Vive La Manche

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Saturday March 8: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Sunday March 9: London

Welcome to London! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager, relax, unpack and begin to explore the city's unique neighborhoods. In the afternoon, visit the Cabinet War Rooms, the underground complex which served as a command center for Britain's military operations during WWII, with all the important information and inside stories provided via audio guide on personal headsets. Kept exactly as they were upon Japan's surrender in 1945, the war rooms provide a unique time capsule into the history of that turbulent period. (D)

Day 3, Monday March 10: 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. During your free afternoon, check out the street markets along Portobello Road in Notting Hill; explore the paths of Hyde Park or the mansions of nearby Belgravia; visit museums in South Kensington; or stroll along the artsy South Bank. Tonight, you'll get right to the heart of the excitement with an evening stroll around vibrant Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square(B,D)

Day 4, Tuesday March 11: Bruges

Enjoy scenes of the English countryside whizzing by your train window as you journey towards the English Channel on the Eurostar. You'll travel through the Chunnel and on to Brussels, where you'll catch your first glimpse of Belgium before driving to Bruges. Tonight, see Bruges without the crowds as you explore the city's beautiful architecture all lit up by floodlights. It's an impressive sight. (B,D)

Day 5, Wednesday March 12: Bruges

This morning's Bruges by Bike tour shows you the city's tranquil network of canals, medieval streets and famed market squares. You'll have some free time to get to know this picturesque city—you may wish to take a canal boat cruise, climb the steps of the Belfry for spectacular rooftop views or sample one of the waffles or chocolate confections for which Belgium is famous. (B,D)

Day 6, Thursday March 13: Paris

This morning drive to Reims to see the incredible Cathedral, where French kings once were crowned, and to get a sense for life in a thriving French village packed with café-lined squares, busy boulevards and a beautiful center. We also visit the Museum of the Surrender, where the Allies accepted the Third Reich's unconditional surrender in May 1945. Continue to Paris for dinner and a boat ride along the Seine. (B,D)

Day 7, Friday March 14: Paris

Your day begins with a guided sightseeing tour that takes you past some of the most famous attractions in Paris. Your expert local guide will show you the magnificent Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées, Napoleon's final resting place at Les Invalides and the Gothic wonder of Notre Dame. Next, breeze by the crowds with your timed entrance to the Louvre and discover the many famous masterpieces that call it home with the eye of an artist. 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. Visit eclectic Montmartre this evening where you will enjoy an authentic French dinner on the Place du Tertre. This square at the heart of Montmartre is known for its artists of all types and has been home to famous painters including Picasso. (B,D)

Day 8, Saturday March 15: Paris

Experience the now-peaceful setting of WWII battles at Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Then return to Paris for dinner. (B,D)

Day 9, Sunday March 16: Departure

Depart for the USA.



Optional Extensions and Extra Nights:

Enhance your French experience with a two-night extension to Normandy via bus including a visit to the Bayeux tapestry and the D-Day Beaches. (B)