London & Paris with Normandy

Itinerary

London & Paris Tour with Normandy Extension

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Depart Your Home Airport on your Transatlantic flight to London, England.

Day 1 is the traditional flight date from North America. Airfare is not included but you can request a quotation from our air service department: Get an airfare quote by email here.

Please Note: "Day 1" is the published tour date and is the date you will arrange your air travel to depart your home airport. 

Your Small Group Tour will commence on Itinerary Day 2 upon arrival into London, England.

Protect Your Vacation: We very much encourage trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

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   Story® Way Included Dining: Join your Tour Captain for our included Welcome Dinner in London, England. Experience what can only be described as a tour of the best cuisine and wine from around the "British Empire."
   Story Exclusive^®: Tonight join in our reception and Welcome from the Tour Captain. Excellent experience and opportunity to meet your fellow travelers

Welcome: One of Story Land & Sea^®'s most popular small-group European tour vacations commences at 3:00PM at the deluxe hotel. Our deluxe hotel lobby is where the tour begins and where our Tour Captain meets you for an included Orientation Walkabout of Merry Old London.

INCLUDED HOST ORIENTATION WALKABOUT: Join your Tour Captain Host for a Welcome Orientation Walk on your arrival day in London. Find out where the major landmarks are located in relation to our hotel, the best ATM machines for Sterling Pounds and exchange rates, and other helpful information.

Walking Level: Light, Leisurely Pace; Volume: Light

Your Small Group Tour Vacation to Europe is underway! After our reception, we'll walk to our Welcome Dinner in London, where you'll taste the finest cuisine and wine varietals from "the British Empire."

Included Welcome to London Dinner: About the Story® Way: Our approach to dining is unique: We've collected our favorites dishes from the incredible restaurants we visit for each included dinner. No buffets here! Your Tour Captain is there to make sure your dining experience goes smoothly and will help you interpret any menu item. For the 4 total included dinners (Deluxe), your Tour Captain will select a variety of appetizers featuring regional cuisine and will select your wine for the evening ~ a variety of red and white wine from the region you're traveling.

Accommodation in London, 3 Nights
Deluxe: Amba Charing Cross Hotel
Classic: Hotel Strand
Budget: Budget Hotel London

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   Optional Dinner Tonight:  OPTIONAL DINNER IN LONDON, ANYONE?
You may opt to join your Tour Captain tonight for dinner (departs from lobby usually about 7:45pm) or opt to explore on your own throughout London.

Welcome to London, England ~ Heart of the British Empire

Start your morning sightseeing in style as your Tour Captain and our local Guide escorts you throughout London.

Historic London Panoramic Tour
The romance of this historical city of London Town is apparent every step of the way. London England on the Small Group TourOur experience in London with our official Blue Badge Guide will include views of Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament, St. James Palace and Buckingham Palace. We will enjoy certain perspectives by foot with our local guide.

We will have time for lunch independently near the Tower of London.

Guided Tour: Tower of London
We enjoy a visit and admission to the Tower of London. Upon arrival to the Tower of London, the Beefeaters guide us through this special venue. A completely included experience that takes us back in time to the early 1080s. William the Conqueror began to build a massive stone tower at the center of his London fortress and nothing like it had ever been tried or seen before. Through the centuries that followed, successive monarchs added to the fortifications.

The balance of the day is yours at leisure to explore London perhaps like the locals via the Tube. There are several venues and sites located around the Tower of London that you may want to optionally visit including St. Pauls' Cathedral (free admission) or take a ride on the London Eye. The Tower Bridge is also nearby.

Maybe a Full Afternoon Tea or the now famous, Harry Potter Walking Tour. You may also consider the Royal Mews (carriage house) at Buckingham. Or consider a shopping trip to world famous Harrod's or simply stroll Hyde Park.

Return to the hotel at your leisure using your new knowledge of the London Tube (this routing is very easy!).

INCLUDED GUIDED TOUR WITH OUR LOCAL EXPERT GUIDE ~ Today ENJOY our SIGHTSEEING IMMERSION:

Panoramic Sightseeing Experience throughout London to enjoy views and commentary by our Local Guide:

• Piccadilly Circus
• Trafalgar Square
• Westminster Abbey
• Big Ben
• Hyde Park
• London Bridge
• Houses of Parliament
• St. James Palace
• Buckingham Palace
• Tower of London Tour

Walking Level: Moderate, Leisurely Pace: Volume: Moderate

Optional dining tonight with your Tour Captain or explore at leisure.

