Paris, Alsace & the French Alps
10 days | 12 days with Paris extension |
- Group size
- 15–28 travelers
- Activity level
Take your appreciation of France to new heights, courtesy of canal-lined cities and mountain towns.
Alsatian wines? Alpine peaks? France’s eastern reaches combine German influence with local style, creating a culture unlike any other in the country. Begin in Paris, the irresistible capital city, before heading to Strasbourg, the heart of the Alsace region. Once you’ve had your fill of half-timbered houses and tarte flambee, continue to the French Alps, where Mont Blanc towers over the town of Chamonix. End your trip by experiencing this iconic resort at street level and from a bird’s-eye view—courtesy of one of the highest cable cars in the world. Craving more time in the City of Light? Book our early arrival option to enjoy guided sightseeing around Le Marais, one of the city’s most historic and charming neighborhoods.
Your tour package includes
- 8 nights in handpicked hotels
- 8 breakfasts and 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 2 tastings, your introduction to the wines and bites of Alsace
- 4 sightseeing tours, spanning urban and Alpine wonders
- 1 expert Tour Director, your encyclopedia for all things France
- Pre-booked transportation, including 1 private deluxe motor coach and 1 train ride
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Feeling your breath catch at your first glimpse of Notre-Dame’s gorgeous Gothic interior
- Cruising past the half-timbered houses of Strasbourg’s Petite-France neighborhood aboard a riverboat
- Losing yourself in the quaint lanes of Kaysersberg, a lynchpin of the Alsace Wine Route
- Tasting the terroir of Alsace during a wine tasting in the storybook village of Riquewihr
- Ascending to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi via cable car, Mont Blanc looming in the distance
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Paris today.
Paris2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Paris
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to France! After touching down, transfer to your hotel and settle in. You’ll meet your Tour Director and the rest of your group during tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine. (Can’t wait to eat until then? Hunt down a cafe or stop by a street vendor for a crepe—sweet and savory are both excellent choices.)
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
Ready to be dazzled by the City of Light? With a local guide leading the way, you’ll get an overview of Paris’ most recognizable landmarks and a feel for the character of its arrondissements. (That’s French for “districts,” and it’s how Parisians refer to the city’s neighborhoods.)
- Drive down the sycamore-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees—a symbol of Paris lined with majestic monuments, glitzy restaurants, and glamorous storefronts—and view the Arc de Triomphe.
- Pass Pont Neuf—the oldest stone bridge in Paris—and make a photo stop at the Eiffel Tower, then view the Palais Garnier opera house and the Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square.
- Marvel at the Hotel National des Invalides, a 17th-century, gold-domed structure that’s staggering in its size and scale.
- Hop off the bus at the Luxembourg Gardens—a symbol of rare elegance commissioned by Queen Marie de Medici—where you’ll admire the Medici Fountain and a striking collection of 20 marble sculptures honoring the queens of France.
- Spot the Statue of Liberty and learn about the deep historic ties between France and the U.S. before making your way up to the Pantheon, the resting place of luminaries like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie.
- Stroll downhill through the lively Sorbonne University quarter, passing Roman thermal ruins and the Museum of the Middle Ages, then cross the Seine and take in sweeping views over the heart of the city.
- Conclude your tour near the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, learning about its eventful history and remarkable reconstruction following the 2019 fire. From there, the time is yours; head inside to explore at your own pace, or find a nearby spot for lunch.
To end your day on a high note, opt into this evening’s dinner and Seine River cruise. As the sun sets and the city’s streetlamps begin their nightly twinkle, you’ll see Paris’ monuments in a whole new light.
Strasbourg3 nights
Day 4: Train to Strasbourg & sightseeing tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner
Start your day by transferring to the Gare de l’Est station and boarding the TGV. (That stands for Train a Grande Vitesse—literally “high-speed train.” With speeds capping out at 200 mph, they mean it!) After a zippy ride east, you’ll pull into the Alsatian capital, Strasbourg. Meet up with a local guide, then strike out together on a tour of its UNESCO-listed historic center.
- Wind across the Grande-Ile, Strasbourg’s island-bound central neighborhood. As you go, look out for icons like the Place Gutenberg, honoring the inventor of the printing press; the Palais Rohan, built to evoke the royal Palace of Versailles; and the Gothic Strasbourg cathedral, which was the world’s tallest building for 227 years.
- Pop into a cafe to sample local specialties, like tarte flambee (a cheesy flatbread topped with onions and bacon) and kugelhopf (the Alsatian take on a Bundt cake).
