"This is difficult to answer-there were so many! April is the most popular month to begin your tour and Insight Vacations have 71 trips departing between May 2023 and October 2024. Most tour members arrange to fly into Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY) airports and out of Nice (NCE) choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $4,513. The guide was excellent and the itinerary was everything Id hoped it would be. Well, the whole Dordogne region was some of the most beautiful country Ive ever seen. "Each day was exciting and a new adventure can't really identify a specific "wow"!". Lots of history, which made me wish I had studied a primer before leaving on tour. In Provence you'll see the famous lavender fields, hike along scenic botanical path through the heart of . Chartres cathedral, now gleaming cleaner than it's been in hundreds of years. Being fascinated by a well-seasoned stained glass art historian who explained the meaning of key windows in Chartres Cathedral. Our tour guide, Virginie did an excellent job of giving us the background about the city, its important sites, and the French culture and people. Our hotels, towns, excursions and meals all provided a good immersion and exposure to the areas we were visiting. Scenic Eclipse Offers. And, having the Abilene Paradox being mentioned as part of the bus narrative.". First, let me say what a great job Anne did. "Our first stop on the tour in Chartres, a beautiful town with its beautiful cathedral. ", It completely matched our expectations even though I caught covid toward the end and we had to quarantine from the rest of the group Rick Steves refunded some of the money but we used the hotel rooms from the tour but provided our own transportation. Wonderful tour of France. "1. You can relax and enjoy every minute of your vacation in luxury and comfort. Can I just say, REAL French bread every morning!". It was amazing. NB: The Grand Tour will require all participants to . Virginie was amazing and ensuring that the needs of everyone in the group was included and helped to build a family feeling among members. Strenuous walking: 28 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Mind blowing! I have always travelled independently but have always wanted to go on a Rick Steves Tour. "I think Carcassonne was a wow but Sarlat was my unexpected favorite! Sleep in Sarlat. Beautiful countryside and chateaus. For anyone with a taste for adventure, a tour through Midi-Pyrenees makes a perfect opportunity to enjoy the fresh air outside of chic French cities. Stereotypes fell apart. ", Overall I thought it was an excellent value--saw a lot of places, hotels were clean, experiences were mostly great, food was plentiful and very good, Guide (Linda) was knowledgeable and the driver (Phillipe) was excellent, "I truly enjoyed the lunch we had at the winery--it was such a lovely setting and the food was excellent. Another wow surprise stop was to the region of Les Baux, a visit to the quarry for a historical lighted show playing out throughout the many walls, ceiling and floors.". Visiting Oradour-sur-Glane was difficult, but incredibly moving. ", Fabulous, all: guide, driver, places, fellow travelers, logistics made this an excellent experience, "Too many, something every day. My tour group were just awesome. SEE OUR TOURS Paris in autumn Bespoke Itineraries Small Groups 10 maximum Exceptional Experiences Authentique boutique accommodation Loved everything on the tour- enjoyed visiting different parts of France that normally most tourists don't visit. We had an incredible adventure! I always learn so much on these tours and am constantly amazed at the places we visit! We really hit it off with our tour group, as reflected by us keeping in touch after the tour ended. We liked the hotels especially the Hotel Diderot in Chinon. 11 cities. Walking through the aqueduct (at the top) was an unexpected good experience. The tour was a great mix of good food, wine, and cultural sites. Deals of The Week:Southeast Asia deals! This is our second Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint. Paul Kustermann. It was amazing. Its attraction lies in its many inviting squares and their sidewalk cafes. Night, the incredible light display on the cathedral". I rated only "very good" because of our COVID experience. I only wish I could have gone through it again. It was the Louvre on steroids! One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account. "The video show in Les Baux was very emotional and overwhelming". The new and unexpected shoved any superficial expectations we brought with us aside. As someone put it, "NPR listening people". It caused anxiety for rest of trip. The beauty brought tears to my eyes.". We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. "The beautiful cathedrals, old cities, the excellent discussions of what we were seeing. Our guide Arnaud was very informative and fun to travel with and our driver, Philipe, was excellent. Covid reduced our tour group from 25 to 10 and that was too bad. All of the arrangements went very smoothly, and the hotels were very comfortable. It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. Market day in Sarlat was also an immersive experience as a local. From Paris, the City of Lights, to the sun-kissed shores of Nice, wine tasting in the Loire Valley, and everything in between, our 8 - 22 day France tours offer travelers the perfect way to