London, Paris & Barcelona

Highlights

• See Big Ben and Westminster Abbey from 443 feet high on the London Eye
• Explore the grounds of Oxford, which inspired famed writers C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling
• Go for high tea after catching the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace
• Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night with a glass of wine in the Champ de Mars
• Taste-test tapas and wash it down with a glass of cava in Barcelona
• Hit Barcelona’s famous beaches and experience its world-renowned nightlife

What's this trip about?

Day 1: Overnight flight Board your overnight flight, bound for Europe. Day 2: Arrive in London Welcome to London! It’s huge, it’s cosmopolitan, and it’s brimming with famous sights, fun pubs, great music venues and endless things to do. Arrive at your accommodations to meet up with your Tour Director and fellow travelers. Introduction to London Your Tour Director will take you on a quick walk to get to know the area. Welcome Mixer Get to know your fellow travelers at an authentic local spot over some drinks and light appetizers. Day 3: Sightseeing tour of London (local guide) Hit the highlights of London with a local guide giving you all the inside info. Most of the tour will be on a bus ride around the city—you’ll see the famous sights like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. You’ll also get a chance to walk around and explore on foot. Free time in London (day) Top 5 free time suggestions: 1. Covent Garden – Seek out bargains at this bustling covered market; souvenirs, clothes, crafts and much more. 2. Tower of London – Trace England’s bloody history and see the legendary Crown Jewels. 3. Abbey Road – Probably the world's most famous crosswalk, this storied spot is a must-see for even the most casual Beatles fan. 4. Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum – Be amazed by frighteningly real wax dummies of your favorite celebrities and historical figures. 5. Tate Modern – Visit one of the world's top modern art museums to see Picassos, Warhols, Dalís and more. Day 4: Free time in London (night) Top 5 nightlife suggestions: 1. West End Theatre district – Catch a play in London's version of Broadway. 2. Soho – This lively neighborhood is famous for its nightlife, with pubs, clubs, live music, whatever you’re looking for. 3. Comedy Store – Laugh till you can't anymore at the heart and soul of the UK comedy scene. 4. Fabric – A huge underground dance club with three dance floors, plus some mellower spaces. 5. Shepherd's Bush Empire – This popular medium-sized music venue has hosted the likes of Björk, Cold War Kids and Cee Lo Green. Excursion: Beyond London: Explore Oxford Extra Cost See the countryside roll by as you escape to Oxford, the picturesque city that doubled as Hogwarts and influenced the likes of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Albert Einstein and many more throughout the centuries. After a guided tour, enjoy free time to explore museums, grab lunch at the Covered Market, go punting on the River Thames (summer only) or simply wander through a place as magical as the stories it inspires. Day 5: Train to Paris Head to Paris! The French capital is visited by more than 30 million people a year, drawn by the famous monuments, great food, and some of the world’s best art museums. Paris is comprised of 20 districts, or arrondissements, so there’s plenty of diversity and personality to discover. Bonjour! Welcome to Paris. Upon arrival, head to your accommodation and drop your bags. Your Tour Director will take you on a quick walk to orient you with the area and point out some incredible landmarks. Evening Seine Cruise and Eiffel Tower Float past Notre Dame Cathedral and under some of Paris’s famous bridges, then visit the most iconic tower in the world. Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Paris (local guide) Enjoy a combination bus/walking tour of Paris’ top highlights. Your expert local guide will tell you all about the city as you see its most well-known sights. Your guide will also take you off the beaten path to some of Paris’ more authentic arrondissements, and give you the inside scoop on Parisian culture. Get to know the fashionistas, eccentric royals, epic revolutionaries, bougie bourgeoisie, and enlightened intellectuals that shaped the City of Light. Free Time Suggestions Edit Sober: Visit the cafe haunts of literary giants like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce and many others. Fall in Louvre: Paris is home to some of the world’s most incredible art collections. Head to The Louvre and Musee d’Orsay. The Louvre displays art from before the 18th century, and houses the Mona Lisa herself. The Orsay is your place for modern art. Latin Quarter: Around the Sorbonne, the bars and clubs here are open late and frequented by locals and travelers