Paris Optional Extension

From catacombs and cathedrals to towers and palaces, from french perfume to handsome French men, Paris is one of the must beautiful places in the world

Friday, June 13th - Paris France... located in the northern portion of the country on the river Seine. Paris has a reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, overflowing with historic associations and remaining extremely influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is the home to the world's most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent,Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, to name just a few. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a World Heritage Site. The city has the second highest number of Michelin-restaurants in the world and holds within numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most famous site like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge and many more.

Upon your arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport you will be greeted by a local assistant and board a private coach for your hotel transfer. Once at the hotel TOSS you bags in the room and head back downstairs as we head out ready to roam the beautiful streets of Paris on your way to Hotel de Ville and Notre-Dame. The Hotel de Ville's facade is decorated with 378 works by 230 sculptors, including Rodin. You would want to bring your good camara to zoom in on all the detail on the breaktaking building.

Next you off to Notre-Dame Cathedrale, with its mixed-and-matched bell towers, its weather-worn, revolution-damaged exterior, and above all, its shimmering stained-glass windows, the phenomenal church seduces the eyes and the spirit. Reportedly, Rodin once sat for hours on the sidewalk, admiring the sculptures on the facade. After a visit inside the chruch you will visit the The Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin), One of the oldest areas of Paris, the 5th arrondissement was the heart of Roman Paris during the Roman occupation of France (from the 1st c. B.C. to the 5th c. A.D.). You can still see traces of this period as you walk around. It became known as the Latin Quarter during the Middle Ages, when most of its residents were either students or clergymen who spoke Latin. Now, the Quartier Latin is the center of bohemian Paris filled with street artist and intellectual. No trip to the Latin Quarter is complete without a photo stop at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. Founded in the 20's, this tiny bookstore/landmark became a focal point for expatriate Americans such as Pound, Hemmingway and the Irishman James Joyce. The bookstore continues to offer refuge to young writers and poets who are allowed to sleep in the shop in exchange for some hours work. If this seems strange, I think it should be commended as a remarkable act of generosity and empathy in an age when things like this no longer happen.

After and international flight and all this walking, a sista will be ready to SIT DOWN! What better place to sit that on a boat floating down the Seine river. The river Seine divides the city into the Rive Droite (Right Bank) to the north and the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) to the south. You will sail under the stars past monuments, acclaimed galleries and museums,and under superb bridges, you will be transported into another world. You will get your first on many view of the majestic Eiffel Tower after the sail have dinner and dancing (don't forget to pack heels in purse) before heading back to the hotel. YEP... this is not your grandmother's tour!

Next the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre or simply know as "the Lourve". Not only is it one of the largest museums in the world, with over 35,000 works of art displayed over 60,000 sq. m (645,835 sq. ft.), but it's packed with enough artistic masterpieces to make the Mona Lisa weep. Rembrandt, Reubens, Botticelli, Ingres, and Michelangelo are all represented here; subjects range from the grandiose (Antoine-Jean Gros' gigantic Napoleon Bonaparte Visiting the Plague-Stricken in Jaffa) to the mundane (Vermeer's tiny, exquisite Lacemaker). There's something for everyone here. Once inside you will be guided directly to the Mona Lisa to check out her famous smile.

After head to L'avenue des Champs-Elysees. The Champs Elysees in Paris is the most celebrated shopping street in the world that runs from the The elegant Tuileries Gardens to the Arc de Triomphe. The street is 1.18 miles (1.91 km) long, and is bordered by trees, monuments, shops, restaurants and cafes. It is also home of the flagship At the center of the Place de l'Etoile lies this iconic arch, commissioned by the Emperor Napoleon and inspired by ancient Roman arches. Impressive in scale, a trip to the top offers exceptional views of the Champs Elysées. The Promenade is also home for the Louis Vuitton flagship store and global image From from the 'bag bar', bookstore and new jewellery department to the women's and men's ready-to-wear. Contemporary art, videos by Tim White Sobieski and a pitch-black elevator by Olafur Eliasson complete the picture at visit is a must. Accessed by lift, the Espace Vuitton hosts temporary art exhibits - but the star of the show is the view over Paris. Did you know that in Paris a Louis Vuitton is cheaper than in the United States even with the euro/dollar exchange rate.

Head back to the hotel on your own by taxi to dress for spending Halloween partying to the break of dawn. Crawl back to your room to grab yor luggage., beacue that is how we roll at BGT!

Sunday, November 1st - Say Goodbye to Fleace as you transfer to the airport for your flight back to the USA. On the plane collapse in your seat and fall asleep with memories of a vacation of a lifetime.

As with all travel international travel, due to local venors and conditions, activity and/or date changes sometimes happen. We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary includng dates, if necessary due to weather, safety and/or other factors beyond our control or to enhance your experience.

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