My husband and I are celebrating his 50th birthday and want to see Dordogne and Sarlat and also Brittany and Normandy. We have traveled to Europe 4 times but always planned the trips ourselves. We are thinking of doing a small group tour for this trip. The ease of planning looks appealing, and we would enjoy meeting fellow travelers. However, since we have never done a tour before we aren't completely sure it's for us. What are the pros and cons? I am slightly hearing impaired and worry I won't be able to hear. We are thinking of doing the Rick Steve France 13 day tour or the Odyssey-Unlimited tour. Has anyone done a tour of this area? Any thoughts? Thanks.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I can't advise you about tours as they are not my cup of tea, but if you've been to Europe on your own before, you should find getting around France on your own pretty easy. A rentsl car would be necessary in the Dordogne.
Posted by
Atlanta
5196 posts
We've done half a dozen RS Tours, have always been pleased, and plan to take at least a two more. We've also done a good bit of independent traveling. Leaving all the logistical planning to someone else is great in addition to meeting lots of really nice people.
When we did the trip that went to the western part of France, it covered Brittany, Normandy, Sarlat, and Dordogne. We did feel the time at the Normandy beaches was too short, and will probably return on a later trip on our own. Looking at the 2016 RS tours, the Loire to the South of France goes to Sarlat and Dordogne, but not Normandy. But then I might have misread the itinerary. If the tour doesn't go to Normandy, perhaps you could go over early and do that on you own before the tour.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I have seen Your areas of interest by car. Realize however that driving inthevDordogne is not always easy. Besides Sarlat the area has an amazing choice iof villages to visit . Most are slow to get to as they are on narrow twisty roads. If that is ok with u then for sure u can see the treasures of dordogne best my traveling independent. Your other areas are fairly easy to drive. And do not miss mont stt Michel while us are nearby in Normandy.
Bus tours are fine but never do the detail I like when it comes to little less traveled villages which are a joy to experience.
Posted by
Paris
10199 posts
Just an idea, a little variation to what TC mentions above, if you wanted to add your own tour of Normandy onto the RS 2016 Loire and south tour, I would do it AFTER the tour. With the tour and 13 days of traveling in France with the aid of your guide under your belt, you'll feel much more comfortable tackling Normandy on your own (plus I'm guessing you could probably pump your guide for useful tips for your time in Normandy!).