Each tour can be a little different as the guide has discretion, but this is what ours looked like. Jerome was our guide and he lives in Lyon. This was our third My Way tour and the commonality is that there is an orientation walk in each destination.
Paris: Hotel Apollinaire- we’ve never stayed in the 14th before and really enjoyed it. There is a Monoprix about 3 blocks away on Rue Raspil which has a grocery and takeaway as well as household stuff. It was a lively neighborhood, but not noisy.
Amboise- Hotel Bellevue
We booked tickets ahead for Chateau Chenonceaux,the first opening time per RS tour info. There was a bus to take us and a set return time, but we had plenty of time for the chateau and gardens.
We had already seem Chateau Clos du Luce, so we spent time at Chateau Amboise and loved it.
We made dinner reservations about a month ahead for Les Arpents. We’re not foodies but this was a real treat. It’s a set 3 or 5 course menu and it will unfold slowly. There were two choices for each course with lots of extras thrown in. We did the 3 course and left full, but missed the fabulous cheese board that came with the 5 course option. My husband listed it as one of his favorite things. We reserved a month ahead as they only take reservations.
Lyon- generic, centrally located hotel
I’m sure your guide will have restaurant recommendations if you haven’t already picked one. Several of us had chosen a food tour and all of us were disappointed. We had made reservations at Les Lyonnaise and we loved it, but reviews are mixed. There are lots of restaurant recommendations on this forum if you use the search feature.
We had already done Fourviere Hill, so went to Lumiere Museum and Resistance and Deportation Museum instead. Easy to use metro in Lyon.
Annecy
Guide showed us a wooden boat company on the canal for a smaller tour of the lake.
Chamonix - There was a bus for whomever wanted to go. Set time for departure agreed upon by group and then as the weather went bad they adjusted the return time. Those that went booked their times for the Aguille Midi the day ahead with the last group going at 11:30.
Pont du Gard- group picnic after stopping to pick up food. There was enough time to wander and see the museum. Somebody went swimming.
Arles - Hotel Calendal
The bus stopped for a photo op at famous Van Gogh bridge. Everyone stayed in Arles. Previously, we had done The Cloisters and Arlatan Folk Museum, which we enjoyed. This time we followed the Van Gogh trail of his locations.
Nice- I’m not sure if our hotel was the usual RS hotel. We were there the weekend of Monaco Grand Prix and the town was packed. Our hotel was near the train station.
We took the bus to Villa Ephrussi Rothschild. The guide showed us where to catch it and it was easy to do. It follows the coast line, so there were great views. That was another surprise hit. The Matisse and Chagall Museums were closed. Some people went to Monaco, so people went to Antibes.
There was an optional group dinner the final night. The guide set the price and menu with 3 choices for each course.
The group really bonded, so deciding optional timing was done quickly. We had a fabulous time.
Our guide set up a WhatsApp group. It made it easier to connect and adjust.strong text**We had never managed this successfully before but not only did it help daily, we stayed in touch after the tour was over. The guide still posted a written daily schedule.
