9-Night European Adventure to London, Paris & Rome

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Tower of London, one of the world’s most famous fortresses. The Tower of London has been a royal palace, a prison, an armory and even a zoo and it is home to her Majesty’s Crown Jewels. The Tower of London has a vast history that includes the executions of two of Henry the VIII’s wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, and Sir Walter Raleigh was a prisoner in the Bloody Tower for a time. The ravens that inhabit the White Tower are a special interest since it was foretold that if they were ever to leave, the great Tower of London would crumble and tragedy would befall England.

You’ll visit the Tower Bridge and cross the Thames River. Constructed in 1894, Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge and a world heritage site measuring 801 feet long and 264 feet high which provides a roadway across the Thames for over 40,000 people both on foot and wheels.

You’ll stop to grab lunch at the vibrant Borough Market. You’ll have time to peruse the fresh produce and unique culinary offerings from British traditional foods to international treats.

You’ll take a tour of the iconic Globe Theatre. The original theater was built in 1599 and burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII. The theatre was rebuilt a few years later, but closed again, seemingly for good, in 1642. Tenements were built on the location of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. In the late 20th century the Globe was resurrected a few hundred yards from where the original structure once stood. The modernized Elizabethan open air theatre that you’ll tour will transport you back in time with the engaging and informative look at the life of William Shakespeare, the London where he lived, and the theatre for which he wrote.

After dinner, you’ll have some free time to explore the area around Piccadilly Circus. This vibrant area is bustling with activity and shopping!

After breakfast, you’ll visit Westminster Abbey where kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains have all walked the hallowed church; the Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Every year Westminster Abbey welcomes over one million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building. The Abbey is located in the heart of London.

You’ll take an unforgettable, professionally guided, panoramic city tour of London including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge and more!

You’ll visit St. James Park where you’ll see Buckingham Palace, the principal residence and workplace for the monarchy of the United Kingdom. George III bought Buckingham House in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte to use as a comfortable family home. Queen Victoria was the first sovereign to take up residence in July 1837, just three weeks after her accession. During your visit you’ll see the traditional Changing of the Guard Ceremony which happens daily from April through July and several times per week during other months. If you arrive on a day when the change does not take place then you will just see the palace.

You’ll visit Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. It is one of the city’s most vibrant open spaces.

After dinner, you’ll see a show at the West End show in London’s theatre district.

After breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel room, board the bus and head to the station for the Eurostar train.

You’ll take the Eurostar from London to Paris.

You’ll meet your coach at the train station and then drive to your hotel.

You’ll arrive at your accommodation and store your luggage. If your rooms are ready, you’ll check in.

You’ll enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour where you’ll see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Elysees and the majestic Arc de Triomphe, the impressive Place de la Concorde and the ornate Opera House.

You’ll enjoy a narrated river cruise on the Seine where you’ll take in many of the highlights of the city—the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, etc.—as you float along the famous Seine River!

After dinner, you’ll visit the Eiffel Tower. This iron lattice structure located on the Champ de Mars needs no introduction as it is the quintessential symbol of Paris. Take in the beauty and majesty from the tallest and most famous structure in Paris.

After breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel room board your bus for the airport. You’ll depart Paris for Rome.

When you arrive in Rome, you’ll board your bus and arrive at your accommodation. If your rooms are ready, you’ll check in.

You’ll visit the Pantheon, Michelangelo’s inspiration for St. Peter’s Basilica. Experts see the Pantheon as an icon of Roman architectural perfection. It was built as a Roman temple and later converted into a church when Christendom entered Italy. Marvel at the bronze doors each weighing 20 tons. They were once covered in gold! Look up to see a perfectly round oculus, in the dome’s center. Brilliant Roman architects gently sloped the floor to allow for convenient drainage when it rained. The Pantheon is an important burial place for several noted figures including artist Raphael. Still being an active church, the Pantheon is a popular place for weddings. If you close your eyes, you might just be able to imagine an ancient Roman wedding and how they lived, in this wonder of ancient and modern civilization.

You’ll visit the popular Piazza Navona. It is built on the ancient Stadium of Domitian, also known as Circus Agonalis-built in 85 AD. This square could hold up to 30,000 spectators watching the contests just a few feet in front of them. Today Piazza Navona is a charming place with shops, restaurants and vendors. Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers sits in the center of the Piazza.

After dinner, you’ll return to the hotel for the evening.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a half day of exploring Ancient Rome with visits to such famous sights as the Coliseum and Roman Forum with a professional and knowledgeable guide.

You will see the Coliseum, the largest amphitheater in the world. Emperor Vespasian began in 70 AD and was finished in 80 AD by his son Titus. Emperor Domitian (81-96) made further modifications. These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty and the Coliseum is also known as the Flavian amphitheater and is one of the greatest works of Roman engineering and architecture that the world still enjoys today. Crowds between 50,000 and 80,000, and even the emperor himself, attended gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, mock sea skirmishes, mythological dramas and famous battles. You’ll continue on to the Roman Forum, the epicenter of the Roman Empire and the heart of public life. You’ll see the remnants of Roman public buildings and squares where parades, elections and commerce took place.

You’ll have free time this afternoon.

After dinner, you’ll return to your hotel for the evening.

You’ll have breakfast.

You’ll have breakfast.

You’ll enjoy a half day of exploring Vatican City and take a guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.

You’ll take a guided tour through Vatican City including St. Peter’s Basilica and square and the Vatican Museums. You’ll see the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio and Raphael right next door to one of the world’s spiritual leaders. You’ll have an up close look at masterpieces like the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the Chapel of Beato Angelico, the collection in the Raphael Rooms and Loggia and the Borgia Apartments.

You’ll live like a true Roman when you visit the Spanish Steps. These 135 steps connect the Trinità dei Monti church atop and the Piazza di Spagna below. In the Renaissance these steps attracted Italy’s best artists and writers who created some of the world’s most beloved masterpieces. Today the Spanish Steps are still a center for both locals and visitors as it is one of Italy’s favorite attractions.

You’ll visit the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous places in ancient and modern history. Experience the “scenes of Italy” as locals and tourists mix. See where a young maiden revealed the secret water’s source to a group of Roman soldiers. The Trevi Fountain, was the ending point for the aqueduct created from this legend. These pictures are depicted on the upper level. While Neptune, the statue’s focal point, sits astride two horses on the water’s below. Each horse is guided by a triton-a mythological divinity. One horse is calm while the other is restless symbolizing the different tempers of the sea. Test the legend by throwing two coins in the fountain, one ensures a return trip to Rome while the other promises new romance.

After dinner, you’ll return to your hotel for the evening.

After breakfast, you’ll head to the airport for your return trip home.