Paris for Christmas

Christmas is always exciting. Paris is always exciting. Combine the two and it's almost too much to fathom. Let's do this! Start the pleasantries on the ground in London - we'll be carrying on like family by the time we hit French turf. Shortly before we find our ferry for France, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. They owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk - you're in awe and we haven't even left the UK!

On arrival in France we'll be in Calais, where we will take in the history of World War I battlefields in the Valley of the Somme and Vimy Ridge. This sobering reminder of the war, and a historical talk will help us remind ourselves of the days gone by.  Who needs a Christmas tree when you have the Eiffel Tower looking so spectacular and sparkly! Start your Parisian experience right with a 'Tour of Illuminations' to kick things off, marveling at Paris lit up by night and sparkling with romance. City of love, city of light, city of bridges, Paris is known in many ways, and loved the world over. Cheese, wine, blockbuster sights at every corner, museums, shopping, the list is endless and the good times are only just beginning.

Tonight, we'll take to the cute cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter to find some delicious French eats, who knows you might even dine to the sounds of the harmonica to complete the oh-so French scene. Stay: Jo&Joe (or similar)

Wake up and start wishing your wolf pack a very Joyeux Noël! Today we'll soak up the city from a new angle by taking an included cruise along the River Seine for some of the best views of the city as you glide past le Eiffel, the Musee D'Orsay, the Grand Palais to name but a few of the world's greatest sights. Keep it moving with good bottle of wine and some cheese, some shopping or maybe even a trip to the top of the Eiffel! Tonight, we'll stuff ourselves full of traditional French delights like duck a l'orange, boeuf bourguignon to name but a few at our included dinner in the famous Montmartre, but of course. (B/D)

Throw a croissant in one hand, a coffee in the other, and head out to explore Paris' post-Christmas vibes. We'll hit up the Fragonard Perfumery where you can stock up on perfume, obviously. Especially exciting given the greatly discounted prices and authenticity of buying in France. Still buzzing with life, this is the perfect time to roam museums (some of the best in the world), people watch, or spoil yourself with a French Christmas gift from the fashionable district of le Marais for some vintage threads or unique boutique vibes.

Tonight find a restaurant in a local quarter with cobbled streets, dim lighting and possibly a harmonica player to complete the perfect French scene and people watch over some vin rouge, Christmas kick ons, anyone?   This evening you can treat yourself to your own Christmas gift with a Cabaret show & champagne at the Moulin Rouge. Music, dancing, an an obligatory photo infront of the famous windmill. Life = complete. Because when in Paris... (B)

It's time to board the coach and farewell France. The rest of your Christmases sure have a lot to live up to!   Back in the big smoke we hug it out one last time before the trip comes to an end. It's time to get prepared for a new year of travel adventures. (B)