My husband and enjoyed everything about the trip. Her descriptions created an easily understandable progression through the art world of the time. "Our impressive tour guide Rolinka. We should have a monument and statue honoring Mr. Paine in Washington, D.C by 2026. As someone who speaks decent French and who has had a life long dream of Paris I was nervous that the tour would hold me aloof from the culture and streets I was dying to sink into with all my heart and soul. Very disappointed that the gardens at Versailles were not planted and it was elbow to elbow in the castle. The free time gave us options to continue or go on our own way. It made me feel like I was in an Impressionist painting. Another wow was the food. What it means. The subject matter expert tour guide Elisabeth brought to life the history of all the beautiful works of art we saw there.". We visited the Orsay & Le Orangerie Museums. All the sights of Paris are wonderful and many had me saying, wow!". I definitely will have to return to Paris and see more. Claire was the most fantastic guide we could have asked for, who provided little extras to our group all week long. Our walks in Monmartre and Marais were both rainy. It's so good to be able to dream about making travel plans again. So I found this challenging. Claire, our tour guide, was excellent; the Hotel Londres Eiffel was exceptional; the sites chosen to visit (with the exception of the Louvre) were very good. We loved our guide who was French but had lived in the US which made her guidance so complimentary. I love your philosophy to live like a local and how Vero taught us to use the Metro, courtesy phrases, how to order coffee, as well as the history and culture in Paris. This trip was a high school graduation gift to my granddaughter and her mom from rural Indiana (How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm). Dinners excellent. Our tour guide, Tina, was wonderful- knowledgeable, totally helpful, thoughtful, fun and responsible. The garden tour was truly a highlight, wish we had more time to explore it. There is so much to see and do. "We learned so much about Paris! There are so many wonderful moments to enjoy recalling! The other members of the tour were kind and welcoming. "The tour we had with Brad through the Jewish corner in the Marais section of Paris. The first time we entered Saint Chapelle, which is already an explosion of light and color for the senses, Rolucka chose to play a beautiful soaring cantata into our headsets from her phone. Our accommodations and meals were great. Description Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through France. Hotel was in a great location. I made an amazing friend through the tour. "My favourite wow moment was our guide, Tina, arranging a wine tasting experience and teaching us how to decipher wine labels in France.". The tour members were all friendly and enjoyable to be around. The hotel was lovely and situated in a very good area. You'll then have free time to wander through the expansive gardens and visit the farm animals at Marie Antoinette's hamlet, or to zip back to Paris early via one of the frequent trains. Information on the France guidebook page says next edition will be available Fall 2022. The hotel was great and the location was perfect. Dream: overdelivered. Rolinka and Claire knowledgeable, professional fun , and just all around great guides. She made everyone welcome. Joseph Bouvard, we came to the middle of the park with a direct view of the tower.Just then, the sparkling lights on the tower lit up as if just for us - Paris magic!". Our tour leader was outstanding but my experience at the Louvre and Versailles was not good. Paris Guidebook. Boat: 1 hour. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. "We loved the d'Orsay museum, the I Love You Wall, the l'Orangerie, the Tuileries Garden, and the guided walk through Marais with Brad. "Versailles was beyond doubt a most overwhelming display of opulence I could imagine.". Our tour guide Rebecca was knowledgable, amiable, and patient. Arnaud was extraordinarily knowledgeable about French history and an excellent guide through the bustling world of the Paris Mtro. Our guide through the d'Orsay was most excellent in her description of the paintings and their history. We had a blast! The museum pass and Metro pass allowed us to explore the City on our own, with guidance from our guide. Perfect blend of local culture and history. "So many WOW moments but one in particular. ", Even though we didnt have the best weather our guide made sure we had a wonderful time. Your tour guide was also first rate. As older travelers my wife and I, in our 70s, enjoyed being in the heart of Paris and with in walking distance of the Metro and many of the sights that we wanted to see and visit. "Visiting Versailles was an overwhelming wow moment as was watching the fireworks over the Eiffel tour with our new tour member friends on the evening of Bastille Day.". I loved every minute and plan to do another Rick Steves tour in the future. But, really, as a Renaissance art educator, so much of the Louvre & Orsay art thrilled. Wonderful. Because my husband developed cold symptoms and was diagnosed with COVID19 on the morning of day 4, we got to experience how compassionately and competently our guide, the hotel staff, and the RS tour COVID policies worked to get him diagnosed and treated. I would do this 3-D experience again, in a heartbeat!". The tour guides and the friendliness of the tour group made the Paris tour exceed all my expectations. Our meals together we at amazing restaurants. I loved it! Wander the lavender fields of Provence, climb the steps of the Eiffel Tower, and bite into a perfect croissant: Inside Rick