Day 1 in Paris
Welcome to Paris! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!
Begin the afternoon with a pleasant lunch in any of the charming streetside cafes to be found throughout Paris. Afterwards, we recommend that you get acquainted with the city by choosing an optional tour such as ‘Hop on Hop Off – L`Opentour’, showcasing the main sights of the French capital or ‘Paris Seinorama By Coach and Cruise’.
As night falls, enjoy the Trocadéro scene and a twilight ride up the Eiffel Tower as it glitters with lights to mark the change from one hour to the next; or dine on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world, followed by a romantic cruise on the Seine River. Either way you’re sure to fall in love with the ‘City of Light.’
Day 2 in Paris
Wake up early today and head for the Ile de la Cité to visit Sainte-Chapelle and the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, a gothic masterpiece with dramatic towers, spires, stained glass and statuary that are guaranteed to take your breath away. Time permitting; climb the North tower to see Paris from the hunchback Quasimodo’s vantage point. Then, head across the river to the Latin Quarter, home of the historic Sorbonne University, founded in 1257, and the Panthéon.
A midday visit to the Luxembourg Gardens and lunch at ‘Cafe de Flore’ on Boulevard Saint-Germain will revive you for an afternoon tour of the Louvre Museum. You may want to purchase our optional tour ‘Guided Tour of the Louvre’. You will avoid the lengthy queues and visit the main works including the ‘Venus de Milo’, the ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace’ and the ‘Mona Lisa’. You will then be free to explore other sections of the museum at your leisure.
After a busy day of sightseeing, board a relaxing river cruise from Pont Neuf (if you have not already done so). Then grab a bite to eat before heading back to the Latin Quarter for drinks and dancing at the famous ‘Le Caveau de la Huchette’ jazz club. The dance floor is located in an underground cave and the atmosphere is intoxicating. It’s sure to be a night you won’t forget!
Day 3 in Paris
Begin your day at the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Emperor Napoléon I to commemorate the victories of his Grande Armée. Continue with a stroll down the grandiose Avenue des Champs-Elysées – don’t forget to stop for coffee and macarons at Ladurée – before visiting the Jardin des Tuileries, a classic example of intricate and typical Parisian landscaping.
Cross the pedestrian bridge from the Tuileries Garden and tour the Orsay Museum, housing the world’s most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, including works by Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas, Gaugin and Delacroix. This afternoon, tour the Rodin Museum and the Hôtel des Invalides or take the train from Orsay directly to Versailles.
On your final night in Paris, make your way to Odéon metro station, which will lead you straight to the Montmartre hill (or take the funicular up with a metro ticket) where you can enjoy an exceptional panorama over the city and its monuments illuminated at night. Stop at Sacre Coeur before exploring the winding, village-like streets of Montmartre then enjoy dinner at one of the charming cafes in Place du Tertre or consider a traditional Parisian cabaret at the legendary Moulin Rouge.
Additional Days in Paris:
Should you be able to spend additional days in Paris be sure to visit the Marais district, including the Centre Georges Pompidou, a modern art museum, considered by Parisians to be the cultural pulse of the city. While in the area it is also worth visiting the Musée Picasso, Musée Carnavalet and Place des Voges, Paris’s oldest public square and a charming place to stop for lunch. Strangely obscure for such a renowned building, the remnats of the Bastille, the famous prison, lie almost forgotten at the edge of a tiny park. Marked only by a small plaque and usually missed by visitors to Pris, this is one gem worth seeing!
For sights from the modern to the macabre, we suggest Montparnasse Tower, an office skyscraper constructed from 1969 to 1973. The top floor terrace is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the city. In contrast, on the ‘Catacombs of Paris Sightseeing tour’ you will descend deep into the tunnels of Paris’s underground to explore over one kilometer of Catacombs, dating back to 2 BC, that are decorated with human skulls and bones. You will discover the extraordinary history of the Catacombs and listen to the haunting stories and legends that embody these galleries of skeletons. If the catacombs are too creepy then you may want to visit the peaceful and park-like Père Lachaise cemetery – famous as the final resting place of The Doors lead singer, Jim Morrison, and French playwright Molière as well as composer Frédéric Chopin, author Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Stein, Edith Piaf and many more.
Day trips from Paris are also popular and we offer a wide selection from ‘Full Day at Versailles’ and ‘Day Tour to Mont-Saint-Michel’ to ‘Fontainebleau’, ‘A Day in Loire Valley Castles’ and ‘Day Tour to Landing Beaches of Normandy’. Vaux-le-Vicomte and Giverny are also great choices so be sure to check our optional sightseeing tours for availability and prices.
From Paris to Amsterdam
Today you continue on your trip to Amsterdam aboard the Thalys. We recommend that you make your train reservation between 10:00am and Noon. This will give you time to enjoy your final breakfast in Paris and head to the train station for your train to Amsterdam. Should you desire, we offer private transfers where a representative will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the train station. (Click on Hotel Transportation in the Booking Process.) In approximately three hours and 15 minutes you will be in Amsterdam.
Day 1 in Amsterdam
Arrive at the train station in Amsterdam and proceed to your hotel. Should you desire, we offer private transfers where a representative will meet you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel. (Click on Hotel Transportation in the Booking Process). Then prepare to be amazed by Amsterdam!
