London to the South of France

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: London

Welcome to London! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager, relax, unpack and begin to explore the city's unique neighborhoods. Perhaps check out the street markets along Portobello Road in Notting Hill; explore the mansions of Belgravia; visit museums in South Kensington; or stroll along the artsy South Bank.

Day 3: London

This morning's panoramic sightseeing tour, led by a local guide, shows you Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Continue with a guided visit of the British Museum, home to an astounding 150 million items. You'll discover objects from around the world including the Rosetta Stone and sculptural friezes from the Parthenon. The afternoon is free to mingle with locals in Hyde Park or come face to face with royalty in the National Portrait Gallery.

Day 4: Caen

Visit mysterious, prehistoric Stonehenge before continuing to the seaside town of Portsmouth, where you board the ferry to France, porterage included. After dinner aboard the ferry, drive to Caen for a night's rest.

Day 5: Loire Valley

Today walk in the footsteps of history as you visit many of Normandy's important World War II sites. Pay tribute to the heroic fallen at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer before you see what remains of the temporary Mulberry harbor constructed at Arromanches to help offload cargo during the invasion. Entrance to the Arromanches 360 Cinema is included. Next you can decend from the bluff to walk along Omaha Beach, where American troops suffered some of the heaviest D-Day losses. Continue to the Loire Valley for dinner.

Day 6: Paris

Today visit some of the most impressive châteaux in the Loire Valley. Your first stop is Chenonceau, a jewel of Renaissance architecture. It features a moat, drawbridge, towers and turrets—and great stories about resistance to the Nazi army. Next, drive to impressive Chambord, the giant hunting lodge of François I. Continue to Chartres to view the Gothic cathedral, its stained-glass windows and veil of the Virgin Mary before arriving in Paris for dinner.

Day 7: Paris

Paris is known as the “City of Light” for its role as a center of education and culture during the Enlightenment and today's guided sightseeing tour shows you the majesty of the Arc de Triomphe, Les Invalides and Notre Dame. Later breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home. Insightful commentary from your local guide highlights the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and more as you wander through the galleries. From its beginnings as a royal fortress to its current status as the world's most visited art museum, the Louvre has long been at the center of Parisian culture and home to a collection of 35,000 works of art from around the world.

Day 8: Paris

Today you may choose an optional excursion to Versailles to see Louis XIV's opulent palace, including the renowned Hall of Mirrors and the expansive outdoor gardens. Alternatively, discover more of Paris in your own way. Perhaps get to know the artsy Montmartre area, shop for souvenirs at the Galeries Lafayettes or stop at the Rodin Museum, where you can pose for a photo by the sculptor's Thinker. Tonight's highlight is a scenic evening boat ride along the Seine. You may opt to upgrade your Seine experience with an illuminated dinner cruise, reveling in traditional French cuisine and music as you glide past some of the city's most notable landmarks.

Day 9: Provence

This morning journey to Avignon on the high-speed TGV train. View the imposing Papal Palace and Pont Saint-Bénézet (famous from the children's song). You'll also visit the nearby Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct preserved in almost perfect condition. A true wonder of Roman engineering, the 161-foot tall bridge is still standing nearly 2,000 years after its construction and your ticket includes access to the wealth of information available on the structure's history, architecture and more in the excellent on-site museum. Spend your evening in Provence.

Day 10: Cote d'Azur

Drive to Marseille this morning. The city has undergone a major revitalization over recent years, including the stunning new Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations. After visiting the museum, find lunch around the famous Vieux Port. Be sure to try the city's famous bouillabaisse! Then continue to the chic Côte d'Azur for the night.

Day 11: Cote d'Azur

This morning's sightseeing in Nice includes the Promenade des Anglais and the winding streets of the old town. In the afternoon discover the city's hidden gems from a different perspective during a bicycle tour showcasing areas such as the port, Place Garibaldi, Place Massena and the Old Town before savoring your final evening on the Mediterranean.

Day 12: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Further immerse yourself in the culture and delights of England's capital with an extra night in London, including the services of your ACIS Tour Manager, at the beginning of your tour.