London to Paris via the Channel Islands

Visit France

HIGHLIGHTS:

London - Dorset - Guernsey - Guernsey - Jersey - Jersey - Saint - Maintenon

Day 1 London (England)

An epicenter of rich history and innovation, London is where we’ll meet for the start of our incredible journey.

Tonight, we’ll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner. Accommodation: Wellington by Blue Orchid (or similar)

Day 2 London – Winchester – Dorset

After breakfast, we’ll travel to our first stop: the collegiate city of Winchester.

Here, we’ll take some time to tour the magnificent Gothic cathedral before exploring the city’s old-worldly centre at our own pace. En route to our hotel, we’ll visit the sublime Corfe Castle – a site with over 1,000 years of diverse history. Then, a delicious meal awaits us at our Dorset hotel. Accommodation: Mortons Manor Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 Dorset – Guernsey (Channel Islands)

This morning it’s all aboard the ferry for the journey to Guernsey.

Depending on our arrival time in St Peter Port, we may have the opportunity to tour the grand Sausmarez Manor and its charming gardens – before enjoying some free time to wander the cobbled streets, marina and stores at your leisure. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included dinner together at the hotel. Accommodation: Duke of Richmond Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 Guernsey – Sark – Guernsey

The famous ‘Dark Sky Island’, Sark, will be our next stop – and here the day will be yours to spend as you please.

No cars are allowed on the island, giving it a unique ‘olde worlde’ charm. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the various viewpoints around the island including the lighthouse and Pilcher Monument. Or embark on the strikingly beautiful walk along La Coupée to Little Sark. There’s even the option to admire the island’s captivating landscapes from aboard a horse-drawn carriage, if you’d prefer. After returning to Guernsey on the ferry, take the leisurely walk into town for dinner at a local restaurant or enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel. Accommodation: Duke of Richmond Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 Guernsey

First on the agenda today: a stop at the enchanting Little Chapel, a work of art built entirely from seashells.

Afterwards, we’ll visit the fascinating German Occupation Museum. Beginning as a schoolboy hobby, the museum has expanded into an extensive collection of Occupation memorabilia and rare artefacts. Returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, there will be some free time to explore Guernsey your own pace*. Accommodation: Duke of Richmond Hotel (or similar)

Day 6 Guernsey – Jersey

Our morning in Guernsey will be a relaxed one as we ready ourselves to depart for our next stop: Jersey.

Upon our arrival, we’ll familiarise ourselves with the beautiful harbour village of St Aubin – exploring the Bulwarks, quaint streets and pubs at our leisure. Tonight, we will reconvene at the hotel and share stories of our day over an included dinner. Accommodation: Hotel L’Horizon (or similar)

Day 7 Jersey

Today we’ll uncover one of Western Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic sites: La Hougue Bie.

Stand inside the chamber of the passage grave and feel the heart of this centuries-old place of worship, before discovering more at the geology and archaeology museum. Then, we’ll press on to the imposing Mont Orgueil Castle – a medieval fortress that has overlooked the beautiful fishing port of Gorey for more than 800 years. This afternoon you’ll be free to relax before we move on again. Saint-Malo is coming up tomorrow! Accommodation: Hotel L’Horizon (or similar)

Day 8 Jersey – Saint-Malo (France)

Elizabeth Castle has played a huge role in Jersey’s history for more than 400 years.

Choose to take the Castle Ferry or walk out along the causeway at low tide. Then, enjoy some free time to explore the grounds at your leisure – uncover wartime bunkers, marvel at the hermitage where Saint Helier is thought to have lived, and take part in living history demonstrations. Later this afternoon, we’ll swap Britain for France as we sail into the dramatic port town of St-Malo. Be tempted by an array of restaurants in the town centre and savour some downtime relaxing in the fresh coastal air. Accommodation: La Maison des Armateurs (or similar)

Day 9 Saint-Malo

Saint-Malo’s labyrinthine streets are best explored on foot, so we’ll begin today with an orientation walk with our expert Tour Leader.

Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours to wander the medieval ramparts surrounding the town, visit the cathedral or enjoy a walk in the sunshine along Bon-Secours Beach. This evening, take the opportunity to indulge in some classic French cuisine. Bon appétit! Accommodation: La Maison des Armateurs (or similar)

Day 10 Saint-Malo – Dinan – Mont Saint-Michel – Saint-Malo

Today we journey to Dinan, a quaint town nestled upon a hilltop overlooking the Rance Valley.

After spending some time exploring its medieval walls, cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses, we’ll wind our way along the coast of Normandy to magical Mont Saint-Michel – a rocky islet topped with a medieval monastery. Here we’ll have some free time to explore the abbey and Logis Tiphaine Museum before finding lunch in the island village. This afternoon, we’ll return to Saint-Malo for an evening of leisure. Accommodation: La Maison des Armateurs (or similar)

Day 11 Saint-Malo – Fougères – Maintenon

Our morning begins with a visit to the Château de Fougères, the largest medieval castle in Europe.

It features 13 majestic towers, beautiful gardens and is surrounded by the River Nançon. Following a stop for lunch in the Old Town, we then journey to Maintenon. Tonight, we’ll regroup at the hotel and enjoy one final dinner together. Accommodation: Castel Maintenon (or similar)

Day 12 Maintenon – Chartres – Paris

We’ll end our tour with a trip to the Cathedral of Chartres – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and beautifully preserved example of Gothic architecture.

Our final stop will be Paris, where we’ll say ‘au revoir’.

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