The sparkle and bloom of London and Paris will make you smile, as is the annual flower show held in Chelsea. The most famous such show in the United Kingdom—perhaps the most famous
gardening event in the world—The Chelsea Flower Show is only held five
days in May bythe Royal Horticultural Society. During your tour, you'll enjoy art, architecture and ambiance, as you discover the lush and vibrant parks of these two beautiful cities.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - London
Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to London aboard an internationally recognized airline.
Day 2 - London
Welcome to London! After clearing customs and collecting your bags, transfer to your hotel by bus. They will be providing your transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for beginning your explorations of London. Meet your fellow group travelers at tonight’s Welcome Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner
Day 3 - London
There’s never enough time to see the many wonders of Europe’s largest city, but you’ll have the chance to scratch the surface today. Go explore on your own or opt to join a guided sightseeing tour of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and a stop outside St. James’s Palace, where you might glimpse the ceremonial Changing of the Guard (seasonal). Later join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle. You’ll also have time to stroll through the town of Windsor and have a look at Eton College, a prestigious prep school that both Princes William and Harry have attended.
Included meals: breakfast
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$85 USD |
London Sightseeing
A local guide leads you on a guided sightseeing tour of London, highlighting Westminster Abbey, Big Ben Clock tower, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and more.
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$85 USD |
Windsor Castle
Travel to Windsor for a guided visit to the world’s largest inhabited castle. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1070, Windsor has been the preferred royal retreat for the past 900 years and is still in use by the Royal Family.
Please note: Windsor Castle is occasionally closed when in use by the Royal Family; a visit to Hampton Court will be substituted when necessary.
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Day 4 - London
With another free day in London, spend time figuratively stripping away bricks, mortar and tarmac, when you set out to explore hidden parts of the capital: Soho, Covent Garden and Charing Cross. Both Soho and Covent Garden sustain vibrant local communities, while Marylebone’s pretty, village-like streets and quiet squares are one of London’s less-familiar treats.
You may also opt to join an excursion to Kew Gardens, one of the world’s leading botanic gardens. Here, you’ll see the world’s largest and most diverse collection of living plants, with over 40,000 different species. The Garden’s seven magnificent glasshouses, including the famous Palm House, display rare and unusual plants from across the world. You’ll also enjoy a guided tour of Kew Gardens and savor High Tea and a light lunch. But that’s not all. You’ll go “behind the scenes” and visit the Nursery, as well as have an answer and question session with one of the staff.
Later, join an optional excursion to one of Britain’s newest attractions, the London Eye, before dining out at a local pub.
Included meals: breakfast
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$115 USD |
Kew Gardens
Enjoy a full-day at Kew Gardens, one of the world¹s leading botanic gardens.
Here, you¹ll see the world's largest and most diverse collection of living plants, with over 40,000 different species. You¹ll also enjoy a guided tour of the gardens and savor High Tea and a light lunch, as well as visit the Nursery for an answer and question session with one of the staff.
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$115 USD |
London Eye & Pub Dinner
Glide through the London sky on the London Eye Ferris Wheel. In clear weather, you can see for 25 miles around the city center. Afterward, enjoy a mini-tour of London’s West End before venturing to a local pub for dinner.
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Day 5 - London
The Chelsea Flower Show is the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship annual event. Visitors come from far and wide to see the creme de la creme of garden design and horticulture on show, and to get ideas to take home to their own gardens. And now you can count yourself among them, since today is fully dedicated to this annual event that can only be described as the garden design equivalent of a catwalk at a fashion show. After all, it is here that plant breeders’ unveil new plants and the Great Pavilion provides the first glimpses of the newest horticultural gems.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Chelsea Flower Show
Day 6 - Paris
This morning, transfer to Saint Pancras. Here, you’ll board the Eurostar, Europe’s quarter-milelong, high-speed train that whisks passengers below the English Channel and resurfaces in France. Relax aboard comfortable, state-of-the-art transportation, arriving at Gare du Nord in Paris just three hours later. Upon arrival, a Go Ahead representative greets you and oversees check-in at your Paris hotel.
Included meals: breakfast
Day 7 - Paris
Paris is one of Europe’s most romantic and elegant capitals. Spend your free time today exploring the Latin Quarter or Luxembourg Gardens, where author Hemingway was inspired to write A Moveable Feast. Or join an optional guided sightseeing tour that introduces you to the historical and cultural landmarks of the City of Light. You’ll drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées, one of the world’s most celebrated avenues, and pass the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World’s Fair. Later, consider setting out on your own to explore the city’s wide range of excellent art museums, including— of course—the Louvre.
Or while away the afternoon on an optional excursion to Versailles, now the most magnificent château in all of France. Upon arrival, you’ll tour the impressive Gardens of Versailles. In 1979, the gardens, along with the château, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Situated to the west of the palace, the gardens cover some 800 hectares of land, much of which is landscaped in the classic French Garden style. In addition to the meticulous manicured lawns, you’ll marvel at splendid blooming flowers and sculpture fountains that are located throughout the garden.
Included meals: breakfast
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$69 USD |
Paris Sightseeing
An expert guide introduces you to the historic and cultural landmarks of the City of Light.
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$89 USD |
Versailles
It took 50 years and 35,000 workers to turn Versailles into the most magnificent château in all of France. On this excursion, you will see the palace in all its glory. Tour the State Apartments and the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Then stroll through the lavish gardens with their fine statuary, splendid fountains and colorful flowerbeds.
Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 45 days prior to departure.
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Day 8 - Paris
This morning, travel to Norman town of Giverny, where Claude Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. Here, you’ll view the workspace in which he fostered his great artistic inspiration. Absorb the intricate palette of colors that the “Father of Impressionism” so magically depicted in paintings—such as the Water Lilies series—as you stroll through the surrounding gardens. Later, join your Tour Director for an afternoon Gardens of Paris Walking Tour in which you’ll stroll through the Jardin des Plantes and Luxembourg Gardens. With over 400 public “green spaces” in Paris, a garden is never far away, offering a calm break from the bustle of the city. And with over one fourth of the total area of the city dedicated to parks, gardens and woods, Paris is arguably the greenest city in Europe. In the evening, opt to enjoy an Evening in Paris, as you take in all the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. After dinner at local restaurant, you’ll board a boat to cruise along the Seine, a perfect way to spend your last evening in Paris.
Included meals: breakfast
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$99 USD |
Evening in Paris
The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. After you dine, board a boat cruise along the Seine, an unforgettable experience. Coast along the water and under the many famous bridges of the Seine and take in the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris—including Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower—an enchanting sight
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Day 9 - Paris
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)