alike. Excursion: Versailles  Extra Cost Spend the afternoon at the over-the-top palace of Louis XIV. Not far from Paris, this is where French royalty reveled in their extravagant lifestyle in the decades before the Revolution. At one point, a thousand nobles were attended by 4,000 servants inside the palace, while 15,000 soldiers and servants lived in the annexes. Walk through the landscaped gardens, tour the State Apartments of the King and the Queen, and see the Hall of Mirrors. Day 7: Free Day in Paris Today is yours to explore! Paris is immense, yet intimate. While it can be overwhelming at first, there’s a bounty of hidden gems around every corner. Free Time Suggestions Go Subterranean: The Paris catacombs are dark, underground crypts where the city’s dead have been buried for centuries. Bon Appétit: French food is some of the finest in the world. Demanding customers, meticulous preparation and the freshest ingredients combine for an unparalleled culinary experience. Parisians eat dinner late between 8 and 10pm, so plan accordingly. C’est Magnifique!: Head to Montmartre, a neighborhood filled with street art, incredible views overlooking the city and the famous Sacré Cœur Cathedral. This is the perfect place to take a stroll, grab lunch and admire a more authentic side of Paris. Day 8: Travel to Barcelona Board your midday flight to Barcelona and enjoy some free time in The City of Gaudi. Introduction to Barcelona Your tour director will lead you around town. One major highlight is Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s famous boulevard that always has plenty going on. People from all over the world come to Las Ramblas to shop, eat, drink, watch street performers, and just hang out. Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Barcelona (local guide) A local guide will take you on a bus tour to introduce you to Barcelona. See the Sagrada Familia, an unfinished church designed by Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí’s architecture is all over the city, and people love its dream-like style. You’ll also go to Montjuïc, where many of the 1992 Olympics took place. Parque Guell Designed by Gaudí, this is one of the more quirky public parks you'll ever walk through. Visit a covered market and see the Casa-Museu, where Gaudí lived from 1906 to 1926. There are also great views of the city below. Free time in Barcelona (night) Top 5 nightlife suggestions: 1. Barri Gotic – This popular area of bars is a good place to start; have some tapas and drinks to get things going. 2. Luz de Gas – Live music early turns into a dance club scene later in the night. 3. Buda – Come here for good music in a mellow atmosphere. 4. Gran Teatre de Liceu – See a show at this world-renowned theater for opera and dance. 5. The Born – Check out this trendy area of tapas bars, outdoor terraces and great late-night bars. Day 10 Excursion: Stand Up Paddle Board & Beach Day  Extra Cost (weather permitting) Get ready for some fun in the sun with a stand up paddleboarding (SUP) lesson. Take the train 30 minutes outside of Barcelona to the coastal, Mediterranean beach town of Sitges, where you’ll learn to paddleboard from a professional instructor with a small group of fellow travelers. Once you get the hang of it, take to the water on your own or just relax on the pristine beach! Hang out for a few hours and grab lunch, then return to Barcelona. Day 11: Free day in Barcelona Top 5 free time suggestions: 1. Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat – Take an elevator down to see the excavated Roman ruins of Barcelona. 2. Tibidabo – Ride a little cable car to the top of the city and take in the amazing views; in the summer there's an amusement park up here open late into the night. 3. Shopping on Las Ramblas – This is the best place to find souvenirs and the hottest fashions. 4. Sitges – A half-hour train ride away, this fashionable resort town was once just a little fishing village. 5. Parc de la Ciutadella – Relax in the park; it includes a waterfall and a zoo with an albino gorilla. Farewell dinner Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group. Day 12: Fly Home It's time to say your goodbyes. Head to the airport for your flight back home. 

What's excluded

• Rooming upgrades
• Optional excursions
• Travel Protection
• Beverages, lunch, and dinner (except where specified in the itinerary)
• Transportation to free-time activities
• Customary gratuities (for your Tour Director, bus drivers and local guides)
• Porterage
• Any applicable baggage-handling fees imposed by the airlines
• Expenses caused by airline rescheduling, cancellations or delays caused by the airlines, bad weather or events beyond EF’s control (see Flight Information section for details)
• Passport, visa and reciprocity fees
• Fees associated with Special Travel Arrangements (See Special Travel Arrangements section)

Accommodation