Steves France you'll find: "For sure it was seeing so many neighborhoods and the hidden gems. Well organized, very knowledgeable about history of Paris and at the same time there's a human personal touch in anything she did for Z'sus. The rooms are small; I was able to wedge my suitcase on one side of the bed, but not enough room on the other side. "My wow was the tour of the Musee dOrsay. The "buddy system" was a brilliant way to herd cats. "Hands down - Versailles, especially Marie Antoinette's charming hamlet.". Starting in the effervescent Champagne capital of Reims, you'll spend 14 fascinating days with your Read more, Your vacation to France starts by following a route that connects France's must-see sights from monumental Paris to sunny Nice, with the Loire Valley, Lyon, Annecy, the French Alps, the Read more, Our classic, three-week Best of Europe tour packs more travel thrills into a single vacation than you can imagine. ", "Enjoying the neighborhood around our hotel". There was a good mix of the history, culture, and and atmosphere of Paris with plenty of time for exploration in the neighborhoods. I just had trouble keeping up! Our free time was filled with recommendations from ROLINKA and we felt completely comfortable walking around the city. The tour had a great balance of organized group outings followed by free time to explore Paris. Astonishingly, this tour gave me the incredible gift of making me feel like both a student and a local. Honestly cant pick one thing.". Wonderful experience all around. We are now confident riders of the metro and Paris bus system. everyone was very nice to be with. But still, a wonderful tour overall. my daughter in law, 13 year old granddaughter and I had a fabulous time in Paris. Our tour guide, Claire, was magnificent. Excellent city tour. "Seine River cruise after dark and watching the Eiffel Tower light up and start blinking with my favorite person right by my side. Overall, I enjoyed everything we did.". On this tour through Europe, your Rick Steves guide will surround you with Read more, Rick Steves Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days delivers a colorful mix of must-see cities (London, Paris, Florence) and stroll-around charms (Burgundy, the Swiss Alps, Italy's Cinque T Read more, This trip delivers endless opportunities for fresh-air thrills from Austria's Sound of Music country to flower-carpeted meadows in Italy's Dolomites, fairy-tale castles in G Read more, Straddling the modern-day borders of Spain and France is one of Europe's most ancient, independent-thinking regions: the Basque Country. "Our final dinner together, then a boat ride on the Seine, followed by seeing the Eiffel Tower nightly light show as we walked back to our hotel. Wonderful! Travel Forum / France May 1 2023 arriva. Show Travel with Rick Steves, Ep 721 The French; Hidden Gardens . 2023 European Tours | Rick Steves Europe "I loved the Musee d'Orsay and Versailles. We had to change plans due to the strikes but overall, it went quite well. The tour guide, Rolinka, was excellent. A big Thanks to our guide Rebecca. So glad I went with the RS tour. Best of Paris is a learning experience. For more information about transportation options for getting to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Paris guidebook. ROLINKA was very detailed in a fun way. Loved this 7 day tour of Paris. We watched, with delight, the sparkling of the Tower and enjoyed a group circle of sharing our "best moments" ending with our group picture.". Character limit ends comments.". I would have to say the museums. Friendly group and very knowledgeable and helpful guide, Armond. ", "Eiffel tower, Muse dOrsay, San Chapelle,". This was my first group tour, and I would absolutely travel with a Rick Steves group again in the future. "Sacre Couer and the Montmartre day was perfect - close second was Versailles on a beautiful spring day to enjoy the gardens.". We had an amazing group of tour members, and we had a lot of fun together. At the same time, I feel a sense of pride that I met it. Here's what you'll see and do on our Best of Paris tour: Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. The tour is a great blend of organized activities and free time to explore Paris on your own. "I loved our morning walking up to Monmarte. Among them, my granddaughter met the teacher she always wished she had had in high school. "My favorite wow moment was seeing the Eiffel Tour sparkle after dark.". The 7-day Paris tour was more than I could imagine. Our group melded together well and made toGether so much fun! The food was also very good. Her enthusiasm for the sights, history and culture was contagious, but best of all, Marie conveyed the Parisian spirit of savoring each experience. When we learn of critical changes to the information in our guidebooks on France, we post them here. She was ver knowledgeable as were the other specialized guides.". Tentative France/Belgium Itinerary Fall 2023 Jump to bottom Posted by SJS (Southeast of Seattle) on 11/28/22 02:12 PM This has been sorted a bit, but can still be tweaked if there are obvious too much, too little, too? "I loved the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin Museum. Everything we visited was an important site, and I am so glad we had the chance to taste French cuisine by visiting 3 restaurants! Our main tour guide was excellent: friendly, knowledgable, patient, and went beyond the essentials. This was an art, history, culture and architecture immersion into the City of Paris. Our guide Virginie was amazing . She made everything fun and added her own creative and extra events such as a wine and cheese lecture and a ribbon celebration the last night of the tour which was delightful!
