Bonjour, mon ami! Ready for another European daydream?
You may be sitting under some chilly winter skies, but sunny summertime in France is right around the corner. With visions of baguettes and cafes au lait dancing in our heads, let’s go to Paris, shall we?
All Aboard!
Once our tour leaves England, our itinerary takes a French and fabulous turn. We arrive in Paris via the high-speed Eurostar Train from London. This modern marvel will take us underneath the English Channel, traveling 100 miles per hour in the tunnel and then 186 once we’re above ground. The Eurostar is unlike any train you’ve experienced before – with train-wide wi-fi, charging stations at every seat and an onboard café, you’ll never look at trains the same way again.
The City of Lights
Two hours and sixteen minutes after our train leaves London, we’ll set foot in Paris, a city that needs no introduction. But since we’re daydreaming, we’ll give her one anyway.
- She’s not called The City of Lights for the romantic, twinkly lights of the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks alone. Way back in the 17th century, King Louis XIV was responsible for street lighting in the city, making Paris the first major European city to light its streets.
- Her city motto is “fluctuat nec mergitur” – a Latin phrase meaning “it is tossed by the waves but does not sink.“
We’ll spend three incredible days in this unsinkable city, exploring museums, landmarks, stunning performance venues and more. Here are a few highlights:
Montmartre
Montmartre is a charming Parisian neighborhood that’s more authentic village than city district. Cobblestone streets wind past cafes, bistros and artisan shops, leading to the top of the hill where the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, or Sacré-Cœur, stands guard over the city. If you’d like to snap your own postcard-like view of Paris, this is an excellent spot.
Eiffel Tower
A visit to the Eiffel Tower is a must when you’re in Paris and you’ll have the opportunity to admire her from several vantage points – from the Champs de Mars, the Trocadero and inside the Tower itself, if you choose. Built in 1889 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower stands at 1,083 feet tall and welcomes over 7 million visitors a year. You’ll explore the Tower during the day but see her from other parts of the city as she shimmers at night.
Paris City Tour
Our tour will take us through the City Center, along the Champs-Élysées and to both the Arc de Triomphe and past the Eiffel Tower. You’ll experience the heartbeat of the city, taste delicious French food along the way and admire the gorgeous architecture at every intersection.
Seine River Cruise
Taking in the City of Lights from the Seine is something you’ll never forget. As we cruise along this famous river in the heart of Paris, you’ll catch city views no selfie can fully capture. Paris is home to more than 30 beautiful bridges – how many will you see as you cruise by?
The Louvre Museum
Some of the world’s most magnificent art is preserved in the halls of the Louvre, including Leonardo da Vinci’s famous lady, the Mona Lisa. Built in 1793, the museum itself is a historical landmark, housing more than 10,000 of history and 480,000 works of art.
What are you most excited to see, taste and experience during our time in Paris? We can’t wait till our feet are on Parisian sidewalks, and we know you feel the same. If you enjoy dreaming along with us, stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll dream through summertime in Switzerland together. Don’t miss it!
And remember – every group’s itinerary varies slightly, so this daydream may be a bit different than your on-the-ground adventure when it comes to the order of destinations, attractions you’ll visit, etc.