Castles and Kings London to Paris

Walk in the footsteps of kings and queens as you explore London, followed by a Paris tour. See Britain's Crown Jewels, meet the Beefeaters at the Tower of London, and check out Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. Imagine living like a member of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle. See it all from the top of the London Eye, and go back to Dickens' London with a performance of Oliver! Ride a speedboat on the Thames and travel under the Channel on the Eurostar to Paris. Tour the Palace of Versailles, see the gargoyles at Notre Dame Cathedral, and have dinner on a cruise along the River Seine. Tauck's family London and Paris tour rocks!

Day 1 - See London by private double-decker bus
London and Paris tour begins: 3:00 PM, The Langham Hotel, London. Welcome to "merrie olde" England! A transfer is included from London's Heathrow Airport to The Langham Hotel, London. Climb aboard one of London's signature double-decker buses for a privately guided tour of this grand capital city, which you'll learn about on a four-night stay in the heart of it all. Get to know your fellow travelers at our welcome reception and dinner tonight.

Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Langham Hotel, London, England

Day 2 - The Tower, the Thames - and what's the London Eye?
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. But you'll explore more than history today, as you embark on a speedboat adventure along the River Thames, and ride 450 feet above the city in a glass pod on the celebrated London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel!

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Langham Hotel, London, England

Day 3 - Visit a castle fit for a queen, and go back to old London with Oliver!
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. There's no more fitting a story to see in a London West End theatre than Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" - taking you back to 19th-century London as you attend a performance of the classic musical Oliver! tonight on your London and Paris tour!

Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Langham Hotel, London, England

Day 4 - Mummies and more at the British Museum
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, you can choose an optional visit to the Churchill Museum and walk through the underground Cabinet War Rooms where Winston Churchill led Britain's war effort during World War II, or explore London on your own for the rest of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: The Langham Hotel, London, England

Day 5 - The Channel, the "Chunnel" and your Paris tour begins
As you say "Cheerio" to London and enjoy riding in First Class aboard the high-speed Eurostar train, it may be hard to believe that you're traveling under the English Channel. But you are - through the engineering marvel known as the Channel Tunnel (unofficially called the "Chunnel") - and at the end of your short train journey (in just a few hours) lies beautiful Paris! After an interesting Paris tour introduces you to highlights including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées, you'll check into your hotel bordering the Tuileries Garden, then join us for dinner at Montparnasse Tower, with phenomenal views of the city below.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Paris, France

Day 6 - A château fit for a king, a Paris tour highlight
An excursion outside Paris takes you on a 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. The rest of the day is free to see and do what interests you and your family the most in Paris.

Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Westin Paris, France

Day 7 - Notre Dame's gargoyles and Montmartre's artists
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 with a local expert on your Paris tour today. Savor 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. Spend some free time exploring on your own before joining us for a private, gala farewell dinner cruise on the River Seine as the lights of Paris twinkle around you - a perfect way to end your family's memorable London and Paris tour!

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Paris, France

Day 8 - Bid au revoir as your London and Paris tour ends
Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Westin Paris to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. You should allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for your flight check-in. Fond memories of London and Paris tour travel with you!

Meals: Breakfast

ACCOMMODATIONS

Night 1 - 4: The Langham Hotel, London
London, England

Located in the heart of London’s West End and ideally situated near Regent’s Park, The Langham Hotel, London is convenient to a wide array of museums, restaurants, and notable attractions. The décor of the comfortable guest rooms reflects traditional English style. The indoor swimming pool was once a bank vault and the gym offers state-of-the-art exercise equipment. The elegant Palm Court restaurant appears today just as it did when the hotel opened in 1865. Enjoy a cocktail in the quintessentially English Chukka Bar while you take in its sweeping views of Regent Street.

Night 5 - 7: The Westin Paris
Paris, France

Set in the center of Paris overlooking the Tuileries Gardens and the Eiffel Tower, The Westin Paris offers your family the ideal idyllic retreat – an oasis of tranquility in the midst of one of the world's most exciting cities. Newly decorated, sumptuously appointed guest rooms represent a perfect balance between traditional Parisian and contemporary design elements – reflecting the highest quality of handmade craftsmanship in every detail from the furnishings to the floral arrangements. Each guest room features The Heavenly Bed®, air conditioning, television with satellite channels, in-room movies, voicemail, safe, mini bar, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers and deluxe bath amenities. Other hotel features include the WestinWORKOUT Gym, a world-class spa, business center, available in-room spa services, fine dining in the elegant Le First restaurant, outdoor dining at La Terrasse, and the warm, inviting Tuileries Bar.

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, First Class accommodations on the Eurostar, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of the Tour Director, local guides and drivers are included. A representative will meet you at London Heathrow Airport and provide transportation to the Langham Hotel, London, regardless of the date or time of your arrival, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour. Arrangements may also be made for the Tour Operator to provide you with transportation from London Gatwick Airport to the Langham Hotel, London for an additional fee of $25.00 USD. The Tour Operator will also provide transportation from The Westin Paris to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on the day of your departure.

Child Discount – Children 11 years of age and younger may receive a discount on the tour price. To qualify for a child discount, the child’s birth date must be provided at time of booking. No child discount is offered on the Travel Protection plans.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort. Adjacent and connecting rooms are available by request only and cannot be guaranteed. Quadruple accommodations are not available for four persons 18 years of age and older rooming together. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tour Director – Castles & Kings: London to Paris is conducted by a Tour Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tour Director is a professional, fully trained employee of the Tour Operator.

Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staffs, local guides and drivers, and the Tour Director are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tour Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. – Airfare may be purchased from the Tour Operator for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through the Tour Operator. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the Protection Plan for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, individual airport transfers and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.