Day 1: Fly to France
Meet your group and travel on an overnight flight to Paris.
Day 2: Paris
Arrive in Paris: Welcome to Paris, the City of Light. Depending on your arrival time, you may have free time to settle in and explore on your own.
Explore Paris: Check out Paris on foot. Head to the Latin Quarter, so named because the language was once commonly spoken by the Sorbonne students that populated the area. Today the students remain, frequenting the numerous shops and bistros.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Admire Notre Dame’s sculptured facade, stained-glass rose windows, and seemingly weightless vaulted ceilings. This evening, get to know your group over dinner in the Latin Quarter.
Day 3: Paris
Sightseeing tour of Paris: Get a taste of Parisian style as you ride down the famous Champs-Élysées, an elegant boulevard packed with high-fashion boutiques. You’ll pass by grand monuments, including the obelisk in the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. Next, strike a pose in front of the Eiffel Tower. When you see the lush and beautiful gardens of Les Tuileries, it’s easy to forget the turbulent history of this sophisticated city. Your guide shares insight into the city’s military history when you continue past Les Invalides. Also, learn about political upheaval in Paris as you pass by the Conciergerie, a palace-turned-jail for prisoners of the French Revolution, and the École Militaire, where a promising young Napoleon launched his incredible rise to power.
Louvre: Explore art from around the world as you wander from wing to wing of the renowned Louvre, one of Paris’s biggest attractions and the most visited museum in the world. Built to defend the city in the 13th century, today the Louvre safeguards collections that span continents and the ages. Enter by I. M. Pei’s glass pyramid, considered a controversial addition by many resident Parisians. Inside, discover Greek, Roman, and Asian antiquities, as well as precious objects from the Middle Ages. These massive halls are home to over 35,000 objects; among them is Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa. Be sure to get an up-close look at her beguiling smile.
Day 4: Paris
Free time in Paris: *Disney Paris option is on this day. Make the city your own during your free time today. You could savor a croissant at a local cafe or grab some friends and visit the stately public gardens.
Optional cooking class: Paris is an international culinary hotspot. On this excursion, you’ll get the chance to meet with a professional chef to learn the process behind authentic Parisian cuisine.
Day 5: Paris
Free time in Paris: *Disney Paris option is on this day. With world-class museums and attractions all around you, there’s plenty to see and do.
Versailles: Nobody does decadence like Louis XIV, and there’s no better testament to this than Versailles. Under the direction of the Sun King, the château that began as a modest hunting lodge exploded into one of the largest palaces on earth. On your excursion to this lavish estate, explore the State Apartments of the king and queen and the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. Walk through the meticulously landscaped gardens and marvel at dozens of ornate fountains. Discover why Versailles was more than just a vacation home: Louis XIV hosted his royal court here to reign in their power and prevent their political rise. Then, return to Paris where you will spend the night. Those who do not join the excursion will enjoy free time in Paris.
Day 6: Paris
Explore Montmartre: Take a walking tour of Montmartre. The white-domed Sacré-Coeur Basilica stands out as a prominent fixture atop Montmartre’s hill and marks the highest point in Paris. Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir helped establish Montmartre as an artistic center of France. Venture to the Place du Tertre, where you can still see street artists painting portraits today.
Dinner: Tonight, enjoy a meal in Montmartre with your group.
Day 7: Depart for home
Transfer to the airport and check in for your flight home.
