London/Paris Trip Sept. 27 - Oct. 5, 2023
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Wed., Sept. 27, 2023 – Melody and I started our long-planned trip at the parking lot of the Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, NV. We gathered at 9:30 AM to meet others for our bus trip to the Las Vegas airport. At the airport we were meet by Anne McCall of Tours of Distinction. Anne gathered us all together to ready us to depart for our Delta 12:30 PM flight to Atlanta, GA. After going through customs we boarded our Delta plane at 9:55 PM for our non stop flight to London. The flight was about 4,217 air miles and lasted around 9 hours. Our plane was a Doeing 767-400ER. Cruise speed 512 MPH, seating 246 and range 6,336 miles.
Wed., Sept. 27, 2023 – Melody and I started our long-planned trip at the parking lot of the Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, NV. We gathered at 9:30 AM to meet others for our bus trip to the Las Vegas airport. At the airport we were meet by Anne McCall of Tours of Distinction. Anne gathered us all together to ready us to depart for our Delta 12:30 PM flight to Atlanta, GA. After going through customs we boarded our Delta plane at 9:55 PM for our non stop flight to London. The flight was about 4,217 air miles and lasted around 9 hours. Our plane was a Doeing 767-400ER. Cruise speed 512 MPH, seating 246 and range 6,336 miles.
London Heathrow (LHR) airport
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Thurs., Sept. 28, 2023 - We landed at London Heathrow (LHR) airport around 11:30 AM. After going through customs we found our tour guide Sofia de Almeida with Mayflower Traveler. She was with us throughout our trip. The bus took us to the Holiday Inn Kensington High Street, where we stayed for four nights. After getting our room and relaxing we all gathered in the hotel for our evening meal and fellowship. This was a great way for us to get to know our new friiends. Then it was to bed to try and catchup on some of our lost sleep.  Our first night in London, England at the Holiday Inn Kensington High Street.
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Special Memories
At our Crown Plaza Republique hotel in Paris, France bar.
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This was at Paradis Latin a French cabaret in Paris, France.
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Fri., Sept. 29, 2023 – Up early having breakfast in the hotel at 6:30 AM. Around 9 we boarded our large coach to start the day tour of London. Some of stops where: Marel Arch to the Nelson Column Trafalgar Square, Intricate facades decorate Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, the Thames and the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. After a long day Melody and I meet Melody’s longtime London friend, Jane, along with her friend Andrew for dinner. A great evening of catching up and fellowship.
Sat., Sept. 30, 2023 – After another hotel breakfast we boarded our coach around 8:30 AM for the city drive to Windsor Castle, the former residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. A royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the castle remains a working palace today. We also visited the State Apartments, the Drawing Gallery, Queen Mary’s Doll’s House, and the 14th century St. George’s Chapel, the burial place of ten sovereigns and setting for main royal weddings. One of the highlights of our trip was to watch the changing of the guard.
Sun., Oct. 1, 2023 – We all boarded our coach early for our ride to tour 900-year-old Leeds Castle and White Cliffs of Dover. Located in a picturesque countryside setting, and still surrounded by a moat, it has been called the ‘loveliest castle in the world’. Originally built as a Norman stronghold, the castle has evolved into one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. From its military beginnings to uses as a palace by Henry III, private residence by royalty and political agendas. We continued the coach ride to the Eastern coast to witness the majestic ‘White Cliffs of Dover’. Known around the world for their place in history, as well as scenic beauty, they are considered England’s most spectacular natural phenomenon. After getting back to our hotel we were on our own for the dinner. Melody and I decided to have a refreshment and sandwich in the hotel bar. We had to have our luggage outside our door by 8 PM, preparing for our next stop Paris, France.
Leeds Castle
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Leeds Castle
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Mon., Oct. 2, 2023 – After breakfast we boarded our coach headed to St. Pancras station to board the Eurostar train and a 2.5 hour, high speed ride under the English Channel via the ‘Chunnel’ to Paris, France. On our train car we had a few ladies celebrating a 60th birthday. Boy, they were noisy the entire ride. We got off the train at the Gare du Nord train station. Jumping on our tour coach we drove along the Champs-Elysees to see the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Bastille, Opera Garnier, Place Vendome, Les Invalides, the Latin Quarter, the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. We spent time walking around the Eiffel Tower taking photos. The tower was closed to tourist for upgrades. We also drove by the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is still under construction from the fire. Next it was to our hotel the Crown Plaza Republique. After unpacking and relaxing several of our group gathered across the street at the Café Bouillon for dinner. We ended up sitting with a large wedding party.
Tues., Oct. 3, 2023 – We again boarded our coach for a rainy ride through Paris. When we arrived at the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte the rain stopped. This is a privately owned chateau that highlights the period furnishings, beautiful paintings, tapestries, and household items used in daily life. After the tour we gathered for a lovely lunch. After some wine and fellowship we met for a private workshop on ‘French Etiquette…the Art of Receiving’. We learned how the staff was trained to properly greet guests, how seating plans were created for the dinners at the chateau, the art of setting a formal table, appropriate manners, dress code and more. The guests at the table where members of our tour group. What a fun event.
Our touring group at the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Wed., Oct. 4, 2023 – That afternoon we toured the Palace of Versailles, the official residence of the Kings of France. The chateau is one of the most prestigious monuments of the world’s artistic heritage. The former hunting lodge of King Louis XIII was enlarged and transformed by his sons Louis XIV and Louis XVI. We saw the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and Marie Antoinette’s bedroom. That evening some of us took the coach to Paradis Latin for wine and entertainment. Journey to Paradis Latin, a French cabaret in the most historic cabaret venue in Paris. Originally built by Napoleon in 1803, it was rebuilt by Gustave Eiffel in 1889, using parts of the original foundations and updated with his architectural style. Over 500 colorful and outrageous costumes added to the visual grandeur of the arts. We got back to our hotel around 12:30 AM, so a short night of sleep.
Thurs., Oct. 5, 2023 – Up at 4 AM, to get ready to catch the coach for the ride to the Charles de Gaulle Airport. A lot of terminal walking before going through customs. Again, we flew with Delta on an Airbus A330-900 plane. It’s cruise speed is 537 MPH, seats 281 and has a range of 6,995 miles. This is a nonstop flight. The flight miles from Paris to Salt Lake is around 5,078 miles and nearly 11 hrs. in the air. We stood in a very long line at the Salt Lake airport waiting to go through customs. We arrived in Las Vegas around 4:30 PM.
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Some closing thoughts – This was a trip Melody and I will always cherish with memories to last a lifetime. Probably one of the biggest challenges is waiting in line at the airports. With the Olympics coming to Paris in 2024 a lot of the city is under construction or remodeling. We were amazed at the traffic in London and Paris. With those very narrow streets our coach drivers did an awesome job of weaving us around. Someone said there are as many bicycles and scooters as cars. The Delta airlines workers treated us very good. Delta seems to have more leg and head room and the seats lay back. Our Las Vegas, NV, tour organizer Anne McCall from Tours of Distinction did an amazing job of putting this tour together. She was with us every step of the way. Our tour guide from Mayflower, Sofia de Almeida, was a true professional in her field. She and Anne did a great job keeping track of 34 tourists. We got to meet some new friends we’ll have for life.
If you have any questions, comments or additions to this story please email me at 1944rlb@gmail.com. You can always view my website at www.1944becker.com.
If you have any questions, comments or additions to this story please email me at 1944rlb@gmail.com. You can always view my website at www.1944becker.com.
Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris, France ready to fly back to US
Some miscellaneous photos in no order.
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