London, Paris, and the Loire

Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace

Head to London's famous West End to sit back and enjoy a theater performance.

Visit prehistoric Stonehenge, built in 3,000 B.C. The mysterious monument of four concentric rings of hefty stones is believed to have been a sacred place of worship or some type of calendar.

Visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer that honors American troops who died in Europe during World War II.

Step into the shoes of U.S. servicemen landing in Normandy on D-Day. Learn about their lives and experiences to gain both personal and historical perspective.

Stop to see Mont-St-Michel, an enormous abbey that seems to rise up out of the water, completely isolated from any connecting land. Perched on an enormous rock just off the Normandy coast, the granite Abbey of Mont-St-Michel actually is linked to the mainland—by a narrow causeway that is covered with water during high tide. The Benedictine Abbey was founded in the 10th century, and has undergone many transformations since. Now it is a memorable complex of various buildings and styles—including rounded Romanesque arches and lacy Gothic vaulting—all culminating in a dramatic pointed spire. A major pilgrimage site for centuries, it was turned into a prison during the French Revolution, and the Benedictines did not return until 1966.

Explore the lavish rooms of Château de Chenonceau, a 16th-century castle once home to Catherine de’ Medici. Stretching across the River Cher, its grounds feature a maze and stunning gardens with beautiful views.

Get an up-close view of this opulent castle that was once a residence for French kings during the Renaissance. Also the home for Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb, this palace has a fascinating, rich history to share with all visitors.

Cooking class and dinner

Built on an ancient holy site to house a relic of the Virgin Mary’s veil (still on display), this 13th-century Gothic cathedral is best known for its stained glass. With more than 20,000 square feet of windows, stepping inside feels like entering a jewel box. On the floor lies the only surviving medieval labyrinth, a 300-yard path once followed on pilgrims’ knees toward the image of paradise at the center.

What’s that huge white arch at the end of the Champs-Élysées? It’s the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 after his victory at Austerlitz. Your licensed local guide will elaborate on this and other Parisian landmarks. See some of the city’s most famous sites, including the ornate 19th-century Opera, the presidential residence, and the Place de la Concorde—where, at the center, you’ll find the Obelisk of Luxor, a gift from Egypt in 1836. Spot chic locals (and plenty of tourists) strolling the Champs-Élysées. Look up at the iron girders of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution. Visit Les Invalides (a refuge for war-wounded soldiers) and the École Militaire (Napoleon’s alma mater).

The world's largest art museum, the Louvre, is housed in a medieval fortress-turned-castle so grand it's worth a tour itself. You walk through the 71-foot glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei and added in 1989, and step into another world--one with carved ceilings, deep-set windows, and so many architectural details you could spend a week just admiring the rooms. The Mona Lisa is here, as well as the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory (the headless statue, circa 200 BC, discovered at Samothrace). The Louvre has seven different departments of paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures and antiquities. Don't miss the Egyptian collection, complete with creepy sarcophagi, or the collection of Greek ceramics, one of the largest in the world. Please note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

Cruise the scenic Seine River before taking in breathtaking views of Paris from atop of the Eiffel Tower.

Board your flight home or choose to spend one extra day exploring Paris. Revisit the places you loved or discover new treasures in the City of Lights—it’s your day to enjoy as you wish.