Victoria & Albert Museum

Sir Aston Web designed the current building that houses the Victoria and Albert museum in 1899. It is home to 3,000 years of artifacts gathered from the world's richest cultures and all dedicated to the decorative arts. View the breath taking collection of ceramics, furniture, glass and textiles - items that you've seen in your textbooks or in magazines!

St. Paul's Cathedral

Designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1675 and 1710, after the Great Fire, it houses famous works of art and intricate mosaics. St. Paul's was miracously undamaged by Nazi bombs during WWII so its world-famous dome still attracts visitors to this most iconic London building today.

Some of the many other places you?ll visit in London: National Gallery, Chiswick House, Design Museum, Liberties of London, Harrods, Buckingham Palace, Sotheby's Austion House.

Versailles

Under Louis XIV the Sun King, Versailles was transformed from an unassuming hunting lodge into an opulent gem which was the envy of Europe in its day and is still among the most spectacular palaces in history.  Begun in 1661, its construction required up to 40,000 workmen and skilled artisans. It is ringed with 250 acres of world-class gardens, and within the main residence, miles of ornate corridors contain unique treasures of a vanished era.  The tour includes the famous Palais des Glaces, the gardens, and optionally, the Petit Trianon, which was Marie Antoinette?s favorite residence.

Giverny

Giverny was the home of the brilliant innovator and leader of French Impressionism, Claude Monet, for 43 years.  An avid gardener, Monet landscaped his extensive family grounds and used the freely-planted brilliant blooms and lily-covered waters as inspiration for many of his masterpieces, including his famous Water Lilies series.  This excursion includes a tour of the magnificently restored gardens and family home as well as a visit to and lunch at the nearby American Museum which showcases famous American Impressionists who were influenced by Monet.

Some of the many other places you?ll visit in Paris: Catacombs, Montmarte, Moulin Rouge, Place des Vosges, Sacre-Coeur, Victor Hugo?s House, Pere LaChaise Cemetery, Musee Carnavalet, Maison Europeenne de la Photographie, Musee du Louvre and Gobelins Rug Factory.