experience this amazing country. Awesome.". Tour length 4 days Price per day $93 From US $370 Download Brochure View tour View Map In-depth Cultural Historical Journey of Provence - 6 Days (Small Group) 2 reviews "The trip to France was wonderful. At times, it took a lot of effort to fully participate in the many daily activities which were clearly worthwhile & it was made into a pleasant experience with the help of our fantastic guide, Linda & the friendly & fun fellow travelers. These paintings were done one and a half to two miles into caves (where these people did not live). "Chateau Villandry Gardens and the light show at Chartres - walking along the river in Chartres was lovely.". It was profound and sobering to be there as history is being repeated in Ukraine.". Great tour guides, great tour members. On escorted 2022 France tours with Globus, ascend the Eiffel Tower and visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. The sites were beautiful, I learned a lot, and was so thrilled to unplug and get away after such a long time. "There were many, but the Chartres light show and the Pont du Gard stand out.". View France tour packages & request a quote today! All Rights Reserved. From Jeanne Brenneis: it was wonderful to be immersed in French history and culture, especially to be exposed to the differences in the country outside of Paris. "My favorite experience was the Chartres Cathedral. Very good mix of experiences and sites along the way. But then there was Carcassonne, the Pont du Gard, seeing places in Arles that inspired Van Gogh, the Light Show in Les Baux, all the markets and, of course, Nice which is fabulous.". Our tour guide was fantastic. The history of the regions we visited helped connect other tours together. Our group was great also, all good sports and very interesting people. l, "Our favorite " wow" moment was the immersive exhibition "From Vermeer to Van Gough" the Dutch Masters. Light walking: 24 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Rub shoulders with local shoppers, sample foie gras, and salivate over the famous black truffle as you shop for your fantasy picnic lunch. Another stunning sight was the Pont du Gard aqueduct. "Seeing Carcassonne lit up at night, but there were many.". Alex Lapuerta / Getty Images. They looked like they could have been done yesterday.". Insight Vacations France Tours. Join Insight Vacations on one of 7 tours to France this season. The tour was great. We had a great group of people which also made the experience so enjoyable. I was also wowed by the cave drawings and the caves themselves. Although this was our first tour with Rick Steves, it was everything that we were told to expect from friends and tour info prep guides. It gave people a lot of good stories, "Cnac and canoeing in Dordogne. I love active tours and this one did not disappoint. They would have been done Sistine Chapel-like on their backs without being able being able to see the whole. Enjoy live entertainment at the Moulin Rouge and watch a traditional Flamenco show. "I am not sure I can pin down to a specific "wow" moment. Friday, June 2 (RMT) Saturday, June 3 (Aslef). I saw and learned so much and our guide, Julie was wonderful. $5,139*. Your local guide will lace together stories of its impressive Roman Arena, Classical Theater, and Forum as well as tales of Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted in this neighborhood just over a century ago. They started with the light show at Chartres, Chateau de Chenonceaus amazing gardens, Oradour sur Glane, Rouffignac cave drawings, medieval Carcassone, Pont du Gard, Oh yes, and the unforgettable light show in the limestone quarry.". We'll start our morning off visiting France's majestic, astonishingly well-preserved Roman aqueduct: the Pont du Gard. South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Book your 2023 or 2024 trip by May 29.. "There wasn't just one "wow" moment that stands out, there were several. In addition to the great locales and fabulous countryside, our trip came alive because of her insight & analysis. Everything - the itinerary, the scenery, my fellow tour participants, the guide, hotels was perfect. Fortifications at Carcassone. Every day was a sensory delight. How in the world did the Romans build that before modern machinery? "The light show at the Chartres Cathedral, the stained glass museum, and Malcolm". View tour. "The tour of the Chartres Cathedral with Dr. Malcom Miller as our local guide. Edelweiss Bike Travel's Best of Southern France Tour. Our guide Arnaud did an amazing job each day giving us so much information on the bus while we traveled to our destinations. Linda and Claire were the best. It certainly reiterated for me why I love taking the tours. A well organized, educational tour with a delightful tour guide. The Oradour-Sur-Galane visit was heartbreaking but deeply moving and I appreciated that experience. But the Carrieres des Lumieres de Venise was outstanding. The trip was fabulous. Something I wouldnt have thought to plan on my own. Summer Kickoff Flash Sale. This tour, my first trip to France, was a wonderful experience. Also, the visit to Leonardo Da Vinci's house in Amboise really meant a lot to me, but I felt we were rushed through it. The itinerary was great. She's very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and . "It was important that Oradour-sur-Glane was on the itinerary. The itinerary was well thought out and