 
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   Story Way^® Dining: OPTIONAL Dinner in London, anyone? You may opt to join your Tour Captain tonight for dinner (departs from lobby) before the play or opt to explore on your own throughout London.
   Story Exclusive^®: Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace ~ entrance is based on seasonal openings. You will enjoy an exclusive access tour with admission of Westminster Abbey or of Buckingham Palace, the Queen's home, where she has the world's finest private art collection.

Your exciting tour of London continues with our immersion sightseeing experience this morning with a special Story Land & Sea Tours' Exclusive with special admission to either Buckingham Palace or Westminster Abbey (entrance is based on season: Buckingham Palace is not open year round and when closed due to season or ceremony, we will include a tour of Westminster Abbey with guided admission).

The balance of the day is yours at leisure. Perhaps enjoy the London Eye, or inquire with reservations for the Harry Potter Walking Tour. You may also consider the Royal Mews (carriage house) at Buckingham. Or consider a shopping trip to world famous Harrod's or simply stroll Hyde Park.

Perhaps you will go back to the hotel and visit the nearby British Museum.

INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING IMMERSION TOUR WITH OUR LOCAL EXPERT GUIDE

This evening: How about an optional play in the West End? Inquire with Reservations.

Walking Level: Moderate, Leisurely Pace. Volume: Moderate.

Optional dining tonight with your Tour Captain or explore at leisure.

 
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   Included Story Way^® Dining: Tonight we dine at a delightful restaurant we're trying to keep a secret! It's fully authentic Parisian cuisine. Paris welcomes us with a variety of regional culinary tastes, beverages and ample portions of fine local wines from around the city and the provinces. Free-choice dining means you select what you'd like from the menu ~ the Tour Captain is available to help you interpret the menu. Your Tour Captain Host will provide the appetizers featuring regional cuisine and will select your wine for the evening ~ a variety of red and white wine from the region!
   Exclusives: INCLUDED REGIONAL WINES WITH DINNER TONIGHT

The Chunnel to Paris
We embark on the train via the English Channel (the Chunnel) with reserved seats in Premium Classs to the city of Paris. After about 2 hours on the fast train under the English Channel we will welcome you to Paris! Make note: Magic Portage is included in your tour! This means you will pack up your suitcase in London and then it will be transported to Paris to arrive in your hotel room by 8pm local time while we are out at our Welcome Dinner. Make sure to pack a day bag with a change of clothes, a jacket in cooler weather and any pertinent medication (do not pack medicine in your suitcase that is being portaged).

City: Paris

Paris is the city of Light and Love. She holds much to discover. After we transfer from the Train Station, the Tour Captain checks you in to our hotel. We arrive Paris early afternoon, and rooms will be ready by 2PM on average.

You will join the Tour Captain for the included Paris Orientation Walkabout through the cobblestones streets to become familiar with the location around our hotel. We will visit Champs-Elysees, Trocadero and enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower.

INCLUDED HOST ORIENTATION WALKABOUT: Join your Tour Captain Host for a Welcome Orientation Walk on your arrival day in Paris. Find out where the major landmarks are located, ATM machines and other helpful sites. You may have opportunity for admission to the Eiffel Tower. Based on availability at time of booking. Please inquire with reservations.

Walking Level: Light, Leisurely Pace: Volume: Light

Story Way^®Â Dining: Enjoy Story Way^®Â Dining in Paris tonight. featuring regional culinary tastes, beverages, and ample portions of fine local French wine, of course.

Deluxe Accommodation:  Eduard VII Hotel, Hotel Belami, Hotel Eduard VII or Similar
Classic Accommodation: Hotel Louvré Saint-Anne or Similiar

 
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   Optional Dinner Tonight: Join the Tour Captain or explore Paris at leisure.
  Exclusive: Enjoy special access admission to the famous Eiffel Tower with Story Land & Sea^®Â to at least the second level. Note: This entrance may occur on Day 7 of the itinerary.

Today join your Tour Captain and our local guide on a guided tour of the city of Paris. The Musée du Louvre along with the icons of Paris greet us today with our noble French guide leading the way. It's an immersion into the authentic Paris.

Our walking tour includes a guided tour of the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Jardin de Tuileries. You may alternatively add the Musee d' Orsay with its impressionist paintings as an option. Inquire with reservations.

