10-Day Italy Itinerary:
London & Paris
Planning your first trip to Europe? This 10-day London and Paris itinerary is the route I design again and again for travelers visiting these iconic cities for the first time.
Ten days. Two iconic cities. Smart pacing.
This sample itinerary shows how I typically structure a trip through London and Paris — blending history, art, food, and culture while still leaving space to explore at your own pace.
It isn’t a package. It’s a starting point.
When we plan together, every hotel, guide, and experience is customized around you.
But this overall flow works beautifully time and time again.
A Quick Note Before We Dive In
This itinerary reflects the pacing and structure I’ve found works best for travelers visiting London and Paris for the first time.
Your accommodations will vary.
Your tours will vary.
Your neighborhoods may vary.
There are endless ways to experience these cities — different museums, different food experiences, different neighborhoods.
Consider this the highlight version: the framework that blends London and Paris into a trip that balances iconic landmarks with time to explore at your own pace.
Days 1–5: London
Day 1: Arrival & City Orientation
After your overnight flight, a private driver will meet you at the airport and bring you into central London.
Today is all about getting your bearings without overplanning. One of the easiest ways to do that is with a 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus pass, which also includes a Thames River cruise.
You’ll start to recognize the city’s landmarks while staying flexible depending on how jet-lagged you feel.
Think:
• Riding the Hop-On Hop-Off bus past Big Ben, Parliament, and Buckingham Palace
• Seeing the skyline from the Thames River cruise
• A relaxed stroll along the South Bank
• A casual pub dinner near your hotel
This day is intentionally light — the goal is simply to let London begin to make sense.
Day 2: Royal London
Today focuses on London’s most iconic historic sites.
You’ll begin with a guided visit to Westminster Abbey, one of the most important churches in British history.
Then head to the Tower of London, where a Beefeater guide walks you through centuries of royal drama, prisoners, and the Crown Jewels.
Along the way you might also explore:
• St. James’s Park and Buckingham Palace
• Parliament and Big Ben
• Historic pubs near the Tower
London history is dramatic, layered, and surprisingly entertaining when experienced with the right guide.
Day 3: Afternoon Tea & London Neighborhoods
Today slows down a bit so you can experience London beyond the major landmarks.
A traditional Afternoon Tea is the perfect London ritual — small sandwiches, pastries, and tea served in elegant surroundings.
The rest of the day might include:
• Exploring Notting Hill and Portobello Road
• Shopping in Soho or Covent Garden
• Visiting one of London’s famous bookstores or markets
London’s neighborhoods are where the city really comes to life.
Day 4: Harry Potter Studio Tour
For many travelers, this becomes one of the most memorable days of the trip.
You’ll visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, where the sets, costumes, and behind-the-scenes magic from the films are preserved.
Highlights include:
• The Great Hall set
• Diagon Alley
• Original costumes and props
• Learning how the visual effects were created
Even casual fans find it fascinating to see how the wizarding world was built.
Day 5: A Free London Day
Today is intentionally left open.
London has an incredible mix of neighborhoods, markets, museums, and theatre — and this day allows you to explore at your own pace.
Ideas might include:
• Visiting Borough Market or Camden Market
• Exploring one of London’s free museums like the British Museum or Natural History Museum
• Shopping along Regent Street or in Notting Hill
• Seeing a West End theatre show in the evening
Some of the best London days happen when you leave room for curiosity.
Days 6–10: Paris
Day 6: Train to Paris
Today you’ll travel from London to Paris on the Eurostar high-speed train beneath the English Channel.
The journey is smooth and surprisingly quick — about two and a half hours from city center to city center.
Once you arrive, settle into your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring.
Think:
• A walk along the Seine River
• Your first Parisian café terrace
• Dinner in a neighborhood bistro
Paris rewards slow wandering.
Day 7: The Louvre & Historic Paris
Today focuses on the artistic and historic heart of the city.
With a private guide at the Louvre, you’ll navigate the world’s most visited museum efficiently while learning the stories behind its most famous works.
Highlights typically include:
• The Mona Lisa
• Winged Victory of Samothrace
• Venus de Milo
• The grand palace halls themselves
Later, visit Sainte-Chapelle, one of the most breathtaking Gothic chapels in Europe, famous for its towering stained-glass windows.
Day 8: Versailles
Today you’ll step outside the city to visit the incredible Palace of Versailles.
A private driver makes the day comfortable and seamless.
You’ll explore:
• The Hall of Mirrors
• The royal apartments
• The expansive Versailles gardens
Versailles is dramatic and over-the-top — exactly what Louis XIV intended.
Day 9: Montmartre & Food Tour
Montmartre feels like a village within Paris.
A guided food and walking tour introduces you to the neighborhood through its flavors and stories.
You might experience:
• Local bakeries and patisseries
• Cheese and wine tastings
• Hidden streets where artists once lived and worked
It’s one of the most charming corners of the city.
Day 10: Departure
A private transfer will bring you to the airport for your flight home.
Logistics are built around comfort and timing — not just convenience.
Most travelers leave wishing they had just one more day to sit at a café and watch Paris go by.
Let’s Design This Properly
London and Paris are not a trip you want to piece together from blog posts and guesswork.
If this itinerary feels like your kind of trip, let’s build it intentionally — selecting the right towns, securing the right guides, and structuring it in a way that actually works. Start with a discovery call and we’ll take it from there.
Planning fee: $250 per family for trips up to two weeks.