PARIS & LONDON
9 Days and 7 nights (3 nights in Paris and 4 nights in London)
Including a special “Josephine Baker” tour in Paris
and a Brixton tour (London’s Harlem) in London
This is a sample itinerary we could use to help plan a tour for your group.
For more information, please go to: http://africanamericanjourneys.com/form-your-own-group-travel-free
This is a special Black Historical journey to visit two of the world’s great cities in your lifetime — PARIS & LONDON. To take in all that they have to offer on this special journey that will not only give you an insight to a different journey taken by Africans as they left the Motherland, but also learn of many similar problems of racism, inequality and injustice that took place at all levels. Plus traditional touring and excursions to two cities that have incredible enduring appeal combining a marvelous blend of Old World traditions with an ever trend-setting shopping and nightlife … and you for a memorable journey of a lifetime!
PARIS, the “City of Lights” is enchanting at every turn, at any time, in every season. In its historic heart, there is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the famous Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Around every corner and narrow street you will find quaint and true splendor, and the character of the city. PARIS simply glistens with riches to be explored. Highlight of your PARIS stay will be a special “Josephine Baker” tour as you relive the places she frequented, where she lived, restaurants she ate in and even where she performed.
Then board the Eurostar train to exciting LONDON for the second part of your adventure. LONDON, a city that constantly delights with its mixture of imposing grandeur and exquisite detail, its distinctiveness and incredible variety. It is truly a place with something for everyone. The city buzzes with its pomp and pageantry, its well-known museums, and theatre. Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and more create an abundance of surprises waiting for you. Highlight will be an excursion to Brixton (The Harlem of London) to experience the African culture of this London suburb plus a special historical tour that will introduce you the links between Africa, India and the Caribbean and explain how history was whitewashed and racism was institutionalized.
Inclusions
- Round-trip transfers between airport, rail stations and hotels
- Accommodations in 1st class hotels
- Airline & hotel taxes
- Service charges at the hotel
- Portage
- Daily breakfast
- Additional meals as indicated
- Sightseeing tour as per itinerary
- Sightseeing entrance fees
SPECIAL FEATURES
- A train ride under the English Channel aboard the high-speed Eurostar
- A welcome to Paris Dinner
- A special cruise on the Seine River
- Morning tour of Josephine Baker’s Paris
- A special tour to Brixton
- Local Pub dinner in London
Featured Hotels or similar:
- Paris: Hotel Opera Cadet
- London: Hotel Grange Strathmore
Day 1. To Paris
Depart this evening for Paris (African American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans)
Day 2. In Paris – Tour Begins (D)
Morning arrival in Paris. After clearing Immigration and Customs, you depart for our reserved accommodations at the hotel. The balance of the day is free to acclimate to the time change. Tonight your welcome to Paris will be special as we start with dinner at the Eiffel Tower with its magnificent views of the city. This will be followed by a glass-top, enclosed boat-ride on the River Seine, as glorious Paris takes on a new brilliance at night. The city’s monuments and sites shine with a delicate and ethereal beauty once the sun-sets as we pass beneath many of the most beautiful bridges, enjoy a wonderful dinner and watch the glittering Paris skyline.
Day 3, In Paris (B)
This morning’s sightseeing tour highlights the best of Paris including visiting the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the intriguing Left Bank, Sacre-Coeur and a visit to the famed Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris’ greatest Gothic treasure. Afternoon is free for independent activities. This evening why not try one of the wonderful local French restaurants.
Day 4. In Paris (B) – A special morning devoted to Josephine Baker’s Paris (B)
Today as a special treat, the morning will be devoted to discovering the world of Josephine Baker including a presentation of her life in Paris. This is followed by a walk to see the hotel where she gave her last performance, the square named after her, and one of her favorite cafés. We will then take a metro (subway) ride to the 8th district to complete the tour with a visit to the Champs Elysées and the adjacent thoroughfares that Josephine Baker frequented. Sites will include the theater where she made her Paris début, the church where her funeral was held, the theater where she performed her first operetta, and one of her Paris residences. Then a bite to eat at a local Parisian restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure for independent activities and shopping. Tonight maybe an optional sizzling cabaret show at one of the city’s great night spots like the Moulin Rouge or the Lido.
