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Martha and I are pleased to share our London/Paris experience with you. This was my third time to London and first to Paris. It was Martha's first for both. The trip was fantastic. We owe a huge thanks to Martha's grandparents, Joan and Howard, who made the whole trip possible. We hope you enjoy the pictures. You will find Quick Links below to our top selections or, if you would like to see all 550 pictures, you can view the Complete List. Kevin & Martha Quick Links |
Saturday, June 2, 2007 (Day 0)
Chicago
We began our journey with a trip to Chicago. We met up in Indiana for lunch and drove to Jeff's house, where we left our vehicles and shared a "limo" to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Boy, was it a bumpy ride. The seats in the terminal were actually comfortable in comparison. Anyway, the trip went of without a hitch. We departed ORD in the evening and arrived in London the next morning.
Sunday, June 3, 2007 (Day 1)
London
Check out our favorite pics (28) from day 1.Our London tour began at London's Heathrow Airport approximately one hour after our arrival. We boarded our Tauck Tours bus and saw a bit of the city on the way to the Langham Hotel London. At the hotel, Tauck served us a welcome lunch and gave us an orientation before we checked into our rooms and got settled. After a brief rest, we boarded the bus again for a brief tour of the City of London. We saw landmark sites such as Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. For dinner, Tauck had prepared a special welcome reception to anaugurate our Week in London and Paris. It was to be a dinner cruise aboard a private boat on the River Thames! Unfortunatly, there were some last-minute complications and we had to remain docked. We weren't able to actually cruise the river. We found out later that the ship's captain had actually died in an accident/assault. A bit of a somber way to begin the trip, but it also put things in perspective. Maybe we stopped a little longer to appreciate life in addition to the exquisite experience.
News - Brothers charged after boat death
News - Family's tribute to dead captain
Monday, June 4, 2007 (Day 2)
Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey
Check out our favorite pics (46) from day 2.Travel to Windsor Castle, home of the British royal family for over 900 years. See St. George’s Chapel, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England; Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, an exquisite miniature palace; and the Baroque State Apartments (if available). Upon your return to take a guided London tour of Westminster Abbey and view the extraordinary medieval architecture and art collection. You can pursue your own interests in London for the remainder of the day.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Langham Hotel, London, England
Windsor Castle:
The Royal Collection - Windsor Castle
The Royal Residences - Windsor Castle
Westminster Abbey
Wallace Collection
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 (Day 3)
Tower of London, the London Eye, high tea & the theatre
Check out our favorite pics (92) from day 3.On your third day in London tour the Tower of London to see the British Crown Jewels, followed by a completely different view of the city when you soar 450 feet above it on the world’s highest observation wheel, the British Airways London Eye. Enjoy one of England’s great pleasures, a traditional high tea at a famous London hotel (Savoy), prior to attending a theatre performance of Wicked in the West End. This is a day that is filled with London tour highlights!
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Langham Hotel, London, England
Tower of London
British Airways London Eye
Tate Moder
St. Pauls Cathedra
Savoy
Wicked
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 (Day 4)
British Museum & Salisbury
Check out our favorite pics (170) from day 4.Take a guided tour of the British Museum, the country’s largest museum; it contains the Rosetta Stone, mummies, and sculptures from the Parthenon, as well as vast collections of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities. Spend your free afternoon in London pursuing your own interests, whether they are visiting famed gardens, museums, or historic sites.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Langham Hotel, London, England
British Museum
Stonehenge
Salisbury Cathedral
National Rail
Transport for London (tube, rail, buses, etc)
Wilts & Dorset
Thursday, June 7, 2007 (Day 5)
London tour ends – take a first-class train to Paris
Check out our favorite pics (53) from day 5.From London tour the pleasures of Paris! Travel First Class aboard Eurostar, a high-speed train which makes the London-to-Paris journey in just three hours, crossing under the English Channel. View landmark attractions in Paris, and enjoy dinner at a Parisian restaurant boasting great views.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, Paris, France
First-Class Eurostar to Paris
Travel aboard the sleek Eurostar from London to Paris through the famous Chunnel below the English Channel. You will be served brunch onboard the Eurostar. Three hours after boarding your train, you will arrive in Paris and begin a city sightseeing excursion to familiarize yourself with this lovely city. Arrive at your centrally located hotel (InterContinental Paris LeGrand) by late afternoon. Tonight, you will dine at a restaurant with magnificent views of Paris!
Eurostar
InterContinental Paris LeGrand
City of Paris
Le Ciel de Paris
Friday, June 8, 2007 (Day 6)
Versailles & Montmartre
Check out our favorite pics (74) from day 6.Take in King Louis XIV’s extravagant 17th-century palace, Château de Versailles. See the ornate State Apartments decorated with gold and marble, and exquisite formal gardens. Meet the granddaughter of Gaston Leroux, author of The Phantom of the Opera, over lunch at a Parisian restaurant - Le Fauteuil Hante. Explore the winding streets of Montmartre, made famous by artists, poets, and the Moulin Rouge cabaret.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, Paris, France
Kenny & Diana: are going to take the over night train on June 7th from Florence to Paris getting into Paris at 9:00 am on June 8th. We will go around the city doing our own thing during the day... then check into our hotel... address below... I found one not too far from where you are staying, we can meet up for dinner then drinks out on the town... The next day we have all day (until around 7pm.) then we are going to catch the over night train back to Florence. Keep us posted as things get closer to June... we are really looking forward to meeting to you guys!
Louvre Richelieu
51, rue de Richelieu
Paris, France 75001
Phone : +33-1-42974620
Journey outside the city of Paris to Chateau de Versailles, Louis XIV’s home built during the 15th century. See the gold and marble State Apartments, as well as the impressive 17 mirrors and windows in the unique Hall of Mirrors. Enjoy a walk through the formal gardens that are considered to be the finest in France. Return to Paris for lunch at a restaurant in Montmartre. Following lunch, join us for a guided walking tour of Montmarte, the famous artist community set high on a hilltop with fantastic views of the city. The walk in this charming area’s winding, cobblestone streets is sometimes on hilly, uneven terrain, so make sure to have good walking shoes on this day to enjoy the visit to the utmost. You have the evening free to treat yourself to the wonderful experience of fine French cuisine at a nearby bistro or cafe.
Versailles
Montmartre
Le Fauteuil Hante
Saturday, June 9, 2007 (Day 7)
Mona Lisa at the Louvre
Check out our favorite pics (86) from day 7.Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa greets you with a shy smile at the Musée du Louvre, showcasing some of the world’s most famous masterpieces. French Impressionist paintings are among the most popular of the vast collections. Pursue your own passions in Paris in the afternoon. Enjoy an evening farewell dinner cruise on the Seine River, passing the twinkling lights of the Paris skyline.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: InterContinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, Paris, France
This morning, you will experience one of Paris’s legendary icons – Musee du Louvre. This former royal fortress is one of Europe’s premier museums, with one of the world’s most famous collections of art, sculpture and antiquities. The afternoon is at your leisure. Continue your own exploration of this glorious city with over 500 museums, fashionable shops and architectural masterpieces. We invite you to join us for a private dinner cruise this evening on the River Seine as we bid farewell to Paris.
Musee du Louvre
Musee d'Orsay
Notre Dame
Sunday, June 10, 2007 (Day 8)
Au Revoir, Paris
Your Paris and London tour ends at Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport 2 1/2 hours before the departure of Tauck-selected flights. If you are departing at a different time, you must secure your own transportation to the airport.Meals: Breakfast
Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport
