London & Paris

 

 

6 nights

(Extra nights may be added or subtracted as required)

 

 From Euro 3,695 using charming 3 star hotels with all comforts both in London and Paris

For 2 persons

LAND ONLY

 

Prices to be confirmed based on time of year and availability

 

Your custom trip includes the following services and hotel accommodations:

v      8 nights in unique and charming boutique hotels with breakfast. (complete list is available for every location)

·         3 nights in London;

·        Charming 3 star Bed and Breakfast:  DRAYCOTT, BASIL STREET HOTEL, THE EBURY COURT HOTEL, ROYAL CAMBRIDGE HOTEL, THE WILLET or similar

·         3 nights in Paris;

·        3 star category:  HOTEL DU BOIS, HOTEL QUEEN MARY, DU DANUBE, LUXEMBOURG or similar

LONDON SERVICES

• Custom Designed itinerary to your specifications
• Fruit basket in the room or bottle of wine
• Private guide in London for half a day, walking tour or museum of choice

 

PARIS SERVICES

• Luxury Seine Dinner Cruise with music and dancing – gourmet dinner served on board
• Champagne upon arrival in your hotel room
• Fountainebleau Castle excursion with minibus and guide
• Cooking course
• Federal Express package to your home with hard copy itinerary, vouchers and brochures 2 weeks prior to departure
  
  

 

OPTIONALS - NOT INCLUDED: 

• Outside excursion (Hampton Court or similar) in or outside London
• Private guide for half a day – walking itinerary or museum of choice in Paris
• Beauty treatments/appointments at the top institutes in Paris or London
• Full day Loire or Normandy tours with luxury bus and guide
• Half day orientation tour with guide and bus transportation

• RT airport transfers
• Tickets to a show in London or musical or other
• Tickets to a show in Paris

 

London

FOOD

No longer the worst place to find a meal, London has become one of the world's most cosmopolitan eating centers offering every kind of cuisine from fish and chips to New Californian cooking

 

RESTAURANTS:

AL DUCA: a nice Italian restaurant. The pre and post theatre menus offer especially good value, as do the set menus at 14.50 for a two course lunch and 17.50 for a two course dinner. Offers a good money-quality value. Address: 4-5 Duke of York Street – St James’ – SW1– closed Sunday

VONG: French and Thai cuisine meets in this romantic restaurant. (GBP 45 approx.). Address: Wilton Place – Knightsbridge – SW1– tube: Hyde Park Corner

RASA: Vegetarian, Indian and extravagant cuisine makes this place to be unique. The service, as the food, is very good.

Address: 6 Dering Street – Oxford Circus – SW1– TUBE: Oxford Circus

Price: £ 25/34 – closed Sunday lunch

LA TANTE CLAIRE: It is a Michelin starred restaurant. Perfect both: French Food and Service. Recommended for special occasions.

Address: Wilton Gardens - Knightsbridge – SW1- TUBE: Knightsbridge

Price: from £ 50 Closed  on Sundays

LA BRASSERIE: Traditional French Provincial Cooking in a simple and homely atmosphere.

Address: 272 Brompton Road – SW3 – TUBE: South Kensington

Price: £ 25/40

THE FRENCH HOUSE

Address: Soho

MORO: Spanish, Muslim and Mediterranean cuisine served lunch and evening time.

Address: 34/36 Exmouth Market – Finsbury – EC1- TUBE: Farringdon-Angel

Price: £ 25/34  closed on Sundays 

MOMO: Terrific Nord African food and a great African atmosphere.

Address: 25/27 Eddon Street – Regent Street – W1 – TUBE: Piccadilly

Price: £ 25/50    Closed: Bank holidays

BARAONDA: Exquisite Italian food or a real pizza accompanied by the best Italian wines made the fortune of this restaurant.

Address: 14 Eddon Street - Regent Street – W1 – TUBE: Piccadilly

Price: from £ 25

CHEZ BRUCE: British food and good service.

Address: 2 Bellevue Road – Wandsworth – SW17- TUBE: Wandsworth Common / Mainline

Price: from $45  Closed on Sundays dinner

WAGAMAMA: Japonese cuisine and welcoming atmosphere is to be found in this chain (one in Soho and one in Holborn)

BELGO CENTRAAL:

MANGO ROOM: Carribean food and lively ambience made this restaurant to be known as a cool bar where to go.

LIVEBAIT: Fresh Fish is served here.

HUNAN: Typical Chinese food

SIX 13: You will find here Traditional Jewish food.

 

 

HOTELS

We offer a superb range of Boutique Hotels right in the center of sightseeing and shopping.  OR since you are staying over a week, why not rent an apartment right in the center.  This gives you the option of shopping at Harrods fabulous food halls and eat one meal in if you so desire.

