Journey through one of France’s most picturesque regions during this 10-day tour. From the bright blue waters of Provence, this gorgeous country will continue to amaze and charm you.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Paris

Board an overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2 - Paris

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a Go Ahead representative, who helps you with the transfer to your hotel. You’ll then have some free time to explore Paris at your leisure. Tonight, meet the rest of your fellow travelers at an included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Paris

This morning, meet a local guide for a detailed sightseeing tour of Paris. Motor along the fashionable Champs-Élysées and view sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House, the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, the River Seine and the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral. The afternoon is free to explore Paris at your leisure. Or venture outside of the city on an optional excursion to Versailles, the opulent estate of Sun King Louis XIV. You can stroll through the Hall of Mirrors (a symbol of the monarch’s wealth) and enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens. (B)

$89 USD

Versailles Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King,” set new standards among European royalty for the decadence of his reign. On this half-day excursion, you will see the palace in all its glory. Tour the State Apartments and the glittering Hall of Mirrors then stroll through the lavish gardens. Please note: This excursion requires advance booking and payment at least 45 days prior to departure.

Day 4 - Paris

Spend a free day in Paris at one of the many museums or strolling the neighborhoods and boutiques. Alternatively, join a half-day optional excursion to the Norman town of Giverny, where Claude Monet lived and created his Impressionist masterpieces. Step inside his home and workspace, before strolling through the surrounding gardens. This evening, opt to join an Evening in Paris, which includes dinner at a local restaurant and a cruise on the Seine. (B)

$99 USD

Evening in Paris: Seine Cruise & Dinner *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Take in all the nighttime allure of the City of Light on a special evening excursion. The event begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Then board a boat cruise along the Seine and glide past the gloriously illuminated monuments of Paris — including Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower.

$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.

Day 5 - Avignon

In Paris, board the high-speed TGV train bound for Provence. Enjoy the views of the French countryside, lauded in literature and film. Arrive in Avignon, a center of Christianity during the Middle Ages. Your tour director introduces you to the town and the 14th-century Papal Palace. You’ll visit many of the interior rooms and halls, including the Banquet Hall, the Stag Room (depicting 14th-century hunting scenes) and the Great Audience Hall. (B, D)

Day 6 - Avignon

Enjoy a free day in Provence; discover the region on your own or relax in Avignon. Or join our optional Roman Empire excursion. Few towns have safeguarded their Roman heritage as well as Arles, and we’ll see a number of ancient Roman sites, including the well-preserved amphitheaters. We’ll also stop at the Pont du Gard, the three-tiered Roman aqueduct. (B)

$45 USD

Roman Empire This half-day excursion introduces you to the rich Roman heritage and ancient sites of Arles where you'll see Arles' Roman amphitheater.

Day 7 - Avignon

Today’s excursions take you outside Avignon to the gardens and villages that make up Provence. Author Peter Mayle fell in love with the region during his Year in Provence. Before him, artists such as Vincent van Gogh migrated here to paint and live because of the spectacular quality of the light. Visit the small towns of St. Remy-de-Provence, famed for its Roman ruins, along with the asylum where van Gogh sought refuge and respite during his more turbulent years. Tonight, opt for a luxurious dinner and wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. (B)

$85 USD

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Dinner and Wine Tasting Savor the region's vintage wines during a wine tasting at a local wine cellar then enjoy Provençal cuisine at a nearby restaurant for dinner. Please note: This optional requires advance booking and payment at least 20 days prior to departure.

Day 8 - Nice

En route to Nice, stop in Aix-en-Provence (home of the artist Paul Cézanne), where your tour director leads an orientation tour of this quaint Provençal town, one of the most beautiful in the region. Look up for views of Mount Saint-Victoire, which inspired Cézanne to produce 44 oil paintings and 43 watercolors of the mountain. Arrive later in Nice, the cultural center of the French Riviera. Discover the city on a tour director–led stroll through the cobblestoned streets of Vieux Nice (Old Nice) and past the modern boutiques and buildings of the New Town. You’ll also walk along the glamorous Promenade des Anglais, which runs parallel to the blue-green Mediterranean Sea. Dinner is included tonight, followed by a free evening on the French Riviera. (B, D)

Day 9 - Nice

A full-day optional excursion takes you to two famous Riviera hot spots: the famous artist colony of St. Paul-de-Vence, as well as Cannes, site of the world-renowned film festival. Or stay in Nice for a free day to spend at your leisure. Relax by the pebble beach or check out one of the city’s many modern art museums. This evening, experience the glamour of the tiny principality of Monaco, home of the fabled Monte-Carlo Casino, on our Monaco by Night optional excursion. The trip includes dinner. (B)

$115 USD

Monaco by Night This evening excursion shows you the jewel of the French Riviera at its best, featuring castles, cafes and cabarets all lit up under the setting sun.

$99 USD

St. Paul-de-Vence & Cannes Spend time where the world's superstars come together for the Cannes Film Festival each year. This stunning town along the shores of the French Riviera brings to life the artistic culture of France.

Day 10 - Nice

Extend your stay with two more nights in Nice or transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B)

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 Monaco, if you take our optional excursion), U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least 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 consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to France. 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 Nice.

Included transportation on Paris, Provence & the Riviera is by TGV 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.

Most of the destinations on tour are best explored on foot, but in Paris, you may want to take advantage of the excellent transportation systems. 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.

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 it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and 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 rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. 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 traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

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!

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.