"London is a riddle. Paris is an explanation." — Ernest Hemingway
Bonjour from Paris! Today I arrive in Paris aboard the Eurostar from London and head to Hotel Cambon, a property where I'm able to include lots of great perks and amenities, thanks to Avanti Destinations, who's hosting me on this week's trip through London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Nine Muses Travel is a top producer with Avanti Destinations because they're so good at what they do: piecing together flights, airport transfers, hotels, train tickets, tours (private and small group), and more - even offering trip protection plans with a Cancel For Any Reason benefit.
I was invited along with six other American travel advisors to tour some of the hotels in Avanti's portfolio of properties they sell, and I'm really excited for that. Avanti's hotels hit such a sweet spot with my clients because they tend to be charming boutique hotels with lots of local character and a high quality of service. We're going to enjoy some tours and activities that Avanti also offer, so please follow on Instagram and Facebook because literally everything we're doing can be booked for you too!
In London, we stayed at The Queen's Gate Hotel in Kensington, a block from Royal Albert Hall and a short walk away from Kensington Palace and Gardens. On arrival, we strolled to the palace on a crisp fall day while a dazzling afternoon light filtered through orange and yellow leaves of Kensington Gardens beside Round Pond. In the palace, I opted for the free audio guide, which I really recommend. The concise commentary in each room was a minute or less and helped contextualize the history on display around each corner. The new statue of Diana and her sons in the Sunken Garden (pictured above) is especially poignant. I still remember walking past Kensington Palace not long after her death and seeing the gates covered in flowers, candles, and remembrances. On your next visit, let's book an indulgent Afternoon Tea here for you in the elegant Orangery restaurant as you linger to soak it all in.
The next morning we attended the Ceremony of the Keys, a 700+ years old tradition where a Yeoman Warder unlocks the Tower of London. And it was finally my chance to see all the Crown Jewels! The first time I lived in London, in 1995, my friends and I bought our little Union Jack flags for a pound and waited for the queen to wave by us in her Cinderella-like carriage from Buckingham Palace for the yearly ceremony of opening Parliament. Her crown and her scepters rode past us too, each in their own carriages. Coincidentally, I toured the Tower of London and Crown Jewels collection later that same day in '95 only to find some empty cases with little signs saying "IN USE" where her crown and scepters would have been. I'd just seen them in their coaches! It was worth the wait to come back. We also had a deliciously delightful Afternoon Tea aboard a double decker bus, and it was so much fun!
Now the adventures continue in Paris with more hotel site visits plus a Secret Food Tour, Palais Garnier visit, operatic dinner at Bel Canto, a dinner at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower, and a Seine sightseeing cruise. I've added in my own property tour of the Ritz Paris to maximize my time. On Thursday we're on the Eurostar again, heading to Amsterdam and The Albus boutique hotel in the center of Amsterdam. Along with more hotel tours, we'll be treated to a Grand Dutch Food Tour, a private Van Gogh Museum Walking Tour, an evening canal cruise, and some great dinners too.
Everything I'm doing you can do too when we book through Avanti Destinations - one of my favorite suppliers. So there's no FOMO with this trip - because you don't have to miss out; just contact me!
Start planning inspired travel and read more about me and what I can do for you!
Nine Muses Travel designs journeys to inspire artists, arts lovers and the culturally curious.
Danielle Dybiec
Founder & President
WHY USE A TRAVEL ADVISOR?
Nine Muses Travel offers a premium experience with flights, guides, drivers, rental vehicles, and the best accommodations to maximize your time, with expert advice on how to get the most out of any destination. We INCLUDE amenities for you at the world's finest hotels, the BEST OF THE BEST!
Complimentary room upgrades at check-in, subject to availability
Complimentary daily breakfast
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