Britain Sampler with Paris to Normandy

Welcome to London!

Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.

The Royal Treatment

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - See the legendary landmarks of England's historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben's quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.

Ancient Stones & Spa Days

Meet your Tour Director and travel companions to depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. Try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric Stonehenge and explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions. Cross Salisbury Plain and head for the elegant city of Bath, where you'll see the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths. Enjoy some free time in the city before enjoying a welcome dinner at your hotel.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath, amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.

Welsh Country Beauties

This morning, drive through the Severn Valley to the medieval market town of Ludlow before crossing the border into North Wales. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, host to one of the world's most colorful annual music festivals, before continuing on to Liverpool, hometown of The Beatles and once the departure port of great transatlantic liners.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Explore the charming medieval town of Ludlow on the River Teme. Noteworthy buildings include Ludlow Castle and the impressive St. Laurence's church. With nearly 500 buildings on the Historic England list, Ludlow's medieval and Tudor - style half-timbered architecture inspired poet laureate Sir John Betjeman to call it "the loveliest town in England."

Sonnets, Sweets & Scottish Blacksmiths

Find tranquility in the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience the inspiring setting of the poet Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere. Sample original Grasmere Gingerbread before heading north for the Scottish border to Gretna Green where a Scottish blacksmith once performed weddings for eloping young couples. Continue onto Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, for some free time this evening.

LOCAL FAVORITE - Sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere baked following an 1854 recipe invented by Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit.

Crown Jewels & Castle Views

Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. Enjoy some free time this afternoon and evening.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures August 2, 9, 16 and 23.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain". Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.

Augustine's Monks & Medieval Markets

Begin your day with a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House, with its impressive collection of historic relics, weapons, and armor, as well as an extensive library with over 9,000 rare volumes. Make a photo stop at the ruined Augustinian Jedburgh Abbey as you head towards the Scottish border. In York, England's most complete medieval city, view York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the Narrow Shambles.

LOCAL FAVORITE - While strolling the cobblestones of York's Shambles, it's easy to imagine the medieval butcher shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber - framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, and today is a vibrant gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.

Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare

Depart Yorkshire, setting of author James Herriot's beloved “All Creatures Great and Small,” and head to Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford - upon - Avon. Take pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit the legendary playwright's birthplace. Return to London around 3:30 pm.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Ah, young love! Even more true, as Shakespeare's fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard's wife - to - be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford - upon - Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

On to Paris!

Transfer to Paris to board your Avalon Suite Ship® and meet your Avalon Cruise Director.

This evening, enjoy dinner on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour.

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour through the picturesque Normandy countryside from Vernon to Giverny, ending with a visit to Monet's enchanting gardens and home, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy's Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
• Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.

This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

LES ANDELYS: Serenity on the Seine.

• Active: Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine.

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

• Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D-Day.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
• Classic: Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial (until the end of May replaced with a visit to the D-Day Museum), the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Joan of Arc's martyrdom - and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS

* Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.

Cafés, Cathedrals, & Canvases in the City of Lights

• Active: Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.

Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.