Ah, Paris. It's on everybody's bucket list and you are about to make your European trip come true. But which tour will show you all the best sites for the most reasonable price? Bus tours are the most popular packages for those visiting France for the first time. You leave the driving to your expert guide while you don't have to worry about learning a second language or figuring out where to eat next. You will need to purchase your airfare separately, but many daily expenses are covered by the package. The best France tours and vacation packages take all of the worry out of seeing this beautiful country. The three most popular France tours right now ate the Treasures of France 8-Day Tour, the Normandy, Brittany, and Loire Valley 8-Day Tour, and the Cote d'Azur 8-Day Sailing Tour. Read on to learn which one is right for you and your family.
Both the Treasures and Normandy tour package start and end in Paris, You will have an opportunity to enjoy coffee and croissant at a sidewalk cafe if you wish before exploring the culture and country of this stunning nation.
None of the tours include airfare. The Treasures and Normandy bus tours include a daily hot breakfast buffet at your hotel, one lunch, and 4 evening meals. The Cote d'Azur sailing tour is not inclusive and only includes a berth for a single person. You will be paying for meals, excursions, and your hotel before the tour begins and ends.
Yes, for the Normandy and Treasures tour. View the countryside from the comfort of the air-conditioned tour bus while somebody else worries about reaching your next destination. The buses offer extra legroom and WiFi when it is available in the area. They seat 40 people, so you will be in company for the duration. If riding in a bus is not your speed, consider a sailing cruise. You might be invited to take the wheel, raise the sail, and learn basic seamanship while you cruise to the next port on the itinerary.
The sailing tour looks like it has the lowest entry cost at $1,025 for 8 days for a single. However, it does not include the additional tours, meals, and land transportation the other 2 tours feature. You may end up spending more than the most expensive bus tour.
The Normandy tour tops the pricing at $2,617 per person. If you are a history buff, this one features more guided tours and extensive excursions. The less expensive Treasures of France offers more free time and fewer paid meals. It's really about what you want out of your vacation as to which one offers the best bang for the buck.
All three tours will be visiting warm beaches in the height of the summer. However, the Cote d'Azur is 8 full days sailing on the Mediterranean, while the other two tours focus on the northern beaches of France, which are not as warm and inviting for soaking in the sun. The sailing adventure starts in historic Nice and ends at exciting Marseilles.
Spend an entire day visiting the beaches of Normandy, including Omaha Beach when you take the Normandy, Brittany, and Loire Valley tour. Their expert guide is well versed in the happenings of D-Day and can direct you to memorials and nearby cemeteries. The Treasure of France also spends an entire day on the Normandy beaches.
In France, you will call them chateaux. Yes, on both the Treasures and Loire Valley tour you will spend one entire day exploring a couple classic chateaux buried in the scenic countryside. Experience manicured gardens, dancing fountains, and the luxury of days gone by. Versailles is not one of the palaces. If that is more your speed, you will want to research more available tour packages.