France May 29 – June 1

May 29, 2025 Rick Steves Tour day 11

Beautiful Burgundy

Proposed Plan:

This morning we’ll hop aboard our bus and roll into the French countryside, passing pastures and vineyards en route to the “profoundly French” town of Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. We’ll take an orientation walk through Beaune, visit the Hôtel Dieu — the town’s medieval hospital — and discover why Burgundy’s wine is world-renowned as we enjoy a tasting together. You’ll have ample free time to explore the many charms of village France and find dinner on your own.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Beaune.

Actual Events:

We woke up in Murren and walked to the gondola station for our last ride with the stupendous views of the valley below and the numerous water falls. It was sad to leave the Alps but we traded that for the beautiful French countryside with rolling hills covered with vineyards. Our lunch stop was at a French shopping mall with a variety of chain restaurants including Burger King. The increase in temperature was a welcome change from the Alps We removed several layers of clothing and headed out to explore the mall. We found a bistro that served French dishes but we opted for the familiar and chose fish and chips. It was very tasty and filling.

We arrived in Beaune in the early afternoon and we were given a wine tasting tour of the cellars of a winery that dates back to the 1700s. The Burgundy region is known for its wines made from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The guide explained the intricacies of French wine making. It was bit over our heads but the wine tasted oh so good!

Then we were given a tour of a hospital from the 1400s that has been turned into a museum. I opted out of the tour but Nick went. It was one of the first hospitals in Europe. There was a large courtyard in the center of the building complex which offered views of the colorful glazed tiles which adorned the roof. Inside one of the rooms was displayed with 30 beds on the perimeter. This large room had a beautiful stained glass window and art work that was similar to a church. The artwork throughout the complex was quite impressive.

The Old Town of Beaune was very lively due to the fact that this weekend is a French holiday. We wandered a bit and then found a restaurant that offered Beef Burgundy on the menu. The bowl appeared small at first but then as you dug deeper it was a challenge to finish this tasty dish.

may 30, 2025 rick Steves Day12

historic Paris

Proposed Plan:

Today we’ll leave the rolling hills of beautiful Burgundy and journey to our grand finale in captivating Paris. On arrival, we’ll meet our local guide and take a stroll through the city’s early history, beginning at its birthplace, the Ile de la Cité. We’ll learn about two of the world’s most important Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, before continuing on to the lively, bohemian Latin Quarter. Your evening is free for exploration and dinner on your own in this elegant capital.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in Paris.

Actual Events:

Where am I? What country am I in? Do I say si, ja, or oui? Not sure if it is being sick or just late in the trip, but I am pretty sure that we woke up in Beaune, France. It was a cute little town but I think everyone was a little anxious to get to Paris! The drive wasn’t too bad, with pretty scenery on the way. We got to our hotel around noon and the rooms were ready so we could check in. Very surprised with the room. Adequate size, quiet and air conditioning! It is located in the 14th district and there is everything we need just steps away, including laundromat and pharmacy! The only sad part about reaching Paris is that we had to say good.bye to our bus driver, Erik. He was a jewel.

Before getting a little rest, Nick and I headed over to the local pharmacy for drugs! Then we met up with our local tour guide, Delphine. She took us on a walking tour of Notre Dame, the Left Bank of the Seine and we ended with a tour of Saint Chapelle. She is a native Parisian, so it was nice to get her perspective on the history and architecture. The temps were a bit on the warm side, but we became experts at finding the shade.

MAY 31, 2025 RICK STEVES Day 13

Parisian Masterpieces

PROPOSED PLAN:

This morning we’re off to the magnificent Louvre Museum. With a smartphone in hand and the Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app, Rick’s voice will guide you through the works of Raphael, Delacroix, and Leonardo and timeless treasures that include Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and hundreds more. The rest of the afternoon is yours to visit museums such as the Orsay, Rodin, and Orangerie, or perhaps take a walk down the Champs-Elysées. Tonight we’ll have our final dinner together, sharing memories and toasting our newly made friends. Salut! 

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Paris.

ACTUAL EVENTS:

An early morning breakfast in the hotel then off to the metro station and headed to the Louvre. Since tickets were purchased ahead of time, we were able to skip the line. Because the Mona Lisa is the exhibit that is most popular, we headed there first, trying to avoid the HUGE crowd. Well, it seemed like a good plan. But we made it in and can say we saw it, along with millions of other folks. Then we wandered through other areas of the museum and marveled at the art. We were free to leave the Louvre at any time and had a free afternoon. After leaving we headed to the Arc de Triomphe. Took a few pics then started walking around in the 8th District. It seemed to be a lot quieter than the area we are staying in. Eventually, we made our way back to our hotel where we rested briefly before meeting up with the gang for our final dinner together. After dinner, Nick and I headed to the Eiffel Tower. There were lots of people out on the streets, many sporting the jersey of the Paris soccer team. Paris is playing Milan in a big game tonight. We are finding out that Parisians take their soccer very seriously. All of the local street cafes had a larger screen TV with standing room only. Every time they score we can hear the fire works. Now that the game is over there are even more fireworks. Paris 5 – Milan 0. Crazy!

Jun 1, 2025 Rick Steves Day 14

Tour Over After Breakfast

Proposed Plan:

Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. If you’re staying on in Paris, today would be a great day to hop on the train and tackle the sprawling palace and grounds at Versailles. If you’re headed home, it’s a breeze to reach Paris’ airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Au revoir!

Actual Events:

Today was the day that the Rick Steves Tour, “The Best of Europe in 14 Days” came to an end! At breakfast this morning we sat down with our tour guide and several group members discussing the pros and cons of the trip. All in all this was a great trip that was shared with a wide range of individuals. The travelers included parents with a son that just graduated college, grandparents traveling with granddaughters, mom and daughter, a young woman that just graduated college, another single woman, two couples from different parts of Canada, and couples from the west, east, north and south of the USA. It was a great mix of interesting and caring individuals. After the discussion, Nick and I took care of business! We went to the laundromat next door to the hotel. The process in another country can always prove to be interesting, But we got it done and repacked the suitcases. After finishing up the dirty work we went out for a walk and then did a tour of the Montparnasse Tower. There was a 360 degree viewing deck on the 56th floor, then you could walk up three flights to the outdoor observation deck. It provided wonderful views of the city. Tomorrow we are traveling to Zurich, Switzerland. Our bags are packed and we are ready to go!