Enjoy art, architecture and ambiance in London and Paris. Ride the underground to an English café then take a stroll through Hyde Park. See Da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, in Paris's Louvre and then see the famed Eiffel Tower sparkle when is lit up at night.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - London

Begin your vacation aboard a relaxing overnight flight bound for Great Britain.

Day 2 - London

Touch down in London, England’s magnificent capital.

After clearing customs and collecting your bags, transfer to your hotel by bus. They will be providing your transfer to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to unpack, settle in and begin your explorations of London.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight)

Day 3 - London

Over the next three days, you may choose to discover London on your own, or join one or more of our optional sightseeing excursions and planned activities—the choice is yours. Your tour director will be happy to provide suggestions or any information that you might need. You’ll find the city easy to navigate, on foot or by subway.

To better orient yourself, you may join this morning’s optional guided sightseeing tour. A panoramic bus tour takes you throughout the city, highlighting famous landmarks such as Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Downing Street, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. This afternoon, consider an optional excursion to Windsor Castle, the world’s oldest inhabited castle. Here you can see the royal collection of state treasures and walk through St. George’s Chapel (closed on Sundays).
Included meals: breakfast

$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.

$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.

Day 4 - London

Linger in the city today or take our optional journey to the British countryside. Visit Stonehenge, perhaps England’s most mysterious landmark. The origin and purpose of this ring of stones, which dates back 4,000 years, remains a mystery, though most believe it to have been a temple and observatory. The next stop is Bath, famous for its Georgian and Regency architecture.
Included meals: breakfast

$115 USD

Stonehenge & Bath Visit Stonehenge, perhaps England’s most mysterious landmark. The origin and purpose of this ring of stones, which dates from the Neolithic period (about 4,000 years ago), is unknown, though most believe it to have been a temple and observatory. Next stop is Bath, where your Tour Director shows you the town’s major sights.

Day 5 - London

Spend a final free day in London. Tonight, you might also opt to get a bird’s-eye view of London atop its newest and one of its most stunning attractions, the London Eye. This excursion includes dinner. 
Included meals: breakfast

$115 USD

Churches of London On a tour of London’s famed churches, visit St Paul’s Cathedral, globally renowned for its magnificent Dome and glittering mosaics. Continue on to Westminster Abbey, located near the Houses of Parliament. If time permits, conclude the day at St. Martin's in the Field. Please note: This excursion does not run on Sundays.

$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.

Day 6 - Paris

Transfer to St. Pancras Station, where you’ll board the high-speed Eurostar train to travel under the English Channel to Paris. Upon arrival, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to your hotel. 
Included meals: breakfast

Day 7 - Paris

Revel in two full free days to explore one of Europe's most romantic and elegant cities. Stroll along the Left Bank or through the Luxembourg Gardens. View the collections of the Louvre or the smaller Picasso Museum.

Or you might join a professional local guide for an optional sightseeing tour of the City of Light, featuring views of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Opera House, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral.

In the afternoon, consider taking an optional excursion to Versailles, the estate that Louis XIV designed to be the envy of royalty the world over. 
Included meals: breakfast

$69 USD

Paris Sightseeing An expert guide introduces you to the historic and cultural landmarks of the City of Light.

$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.

Day 8 - Paris

Wile away another free day in Paris by absorbing haute couture along the chic Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré. Or watch the artists sketching the passing scene in the hilltop Montmartre neighborhood.

Alternatively, join today’s optional excursion into the same French countryside that inspired Claude Monet to develop his Impressionist style. At Giverny, you’ll visit the studio and gardens of this celebrated artist (Seasonal April through October; During the off-season, an excursion to Chateau de Fountainbleau will be offered instead.).

Tonight, opt for our Evening in Paris with dinner at a local restaurant followed by a cruise along the Seine.
Included meals: breakfast

$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

$85 USD

Giverny The Norman town of Giverny was home to Claude Monet from 1883 until his death in 1926. 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 Giverny’s home and gardens. Please note: This excursion is seasonal and runs April through October.

$95 USD

Chateau de Fontainebleau Venture to Chateau de Fontainebleau for a guided tour. Today, this large French royal châteaux offers visitors a peek inside at its architectural treasures, paintings and the thousands of precious objects that are preserved within its walls. Please note: The excursion is offered from November through March.

Day 9 - Paris

A Go Ahead representative escorts you to the airport for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast

(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Great Britain and France, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements..

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to the United Kingdom and France. It is advisable to check with your health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in London and depart from Paris. Your transfer upon arrival in London is provided by Dot2Dot transfer service, and you can find them at a desk when you make your way through customs and baggage.
View airport map: http://www.goaheadtours.com/pdf/LHR_LGW_Terminal_Map.pdf

There is an included transfer on the high-speed Eurostar train from London to Paris. When traveling by train there may be times when you will have to handle your own luggage, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage.

All other transportation on London & Paris City Stay is by private motorcoach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the two cities by public transportation.

London’s tube system, consisting of 12 lines, needs no introduction. Tickets and passes can be purchased in singles or in bulk. London also has an extensive bus system.

Paris’ massive Métro is world-class, easy to navigate and efficient. Make sure to take time and look for the best deal on travel passes. Ask your tour director which one might work best. Often the daily passes are not actually the best deal.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised.

If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear.

Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!”

Currency

The British pound and the euro (in France) are the currencies you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.

We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities— both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.