Four night stay in Paris, "City of Light"

France, 4 Nights

Day 1
Upon arrival at Paris Gare du Nord you will be met by your driver and privately transferred to your hotel, Hotel Daniel, Paris.

Day 2 - Paris
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, take a morning walking tour of Paris. Pass by famous Parisian sights such as the Arc de Triomphe, travel down the Champs Elysées to the Ile de la Cité, where you visit the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sainte Chapelle, a pearl of Gothic architecture. After lunch at leisure visit the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a behind the scenes tour. View the internal machinery room located under the structure and from which the elevators are controlled and see the fascinating hydraulics and intricate mechanics on the first floor of this historic monument. You can enter the old secret military bunkers sited under the Champs des Mars, previously dedicated to radio and telegraph equipment.

Day 3 - Museums
Enjoy a half day visit with your private guide and vehicle to the Musée du Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. Your guide will be able to show you the hidden gems of these two famous landmarks.

The Louvre is housed in a magnificent building, originally built for use as a royal palace for King Francis I. The main entrance is now covered by a large glass, steel rod and cable pyramid designed by the American architect I. M. Pei. It is home to one of the most important art collections in the Western world, spanning the period from remotest antiquity, through to about 1850.

The Musée d'Orsay is housed in a converted railway station. The collection's main attraction is its Impressionist works: Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and Monet are all well-represented. The Post Impressionist collection includes works by Van Gogh and Cézanne.

This afternoon you are at leisure to explore Paris for yourself. Perhaps stroll in the many parks and gardens that have been depicted in the works of art that you have just viewed.

Day 4 - Palace & Gardens of Versailles
Today you will enjoy a half day visit to Versailles with your private vehicle and guide. You will drive out to Versailles to admire the huge palace of the great Sun King Louis XIV, visiting the State Apartments and decorative gardens.

Boasting around 2,143 windows, 1,252 fireplaces, and 67 staircases, the Palace is one of the most visited attractions in France. As a fine example of 18th century French art, this historic building has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List for 30 years.

Also known as the "cradle of liberty" (Berceau-de-la-Liberté) it was here that the people of Paris made their stand against King Louis XVI, forcing the royal family to leave behind their life of decadence and move back to the true capital city of Paris. The Palace of Versailles is surrounded by a number of spectacular groves and gardens which are scattered, in amazing numbers, with beautiful sculptures and fountains.

Day 5
You will be met by your by private vehicle to transfer you to the rail station for your Eurostar journey home.