvres)

Paris City Tour

Start your day with a tour of Paris, the world- famous City of Light! Take in the sights as your motor coach ventures past Bercy, home to France’s Finance Ministry and Bercy Village, an entertainment district with shops and restaurants in former wine warehouses; the F. Mitterrand National Library; the Bastille, an impressive fortress; and the Marais, an exciting fashion district filled with boutiques, galleries, and bars. You’ll also see the Latin Quarter, the chic St. Germain area, the iconic Louvre Pyramid, the Opéra Garnier, admission to Fradonard, Place Vendôme, and the Place de la Concorde. Even more Paris highlights you’ll discover during your drive include the Champs- Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Trocadéro, and of course, the famous Eiffel Tower. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the city, or a nice night in, at your own pace. (B)

Château de Fontainebleau, Barbizon, and Château Vaux-le-Vicomte

Your last full day in Paris starts with a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau, one of France’s largest royal châteaux. The medieval palace served as a residence for many of France’s most influential monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III, and it is now a national museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a video-guided tour of the magnificent palace and free time for lunch on the beautiful grounds. Next, transfer to Barbizon, a charming village nestled on the edge of Fontainebleau forest. Here you’ll take a welcome tour and have leisure time to explore this village betwen two castles. Barbizon owes its fame to the several pre-Impressionist 19th century landscape painters that made the town home and captured the tranquility of this peaceful village, and the beauty of the surrounding nature. Perhaps you may decide to visit the Auberge Ganne during your free time here. A village landmark, the inn is where the artists used to meet, and is now home to the Musée Départemental de l’École de Barbizon, which charts the Barbizon artists’ lives and works. The day continues to the Château de Vaux- le-Vicomte. Built between 1658 and 1661, this baroque French château was an influential work of architecture in mid-17th-century Europe. The collaboration between the architect Louis Le Vau, the landscape architect André le Nôtre, and the painter-decorator Charles Le Brun marked the beginning of the “Louis XIV style” combining architecture, interior design, and landscape design. The garden’s pronounced visual axis is an impressive example of this style! Explore the château on your own during the visit, before returning to Paris for an included Farewell Feast. Raise a glass to your new friends and unforgettable memories over a delicious three-course meal. (B, D)

Depart for Home

Today you depart for home, leaving with a suitcase full of memories from your exquisite London and Paris tour! (B)

Depart for Paris

Your journey begins on an overnight flight

Arrive in Paris

If you purchased airline tickets through YMT Vacations, a friendly representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. Settle into your centrally-located hotel, which is within walking distance to several great restaurants and cafes. The afternoon and evening are yours to relax, so why not take a stroll through the bustling streets of Paris? This evening, enjoy a delicious included three-course Welcome Feast at the hotel. (B, D)

Paris

Start your day with a tour of Paris, the worldfamous City of Light! Take in the sights as your motor coach ventures past Bercy, home to France’s Finance Ministry and Bercy Village, an entertainment district with shops and restaurants in former wine warehouses; the F. Mitterrand National Library; the Bastille, an impressive fortress; and the Marais, an exciting fashion district filled with boutiques, galleries, and bars.

You’ll also see the Latin Quarter, the chic St. Germain area, the iconic Louvre Pyramid, the Opéra Garnier, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Trocadéro, and of course, the famous Eiffel Tower. Enjoy admission to Fradonard, Place Vendôme, and the Place de la Concorde. The evening is yours to relax and enjoy the city, or a nice night in, at your own pace. (B)

Château de Fontainebleau, Barbizon, and Château Vaux-le-Vicomte

Your last full day in Paris starts with a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau, one of France’s largest royal châteaux. The medieval palace served as a residence for many of France’s most influential monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III, and it is now a national museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next, transfer to Barbizon, a charming village nestled on the edge of Fontainebleau forest. Here you’ll take a welcome tour and have leisure time to explore this village between two castles.

The day continues to the Château de Vaux- le- Vicomte. Built between 1658 and 1661, this baroque French château was an influential work of architecture in mid-17th-century Europe. The collaboration between the architect Louis Le Vau, the landscape architect André le Nôtre, and the painter-decorator Charles Le Brun marked the beginning of the “Louis XIV style” combining architecture, interior design, and landscape design. (B)

Eurostar Train and Windsor

Take a trip through one of history’s most expensive and ambitious construction projects. The Chunnel took 6 years and $21 billion to complete—and it takes riders an average of 150 feet beneath the choppy waters of the English Channel from London to Paris on a 2 ½ hour journey across empires.

Continue to Windsor Castle, the stunning British residence that has housed English queens and kings since the time of Henry I. Home to Britain’s reigning monarch for over 1,000 years, Windsor is the largest and longest-occupied palace in Europe. With grounds and a castle covering 13 stunning acres, its Georgian, Victorian, and Gothic architectural features make it one of the most beautiful palaces in all of Europe. Enjoy a self-guided tour followed by lunch and shopping in the historic neighboring town, also called Windsor, the quintessential British market village. (B)

London

Savor a delicious breakfast before stepping out into London for a city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. See Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus, and take illuminating tours of the world famous coronation site of Westminster Abbey, as well as the Tower of London. The Tower is now known for housing the crown jewels, but on this tour, you’ll also learn about the imposing fortess’s gruesome history as an execution site. It was Henry VIII’s preferred final stop for several of his doomed wives.

Stop for photos at Buckingham Palace, and then cross the street for a private high tea at the historic Palace Hotel overlooking the Royal Mews. The refined afternoon nibbles will include delicate sandwiches, pastries, and cakes, as well as coffee and perfectly prepared cups of fine English tea. (B, High Tea)

Oxford

Take a panoramic and walking tour of Oxford, a city known around the world as the home of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious university. See the school and 1,100-year-old village, including Christchurch, Oxford Castle, and more of the famous halls and greens of Oxford University. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time in town, which is full of historic pubs where many of Britain’s sharpest minds bloomed.

Return to London and sit down for an included Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Depart for Home (B)