- Climb aboard a boat and cruise the River Ill, past the colorful houses of the Petite-France neighborhood and the old fortifications of the Ponts Couverts and Barrage Vauban.
Finally, end the day with an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Porterage isn’t included for train transfers. You must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into storage.
Day 5: Villages of Alsace & wine tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting
The half-timbered houses of Strasbourg alluded to Alsace’s German influence. Today, you’ll dive further into the region’s unique culture with visits to two fairy-tale villages—perfectly located along the Alsace Wine Route.
- Join a local guide on a walk through Kayserberg, a cluster of red-roofed buildings dominated by a 13th-century imperial castle. Navigate cobblestone lanes, cross its fortified Renaissance-era bridge, and listen as your guide calls out other landmarks before breaking for lunch.
- Explore charming Riquewihr—the real-life inspiration for Belle’s hometown in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”—snapping photos of flower-lined streets and drinking in its uniquely Alsatian aesthetic.
- Walk over to Domaine Dopff Au Moulin and sit down for a tasting of four local wines. Famed for its dry rieslings, Alsace also lends itself to acidic sylvaners and versatile gewurztraminers. Clink glasses (and maybe buy a bottle to bring home) before returning to Strasbourg for a free evening.
Day 6: Free day in Strasbourg
Included meal: Breakfast
To take advantage of your proximity to the German border—and to treat yourself to the decadent cakes and fairy-tale culture of the Black Forest—add our optional outing to your itinerary. Otherwise, relax in Strasbourg and see where the day takes you. The city’s replete with green spaces: The Parc de l’Orangerie, crisscrossed with promenades, is Strasbourg’s oldest, while the Parc de la Citadelle surrounds the remains of a 19th-century fortress.
French Alps3 nights
Day 7: French Alps via Bern
Included meal: Breakfast
Take the scenic route as you leave Strasbourg and detour to Bern, Switzerland’s river-ringed capital. After arriving, join your Tour Director for a brief sightseeing tour.
- Cross the Nydeggbrucke bridge and pause to admire the River Aare snaking its way around Bern. In the summer, you might see locals tubing down its glacier-blue waters—it’s a popular way to commute to and from work.
- Stroll through Bern’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, passing the Gothic Cathedral of Bern and the Bundeshaus, or Parliament Building.
- Stop by the Einstein House—where the renowned scientist lived in the 1900s—then use your free time to enjoy lunch and explore at your leisure.
Sightseeing complete, continue south to the French Alps. After checking into your hotel, unwind for the rest of the evening.
Day 8: Free day in the French Alps
Included meal: Breakfast
What makes Annecy the “Venice of the Alps”? Add today’s optional excursion to your itinerary, and you’ll discover the origins of its nickname during a lake cruise, preceded by a tour of the town and a guided walk along the turrets of the Chateau de Menthon. If some rest and relaxation are in order, hang back at your Alpine hotel and let the mountain air rejuvenate you.
Day 9: Aiguille du Midi & Chamonix
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Chamonix conjures images of powdery ski runs and sky-high peaks, and this iconic winter resort delivers on both fronts. You’ll cap your day with free time in town—but first, you have a date with the Aiguille du Midi. The “Southern Needle” towers more than 12,500 feet over Chamonix; in a matter of minutes, you’ll find yourself at its summit.
- Board a cable car that links central Chamonix to the peak of the Aiguille du Midi. You’ll climb roughly 9,200 feet over the course of 20 minutes—settle in for the ride and watch as the mountain comes into closer view.
- Step into the Void, as this glass-floored skywalk is known, and stare down into a 3,000-foot chasm. Don’t forget to look up, though: You might just spot Mont Blanc in the distance.
- Look out over the Alps from a panoramic terrace and browse the exhibits of a mountaineering museum before descending to Chamonix and joining your Tour Director for a scenic walk through a larch forest.
As the sun sets and you return to your hotel, come together as a group one last time for a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: We strongly recommend wearing warm layers for the Aiguille du Midi cable car, as temperatures at the summit can be up to 45 F cooler than in Chamonix. Additionally, if you have a cardiovascular condition or are sensitive to changes in altitude, we encourage you to speak with your Tour Director prior to boarding the cable car.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Geneva airport for your flight home.
Paris extension
Why rush your romance with Paris? This trip’s pre-stay doubles your time in town. And, with a mix of included sightseeing, optional outings, and free time, you’ll have the chance to discover its different sides, from the cobbles of Le Marais to the corridors of Versailles. One thing’s certain: You’ll fall for the City of Love all over again.
