Insider's England and France Summer

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, Friday June 10: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Saturday June 11: London

Welcome to London! Meet your ACIS Tour Manager, relax, unpack and then head over to the Britsh Museum with your Group Leader. (D)

Day 3, Sunday June 12: London

This morning, learn about London's majestic past and fast-paced present on your guided sightseeing tour. See Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Along the way, our guide will point out more landmark sites like the Gherkin, the Shard, and the Cheese Grater—all new buildings changing the London skyline. Another highlight of the day is a tour inside St. Paul's Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece is an enduring symbol of London, the seat of the Church of England and famed for its dome and Whispering Gallery. If you have time, your ticket includes access to climb to the top of the dome. This afternoon enjoy a Globe Theater Tour. In the evening enjoy one of London's hit theater performances. (B,D)

Day 4, Monday June 13: London

This morning visit the Tower of London. Since its construction, the castle has been used as a treasury, palace and prison—today it houses 1,000 years of Royal history and the Crown Jewels. Get a totally different view of London from atop one of its more modern jewels—the soaring 73-floor glass building known as “The Shard.” (B,D)

Day 5, Tuesday June 14: Caen

Contemplate the mysteries surrounding England's pre-historic civilizations on a morning visit to Stonehenge. Then journey to the seaside town of Portsmouth, where you'll board the ferry for France, porterage included. Dine on board as you cross the Channel. Continue to Caen for the night. (B,D)

Day 6, Wednesday June 15: Caen

Today walk in the footsteps of history as you visit many of Normandy's important World War II sites. Picture the chaos of June 6, 1944 at the bomb-scarred landscape of Pointe du Hoc, then walk along Omaha Beach, where American troops suffered some of the heaviest D-Day losses. Next pay tribute to the heroic fallen at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer before arriving in Arromanches where you can see what remains of the temporary Mulberry harbor constructed to help offload cargo during the invasion. Entrance to the Arromanches 360 Cinema is included. (B,D)

Day 7, Thursday June 16: St Malo

Depart this morning for the Normandy coast for a visit to the lovely island monastery of Mont St. Michel, with a stop to visit the Bayeux Tapestry en route. This medieval abbey, once an important pilgrimage site, is surrounded by water at high tide. Continue to St. Malo in time for dinner. An evening walk with your tour manager will wind around the quaint streets of this walled city. (B,D)

Day 8, Friday June 17: Paris

We stop en-route to Paris for a guided excursion to Louis XIV's palace at Versailles. These “small” cottages are delightful for their scale and grounds. After wandering about the exquisite and intensely manicured gardens continue to Chartres for a quick visit. (B,D)

Day 9, Saturday June 18: 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 Eiffel Tower, 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. Restaurant vouchers and our insider's tips will insure you have an evening meal to remember at a neighborhood bistro. Tonight, you may wish to walk around Montmartre. This cultural and artistic district is worth the visit for the bustling energy of the artists and hipsters as well as the stunning views of the City of Light. (B,D)

Day 10, Sunday June 19: Paris

Hands-on instruction in our hand-picked French cooking lesson teaches you how to make classic Parisian dishes via hands-on instruction before you sample the results. This afternoon enjoy a visit to the Musee D'Orsay. There may be no better place to view the city than the Eiffel Tower, and you'll cap off your week by ascending to the top floor for breathtaking views. (B,D)

Day 11, Monday June 20: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)