Arrive by air or rail into the City of Lights. You will have the option of private transfers at the Paris airports and the rail stations to whisk you to your hotel. Avanti offers an array of properties, ranging from classic and historical to chic and glitzy, all conveniently close to a Metro stop. Included in your Avanti Destinations package is the Visite Pass, allowing unlimited travel on the Metro subway and buses, and by far, the easiest way to maneuver around Paris. The Zone 1-3 pass takes you to 95% of the Paris sights, while Zone 1-5 can access Versailles and Park Disneyland.

(Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, depart for your half day city tour, with the balance of your day at leisure to explore, shop or sit in a trendy Paris sidewalk café and simply relax and partake the native Parisian's favorite activity ~ people watching.

Paris City Tour and Cruise: Tour lasts 3½ hours aboard an eight-passenger air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking driver-guide. You will see the Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower (15-minute photo stop), Notre Dame Cathedral (20-minute photo stop), and the Latin Quarter. Crossing over on the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, the tour finishes with a visit to the village of Montmartre on the right bank. Another 20-minute stop will be made to stroll around the Sacre Coeur Basilica and the Place du Tertre where the now famous Modernist artists and painters used to display their works. After the city tour, the Driver/Guide will take you to the Les Bateaux Mouches dock to board a boat for the one hour cruise on the River Seine. There will be English commentary on the historical and architectural sites along the river banks. (Your tour ends at the Pont de l'Alma with easy access to the Metro for the return to your hotel on your own.)

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, you have the day at leisure to explore and experience the City of Lights. Don't forget the Invalides, the museum relating to the military history of France, and the site of Napoleon's burial site. Not far away is the Pantheon where many French national heroes are interred, such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Louis Braille, Marie Curie, and most recently, Alexander Dumas. For the impressionist art lovers, there is the Musee d'Orsay and the Orangerie, as well as the Picasso and Rodin museums. And for the Revolutionary War buffs, the relatively unknown Picpus cemetery, where victims of the Reign of Terror lie, including the well-kept honored grave of Marquis de Lafayette.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Paris)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel for your journey from Paris to Barcelona. Optional rail station transfer available to take you to your Barcelona hotel.

(Breakfast, Paris; Accommodations, Barcelona)

After breakfast, enjoy an orientation tour of Barcelona in a luxury car with a private driver. He is at your disposal for 2 hours to show you the city as you wish. Although he is not allowed to take you into the museums and be your inside guide, he can explain the importance of the monuments from outside. This is a flexible way to see the highlights of the city with your own private transportation. You have the rest of the day at leisure to explore or take an optional tour.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Barcelona)