Experience the wonders of ancient Rome, the glamor of London and the romance of Paris all in one unforgettable tour!
 
Day one—Monday, October 28th, 2013– Flight to Europe  Board your transatlantic flight. (In-Flight-Meal)

Day two— Tuesday, October 29th - Rome, Italy
This morning we arrive in Rome. You’ll have plenty of time to discover this amazing city during our three-day visit here; however you’ll likely appreciate the opportunity to rest and freshen up from your travels first. This afternoon, you may wish to join Philippe for an informal walk in the city. This evening you’ll enjoy a fine welcome dinner.   (In-Flight-Meal, D)

Day three—Wednesday, October 30th - Rome
Rise and Shine! This morning we step back in time, visiting some of the most important sites of ancient Rome including: Piazza del'Esquilino; Via Cavour; Piazza Venezia; The Capitol Square; The Arch of Constantine ; The Arch of Titus; The Pyramid of Caius Cestius, and the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli with Michelangelo's statue of Moses. Highlights of our tour include views of the Roman Forum, The Basilica of St. Paul and a visit to the legendary Colosseum! This afternoon, you will have plenty of time to enjoy Rome at your leisure. Philippe will be on hand to assist you with shopping and sightseeing ideas. This evening you’ll enjoy a hearty Italian meal together.   (B, D)

Day four—Thursday, October 31st - Rome
Today we will visit the Vatican City, a walled enclave nestled in the heart of Rome—home of the papacy and at 108.7 acres, the smallest state in the world. You’ll marvel at the beauty of the Vatican and the incredible historical and art treasures that it contains. Some of the greatest artists and architects in history worked here: Raphael, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bernini—to name just a few. We’ll visit Saint Peter’s Basilica and explore the Vatican Museums where you will find the Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. The balance of today is for you to shop, relax and enjoy some free time in the Eternal City. (B)

Day five—Friday, November 1st – Flight to London
An exciting day begins today with a relatively short flight (2hr 40 min) across Europe to London. This afternoon after a bit of time to freshen up at your hotel, you may wish to join your Yamato guide for an informal walk through the streets of London. This evening you’ll enjoy a fine dinner in the heart of the city. (B, D)

Day six – Saturday, November 2nd – London  Today you will discover all of the best that London has to offer! We will take in a comprehensive city tour including all of the city’s major highlights. You’ll see: The Tower of London; Trafalgar Square; Piccadilly; The Tower Bridge; Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament – just to name a few highlights. We’ll also visit Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. This afternoon you’ll have a bit of free time to relax and unwind before enjoying a nice meal.    (B, D)

Day seven – Sunday, November 3rd – London at leisure 

Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You may wish to join Philippe for an informal walk (likely a ride in London’s Underground as well) to some of London’s famous markets. Those tour members who wish to join-in, will enjoy a stroll through Camden Market as well as legendary Portobello Road in Notting Hill. Later this afternoon we’ll explore some of the iconic areas of fashionable London with visits to Jermyn Street – famous for it’s men’s shirt-makers, and the inimitable Harrod’s – the most famous department store in the world! Alternately, you may wish to visit one of London’s world-class museums or art galleries today. There is an amazing array to choose from!  Tonight is also an ideal time to take in one of London’s West-End shows. London is one of the world’s top theatre cities. As always, your Philippe will be on hand to assist you if you wish to make arrangements.   (B)

Day eight – Monday, November 4th - Eurostar to Paris, France
Our last day in the United Kingdom brings us to a special highlight of this tour: the Changing of the Guard ceremony (if held). This afternoon, after a bit of free time for last-minute shopping or exploring, we will travel from London to Paris by high-speed train! Once we depart the newly restored St-Pancras Station, the colorful boroughs and suburbs of London will glide softly by your panoramic train window. In no time at all, you will be hurtling comfortably through Kent, in the English countryside, at over 180 miles per hour! Within an hour of our departure, we will arrive at the English Channel where we will transit through the Channel Tunnel, an amazing marvel of human engineering. Before you know it (21 minutes to be exact), daylight again – now in France – fields, picturesque villages continue to glide effortlessly by (at amazing speed). In all, we’ll travel the over 250 miles from the centre of the British Capital to the Gare-du-Nord in the heart of the French Capital in about 2 hours and fifteen minutes! A marvelous technical achievement! Tonight you’ll enjoy an unforgettable experience as we tour Paris, the City of Light, by night. A fine welcome meal is also on our agenda.   (B, L, D)