presented. Well done!". . We'll hop aboard a subterranean train to marvel at engravings and drawings depicting bison, horses, woolly rhinoceros, andmammoths. All tour members agreed that our vacation from our vacation in beautiful Sarlat was timed perfectly. It's a 60 to 75-minute train ride from Paris to Chartres, where the tour begins. . Montpellier in Languedoc-Roussillon is the true Southern France lady. Our tour guide William was very informative and enjoyable for the entire tour. ", Our guide William was outstanding in how he handled the tour, attentive, keeping our local guides on task and was constantly aware of our concerns and needs (like toilet breaks), "When he supplied us with a special drink or treat.". Everything about my experience there was a wow moment the lush green beauty of the region, the cave drawings, paddling a canoe down the Dordogne River, the beauty of the town.". Here are a few of our "best sellers". Tour Questions? "The food; apparently there's a reason the French are know for their cooking! Even our driver was great. March 30, 2022. "The cave art at Rouffignac. Chateau Villandry and the medieval fortress of Carcassone, both stunning in different ways.". See our FAQ | Email tour@ricksteves.com. A few tweaks would have made a very good tour outstanding. Very knowledgeable, easy to understand, very clear about telling the group the plan for the day. 8 reviews Destinations Avignon, Orange, Uzs, Saint-Rmy-de-Provence, Les Baux de Provence, Arles Age Range 14 to 99 year olds Country Region Southern France, Provence Travel Style Group, Fully Guided Operated in English Operator Intrepid Travel -25% Tour length 8 days Price per day $260 From $2,775 US $2,081 You save: $694 Book With Flexibility I want to go on another Rick Steves Tour as soon as we can. With Insight Vacations, you'll gain access to exclusive experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the tour except for the hotel accommodations (not location, but the rooms themselves). This tasty collection of French treats begins in the cozy, historic town of Chartres an easy train ride from Paris. I could live there.". But everything else was great. The tour was a good blend of old and new. Our host's were most gracious and attentive". "Carrieres de Lumieres -- the quarries were so amazing to think that they harvested all that stone in those huge caves and the light show was a very different and enchanting experience. Just hearing about the history of these aqueducts was stunning. An intriguing & educational tour, I felt like I was actively immersed in Frances charming historical & cultural heritage going back to the medieval times & even earlier. ", We had a wonderful experience, visiting many of the less explored areas of France. Our tour guide made every day so special, and our tour buddies seemed to coalesce into a fun-loving group very quickly. "For me, being in a space where a creative genius actually lived and worked was monumental. Explore the Monaco Cathedral. Mask compliance on the bus and inside busy places was not an issue as the group understood the assignment and were responsible adults. Our guide, Arnaud, and our bus driver, Philippe, were fun to travel with. Our driver Phillip was so kind, warm and engaging. It's a breeze to reach Nice's airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Our bus was comfortable and Philipe a very good driver. I would have given this an outstanding experience except that the weather was cloudy with showers for almost the whole trip. The help we received while well meaning, was essentially useless. The illuminations show is absolutely amazing, with using the quarry walls at the screen and watching and walking through the pictures, videos, and synchronized sound. We'll visit both the aqueduct and its much younger museum. We'll begin our day with a walking tour of Chartres' pedestrian-friendly, stream-straddling old town. To think that people 12,000 years ago could create such art. Accommodations were very good. Moderate walking: 26 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Sleep in or near Nice. Cathedrals, castles, chateaus, caves, canoeing, (out of C's), memorable dinners (boar cheeks), beautiful countryside and special moments ( lunch at a winery and a picnic in a very old building) Thank you! "My favorite wow moment was the "surprise" at Pont du Gard.". We saw lots of interesting sites in good weather. "Walking through the aqueduct inside the Port du Gard and canoeing down the Dordogne River.". The Pont du Gard, the amazing chateaux, cathedrals and castles, Oradour-Sur-Glane, the tour and lunch at Domaine Guinand, the Lumieres in Les-Baux, and all of the amazing food!". Tours of France Be enchanted by our France tours Step into a land of renowned artists, royal crusaders and remarkable cuisine - France seduces with its extraordinary wealth of museums, historic sites, centuries-old villages and home-grown delicacies. No bus. The Loire Valley was beautiful in spring. "There were so many, really hard to narrow it to one. It was tremendous and I just wanted to compliment you on our guide. I could have spent another hour or 2 at Clos Luce being immersed in the late life and work of Leonardo Da Vinci, but we had to leave quaint Amboise to move on to our next destination.". The lighted night show wowed me with its music set to a light show playing out the history of France projected on the towns many historical buildings, churches, bridges, and