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Destination > Europe > British Isles

The Best of England, France, and Italy

Day 1: Home - London

Depart today on your transatlantic flight bound for London.

Day 2: London (D)

Arrive in London, and after clearing customs, you will be transferred to your hotel. En route to the hotel, enjoy a panoramic tour of this city of pageantry and display, home of thinkers and speakers, birthplace of English drama, and where more than 40 theatres remain in operation year round.

Day 3: London (B, D)

Today enjoy your morning guided city walking tour. Stroll through Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly, Parliament Big Ben, Whitehall, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and more! Your afternoon is free to continue on your own and visit Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards, pop into Harrods for a little souvenir shopping, or visit the British Museum.

Day 4: Paris (D)

This morning, you will be transferred to the train station for your train to Paris, the city of perfume and charm, everlastingly beautiful and unchanged. No other city has lavished such energy and attention upon its music halls and cabarets with names such as “Opera Comique”. “Follies Bergere”, and “Casino de Paris” that are famous around the world. Upon arrival, you will transfer from the train station to your hotel and enjoy en route, a panoramic city tour including Les Grand’s Boulevard, L’Opera, Place de la Concorde, Les Champs Elysees, L’Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame. After you have settled into your hotel, you may wish to survey your surroundings or walk to the Latin Quarter. The remainder of the day is free to wander the narrow and colourful streets of Paris and to do some souvenir shopping.

This evening you may wish to ascend the Eiffel Tower for a spectacular night view of the city from atop this world famous landmark.

Day 5: Paris (B, D)

This morning your guide will escort you throughout the lively streets of Paris. Meander the Champs Elysse, marvel at the Arc de Triomphe, and then visit the magnificent gilded dome church where you will see the imposing Tomb of the Emperor Napoleon. The remainder of the day is free to visit Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum, shop, have lunch or a cappuccino at an outdoor cafe or just explore on your own the vibrant streets of this historic city.

Day 6: Paris (B)

This morning after an early breakfast, you will board your coach and head off for a morning excursion to Versailles to visit this creation of the French Monarchy at the time of its greatest splendour. Consisting of the great palace, the gardens, and the Trianons, it is a wonderful harmonious composition of building and landscape, a unique expression of the vitality of French art during the 17th -18th century. Between 1682 -1789, Versailles was the seat of government and France’s political capital. Today the Chateau of Versailles seems outrageously large but in 1682 when Louis XIV took up residence it housed about 15,000 noblemen, servants and hangers–on who moved in with Louis. After your guided tour of this magnificent chateau, return to Paris. The remainder of your day is free. This evening after dinner on your own, you will be transferred to the train station for your overnight train to Rome.

Day 7: Paris - Rome (D)

Arrive this morning in Rome and be transferred to your hotel. En route enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour covering the major archaeological monuments of Rome. The Forum was the city’s religious, political and commercial center in the days of Caesars. It was the colossal size of the Colosseum that gave it its name, but it was its games of bizarre cruelty that made this the most famous building in Rome. 50,000 people could be seated with enviable efficiency. The games were organized carefully; gladiators were recruited from the ranks of those condemned to death and war prisoners. During the years when Christians were literally thrown to the lions along with other “criminals”, Claudius used to arrive at dawn to see the spectacle. The Circus Maximus today is a long esplanade planted with flowers and is all that’s left of the Circo Massimo’s great chariot tract. During the reign of Trajan, it was a huge amphitheatre where 380,000 Romans might gather to watch and gamble on horse or chariot races. The Pantheon, with its original doors and ancient granite columns will not prepare you for the interior. The outside gives little hint of what’s to come – there is nothing like it in the world, the circular opening way on top comes as a shock. The immensity of the round space so high above the coffered ceiling around it is awe inspiring. Later settle into your hotel and then head outside to explore on your own. The remainder of this day is free for you to discover the wonders of Italy’s capital city. Don’t miss the legendary Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps or take the time to stop at a sidewalk café or to do some shopping. Dinner and overnight in Rome.

Day 8: Rome (B, D)

Begin your day today with a half day guided tour of this ancient city. No visit to Rome is complete until you have witnessed first hand the majesty of the Papal State, the Vatican. The Vatican is a city unto itself with its own postal service, radio station, newspaper and army. Your guide will ensure that you spend some time visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, the Vatican Museum and of course the Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s wonderful frescoes which took him 4 years to paint on the barrel vaulted ceiling. Then it will be off to stop and witness first hand the ruins of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The remainder of this day is free for you to perhaps visit one of the many catacombs found in this ancient city.

Day 9: Rome (B)

This day has been set aside for you to do with as you please.

Day 10: Rome - Home (B)

Arrivederci Roma. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Tour includes:

Return airfare
6 nights accommodation
Breakfast daily
5 dinners
Assisted airport transfers with panoramic sightseeing in London, Paris and Rome
Transfer to and from all train station and hotels in London, Paris and Rome
Guided walking tour of London, Paris and Rome
Train transfer to Paris
2 day metro pass in Paris
Entrance to Notre Dame Cathedral
Guided half day coach tour to Versailles
Entrance to Versailles
Guided tour of Versailles
Overnight train transfer to Rome with sleeping compartment
Entrances to Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Museum
Entrance to Colosseum
Entrance to Roman Forum
Airport transfer upon return home

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