Tour Closed
Experience
Paris!
September 29 - October 5, 2019
The French capital is one of the most majestic cities in all the world. While it has a ton to offer, it can also sometimes be daunting. That’s why you should visit Paris with us! Let us pave your way to a seamless vacation that gets underneath the surface of this spectacular city.
Trips with Always Travels are not your typical tour. No cumbersome buses are involved and groups are no larger than 10 people, which makes for more intimate experiences. And while we organize experiences for you throughout the trip, there is plenty of time for you to explore on your own and have unique adventures outside of the group. Whether you’ve been to Paris several times or this is your first visit, a tour with Always Travels will give you access to a mix of iconic sights and one-of-a-kind escapades.
Day 1
September 29, 2019: Welcome to Paris
Arrive in Paris on your transatlantic flight from the US and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the neighborhood or rest up (jet lag is real!). This evening, we’ll meet in the hotel lobby for a short orientation and happy hour to kick off the journey.
Day 2
September 30, 2019: Walking Tour of Montmartre &
the Marais
We start with a half-day private walking tour of two of Paris’s most storied neighborhoods. Our guide will walk us through the Marais, one of Paris' trendiest areas. While still heavily influenced by its legacy as the city's Jewish quarter, the Marais is also a hodgepodge of art museums, gay bars, posh boutiques, and quaint bistros set among fascinating layers of history. After a pit stop at a local café, where you can choose to recharge with a late morning snack, our guide will lead us to Montmartre. In this bohemian village within a city, we'll be regaled with stories of its famous residents, the iconic Moulin Rouge, and the grand Sacre Couer basilica, culminating with sweeping views over the French capital. The rest of the day is then yours to use as you'd like.
Day 3
October 1, 2019: Exploring French Cheese & Diving into Parisian Jazz
The morning is yours to sleep in or visit sites you’ve been dying to see. In the afternoon, we’ll meet up to explore one of France’s greatest culinary contributions to the world – cheese! We’ll enjoy a private cheese tasting and wine pairing lead by a Parisian cheese expert. Later tonight, we’ll meet up for an intimate jazz event and get a feel for how this music with American roots has become such an important part of French culture.
Day 4
October 2, 2019: A Parisian Scavenger Hunt & Dinner Event
Let the games begin! Today is your Scavenger Hunt, Paris-style. In the morning, we’ll provide each couple with a list of items, sights, or experiences to find throughout Paris. Take a selfie and earn points. Later that afternoon, we’ll tally the results and see who wins the day’s grand prize! This is an exciting way to explore all Paris has to offer, while having fun, solving puzzles, and seeing aspects of the city you may otherwise have missed. Later that evening, we’ll share stories of the day during a dinner cruise on the Seine River.
​
Day 5
October 3, 2019: A Day on Your Own to Explore, or Join us for an Optional Day-trip to Versailles
Today is completely flexible. You have the choice of joining us on an optional day-trip to the Palace of Versailles about 45 minutes outside Paris (entrance fee not included) or you have the day to explore on your own. Maybe today’s your deep dive into art, with visits to the Louvre, the Orsey, the Orangerie, the Pompidou Centre, or some of the dozens of other art museums in the city. Maybe you just want to shop the famous Parisian boutiques or relax the day away, people-watching at a café. Or perhaps you’re extra adventurous and decide to hop a train for a day trip to the nearby cities of Reims, Rouen, Orleans, or Aimes for a different taste of France. The choices are all yours! If you need help making plans, we'll be there to assist you!
Day 6
October 4, 2019: Guided Pastry Shop Crawl
Start your morning off as you wish, but you may want to make it a light breakfast. By mid-morning, we'll meet up with a local food writer who will guide us on a walking tour of pastry shops in the exquisite Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood. We’ll explore the confectionery world of France and eat more decadent sweets than any one person should in an afternoon. What better way to finish off our group experiences. The rest of the day is yours to make your final memories of Paris as you see fit.
Day 7
October 5, 2019: Bon Voyage a Paris!
Today, grab a last breakfast pastry or get in your last Parisian stroll before, checking out of the hotel and making your way back to the airport. If you've got more time before you have to head out of town, stash your bags at the hotel and we'll help you identify a Parisian adventure that will fit your time frame.
Keep in Mind...
Is this tour right for you?
Mobility: Paris is a city best experienced on foot. While we'll give you a 5-day metro pass, the itinerary also includes two walking tours and other activities that require you to be on your feet. This trip may not be appropriate for people with mobility concerns or who have difficulty with hills, cobblestones, or walking several kilometers at a stretch. As such, this trip may also not be appropriate for children.
​
Dietary Considerations: This itinerary includes experiences that are centered around foods that contain dairy, gluten, and animal products. Adjustments can be made to accommodate vegetarians. Vegans and those with significant food allergies should contact us before signing up.
​
(The above itinerary is subject to adjustment, based on changes in guide availability or offerings.)
Added Benefits of Traveling with Always Travels:
-
Your hosts are avid travel photographers and we’ll compile over 100 curated photos of the trip that we’ll share with all travelers to supplement your own photos.
-
We also love the preparing for the trips almost as much as taking them. So, we’ll send all confirmed travelers regular trip updates, tips for first-time visitors to Paris, film and reading suggestions that highlight some of the areas you’ll visit and we'll give you advice for getting yourself ready for your adventure.
Inclusions
-
6 nights in a 4-star hotel in the Latin Quarter of Paris
-
Welcome happy hour
-
Half-day Paris walking tour
-
A dinner cruise on the Seine River
-
Private cheese tasting with local cheesemonger
-
Night of Parisian jazz
-
Paris-wide scavenger hunt
-
Guided pastry shop crawl
-
5-day Metro Pass
-
Over 100 digital photos of your trip
-
Regular pre-departure tips and advice to get you ready for your Parisian experience
Exclusions
-
Airfare & baggage fees
-
Airport transfers
-
Travel insurance
-
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (unless expressly provided in itinerary)
-
Alcohol (unless expressly provided in itinerary)
-
Daily personal expenses
-
Optional Versailles visit
-
Entry fees to other sites travelers choose to visit on their own
