Take the nonstop evening flight from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to London Heathrow—about 9½ hours in the air, with the overnight time change bringing you in on Wednesday. After passport control and baggage claim, allow roughly 60–90 minutes to reach central London by the Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line; a taxi can take 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. Drop your bags at your hotel, drink some water, and keep the first few hours easy. Flight schedules and fares for September 2027 aren’t available yet, so check them closer to booking.
Start with an unhurried hour around Covent Garden: browse the market halls, watch the street performers, and take a breather on the piazza. The public areas are generally open daily, though individual shops and restaurants set their own hours. Then walk about 5–10 minutes to Seven Dials Market, where food stalls make an easy arrival-day lunch or early dinner; budget around £15–30 per person. Stall hours vary, so check before setting out.
From Seven Dials Market, it’s a short walk to Neal’s Yard. Spend about half an hour enjoying the colorful courtyard and the little lanes around it; it’s compact, so this is more a pleasant pause than a major outing. Continue roughly 15 minutes east along the Strand to Somerset House for an hour in the elegant courtyard. The courtyard is usually free to enter, while temporary exhibitions are ticketed and schedules vary—check what’s on before your trip. If jet lag catches up, call it a day after the courtyard rather than trying to fit in more.
Start at Westminster Abbey when visitor admission begins—typically around 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays, though hours can change for services and events. Give yourself about two hours for the royal tombs, coronation chair and literary memorials; admission is usually about £30–£35, and booking ahead is sensible. Afterward, walk a few minutes to Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. The best views are from the Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge sides of the river; allow around 45 minutes to admire the Gothic façade and take photos from outside.
Take a relaxed hour in St James’s Park, following the paths past the lake and flower beds toward Buckingham Palace. The walk is roughly 15–20 minutes from Parliament Square, and the park is free to enter. Spend about 45 minutes viewing the palace façade and forecourt from outside; palace interiors are only open to visitors during limited seasonal periods, so don’t count on an interior visit in September. If you’d like a quieter pause, find a bench by the lake before continuing.
Walk or take a short taxi or bus ride from Buckingham Palace to The Wolseley in Piccadilly for an early dinner. Its grand café setting suits a classic European-style meal; budget about £30–£60 per person before drinks, and reserve ahead if you can. Aim for roughly 1½ hours at the table, then enjoy a gentle stroll around Piccadilly rather than squeezing in another major sight.
Be at Tower of London for opening, typically 9 a.m. on Fridays; check the 2027 hours and book timed admission ahead (budget around £35–£40). Allow about three hours for the Crown Jewels and the fortress’s layers of history. Then walk a few minutes to Tower Bridge. The riverside views are free from the bridge; its exhibition, including the glass-floored walkways, is ticketed and usually takes about an hour.
Walk west along the river or take a short bus ride to Borough Market in Southwark. Friday is a good day to browse the food stalls; hours vary by trader, but the market is generally open from late morning into the afternoon. Give yourself around 90 minutes and budget £10–£25 per person for lunch. From there, it’s about a 15-minute riverside walk to Tate Modern. Set aside two hours for the collection in the former power station; entry to the main displays is free, while some exhibitions charge admission. It’s generally open until 6 p.m., but confirm closer to your visit.
Finish at The Anchor, a historic Bankside pub beside the river, about a 10-minute walk from Tate Modern. Settle in for a meal and a drink—roughly £20–£40 per person—and, if the weather cooperates, try for an outdoor table overlooking the Thames. Friday evenings can be busy, so arrive early or check whether the pub takes bookings.
Start at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington when it opens, usually 10 a.m. daily. Two and a half hours is enough to choose a few galleries rather than race through its vast collection of fashion, sculpture and decorative arts. General admission is free; special exhibitions may require paid, timed tickets. From the museum, walk about 20 minutes or take a short bus ride toward Kensington Gardens.
Spend about an hour strolling Kensington Gardens, following the paths toward Kensington Palace. The gardens are free and open daily, though closing time changes with the season. Allow around 1½ hours for the palace’s historic rooms and exhibitions; check the 2027 schedule and book ahead, as opening days and last-entry times can vary. Then head to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill—about 20–30 minutes by bus or taxi. Saturday is the main market day, but antiques stalls are often at their best earlier and many traders start packing up by late afternoon. Arriving as early as your palace visit allows will give you more browsing time; leave room to sample street food and explore the side streets.
Finish at The Churchill Arms in Kensington, a flower-covered pub known for its Thai kitchen. From Portobello Road, it’s roughly a 15-minute walk or a short bus or taxi ride. Set aside about 1½ hours and budget around £20–£40 per person; check kitchen hours and consider booking or arriving early, as Saturday evenings get busy.
After your morning Eurostar, allow time to get from Gare du Nord to Île de la Cité and drop your bags at your hotel or use station luggage storage. A taxi is simplest with luggage; otherwise, take the Métro and expect roughly 25–35 minutes door to door. Start with an easy one-hour wander around the island’s riverfront and historic lanes—keep the pace gentle after the travel morning.
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral next, allowing about 1½ hours to see the restored interior. Entry is generally free, but visitor arrangements can change; check the cathedral’s official site shortly before your visit and reserve a free time slot if offered. Then walk a few minutes to Sainte-Chapelle for its soaring stained glass. Budget about an hour, and check Sunday hours and last-entry times before you go; timed tickets are a good idea.
Cross the river to the Latin Quarter for dinner at Le Petit Châtelet, a cozy choice near the Seine for traditional French fare; expect roughly €25–45 per person. Book ahead if you can, especially for a Sunday evening, and ask for a table with a view toward Notre-Dame. After dinner, take a relaxed stroll along the nearby riverbanks before heading back to your hotel.
