London and Paris

Two of the World’s Most Exciting Cities

London and Paris are two of the most incredible cities in the entire world. There is a never-ending bucket list of things to do in each – so much history, culture, diversity and character. Each is filled with a myriad of grandiose sites, from Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Harrod’s to the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. Yet the charm of London and Paris can lie in the quaint cobblestone streets, perfectly manicured parks, eclectic neighborhoods and great food.

With so many incredible options to experience, here is a core trip around which we can add sites, side trips, and whatever else desired to build a dream trip. One visit may inspire a lifelong love affair

Accommodations

Day 1

Upon arriving in London, you will be met by a driver who will take you to your hotel during your stay in the city. Once settled in, you will embark on a private orientation of the city in a classic Mini Cooper, including some the city’s less famous hidden gems – from quirky back streets of Covent Gardens to street art in the Leake Street Tunnel. Afterwards, you can return to your hotel for a vintage afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, mini cakes and freshly baked scones followed by a stroll through Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens.

Day 2

We suggest a spending the day visiting London’s most compelling sites, Buckingham Palace, including the fabulous Royal Mews, Big Ben and Westminster, including Abbey and the House of Parliament, the Tower Bridge and Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Harrod’s, the most famous department store in the world, and Madame Tussaud’s with it’s lifelike wax figures. You can walk between most of the sites, or, if you prefer, hop into one of London’s black cabs, which are a treat. A great way to finish the day, we can get great seats to show in one of London’s forty wonderful West End theatres.

Day 3

Amidst all of London’s impressive cultural offerings, the two most special are to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, housing an impressive collection of some of the world’s most recognizable paintings, and the enormous British Museum, the largest and most comprehensive collection of human history in the world. Choose one or both of the museums, and we can provide a guide which will help make each a truly memorable experience.

In the afternoon and evening, take time to explore some of the other more eclectic London offerings. Camden is a well known neighborhood in North London, home to goths, punk, rockabillies, street food and tourists alike. Portabello Road Market in beautiful Notting Hill contains London’s most extensive collection of antiques and some great people watching. The Churchill War Rooms are simply special. Soho, Picadilly Circus and Shorditch offer different styles of vibrant night life.

(Day Trip Options)
  • Have a personal driver take you to the The Cotswolds, which is as close to “Old World” England as you could hope for – rolling hills dotted with grazing sheep, thatched roof cottages and sturdy old structures made entirely of honey colored Cotswold stone. The towns and villages of the Cotswolds are pretty much English perfection. Visiting there is like going back in time.
  • Take an hour long train ride to Oxford, home since the 11th century to Oxford University, one of the oldest and most highly regarded colleges in the world, with 28 prime ministers, 69 Nobel Prize winners, and 160 Olympic athletes amongst its notable alumni. See Keeble College, one of the largest of the university’s colleges, University Church of the Virgin Mary with its beautiful tower that provides a great view from the heart of the city, Christ’s College, perhaps the most well known of the colleges, and historic Covered Market, opened in 1774 and best known for its numerous and varied food stalls.

Day 4

Travel on a morning train to Paris from London’s St. Pancras station. Your private driver will meet you there and deliver you to your hotel for your stay in Paris. A chocolate and pastry tasting tour in the famous St. Germain district will give you the energy for a visit to explore the famed Louvre at night with your own guide.

Day 5

In the morning, your private driver takes you to Versailles, where you can walk about the most storied chateau in France and its spectacular grounds. Your afternoon will be free time to walk through some of the city’s twenty arrondissements that spiral out from the city’s center. We recommend a stroll along the Seine River to one of the two islands within Paris to see Notre Dame de Paris and Sainte Chapelle, and then walk or take a quick taxi to the Musee d’Orsay, and its unsurpassed collection of Impressionist paintings.

Day 6

Begin the day with a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries, created in the mid-1500’s in Paris’ 1st arrondissement, and stop for lunch at one of the park’s many café’s. Then walk over to the Eiffel Tower, France’s most well known attraction designed for the centenary celebration of the French Revolution, for a private guided tour to see the unmatched views of Paris and learn the history of the immense structure. That night, take a private driving tour in a Classic French Citroen of Paris after dark, including the Arc de Triomphe, Montmarte, the Pantheon, Moulin Rouge, the Latin Quarter, Pont Neuf, and the Champs-Elysees

(Side Trip Options)

You will head to the train station for a three hour train ride from Paris to Bayeaux in Normandy. During your time in Normandy, you can experience a walking tour through historic Bayeaux. A private driver guide will take you on an emotional journey including Omaha Beach, the

American Cemetary, Saint-Mere-Eglise (the initial liberated French village), the Airborne Museum, Utah Beach, the British and Canadien landing sites and cemetaries.

Day 7

A private driver will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport.