Inclusive Prices
Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, First Class accommodations on the Eurostar, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, luggage handling and the services of the local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at London Heathrow Airport and provide a group transfer to the Langham Hotel in London. The group transfer will leave the airport at 11:00 AM. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. If you miss the group transfer to the hotel, a taxi from the airport to the hotel will cost you approximately 50 GBP and take approximately 1 hour; a taxi ride from Gatwick would cost you approximately 100 GBP and take approximately 1½ hours. On the last day of the tour, Tauck will provide one group transfer from The Westin Paris that will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 9:30 AM.
Child Discount – Children 11 years of age and younger may receive a discount on the tour price. To qualify for a child discount, the child’s birth date must be provided at time of booking. No child discount is offered on the Tauck Travel Protection plans.
Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotels without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort. Adjacent and connecting rooms are available by request only and cannot be guaranteed. Quadruple accommodations are not available for four persons 18 years of age and older rooming together. For safety and security purposes, children under 18 years of age must be booked into a room with at least one accompanying adult.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
Tauck Director – Each ‘Castles & Kings: London to Paris’ tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All gratuities for restaurant and hotel staffs, local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Director are included.
No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the
Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to
Tauck Travel Protection for more information.
Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, individual airport transfers and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 11:00 AM at London Heathrow Airport. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Please allow sufficient time to claim your luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends at 9:30 AM at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. We suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.
Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing To Go
Air Conditioning – Both hotels and the motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort.
ATM and Credit Cards - Tauck recommends that you contact your bank in advance of departing for this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. Tauck also recommends that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – The weather in London and Paris is changeable and unpredictable. We suggest that you dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A light sweater or jacket will provide warmth on a chilly early morning walk or a late night stroll. Rain falls evenly throughout the year in both cities; however, the relative humidity in Paris is 10% higher than in London. In summer, the heat and humidity in Paris causes some moderate discomfort.
In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts for dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable.
You will find a hair dryer and bathrobes located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are available upon request. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are also available for a fee.
Children may want to consider bringing along pocket toys and games with a "sound off" button or portable radio/CDs with headphones for use on longer travel days. Journals, binoculars and cameras are also great for children to have with them to make the most of their adventure.
Each child will be sent a complimentary backpack from Tauck Bridges! If the child resides in the United States, the backpack will be sent to his home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to his departure for the U.K. If the child resides outside of the U.S the backpack will be waiting for him on arrival at the hotel in London. This is due to customs regulations that prohibit the easy delivery of the backpacks in advance.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription (or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you), a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to London and Paris:
- Sports jacket for men
- Casually-elegant outfits for ladies
- Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
- Shorts, slacks and jeans
- Tee shirts
- Socks
- Light sweater
- Light-weight jacket
- Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Raincoat and rain hat
- Collapsible umbrella
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
- Bridges Backpack and/or fanny pack
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters).
Health – The ‘Castles & Kings’ tour is relaxed and the pace is leisurely. You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. London and Paris are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, some dating from antiquity. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture may present difficulties for you if you have physical limitations. You will encounter cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, and some steep and winding staircases. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.
We regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
Please advise your Tauck Director on tour if you or the children traveling with you have any serious allergies. Also, adults may want to bring along children's aspirin or medicines as a precaution, as access to these may be limited.
Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.
If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to the United Kingdom or France. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at
www.cdc.gov.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of the United Kingdom and of France to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.
Luggage
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.
Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.
Travel Document Requirements - If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport to enter the U.K. and France; however, you do not need a visa for either country for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of the United Kingdom and of France to determine what travel documentation is required.
Tauck strongly recommends that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. Also, Tauck recommends that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children
Age Recommendations – Children 3 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck Bridges journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. We recommend that children be 8 years of age or older to fully participate in all activities planned for this tour. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting – Tauck Bridges journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Responsibility for Children on Tour –
It is important that children be under adult supervision by their parent or guardian at all times during the journey. For safety reasons children's whereabouts should be monitored and discretion should be used in leaving children alone in hotel/lodge rooms. Children will not be permitted to take part on sightseeing excursions or in activities without an accompanying parent or guardian, and the accompanying adult(s) are solely responsible for the behavior of their child. Your Tauck Director's responsibility is to orchestrate the details of the journey critical to all guests' enjoyment, and can not be expected to supervise, discipline or be responsible for individual children on tour.