 

 

OTHER POSSIBLE ITINERARIES TO PLAN…..

Depending on your interests: antique markets, Portobello Road near Notting Hill Gate, the eclectic and surprising Sir John Soane's Museum, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Hyde Park, Kensington Park, a day of beauty and relaxation at a day SPA, the secret gardens of London.  There are many specialty "London Walks" for every interest and background.  The list is staggering so if you will let me know what you want to do I can lay out a program for you.

 

EXCURSIONS FROM LONDON

Oxford and Cambridge (the 3* Michelin restaurant and Inn "Le Manoir aux Quate Saisons" in Oxford offers superlative cuisine in a restored Manor House).  Canterbury Village and Cathedral - there is much to do here.  Palaces, Castles and Shakespearean Villages.

 

LONDON

Here is a sample of our London Tour - but we can modify it to your heart's content.  London has something for everyone.  We can make this expensive city affordable through a selection of high quality Bed and Breakfasts, moderate boutique hotels and apartment rentals.  On the other hand if it is luxury you are seeking, look no further.

 

 

Day 1 - DEPARTURE

Depart for your overseas flight to London.

 

Day 2 - ARRIVE LONDON - ORIENTATION -

We will help you figure out the best way of getting to your hotel.  Time to freshen up after which you can take an orientation walk around and plan on an early dinner to rest up for the next day.

 

If not too tired, take a taxi or the tube to Piccadilly Circus. The Square is particularly lively evening time when the publicity signs are lighted and there are young people everywhere on the square, you will see just about everything: people talking, singing, pantomiming…

 

 

WEST END - CITY OF LONDON - WESTMINSTER ABBEY - BUCKINGHAM PALACE - TOWER OF LONDON

 

Your private guide can take you through the highlights of London which are Westminster Abbey a medieval masterpiece, the Tower of London and its incredible jewel collection and Trafalgar Square.

 

OR

 

Take the tube to Regent’s Park Station, stroll in this beautiful park where you will find the London’s Zoo, a lake (where you will admire a variety of aquatic birds) and a Mosque. There is also the possibility to have a boat trip on the Regent’s Canal.

In the neighborhood you will find: St. Marylebone Parish Church, Harley Street, Portland Place, Broadcasting house, All Souls a Langham Place, the Langham Hilton Hotel, Madame Tussaud and the Planetarium, the Wigmore Hall, the Wallace Collection, the Sherlock Holmes museum and the Cumberland Terrace.

 

In Bond Street and in Regent Street you will find some of the smartest shops in London. In Oxford Circus you will found the huge NIKE TOWN shop.

 

While going south towards Piccadilly, turn left in Carnaby Street (where you will see accessories, shoes, cloths….shops. This street was very popular in the 70’s and 80’s.

 

Reach Piccadilly, have a look at the square and continue toward Soho where you will find every type of shops and lots of theaters. Attached to Soho area there is China Town.

 

Exit China town from Charing Cross Road and continue (southbound) towards Trafalgar Square where you can feed the pigeons or take a picture with Admiral Nelson. Along Charing Cross Road note: The Portrait Gallery, Cecil Court (book shops), the Hyppodrome (no a disco, it was once a theatre), Leicester Square, St. Martin’s in the Field (where a market takes place on Sundays) and, on the square, the National Gallery

 

 

DAY 3

BLOOMBSBURY – BRITISH MUSEUM & COVENT GARDEN

 

BLOOMSBURY

Take the subway and reach Tottenham Court Road. The area included in the stations: Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street and Russel  Squae is called Bloomsbury. Stroll in this area streets and notice the 19^th century houses and 18^th and 19^th century squares.

TO BE SEEN in the area: Bloomsbury Square, Russel Square, Tavistock Square, Torrington Square, Woburn Square, Fritzoy Square, Bedford Square, The Contemporary Applied Arts exhibition, the Pollock’s Toy museum, the British Telecom Tower, the Percival David Foundation, the Church of Christ the King, the Old British Library, Doughty Street (where you will find Charles Dickens house), Hawksmoor’ s church, Great Russel Street and where you will find the  Congress House and the impolsing Centre Point.

 

 

 

 

 

BRITISH MUSEUM

In Russel Square there is the British  Museum, which is one of the finest museums in the world with a collection of the finest relics of mankind such as the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Magna Carta and Ur Treasure.  This is a huge museum so expect to spend a minimum of half a day there.  Guides can be provided as an optional service.  The famous Egyptian mummies are on the upstairs galleries as well as other archaeological treasures.

 

After why not stop to enjoy a traditional High Tea?

