Best of London & Paris by Rail

Arrive in London and transfer on own to your conveniently located hotel, the 4-star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London Hyde Park. This hotel has an unbeatable location near all the best shopping and sightseeing destinations in London. Spend the afternoon exploring the boutiques of Sloane Square or High Street Kensington or get acquainted with the wonderful museums that lie within walking distance of the hotel. This evening join your fellow travelers and Tour Manager at the hotel restaurant for a welcome dinner. Overnight London.

• Dinner

We board the train today at London Waterloo for our journey to Windsor Castle. Along the route, marvel at views of the Chelsea Bridge, the Royal Hospital and Battersea Power Station, as well as at the charming suburbs that frame London. The train crosses the River Thames before entering the antique city of Windsor, where cobbled streets and Tudor-style buildings pave the way to the world's largest inhabited castle. The route takes just under an hour to complete, and while we travel, we are served a delicious English brunch, including champagne. On arrival in Windsor, you are free to soak in the history and culture at your own pace. Your time in Windsor also includes a self-guided visit to Windsor Castle, built in the 11th century and a residence to British royalty for more than 900 years. Intricate details can be found in each room, from the moldings on the walls to the artwork and furniture. You may take the Ceremonial or Historic Route through the State Apartments, visit the Semi-State Rooms and see St. George's Castle, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married. Leaving the castle, you may walk on the Long Walk, a 2 1/2-mile tree-lined path that leads to Windsor Great Park. Later this afternoon, we return to London for dinner and an evening at leisure. Overnight London. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your first full day in London commences with a guided tour through the city. Enjoy glimpses at the city's most beloved landmarks, including Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, during the 4-hour excursion. While exploring, your expert guide recounts the history of London and offers interesting anecdotes about the destination along the route. 

Take the afternoon at leisure to continue sightseeing at your own pace. You may wish to venture to Piccadilly Circus to see the contrast of antique buildings and colorful screens or to ride on the Eye of London for a bird's eye view of the city. If it is a dose of nature you desire, seek out one or all of the four Royal Parks in the city: Hyde Park, St. James' Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens. Overnight London. 

• Breakfast

We are off to an early start this morning as we venture to the Tower of London for the Opening Ceremony. Watch as the Chief Yeoman Warder and his military escort make their way to the outer gate of the Tower to unlock it for the day's visitors. The keys are as impressive as the ceremony itself, carried upon a large iron ring. You have some free time to explore the Tower of London or the surrounding area before we transfer to the waterfront for a cruise on the River Thames. A delicious, multi-course lunch is served as our ship takes us past many of London's highlights, including the Tower Bridge, the Eye of London, Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament. Audio commentary noting the spectacular sights also accompanies the 90-minute cruise. 

Back on dry land, finish your afternoon with time to sightsee independently. Peruse the exhibits of the British Museum or discover the masterpieces that lie within the National Gallery. You may wish to wander along Oxford Street, where there are approximately 300 unique shops and boutiques to explore, or to visit the vibrant neighborhood of Camden. Overnight London. 

• Breakfast, Lunch

Departing London, we transfer to the train station to board our Eurostar train headed to Paris. The 300-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours to complete, and the high-speed train travels at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour. On arrival in Paris, we transfer to the Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffel hotel, our luxury accommodations for the next three nights. The hotel is located a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower and is within walking distance of the Avenue Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Take the afternoon to settle into your surroundings and get acquainted with the world's most romantic city ahead of dinner tonight at a local restaurant. You may wish to visit the iconic Eiffel Tower or to visit the Louvre Museum. Walk to Notre Dame Cathedral and stand in awe of this imposing structure - an exquisite example of French Gothic architecture. Overnight Paris. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

The best of Paris awaits your discovery on this morning's motorcoach tour of the city. Enjoy looks at the most beloved landmarks in Paris while traveling throughout the city and marveling at the superb historical architecture. Take the afternoon at leisure to continue your explorations in the City of Love. Stroll through the verdant surroundings of the Luxembourg or Tuileries Gardens. Stop at an alfresco café for a bite to eat or a cup of coffee surrounded by French ambiance. For a unique experience, visit the Catacombs of Paris, a network of underground tunnels that hold the remains of millions of people. Overnight Paris. 

• Breakfast

Taste your way through the culinary heritage of France alongside your intimate group of fellow travelers. Today's adventure takes us to Le Marais, one of Paris's trendiest neighborhoods, where a guided tour presents the best of Parisian cuisine. We set out on foot, making stops at restaurants and storefronts to sample their offerings, which range from coffee and croissant to cured meats. Taste fresh cheese and flaky French pastry. Learn the correct way to eat a baguette. Savor wine, delicate chocolates and macarons. Following the tour, you are free to continue your gastronomic explorations in Marais independently or continue to explore the city's fascinating sights and activities at leisure.  

Later this evening, recall your favorite memories from our journey during our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Tell stories and reminisce while feasting on a delectable three-course meal. Overnight Paris. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your European expedition concludes this morning after breakfast. 

• Breakfast