European Adventure

London, Paris, Rome | May 23 - June 1, 2025
Welford Family (3 travelers)
Master Reservation: H9E653AP
Package Price: $14,989.10 | Eurostar Rail: $540.00 | Pay in destination: $130.30
Total Trip Cost: $15,659.40 ($5,219.80 per person)

Pre-Trip Checklist

Required Before Departure:

  • Apply for UK ETA ($10 per person) at least 30 days before travel
  • Apply for EU ETIAS ($7 per person) at least 30 days before travel
  • Check passport validity (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond return date)
  • Make restaurant reservations in advance (particularly for Paris)
  • Notify credit card companies of travel plans
  • Arrange for international data plan or purchase local SIM cards
  • Download offline maps for London, Paris, and Rome
  • Exchange some currency before departure (£, €)

Night-Before Checklist:

  • Check flight status
  • Complete online check-in for American Airlines (if available)
  • Pack medications in carry-on luggage
  • Ensure all electronics are charged
  • Set alarm for departure day (leave for airport 3 hours before flight)

Important Travel Information

Emergency Contacts

Local Customs & Etiquette

Tipping:

  • UK: 10-15% in restaurants (check if service charge is already included), £1-2 for taxis
  • France: Service charge is included by law. Leave small change for good service.
  • Italy: Service charge ("coperto") often included. Additional 5-10% for exceptional service.

Transportation:

  • London: Oyster card or contactless payment for all public transit. Stand on right on escalators.
  • Paris: Metro tickets can be purchased in books of 10 ("carnet") for savings.
  • Rome: Validate bus/tram tickets before boarding. Taxis should be taken from official stands.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: DEPARTURE
Friday, May 23, 2025

Departure from Gulfport to London with overnight flight

Flight: American Airlines #5564
Departure: Gulfport, Mississippi at 1:03 PM (13:03)
Arrival: Charlotte, North Carolina at 3:58 PM (15:58)
Confirmation: YAYCJK
Flight: American Airlines #730
Departure: Charlotte, North Carolina at 6:35 PM (18:35)
Arrival: London Heathrow, United Kingdom at 7:40 AM (07:40) on May 24
Confirmation: YAYCJK
Notes: Overnight flight to London

Remember to set your watch forward 5 hours when you land in London.

Day 2: LONDON ARRIVAL
Saturday, May 24, 2025

Arrive London Heathrow, rest and acclimate

Great Scotland Yard by Hyatt
Check-in: Today (May 24)
Room Type: Two connecting rooms: 1 King and 2 Twin beds
Amenities: Inner courtyard view, 495 sq ft, 2 bathrooms
Rating: 5-Star
Confirmation: H9E653AP
Notes: In The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
Hotel Website
2:00 PM (14:00)
Private Black Cab Tour of London
Explore London with a knowledgeable driver in a classic black cab
Confirmation: 1229586437
Notes: Hotel pickup
Day 3: LONDON
Sunday, May 25, 2025

Private tours, Tower of London, Borough Market, Thames River Cruise

Great Scotland Yard by Hyatt
Confirmation: H9E653AP
8:00 AM (08:00)
VIP Tower of London / Crown Jewels Tour
Skip-the-line access to the Tower of London and Crown Jewels
Notes: After this tour, ask about the timing for the included Thames boat ride.
2:00 PM (14:00)
Borough Market Visit
London's oldest food market with over 1,000 years of history
HIDDEN GEM: Borough Market
Perfect for a late lunch after Tower of London tour – just a scenic 10-minute walk across London Bridge. Best stalls: Neal's Yard Dairy for British cheese tasting, Bread Ahead for world-class donuts.
Local tip: Visit after 2PM when the tourist crowds thin out.
Market Website
Thames River Cruise
Afternoon cruise on the River Thames
Day 4: LONDON
Monday, May 26, 2025

Changing of the Guard Tour and British Museum

Great Scotland Yard by Hyatt
Confirmation: H9E653AP
9:55 AM (09:55)
Changing of the Guard Tour
Walking tour to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony
Location: Buckingham Palace, London
British Museum Speed Tour
Afternoon guided tour of the highlights of the British Museum
Location: British Museum, London
Day 5: LONDON TO PARIS
Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Eurostar to Paris, Kickstart Paris Tour

