On this journey through northern France, you’ll experience some of the world’s most historical sights—from the 12th century to the 21st.  Begin your trip with a stay in romantic Paris, the City of Light, then visit the best parts of the French countryside where authentic sweets and treats await.

Please note: 2009 itinerary varies. Please call for details.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Paris

Board your overnight flight to France.

Day 2 - Paris

A Go Ahead representative meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and begin acquainting yourself with the City of Light. Meet your fellow travelers at this evening’s Welcome Dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Rouen

Travel to Giverny (seasonal) to visit Claude Monet's Gardens. Next, continue to Rouen, where a professional local guide leads your tour of the medieval city, whose cathedral was often depicted in Monet's paintings. Arrive in Rouen where a local guide introduces you to the city. First stop is the Butter Tower—named because it was financed by Catholics paying penance for refusing to give up butter. Then see the renaissance clock and the square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.  (B)

Day 4 - Rouen

Continue your explorations of Rouen today on your own or opt to join an excursion to Honfleur and the Norman Heritage for a guided tour. After your tour of Honfleur, visit Normandy Bridge, an engineering marvel whose construction lasted for six years and was completed in 1995.  (B)

$59 USD

Honfleur and the Norman Heritage Travel further into Normandy where you'll explore Honfleur, a picturesque seaport full of lively cafes, on a guided tour.

Day 5 - Normandy Coast

Travel along the rugged Normandy coast into Lower Normandy, passing through the Auge region on your way to Caen for a guided tour of the town, which William the Conqueror chose as his French headquarters. Here, you'll visit the Mémorial de Caen (Peace Museum), regarded as the best World War II museum in France.  (B, D)

Day 6 - Normandy Coast

Explore the Normandy Coast at your leisure today, or you might choose to join a full-day optional excursion to the evocative Normandy beaches, where World War II history was made during the bloody battles of the Allied invasion. (B)

$69 USD

D-Day Beaches of Normandy Immerse yourself in World War II history during this fascinating optional excursion to Normandy, where the Allied troops landed in June 1944.

Day 7 - St. Malo

Journey through the village of Bayeux to view the famed Bayeux tapestry, an ancient work of art depicting the Battle of Hastings. Continue on to the rocky seaport of St. Malo for an included dinner tonight. (B, D)

Day 8 - St. Malo

Join a local guide for sightseeing in coastal St. Malo. Amid the town's rocky enclaves, pirates once took refuge. Then choose to embark on an optional excursion to Mont-St.-Michel, a monastery perched on a tiny islet this afternoon. (B) 

$69 USD

Mont-St.-Michel Tour the breathtaking islet monastery of Mont St.-Michel, one of the wonders of the Western world. This 8th-century abbey is perched on a granite rock, surrounded by water at high tide.

Day 9 - Tours

Depart St. Malo and head south into the lush Loire Valley, now a major wine-producing region and once France’s “Playground of the Kings.” Arrive later in Tours, one of France’s most inviting modern-day cities. Walk through Tours’ Old Quarter and view the ornate Renaissance cathedral, as your tour director leads you on a sightseeing tour of the city. (B, D)

Day 10 - Paris

Today, opt to join an excursion to the Loire Valley’s Renaissance castles: romantic Chenonceau, arching gracefully over the River Cher, and Amboise. In the afternoon, you’ll transfer to Paris. Upon arrival, you can enjoy an optional Evening in Paris that begins with dinner at a favorite local restaurant and ends with a cruise along 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

Loire Chateaux Journey into the lush Loire Valley, called Valley of the Kings in Renaissance times because it was where the French monarchy chose to build their enormous chateaux.

Day 11 - Paris

This morning’s guided sightseeing tour of the City of Light features views of the Eiffel Tower, the enormous Arc de Triomphe (the world’s largest triumphal arch), and Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, whose construction dates back to 1163. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Paris on your own before rejoining your group for a Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Day 12 - Paris

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or stay on in Paris. (B)

Please note: 2009 itinerary varies. Please call for details.

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, 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 the French 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 and depart from Paris. Included transportation on “Paris & the Normandy Coast” is by private motorcoach. Most of the destinations on tour are best explored on foot, but in Paris you may want to take advantage of the excellent transportation system. 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.

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.

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 per day for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend $1 per local guide.