Itinerary
- Day 1
London
You'll get picked up from the airport and head to your hotel for a 3-night stay in London. After you settle in, there's plenty of time to explore at your own pace. Walk through the historic streets, take a stroll along the River Thames, or find a quiet spot in one of the parks if you're feeling jet-lagged.
Optional Activities
- Explore London's vibrant atmosphere and history-drenched streets at your own pace
- Leisurely stroll along the River Thames
- Walk through London's beautiful urban parks
- Day 2
London
This morning you'll join a guided city tour that covers all the major landmarks. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace are on the itinerary. Then you'll head through the West End theatre district, swing by Trafalgar Square, and catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of London including Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, West End theatre district, and Trafalgar Square
- Watch the traditional Changing of the Guard
Optional Activities
- Afternoon tea (extra expense)
Landmarks Big Ben Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace West End Trafalgar Square - Day 3
London
Today the schedule is completely open. You might hop on the London Eye for views across the city, spend a few hours at the British Museum, or wander through Hyde Park. If street art interests you, head to Shoreditch, or grab tickets for a show in the West End later.
Optional Activities
- Visit the London Eye for panoramic views across the city
- Visit the British Museum
- Stroll through Hyde Park
- Explore striking street art in Shoreditch
- Enjoy a show at a West End theatre
- Guided Tour of Camden and Borough Market (extra expense)
Landmarks London Eye British Museum Hyde Park Shoreditch West End - Day 4
London to Paris
After breakfast, you'll check out and transfer to St. Pancras station for the train to Paris. Once you arrive, you'll board the Star-Ship Emerald Lumi and meet other guests for a welcome dinner. The ship departs Paris overnight, heading toward Vernon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner on board the Star-Ship
- Day 5
Vernon
An early morning tour takes you to Giverny, where Claude Monet spent over 40 years. You'll walk through his gardens and see inside his former home, checking out the rooms where he lived and worked. The restored gardens that inspired his most famous paintings are the real highlight here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- In the footsteps of Claude Monet - Early morning tour of Giverny Gardens and Monet's former home
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Giverny (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Paint like Monet (extra expense)
- Rouen by Night (extra expense)
Landmarks Giverny Gardens Monet's House 
- Day 6
Rouen
The ship docks in Rouen, a historic city sitting on the Seine. You can join a guided walk through the medieval center to learn about Roman and Viking heritage, or take a longer walk to see more of the city's 100 spires. Later, there's an EmeraldPLUS World War II lecture on board that sets up tomorrow's D-Day visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rouen's medieval centre
- World War II lecture on board (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Active walk in Rouen (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Camembert Cheese farm visit with tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Rouen Medieval Centre - Day 7
Normandy
This full-day tour focuses on D-Day history. You'll visit the Normandy beaches where the Allied landings happened, plus memorials and museums that honor those involved. It's a significant and reflective day learning about this turning point in World War II.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Historic Normandy: Allied Landing Sites - Full-day tour of D-Day beaches, memorials, and museums
Landmarks D-Day Beaches 
- Day 8
Honfleur
You'll explore Honfleur, a charming harbor town with timber-framed houses and a bustling quay. During the morning walking tour, you can see colorful fishing boats and visit St. Catherine Church, the largest wooden church in France. The tour includes a fresh oyster tasting that showcases local seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Honfleur with oyster tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Honfleur (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Honfleur Old Port St. Catherine Church - Day 9
River Seine Cruise
While cruising along the Seine, you'll participate in a cheese tasting on board with authentic Normandy selections. In the afternoon, you can visit a traditional cider farm to learn how they make cider from locally-grown apples using traditional methods, then taste local products. If you prefer being active, there's a hike up to Château Gaillard with views across the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cheese tasting on board (EmeraldPLUS)
- Exclusive local cider farm visit with tasting (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Château Gaillard (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Château Gaillard - Day 10
La Roche Guyon
The ship is docked in La Roche Guyon. A morning tour takes you through the beautifully preserved Château de La Roche-Guyon where you'll see maintained gardens and elegant period rooms with antique furnishings and artwork from the 14th-15th century. Otherwise, you can kayak along the Seine for a different way to see the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Château Guyon and Gardens
Optional Activities
- Kayak on the Seine (EmeraldACTIVE)
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh (extra expense)
Landmarks Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 11
Paris
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the Star-Ship and transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay in Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Paris
A local guide walks you through Paris's most elegant streets, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe. Then you'll take a cruise on the Seine before finishing at the Eiffel Tower.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Paris including Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower
- Seine river cruise
Landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Seine River - Day 13
Paris to Home
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your travel companions and head to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of French cuisine and Paris with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
