After settling into your London hotel, explore some of the city's most iconic spots like Trafalgar's Square, Covent Garden, and Picadilly Circus to acclimate yourself to this bustling city.

Be sure to treat yourself to afternoon tea or to grab a bottle of wine and some provisions to enjoy while people-watching in Hyde Park, before getting ready for your first meal in this world-class city.

Westminster Abbey: Recently, this ancient abbey has been most famous as the location for the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, but its history in this royal capital stretches back centuries. The stunning Gothic church is basically a three-dimensional compilation of British history, boasting more than 1,000 years of history.

Whether its the intricate architecture, homages to famous Brits (both royal and non), visiting the site where British monarchs have been crowned since William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, or simply paying your respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, this stunning abbey is sure impress everyone in your party.

Changing of the Guard at Wellington Barracks: Forget jostling your way with the crowds vying for a glimpse of this famous event, and instead, enjoy watching the Changing of the Guard from the Wellington Barracks parade grounds with the Curator of the Museum Guard standing by to explain the intricacies of this royal ceremony.

Activities

• Changing Of The Guard At Wellington Barracks

This morning, cross the Millenium Bridge (Harry Potter fans will recognize it from the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). Spend a few hours exploring the Tate Modern, which houses England's national collection of modern and contemporary art. Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the collection here is sure to garner a reaction – both positive and negative.

Whatever your verdict on the current collection, be sure to take in the 360° view from the tenth-story viewing platform. Hhere you can also enjoy lunch, or a quick snack and beverage whilst taking in the views. A short distance from the museum is the majestic St. Paul's Cathedral, standing, as it has for the past 1,400 years, upon the highest point in the City. The cathedral is the masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren, who is considered by many to be Britain's most famous architect.

There are many wonders to take in at this site, but be sure to save time to explore, and test out, the famous Whispering Gallery before stopping for a spot of tea in the former crypt, now a popular spot for a light lunch or afternoon tea.

The Tower of London and Ceremony of the Keys: The Tower of London is one of the oldest buildings in the city, with the recognizable White Tower dating back to 1086. Built by William the Conqueror following his victory to become William I of England, the tower has held many notable prisoners throughout its infamous history – Lady Jane Grey, two of Henry VIII's unlucky wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard), as well as various political and religious figures, to name a few.

The Beefeaters, in their traditional red and black uniforms, can tell you more about the many prisoners who called the Tower home, before their untimely deaths. For those looking for a less gruesome side of history, check out the Crown Jewels, which, in addition to crowns and jewels, includes robes and other ceremonial attire that have been guarded at the Tower since the 1600s, or admire the surprisingly rich furnishings on display in the Medieval Palace.

For a special treat, enjoy a private dinner inside the Tower of London before attending a private viewing of the Ceremony of the Keys, a ceremony that has been carried out for centuries and is part of the traditional "locking up" of the Tower at the end of the day.

Activities

• The Tower Of London & Ceremony Of The Keys
• Private Dinner Inside The Tower Of London

There are few places in the world where you can explore nearly two million years of human history and culture, but the British Museum, boasting around eight-million objects, is a must for anyone visiting London.

Some highlights (before you feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of the collection) include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon friezes, various Egyptian mummies and the Enlightenment Gallery, which houses a selection of King George III's original collection of over 60,000 works.

Private Tour of Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms: The Churchill Cabinet War Rooms are amongst the most visited locations in London, and you'll have a special, behind-the-scenes experience with your private guide.

Hidden beneath the streets of Westminster, the rooms are set up just as they were during WWII, when Churchill, along with Britain's leading government ministers and military strategists, met to plan and plot Britain's next moves during the war.

Be transported back through time and walk in the footsteps of Churchill, getting a glimpse of what life would have been like during the tense wartime years – Fana World Travel guests even have the opportunity to sit in Churchill's chair and imagine what it might have felt like to hold the fate of your nation in your hands!

