Luxury European Escapade: France, Italy, England Tour

Any trip to Paris is not complete without plenty of time to explore the city at your own pace. Today, you will have the option to set off in search of your own adventures or to bask in the ambient comfort and luxury of your conveniently located hotel. Your hotel boasts an award-winning spa, state of the art facilities, and a vast array of treatments. When you are ready, the warm embrace of the Parisian streets will beckon to you like a light on a stormy night.

Paris enjoys a privileged position in the world of high fashion that is shared only with Milan and New York. This is indeed saying something in a country where wearing sweatpants outside could be considered a national offense. Today, you will be able to immerse yourself in the world of sheik styling and tailored outfits on a guided tour and VIP shopping experience at the Triangle d'Or, Paris's exclusive shopping district. Here, your guide will introduce you to the designs, fashions, and styles that keep connoisseurs returning every season.

The cosmopolitan thrill of Paris will be replaced by the rural charms of Provence when you make your to the city of Avignon by rail. With magnificent monuments and medieval ruins around every corner, it will come as no surprise why this city was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. After your smooth train ride, a private transfer will ensure your timely arrival to your hotel so that you can have the remainder of the day to explore the charming city center at your leisure.

The mild climate and fertile soil of Provence make it an ideal place for agriculture. Today, you will be able to embark on a guided excursion into the tasty world of the region's tradition of viticultural excellence. After you have enjoyed a delicious breakfast, this parade of tasty treats will continue when you visit the vineyards and cellars of a local winery. Here, the secrets of regional wine production will be revealed, and you can taste the wine varieties that have been produced in this fortuitous blend of soil, climate, and grapes.

Your tour of Southern France will continue when you turn your back on the picturesque squares and cobbled alleys of Avignon and make your way to the Mediterranean Coast. Known as the French Riviera or the Cote d'Azur to locals, the Mediterranean coast that belongs to France has long been a retreat for visitors hoping to enjoy warmer temperatures, the bracing sea air, and majestic views of rugged mountains. Upon your arrival into this setting at the charming village of Mougins, the terraced gardens, charming cafes, and lush woodlands will be yours to explore.

The major theme of your time in the French Riviera will be relaxation, and you will epitomize this by basking in the ambient tranquility of this scenic setting. As you explore the neighborhoods of Mougins, you will see that both locals and visitors alike partake in the ancient Mediterranean custom of enjoying life well-lived. You will also have the day to chart your own course through this idyllic environment. Options will include day trips to the nearby city of Cannes, setting off in search of your favorite beach, or enjoying the views and comfort of your luxurious accommodation.

The Riviera is an environment known for charming locals, good food, and city centers. Here, modern buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with ancient Roman ruins. Today, you will enjoy a guided excursion through this vibrant setting with a trip to some of the major cities and villages of this region. During your tour, the history and culture of the region will be brought to life by your knowledgeable guide. An alternative option will be to visit a Provencal estate known for producing some of the best coastal wines in the country.

A thrilling drive along the coast will have you departing the warm embrace of France to enter the vibrant culture of Italy while never leaving the pristine water of the Mediterranean. After enjoying a fortifying breakfast a stone's throw from the beach, a private driver will lead you on one of Europe's most scenic drives along the coastal road that leads from Mougins to Portofino in Italy. After arriving at your scenic and tasteful hotel that overlooks the harbor, you will have the remainder of the day to explore at your own pace.

Portofino's charm is so potent that both Italians and international tourists flock here each summer to bask in the abundant leisure and history of this scenic Italian village. The pastel homes that line the harbor provide a slash of color to a landscape that is otherwise dominated by the green and blues of the lush hills and sea. After enjoying a day of leisure to explore the secret coves and sandy beaches of this coastline, you will embark on an evening voyage to watch the sunset that rarely ceases to impress those who travel here.

After a leisurely morning in Portofino, enjoying a final stroll along the promenade, you will catch a helicopter flight inland. You will be turning your back on the rolling waves of the sea to replace them with the rolling hills of Tuscany by making your way to Florence for a visit to a private wine estate. After finally arriving in the capital of the Tuscany region, you will have the remainder of the day to relax in the comfort of your luxurious hotel or to set off and explore your new surroundings.

As the Tuscan capital, Florence is an excellent ambassador for the vibrant cultural, historical, and culinary heritage of this Italian region. Likewise, as the birthplace of the Renaissance, there is no shortage of excellent artwork and breathtaking architecture to impress your senses and mind. Today, you will be able to explore this jewel of the Tuscan countryside on a tour of the UNESCO-listed city center. Your tour will be complete with visits to the famous Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and the numerous palaces and galleries throughout the town.

As you will have undoubtedly noticed since your arrival in Florence, rare is the dinner table that lacks a bottle of wine. Today, you will venture into the heart of the Tuscan tradition of winemaking in the Chianti region. Dating back to the early Etruscan inhabitants of this region, wine has been produced and enjoyed in Northern Italy for thousands of years. After enjoying a delicious breakfast from your Florentine hotel, you will venture off into the fertile hills of this region to your new accommodation. After arriving, you can enjoy the panoramic views from the terrace and explore your new environment.

As the sun rises above the Chianti region, it will reveal an idyllic landscape of rolling hills punctuated by escarpments of woodland as well as neat rows of vineyards and olive orchards. Stone villas and hilltop villages stand silent sentinels to the ages of history that washed over this region, leaving evidence at every turn. Today, you will visit one of these villages on a day trip to Siena. Known for being a historic rival to Florence, Siena boasts a charming city center complete with enough exquisite architecture to compete with Florence.

The fruits of the fertile Tuscan soil will be yours to enjoy when you embark on a private exploration of the region's rich heritage of wine and olive oil production. You will begin this tour with a wine tasting experience, during which a parade of Chianti and other local wines will delight your palate and inspire your appetite. In the afternoon, you can visit an olive press and ancient grove where the olives are harvested and transformed into the liquid gold that can be found in every kitchen in the country.

You will leave the Mediterranean world that has been your constant companion for so long today when you depart for a land beyond the confines of continental Europe. After enjoying breakfast at your luxurious hotel, you will make your way to the nearby Florentine airport for a swift flight to the capital of England: London. After arriving at your elegant accommodation near the iconic neighborhoods of Mayfair and SoHo, you will have the remainder of the day to acquaint yourself with this colorful capital.

After waking up in your regal accommodation set in a mid-19th century building, a historical perspective will be unavoidable. For your final full day on this European tour, you will be able to chart your own course through London and indulge every whimsical feeling you have, such as stopping in a cozy-looking pub, riding the famous Eye of London, or visiting the numerous palaces and churches that punctuate the cityscape. For the art lover, the National Gallery is a must-see, and the Imperial War Museum is excellent for those with more historical inclinations.

Although incomparable to the gastronomic greatness of many Mediterranean countries, English cuisine is the traditional breakfast that provides a balanced and tasty start to your day. You will need all the energy you can muster today as you fight the temptation to delay your conclusion of this outstanding European tour. From the scenic banks of the Seine River to the rolling hills of Tuscany, you will have seen a side of Europe often missed by the hasty traveler. As you make your way to Heathrow Airport, you can rest assured knowing that you have left few stones unturned.