2-Week England and France Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week England And France tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaEngland and France travel expert at TourRadar

• 12 Days in Italy, France & England, incl. Rome and London

  Architectural wonders and cultural sites define this 5-star rated tour. Canterbury's religious sites, Versailles Palace, and Seine River cruising highlight the journey. Courtyard Marriot Paris St Denis and Ibis London Excel Docklands provide comfortable bases.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome

    Start your trip in the Eternal City. Visit the Colosseum right when it opens at 8:30 AM to avoid crowds. Visit the Vatican Museums after lunch when lines are shorter. One traveler shared: "The local guide's tip to enter St. Peter's Basilica through the Sistine Chapel saved us hours of queuing." For dinner visit Trastevere around 8 PM when locals start their evening meals.

    
  • Day 3

    Mediterranean Coast

    Take a 3-hour morning drive to Pisa. The tourist train to the Leaning Tower runs every 20 minutes. Visit mid-morning for the best photo lighting. Drive on to the French Riviera through Sestri Levante to reach Nice by early evening. Take motion sickness pills if needed for the winding coastal road.

    
  • Days 4-5

    French Riviera & Provence

    Start at Nice's Promenade des Anglais and take a 45-minute boat ride to Saint-Tropez. Book the Carrières de Lumières show in Les Baux well in advance. Visit Avignon's Palais des Papes after 3 PM when tour groups leave. Take the cable car to Lyon's Notre-Dame de Fourvière around 6 PM for beautiful sunset views.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Burgundy Region

    Start with Tournus's medieval abbey along Burgundy's wine route. Visit the unique motorcycle museum at Savigny Castle after it opens at 10 AM. Walk Dijon's Owl's Trail to see the best historic sites by following bronze owl markers in the ground. Plan about 3 hours to reach Paris but skip Friday afternoon traffic.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Paris

    Get to Versailles before 9 AM to avoid tour buses. Book late afternoon Eiffel Tower tickets when lines are shorter. Take a Seine cruise at dusk for great photos (around 7 PM in summer). Leave for Rouen after 4 PM to miss Paris rush hour.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Channel Crossing & London

    The ferry to Dover takes about 90 minutes. Bring warm clothes if you want to go on deck. Visit Canterbury Cathedral mid-morning before coach tours arrive. Get to the Changing of the Guard by 10:30 AM for good viewing spots at 11 AM. One visitor noted: "Camden Market is overwhelming - start at the Lock area and work your way north. Food stalls are best around 1 PM when everything's open."

    

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• 11 Day World War Battlefields Itinerary, incl. London and Normandy

  Military history comes alive on this 11-day tour. London's Imperial War Museum, Eurostar crossing, Normandy's D-Day beaches, and Paris's historic quarters tell tales of two nations.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    London: Visit the Imperial War Museum

    to see authentic WWII artifacts including a Battle of Britain Spitfire. Plan about 3 hours for your visit and go in the afternoon when it's less busy. Book a morning tour of Churchill's War Rooms. A recent visitor said: "The preserved map room and Churchill's actual workspace gave me chills. The audio guide is essential for context."

    
  • Day 3

    London to Brussels: Take the 2-hour Eurostar train

    to Brussels. Visit the Atomium before 11am to beat the crowds. Watch the Grand Place light up at dusk when the guildhalls are illuminated. Stay in the Mont des Arts district for good transport connections.

    
  • Day 4

    Dunkirk and Vimy Ridge: Visit the Operation Dynamo beaches

    where 330,000 Allied troops were evacuated. Stop at the Dunkirk War Museum to understand the full story. The preserved trenches and tunnels at Vimy Ridge need sturdy shoes for muddy paths. The Canadian National Memorial looks beautiful in the evening light.

    
  • Day 5

    Ypres: Explore WWI sites around Ypres Salient

    Start at Tyne Cot Cemetery in the early morning. Visit the Passchendaele Museum to see recreated trenches. Watch the Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate at 8pm. Get there by 7:30pm for a good spot.

    
  • Day 6

    The Somme: Spend the day at WWI's bloodiest battlefield

    Visit the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial and see the Ocean Villas WWI Museum's original British trenches. A visitor noted: "Walking the actual trenches with recovered artifacts all around made the enormous loss of life feel painfully real."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Normandy: Stay in Caen and visit the Memorial de Caen museum

    Tour D-Day beaches including Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc. Remember proper dress for the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer. Visit Juno Beach later in the day for better photos.

  • Days 9-11

    Paris: Take the train from Caen to Paris

    Explore Saint-Sulpice and the Latin Quarter's historic squares. Consider visiting Versailles at 9am opening time. Look for bullet holes from the Liberation in the Marais district buildings.

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• 12 Day Atlantic Europe Cruise Itinerary, incl. Bordeaux and London

  A 12-day coastal voyage from Bordeaux's vineyards to London's Greenwich. The artist-inspired harbor of Honfleur, Fowey's literary heritage, and Thames sailing past iconic landmarks await. Butler service and gourmet dining enhance visits to historic French and English ports.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Bordeaux, France

    Your cruise starts in wine country. Arrive before 2 PM for embarkation. You get two full days in Bordeaux since the ship stays overnight. Visit the Left Bank in the morning to avoid crowds at tasting rooms. Take a trip to Saint-Émilion just 45 minutes away and walk its medieval streets between limestone buildings. Money-saving tip: Book wine tours directly through château websites instead of ship excursions.

    
  • Day 3

    Belle-Île-en-Mer & Concarneau

    Morning brings you to France's biggest Brittany island. You'll need good walking shoes to access most beaches via coastal paths. In the afternoon you'll reach medieval Concarneau. Visit the walled Ville Close after 4 PM when most tourists have left.

    
  • Day 4

    Concarneau

    The ship docks right in the heart of town. Check out the fish market at 6 AM to see local boats bringing in fresh catch. Walk 20 minutes to Keriolet Castle before 10 AM to beat the crowds.

    
  • Day 5

    Isles of Scilly

    Take the tender service to St. Mary's and explore Hugh Town's narrow streets on foot. Pack sturdy shoes as trails to remote beaches can get muddy. Local boats run often to nearby islands if you want to see more.

    
  • Day 6

    Fowey

    Watch from deck as your ship carefully navigates into this small Cornish harbor. The town sits on steep hills so take your time walking and bring water. The Hall Walk coastal path offers great views.

    
  • Day 7

    Guernsey

    Walk right off the ship into St. Peter Port. Get to Castle Cornet at 10 AM opening to avoid crowds. You can use British pounds or euros in most shops.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Poole to Honfleur

    The ship sails overnight from Poole's Jurassic Coast to historic Honfleur. See Poole's old town in the morning. In Honfleur make dinner reservations ahead as harbor restaurants fill up quickly.

    
  • Day 10

    Ostend

    The Belgian coast offers great walking and cycling along its flat promenade. Try the local mussels if you're visiting in summer. Late departure means you can have dinner in town.

    
  • Days 11-12

    London

    Get up early to watch the ship's Thames journey into London. You'll see major landmarks along the way. The ship docks in Greenwich with easy tube access to central London. Book flights after noon on the last day to allow for London traffic.

    

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