On Friday we started the day traveling up Mt. Pilatus. In order to get to the top we rode a cog wheel train which was a pretty amazing experience. We got to the top and it was freezing (there was snow on the ground). We walked around the entire rim of the mountain and by the end we needed some hot chocolate to warm us up. Unfortunately our stop for hot chocolate made us lose our group. No big deal, another couple did the same thing so we rode the cable car down the mountain with them. On the way down we spotted a luge ride and we decided to take a trip down part of the mountain by luge - it was scary but fun. We then figured out the bus system and made it back to our hotel.
We spent the rest of the afternoon just wandering around the town and doing some more shopping. That night we decided to stick to the hotel for dinner and drinks as we were in need of some R&R from all of our travels up to this point.
Day 8 - Travel to Paris
On Saturday we woke up for the drive to Paris - another eight hours on the bus but I did not care as I was so excited to be going to Paris. Upon arriving we immediately jumped on the tube (what they call the subway in Europe) and headed to the Champs Elysses. We spent a few hours walking around and shopping along the strip. I was determined to at least have a little time for shopping in Paris :) We then met up with Eric and Rosa and had dinner at The Carousel Cafe. From there we went on a Lights Tour of the City at night which was really amazing - especially seeing the Eiffel Tower all lit up at night.
Day 9 - Touring Paris
On Sunday we got up and stood in line to head up the Eiffel Tower (although we almost slept threw it because we did not get our wake up call). We only made it to the second level and that was high enough for me. It was amazing to look out over the city from that viewpoint. We then went to visit the Arc of Triumph and other sights around the city. For lunch we went to the courtyard at the Louvre and walked around outside the plaza. I would have loved to go inside but there was not enough time so we just admired the view from the outside. I woke up that morning with a little bit of a cold so I just sat there with my tissues being amazed that I was actually in Paris. We grabbed some pastries for lunch from a cart.
That afternoon we boarded a boat and took a cruise down the River Sienne. From there we could see the sights of Paris including Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Statute of Liberty (the original who is much smaller than ours here in the US).
We then took a tram up to see Sacred Heart. There was a wine and arts festival going on and it was so cool to feel like a part of the city life. We walked around and bought some art from a local artist. That night we went to see a show at the Novelle Eve (think Vegas but a little classier :o)). That night when we went to bed my only thought was that I wished that we had more time in Paris.
Day 10 - Travel to London Day
We woke up to pack our bags yet again to board the Eurostar train to London. It was amazing how we could get from one amazing city to the next in just a few hours. The train ride was so quiet and smooth that the only way that you realized how fast you were traveling was to look out the window at the cars on the highway and they looked like they were standing still. When we arrived in London we decided to do a little shopping on Oxford Street. While walking back we were passing Hyde Park and we decided to pull up some of the free lawn chairs they had sitting out all over the place and watch some of the locals playing soccer. That night we wandered around and had dinner at a local pub. Jimmy introduced the bartender to one of his favorite drinks, a Dark and Stormy. The bartender loved it and whether coincidence or not the next day in the local newspaper there was a little article on a new drink you have to try, a Dark and Stormy. Perhaps Jimmy introduced the drink to all of London :o)
11 - Touring London Day
Day 11 was our last day with our organized tour group. We started the day with a local tour guide, Mick. He totally dressed the part with his umbrella and his bowler hat.
We walked past the Duke of Wellington's house and then went to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.
We passed Picadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. We then went to see Big Ben up close and personal as well as Westminster Abbey. We ended the tour at St. Pauls Cathedral and walked down into the catacombs to see all of the tombs (very cool).
That afternoon we took a bus out to see Windsor Castle. It was amazing to think that the Queen and the Royal Family still occupy the premises, must be nice to be royalty. The tour of the state apartments was amazing.
That night we had dinner at Gerards and we ended the night with a boat cruise on the Thames River. We got to see the sights of London all lit up including London Bridge and the Tower of London. That night it was time to say goodbye to the group and the new friends that we had made.
12 - Touring London Day
Our last day in Europe we were on our own. Because I am the book worm that I am, I made Jimmy ride the Tube with me to see the British Library. The miles and miles of bookcases made me want to stay there forever just exploring. In the musuem portion we saw original Da Vinci notebooks, Bibles, the Magna Carta, Beatles lyrics, Shakespeares drafts, Captain James Cook's logs and Mozarts original compositions. After the library we took the Tube to the London Eye and amazingly Jimmy was able to convince me to ride in it. The views from the top were amazing but I stayed in the middle of the car and held on tight.
We then walked to Trafalgar Square and searched for some lunch. We again ate in a local pub. After filling our stomachs we walked down to Big Ben, past Buckingham Palace again and through St. James Square.
That night we took the Tube to Covenant Garden and had dinner at Papagenos before heading to see The Producers at The Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. The show was great although I would have liked it better if the theater was air conditioned (apparently all of the old theaters in London still do not have A/C). Luckily they give you ice cream at intermission :o) After the show we took a taxi back to the hotel to get some sleep before having to get up for our plane ride home.
13 - Heading Home
A sad day to say goodbye to such a great time. I did not want to leave and begin thinking about how quickly we can go back. The plane ride home was much better than the one to Rome as we got bulkhead seats and the movies were in working order. 
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