DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France and onto central
Paris to embark the
MS Botticelli later today. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow passengers. Water levels permitting, MS Botticelli will cruise along the Seine one evening, passing under the bridges of enchanting and beautifully illuminated Paris by night. Enjoy refined French and European cuisine together with entertainment each evening. ('Titi' Parisien duo one evening)
DAY 2 - After a relaxed buffet breakfast, re-join the coach together with a local English-speaking guide for a
panoramic tour to see the city's most celebrated sights from the marvel that is the Eiffel tower, to the Arc de Triomphe and the stylish Champs Élysées; from the Place de la Concorde to the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame (no entrances included). Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city's handsome 18th century boulevards along the way. Return to the MS Botticelli for your
included lunch aboard and then enjoy leisure time to explore at your own pace, perhaps re-visiting some of the sights and attractions viewed in the morning. Dinner and entertainment aboard this evening.
DAY 3 - This morning's guided visit (coach and walking) takes you to
old Montmartre with its crowning glory, the stunning white marble Sacré Coeur Basilica, located at the very heart of the former 19th century village which remains a firm favourite with painters, artists, sculptors and poets. (Headsets are provided in your cabin for use during the walking tour of Montmartre). Lunch is included back on the boat before the afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing. MS Botticelli is generally docked within reasonable walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero Gardens. The Montparnasse Tower is a few stops away on the Metro for those who wish to ascend Europe's fastest lift to the 56th floor for the most spectacular 360° panoramic views of this amazing city from the observation deck as well as from the outdoor terrace (no entrances included). Dress to impress this evening for the farewell Gala dinner in the Dining Room followed by entertainment in the lounge bar.
DAY 4 - Disembarkation after breakfast in Paris and head back to the port for the crossing back to the UK. Onto interchange and then the onward journeys to your hometowns mid-evening.
GOOD TO KNOW- Full valid travel insurance and a valid passport are required
- Non-refundable deposit for a cruise holiday is higher than for a normal coach holiday
- Cancellation charges and final payment due date is different to normal coach holidays
- Occasionally, river cruisers may be moored alongside each other which may reduce/obscure the view from cabins and the dining room / lounge windows
*** IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION ***
Passport
For advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/
ETIASThe ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) 'Visa-waiver' programme is currently expected to be implemented in Spring 2025 - although no fixed date has been set.
Please note: Once implemented ETIAS will be compulsory, like a Passport. No ETIAS - No Entry. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the required documentation in place. For the latest information regarding ETIAS please visit: 'travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en' or 'Gov.uk'
EESThe planned launch date of EES (European Entry & Exit System) has been delayed and no start date has been given as to when it will be in place. This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en