When we planned our 25th-anniversary trip in 2024, we had no idea whether we’d ever make it back to Europe. Luckily, 2025 brought us another chance—this time with an exciting addition. We expanded our adventure to include London and Scotland and brought along our 17-year-old son.
Throughout this blog, we’ll dive into the details of our journey, from the highlights to the unexpected moments. If you’re just looking for a quick overview, we’ve also put together a trip summary in this post.
For our journey through France, we chose a well-rounded escorted package from Gate 1 Travel. Here’s what the package includes:
Travel & Accommodations:
Round Trip Flights: Chicago-Paris, Paris-Chicago (Other departure cities available)
Accommodations: 7 nights total
- 3 nights in Paris
- 2 nights in Tours
- 2 nights in Caen
Included Services:
- Hotel taxes, fees, & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- Transfers (only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates)
Meals
- 10 Meals Total:
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 dinners
Sightseeing & Guided Tours
- Modern, air-conditioned motor coach for all transportation
- English-speaking tour manager throughout the trip
- Local guides in Paris and Amboise
- Wireless earphones for enhanced touring
Special Features
- Paris: Drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe and the iconic Eiffel Tower.
- Giverny: Visit Claude Monet’s home and garden.
- Normandy: Commemorate the D-Day invasion with a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and view the Bayeux Tapestry.
- Mont St. Michel: Cross the causeway to this magnificent island monastery.
- Chartres: View the Gothic Cathedral, famous for its stained glass windows.
- Loire Valley: Visit the Chateau de Chenonceau and tour the Royal Chateau of Amboise.
Add On Extras
- Palace of Versailles
Is This Trip Right for You?
This is a **Classic** program by Gate 1 Travel, suitable for travelers seeking a moderately active itinerary. The trip involves walking over various surfaces, including stairs, steps, and slopes, with a moderate pace to comfortably explore both cities and the countryside. The longest day on the bus is approximately 4.5 hours between Tours and Normandy, with most sightseeing requiring 1 to 3 hours of walking.
This thoughtfully planned tour offers a rich blend of historical exploration, cultural discovery, and stunning scenery, making it the perfect way to experience France.
Add comment
Comments
Hi, is there a way to contact you to get more information? I'm looking into taking this trip and would love to know approximately what times the bus left in the mornings and approximate hours spent on the bus. Thank you!