Paris
Friday, June 13th - Your BGT Tour begin in 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 you will have time for a quick shower before we hit the ground running. Rest??? Ain't nobody got time for that ... we have places to go, things to see and men to meet! :-) After an orientation lunch grabe your walking shoes and get 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!
Saturday, June 14th - After breakfast you are on your way to 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. You will then have time for a personal expereince by exploring the Louvre and have lunch on your own before meet the group at the desinated meeting point.
Now you are off to the Palais Garnier opera house. he opera house designed by 35 year old Charles Garnier was the most novel and creative building of the Second Empire with an exuberant neo-classical and baroque character. As a building of pleasure, visited solely by the rich, the opera house symbolized the life of the imperial elite.The most famous and impressive feature of the Opera House is the grand staircase, which must be one of the most opulent staircases in existence. Built from different coloured marble the double staircase leads from the foyer to the auditorium. It adds to the romance and glamour of them to think that this was once the ultimate place for socialites to be seen in all their fashionable glory. The auditorium itself is a magnificent spectacle, the ceiling, painted by Chagall and lit by a spectacular crystal chandelier, is a magically evocative and apt work by which Ernest Hemmingway was fascinated. After the Opera, visit the Musée du Parfum, It was built in 1860 by the architect Lesoufache, a student of the architect Charles Garnier, who was renowned for having built the opera house. On a tour of the museum you will discover a marvelous collection of perfume related items which will take you back in time, all the way from the antiquity to the 20th century. Next board an open top bus and sit back and let Paris pass in front of you learning about her history. Return home in time to change clothes for a night on the town.
Sunday, June 15th - Your morning will start on 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.
After a morning of shopping drop your off your shopping bags and grab a bag of picnic food the local market to share and take off for the Paris Jazz Festival. Despite its reputation as a distinctly American art form, much of jazz's developmental history can be traced back to the underground clubs of Paris. Beginning with the first European tour of an American jazz band in 1919 and continuing to the present day, the city has displayed a fervent love affair with jazz and its ambassadors, providing musicians with a vibrant club scene and enthusiastic audiences. As Miles Davis wrote in his autobiography, "Everything changed while I was in Paris". The Paris Jazz festival has been deemed by jazz lovers as one of the most magnificent music festival experience ever with people attending from around the world! In addition the concerts, there will also be workshops to allow people to experience jazz in a more hands-on way. Musical games and educational activities are on the menu. The night will end with a goodby toast at the Place du Trocadero with it spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower.
Dubai
Monday, June 16th - Goodby Paris ... hello Dubai! A true FlyGirl new stays in one place for too long! So, this morning pack your bags because we will be jetsetting on your 2nd international flight to Dubai a city that is know for seven-star property, the world's tallest tower, grand manmade islands, underwater hotels and buildings that spin like a Weebles. If Paris is know for its past, Dubai hold the key golden key to the future with a skyline of buildings the defy logic or budgets. Everywhere you look is grandeur and luxury. Where else in the world would you see a Lamborghini taxi?
Upon your evening arrival in Dubai you will have a tour where to learn about this land of millions of lights and billonaires. After the tour you will check-in to your hotel before joining the other Flygirls for a wine mixer and a walk along the Dubai Marina promenard for dinner while watching the rich parade their exotic cars and wealth.
Tuesday, June 17th - Start you after noon in clouds on 124th level observation deck of the Burj Khalifa the worlds tallest building. Afterwards live your "live your life like its golden" at world famous Dubai Gold Souk then shop until you drop at the The Duabi Mall. This stunning mall is the world's largest and part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, and includes 1,200 shops. While in there check out the amazing indoor Aquarium & Underwater Zoo with its 270-degree acrylic walkthrough tunnel. Around 6pm head over to one of restaurants surrounding the Burj Khalifa Lake and fountain for the sunset dancing water show that jet water up to 500 feet in air. Return to hotel on your own by taxi.
Wednesday, June 18th - After a day of jetsetting and partying all night live tie diva life and sleep in or head to the pool or warm water beach to catch some sun rays.
Your 2nd night in Dubai will be a pure adr rush as start the early evening with desert DUNE BASHING. Hold on to your seat as you zip, zoom, and swirl over ancient mid-eastern sand dune before arrving at a special desert osais where you will learn the fine art of belly dancing and falconry.
Later you will watch the sunset over the dunes before having a campfire dinner under the stars and few more surprises.
Thursday, June 19th - Today is your free day to explore Dubai on your own or in small groups. We suggest Ski Dubai, an indoor ski resort with 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area. Only in Dubai would they dream of building ski slopes in the middle of the hot desert. Rolling down in the Giant Ball run, jumping a 10ft. ramp, turning down the tube slides, sightseeing in the chairlift, or just relaxing over a hot chocolate in the minus 4 degrees wonderland. Don't forget to take a photo with Ski Dubai's newest residents; the Snow Penguins!
Tonight we hit the town in BIG with optional dinner reservation at the Burj Al Arab - the World's only seven star hotel. You will need to bring your GOOD credit card for this one, but hey you only live once. Hey, when is the next time you have the opportunity to live the lush life at 7 STAR property! Dinner start at $240 per-person! Don't worry, if the price tag is a little rich for your blood there will be more affordable options near our accomodations. Please note because of status of it guest, the Burj Al Arab is only accessible to hotel guest and those with dining reservations. After dinner spent the evening in one of the hotel bars (rubbing shoulders elite guest) or join those not having dinner at a nightclub fordancing and partying like ROCK STARS!
Abu Dhabi
Friday, June 20th - Pack your bags and you are off by priavte coach to Abu Dhabi the captial and largest city in the U.A.E for hypnotic assault on your senses. Ranked as one of the richest cities on earth, Abu Dhabi is a playground for the Gulf's rich and famous. Home to more millionaire sheikhs than anywhere else in the world. Your frist stop The Heritage Cultural Center. Set in lush gardens with trickling fountains, it's now one of the most interesting places in Abu Dhabi, souvenirs, shoes and clothing. At the cultural center you can get the amazing pictures of pre-historic Abu Dhabi. There are many small stalls with everything from leather and glass to pottery and weaving. You will get a chance to see and learn how the craftsmen make such wonderful art works. There is a small marketplace with various artifacts and local handmade collections. The little spice shop is a treat with a range of dried herbs and handmade soap.
Next, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Grab abaya (traditional robe) and shayla (headscarf) before entering the Sheikh Zayed, which is is the world's most expensive mosque in the world - and as its surrounding terraces are still being built, no one quite knows how much it will eventually cost. Paved with pure white marble from - count them - 28 different countries, the mosque has a trifecta of records, including the world's largest carpet and the world's most valuable chandeliers (made from gold and Swarovski crystal no less).
Shead your abaya and board the coach for Emirates Palace. Built at a cost of US$3 billion, it's a riot of gold-painted corridors, fairy tale ballrooms and decadent restaurants and bars. Emirates Palace also offers the world's most expensive tailor-made holiday, costing a cool US$1 million. And if that isn't far-fetched enough, the hotel has a gold bar vending machine in its lobby. After a full day in Abu Dhabi you will have time for dinner and drinks before heading to the airport for your flight back to the United States.
Saturday, June 21th - After your overnight flight, arrive back to the United States with memories of your two counties with very different "Cities of Lights".
As with all travel international travel local changes sometimes happen that can effect plans. We reserve the right to make minor changes in the itinerary if necessary due to weather conditions and/or other factors beyond our control or to enhance your experience.
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