 

 

AFTERNOON TEA, THE GREAT BRITISH TRADITION

 

Ahead towards Covent Garden where you will find a covered market (the trading has been going on since the 13^th century). It is now an higher class shopping mall where you will find expensive antiques, jewels and just about everything. In the “Piazza” there are also cafes and a restaurant. Open-air artists perform all day long.

 

In the surrounding area you will see: the Theatre Museum, the Royal Opera House, the Courtauld Institute Galleries, the Transports Museum and the Adelphi.

 

EVENING PERFORMANCE……one of these evenings will include a top performance of musical such as PHANTOM OF THE OPERA or similar

 

DAY 4- LONDON POSSIBILITIES

LEGAL LONDON, WESTMISTER AND SOUTH BANK

 

Go to St. James’ Park station. Stroll in this small but lovely park and reach Buckingham Palace.

Walk then towards the Whitehall (look the buildings), pass Downing Street and continue towards Westminster where you will find the Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben and House of Parliament, the London Aquarium and the London Eye.

 

Afterwards reach legal London. Don’t miss a visit to the TEMPLE – the entry to the City which is the heart of the legal world of London.  The 17t^h century timeber-frame houses are a stark contrast to the rest of the city.  Visit the OLD BAILEY and the Central Criminal Courts and the GUIDLHALL, BANK OF ENGLAND, the BARBICAN CENTRE, St. PAUL’s CATHEDRAL, St. MARY-LE BOW and the TEMPLE of MITHRAS .  The Guildhall is absolutely fascinating and definitely worth a visit to see the amazing hall with coats of arms and banners.  The Old Bailey is the present Criminal Court and is part of Dicken’s London &  “ Jack the Ripper’s London”.

 

Every Sunday morning at Liverpool Street station there is a open market called “Pettit Coat Lane Market” and behind this area there is “Spitafields Market”.

 

OR

 

GREENWICH & SOUTHBANK

Reach Tower Bridge tube station, just outside there is the Tower of London and this beautiful bridge.

 

Visit the tower of London where you will find ancient rooms and furniture, the Crown Jewels, the public records, the chapel of St. John the Evangelist…

 

Then, cross the bridge and visit Butler’s Wharf, HMS Belfast boat, Hay’s Galleria and continue towards London Bridge where you will find the London Dungeon and the Shakespeare’s Globe.

 

In the afternoon take the train to Greenwich (a speaker will describe you the area). Visit the Cutty Sark (a vessel sailing the China- London route in the 19^th century), the village, the, stroll in the park and reach the Old Royal Observatory (where there is the red Prime Meridian line). In Greenwich you will also find: the National Maritime museum, the Queen’s house and the Royal Navy College.

 

LONDON POSSIBILITIES

SOUTH KENSIGTON, NOTTHING HILL

 

Reach Knightsbridge subway station. Walk down Brompton Road, past Harrods, up to Cromwell Road. You will find here: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science museum.

Continuing north you will reach Exhibition road where there are the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial.

 

Cross the street and stroll in Kensington Gardens.  Reach the Kensington Palace. In the Kensington Palace Gardens you will see two beautiful ancient residences: Linley Sambourne House and Leighton House.  Continue then your walk at the discovery of Kensington Gardens and reach the Peter Pan statue, the fountains and the Serpentine lake. Cross the bridge and you will have entered Hyde Park.

 

In Hyde Park Speakers corner (Marble Arch tube Station) every Sunday afternoon you will hear speakers talking about religion, every day life, wars….

 

Reach Notthing Hill and here follow directions to Portobello Market (antiques and every type of merchandises on Saturdays). 

 

 

OTHER OPTIONS

FAVORITE MUSEUMS

Explore the incredibly vast collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum or the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery.  If shopping is on your itinerary there are markets, the hot new area around Notting Hill Road, and Kings Road to visit.   Both museums offer great restaurants for a snack or light and eclectic meal.

 

The V & A as it is affectionately called is perhaps the favorite museum of the city.  An incredibly vast collection of everything can be found here from Paintings (very fine Constables), sculpture, medieval artifacts, furnishings including reconstruction of entire rooms from various palaces, Islamic art and carpets, Indian collections, Renaissance works, and its famous Costume Gallery.  The restaurant serves a Jazz Brunch on Sunday.

 

 

The Imperial War Museum

This interesting museum is located in Lambeth Road. It houses old buses,  and a holocaust exhibition.

 

Tate Gallery

In this gallery you will find paintings by Turner, Constable, Matisse,....

 

Tate Gallery of Modern Art

In this gallery you will find paintings by Matisse, Picasso, Dali, contemporary English painters ....