Begin the afternoon with lunch in De Dam, the monumental square around which Amsterdam was built and the location of Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace). Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely stroll along Kalverstraat, the city’s main shopping street, as you make your way to the Begijnhof, a former religious cloister for women, founded in the 14th century. Be sure to see No. 34 – it’s the oldest house in Amsterdam.
Today, we also recommend that you get acquainted with the city by choosing an optional tour such as ‘GPS Hop-on Hop-off: City Tour with River Cruise’ or ‘The 100 Highlights Cruise,’ where you will have the opportunity to see Amsterdam’s elegant mansions, bridges and major attractions while gliding through its picturesque canals. Following your canal cruise, you may want to visit Amsterdam’s Historisch Museum or enjoy coffee at Café Luxembourg, one of the city’s best ‘grand cafes,’ located on Spuistraat.
As evening approaches, make your way to Leidseplein, where illuminated humpback bridges along Leidsestraat offer views of the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canals, Amsterdam’s 17th century Golden Age Grachtengordel (Canal Belt). Leidseplein’s sidewalks almost overflow with cafe tables where you can stop for dinner or perhaps try Café Americain, an Art Nouveau /Art Deco treasure, dating from 1900.
Day 2 in Amsterdam
Wake up early today and head to the Albert Cuypmarkt, the city’s largest street market, located in the trendy De Pijp district, also known as Amsterdam’s ‘Latin Quarter’. Then proceed to the Rijksmuseum, where you can admire a treasure trove of Dutch masterpieces by artists such as Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt van Rijn, including his famous ‘Night Watch’. Afterwards, try fresh raw herring, a Dutch specialty, at Zeebanket van Altena, a haringhuis fish stall located next to the Rijksmuseum.
If herring isn’t to your liking, then enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees of Museumplein before exploring the Van Gogh Museum, home to more than 200 priceless paintings by the famous Dutch artist. Time and/or interests permitting you may also want to visit the Stedelijk Museum or attend a performance by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (if you have planned ahead and purchased your tickets in advance). Continue your afternoon with a relaxing walk or bike ride through Vondelpark.
Then as evening approaches, stop for a bite to eat at Kantjil and de Tijger, where you can experience Amsterdam’s intriguing love affair with Indonesian cuisine. Afterwards, make your way to the Homomonument, the world’s first monument to persecuted gays and lesbians as well as Westerkerk. A bronze statue of Anne Frank adorns the square outside this 17th century Protestant church where Rembrandt was laid to rest. Climb up the steeple for unbelievably beautiful views of the city.
Finally, you will want to visit Anne Frankhuis, the Prinsengracht canal house where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis during World War II. During summer, when the museum is busiest, it is open until 10pm so it may be better to go in the evening. Otherwise, see the Anne Frankhuis first and go early because there is always a line. We suggest you buy your tickets early to avoid heavy queues.
Day 3 in Amsterdam
Begin your day at the bright and colorful Bloemenmarkt, the famed floating flower market. The bulbs for sale are ready for export so you can take a bit of Holland home with you! Then pass by the medieval Munttoren (Mint Tower) with its graceful spire and chiming carillon on your way to Rembrandtplein. Stop here for coffee and a bite to eat in the Art Deco oasis of Café Schiller. Continue to the Magere Brug, the ‘skinny bridge’ for views over the Amstel River before proceeding to the Muziektheater, home of the National Opera and Ballet.
This afternoon, explore Waterlooplein, part of the old Jodenbuurt (Jewish Quarter) then make a quick visit to the Museum Het Rembrandthuis, former home of the famous artist (before going bankrupt). From here, follow Sint-Antoniesbreestraat as it curves around to Nieuwmarkt, a lively old market square. Afterwards, head on to De Wallen, the infamous Red Light District, which occupies one of the oldest parts of town. Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk (Old Church) can be found here as well as the Museum Amstelkring, known as Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Dear Lord in the Attic). Originally built in 1663, the attic of this bourgeois house conceals a secret Catholic church.
On your final night in Amsterdam, make your way to the architecturally beautiful Centraal Station for some people watching before strolling to the rear of the station for panoramic views of the harbor. From the Waterplein West dock you can catch a free ferry ride across Het IJ waterway to IJplein where you will find plenty of restaurants to enjoy dinner overlooking the old harbor.
Additional Days in Amsterdam:
Should you be able to spend additional days in Amsterdam, you may want to explore the charming and historical Jordaan district, a former working class area that is now the favorite neighborhood of students, artists and young professionals. Along its narrow alleys and tree-lined canals you will find many street markets, restaurants and shops as well as the Noorderkerk (New Church). Or you may wish to spend more time along the waterfront with a visit to the Science Center NEMO or Scheepva art museum, the Maritime Museum, where a thousand years of Holland’s history as a seafaring power is recorded.
When you think of the Netherlands, you think of tulips! If you are visiting in the spring, then we highly recommend a trip to the flower fields with our ‘Amsterdam City Tour and Keukenhof Gardens’. Holland also evokes images of windmills and scenic landscapes so if you want to get out of the city and explore a bit of Dutch history and culture then try ‘Marken – Volendam and Windmills’ where you will see the typically Dutch countryside of polders and little canals with wooden houses and locals wearing their colorful style of dress. With our tour ‘Delft – The Hague and Madurodam’ you will visit a Delft Blue Pottery as well as The Hague, the city that seats the Houses of Parliament, and Madurodam, the miniature model of a Dutch town. Whatever your interests, be sure to check out our optional sightseeing tours for availability and prices.
Your last day in Amsterdam
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.
