Edinburgh to Paris

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: Edinburgh

Upon arriving in Edinburgh, you’ll meet your ACIS Tour manager for an orientation, then set out to familiarize yourself with Scotland’s capital, renowned for its rich history and literary heritage. Perhaps you’ll explore the Museum of Edinburgh or the City Art Centre or stroll through the Grassmarket or Victoria Street shopping districts. It’s said Victoria Street–a narrow and winding lane lined with tall buildings–inspired J.K. Rowling’s vision of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series of books; the nearby Elephant House Café is where she wrote parts of the first Potter novel.

Day 3: Edinburgh

Begin the day with a guided sightseeing tour that shows you Princes Street and Charlotte Square and includes entrance to the imposing Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s Crown Jewels perched high up in the old town. In the afternoon, you’re free to stroll the Royal Mile in search of woolens and tartans or snap pictures of the city and the Firth of Forth from atop Calton Hill.

Day 4: London

This morning you’ll board a train to London. After arriving, you’ll take a panoramic sightseeing tour, led by a local guide, that shows you Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Later enjoy a free evening to explore more of London at your own speed, perhaps check out the shops along Portobello Road in Notting Hill or stroll along the artsy South Bank.

Day 5: London

Experience an up-close look at London's iconic treasures on this morning's guided London by Bike tour, including views of the Big Ben, the Horse Guard Parade, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and more. As you cycle and stop for photos, your guide's commentary will bring the history of what you are seeing to life. In the afternoon, more free time awaits, giving you a chance to see more of London on your own. Perhaps you're in the mood for souvenir shopping in Harrods or a visit to the Tate Modern with its thought-provoking art and unique exhibition space.

Day 6: Caen

The day begins with a trip to 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 good night's rest.

Day 7: Caen

Walk in the footsteps of history today as you visit many of Normandy's important World War II sites. 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 pay tribute to the heroic fallen at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer before descending from the bluff to walk along Omaha Beach, where American troops suffered some of the heaviest D-Day losses. You might even be able to picture the chaos of June 6, 1944, at the bomb-scarred landscape of Pointe du Hoc. Return to Caen for dinner.

Day 8: Paris

After a morning drive to Paris, enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing with an expert local guide that takes you past some of the city’s best-known attractions, such as the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the bustling Champs-Élysées, Napoleon’s final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. In the evening, see the City of Light from a totally different perspective on a river cruise on the Seine.

Day 9: Paris

In the morning, 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, believed to depict the Greek goddess Aphrodite. 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. Then enjoy a free afternoon to explore Paris at your own pace, maybe by strolling the intellectually thriving Latin Quarter, home to many of the Sorbonne's historic buildings, or stopping at the Rodin Museum, where you can pose for a photo by the sculptor's Thinker. Or if you feel like savoring the flavors of France, perhaps choose an optional Taste of France cooking workshop, an authentic experience with professional local chefs who will introduce you to classic Parisian ingredients and dishes, let you try a few of the techniques that French cooking is famous for, and delight your tastebuds with plenty of samples.

Day 10: Departure

depart