Your tour of London, Paris & Amsterdam will lead you through three of Europe’s great capital cities. Experience the majesty of London with a tour of its palaces and landmarks. Get swept away in the romance of Paris as you pass through its many graceful avenues and squares. Finally, end your journey in the intimate city of Amsterdam, known as the “The Venice of the North,” where you’ll be engrossed in culture and tradition.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - London

Begin your vacation aboard an overnight flight to London.

Day 2 - London

Arrive in regal London this morning. After clearing customs and collecting your bags, look for the the SkyShuttle Transfer desk. They will be providing your transfer to your hotel. After check-in, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore London at your leisure, including its wonderful array of relaxing parks and gardens. A welcome dinner is included this evening. (B in flight; D)

Day 3 - London

London’s landmarks are timeless, and you’ll see them all on this morning’s guided sightseeing tour. View the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Hyde Park and St. James’s Palace. This afternoon, opt for a visit to Windsor Castle, originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Later, soar 450 feet above the River Thames on an optional evening ride on the London Eye to view the bright lights of London. The excursion also includes dinner after the ride. (B)

$115 USD

London Eye and Dinner Experience one of Britain’s newest attractions, the London Eye Ferris wheel! The world’s highest observation wheel, the London Eye lifts its passengers 450 feet above the River Thames. In clear weather, you can see for 25 miles! After your ride, continue on to a nearby restaurant for an included dinner.

$85 USD

Windsor Castle A half-day excursion takes you to Windsor for a guided visit to the world’s largest inhabited castle.

Day 4 - London

With a free day in London, soak in history at the celebrated British Museum, or take an afternoon walk in Covent Garden, showcased in My Fair Lady. Or venture into the British countryside on an optional excursion to Stonehenge and Bath. The latter was the beautiful 19th-century retreat of England’s elite and retains its colorful Georgian architecture today. (B)

$115 USD

Stonehenge & Bath Visit Stonehenge, perhaps England’s most mysterious landmark. Next stop is Bath, famous for its Georgian and Regency architecture. After your tour director shows you the town’s major sights, visit the public baths for which the town is named.

Day 5 - Paris

Transfer to St. Pancras train station, where you’ll board the high-speed Eurostar train bound for Paris. After hotel check-in, you’ll have the afternoon to sample Parisian markets, shops and cafés before tonight’s included group dinner. (B, D)

Day 6 - Paris

Delight in all the charms of Paris this morning, as an expert local guide leads a sightseeing tour, giving you a panoramic view of the City of Light. You’ll see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House, Les Invalides, and travel past the chic shops and boutiques of the Champs-Élysées. You’ll also pass the spectacular cathedral of Notre Dame, whose massive interior can hold over 6,000 worshippers. This afternoon, continue discovering Paris on your own. You might visit its two most famous museums, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. The latter is housed in a former railway station built in 1900, and today contains an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work. Or join an optional excursion to Giverny (seasonal), home of artist Claude Monet, with its exquisite gardens. (B)

$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.

Day 7 - Paris

With a free day to immerse yourself in the Parisian joie de vivre, you might wish to frequent the same Montmartre streets and cafés as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and the rest of the “Lost Generation” of the 1920s. Also in Montmartre, climb the hill to the beautiful, stark white Sacré-Coeur, where part of the movie Amélie was filmed. Tonight’s optional Evening in Paris features dinner at a local restaurant followed by a cruise on the Seine. (B)

$99 USD

Evening in Paris: Seine Cruise & Dinner *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Take in all the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Then board a boat cruise along the Seine and glide past the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris — including Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

Day 8 - Amsterdam

Enjoy a ride on the Thalys high-speed train to Amsterdam. After check-in at your hotel, your tour director leads an afternoon tour of Amsterdam. View the magnificent houseboats and homes that dot the canal banks, along with the usual parade of bicyclists. Then, visit the Anne Frank House, where the young writer and her family hid from the Nazis for two years. You’ll enter the annex where Anne lived and wrote. (B, D)

Day 9 - Amsterdam

Wander along the canals of Amsterdam with a free day to explore the Dutch capital on your own. The city is wonderfully small scale, ensuring you’ll never venture too far off course. Your tour director will help you choose from a variety of possible activities this morning. Then join a half-day optional excursion to the coastal village of Volendam and the outdoor museum of Zaanse Schans. (Depending on the season, some groups will instead visit the Keukenhof flower gardens.) This evening, experience a unique side of Amsterdam and join our optional canal cruise with dinner. (B)

$115 USD

Amsterdam Canal Cruise & Dinner On this evening cruise, you'll experience charming Amsterdam by canal boat, passing through its more than 100 canals with views of its famous attractions.

$59 USD

Volendam & Zaanse Schans This excursion will take you into the countryside, where you'll visit the charming towns of Volendam and Saanse Schans, in addition to a clog factory and a cheese-making factory before heading back to Amsterdam!

Day 10 - Amsterdam

During a second free day in Amsterdam, choose to sample van Gogh at the city’s famous museum in his name, then compare his work with those of modern artists at the Stedelijk Museum. Or opt to visit The Hague, seat of the Dutch Parliament, and the town of Delft, famous for its blue pottery. The excursion also includes visits to a flower market, a porcelain factory and a Dutch art museum. (B)

$99 USD

Delft & The Hague Your full-day excursion takes you to a flower market, to Delft, a charming village of canals and the Hague, seat of the Dutch Parliament.

Day 11 - Amsterdam

After hotel check-out, a Go Ahead representative escorts you to Amsterdam’s airport for your flight home. (B)

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

This tour includes the following countries: England, France and the Netherlands. In order to enter these countries, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to London, Paris and Amsterdam. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in London and depart from Amsterdam. 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

Included transportation on “London, Paris and Amsterdam” is by private motorcoach, the Eurostar high-speed train from London to Paris and the Thayls train from Paris to Amsterdam. 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.

In your free time, you may wish to explore the 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 (and perhaps more fun to ride) 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. The best way to get around Amsterdam is on foot, although for a lovely tour, consider taking a cruise along the canals.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sites 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 euro (in France and the Netherlands) are the currencies you will use on 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. 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 €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.