 

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

The Wallace Collection is one of London's secret treasures housed in the former mansion of the 4^th Marquess of Hertford; a passionate art collector.  Sumptuous it is, with room after room displaying priceless furnishings, paintings, and Sevres porcelain.  Walls are hung with Van Dykes, Rembrants and Rubens.  Afterwards, the nearby Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets filled with shops and department stores are yours to explore at your own pace.  Bond Street is the prime luxury shopping area of London, lined with boutiques bearing the names of top fashion designers.   

 

 

SHOPPING

BOND STREET, OXFORD STREET, KINGS ROAD, NOTTING HILL ROAD and KENSINGTON HIGH STREET along with KNIGHTSBRIDGE and SLOANE AVENUE are the top shopping areas of London.

 

GUIDED WALKS!!

You can meet a guide for just about any special GUIDED WALK under any subject in London.  Duration of 2 hours.

 

Groups meet at a particular place and then travel by underground to the various location and a guide walks through the various parts of the city or museum lecturing on the sites.  Examples:   Shakespeare’s & Dickens’ London, Westminster and the West End, The Old Chelsea Village Pub walk, Jack the Ripper Haunts, The National Gallery Walk, Ancient London, Old Westminster, Little Venice and DOZENS more!! Cost of only £5.00 or US $8.00 per person.  Visit www.walks.com

 

 

POSSIBLE EXCURSIONS

 

OXFORD

 

BY TRAIN: there are trains leaving London

 

GENERAL:

Oxford is located 60 miles north west of London. It has been a learning centre since the 12ht century.  The city is surrounded by hills, if you look at the city from one of those Oxford looks like a medieval town and you feel like being in the past. The city is also famous for its marmalade. Since 1950 the University city changed, old & new buildings  stay side by side and there are the 2 industry complexes: the Rover Car and the Pressed Steel. Oxford University is divided into 40 different colleges where “scholars” live and study. The best way to enter the colleges is with a guided tour (leaving from 3 to 5 times a day from the Tourist Information centre – from May to June the entrance to the University is  not permitted because of the exams.)

 

The Bus stop and the Train station are close to Geoge Street. In Gloucester Green you will find the Information Centre.

 

VISIT:

Start your visit to the city from Beaumont Street where you could visit the Ashmolean (Art and Archaeology museum) and the Oxford Playhouse or have a cup of tea at “ Randolph” (admire the Gothic interior of this fine hotel).

 

Take St. Giles where you will admire the Balliol College (in its quadrangle Bloody Mary buried alive lots of martyrs). Along St. Giles you will also find the meeting place of the “Inklings” the “Eagle and Child pub”. Continue and reach St. John’s College, visit its beautiful gardens. Go back towards Cornmarket, pass Carfax Tower and continue along St. Aldate’s where you will find the Christ Church College (the poshest and snobbiest college, it has a beautiful 12^th Century chapel, a medieval dining hall, and a Scholarly Picture Gallery).

 

Take High Street and visit the Market, turn left in Turl Street and reach Broad Street where there is the Sheldonian Theatre (look the iron gates and the Roman emperors mega busts) and the Blackwell’s book shop. At the end of the street turn right into Catte Street and admire the 17^th century dome of the Radcliffe Camera. You will find yourself back in High Street, flanked by ancient colleges, notice the All Souls College and the 14^th century University Church tower; visit the Magdalene College (its quadrangle is a quiet area enclosed by ancient vaulted cloisters covered with wisteria). At the end of the street there is the “Magdalene Bridge” from where, if you turn back, you will see the beautiful 15^th century tower of Magdalene College. Cross the bridge and you will be in the Plain, a roundabout with a Victorian fountain from which roads lead to St Clements and Headington.

 

 

Oxford is famous for its Markets too:

Cowley, General market at Oxford Sports Stadium - Sunday morning

Covered Market - General market off High Street, Oxford - Daily - As with many a market its smells are part of the atmosphere: coffee, flowers, fruit, and so on that prompts you to look for the unexpected or special gift. If the spice of life is variety, then it will be seen here. During the Medieval times it was already existing

Gloucester Green, General market - Wednesday, Antiques and second hand on Thursdays

 

 

PUBS

The Bear, Alfred St. Reputedly Oxford's smallest pub dating back to 1242.

The Chequers, High Street - very popular 400 year old pub in the centre of town

Dew Drop Inn, Summertown, 258 Banbury Road - Pub in north Oxford with garden

Eagle & Child, St Giles. An inn since 1650. Famous for meetings of the Inklings: Tolkien, C S Lewis & co.

The Hobgoblin, St Aldates - traditional English pub

Horse & Jockey, Woodstock Road. Eccentric pub with baths, beds and school desks.

The Firkin Brewery, Cowley Road. Oxford's only in-house brew pub.

The Old School, Gloucester Green - originally a school, then bus station ticket office - now a pub providing a home for the Information Centre.

O'Neills, Popular Irish theme pub in George Street.

