Itinerary
- Day 1
London
You'll arrive in London and have the afternoon to yourself. Get settled at your hotel and start wandering around the city at your own pace. This gives you a chance to grab some food, adjust to the time zone, and get a feel for the neighborhoods around where you're staying.
- Day 2
London
A local guide takes you through London's historic center this morning, showing you Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul's Cathedral. After the tour ends, the afternoon is open for you to explore whatever interests you most. You might grab lunch somewhere or head back to areas you want to see again.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning sightseeing with Local Guide including Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul's Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Houses of Parliament Big Ben Westminster Abbey Whitehall Prime Minister's Downing Street residence Piccadilly Circus Buckingham Palace St. Paul's Cathedral - Day 3
London to Bath
Meet your Tour Director at 8 am and head out to Stonehenge to see this prehistoric monument up close. From there, you'll travel to Bath where you can walk through the Roman Baths, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with incredible excavations. The rest of your day is free to wander this elegant spa town, check out the Georgian architecture, or relax at one of the thermal spas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Stonehenge
- Visit to Roman Baths excavations
Landmarks/POIs Stonehenge Roman Baths - Day 4
Bath to Liverpool
This morning you'll drive through Wales, stopping in the historic market town of Ludlow to see its medieval streets and Tudor buildings. Then you'll head to Llangollen before arriving in Liverpool. You'll have the evening and rest of the day to explore Liverpool at your own pace, whether that's checking out the waterfront or the city's music history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to historic market town of Ludlow
- Visit to picturesque town of Llangollen
Landmarks/POIs Ludlow Castle St. Laurence's Church - Day 5
Liverpool to Edinburgh
You'll drive through the Lake District this morning, then stop in Grasmere to see Wordsworth's village and try the original Grasmere gingerbread made from a recipe dating back to 1854. Later, you'll visit Gretna Green where Scottish blacksmiths once performed marriages for eloping couples. By evening you'll reach Edinburgh with free time to settle in and explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Lake District
- Visit to Grasmere and sampling of original Grasmere gingerbread
- Visit to Gretna Green
Landmarks/POIs Lake District Grasmere Gretna Green - Day 6
Edinburgh
A local guide shows you Edinburgh's New Town and Old Town, then you'll head up to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland's Crown Jewels. The afternoon is yours to wander around. If your tour runs between July 28 and August 18, you can attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this evening, which is a major event in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning city sightseeing with Local Guide including New Town, Old Town, and Edinburgh Castle visit to see Scotland's Crown Jewels
Optional Activities
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance (available for departures July 28 through August 18 only)
Landmarks/POIs Edinburgh Castle - Day 7
Edinburgh to York
You'll start at Abbotsford with a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's historic house, then travel to Jedburgh to photograph the Augustinian abbey ruins. After that, you'll head to York where you can see York Minster and walk through The Shambles, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval shopping streets, on a guided tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House
- Visit to Jedburgh Augustinian abbey ruins
- Guided walk through The Shambles and York Minster
Landmarks/POIs Abbotsford House Jedburgh Abbey York Minster The Shambles - Day 8
York to Paris
You'll visit Stratford-upon-Avon to see Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Shakespeare's Birthplace, exploring the life and family of England's most famous playwright. Later this day, you'll transfer to Paris where you'll board your Avalon Suite Ship to begin your river cruise experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Visit to Anne Hathaway's Cottage
- Visit to Shakespeare's Birthplace
Landmarks/POIs Anne Hathaway's Cottage Shakespeare's Birthplace - Day 9
Paris
You'll board your Avalon Suite Ship in Paris this evening and settle into your cabin. Dinner is served on board as you start your overnight cruise to Vernon, so you can relax and get comfortable with the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)
- Day 10
Vernon to Les Andelys to Caudebec
After a morning stretch, you'll choose from three activities: walk through Chateau des Tourelles, take a guided tour of Giverny and Claude Monet's gardens, or visit Bizy Castle. During lunch you'll have traditional French food with crepes and a pastry demonstration as the ship cruises. In the afternoon, you can hike to Chateau Gaillard or take a guided walk through Les Andelys. The ship continues overnight to Caudebec.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crepes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Stretch with Avalon Adventure Host
- Traditional French lunch with authentic French crepes
- Pastry Demonstration
- Evening cruise to Les Andelys
Optional Activities
- Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Giverny and Claude Monet's home and gardens
- Guided Visit to Bizy Castle
- Guided Hike to Chateau Gaillard castle ruins
- Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys
Landmarks/POIs Chateau des Tourelles Giverny Claude Monet's home and gardens Bizy Castle Chateau Gaillard Les Andelys - Day 11
Caudebec
You can choose between a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host or a guided trip to explore medieval Benedictine and Augustinian abbeys along the Normandy Abbeys Route. In the afternoon, you have the option to visit the seaside town of Honfleur. You'll remain docked in Caudebec overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the river with Adventure Host
- Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route featuring medieval Benedictine and Augustinian abbeys and churches
- Guided Optional Excursion to seaside town of Honfleur
Landmarks/POIs Honfleur - Day 12
Caudebec to Rouen
You'll pick from three guided tour options: explore Normandy's WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, visit British and Canadian commemorative sites like Juno Beach Center and the Canadian War Cemetery, or tour authentic Normandy with a brandy tasting in Calvados. That evening there's live entertainment on board before you cruise to Rouen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc monument, and American Cemetery
- Guided Tour of British and Canadian commemorative sites including British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, Arromanches, Juno Beach Center, and Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery
- Guided Tour featuring brandy tasting in Calvados
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery Pegasus Memorial Arromanches Juno Beach Center Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery - Day 13
Rouen to Conflans
You can explore Rouen by choosing either a guided bike tour or a walking tour of this historic city where Joan of Arc died. You'll see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The ship continues overnight to Conflans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Bike Tour of Rouen discovering famous monuments and hidden gems
- Guided Walking Tour of Rouen including medieval quarter, 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame Cathedral, Rouen Astronomical Clock - Day 14
Conflans to Paris
You'll choose from three included activities: a relaxing bike ride along the Seine, a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh lived and was buried, or a guided tour of Chateau de Malmaison, home of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine. You can also optionally visit the Palace of Versailles. Live entertainment happens on board before cruising to Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the Seine with Adventure Host
- Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh
- Guided tour of Chateau de Malmaison, home of Napoleon Bonaparte and wife Josephine
- Guided Optional Excursion to Palace of Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Chateau de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 15
Paris
In Paris, you can choose from three activities: a walking tour along the Seine, a guided walk through the ancient heart of Paris including Palais-Royal, the Louvre, Ile de la Cite, and Latin Quarter, or a guided city tour showing you the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and Champs-Elysees. Spend the rest of the day strolling around Paris or sitting in a literary cafe. The ship stays docked in Paris overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Experience the Seine river by foot with Adventure Host
- Guided Walk through ancient heart of Paris featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, Ile de la Cite, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter
- Guided City Tour of iconic Paris sites including Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and Champs-Elysees
Landmarks/POIs Palais-Royal Louvre Museum Ile de la Cite Left Bank Latin Quarter Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opera Garnier Champs-Elysees - Day 16
Paris
Your trip ends this morning with breakfast before you depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast
