Compare Castles & Kings: London to Paris 2021 by Tauck vs Cruise on the Marne Canal from Paris to Epernay (port-to-port cruise) by CroisiEurope

Day 1 Arrive London / Double-Decker Fun

Tour begins: 3:00 PM, The Royal Horseguards.  Welcome to "merrie olde" England for the start of Tauck Bridges' fun and enriching London and Paris family vacation! A transfer is included from London's Heathrow Airport to The Royal Horseguards. Climb aboard one of London's signature double-decker buses for a private guided tour of this grand capital city, which you'll learn about on a four-night stay in the heart of it all at The Royal Horseguards, the former WWI-era headquarters of the British Secret Service. Get to know your fellow travelers at our welcome reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : D

LODGING : The Royal Horseguards

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 2 Towering London / Thames Speedboat

Meet the Beefeaters who watch over the Tower of London and the famous ravens that live within its walls; see the Bloody Tower and the British Empire's priceless Crown Jewels. You'll explore more than history today as you embark on a thrilling speedboat adventure* along the River Thames... then ride 450 feet above the city in a glass pod – a private one, thanks to Tauck Bridges – on the celebrated London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel. The remainder of the day is free to explore London as you please.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : The Royal Horseguards

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 3 From Windsor Castle to the West End

The home of English kings and queens for over 900 years, stately Windsor Castle is still a residence of the British Royal Family – and you'll tour this castle "fit for a queen" (or a king) today. As your exciting Tauck Bridges family vacation continues this afternoon to London, join us on a bicycle ride* through the British capital's Royal Parks. After dinner on your own this evening, your family enjoys a special treat... a performance of a hit show in London’s West End Theatre District! 

MEALS : B

LODGING : The Royal Horseguards

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 4 Museum Exploring and Spy Walking

Although two million years' worth of history and culture might be a little tough to see in one day, you'll get a taste of what the fascinating British Museum has to offer on a guided tour of this amazing place – housing the world's most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts, from maps to mummies and more, in nearly two-and-a-half miles' worth of galleries. Later, it’s spy versus spy on an afternoon "Spy Walk," where you'll become a secret agent and try to save the world... will you rescue the damsel in distress... and what about the white cat? Return to your London hotel – where real spies of the British Secret Service roamed the halls a century ago during World War I – for your family's final evening in London, spent as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : The Royal Horseguards

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 5 Eurostar to Paris / Île de la Cité

Say "Cheerio" to London as you ride aboard the high-speed Eurostar train to Paris. You'll travel under the English Channel through the engineering marvel known as the Channel Tunnel (unofficially called the "Chunnel") – arriving in Paris before you know it. Enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring some of the French capital's highlights, followed by a visit to the Île de la Cité in the River Seine. Check into your chic new boutique hotel, then join us for dinner this evening at an authentic Parisian brasserie where you will experience a real taste of life in Paris!

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fauchon L'Hôtel Paris

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 6 Versailles and the Eiffel Tower

Today takes you about an hour outside the city for a guided visit to Château de Versailles, built by King Louis XIV and the largest palace in Europe, revealing a realm of grandeur and riches beyond imagination; it would cost more than $2 billion to build this sprawling palace complex today! Explore the opulent palace with a local guide and view the exquisite gardens, among the most extraordinary and famous in the world. Return to Paris for a special lunch, followed by a visit to the Eiffel Tower, an afternoon sightseeing tour, and a free evening to enjoy more of Paris as you wish.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Fauchon L'Hôtel Paris

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 7 The Louve, Montmartre, and Magique

Explore the treasures of one of the world's most famous museums this morning – Musée du Louvre, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s mysterious Mona Lisa, the 2nd-century Greek sculpture, Venus de Milo, and about 35,000 other works of art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century housed in this former palace – on a guided scavenger hunt and tour that also includes the nearby Tuileries Garden. Then ride the Petit Train to discover the special joie de vivre atmosphere of hilltop Montmartre, where poets, writers and artists have practiced their crafts for centuries; a guided walking tour may reveal them at work. Following some free time this afternoon, join us this evening for our private, exclusive and magical farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Fauchon L'Hôtel Paris

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 8 Journey home

Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from Fauchon L'Hotel Paris to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for your flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 1 PARIS

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner.

Day 2 PARIS - LAGNY-SUR-MARNE

We'll set out on an excursion through the major sites of the capital: the Place de la République, the main boulevards, the Opera, the Place de la Madeleine, Place Vendôme and the Louvre. Join us on an original walk along the prettiest covered arcades in Paris, allowing you to travel back through time and history around the Palais Royal. We'll return on board and start cruising towards Lagny-sur-Marne.

Day 3 LAGNY-SUR-MARNE - ISLES-LES-MELDEUSES - SAINT-JEAN-LESDEUX- JUMEAUX

This morning will be spent cruising to Isles-les-Meldeuses. This afternoon, join us on a tour of the charming town of Meaux, from the Cathedral to the Bishops' Palace, passing the Gallo-Roman ramparts and the magnificent Bossuet Garden, traditionally believed to be an early work of Le Nôtre. We'll discover and taste the Brie de Meaux cheese, hailed as "the King of Cheeses”. During this visit, the ship continues cruising to Saint-Jean-Les-Deux-Jumeaux where we will return on board.

Day 4 SAINT-JEAN-LES-DEUX-JUMEAUX - CHÂTEAU-THIERRY

This morning will be spent cruising, passing Champigny and Drachy, through the heart of the Seine-et-Marne countryside and its Champagne vines. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Château-Thierry and set off for an excursion with an educational falconry performance (1). We'll get the chance to discover an art that has been classified as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Afterwards, we'll return on board.

Day 5 CHÂTEAU-THIERRY - DORMANS

We'll start sailing towards Dormans. This afternoon, join us on an excursion along the famous Champagne route. We'll start off with a guided tour of the village of Hautvillers. This picturesque village is located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park and is best explored on foot. We'll continue our visit to a prominent champagne house, with a tasting*.

Day 6 DORMANS - EPERNAY

This morning will be spent sailing towards Epernay. This afternoon, we'll set off by coach for our excursion to Reims, known as the "City of Coronations”. We'll take part in a guided tour of the historic center as well as a guided visit of the cathedral, which receives about one million visitors annually. We'll return on board. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.

Day 7 EPERNAY - Paris(2)

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. Possible transfer by coach to Paris(2). End of our services.