The Trout Inn, Wolvercote. Fine old inn on the Thames at Godstow originally built in 1133.

Turf Tavern, Bath Place off Holywell St. Immortalised in Thomas Hardy's Jude the obscure and featured in the TV series Inspector Morse.

The Victoria Arms, Old Marston - popular pub by the river, often reached by punt (about 2 hours on the river).

The Wheatsheaf, 129 High Street - rustic pub with real ales.

 

 

IN THE SURROUNDING AREA:

The Black Olive Restaurant- The Otmoor Lodge, Horton-cum-Studley. It is a new restaurant-hotel for business or pleasure, located only seven miles from the centre of Oxford and four miles from Oxford's outer ring road, and within easy reach of the M40.

Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons- Great Milton. Award winning 15th century Manor House, home to Raymond Blanc's creative genius. Fine food, wines and environment.

The Vine, Cumnor. Large menu of home-made food at attractive prices

Feathers hotel - Woodstock. Combined town houses have created a country-house style hotel. Excellent food has a Mediterranean influence.

 

 

RESTAURANTS

MEDITERRANEAN / EUROPEAN FOOD

Blue Palms - 7 South Parade, Summertown. Mediterranean and modern Moroccan cuisine. Tel: 01865 559653

Cherwell Boathouse -Bardwell Road. Cherwell riverside restaurant with atmosphere. Punts are also available for hire from here. Tel: 01865 552746

Fishers, 36 & 37 St Clements, Tel: 01865 243003 - Oxford's only seafood and fish restaurant

The Old Fire Station, Restaurant and Bar serves good food all day. Tel: 01865 794494

Le Petit Blanc, 71 & 72 Walton Street - Raymond Blanc's popular venture into the centre of Oxford Tel: 01865 510999

Rosamund The Fair, Castlemill Boatyard, Cardigan Street - Oxford's cruising longboat restaurant for an unusual experience, a three hour cruise with four course meal Tel: 01865 553370

THAI: Thai Orchid, 58a St Clements St Tel: 01865 798044

CHINESE: The Opium Den, 79 George Street Tel: 01865 248680

LEBANESE: Al-Shami, 25 Walton Crescent, near centre of Oxford. Oxford's oldest established Lebanese restaurant. Quiet lunches, busy evenings, a popular Lebanese restaurant Tel: 01865 310066

MALAYSIAN: Bandung, Walton Street Tel: 01865 511668

JAPANESE: Edamamé, 15 Holywell Street Tel: 01865 246916 - Tues-Fri 11.30-2.30pm, Fri/Sat -also 4.20-8.30pm, Sun 12-4.30pm - Home cooked style Japanese food at low prices in a central location.

INDIAN: The Bombay, 82 Walton Street Tel: 01865 511188 - Bengali cuisine, specialising in fish. Bring your own wine (no corkage charge)

Taj Mahal, 12-13 Park End Street Tel: 01865 247777

                                  

OR

 

STRATTON UPON AVON

BY TRAIN:

The train station is located in Greenhill Street.

 

GENERAL:

It is situated 102 miles northwest of London. Famous because Shakespeare born here on 1564.

You will find the Information centre at the corner between Bridge and high Streets, in the past it was the home of Shakespeare ‘s daughter (Judith).

 

VISIT:

Reach Henley Street you will find: the Shakespeare’s Birhtplace and the Shakespeare Centre (which houses an impressive library). Take High Street and note the half timbered buildings (Harvard House). Continue and reach Chapel Street visit: Nash’s House (home of the Bard’s granddaughter), New Place (a beautiful garden with a variety of roses) and the Shakespeare hotel (admire the Elizabethan façade). Ahead south and you will arrive in Church Street where you will see ancient and beautiful buildings such as: Guild Chapel (note the chimneys) and the Guildhall (Shakespeare’s school). At the end of the street, turn left in Old Town and where you will find a Tudor residence: the Hall’s Croft. By the banks of the Avon there is the Holy Trinity Church (where Shakespeare’s tomb is housed). Then take the Southern Lane where there is the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

 

RESTAURANTS AND PUBS:

Royal Shakespeare Theatre Restaurant - Southern Lane -

Black Swan – Famous pub with garden- Southern Lane

Box Tree Restaurant – Waterside – tel. 01789 293226 – must reserve; one of the best restaurants in town.

The Opposition – 13 Sheep Street – tel. 01789 269980.

 

CAMBRIDGE

BY TRAIN: There are trains leaving London Kings Cross every30 minutes. Cambridge train Station is located in Regent Street.

BY CAR: Take the M11, follow the signs to Cambridge (it is very easy to find). The drive will take you 2 hours.

 

RESTAURANTS:

Midsummer House – located across the Midsummer Common- Cambridge – tel. 01223/369299. Classy restaurant, must reserve.

