European Capitals: A Highlights Tour of Rome and Paris

In the morning, the aroma of freshly baked cornetti, flaky and sweet Italian croissants, emanate from the corner bars where locals enjoy a quick pastry and hot espresso before work. You follow your guide to Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world encompassing less than .4 square miles. The obelisk at the heart of the square guides your eyes upward to the fascinating dome crowning St. Peter’s Basilica at more than 448 feet tall. The centerpiece of the Vatican was erected between the 16th and 18th centuries on the top foundation first laid in 326 AD.

The grandeur of the structure invites you into the heart of the basilica’s nave framed by double bronze doors and artwork by Bernini, Giotto, and the compelling Pietà by Michelangelo. The masterful sculpture was crafted when Michelangelo was 24 years old carving a sacred depiction of a youthful Mary cradling Jesus after the crucifixion blending what would become the emblematic ideals of the Renaissance blending naturalism with the classical image of beauty. The neighborhood of Trastevere is located on the same side of the Tiber River as Vatican City.

During the Roman Empire Trastevere became known as the district of freed slaves, fishermen, sailors, and the first Jewish community of Rome. The genesis of the neighborhood gave way to a tradition of cultural amalgamation continued in the delectable cuisine of Trastevere. Your guide introduces you to the heritage of Roman street food with a sample of gnocchi alla Romana. The dish consists of semolina and pecorino cheese dumplings for a deliciously crunchy, savory bite.

You don’t need to travel far outside of Rome to uncover the serene beauty of the countryside and quiet Mediterranean coastline. The ancient Roman port of Ostia is now landlocked with nearly three miles of landscape squeezed between the former shipyard and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The ancient city has become Italy’s second-largest archeological excavation falling only behind Pompeii in scale. The coastal city was founded in the 4th century BC along the mouth of the Tiber River quickly becoming the principal naval base for the Roman Republic and thriving at its peak with over 50,000 residents around the 4th century AD.

The preserved ruins of Ostia take you back in time to a lively Roman city surrounded by umbrella pines blending the aromas of sun-baked stone and herbaceous leaves. You visit the public baths, which were once a central feature of Ostia and all Roman towns. The large facilities acted as a social center for many citizens as well as serving a hygienic function. The stunning bathhouse in Ostia contains preserved frescoes with nautical themes showing images of Neptune, swimming fish, and basking mermaids. Upon returning to Rome’s Centro Storico, you visit Castel Sant’Angelo. The structure was erected in the 2nd century AD as Emperor Hadrian’s tomb but over time was appropriated by popes for use as a fortress and castle. A statue of Archangel Michael crowns the top of the castle on guard against invaders and welcoming visitors into the layers of unique Roman history.

In the morning, pasticceries fill the streets with the aroma of fresh-baked bread and exhibit fluffy ciambelle, Italian donuts, in the display cases. You follow your guide through the enchanting halls of Villa Borghese, which houses one of the world’s most impressive privately-owned art collections. Cardinal Scipione Borghese built the elaborate gardens and stunning villa in the 17th century capturing the lavish lifestyle of the cardinal in remarkable architectural design and artistic works from sensational sculptures to the intimate Roman floor mosaics.

Your guide points to the Rato di Proserpina, a 17th-century sculpture crafted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The vivid depiction of the marble figures highlights Pluto taking Proserpina to the underworld. Pluto’s hand encircles her thigh and presses hard into the skin with exaggerated clarity while Proserpina attempts to escape. After discovering the intricate corners of the Villa Borghese and the elaborate gardens, you traverse the depths of Rome testing samples of gelato in search of the best gelateria in the city.

Your guide leads you on a fabulously sweet exploration of the best gelateria in the Eternal City winding through the back alleyways and crossing the Tiber River. The final gelateria allows you to sample three flavors in a medium cup. You have quickly learned the best gelato in Italy should never surpass the metal rim, as true gelato is too dense to stand tall in the display case. The colors should also have natural allure without being too bright, with unnatural colors being a sure sign of additives instead of natural ingredients.

At breakfast, you indulge in the sweet and bitter combination of an Italian breakfast celebrating your last moment in Italy with rich espresso and tasty chocolate brioche. Your private transfer greets you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and escorts you to Fiumicino Airport for your quick flight to Paris. The City of Lights remains an icon of romance, history, classic Western European lifestyle, and glamorous art. Each arrondissement feels like a traditional village swept up in the greater metropolitan ambiance of Paris.

You have a private transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your luxury hotel near the banks of the renowned Seine River. You set out on a guided tour for an introduction to the highlights of Paris eventually reaching the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris on a small island in the Seine. The fascinating cathedral was erected over the foundations of a pagan temple erected during the Roman city of Lutetia. King Louis IX founded the cathedral in the 12th century, but the massive structure took over 150 years until it was complete.