INCLUDED GUIDED TOUR WITH OUR LOCAL EXPERT GUIDE ~ Today ENJOY ADMISSION & SIGHTSEEING to:

~ Notre Dame Cathedral
~ Walk through Jardin de Tuileries
~ Admission and tour of Louvré
~ Option: Musee d'Orsay

Walking Level: Moderate, Leisurely Pace; Volume: Moderate to Ample

Optional dining tonight with your Tour Captain or explore at leisure.

 
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   Story Way® Dining: Enjoy a farewell to Paris included dinner tonight with your Tour Captain.
  Exclusive Access: Enjoy our special access with Skip-the-Line included admission to the Palace of Versailles.

King Louis XIV's opulent 17th century palace, Chateau de Versailles, welcomes us for an in depth tour. We enjoy the marble, gold and formal gardens.

The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider an optional excursion on the Seine River Cruise. Inquire with Reservations.

Walking Level: Light to Moderate, Leisurely Pace, Volume: Moderate

Story Exclusive: Join your Tour Captain for what can only be described as a delightful farewell experience in Paris. Our venue of choice is one of Mark Story's favorites, Le Grand Colbert.

 
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City: Bayeux
Region: Normandy

This morning you are set for the coast of Normandy. You are transferred to the train station for included tickets on the Fast Train with self-portage. You are zipped along through the countryside while 'going back in time' with the 'eastward progression' of the Allies as you are headed on the way to the coast. Upon arrival, you are met by our Story Local Host® to begin your afternoon of honoring those who sacrificed for our freedom on the shores and fields of Normandy.

History Comes Back to Life: Freedom is not free.

Enjoy a remarkable experience today learning about the D-Day invasion by the Allies. Truly an epic time of learning about the sacrifices made, paying homage to those who gave everything for our freedom and some quite time for reflection. Explore one of the landing beaches and key World War II sites of Normandy.

You will learn about the Allied invasion of German-occupied France, visit moving sites and venues...you will see and smell the salt air, walk on the same beaches and fields and truly have the opportunity to be grateful for your life.

Highlights:

• Explore the landing beaches and World War II sites of Normandy
• Learn about the momentous D-Day events
• Visit key D-Day sites guided by our local, professional Guide — truly a moving experience.

After our experience we arrive our hotel in Bayeux or one of the villages in Normandie where we check-in, and enjoy time at leisure until the included welcome dinner.

The villages along the coastal region include a variety of historical and cultural characteristics. For example, Bayeux features medieval architecture as well as an 11th-Century Norman Gothic Cathedral and is known for its tapestry.

Story Way® Dining: Enjoy a welcome dinner with our Story Local Host®.

Deluxe Accommodation: Our hotel in Normandy/Bayeux include Villa Lara or Similar.
Classic Budget Accommodation: Enjoy our Superior Tourist hotel in Normandy/Bayeux.

 

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   Story Exclusive^®: Enjoy Skip-the-Line special access with Admission.

We are off to Mont St. Michel from Bayeux in the company of our small group guided experience complete with admission to the Abbey. Mont St. Michel is one of the most popular attractions in France and is a noted jewel along its coast.

UNESCO World Heritage Site
The fairytale island and home of the Abbey of Mont-St.-Michel, perche d off the coast of Normandy, was once totally unreachable at high tide. There's lots of uphill (and downhill) walking to truly traverse the island. The Benedictine abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most revered wonders of Europe.

We then have free time to explore the village at leisure to browse shops and watch the incredible spectacle of the bay's tide rising and surrounding the island.

We return to our hotel in Bayeux for the balance of the day at leisure.

 
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Normandy: Final Salute

This morning experience a special drive as we continue to celebrate the freedom we now have while honoring those who gave all.

We make our way to the train station for included tickets on the Fast Train to Paris. Tonight enjoy your last evening in Paris.

Deluxe Accommodation:  Eduard VII Hotel, Hotel Belami or Similar
Classic Accommodation: Hotel Louvré Saint-Anne or Similiar

 
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DEPARTURE TRANSFER available for $69 per person to Paris CDG Airport.

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Heart of City Hotels mean your experience is like none other in the travel industry.

There is a difference between centrally-located hotels and Story Land & Sea^®'s Heart of City hotels. No taxis or shuttles required when you're in the historical heart of the cities and villages.

Our small group tour hotels feature historical architecture with all the amenities you'd come to expect. The properties are located in the heart of the cities, towns and villages. We proudly feature the following tour hotels which have been personally inspected for quality and standard. On very rare occasion, we may substitute any hotel for a tour property of equal or greater quality and standard.

Remember, availability in tour hotels may be affected based on seasonal demand. Alternate hotel properties of equal quality will be used when the following hotels are not available.