Castles & Kings: London to Paris
Family activities from London to Paris! Go on a speedboat adventure on the River Thames and a bicycle ride adventure through the London Royal Parks. Enjoy lunch at the Eiffel Tower, go on guided visits in Paris to Notre Dame and Montmartre, and a scavenger hunt on a visit to the Musée du Louvre.
- 14 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners)
- All gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides & drivers
- Service charges, taxes, and porterage
- London "Spy Walk"
- Guided tour through the British Museum
- Private double-decker bus tour
- Tickets to a hit musical in London's West End theatre district
- Travel aboard the Eurostar train from London to Paris
- Scavenger hunt on a visit to the Musée du Louvre
Tour begins: 3:00 PM, The Royal Horseguards. Welcome to "merrie olde" England for the start of Tauck Bridges' fun and enriching London and Paris family vacation! A transfer is included from London's Heathrow Airport to The Royal Horseguards. Climb aboard one of London's signature double-decker buses for a private guided tour of this grand capital city, which you'll learn about on a four-night stay in the heart of it all at The Royal Horseguards, the former WWI-era headquarters of the British Secret Service. Get to know your fellow travelers at our welcome reception and dinner tonight.
The Tower of London is steeped in history and intrigue, having served as both a castle and a prison over the past thousand or so years. Meet the Beefeaters who watch over it and the famous ravens that live within its walls; see the Bloody Tower and the British Empire's priceless Crown Jewels; and join us for lunch at the Tower. But you'll explore more than history today, as you embark on a thrilling speedboat adventure* along the River Thames... then ride 450 feet above the city in a glass pod – a private one, thanks to Tauck Bridges – on the celebrated London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel! Tonight's dinner is a real Tauck Exclusive as you embark on a "progressive dinner" thought fashionable Soho. Explore many of Soho's most historical sites and landmarks led by an expert foodie guide – and enjoy food tastings at some of the best Soho restaurants where you'll meet the owners and hear their stories.
The home of English kings and queens for over 900 years, stately Windsor Castle is still a residence of the British Royal Family – and you'll tour this castle "fit for a queen" (or a king) today; seeing the exquisitely detailed Queen Mary's Dolls' House is a treat for children of all ages. As your exciting London and Paris family vacation continues this afternoon, join us on a bicycle ride* through the Royal Parks of London. After dinner on your own this evening, your family enjoys a special treat tonight... a performance of a hit show in London’s West End Theatre District!
Although two million years' worth of history and culture might be a little tough to see in one day, you'll get a taste of what the fascinating British Museum has to offer on a guided tour of this amazing place – housing the world's most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts, from maps to mummies and more, in nearly two-and-a-half miles' worth of galleries. Later, it’s spy versus spy on an afternoon "spy walk," where you'll become a secret agent and try to save the world... will you rescue the damsel in distress... and what about the white cat? A very fitting event for your last evening in your London hotel... where real spies of the British Secret Service roamed the halls a century ago during World War I!
Say "Cheerio" to London as you ride aboard the high-speed Eurostar train to Paris. You'll travel under the English Channel through the engineering marvel known as the Channel Tunnel (unofficially called the "Chunnel") – arriving in Paris before you know it. Your first taste of Paris is the special joie de vivre atmosphere of hilltop Montmartre, where poets, writers and artists have practiced their crafts for centuries; a guided walking tour may reveal them at work. Check into your hotel, right next to the Tuileries Garden, then join us for dinner at an authentic Parisian brasserie where you will experience a real taste of life in Paris!
Today takes you about an hour outside the city for a guided visit to Château de Versailles, built by King Louis XIV and the largest palace in Europe, revealing a realm of grandeur and riches beyond the imagination of the Montmartre artists of his time; it would cost more than $2 billion to build this sprawling palace complex today! Explore the opulent palace with a local guide and view the exquisite gardens, among the most extraordinary and famous in the world. Return to Paris, where your family enjoys a special treat – lunch at the Eiel Tower and a guided visit of the first floor. An afternoon sightseeing tour introduces you to landmark city sights; the evening is free to enjoy Paris as you wish.
Discover the treasures of one of the world's most famous museums this morning – Musée du Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s mysterious Mona Lisa, the 2nd-century Greek sculpture, Venus de Milo, and about 35,000 other works of art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century housed in this former palace – on a fun-filled guided scavenger hunt and tour with your family and new Tauck Bridges friends. Visit the Tuileries Garden, too. Since the 12th century, the fabled Cathedral of Notre Dame – built on the site of a Roman temple – has witnessed, and often been a part of, some of Parisian history's most momentous events. Look for gargoyles and imagine The Hunchback of Notre Dame high up in his bell tower, as you visit the majestic cathedral. Then spend some free time as you please in Paris this afternoon. Tonight, join us for our private, exclusive and magical farewell dinner – a perfect way to end your extraordinary London & Paris family vacation!
Tauck Bridges' family London to Paris tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Westin Paris – Vendôme to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for your flight check-in. Fond memories of your trip will linger long after you return home.
Castles & Kings: London to Paris, by by Tauck Bridges