Day nine – Tuesday, November 5th - Paris
This morning you will rediscover Paris by daylight. We’ll visit legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral and we’ll also ascend to the second level of the Eiffel Tower! You’ll see all of the highlights of Paris including: Place de la Concorde; Place Vendome; the Arc de Triomphe; the Champs-Elysées; the Tuileries Gardens and the Palace of the Louvre. This afternoon you will be free to enjoy Paris at your leisure. As always, your Philippe will be on hand to help you plan your free shopping or sightseeing time. This of course is if you need any inspiration at all! Having already experienced so much that Paris has to offer, it is very likely that you’ll already know exactly what you want to do in your free time! Tonight, if you are feeling up for it, why not take in the optional, world-renown cabaret show at Le Moulin Rouge?   (B)

Day ten – Wednesday, November 6th – Paris and Versailles
Another wonderful day of sightseeing begins today as we travel 10 miles out of Paris to one of the greatest royal palaces in Europe, Versailles. Originally a small hunting lodge built in the early 1600’s by King Louis XIII, it was completely transformed by his son, Louis XIV beginning in 1661. It became the political epicenter of the French Kingdom until the time of the French Revolution and the ill-fated reign of Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette. Today the chateau boasts well over 700 rooms! You’ll visit the most important appartements, salons and rooms including the astonishing Hall of Mirrors. Afterwards, we’ll spend a generous amount of time exploring the palace grounds, which by all measures is one of the finest gardens in the world. This afternoon we will return to Paris where we will enjoy a farewell dinner.  Our last evening in Paris will end with a classical music concert (approx one hour duration) in one of the most unique settings - an eleventh century gothic church built by France’s crusader-king, Louis the IX (Saint-Louis) to house relics of Christ’s Crown of Thorns and the Holy Cross: The Sainte-Chapelle.   (B, D)

Day eleven – Thursday, November 7th, 2013 – return flights home
This morning, after a hearty breakfast, Philippe will take you to Paris’ Charles-de-Gaulle Airport where you will board a return flight home. (B)

Rate includes:
- all your hotel accommodations (in 3 & 4*)

 - 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners
- all land transportation in Europe, air 

   transportation from Rome to London by air

   transportation by Eurostar  from London to Paris

- entrance fees to all of the activities in the itinerary / and much more! Call us for details!
- kindly note that these rates are “land only” and do not include airfare to and from Europe

add two more days to your European adventure and discover one of the world’s most charming cities: Amsterdam

Day eleven - Thursday, November 7th - High Speed Rail to  Amsterdam
This morning we leave the bustle of one of Europe’s most exciting cities (Paris) for Amsterdam. As Paris and it’s suburbs melts away, our high speed train will gain speed. Soon we’ll be in Belgium, by mid-day we’ll cross into the Netherlands arriving in Amsterdam with plenty of time for a nice afternoon of sightseeing. Tonight enjoy a typical Dutch treat, an Indonesian Rice Table dinner. Afterwards, if you are feeling adventuresome, Philippe can show you some of the city’s famous “red light district”. Viewer discretion will be advised, of course. (B, D)

Day twelve - Friday, November 8th - Full day in  Amsterdam
Rise and shine! Today Philippe will provide you with a choice of activities in and around Amsterdam (prior to your departure from North America, Philippe will provide you with information and a choice of optional activities for today). You may wish to visit one of the world’s biggest flower markets in the nearby town of Aalsmeer.  Alternately, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, one of the most famous art museums in the world - or take a cruise on the city’s famous canals. Amsterdam is a beautiful and interesting city. It is also an easy city to get around in. After the frenetic bustle of cities like London and Paris, you will surely be delighted by the relaxed pace of visiting Amsterdam. You’ll enjoy a nice afternoon at your leisure in the city before our farewell dinner at a nice local restaurant. (B, D)

Day thirteen - Saturday, November 9th, 2013 - departure from Amsterdam  Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

 

Rate includes:
- all your hotel accommodations
- 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners
- all land transportation including high speed rail service from Paris to Amsterdam
- entrance fees to all of the activities in the itinerary / and much more! Call us for details!
- kindly note that these rates are “land only” and do not include airfare to Europe