Bonjour, je m'appelle Connie!
I am a solo traveler but have been on two previous Rick Steves tours. I credit the first one, back in 2011, for helping me learn the art of travel and giving me the confidence to go solo. The last tour I did was in 2016, so it was nice to travel with a group again and the Rick Steves tour members do not disappoint. These people embrace world travel, know how to appreciate and celebrate, give you your space - but also welcome you to join in, and definitely made this tour worth its weight in gold (or wine!). I had never been to France and knew very little about the country, so the best way I knew to get the most from a trip to this country was to join a Rick Steves Tour.
First stop
Paris
The tour started in Chartres, which is about a 70-minute train ride from Paris. So, I flew into Paris for one-night and used the Rick Steves France guidebook to research where I'd like to stay and what I'd like to see in this short timeframe. Seeing as how I had never been to Paris or France, I opted for iconic tourist stuff. I stayed in the Rue Cler neighborhood at a hotel referred to in the RS guidebook, walked to the Eiffel Tower and took a Seine River cruise. I had about 24 hours and was able to do these things in that timeframe, including getting a good night's sleep. I caught a train the next afternoon to Chartres and met up with the tour group about 5:00 pm.
France Experiences
Rather than showcasing a day-by-day, stop-by-stop commentary of this tour, I decided to focus more on the variety of experiences. To me, this tour was a colorful compilation of wonderful French adventures. To learn about an "experience," select a link in the menu on each page or click on any of the categories below.
To see the daily itinerary for the Loire & South France Tour, visit the Rick Steves website.
Connie's Clues
As a solo traveler, I use the Rick Steves Tour Forum, RS guidebooks, and other travel websites to ask questions and research the places I plan to travel. I have seen many questions about joining tours as a solo so I decided to include some "clues" on this website which are a few of my tips, thoughts, and general advice as a solo traveler on tour or otherwise. They are simple hints or suggestions that may help you learn what it is like being solo on a tour but also travel tricks that helped me and might be useful for anyone preparing for their next trip.
Book a Private Transfer
Connie's Clue #1:
Anxious about arriving alone in a big city after a very long flight and then trying to navigate to your hotel? The private transfer expense may be worth it to ease your weary traveler mind.
I knew that I would be tired from 18+ hours traveling and would be arriving without a sound mind for navigating CDG airport and taxis on my own. Having someone there with your name on a sign, helping with your luggage, and getting you to your hotel without having to figure out trains/taxis/safety is such a treat. You can research private transfer options using the RS Guidebook and travel forum.
IMAGE COURTESY: FREEPIK.COM