Discover the most magnificent parts of France and Italy on this amazing itinerary. In Paris, see the sights in the City of Lights. Then travel to Southern France to sample the best of France's fine cuisine in Provence and Nice. In Italy, climb to the top of Florence’s historic Duomo for a view of the entire city, make your way through Tuscany's glorious hill towns and finally end this incredible journey in Rome, where you'll be captivated by history.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Paris

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2 - Paris

Welcome to Paris! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. After check-in, you’ll have free time to orient yourself in Paris. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Paris

Absorb the many delights of Paris today, as your Tour Director leads a walking tour of the colorful Parisian markets, where locals shop for weekly goods from fresh camembert to produce and seasonal specialties.
Included meals: breakfast

Day 4 - Paris

This morning is free for you to explore Paris at your leisure. You might choose to visit the Louvre, shop in Galeries Lafayette or ascend Montmartre to watch the sidewalk artists. You might also wish to join an optional excursion to Giverny (seasonal), where you can visit the former home and gardens of Impressionist Claude Monet. (Depending on season, a van Gogh and Auvers-Sur-Oise optional may be offered instead.) End the day at our optional Evening in Paris with dinner at a local restaurant followed by a cruise on the River Seine.
Included meals: breakfast

$99 USD

Evening in Paris The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. After you dine, board a boat cruise along the Seine, an unforgettable experience. Coast along the water and under the many famous bridges of the Seine and take in the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris—including Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower—an enchanting sight

$85 USD

Giverny The Norman town of Giverny was home to Claude Monet from 1883 until his death in 1926. Absorb the intricate palette of colors that the “Father of Impressionism” so magically depicted in paintings such as the Water Lilies series as you stroll through Giverny’s home and gardens. Please note: This excursion is seasonal and runs April through October.

$95 USD

Van Gogh & Auvers-Sur-Oise Venture to Auvers-Sur-Oise, once home to painters Paul Cézanne, Charles-François Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and of course, Vincent van Gogh. You’ll visit the House of van Gogh (known as the Auberge Ravoux) located in the Borinage coal-mining district.

Day 5 - Aix-en-Provence

Journey by TGV train through the French countryside to Aix-en-Provence in the heart of southern France’s Provence region. Upon arrival, you’ll have a guided tour of this Roman-influenced city, hometown of Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne. Stops include Cézanne’s birthplace, the school he attended and the studio where many of his famed paintings came to light. This evening, join our optional Provençal Dinner and Wine Tasting, which celebrates this up-and-coming wine region.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Cézanne’s studio

$99 USD

Provencal Dinner & Wine Tasting Sample a Provençal village's acclaimed vintages in a traditional wine cellar. Then sit down at a local restaurant for dinner, featuring typical Provençal dishes. Enjoy the healthful herb-accented food for which the Provence region is known.

Day 6 - Aix-en-Provence

Spend the morning with free time in Aix, before traveling to nearby Arles. Another quintessential Provençal town, Arles was also the adopted home of Vincent van Gogh, who painted some of his most celebrated works here. An expert local guide leads a sightseeing tour of the town and lectures on the artistic achievements. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own. Or you can join an optional excursion to Marseilles, the oldest city in France.
Included meals: breakfast

$65 USD

Marseilles Voyage to Marseilles, the oldest city in France, to experience its many charms and stories. Marseille is a capitol of southern Europe, cosmopolitan and exuberant, with its picturesque old port, its Bouillabaisse and its folklore.

Day 7 - Nice

As you head south along the French Riviera toward Nice, stop in the hillside town of Cassis, overlooking the Mediterranean. Enjoy a boat cruise amid the rocky inlets in Cassis’ harbor. Reach Nice this evening, where dinner is included.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 8 - Florence

Cross the border into Italy and reach magnificently beautiful Cinque Terre. Meaning “five earths,” this region of five seaside villages comprises breathtaking scenery with winding roads and rolling hills. Lunch is included in Cinque Terre. Continue on to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Dinner is included tonight in Florence.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9 - Florence

Guided sightseeing of Florence introduces you to the city’s architectural splendor. Marvel at Brunelleschi’s masterpiece—Florence’s massive pink, white and green duomo. Discover the church of Santa Croce, where the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo as well as the Dante Memorial are displayed. Later, join in an unforgettable experience this evening at our optional Monastery Dinner.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Chiesa di Santa Croce

$99 USD

Monastery Dinner Venture into the Chianti hills for a truly unique and unforgettable dining experience. After a private tour of the ancient Carthusian Monastery, you'll dine on a feast of delicious traditional Tuscan fare, much of which has been grown at the monastery itself.

Day 10 - Siena

Continue your tour of Florence this morning with a visit to the Renaissance Pitti Palace, a complex built in the 15th century that today houses the Silver Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Palatine Gallery. This afternoon, your Tour Director leads a sightseeing tour of the Chianti wine route, and you’ll sample some regional vintages. Arrive later in Siena, one of Tuscany’s stunning medieval towns.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Pitti Palace, Wine tasting

Day 11 - Siena

This morning, a local guide leads a walking tour of Siena. You’ll see its cathedral and famed Campo, where the annual Palio is held. This evening, partake of a unique event at our optional Tuscan Dinner, highlighting the culinary specialties of medieval Tuscany.
Included meals: breakfast

$69 USD

Tuscan Dinner A fascinating lesson in Tuscan culture and cuisine awaits you at this memorable dinner event. One of the region's most acclaimed restaurants, noted for its excellent food and wine cellar, serves up several courses of flavorful, culinary delights.

Day 12 - Rome

Continue your journey southward to Rome, the Eternal City. Opt to end the day at a Dinner with Tenors, an evening of traditional Italian dishes and live opera music.
Included meals: breakfast

$79 USD

Dinner with Tenors End your day with a delicious four-course dinner in the heart of Rome. While you dine on a savory meal, you’ll be entertained by talented singers performing some of opera’s most beloved masterpieces.

Day 13 - Rome

If you are not staying for our tour extension in Rome, a Go Ahead representative accompanies you to the airport, where you’ll check in for your return flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be provided.)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter France and Italy, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend six months beyond the date of your return to the United States.

No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to France or Italy. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Paris and depart from Rome. Included transportation on The Best of France & Italy is by train and private motorcoach. When traveling by train there may be times when you will have to handle your own luggage, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage.

In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities by public transportation.

Paris’ massive Métro is world-class, easy to navigate and efficient. Make sure to take time and look for the best deal on travel passes. Ask your tour director which one might work best. Often the daily passes are not actually the best deal.

Florence is split up into two separate sections by the Arno River, with most attractions spread out around the Duomo. The city is walkable, although frequent local buses are also available. Purchase tickets at tobacconists or at vending machines.

Rome has one of Europe’s best metro systems, serving all major attractions from the Roman ruins to Vatican City. Tickets can be purchased separately or in bulk and also cover bus and tram travel.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that bare legs and shoulders are officially not allowed in churches or other religious sites. Entrance may be denied on this basis.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro is the currency you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in France and Italy rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange travelers checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash.

Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.