Day 5, To London (B)
Early morning transfer to Paris’s International Rail Station to board the ultra-modern Eurostar train which in less than three hours brings you right into the heart of vibrant London. Transfer to your hotel. After lunch on your own, it’s an afternoon city tour to experience London’s West End, including a look at Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Square and a guided tour of Westminster Abbey. An architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries, it presents a unique pageant of British history – the shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the tombs of kings and queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 CE, as well as for numerous other royal occasions. Afterwards you can be dropped off in the area or return via our motor coach to the hotel. Lunch on our own. The afternoon is free to explore this most cosmopolitan of cities on your own. Maybe visit some of the museums that reign in London. For modern works, check out the Southwark’s Tate Modern; the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square showcases an impressive array of artists, such as Van Eyck. When it comes to performance art, London is a leader – and many of the city’s theaters are congregated together in the neighborhoods around Covent Garden. But Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, one of London’s main attractions and the most well-known theater, is located in South Bank and still performs Shakespeare’s plays in period dress. .
Day 6. In London – Black History day of touring (B)
After breakfast we embark on a unique historical tour of London’s Black history. Millions of people have visited London great sites and have no idea of the centuries of African history right in the city on a coach and walking tour. Here you will discover the secret alleyways and enormous buildings a; connected to Africa and the Caribbean in ways that the owners do not want you to know. You’ll find out about Black loyalists and African revolutionaries. Uncover the submerged links between racism, trade, religion, slavery and politics which are still evident in the very streets and buildings that are the oldest part of London. Learn about African Kings, Queen Victoria, African resistance leaders of the 1860’s, Black freedom fighters in the 1700 London, Ancient African architecture, media propaganda of the 1800 and much, much more. Return to your hotel in the afternoon for the rest of the day and evening on your own.
Day 7. In London – Brixton Excursion (B)
You leave for Brixton where your local guide will introduce you to the colorful and vibrant area of London which is home to a large portion of London’s black community. Known as London’s Harlem, Brixton has become the inspiration to many musicians and artists as well. Your tour will take in Railton Road, the David Greig grocery store, Bettie Morton Gallery, Victorian streets such as Kellet Road, St Mathews Square and Peace Garden, Brixton Road and all famous clubs, cafes and jazz bars. We will see the famous Ritzy Cinema and Electric Avenue, plus visit the largest Caribbean food market in the country at Granville Arcade. Included will be a lunch of delicious local specialties and free time to explore on your own before we head back to our hotel where you have the evening on your own to try some of London’s wonderful restaurants
Day 8. In London (B/D)
A free day to explore London. London is a world-class city, filled with enough attractions to pique even the pickiest traveler’s interest. There’s Piccadilly Circus for its flashing lights, Big Ben for its stately grandeur, the London Eye ferris wheel for its soaring views, and so on. Those interested in British history tend to enjoy the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill War Rooms and the British Museum, Shopaholics will meet their match along Oxford High Street and in Knightsbridge. The city’s high-end trinity is made up of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. For cheaper price tags, look in Marks & Spencer or Topshop. Enjoy Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the London Zoo. Then the late afternoon, we head for the pier to board our ship and cruise the Thames allowing you to see all of London’s best sights from another angle at night, as you sail past the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the Docklands and the Millennium Dome. In the evening, we will have fun at a farewell dinner at a local English pub.
Day 9. To USA (B
Transfer to the airport for your return flight, which arrives the same day.
This is a sample itinerary we could use to help plan a tour for your group.
For more information, please go to: http://africanamericanjourneys.com/form-your-own-group-travel-free