Activities

• Private Tour Of Churchills Cabinet War Rooms

Even before it debuted as the stately home of the Crawley family in Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle was already a popular tourist destination for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The Grade I listed country house was designed by Sir Charles Barry (who also designed the Houses of Parliament), and is now the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

Enjoy a private tour of this home – considered to be one of the most exemplary Victorian homes still in existence today – before the doors open to the public and learn the history of the estate and the Carnarvon family.

For true Downton Abbey fans, a lunch around the table can also be arranged!

Activities

• Private Tour Of Highclere Castle

Optional Activities

• Private Lunch At Highclere Castle

Take a stroll through the Tuileries Gardens then up the famous Champs Elysées, taking in the typical blue-slate-roofed Parisian buildings that line this gorgeous avenue. You'll see the Arc de Triomphe standing in the middle of the Place de l'Etoile almost immediately, but don't be fooled! It's actually much further than you think, so feel free to take a break and people-watch along with the locals, as you sip a coffee at one of the cafés lining the avenue.

From the Arc de Triomphe, take in the stunning views of Paris and the twelve avenues feeding into the roundabout below you, to understand why it's called Place de l'Etoile!

After dinner, pose for a picture on the Champs de Mars with the glittering Eiffel Tower behind you. Take the elevator to the top floor for more amazing views and a champagne toast to celebrate your first evening in the City of Lights!

You may be familiar with this famous opera house thanks to the musical "The Phantom of the Opera," where the building was almost as important an element as the human characters themselves. The Opéra, nicknamed the Palais Garnier by locals, after the architect Charles Garnier, was completed in 1874, and rumors of a mysterious genius who lurked in the shadows beneath the opera, began to circulate almost immediately.

To this day, fans are divided as to what is fact and fiction. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of this ornate icon of a bygone era and decide for yourself whether or not the Phantom was real.

Spend your afternoon strolling along the narrow streets of Montmartre, once the home of many artists and writers at the turn of the 20th century. Though the artists themselves are long-gone, the area still maintains a Bohemian vibe and is a favourite of visitors to explore.

In the late afternoon, visit the Musée d'Orsay to view the masterpieces created by many of the artists who once inhabited this district of Paris. The museum is housed in a former train station and allows the natural light to filter in through the windows – much as many of the artists represented here would have wished!

The Louvre is the largest museum in the entire world, covering a mind-boggling 72,735 square meters! In fact, it's been estimated, that to walk through the Louvre would take more than three days – nevermind pausing to examine and admire the more than 35,000 works of art on display!

Today, you'll embark on a journey through this magnificent collection, you'll see a good variety of what the museum has on offer without feeling overwhelmed. Will you find the secret treasure waiting at the end of your scavenger hunt?

Exclusive Wine and Cheese Tasting: Lionel Michelin himself will welcome you to his very special 17th century cellar in the heart of Paris. The magical place is one of the top names in fine wine circles and is known for its rare and old vintages – dating back over a century! Laurent Dubois, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, the connoisseur of cheese will select exceptional cheeses for your tasting.

Activities

• Exclusive Wine & Cheese Tasting

The Palace of Versailles: Begin your visit exploring the Main Palace, where the famous Hall of Mirrors, along with Marie-Antoinette's bedrooms and the King's Apartments can be found. If you plan to make a full day of your visit, be sure to visit the Trianon Estate and the Queen's Hamlet, a rustic getaway built for Marie-Antoinette in 1783, as an escape from palace life.

End your day strolling through the beautifully manicured gardens. *If you plan your visit to fall between the end of May through October, you'll also be able to admire the "Grandes Eaux Musicaux". When the fountains are turned on, you can enjoy them in their full grandeur, just as the royal court did, accompanied to the tunes of the greatest French Baroque composers like Lully, Charpentier, and Rameau.

Spend your last night soaking up all that Paris has to offer and dining on delicious local food. Then, in the morning, savor one last croissant or pain au chocolat before boarding your plane home.

Activities

• The Palace Of Versailles