London and Paris tour is an exciting journey through the annals of time, where different chapters of history come to life around every corner. Picture yourself ruling England from inside Windsor Castle... but don't wind up a "prisoner" in the Tower of London. Take a bike ride through the Royal Parks, and stay stealthy on a spy walk. Ride a double-decker bus... the London Eye in a private capsule... and a speedboat on the Thames! Then cross the English Channel aboard the Eurostar for more historic adventures in Paris. Step into the 17th century at the opulent Palace of Versailles... discover the Louvre's treasures on a scavenger hunt tour... see street artists at work in Montmartre... and visit Notre Dame Cathedral, from which Quasimodo gazed out over Paris in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and a "living" witness to over seven centuries of Paris' history.

Day 1 See London by private double-decker bus
Meals D
Tour begins: 3:00 PM, The Royal Horseguards. Welcome to "merrie olde" England for the start of your enriching London and Paris tour! 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.

Lodging The Royal Horseguards

Day 2 The Tower, the Thames – and the London Eye
Meals B, L, D
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... then ride 450 feet above the city in a glass pod – a private one, thanks to the Tour Operator – on the celebrated London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel! Dinner tonight is in a real London pub.

Lodging The Royal Horseguards

Day 3 A castle fit for a queen, a bike ride & a West End show
Meals B
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 tour continues this afternoon, join us on a bike ride through the Royal Parks of London, followed by a special treat tonight on Drury Lane in London’s West End Theatre District... a performance of The Wizard of Oz!

Lodging The Royal Horseguards

Day 4 Mummies at the British Museum & a spy walk
Meals B, L
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 back during World War I!

Lodging The Royal Horseguards

Day 5 The Channel, the "Chunnel" and amazing Paris
Meals B, D
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. Upon arrival, a Paris tour introduces you to landmark city sights including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées. 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!

Lodging The Westin Paris

Day 6 A château fit for a king & a Louvre treasure hunt
Meals B, L
Today's Paris tour 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. Back in Paris after lunch at a café, discover the treasures of the Musée du Louvre on a fun-filled guided scavenger hunt tour with your family and new friends.

Lodging The Westin Paris

Day 7 Notre Dame's gargoyles and Montmartre's artists
Meals B, D
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 free time exploring on your own before joining us for our private, festive farewell dinner – a perfect way to end your family's extraordinary London and Paris tour!

Lodging
The Westin Paris

Day 8 Bid au revoir to Paris as your journey concludes
Meals B
This family London to Paris 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 3 hours for your flight check-in. Fond memories of your London and Paris tour will linger long after you return home.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Nights 1 - 4 :The Royal Horseguards - London, England
Just yards from Westminster and Downing Street in the historic heart of London, The Royal Horseguards was the headquarters of the British Secret Service during the First World War. Spacious, sumptuously furnished guest rooms reflecting the Victorian age in this historic hotel offer up-to-the-minute amenities like an iPod docking station with Bose surround sound, an electrical plug built into the in-room safe so you can charge your laptop while keeping it safe, plasma-screen TV in the bedroom and the bathroom and free BT Openzone wireless Internet access as well as a minibar, Egyptian linens, and coffee and tea making facilities. If you still have energy to spare after a busy day in London Town, visit the hotel’s gym offering a complete range of cardiovascular fitness equipment and weights. The Terrace, offering alfresco dining, is a peaceful oasis in the midst of the busy city while the Equus Bar, which has a wide array on interesting non-alcoholic refreshments such as Equus Cola made from a top-secret recipe, as well as traditional and contemporary cocktails, is reminiscent of the kind of “gentlemen’s club” of which upper-crust Englishmen were so fond in days gone by.

Nights 5 - 7 : The Westin Paris - Paris, France
Situated in the heart of Paris near the Tuileries Gardens and the Eiffel Tower, The Westin Paris offers an ideal, idyllic retreat – an oasis of tranquility right in the center of one of the world's most exciting cities. Newly decorated, stylishly 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, minibar, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers and deluxe bath amenities. Other hotel features include the Westin WORKOUT 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.

INCLUDED
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, First Class accommodations on the Eurostar, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, porterage and the services of the Tour Director, local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports or St. Pancras or Waterloo Train Stations to The Royal Horseguards is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour. If you are arriving into another local train station please retain a receipt for the transfer and submit it to your Tour Director for reimbursement. Transportation from The Westin Paris to the Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports or the Paris train station is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other guests.

Child Pricing - Children less than 18 years of age must be booked in a room with at least one adult; exceptions may be granted under certain circumstances with parental consent. Quadruple accommodations are not available for four persons 18 and older. To qualify for a child discount, the child’s birth date must be provided at time of booking. Travel Protection is not discounted for children.

Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.

Please note that we cannot guarantee adjacent, adjoining or connecting rooms. We will do all that we can to secure rooms next to one another or connecting when possible. A hotel may consider “adjacent” to be across the hall. For safety and security purposes, at time of booking, room accommodations for children under 18 year of age must be made in the same room as a an accompanying adult; exceptions may be granted under certain circumstances with parental consent.

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.

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
Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. – Airfare may be purchased from us 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 us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Train and airport transfers are included for these extended stays as described above under Inclusive Prices. If you wish to spend additional nights, please discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or travel 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 Tour Travel Protection Product that will be offered at time of booking for more information.

Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
•Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
•Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
•Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
•Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
•Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
•File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
•Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
•Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

Your Tour Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.

Personal Expenses such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Prices
Land price from approx $4,290 US per person double occupancy