LONDON & PARIS IN STYLE
WITH TWO NIGHTS IN CANTERBURY
Exclusively for Women
Designed with the return visitor in mind, this is a spectacular trip with unusual sightseeing and luxury built in. The hotels are top drawer, the tours are not your average, and the group meals are gourmet. We skip over most of the standard city highlights, preferring to leave those sites to the free time of those who haven’t been before. Join us for this special week par excellence! Departure – Saturday, August 9 – Fly to London on overnight flights, if leaving from the U.S. Our group transfer in and out is based on using Heathrow. For those flying into Gatwick, we will advise you on any other group members arriving at the same time so that you can save on a taxi together. Day 1 – Sunday, August 10 – London: Arrive London’s Heathrow Airport and clear customs. Meet our lovely tour manager for transfer to our hotel, The Hilton Park Lane. Once settled into your room and feeling refreshed, we’ll meet and take a short stroll to the luxurious 5-star Grosvenor House Hotel for afternoon tea. Recognized as among “Britain’s Best Afternoon Destinations” by the prestigious Tea Guild, the Grosvenor House is the ideal location to spend the late afternoon enjoying a quintessentially British pastime. Tea sandwiches will be accompanied by a glass of champagne. Return to the hotel with rest of the day at leisure. (Late Lunch) Day 2 – Monday, August 11 – London: After breakfast in the hotel, we’ll set out for Buckingham Palace, home of the British monarchy for the past 10 centuries. Our visit includes the luxurious and extravagantly decorated state rooms with some of the finest treasures from the Royal Art Collection. At 11:30 am, we will witness an historical and unique ceremony, the Changing of the Guard. The afternoon is yours to enjoy and your tour guide will have lots of suggestions. We highly recommend a visit to London’s world famous (and free) museums such as The British Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum or the Tate Modern. If high-end shopping is your goal, a visit to Bond Street will do the trick. (Although Harrod’s is nice, it remains touristy as ever with a large memorial to Diana and Dodi). This evening is at leisure and would be an ideal night to take in a show in London’s West End, the heart of British Theatreland. Our London agent can help you with tickets if you email us soon with your choices. Or, join other members for dinner and meet your tour guide around 8:45 pm to experience a ceremony that has occurred every night for the past 700 years, the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. We’ll all sleep better, knowing that promptly at 9:30 pm the Crown Jewels are elaborately locked up for the night. (Breakfast) Day 3 – Tuesday, August 12 – London/Paris: Breakfast is early so that we can depart London By mid-afternoon, we arrive in Paris and check into the newly refurbished 4-star Marriott Rive Gauche, the largest Marriott in Europe. This evening is at leisure, which is a good plan after a long day of travel, sightseeing, and a luncheon feast that will leave you not wanting much of a dinner. Step outside our centrally located hotel for an evening stroll and rejoice in why Paris is so aptly nicknamed. Bon nuit! (Breakfast, Lunch) Day 4 – Wednesday, August 13 – Paris: This morning, after breakfast in the hotel, we will step back into history to visit one of France’s historic and most well preserved castles, the Chateau de Vincennes. Once the royal residence from the 12th to 18th centuries, the chateau is renowned for its magnificently preserved medieval architecture. Having been closed 10 years for renovations, it just reopened in May of 2007. As of this writing, the Saint-Chapelle is still under renovation. But we will be part of the elite few to visit areas not usually available to the public, including a special guided tour of the 27 meter-wide Moat and the Fortress. Your afternoon and early evening are free to take in the city sights that interest you (so much to see, so little time!) and here are some of our favorites: the Louvre or the Musee D’Orsay for impressionistic paintings . . . shopping the Avenue Montaigne for haute couture galore or Les Galeries Layfayette where the stores will give a 10% tourist discount . . . take tea at Mariage This evening we have one last surprise for you in Paris: a unique view of the Champs-Elysèes after dark. Our lovely guide will pick you up around 9:00 pm for a trip to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, the renowned symbol of French national history. Taking in the city sights while overlooking one of the world’s most beautiful avenues is a breathtaking experience, and a lovely visual memento of our last night in Paris. (Breakfast) Day 5 – Thursday, August 14 – Paris/Canterbury: Bidding Paris adieu, we begin our journey back to England, but not without sampling the delights of one of France’s most picturesque and historical towns. Arras, at a few hours northeast of Paris, is a wonderful place to stop for lunch and see the sites. Then back through the Eurotunnel to the cathedral city of Canterbury. We will check into the chic 4-star Abode Hotel, situated within the ancient city walls. Enjoy fine dining this evening, sampling the table d’hote of the hotel’s local culinary celebrity, Chef Michael Caines. (Breakfast and Dinner) Day 6 – Friday, August 15 – Canterbury: Awake for a fine breakfast and then a guided walking tour of the historic streets and architectural magnificence that Canterbury is famous for. You’ll The afternoon is open for lunch and strolling around Canterbury. A fun activity is taking in the exquisite range of shops and boutiques along the cobbled streets. Our farewell dinner is a private banquet in the castle’s Wine Room, complete with an excellent sampling of the beverage the room is aptly named for. (Breakfast and Dinner) Day 7 – Saturday, August 16 – Canterbury/London: Up early for another wonderful English breakfast and then departure from Canterbury. A short drive brings us to Leeds Castle (located in
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*Itineraries subject to minor changes- fuel surcharges included in trip prices where airfare is included. Not included: airport taxes, government fees and September 11th Security Fee. Prices per person based on double occupancy. To book this trip please fill out our new member application if applicable and then the booking form. The Women's Travel Club (USA), Inc.
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around 8:30 am for the enchanting city of Lights. Our deluxe coach will travel via the Eurotunnel from Dover to Calais and we’ll stop for our first taste of France just outside the historical city of 
Frères, considered by many to be the best in the world . . . sample the pastries at La Duree where the macaroons are delectable . . . visit Notre Dame and don’t miss those fabulous flying buttresses . . . or stroll the food halls at Bon Marche where you just might see Ina Garten, the “Barefoot Contessa” who frequents the store when she’s in town. 
see the glorious 
Broomfield, Maidstone and not in the town of Leeds which is very far away). Lovingly restored by Lady Baillie, the last private owner, the castle has over 1,000 years of history as the home of royalty, lords and ladies. We’ll have the castle all to ourselves for half an hour before opening to the public. The castle’s curator, Mr. Nic Fulcher, will lead us on another exclusive insider’s look to include the cellars, banqueting hall, chapel and the private state bedrooms that are rarely open to tours. Outside on the estate lawn, if weather permits, you can see Leeds Castle from new heights . . . by taking a 15-minute ride 400 feet up in a tethered helium balloon. Before leaving there will be time to stroll along the picturesque castle gardens, including the magnificent 