Paris‑London Celebration Trip – 20 Nov – 29 Nov

Day 1 – Arrival in London & Gentle Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Heathrow and transfer to a centrally‑located boutique hotel in Covent Garden (≈ £250/night). After settling in, enjoy a relaxed stroll through the piazza, soaking up the street performers.

Afternoon: Visit St Paul’s Cathedral for a quick interior tour and climb to the Whispering Gallery for panoramic views. Grab a gluten‑free pastry at a nearby café.

Evening: Dine at a reputable allergy‑friendly restaurant in Covent Garden (≈ £150 for three). Early night to recover from travel.

Day 2 – London Arts & Architecture

Morning: Explore the Tate Modern (focus on contemporary installations, 2 hrs). Cross the Millennium Bridge to the Shakespeare’s Globe exterior for photos.

Afternoon: Walk the South Bank promenade, spotting the Gherkin and The Shard. Stop for a gluten‑free lunch at a riverside eatery.

Evening: Experience a West End musical suitable for teens (≈ £200 for three tickets) followed by a late‑night stroll through Covent Garden lit up.

Day 3 – Eurostar to Paris & First Glimpses

Morning: Check‑out and take the Eurostar (≈ £120 per person) to Paris, arriving around midday.

Afternoon: Check‑in at a chic 4‑star hotel in the Marais (≈ €260/night). Walk to the Louvre Pyramid for iconic photos and a brief look at the courtyard.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner cruise on the Seine (≈ €150 per person) offering a sunset view of the illuminated city.

Day 4 – Classic Paris & Artistic Inspiration

Morning: Guided tour of the Louvre Museum limited to the highlights (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, etc.) – 3 hrs.

Afternoon: Wander the historic Rue Crémieux for pastel‑colored photo ops, then browse boutiques in the Le Marais district.

Evening: Celebrate the birthday with a gluten‑free tasting menu at a Michelin‑starred restaurant (≈ €300 for three).

Day 5 – Fashion & Modern Architecture

Morning: Visit the Palais Galliera (Fashion Museum) to view rotating couture exhibitions.

Afternoon: Explore the striking Louis Vuitton Foundation (Frank Gehry) and its contemporary art installations.

Evening: Picnic on the Champ de Mars with pre‑packed allergy‑safe treats while the Eiffel Tower sparkles at night.

Day 6 – Montmartre & Artistic Workshops

Morning: Ascend to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping city views, then meander through Montmartre’s bohemian streets.

Afternoon: Private sketching workshop with a local artist (≈ €180 for three) in Place du Tertre, letting Macie create her own masterpiece.

Evening: Attend an early show at the Moulin Rouge (family‑friendly version) followed by a light dinner nearby.

Day 7 – Impressionist Day Trip

Morning: Take a short RER ride to the Musée Marmottan Monet to see the largest Monet collection.

Afternoon: Return to central Paris for a gluten‑free croissant tasting tour (3 cafés, each ≈ €10 per person).

Evening: Free time – optional stroll along the Seine or relax at the hotel rooftop.

Day 8 – Shopping & Skyline

Morning: Shop at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, including a visit to the free rooftop deck for skyline photos.

Afternoon: Explore the trendy boutiques of Le Marais and stop at Le Bon Marché for high‑end selections.

Evening: Dinner at a stylish, allergy‑aware bistro in Saint‑Germain (≈ €120 for three).

Day 9 – Final Highlights & Relaxation

Morning: Quick visit to the Musée d’Orsay (focus on Impressionist masterpieces, 2 hrs).

Afternoon: Leisurely walk through the Jardin des Tuileries and photo stop at the Place de la Concorde.

Evening: Farewell dinner cruise on the Seine (different route from Day 3) to soak up the night lights one last time.

Day 10 – Departure

Morning: Pack and enjoy a final gluten‑free pastry at a nearby bakery.

Afternoon: Transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for the return flight to Houston.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Eurostar London‑Paris – 2 hrs, €120 per person (≈ $400 total)
• St Paul’s Cathedral – 1 hr, £20 per adult, free for child (≈ $60)
• Tate Modern – 2 hrs, free entry (cost for café)
• West End Musical – 3 hrs, £200 for three (≈ $260)
• Louvre Museum – 3 hrs, €17 per adult, €0 child (≈ $70)
• Seine Dinner Cruise (Day 3) – 2 hrs, €150 per person (≈ $500)
• Palais Galliera – 2 hrs, €14 per adult (≈ $60)
• Louis Vuitton Foundation – 2 hrs, €16 per adult (≈ $70)
• Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur – 3 hrs, free (transport €10)
• Private Sketch Workshop – 2 hrs, €180 total (≈ $190)
• Moulin Rouge Show – 2 hrs, €120 per adult, €90 child (≈ $340)
• Musée Marmottan Monet – 2 hrs, €12 per adult (≈ $50)
• Gluten‑Free Croissant Tour – 2 hrs, €30 total (≈ $35)
• Galeries Lafayette Rooftop – 1 hr, free (shopping budget €200)
• Le Bon Marché Shopping – 2 hrs, budget €150
• Musée d’Orsay – 2 hrs, €14 per adult (≈ $70)
• Farewell Seine Cruise – 2 hrs, €150 per person (≈ $500)
• Hotel (London 2 nights) – £250/night ×2 = £500 (≈ $650)
• Hotel (Paris 7 nights) – €260/night ×7 = €1,820 (≈ $2,000)
• Meals (average €80/day for three) – 9 days = €720 (≈ $795)
• Total Estimated Cost – $12,250

Tips

To extend the trip, add a day in the Loire Valley for castle tours or a day‑trip to Versailles, both offering rich art and architecture without overwhelming the schedule. If you need to shorten it, consider dropping the Musée Marmottan Monet and the second Seine cruise, reallocating that time to a relaxed shopping morning or extra free time before departure, which will also reduce costs.