Paris Explorer Summer 2018

Day 1: Arrive Paris (7 Nights)

Embrace the romance of one of the world's most visited cities. Paris is well deserving of its title - the City of Light - and it is yours to explore At Leisure in depth over the next few days. Check-in to your centrally located hotel and spend the afternoon getting to know your picturesque surrounds. Wander through the leafy boulevards and winding cobblestone lanes of the French capital, stopping for a leisurely café au lait while watching sophisticated Parisians go by their day-to-day. This evening join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a quintessentially Parisian Welcome Reception. Welcome Reception

Day 2: Paris Sightseeing and At Leisure

Join your Travel Director this morning for a fascinating tour of this mesmerising city. View the grand Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde and Arc de Triomphe, built by Napoleon in the 19th century. Delve into its hidden squares and secret passages, visiting one of Paris' most historic neighbourhoods and a favourite local haunt that remains a secret to outsiders. Gaze from the second level of the Eiffel Tower to the boulevards below - the Seine snakes its way through the city centre lined with such icons as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Louvre. Spend the evening at leisure, or take an Optional Experience to the Latin Quarter for a visit inside the medieval Notre-Dame and a scenic cruise down the River Seine. Buffet Breakfast

Day 3: Paris At Leisure or Optional D-Day Beach Experience

Spend the day soaking up the sights and sounds of this elegant European capital. Admire the great works of the Impressionists at Musée d'Orsay, shop for designer brands on Rue Saint-Honoré or saunter through the charming streets of the Marais - your Travel Director will suggest activities and attractions that will ensure a memorable day spent discovering Paris. You may wish to experience a full-day Optional Experience on the northern coast of France to uncover the poignant history of the D-Day Landing and remember the brave souls who lost their lives in the fight to free Europe. Spend your evening at leisure exploring the city's glittering sights at night or use your Parisian Brasserie voucher to indulge in delicious French flavours at one of the nearby brasseries. Buffet Breakfast

Day 4: Full-Day Excursion to the Palace and Royal Estate of Versailles

Tread in the footsteps of French nobility and explore the opulence and splendour of Versailles - its majestic palace once the site of lavish parties and home to the Sun King, Louis XIV. Join a Local Specialist as you wander through the palace's extraordinary Hall of Mirrors and Battles Gallery. Meander through the picturesque Royal Gardens and visit Petit Trianon to see first-hand how the French Royal Family lived in private before discovering Marie Antoinette's rustic retreat, a fantasy hamlet where she could escape from the formality of court. Get a real taste of the city with Trafalgar's exclusive Eatwith Optional Experiences. Share delicious traditional flavours with a local family in their home. Buffet Breakfast

Day 5: French Cuisine Experience and At Leisure

Enjoy a Cultural Insight savouring the exquisite flavours of French cuisine as you meet a real Parisian chef for an unforgettable gourmet lunch experience, delving into local culinary secrets, delicious flavours and aromas that you will have an opportunity to create yourself and enjoy afterwards. Spend the rest of the day at leisure stretching your legs along the picturesque Seine or fitting in some last-minute shopping in the heart of Paris. This evening perhaps discover the pageantry and French flair of a traditional cabaret performance at the world-famous Moulin Rouge. Buffet Breakfast, Regional Meal

Day 6: Visit Montmartre and the Louvre

A leisurely start to our morning sees us take a private street trolley car back in time to the colourful hillside "village" of Montmartre and home to the picturesque Sacré-Coeur. Join your Local Specialist and tread in the footsteps of Picasso, Dali and Van Gogh as you meander through hidden squares, artists' haunts and romantic hideaways. Spend the rest of the day at leisure embracing your inner bon vivant before embarking on a special evening experience at the renowned Louvre museum. Enjoy the quiet atmopshere of the museum during this Small Group Sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist to see some of the world's most extraordinary masterpieces, including da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and the stunning apartments of Napoleon III. Buffet Breakfast

Day 7: Paris Morning At Leisure, Walking Tour and Farewell Dinner

Make your last day in Paris count. Admire the exquisite collection of modern art in the Centre George Pompidou, see the tomb of Napoleon at Les Invalides or enjoy an Optional Experience to explore the inspirational gardens of Monet at Giverny. This afternoon explore the history of the French Revolution during a walking tour of the city, then join your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner at an iconic Parisian restaurant with Art Nouveau decor dating back to 1898. Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 8: Depart Paris

After breakfast, it's time to bid Paris au revoir as you prepare to return home after a memorable At Leisure break in one of the world's greatest cities. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply. Buffet Breakfast