Use a timed ticket for the Eiffel Tower and aim for an early slot; allow about 2½ hours for security, the lifts and the views. Tickets and lift access can vary by level, so book through the official site and check the 2027 schedule before you go. Afterward, walk across Pont d’Iéna to Trocadéro Gardens—about 15 minutes on foot—for the classic view back across the Seine. Give yourself around 45 minutes to enjoy the terraces and take photos.
From Trocadéro, take Métro line 9 toward Alma-Marceau, then walk to Rue Cler; allow roughly 25–30 minutes door to door. This lively market street is made for an unhurried lunch: browse the bakeries, produce shops and cheese counters, then settle into a casual café or pick up a picnic. Budget about €15–30 per person, and leave time to wander rather than trying to see every shop.
Walk about 15 minutes from Rue Cler to Les Invalides for the Army Museum and Napoleon’s tomb; two hours is a good visit without rushing. The museum is generally open daily, including Mondays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., but check current hours, ticket prices and any access notices before you go. Finish at Le Recrutement Café, a relaxed neighborhood spot nearby for an early dinner; expect roughly €20–40 per person. If you have time before your table, enjoy a gentle stroll along Avenue de la Motte-Picquet.
Start at Musée d’Orsay around opening, usually 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays; it’s typically closed Mondays, so today is a good day for it. Give yourself about 2½ hours, focusing on the Impressionists and the great former railway-station hall rather than trying to cover every gallery. Allow roughly €16–€18 for admission and book a timed ticket in advance. The museum café is handy for a quick coffee before you head out.
Walk about 15–20 minutes along the Seine to the Jardin des Tuileries for a slower hour among the formal paths, fountains and chairs. Pick up a sandwich or something light nearby if you haven’t eaten; this is a pleasant place to pause rather than squeeze in a long lunch. From the garden, continue toward the Palais-Royal—about a 15-minute walk—for its striped courtyard columns and quieter garden arcades.
Allow around 45 minutes to browse Galerie Vivienne, a short walk north of Palais-Royal. Its glass roof, mosaic floor and old bookshops make it worth slowing down for; individual shops keep their own hours, so arrive before early evening if browsing is part of the plan. Finish at Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards for a lively Belle Époque dining room and classic French brasserie dishes, usually around €15–€30 per person. It can be busy and may involve a queue, so go a little early or be prepared to wait; the nearest Métro stops are Grands Boulevards and Richelieu–Drouot.
Get to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy before the parks open; from central Paris, the RER A takes about 40–50 minutes, and the station is right by the resort entrance. Check that morning’s service and the parks’ 2027 opening hours, and buy dated tickets in advance. Spend your first four hours in Disneyland Park: take in Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, then choose a few priority rides and themed lands rather than trying to cover everything. Arriving early makes a real difference to queues.
Move on to Walt Disney Studios Park for roughly three hours of film-themed attractions and shows. The park’s name and layout may change before your visit, so check the resort map closer to your date. For lunch, reserve Bistrot Chez Rémy well ahead; its playful, oversized dining room is part of the fun, and budget about €30–€50 per person. The meal may make for a late lunch, so consider a small snack earlier and confirm your reservation time when planning the park sequence.
Wind down with about an hour at Disney Village, browsing the shops and entertainment on the walk back toward the station or your hotel. It’s handy for a casual bite if you’re still hungry, though expect resort-area prices. Keep an eye on the time: evening RER A trains run back to Paris, but check the service before leaving, especially after the park’s nighttime show.
Take an early train from Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy toward Brussels-Midi; check for a direct TGV, or allow about 2½–3½ hours if connecting across Paris. Once in Brussels, leave luggage at your hotel or station lockers, then take a taxi or walk about 20–25 minutes into the center. If your train arrives in time, spend an hour at Grand-Place: look up at the ornate guildhalls and town hall, and take a slow lap around the square before it gets busier.
Walk a few minutes to Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, the elegant covered arcade just north of the square. Browse its chocolate shops and cafés, then settle in for a light lunch; allow about an hour and budget €15–30 per person. It’s a good place to pick up chocolates, but keep them somewhere cool if you’re carrying bags.
From the arcade, stroll roughly 10 minutes to Manneken Pis for a quick look—the statue is famously small, so don’t expect a long visit. Continue uphill to Mont des Arts for garden terraces and a lovely view across the city; give yourself about an hour to linger or rest. Finish with dinner at Fin de Siècle, a lively spot known for hearty Belgian fare; expect about €25–45 per person and arrive early or be prepared to wait, as it’s popular and typically doesn’t take reservations.
Take a final, unhurried stroll around Place du Grand Sablon; allow about 45 minutes to admire the elegant façades and browse the nearby chocolate shops. If you’re bringing chocolates home, ask about travel-friendly packaging. Then walk roughly 15 minutes toward the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique in the Royal Quarter. Set aside about two hours and choose a collection that interests you rather than trying to see everything. Friday hours are often around 10 a.m.–5 p.m., but check the museum’s 2027 schedule and ticket prices before setting out.
Return to Café du Sablon for a relaxed final meal—budget about €20–€40 per person—and leave time afterward to collect your luggage. For Brussels Airport (BRU), allow about 30–45 minutes from central Brussels by train, including getting to the station; the airport train runs from Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi, and the ride itself is about 17–20 minutes. Check live departures and your airline’s recommended airport arrival time, and leave ample margin for check-in and security. Your Brussels–Seattle flight will usually involve a connection, so follow the departure time and transfer instructions on your ticket.
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