Brown’s – 23 Trumpington St. – Cambridge – tel. 01223461655. French American brasserie.

Twenty-Two Restaurant - 22, Chesterton Rd - Cambridge - Tel: 01223 351880
Three Horseshoes – Madingley (3 miles west of Cambridge) – tel. 01954210221. 19^th century thatched cottage. Serving modern British cuisine.
Pierre Victoire - 90-92, Regent St  - Cambridge  - Tel: 01223 570170 

Al Casbah --62, Mill Rd - Cambridge - Tel: 01223 579500

Bangkok City - 24 Green St - Cambridge   - Tel: 01223 354382

Bengal Restaurant - 4, Fitzroy St - Cambridge   - Tel: 01223 351010

 

PUBS:

The Old English Gentleman - 180 High St – Harston - Cambridge  - Tel: 01223 870287

Bath Cider House- 3 Benet St -Cambridge  - Tel: 01223 350969

Cambridge Arms - 4 King St - Cambridge - Tel: 01223 505015  

 

 

GENERAL:

This ancient University city is located 54 miles north of London, on a bend of the River Cam. The city's ancient streets were not designed for modern traffic, and although there are several public car parks (at Cowley Road, Clifton Road, Newmarket Road and Madingley Road) and some on-street parking, moreover strolling alongs Cambridge beautiful streets is the best way to visit the city. If you do not feel like to walk there are frequent bus running towards the centre. In Cambridge you will see miles of cycle routes.

 

This beauty of this lovely city is enhanced by its medieval streets and passages, countryards, classical buildings, gardens, riverbanks and towering trees. Cambridge was founded before the Roman occupation; the University foundation is a mystery too. There are several legends; one of those says that some Masters of Oxford brought here their scholars to escape the gown troubles.

 

What distinguish Cambridge from Oxford are: the larger size colleges, the lack of  industrialisation, the atmosphere of broad sweeping openness and the Backs (a parkland situated along the River and behind several colleges).

 

The Oxford is made of 25 colleges, of most  those you can visit only the chapels, the halls, and some libraries.

 

Two hours tours are starting from the Information Centre (up to 5 times daily).

 

VISIT:

 

[At the junction of Hills Road, Regent Street, Gonville Place and Lensfied Road is the lofty Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs - Cambridge's Catholic Church.  Admire the tall University Library. Built in the 1930s it is entitled to receive a free copy of every book published in the UK - and its massive tower dominates the city skyline.

 

At Castle Hill, in the grounds of the Shire Hall, headquarters of Cambridgeshire County Council, is all that remains of the Norman castle that once protected Cambridge. Today it is only an earthy mound.

 

Reach Trumpington Road and visit the Botanic Gardens (founded in 1762) and, in Trumpington Street, the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Peterhouse College, the oldest one dating 1281 (founded by the Bishop of Ely). Across the street there is the Pembroke College (entrance in Pembroke Street) admire the chapel built in 1665 to a design by Sir Christopher Wren; this college is also known as “the poets college”. At the end of the street, take Downing Street where there is the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Emmanuel College.

 

Take St. Andrew’s Street, Cambridge shopping Street, have a look in Petty Curry, a side street that was once a rambling area of courtyards, alleyways and coaching inns. Continuing towards Sidney Street: visit the Christ College (look the Tudor gateway, the courtyard, the chapel and the garden) and the Sidney Sussex (where the Oliver Cromwell portrait is housed). Turn right in Jesus Lane and you will find the Jesus College (here note: the Chapter house entrance, the Chapel’s Pre-Raphaelite stained glass and the grounds).

 

Go back to Sydney Street, have a look at Lloyds Bank Chambers in Sidney Street, designed in 1891 which has a marvellous vaulted ceiling. Continue and pass Bridge Street, stopping at the  Round Church (the Church of the Holy Sepulchre). Behind the Round Church is the Union Society which was built in 1866, it is a debating chamber in the style of a miniature House of Commons and many of Britain's best known politicians learned their debating skills there as students.

 

Reach Magdalene Street (after the bridge) where there is the Magdalene College. Continuing north there are: Kettle’s Yard and the Folk Museum.

 

Afterwards, go back towards the centre and take St. John’s Street where you will find St John’s and Trinity Colleges (where Sir Isaac Newton studied). The Senate House in King's Parade, a classical style building, is Cambridge University's 'parliament', where policy is discussed and degrees conferred. Continuing south there is King's College, in King's Parade, which is one of the first historic buildings people encounter. The college's beautiful chapel was started by Henry VI in 1446 but it was not completed until the middle of the 16^th century. The chapel has probably the best collection of medieval windows in Britain, so precious that they were completely removed during World War II to protect them from bombing raids. The chapel is the venue for the world-famous festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Christmas time.

