London to Paris in Style: A 9-Day Cultural, Family City Escape

Start your holiday from the cultural capital of England, London. On arrival at London Heathrow Airport you will be met by your driver who will transfer you to your central London hotel. On arrival at the hotel you can relax and get your bearings before commencing your sightseeing tour of London in style. We recommend a private black cab tour of London with a personal driver guide. This tour is very flexible so you can stop when you want to and take as many photos as you like. You can do this tour during the day and see all of the great sites of London such as the Tower of London and the London Eye or in the evening when all of the great sites are illuminated. Along the way you will pass Downing Street, Harrods and many of the great historic streets of London.

After breakfast, make your way to the British Museum for an expert-led small group experience that goes far beyond a standard museum visit. Accompanied by an archaeologist, begin in the Enlightenment Gallery, once known as the King’s Library and one of the earliest sections of the museum building as visitors know it today. As you move through the galleries, your guide will bring context and clarity to the museum’s remarkable collections, explaining how archaeology, antiquarian study and art history evolved through the objects gathered here. Discover how Ancient Greek sculpture and vase painting shaped ideas of artistic perfection and how the museum itself became a place where the ancient world could be explored through scholarship and storytelling. The afternoon is yours to enjoy freely. You may wish to continue exploring the museum, stroll through Bloomsbury’s bookshops and garden squares or, if the weather is kind, enjoy a peaceful pause in Hyde Park.

This morning brings one of London’s most iconic traditions: the Changing of the Guard. Rather than waiting in one crowded place outside Buckingham Palace, your guide will lead you through the ceremony in a more strategic and engaging way, helping you catch several key moments from excellent viewpoints. You will follow the rhythm of royal pageantry as the Old Guard, New Guard, inspection and ceremonial bands come to life. At times, you may even walk alongside the guards and musicians as they move through the surrounding streets, allowing you to experience the event with energy and movement rather than simply watching from behind a crowd. Once the tour ends, the rest of the day is free. Continue exploring London’s royal side, browse boutiques and department stores, visit another museum or settle into a classic pub for a relaxed afternoon.

After breakfast, meet your guide for a delicious introduction to London Bridge and the city’s thriving food scene. This local food experience leads you through Borough Market, one of London’s most beloved culinary landmarks, where the atmosphere is lively, colorful and filled with tempting aromas. As you taste your way through the area, enjoy British sweets such as fudge and chocolate while learning how this historic market evolved from a working food hub into one of the capital’s essential gourmet stops. Your guide will also share stories of the surrounding neighborhood, from Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind to the Shard and the riverside landmarks that frame this part of London. Along the way, admire London Bridge and Tower Bridge beside the Thames before ending with classic desserts and a refreshing pot of tea. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the city at your own pace, perhaps with a walk along the South Bank or a visit to a favorite gallery.

In today’s schedule, take your way to St Pancras International Station and board the Eurostar for your comfortable rail journey beneath the Channel to Paris. On arrival, a transfer will take you to your centrally located hotel, where you can check in and enjoy a little time to refresh. Later, begin your Paris experience with an easy and rewarding introduction to the city’s essential sights. Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Eiffel Tower, followed by a panoramic coach tour and a one-hour Seine River cruise. From the tower’s second level, take in sweeping views across the rooftops, monuments, avenues and riverbanks that make Paris so instantly recognizable. During your city overview, discover landmarks such as the Opera House, the Pantheon, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Les Invalides. It is a graceful first encounter with the French capital.

Today is devoted to one of the great pleasures of Paris: food! You will make your way to a chef’s kitchen for a hands-on cooking class that begins, as so many memorable French meals do, at the market. Together with a professional chef, browse the stalls and learn how locals choose seasonal produce, fresh ingredients and quality specialties. Back in the kitchen, your chef will guide you step by step as you prepare a beautiful four-course menu, sharing practical techniques and culinary stories along the way. The reward is the chance to sit down and enjoy the meal you have created. The rest of the day is yours. Wander through elegant neighborhoods, pause at a café terrace, explore a favorite museum or simply enjoy the romance and rhythm of Paris at leisure.

After breakfast, leave Paris behind for the day and travel to Giverny, the beloved home of Claude Monet. With your guide, step into the landscape that inspired some of the most recognizable works in Impressionist art. Walk through the painter’s gardens, where flowers, water, light and color come together in a scene that feels almost dreamlike. Admire the famous water lily pond and Japanese bridge, then visit Monet’s home and studio to gain a more intimate sense of his daily life, creative world and connection to this countryside setting. Your return to Paris follows a scenic route through the Seine Valley, including the Route des Crêtes toward Vétheuil. Along the way, take in sweeping river views, peaceful villages and authentic countryside landscapes, including beautiful places such as La Roche-Guyon, where the rock-carved setting adds a final touch of drama to the day.

After breakfast, make your way to the Louvre and meet your guide near the entrance for a private small group tour of the world’s most legendary museum. With skip-the-line access and a certified art expert leading the way, this experience is designed to make the Louvre feel inspiring, accessible and beautifully curated. In around two hours, you will move through major chapters of art history without feeling overwhelmed. Discover celebrated masterpieces while also uncovering lesser-known stories behind artists, movements and civilizations. From Da Vinci and Delacroix to the Ancient Greeks and the Italian Renaissance, your guide will help you see familiar works with fresh eyes and enjoy the museum beyond the usual clichés. After the tour, the afternoon is free. You may choose to remain in the Louvre, stroll through the Tuileries Garden, cross the Seine toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés or spend your final full afternoon in Paris exactly as you wish.

Enjoy a final morning in Paris before your private transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Depending on your flight time, you may have a last chance for coffee and a pastry, a short neighborhood walk or a final look at the city’s elegant streets. Your London and Paris city escape comes to an end today, leaving you with memories of royal traditions, world-class museums, market flavors, Parisian landmarks and expert-led experiences crafted to reveal both capitals with style and ease. Safe travels and we hope this journey inspires your next tailor-made European adventure.