streets. Explore the charming region of Southern France with its endless lavender fields in Provence and the glamorous coastal town of Nice. Tour guide was highly experienced. If you've been dreaming. Very well organized and managed. A rental car with automatic transmission & full insurance coverage. Sleep in Chartres. The tour guide Claire was excellent. Other than the time it took us to reach Chartres from CDG is was great. I was fun, fast-paced, educational, and our guide Patrick was just great. The tour was a great mix of experiences, from visiting chateaus, to prehistoric caves, to outdoor experiences like canoeing. Join members of BFA on a FRENCH HOMELANDS TOUR of the Cvennes region in the south of France, the home of our progenitor, Jean Pierre Bondurant. This morning we'll take a walking tour across Nice, starting with the busy Cours Saleya, the city's main market square since the Middle Ages. "There were so many amazing moments. A guidebook made for you and all road maps with recommended itineraries, activities & visits. Bus: 4 hours. "Canoeing down the Dordogne was an experience that I will never forget! You'll have the entire day to savor the colorful weekly market in one of France's most pedestrian-friendly towns. With his "talks" and anecdotal stories, we learned much more about French people, food, politics and culture. The guide was great. Arnaud servignat and phillipe were both professional and welcoming. 2023-24 North America & Caribbean Offers. Here, in the late 18th century, visitors from the north seeking the elixir of warm, fresh sea air created Europe's first tourism boom. It was wonderfully varied and each day was packed with adventure. Our guide also took us to restaurants that specialized in regional dishes such as cassoulet and fois gras. "Several wow moments and can't choose. History and culture came alive for us during this tour. Highlights include Lyon, Avignon, Viviers & Beaune. I have travelled a lot and by far this was the most interesting trips . Our Loire to South of France tour was everything we hoped it would be, except the weather which was unseasonably cool and wet. Our self-drive tour packages includes. Bill Snowden. 'Un petit peu' of this, 'un petit peu' of that. Light walking: 24 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Whatever you wish to do, our . The group was a lot of fun. Wonderful despite the frequent rain and the Mistral with the best guide ever-Virginie. At the same time indoor meals felt safe because we were our own bubble. Taking a tour in 2022 was a leap of faith, but RS and our guide did everything possible to keep us healthy. A wealth of local and country knowledge. Our guide made it so seem less and easy to see as much as possible. One aspect that I particularly enjoyed was the group dynamic because we all got along. A really wonderful experience. Our time was filled with many and varied new experiences. All in all it was one of my most favorite RS tours. But Patrick, Claire and experts such as Malcolm and Laurent were wonderful! Some were larger, some smaller and one had no elevator (we're not on the trip for the hotel rooms, right?). Your afternoon will be free to wander through Nice's beautiful Chagall and Matisse Museums, prowl the promenades, or relax on the famous beach. Bus: 1 hours. She was warm and nice to be around while always a step ahead keeping us informed and comfortable. RSE did a fantastic job at selecting restaurants that served regional specialties and! Seeing *original* etchings and drawings from tens of thousands of years ago was very moving. "My "wow" moment was a surprise visit to the Carrieres Des Lumieres in Les Baux. Quite the experience. Walking through the ancient aqueduct was absolutely thrilling.". It was fun doing an active activity in the middle of the tour with our guide and the other tour members.". September 1, 2022. It's a gardener and photographer's dream. Didnt hurt that we had perfect weather!". The guide and bus driver were fabulous and made a great team. "The frozen in time village of Oradour-sur-Glane that the Nazis needlessly wreaked havoc on shortly after D-day. Chartres Cathedral was wonderful! I would tour with Rick Steves again. Sarlat was a gem, with its wonderful market. This was a small city tour of France. We had a great guided tour followed by time to wander the streets. Two hours to get out of CDG, long lines to get train tickets and five train changes. Our bus driver was also a step above. This morning we'll say au revoir to Chartres and drive south to the Loire Valley, the land of a thousand chteaux. "Best day for me was Day 6 starting with the stunning Rouffignac cave and ending with the canoe trip down the Dordogne river. To pick one, I'd have to say the light show in the abandoned quarry.". Loved our tour guide Linda and apprentice Claire who not only took good care of us but shared so much about life in France as we traveled through the beautiful countryside. We'll meet at 5 p.m. at our hotel for a short "Bienvenue Chartres" meeting. Tour was fantastic. Our tour guide Julie was outstanding. vermouth cocktail workshop. Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions. The light show on the Chartes cathedral at night, our private walking tour with the town mayor of the small village of Mortemart, the special priviledge of walking atop the Pont du Gard where the water would have actually flowed, the outdoor lunch at the family winery. Pescatarian doesnt mean vegan! Hard to pick, but we were wowed at the magnificent Pont du Gard, amazing Rouffignac Cave with its drawings and cave bear beds, the absolutely gorgeous Chenonceau Chateau, and the stunning limestone mine with its light and music show.". Our city guide in Arles (and the archeological museum) was a delight. "Meeting Rick Steves in person in Nice was the biggest unexpected wow but of France itself, the Light Show on the Chartres Cathedral and the DaVinci House (optional). Arles was wonderful! 2. The group was great and the pace was perfect. Save up to 20% today. At Chteau de Rochecotte, in the Loire Valley, enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner and visit a prominent wine estate in Chteauneuf-du-Pape alongside meeting the vintners and sampling some of France's most coveted wines. Not knowing what to expect as this was our first tour with RS, we were impressed with the overall organization, our tour leader's knowledge and experience, the diversity of sites emphasizing the beauty and history of France, and having fun during our meals together. "I really enjoyed the lightshow at the cathedral in Chartres and the wine tasting and lunch at Guinand vineyard. Wandering the cobbled lanes in the ancient towns and seeing truffles, bags of walnuts, multi coloured nougat,". "Could easily have been the Roman Aqueduct, but think it was the Domaine Guinand - an 8th generation family of grape growers and winemakers with great wines. Up to 50% OFF. First, our guide Julie is top notch. "Oradour-sur-Glane. 2023-24 Europe Offers. Find something that suits your pocket or adventure type, and check in weekly for fresh new deals. You'll have some free time in the charming town of Amboise, where you can visit the home of Leonardo da Vinci (even grab a little lunch there) and study working models of the Renaissance man's cleverest inventions. "Sarlat was a beautiful town and the market was very fun. As usual, I learned a lot. We had to find hotel rooms, arrange travel with the airlines, get train tickets to get to the airport, etc. We had a great time. ", I feel like i really explored France and that was my goal, "Drinking a margarita under the yellow awning where Vincent van Gogh painted! Since turning 70, we wanted to have our first group tour with Rick Steves Travel because his books emphasize that "France is home to linger-longer pastimes " (p.5 "Provence and the French Riviera" 2022). Bus: 2 hours. "There were many, the night light show at the Chartres cathedral, the elegant chateaus, especially the Villandry, the old charm of medieval France, especially at Sarlat, the Pont-du-gard, the Carrieres des Lumieres immersive show, the old town & the Castle Hill in Nice & even the tragic site at Oradour-sur-glane. Jazz bars and vineyards and lavender fields as far as the eye can see. The tram ride though out the town at night is a must. We ended our time there at a lovely lunch over looking the rock canyon hill town. My suggestion for improvement: see fewer things at a slower pace. Biggest selection. This was our 8th RS adventure! It was so fun getting to France after two years of trying!!! "The Cro-Magnon caves near Sarlat followed by the hike along the Pond Du Gard aqueduct. Sleep in Chartres. June is the most popular month to join a small group tour to France with 315 departures starting between June 2023 and October 2024. Bill Snowden was a geography master at Harrow school, a boy's boarding school that counts Lord Byron and Winston Churchill among its former pupils. All Major Brands. On this trip, I was amazed by the medieval beauty of Chartres Cathedral with the stained glass windows that were highlighted by Malcolm Miller. Patrick was an outstanding tour guide. Maybe its because we in the US havent fought a war against a foreign aggressor within our shores but we easily forget the lessons of the past. The sights were fabulous, our tour members were nice people and fun to be with, the food and wine was wonderful. Choose both! Our tour guide Julie was amazing, and really went the extra mile for the tour participants. "The Cote d' Azur really is the most AMAZING blue". Strenuous canoeing. Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning. Sleep in Sarlat. Sometimes its a new food, or unexpected sightseeing stop, or a connection with a fellow tour member. Claire handled it as well as could be expected but it brought things down. The itinerary was well planned and offered a diverse mixture of sites and cities. Hahaha and we persevered throughout with humor and enjoyment. If the weather is hot, we may even stop for a swim along the way. What a treat to see them in action and taste their wines - white, rose and red.". This was my first Rick Steves tour. At times we felt exhausted as we had some days over 100, but we would get reinvigorated at each new place we visited. Find out more Sold Out Memories You Promised Yourself It was stunning in the early morning fog as well as later when the sun came out.". Just a short note to thank you and comment further on my Northern France tour. France River Cruises 2022 & 2023 | All-Inclusive - Scenic Call Scenic 1-604-689-8611 Book a Cruise Contact Us Agent Portal Trip Personalizer News Newsletter Sign-Up River Cruises Destinations Europe France Portugal South East Asia Rivers Bordeaux Danube Douro Main Mekong Rhine and Moselle Rhone Seine River Cruising Experience Butler Service
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