Paris, Nice and Venice

Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Notre Dame Cathedral visit

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.

State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Gardens of Versailles

LEAP Activity | Seize the Château!

This costume workshop is a lively role-play activity that puts you in the shoes of the monarchy, clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie, or peasantry to explore the issues underlying the French Revolution.

Hop aboard the TGV, Europe's fastest train!

St. Paul de Vence is a beautifully preserved medieval hill town, and its terra cotta roofs and cypress- and palm tree-dotted landscape have attracted prominent artists for over a century. A favorite hotel was the Colomb d’Or, where painters often paid for their room and board in artwork -- the dining room still displays works by Picasso, Modigliani, and Matisse.

Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace visit, Grand Canal, St. Mark's Cathedral visit

Take the vaporetto on an excursion to the lagoon islands and view production of two of Venice's famous exports. On Murano, local artisans produce brilliant works of Venetian Glass with great skill. Head to Burano to see the handcrafted Venetian Lace in various stages of work.

LEAP Activity | Behind the Carnival Mask

Create a Venetian mask inspired by the Italian Carnival, the Commedia dell’Arte—or by your imagination! Learn the meaning of the mask and its historical significance, then decorate yours using professional techniques.