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—especially once you immerse yourself in history, culture and cuisine in three of France's most stunning regions.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Paris

Your trip begins with a regularly scheduled overnight flight to Paris aboard an internationally recognized airline.

Day 2 - Paris

Welcome to Paris! After clearing customs, 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. Stroll along its quaint streets or sit at a café and people-watch over a café crème. Tonight, meet the rest of your fellow travelers at an included dinner.
Included meals: breakfast (in flight), dinner

Day 3 - Paris

This morning, you’ll meet our local guide for a detailed sightseeing tour of the French capital. You’ll motor along the fashionable Champs-Élysées and view the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House, the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre and the banks of the River Seine. The afternoon is free to explore Paris on your own. You might browse the wares offered by the bouquinistes along the Seine’s Left Bank or peruse the designer boutiques on the Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré or Avenue Montaigne. Or join an optional excursion to Versailles, the opulent estate of Sun King Louis XIV, where you can stroll through the Hall of Mirrors, which symbolized the power of the absolute monarch, and enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens.
Included meals: breakfast

$89 USD

Versailles It took 50 years and 35,000 workers to turn Versailles into the most magnificent château in all of France. On this 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 with their fine statuary, splendid fountains and colorful flowerbeds. Please note: This excursion requires advanced reservation and must be booked by 45 days prior to departure.

Day 4 - Paris

The day is free to continue discovering Paris on your own. You might learn about Impressionist masters at the Musée d’Orsay or view Rodin’s The Thinker at the Musée Rodin. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to Giverny (seasonal; in the offseason, an excursion to Auvers Sur Oise and Van Gogh may be offered instead), where Claude Monet lived and created his Impressionist masterpieces. Step inside his home and workspace, before strolling through the surrounding gardens. This evening, join an optional Evening in Paris, which includes dinner followed by a romantic cruise on the 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.

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, known as the city of the popes. Pope Clement V moved the papal court to Avignon from Rome in 1309 and commissioned the construction of the Palais des Papes. Your Tour Director introduces you to the town, leading you through the old town’s narrow streets to the iconic 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.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Included entrances: Papal Palace

Day 6 - Avignon

Enjoy a free day in Provence to discover the region on your own, or join our Roman Empire optional excursion. This journey covers Provence’s important Roman heritage, dating back to a time when the Empire extended through Southern France and most of Western Europe. Few towns have safeguarded their Roman heritage as well as Arles, where you’ll see a number of ancient Roman sites, including the town’s well-preserved amphitheater. You’ll also stop at the Pont du Gard, the threetiered aqueduct, whose grandeur and beauty will transport you back to a civilization at its greatest heights. Please note that this optional excursion involves extensive walking.
Included meals: breakfast

$55 USD

Roman Empire This excursion introduces you to the rich Roman heritage and ancient sites of Arles. A local guide escorts you through Arles with a visit to the town’s famous Roman amphitheater built in 46 B.C. Then marvel at the historic engineering feat of Pont au Gard, the three-tiered Roman aqueduct and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please note: This excursion involves extensive walking.

Day 7 - Avignon

Today’s excursions take you outside Avignon to the lavender-scented 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. You’ll visit the small town of St. Remyde- Provence, renowned for its Roman ruins, and the asylum that served as van Gogh’s sanctuary at the end of his life. Tonight, opt for a luxurious Chateauneuf du Pape dinner and wine tasting.
Included meals: breakfast
Included entrances: Les Baux-de-Provence

$85 USD

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Dinner and Wine Tasting This evening, sample some of the region’s most acclaimed vintages during a wine tasting in a local wine cellar before continuing on to a nearby restaurant for dinner, featuring a selection of Provençal dishes.

Day 8 - Nice

Leaving Avignon, travel along the Côte d’Azur to Nice. Along the way, stop in Aix-en-Provence, home of the artist Paul Cézanne. Your Tour Director leads an orientation 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 as you drive through the streets past the modern boutiques and historical sites of this coastal city. Catch a glimpse of 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.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 9 - Nice

Today, an optional excursion takes you to a famous Riviera hot spot, the artist colony of St. Paulde- Vence. Or stay in Nice for a free day to spend at your leisure. Relax by Nice’s beach or check out one of the city’s many modern art museums. This evening, experience the glamorous but tiny principality of Monaco, home of the fabled Monte-Carlo Casino, on our Monaco by Night optional excursion. The trip includes dinner.
Included meals: breakfast

$115 USD

Monaco by Night Travel on winding roads to Monaco, a tiny principality ruled by the Grimaldis, Europe’s oldest royal family. Monaco has retained its independence for more than 700 years, and became famous when its reigning prince married Grace Kelly. Your tour director introduces you to the Old Town, with a stop outside the Royal Palace. After an included dinner, try your luck at the famous Monte-Carlo Casino. Please note: This excursion requires some walking to the casino.

$99 USD

St. Paul-de-Vence Venture to the rustic hill town of St. Paul-de-Vence. Your tour director shows you the sights of St. Paul-de-Vence, which is now a popular enclave for artists. Then, enjoy and included lunch with your group, followed by free time to browse the many boutiques and galleries.

Day 10 - Nice

This morning, a Go Ahead representative helps you transfer to the airport for departure. Board your flight home.
Included meals: breakfast
(In the case of early morning departures, breakfast may not be included.)

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. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian 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 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.