Train: Eurostar
Departure: London at 10:24 AM (10:24)
Arrival: Paris Gare du Nord, France at 1:47 PM (13:47)
Confirmation: H9E653AP
Details: Channel Tunnel (35 minutes underwater portion), Comfortable seats with power outlets and onboard café, Luggage allowance of two bags per person
Elysees Union
Check-in: Today (May 27)
Room Type: Triple with Breakfast
Location: 16th District/Right Bank, Paris, France
Rating: 3-Star
Confirmation: H9E653AP
Notes: City Tax of 5.53€ per person per night
Hotel Website
5:00 PM (17:00)
Kickstart Paris Tour
Introductory tour to get oriented to Paris
Day 6: PARIS
Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Louvre Museum Tour, Fashion History Tour, CityPharma visit

Elysees Union
Confirmation: H9E653AP
10:00 AM (10:00)
Louvre Museum Tour
Skip-the-Line Private Guided Louvre Tour
Location: Louvre Museum, Paris
Notes: See the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and other masterpieces with expert guide
2:30 PM (14:30)
Fashion History Tour
Private tour exploring Paris fashion history
CityPharma Visit
Visit to famous French pharmacy for skincare and beauty products
Location: CityPharma, Paris
Notes: After Fashion History Tour, renowned French pharmacy for premium skincare and beauty products at great prices
Day 7: PARIS TO ROME
Thursday, May 29, 2025

Flight to Rome, Rome Golf Cart Tour

Flight: Air France #1204
Departure: Paris Charles De Gaulle, France at 6:55 AM (06:55)
Arrival: Rome Fiumicino, Italy at 8:55 AM (08:55)
Confirmation: 4XTJ5L
Details: Business Class: Seats 01C, 03C, 01D
Hotel Ariston
Check-in: Today (May 29)
Room Type: Deluxe Room with Breakfast
Rating: 4-Star
Confirmation: H9E653AP
Notes: City Tax of 7.50€ per person per day
Hotel Website
3:00 PM (15:00)
Rome Golf Cart Tour
Orientation tour of Rome by golf cart
Day 8: ROME
Friday, May 30, 2025

Vatican Museums Tour, Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour

Hotel Ariston
Confirmation: H9E653AP
8:00 AM (08:00)
Vatican Museums Tour
Skip-the-line guided tour of Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
Location: Vatican City, Rome
Notes: Early morning tour to avoid crowds; one of the largest museum collections in the world
3:15 PM (15:15)
Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour
Guided tour of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome sites
Location: Colosseum, Rome
Day 9: ROME/POMPEII
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Full-day Pompeii via High Speed Rail

Hotel Ariston
Confirmation: H9E653AP
Train: Trenitalia
Departure: Rome Termini Station at 8:00 AM (08:00)
Return: Approximately 5:00 PM (17:00)
Destination: Naples/Pompeii
Confirmation: H9E653AP
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (08:00-17:00)
Pompeii Day Trip
Full-day tour to Pompeii via High Speed Rail
Notes: Meet at Rome Termini Station 30 minutes before departure
Day 10: DEPARTURE
Sunday, June 1, 2025

Return flights from Rome to Gulfport

Transfer: Hotel to Airport
Departure: Hotel Ariston at 7:00 AM (07:00)
Destination: Rome Fiumicino Airport
Flight: American Airlines #239
Departure: Rome Fiumicino, Italy at 10:00 AM (10:00)
Arrival: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas at 3:00 PM (15:00)
Confirmation: YAYCJK
Flight: American Airlines #5324
Departure: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas at 9:21 PM (21:21)
Arrival: Gulfport, Mississippi at 11:03 PM (23:03)
Confirmation: YAYCJK

Remember to set your watch back 7 hours when you arrive in the United States.

Contact Information

Kim Henderson, SOMO Travel Specialists

Phone: 251-508-6921

Email: [email protected]