 

Just off King's Parade is the market square where trading has gone on for centuries. A fire in the 19^th century burnt several of the surrounding buildings and delimited the current space reserved for this market.

 

One of the more recent buildings to have been put up is the Guildhall, headquarters of Cambridge City Council, which dates back to the 1930s. In the 1970s, the area was extensively redeveloped, and the Lion Yard shopping centre was built which also houses the Central Library.

 

Then go to the Great St. Mary’s (the main church - once the university's administrative centre) and reach the tower for a memorable view over the city.

The oldest building (probably dating from 1050) in Cambridge is the tower of St Benet's Church in Bene't Street where you will find one of the oldest pubs in the city is The Eagle beloved of US airmen during World War II and the place where DNA discoverers Crick and Watson discussed their findings over a pint of beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paris

DAY 5

Leave London and take the Eurostar from downtown arriving in downtown Paris in 3 hours.  Take a taxi to your hote. And settle in.

 

 ORIENTATION - ILE DE LA CITE' - ST. LOUIS - NOTRE-DAME - CONCIERGERIE - MARCHE' AUX FLEURS

This afternoon visit the Cité and its surroundings, where 2000 years ago the Parisii founded the colony that in later centuries grew to be the city of Paris.  This is an excellent way to get oriented. 

 

Stop in Notre Dame Cathedral and the haunting Conciergerie where prisoners were kept during the Revolution before being taken to the guillotine.

 

DAY 6, 7

SELECT FROM OPTIONS BELOW

JACQUEMART ANDRE' MUSEUM - CHAMPS-ELYSEES - ARC DE TRIOMPHE - HOTEL DES INVALIDES.

The recently restored Jacquemart-Andre' mansion houses an extraordinary collection of 19th century art and furnishings which was acclaimed even in its own day.  The museum hosts a lovely tea room with wonderful pastries.

 

Your morning walk continues with the nearby Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the beautiful Alexander Bridge, passed the Petit and Grand Palace.  The last stop is at Napoleon's imposing tomb under the golden dome of the church of Invalides.   After lunch check our suggestions, the afternoon is at your disposal to visit the golden triangle of fashion at the avenue Montaigne and rue Francois 1er and stop at the intoxicating Maison du Chocolat to order a cup of the best hot chocolate in Paris. 

           

ORSAY MUSEUM - COOKING COURSE

The Orsay museum with its Impressionist collection is one of the highlights of your trip.  The structure itself re-designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti merits a visit and displays objects d'art, furnishings and sculpture.  After you may choose to walk to the nearby Left bank boutiques selling fashion, home accessories and antiques. In the afternoon if you opt for this activity we could arrange for a cooking course and tasting (optional). Your instructor will guide you through the steps of classical French cuisine (for those who prefer a wine course we provide that option.

 

CHOCOLATE!! and MORE                              

There is nothing as intoxicating as the smell of a Parisian chocolate shop.  The major problem is deciding what to have…  our top 3 chocolate meccas are:

 

v    The MAISON DU CHOCOLATE - where Mr. Linxe reigns supreme buying and importing his own cocoa beans and mixing them himself.  The largest chocolate boutique in his roster is the one on rue Francois Ier #52 off the Champs Elysees.  There is space to sit down and order a superb cup of hot chocolate (choose from an entire menu!) and buy a nice box of his exquisite hand made chocolates.  We particularly recommend his Romeo's with an arabica coffee interior and the Rigoletto's with caramel filling.

v    DEBAUVE & GALLAIS - dating from the 1800's as a pharmacy it now has been restored to its original splendor.  Around the corner from the Blvd. St. Germain on 30 rue des Saint-Peres.

v    MICHEL CHAUDUN - 149 rue de l'Universite' also near the Blvd. St. Germain.  We recommend the pure bittersweet tablettes….. they linger in your mouth for a long, long time.

 

For a step into the past and a cup of some of the best hot chocolate don't miss ANGELINA's on the rue de Rivoli, their mont-blanc (chestnut and meringue concoction) isn't bad either. 

 

 

RUE MONTORGEUIL MARKET - PALAIS ROYALE - OPERA' - MADELEINE - FREE AFTERNOON - DINNER CRUISE

Head for the Rue Montorgeuil market where food is displayed as in a still art painting by Cezanne.  The surroundings are dotted with cookware and gourmet shops for those wishing to add to their kitchen collection. The market sells everything from cheeses to bread and pastries and is an excellent way of observing local life. If the sight of all this food is too much for you to bear, and making you hungry, stop at Stohrer open since 1730 for a flaky cream-filled puff pastry creation called pithiviere.

