DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Paris.

DAY    2            ARRIVE PARIS (6 NIGHTS)
We will be met at the airport by our Tour manager/guide, where we will board our own private bus and transfer into Paris, "The City of Lights." This afternoon we will take a Seine River Cruise, which will take us under many of Paris' graceful bridges, and past many important landmarks and monuments along both banks - a perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris.

DAY    3            PARIS (THE BIRTH OF THE CITY)
This morning we explore the treasures of the Ile de la Cite, beginning with a visit to the ethereal and magical Sainte Chapelle, one of the masterpieces of Western architecture, commissioned by Louis IX. The tiny Gothic marvel features 15 of the most spectacular stained glass windows in Europe, which depict over 1,000 religious scenes. Our morning continues with a visit to the nearby cathedral of Notre Dame, begun in 1163 on a spot that had already been a religious shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon. This afternoon we will explore the Marais Quarter, whose history stretches back to the beginning of the city. The Marais is a perfect place to take in the Parisian lifestyle and features magnificent shops and cafes, as well as La Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. This evening, for a complete contrast, we will visit the modern Pompidou Center. This colorful combination of steel, glass, pipes and tubes houses fine collections of modern art.

DAY    4            DAY TRIP TO CHARTRES & VERSAILLES
                          (THE AGE OF FAITH AND THE AGE OF REASON)
This morning we journey to Chartres, where we will visit Chartres Cathedral, the jewel in the crown of medieval churches in Europe. We will tour the Cathedral, which is a testimony in stone to the religious fervor of the Middle Ages. Chartres Cathedral boasts an unrivaled expanse of sculpture, as well as one of Europe's most impressive collections of stained glass windows. Our afternoon will include a visit to Versailles, a palace commissioned by Louis XIV around Louis XIII's hunting lodge. Our visit commences as we explore the ornate State Apartments, highlighted by the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. After time to explore the spectacular Gardens and fountains at Versailles, we will return to Paris for the evening.

DAY    5            PARIS (THE FRENCH REVOLUTION)
Our morning commences in the Place de la Bastille, where on July 14, 1789, an angry Parisian mob stormed the notorious prison and freed the prisoners. We continue with a visit to the Conciergerie, forming part of the huge Palais de Justice. This historic building served as a prison from 1391-1914, including those that awaited their execution during the Revolution. Highlights of our visit will include: the superb four-aisled Gothic Hall, the 11th century torture chamber and the 14th century clock tower. This afternoon we will explore the square with a peaceful name but a bloody history, Place de la Concorde. This square in the heart of Paris was the sight of the guillotine, which was set up for the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The remainder of the afternoon will be free to explore Paris at your leisure. Might we suggest a stroll around the Tuileries Quarter, including the beautiful Jardin du Palais Royal?

DAY    6            PARIS (THE RISE AND FALL OF NAPOLEON)
Our morning commences with an ascent of the Arc de Triomphe, a massive triumphal arch, commissioned by Napoleon, which today is a symbol of Paris and home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We continue with a stroll along the Champs Elysees, Paris' most spectacular thoroughfare, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture. We return to the Place de la Concorde, before strolling through the Jardin des Tuileries, the beautiful Neo-Classical gardens which lead to the entrance of the Louvre. We will enjoy a specialist-guided tour through the museum, which will include: Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and many of the finest paintings and sculpture from Western Civilization. This afternoon we visit the Hotel des Invalides, an imposing building commissioned by Louis XIV for his wounded and homeless veterans. We will visit the Dome Church, built by Mansart for Louis XIV in 1676. The church is one of the finest examples of 17th century French architecture and is highlighted by the massive Tomb of Napoleon. This evening we will dine in and stroll through the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times and which is generally associated with artists, intellectuals and political unrest, and a walk around the Sorbonne, Paris' oldest university.

DAY    7            PARIS (PARIS OF THE IMPRESSIONISTS)
This morning we will visit the Musee D'Orsay, dedicated to the rich diversity of visual arts from 1846 to 1914, and featuring masterpieces by: Delacroix, Manet, Degas, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Gauguin and Lautrec. We continue with an ascent to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Paris' most recognizable landmark, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. Paris is one of the most important centers of fashion in the world, and this afternoon we will visit the elegant stores of Au Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for a first-hand look at the latest trends in fashion. This evening we will ascend to Montmartre, an area of Paris made famous in the late 19th century as an artists haunt. We will spend time in the Place du Tertre, a square known for its local artwork, before visiting the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, a huge white church, which dominates the Parisian skyline.

DAY    8            DEPARTURE FROM PARIS
Our enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as our tour manager/guide accompanies us to the airport for the return flight home.