The impressive interior glows with light filtering through the rose window. The splendor of Old Testament religious scenes reflects the cathedral both containing artwork and actively joining as a work of art. In the evening, you board a barge on the famous banks of the River Seine. The lights turn on above the water revealing the glowing beauty of Paris beneath the night sky. As the boat glides down the water, you can see the Eiffel Tower illuminated in the distance reminding visitors and locals of the city’s effortless grandeur.

The morning light washes over the whitewashed walls of the Sacre Coeur crowning the former bohemian hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre. The streets fill with the captivating aromas of freshly baked macaroons and chocolate croissants. You make your way to the Louvre Museum for a highlights tour of one of the world’s most famous collections possessing over 30,000 pieces of art spanning Medieval Europe to the 19th century. The Louvre was once a palace for the French monarchy revealing the opulence of former kings in the décor and the nearly 645,835 square feet of space encompassing 70 rooms. The stunning La Liberté le Peuple by Eugéne Delacroix glorifies the “Three Glorious Days” in French history when the Republicans of France led a revolt against the government in 1830.

Liberty is depicted as a woman proudly raising the French flag while surrounded by revolutionaries. The allegorical figure was painted brighter than the surrounding figures representing a symbol of illumination. You continue to Musee d’Orsay situated inside the former Belle Époque train station of Gare d’Orsay. The museum is much smaller than the Louvre but hosts remarkable works of classic Impressionists including pieces by Degas, Manet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Monet’s La Rue Montorgueil, à Paris. Fête du 30 Juin 1878 depicts a patriotic scene filled with a riot of color. The textures tell the story of waving flags and omnipresent crowds as much as the vague images and bright hues giving the illusion of witnessing the fanfare from above.

The lavishness of French aristocracy remains prevalent inside the preserved palaces of the past around Paris but the true embodiment of the French monarchy’s opulence shimmers in the galleries and gardens of Versailles. The grand palace was once a hunting lodge for French kings until Louis XIII chose to capture the essence of the kingdom as a magnificent structure. The location distanced nobles from their subjects and acted as a work of art mystifying, impressing, and subjugating guests on the more than three square miles of the property.

The Grand Chapel highlights the dramatic effect of blending gothic and baroque architectural design. Marie Antionette married Louis XVI inside the chapel amid the royal gallery’s 18th-century prestige inspired by antiquity. Music echoed against the polished marble columns and floors during services resonating in the altar amid the decorative King David relief. The gardens feature a stunning collection of fountains scattered around the focal point of the Grand Canal at the heart of the symmetrical landscape. The waterway reaches a mile and took over 10 years to complete. Couples and families rent rowboats and enjoy the serene ambiance of the sensational water feature King Louis XIV once filled with gondoliers brought to Versailles from Venice.

The morning once again fills with the sweet aroma of ubiquitous pastries stuffed with chocolate or cream and accompanied by frothy cappuccinos. The day is yours to indulge in the marvels of Paris at your preferred pace. Wander the winding hilly lanes of Montmartre or marvel at the 20-foot globes on display in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Spend time exploring the Musée de Cluny, home to one of the best examples of preserved medieval architecture in the city or explore beneath the contemporary city with a private catacombs tour. For a unique experience of the Parisian countryside, you can travel outside of the city to the charming and impressive town of Chantilly located less than 30 miles away from the heart of the City of Lights. The alluring cobbled lanes lead to a quiet outdoor café and bustling markets.

The enchanting aroma of pastries topped with sweet Chantilly cream reflects a tradition of little pleasures and the invention of the delectable, whipped indulgence. The quaintness of the town gives way to the looming luster of Chateau de Chantilly, a storybook castle reflecting in the placed waters of the neighboring artificial lake. The restored structure was originally erected in the 16th century under the reign of the king’s high constable. The interior hosts the Musée Condé, one of the largest art collections in France, second only to the Louvre. The fascinating gallery hosts the Cabinet des Livres, consisting of 700 manuscripts and 30,000 volumes including a Gutenberg Bible.

The morning fills with the decadent and inviting aromas of tempering chocolate emanating from the famous chocolateries around the city. The flavors of lime and caramel blend with the diverse layers of melted chocolate for a sensational balancing act reflecting a history of mastering confections in the French culinary world. The doors sunlight glints against the metal frame of the Eiffel Tower and the doors to the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore open to a crowd of eager visitors highlight the continuation of life in beautiful Paris. Your private transfer greets you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and escorts you to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home.