 

Continue with the nearby Palais Royale gardens encircled by unusual boutiques and restaurants, plus the Place des Victoires.  Always on gourmet themes, you can admire the windows of Fouchon the city's temple of gastronomy.

 

 

LOUVRE - PLACE de la CONCORDE - TUILERIES GARDENS

The Louvre is the world's undisputed greatest museum, even greater now after the renovations and embellishments that reorganised the various collections and made room for many more works of art that previously had been left in storage. Walk through the marvellous works of art housed under the new construction of I.M.Pei, a city within a city. In the afternoon is your beauty treatment (optional).

 

Tonight is your dinner cruise. At least once in a lifetime you should float down the Seine at night admiring the brightly lit monuments while dining on fine French cuisine and wine.

 

 

                                                            

PASTRIES, CROISSANTS AND CAKES

v      Voted the best millefuille in Paris, stop in FOUCHON's patisserie  on Place de la Madeleine.

v      LADUREE is our favorite tea room and their croissants and macarons the best in Paris.  Located off the Place de la Madeleine.  They serve Mariage Freres teas, while the café' au lait is possibly the finest in the city.

v      LENOTRE - the king of pastry chefs, you will find shops all over the city.  His chocolates are tops and we recommend his breads, cakes, ice creams…basically everything!

v      PATISSERIE MILLET - to taste Tradition: madeleines, the butter and almond financiers and almond croissants.  There is a small tea salon to sample whatever strikes your fancy.  The pain au chocolate is packed with bittersweet chocolate bars.

v      DOLLOYAU - all over the city.  Offering everything including light lunches. Feel free to indulge in their mogador a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and a layer of raspberry jam.

 

 

 

THE MARAIS - CARNEVALET MUSEUM - PLACE des VOSGES - VICTOR HUGO'S HOME - BASTILLE

This fascinating Quartier used to be a marsh (Marais means marsh in French) which King Charles V had drained in the 14^th century.  Later, Henry IV in the 17^th century turned it into prime real estate and the area soon became the city's most fashionable address.  Today many of the mansions have been carefully restored and turned into museums. 

 

The Musee Carnevalet dedicated to the history of Paris, is our first stop. This wonderfully intimate museum used to be Madame Sevigne's home and is filled with an amazing variety of items including a recreation of rooms such as Prousts' bedroom and the splendid gilt ballroom of the hotel Wendel. Your walking itinerary continues to the Place des Vosges, Paris' most perfect square built by Henry the IV, Victor Hugo's home and the eclectic Bastille neighbourhood.  After lunch the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this fascinating area.  For lunch try some of the restaurants under the arches of the Place des Vosges such as La Guirlande de Julie.

 

OPTIONAL

FONTAINEBLEAU CASTLE and BARBIZON EXCURSION- (half day in the afternoon)

 

Fontainebleau Chateau and the village of Barbizon are this afternoon's destination, please be in your hotel lobby by 1:15 p.m. to be picked up by mini-bus and guide.  Francois I, during the Renaissance originally built it to be a hunting lodge. Successive additions and embellishments by King Henry II, Louis the XIV and lastly Napoleon, have resulted in one of the finest chateaux's in France.  The gardens laid out by royal gardener Le Notre, the throne room and magnificent ballroom are some of the high points of the excursion.

 

 

RESTAURANTS

 Note that all restaurants have fixed price menus for lunch and sometimes even for dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAFÉ'S are another great way of getting a quick bite and being able to people watch - you will find them everywhere.

 

The above are just a start, we suggest you arm yourselves with a good guide and a spirit of culinary adventure.  New places open up all the time.  If you wish for additional information, our staff is at your disposal.

 

SHOPPING                             

If shopping is on your mind the Right bank is the golden triangle. Starting from the Madeleine you can begin to explore the exclusive boutiques of the rue St. Honore' and Capucine and the department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printiemps. During your free time you may want to take a break at Laduree the most elegant tearoom in the area, their croissants and chocolate macaroons are the best in the city and a perfect match to a cup of Mariage Freres' famed teas.

 

LEFT BANK - SHOPPING

Start with the Blvd. St. Germain and then weave into the many side streets such as Rue de St. Peres, Rue St. Dominque, Rue Dragon, Rue du Seine (great market) and others.  The Left Bank's department store is Au Bon Marche' very large with an excellent supermarket to shop for every sort of French delicacy to bring home.

 

MARAIS, BASTILLE  and  the 16^th ARRONDISSMENT

The Marias and Bastille are the best places to head for cutting edge and unusual designers.  The eclectic and creative is to be found here.  Each boutique is different and the Bastille area is where some of the hottest evening action can be found.  The 16^th arrondissment is lined with exclusive shops, this is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Paris so the shopping reflects its surroundings.

 

DAY 8 - RETURN TO THE US