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Britain Sampler with Paris to Normandy
Operated by Avalon
Tripcode: XGE5
Overview
Destination:
France,
United Kingdom,
Start:London, United Kingdom
Finish:Paris, France
Finish:Paris, France
Duration:16 days
Type:Group tour (max 90)
This product has sold out, you can still contact us for other options.
16 Day River Cruise London to Paris
Join us for an adventure on this guided tour of Britain to sample iconic and inspiringly beautiful locales in England and Scotland. See the classic landmarks in exciting London, including Big Ben, and take an excursion to see the mysterious Stonehenge, and the excavations of the Roman Baths. Your Globus guided vacation in Britain also takes you to Liverpool (home of the Beatles), and Edinburgh, Scotland. Visit York, England, as well as William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, before concluding your England and Scotland vacation tour in London. Your Britain Sampler vacation segues into a wonderful French river cruise from Paris to Normandy aboard your Avalon Suite Ship®. You’ll board a Eurostar train from London to Paris to embark on your Seine River cruise from the “City of Light.” You’ll first sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You may choose to go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, best known as the site of Joan of Arc’s persecution, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter. From Conflans, join an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—the inspiration of famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison.On this French river cruise, enjoy wine, cheese, and beautiful scenery along the Seine River. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more.
Join us for an adventure on this guided tour of Britain to sample iconic and inspiringly beautiful locales in England and Scotland. See the classic landmarks in exciting London, including Big Ben, and take an excursion to see the mysterious Stonehenge, and the excavations of the Roman Baths. Your Globus guided vacation in Britain also takes you to Liverpool (home of the Beatles), and Edinburgh, Scotland. Visit York, England, as well as William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, before concluding your England and Scotland vacation tour in London. Your Britain Sampler vacation segues into a wonderful French river cruise from Paris to Normandy aboard your Avalon Suite Ship®. You’ll board a Eurostar train from London to Paris to embark on your Seine River cruise from the “City of Light.” You’ll first sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You may choose to go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, best known as the site of Joan of Arc’s persecution, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter. From Conflans, join an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—the inspiration of famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison.On this French river cruise, enjoy wine, cheese, and beautiful scenery along the Seine River. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more.
Highlights:
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allLONDON, ENGLAND
Welcome to London, Start the Globus part of your vacation. Free time this afternoon.
LONDON
The Royal Treatment
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Free time this afternoon.(B)HISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England’s historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben’s quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Free time this afternoon.(B)HISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England’s historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben’s quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
LONDON–STONEHENGE–BATH
Ancient Stones & Spa Days
LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge.STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. Free time the remainder of the day. (B,D)139 mi / 224 kmCULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.
LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge.STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. Free time the remainder of the day. (B,D)139 mi / 224 kmCULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.
BATH–LUDLOW–LLANGOLLEN, WALES–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Welsh Country Beauties
LUDLOW Visit the historic market town.LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque town.LIVERPOOL Free time the remainder of the day. (B) 204 mi / 335 km CULTURE & TRADITION Explore the charming medieval town of Ludlow on the River Teme. Noteworthy buildings include Ludlow Castle and the impressive St. Laurence’s church. With nearly 500 buildings on the Historic England list, Ludlow’s medieval and Tudor-style half-timbered architecture inspired poet laureate Sir John Betjeman to call it "the loveliest town in England."
LUDLOW Visit the historic market town.LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque town.LIVERPOOL Free time the remainder of the day. (B) 204 mi / 335 km CULTURE & TRADITION Explore the charming medieval town of Ludlow on the River Teme. Noteworthy buildings include Ludlow Castle and the impressive St. Laurence’s church. With nearly 500 buildings on the Historic England list, Ludlow’s medieval and Tudor-style half-timbered architecture inspired poet laureate Sir John Betjeman to call it "the loveliest town in England."
LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH
Sonnets, Sweets & Scottish Blacksmiths
LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth’s beloved village. Sample the [LF] original Grasmere gingerbread.GRETNA GREEN See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples.EDINBURGH Free time this evening. (B)237 mi / 390 kmLOCAL FAVORITETIMELESS TRADITIONS Sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere baked following an 1854 recipe invented by Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit.
LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth’s beloved village. Sample the [LF] original Grasmere gingerbread.GRETNA GREEN See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples.EDINBURGH Free time this evening. (B)237 mi / 390 kmLOCAL FAVORITETIMELESS TRADITIONS Sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere baked following an 1854 recipe invented by Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit.
EDINBURGH
Crown Jewels & Castle Views
EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 28 through August 18 only).(B)MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain". Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 28 through August 18 only).(B)MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain". Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
EDINBURGH–ABBOTSFORD–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND
Augustine’s Monks & Medieval Markets
ABBOTSFORD Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House.JEDBURGH Take photos of the Augustinian abbey ruins.YORK See York Minster on [LF] a guided walk through The Shambles.(B,D)LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butcher shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, and today is a vibrant gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.
ABBOTSFORD Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House.JEDBURGH Take photos of the Augustinian abbey ruins.YORK See York Minster on [LF] a guided walk through The Shambles.(B,D)LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butcher shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, and today is a vibrant gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.
YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON
Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. (B)256 mi / 411 kmA LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. (B)256 mi / 411 kmA LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
LONDON–PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)
Transfer to Paris to board your Avalon Suite Ship®.This evening, enjoy dinner on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (B,D)
VERNON
Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du JourStart the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. Serenity on the SeineACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC(B,L,D)
CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC(B,L,D)
CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN (B,L,D)
ROUEN
The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom-and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B,L,D)
CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS(B,L,D)*Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month and on 21st September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly
PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals, & Canvases in the City of Lights ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)
PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departure dates
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Operator
Avalon Waterways
Designed from the bottom up for comfort, space, and room to dream, each Avalon Suite Ship consists of 80% Panorama Suites—offering the widest view in river cruising. Larger suites result in fewer passengers, so you’ll never feel crowded anywhere on board. From reclining on the open-air Sky Deck, relaxing in the spacious Panorama Lounge, or feeling the wind over the bough In the Observation Lounge, there’s never a shortage of comfortable spots to stretch out, day dream, or just watch the world go by. From our inception, Avalon Waterways has cast a light on the world’s most fascinating places and people – inviting wayfarers and wanderers like you to bask in their glory, intrigue and wonder. Along the way, we’ve helped travellers uncover ancient traditions while meeting the locals dedicated to preserving them; to meander historic hallways while giving back to the societies that safeguard them; and to put down the guidebooks and pick up a greater understanding of the world and its people.
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