Special Documentation for Children Traveling Abroad
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so.
CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., would be useful.
All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from BOTH parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, Tauck does offer for
download a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel, group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your service extends to the U.K. and France.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency in the United Kingdom is the British Pound and in France, it is the Euro.
In London, ATMs are available and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at exchange bureaus and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks. Travelers’ checks are also accepted; however, they are best taken in British Pounds to avoid additional charges. In Paris, currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels, though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major credit cards are widely accepted, as are travelers’ checks. Foreign currency is not accepted. Currency can be exchanged at both the Langham Hotel and The Westin Paris.
To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website
www.oanda.com.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at
www.cbp.gov.
If you are a resident of another country, you should refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
As of October, 2006, the United Kingdom levies a 17.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on most consumer goods and services; France levies a 19.6% VAT. (The tax may be higher on luxury items and lower on basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country in which the purchase is made (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union), you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in both the United Kingdom and France is 230 V, 50 Hz, AC. In the United Kingdom, the plug type is “G” and uses three rectangular blades, in France the plug type is “E” and uses two round pins and a receptacle for a round male grounding pin. Guests whose appliances do not conform to these standards will need to bring the appropriate converters and adapters. These items can be purchased in a store that specializes in travel products.
Time Zones – London is in the same time zone as Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Paris is 1 hour ahead. From late March through October, these cities switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 1 and 2 hours ahead, respectively. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website
www.timeanddate.com.
Weather – The weather in London and Paris is variable. Generally, daytime temperatures in the spring and fall range from 50 to 65°F (10 to 18°C) and in summer, 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). Rain falls evenly throughout the year and averages 1.5 to 2.5 in (38. to 64 mm) per month. Europe has experienced unusually warm temperatures during the summer months in recent years, so do include some lighter clothing in your travel wardrobe.
|
Average Temperature |
| |
London, England
|
Paris, France
|
| Month |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
Hi/Lo ºF |
Hi/Lo ºC |
| January |
45 / 36 |
7 / 2 |
44 / 36 |
7 / 2 |
| February |
46 / 36 |
8 / 2 |
47 / 37 |
8 / 3 |
| March |
50 / 39 |
10 / 4 |
53 / 41 |
12 / 5 |
| April |
55 / 42 |
13 / 6 |
58 / 44 |
14 / 7 |
| May |
63 / 48 |
17 / 9 |
66 / 51 |
19 / 11 |
| June |
68 / 53 |
20 / 12 |
71 / 56 |
22 / 13 |
| July |
72 / 57 |
22 / 14 |
76 / 60 |
24 / 16 |
| August |
71 / 56 |
22 / 13 |
76 / 60 |
24 / 16 |
| September |
66 / 52 |
19 / 11 |
69 / 54 |
21 / 12 |
| October |
59 / 48 |
15 / 9 |
60 / 49 |
16 / 9 |
| November |
51 / 41 |
11 / 5 |
51 / 41 |
11 / 5 |
| December |
47 / 38 |
8 / 3 |
46 / 38 |
8 / 3 |
|
Average Rainfall |
| |
London, England
|
Paris, France
|
| Month |
Inches |
Millimeters |
Inches |
Millimeters |
| January |
2.4 |
61 |
2.2 |
56 |
| February |
1.4 |
36 |
1.8 |
46 |
| March |
2.0 |
51 |
1.4 |
35 |
| April |
1.7 |
43 |
1.7 |
42 |
| May |
1.8 |
46 |
2.2 |
57 |
| June |
1.8 |
46 |
2.1 |
54 |
| July |
1.8 |
46 |
2.3 |
59 |
| August |
1.7 |
43 |
2.5 |
64 |
| September |
1.7 |
43 |
2.2 |
55 |
| October |
2.9 |
74 |
2.0 |
50 |
| November |
1.8 |
46 |
2.0 |
51 |
| December |
2.3 |
58 |
2.0 |
50 |
To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website,
www.weather.com.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in its Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers
Tauck Travel Protection.
If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties waived. Please
click here for more details.
If you choose
not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$600 per person (the amount of the deposit)
59-8 days before departure
$900 per person
7-1 days before departure
$1500 per person
