Behind closed doors and alone with the icons, that’s the experience of these ten days in Paris and London. Experience exclusive access to the Palace of Westminster, British crown jewels and the Palace of Versailles, a helicopter above Paris and a hot air balloon above Champagne, dining in the Eiffel Tower and vintage afternoon tea. Including various experiences that aren’t open to the general public, these ten days showcase the extravagance and secrets of two capital cities. For additional England...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Paris – Michelin Dining in the Eiffel Tower
The queues outside the Eiffel Tower are legendary, even if you have a skip-the-line admission ticket. It’s crowded and chaotic, hardly the best introduction to a city known for its glamor. But there is beauty here, away from the crowds, as found at Le Jules Verne. Patrick Jouin designed the interior, all clean lines, and minimalism, allowing the city views to take center stage. Alain Ducasse is the chef at this Michelin-starred restaurant, and the menu inspires, classic French cuisine in the most iconic French setting: guinea fowl with peaches, foie gras with peppered melon, chocolate desserts that make you swoon. Take the private elevator to Le Jules Verne for a three-course dinner with paired champagne and wine, watching the city turn from day into night. Private transfers are included throughout the day, and your hotel is central as it’s possible to be in Paris.
What's Included:
Day 2
Paris – Helicopter Above Paris and Behind the Ropes at the Palace of Versailles
Day 3
Paris – Exploring Paris in a Vintage Citroen 2CV; Champagne and Cabaret at Moulin Rouge
Day 4
Paris – Inside the Champagne Region; A Tutored Tasting and a Balloon Ride Over the Vineyards
Day 5
Paris – Musee d’Orsay and a Private Seine River Dinner Cruise
Day 6
London – First-Class Eurostar and Private Viewing of the Crown Jewels
Day 7
London – Luxury Afternoon Tea in Central London
Day 8
London – Private Tour Through Parliament and Other London Monuments
Day 9
London – Castles of South England Royal Tour
Day 10
London – More Extravagant Luxury and Departure
Trip Highlights
- Float over the vineyards of Champagne in a hot air balloon and enjoy a tutored tasting at legendary producers like Dom Perignon
- Discover the Tower of London after it has closed its doors for the day, including a private viewing of the British crown jewels
- Experience a different side of the Eiffel Tower by dining at its Michelin-starred restaurant
- Wander the corridors and rooms of the Palace of Westminster, the British parliament building that is closed to the general public
- Admire the wonders of the Musee d’Orsay with an art historian; spend an evening privately cruising and dining on the River Seine; watch Paris unfold with a helicopter tour above the city
- Explore Britain’s legendary castles on a private tour, then spend the night at an iconic castle on London’s outskirts
- Go behind the ropes with exclusive access to the Palace of Versailles and Windsor Castle
- A vintage Citroen 2CV is the perfect vehicle for exploring the neighborhoods and streets of central Paris
- Luxury afternoon tea is the iconic VIP London experience
Detailed Description
London and Paris have been around for centuries, yet their secrets are surprisingly well kept. Some of the most extravagant icons keep their doors closed to the public, others invite you to visit after dark when everyone else has left. Certain icons contain alternative stories and experiences if you know where to look. Just beyond the city boundaries, there are more pre-eminent names and attractions – Dom Perignon, the Palace of Versailles, Windsor Castle – and in each you can go beyond the ropes to experience what they are really about, not merely the gift shops and postcards.
Spread across two iconic capitals, this ten-day tour takes you behind closed doors. Each day offers something different, something that elevates the experience from all the other visits to Paris and London. You will experience Michelin dining in the Eiffel Tower, hot air ballooning above the Champagne region before tutored tasting at a legendary producer, and a private viewing of the Crown Jewels on a nighttime tour of the Tower of London. Discover the Palace of Westminster – the British Parliamentary building – from the inside, including a cup of tea in a stately cafe overlooking the River Thames. Think extravagant places to dine, unique ways to travel, admiring it all from on high and the VIP treatment the whole way.
Start in Paris, the City of Lights divided by the River Seine. Dine in the Eiffel Tower, then explore the city on a helicopter tour. Touch down in Versailles for lunch and go behind the ropes at the Palace of Versailles. It’s into the streets and neighborhoods with a vintage Citroen 2CV as your vehicle for navigating a maze of bakeries, chocolatiers, 19th-century charm and narrowing lanes. In the evening, sip on Champagne with the best seats in the house at Moulin Rouge. More Champagne on day four, this time with a tutored tasting in the home of Champagne, an exploration of Dom Perignon complemented by a hot air balloon ride above the vineyards.
Your final day in Paris is completed with an art historian’s tour of Musee d’Orsay and a private dining cruise along the Seine; by now you’ll know the city from the inside. As with your time in London the itinerary isn’t too packed, giving you free mornings and afternoons to explore at your leisure, with chauffeurs that can be arranged if required. You stay in the heart of both cities, minimizing travel time and placing so many fine-dining restaurants on your doorstep. Traveling to London is by first-class Eurostar, and all the transfers are private, as you would expect on a VIP tour.
Arrive in the British capital and discover the Tower of London at night, after it has closed its doors for the day. You have a private viewing of the Crown Jewels, the most legendary of all the world’s jewelry, including the largest diamond crystal and cut diamond ever known. The following day is relaxed with an indulgent high tea filling the afternoon. The Palace of Westminster is closed to the public but open to you on a private tour, politicians also wandering the lavish rooms and having a spot of lunch in the cafe over the Thames. Complete this handcrafted tour with two days of royal castles in and around London, including a night in a refurbished castle and behind the ropes access of the Queen’s official residence: Windsor.
Consider learning more about our travelers’ favorite experiences by reading their England and France travel reviews.
Starting Price
$10,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 151 reviews.
Reviewed By Dawn H.
Reviewed By Susan D.
Reviewed By John M.
Reviewed By Michael W.
Reviewed By Suzanne L.
Reviewed By Jennifer K.