London, Paris, and the

Transcription

1 An as-you-like-it* tour of London, Paris, and the Strasbourg Christmas Market Savoring the good life... high tea, Royal London, West End Theatre, Shakespeare s Globe... Paris s charm, architecture, and covered shopping galleries... Strasbourg s Christmas market and festive vibe November 29 December 9 {*as you like it = no pressure, relaxed pace; join the morning or afternoon schedule when you want to / do your own thing when you want to... sound good?}

2 {mmmmmmm... something smells just-right-for-the-season} Fresh treats from the Strasbourg Christmas Market Europe s oldest; St. Sulpice Church, Paris

3 Trip Highlights include: hotels in great locations close to the shops, lovely promenades and cafés famous shopping venues in London, Paris, and Strasbourg an intimate, small group travel experience great London experiences: Kensington Palace; changing of the horse guard; Westminster Abbey; high tea; Thames River cruise; and more Paris s atmospheric shopping galleries; stunning architecture; quaint neighborhoods Montmartre and the Marais; fun, guided walks down time, daily join me for a unique site visit, or shop til you drop... Strasbourg s continental appeal, canals and half-timbered houses {and did I mention tea?}

4 Trip** price: $3849 (double occupancy; single supplement, $900); price includes comfortable center-city accommodations and breakfasts for 9 nights [London, 3 nights; Paris, 3 nights; Strasbourg, 2 nights; Paris / Gharles de Gaulle airport, 1 night]; London tea; taxis and other ground transportation and shuttles; train travel; guided touring; non-optional entrances, admissions, and entertainment (per the itinerary, below). **Travelers can opt to omit the Strasbourg excursion, making the trip price $3049 (double occupancy; single supplement, $700). General Itinerary++ Saturday, November 29 Begin your trans-atlantic flight to London. Sunday, November 30 Morning arrival in London; shuttle to the hotel. We ll leave our bags (check-in will be in the early afternoon), then ease into our surroundings. Enjoy tea near the hotel. We ll

5 get a great look at central London (and relax while we re doing it) from a classic doubledecker bus. After lunch, we ll check into the hotel. This afternoon, do what you d like to do. Rest at the hotel... take a taxi to Liberty of London or Selfridges department stores... or visit the smart shops on New Oxford Street such as the famous James Smith and Sons Umbrella Shop. Dinner on your own this evening; then catch up on your sleep tonight. Overnight central London. Monday, December 1 Refreshed! This morning let s make our way to Kensington Palace famous address of Kate and William polished (and a bit controversial) after an acclaimed recent renovation. We ll tour the palace then visit London s oldest covered gallery Burlington Arcade, in stodgy Mayfair. In the mid-afternoon, let s ride the antique Routemaster bus from Trafalgar Square to St. Paul s Cathedral Christopher Wren s great masterpiece. We ll enjoy a guided tour of the interior; those interested can also see one or two of Wren s less-known churches (like St. Mary-le-Bow) nearby. After dinner this evening, those who wish can take in a West End show (optional). Overnight London. Tuesday, December 2 This morning we ll watch the famous changing of the guard in Royal London (highlighted by the royal horse guards moving up the Mall). Tea, anyone? We ll have a reservation at one of central London s finest addresses for tea (included). In the early afternoon, visit the famous department stores and specialty shops... or the Churchill War Rooms the underground bunker where Winston Churchill ran the war for the UK. We ll depart the hotel in the late-afternoon, for dinner and a performance at Shakespeare s recreated Globe Theatre, on the South Bank of the Thames. Overnight London. Wednesday, December 3 Around noon today, we ll depart London by Eurostar train for Paris. Two and half hours later, voila we ll arrive. We ll shuttle to the hotel, then embark on a fun discovery tour of Paris. Enjoy cafés and the urban appeal of shopping galleries, and grand architecture. Dinner and overnight in Paris.

6 Thursday, December 4 This morning, we ll venture to Montmartre one of Paris s 9 hills, and known for quaint streets and art. At the top of the hill is the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica. After lunch in the area, we ll return to the Opera area, home of some of Paris s oldest and most famous shopping galleries. Those who wish can join me on a walk to lovely Parc Monceau, then by metro to Paris s modernist La Défense quarter. This evening we ll enjoy an entertainment event, possibly at the Palais Garnier one of the homes of the Paris Opera. Friday, December 5 This morning, we ll join a local guide for a fascinating walking tour of the St. Germain district, on the Left Bank. We ll visit ancient churches, the haunts of famous painters and writers, and enjoy an orientation to medieval Paris. St. Germain is also among the most atmospheric in Paris for cafés, boutiques, and the people scene. In the afternoon... Eiffel Tower, anyone? It s just an elevator ride (or two) to the top. Dinner and overnight in Paris. Saturday, December 6 [Those who opt for the trip s short version will depart this morning, via the Charles de Gaulle airport.] Those who stay... may visit the acclaimed Musée d Orsay Paris s premier art museum for 19 th century art (including Impressionism)... and then board an earlyafternoon train for Alsace, and the canal-ringed city of Strasbourg. In Strasbourg, enjoy our central-city accommodations to explore the old city core: canals, the cathedral, half-timbered buildings. And the delights of the Christmas market. Dinner and overnight in Strasbourg. Sunday, December 7 Today, wander the markets at your leisure. In the afternoon, we ll enjoy a boat tour of the city, including the canal-ringed Petite France quarter. Dinner and overnight in Strasbourg.

7 Monday, December 8 This morning we ll visit the Palais de Rohan lavish residence of the Alsatian Prince- Bishop. In the afternoon, we ll depart by train for the Paris airport. Dinner and overnight in Roissy. Tuesday, December 9 We fly home. ++Explore Up Close, LLC, reserves the right to alter itinerary details when necessary. Trip Registration: To register for this trip, print the registration form (pages 8 and 9 of this pdf file), and mail as directed, along with your deposit. Please find deposit and refund information on the registration form. Contact Chumley Cope and Explore Up Close, LLC, with any questions. (864) chumley@exploreupclose.com

8 Trip Registration Form London, Paris, and the Strasbourg Christmas Market, November 29 December 9, 2014 Please mail / return this registration form and your deposit check to: Explore Up Close, LLC 613 Poplar St. Spartanburg, SC Name: 2. Mailing Address: 3. Home Telephone Number: 4. Address: 5. Will a spouse / friend / guest accompany you on this trip? Yes No Name of person(s) traveling with you: ;

9 How to contact this person: Telephone: 6. Lodging specifics: room with two (2) beds room with one (1) bed 7. Deposit / Refund information: Please enclose a deposit check (payable to Explore Up Close) of $750 / person with your registration. Refunds (minus a $100 service fee for international trips) can be granted before bookings are made, but not less than 60 days prior to trip departure. The purchase of trip insurance can insure your trip investment in the event of illness and a number of other emergency contingencies. See your travel agent or call Chumley Cope for more information. 8. Payment information: Full payment is due 60 days prior to the trip start date. Enclosed is my check, payable to Explore Up Close, in the amount of. This payment covers the deposit(s) / full payment(s) [circle one] for the following travelers: a. b. Additional information / questions about the trip: Contact Chumley Cope at Explore Up Close, LLC. You may reach Chumley by telephone at (864) or by at chumley@exploreupclose.com. Look for information about other trips at