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel Day
Board your overnight flight to Paris today.
Paris2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Paris
Welcome to France! Transfer to your hotel and relax until the evening. You’ll meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink and start getting to know one another before turning in.
Day 3: Free day in Paris
Included meal: Breakfast
The gilded walkways, frescoed ceilings, and manicured gardens of Versailles were once the object of admiration of European royalty—but today, they’re yours to treasure. Add our optional outing to your itinerary to explore this 2,000-acre wonderland. Or, stay in Paris and use your free time to amble to the Champ-de-Mars and savor a picnic in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Day 4: Walking tour of Le Marais
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Welcome dinner
Renowned for its rich history and thriving cafe scene, Le Marais ranks among Paris’ most enchanting neighborhoods. After meeting your local guide outside the Saint-Paul metro station, set out on a walking tour for a firsthand introduction to the district.
- Spot the aristocratic Hotel de Sens, then pass the wall of Philip Augustus—remnants of the 12th-century fortifications that once encircled Paris.
- Wander through Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in the city. Surrounded by red brick arcades and meticulously trimmed gardens, it’s easy to see how this spot has charmed generations of Parisians.
- Walk by the Carnavalet History Museum and the Hotel de Lamoignon—architectural gems that showcase the splendor of old Paris—before venturing into the historic Jewish district. Anchored by the Rue des Rosiers, it’s still home to an active synagogue.
- End at the Hotel de Ville, a 19th-century masterpiece that serves as Paris’ city hall and doubles as a symbol of civic pride.
From here, enjoy a free afternoon before meeting the rest of your group and picking up on day 2 of the main itinerary.
Start planning today
Have a quick question about tipping or what to pack? Give us a call at 1-800-590-1161, or talk to a Tour Consultant.
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Flights
Make your journey to and from your tour as smooth as possible by letting our travel experts handle your round-trip flights. We’ll select the best itinerary for you at a great rate, thanks to our airline partnerships.
Your Go Ahead flight package includes:
- A round-trip flight for your tour from your preferred home airport
- An EF representative waiting for you on arrival to whisk you to your hotel
- Your lowest price locked in, so you don’t have to track airfare
- 24/7 on-tour support from our dedicated flights team
- Complimentary luggage retrieval services through Blue Ribbon Bags
- Dedicated flight experts to help arrange early arrivals, longer stays, or upgrades, so every detail fits your travel style
- Stress-free rebooking if your tour itinerary changes
Find out more about flights
FAQ
- In order to enter France and Switzerland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code FAL.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Paris and depart from Geneva.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Paris, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most transportation by motor coach, some by train and boat
- About 3 hours of bus time daily
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day on city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- In Paris, winters are mild but grey, with daytime highs in the low 40s°F, while summers are warm and pleasant, typically reaching the upper 70s to low 80s°F — though heatwaves above 90°F are not uncommon from June through August. Rain is possible year-round.
- In Strasbourg and the Alsace region, winters are cold and crisp, with daytime highs in the mid-30s to low 40s°F and the possibility of snow from December through February, while summers are warm and mostly sunny, regularly climbing into the mid-to-upper 80s°F.
- In the French Alps, sitting at roughly 3,600 feet, you can expect cold, snowy winters with daytime highs in the mid-20s to low 40s°F and cool, refreshing summers in the mid-60s to low 70s°F — with afternoon thunderstorms common from June through August.
- Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 12,605 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including train, boat, and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A train ride from Paris to Strasbourg is included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- European train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- France operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes three dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
- Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm in France, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.
- In Paris, you’ll find French cuisine at its most classic — expect buttery croissants, onion soup, steak frites, and coq au vin, alongside a thriving international food scene that reflects the city’s cosmopolitan character. Patisseries and boulangeries on virtually every corner make it easy to snack well between meals.
- Alsatian cuisine sits squarely at the crossroads of French and German culinary traditions. Look out for tarte flambee, choucroute garnie (sauerkraut with sausage and cured meats), baeckeoffe (a slow-cooked meat and potato casserole), and kugelhopf, a subtly sweet braided cake. The region is also celebrated for its white wines, particularly Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
- Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
- Alpine cuisine is hearty, warming, and deeply satisfying — built for mountain air and long days outdoors. Tartiflette, raclette, and fondue are the undisputed stars, alongside cured mountain charcuterie and locally produced cheeses like Reblochon and Beaufort.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro in France and the Swiss franc in Switzerland.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s 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.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- France is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
