My husband and I are booked on the BOE in 21 Days Tour - Sep 17–Oct 7. Less than 6 months away now so are beginning to plan for what we might do before (in Amsterdam) and after (in Paris). We are from New Zealand (Go the All Blacks!), and are keen to get in touch with any others who are booked on that tour.
We look forward to sharing planning tips and getting to know some of you earlier, since we are travel novices!
Welcome to the forum and the world according to Rick, lol!!
I did this tour in 2014 and would do it again in a heartbeat! It is THE BEST way to begin European travel. The RS guides are focused on helping you to become an independent traveler so in each city where there is public transportation they will give you a lesson on navigating the local bus or metro system.
I have found that only a few people on tours know about the forum so you may or may not be able to find others who will be on your tour departure date. No matter, as you will be fast friends in a few days. To me, the 3 weeks of travel really bonds a group in a different way than the shorter tours.
Will you have a few extra days at the beginning and end of your trip? I had 1 night ahead in Haarlem and wished I had had another. Our initial meet up was late in the afternoon - maybe 5PM and I think they have moved the time back earlier which is good. I would try to go 2 nights ahead then you can do one day in Amsterdam and 1 in Haarlem. I didn't get to see anything (other than the walking tour we did) in Haarlem to my regret.
If you can stay over in Paris, do so. I had been to Paris back in the 70's and did not have a good impression. At the meet up Dimitri said if anyone had been to Paris and not liked it, not to worry he would make us LOVE it. Well, I don't know how, but he did! After the 21 days, I stayed 2 more weeks in Paris and have gone back every year. I'm headed there again in 3 weeks, lol!
For my time ahead of the tour in Amsterdam, I went to the Dutch Resistance Museum. I wish I had had time to go to the Van Gogh museum beforehand as well. There was not enough time on the day the tour goes to Amsterdam. As a group we had a tour of the Rijksmuseum and then just a half an hour or so between that and the canal boat ride so most of us just grabbed a cold drink and a chair! This was an exhausting day - I did not have a FitBit then but others did and we calculated we walked between 10 and 12 miles that day. It looks like the tour does not include the Anne Frank House so I would want to do that ahead of the tour. I would do the Resistance Museum first as it does a good job of setting the stage for Anne's story.
For time in Paris - It looks like you go as a group to Ste-Chapelle and Notre Dame on the first day and then the Louvre the next morning with a free afternoon. I like the Impressionists so I also enjoy the Orsay Museum, the Orangerie (Monet's Water Lilies) (both of which are within walking distance from the Louvre) and a private museum called the Marmottan (has the Monet painting that tagged the term Impressionists). I also enjoy the Cluny Museum (Middle Ages - Has the tapestry series with The Lady and the Unicorn), the Invalides Army Museum, walking thru the Marais area, walking thru the St Germain des Pres area, seeing the Eiffel Tower (I'm not big on going up in it but many are!).
I did a Trip Report when I came back in 2014, so here is the link in case any of it can be helpful.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/21-day-best-of-europe-8-26-14
DO take the guide up on any extra meals or activities they offer. You can have a great trip without them, but even better with extras! I think Rick's information says to plan on $50 US extra a day for meals that are not covered, etc. I think I wound up spending less than $30/day but I don't always drink wine or have a nice evening meal.
I'm excited for you!
Kiwis, you might want to post this under "Rick Steves Tours" instead of General Europe. You'll get a lot more responses. Next column over - Tips and Trip Reports. Click on it, then choose Rick Steves Tours.
Have a great trip. This is a wonderful tour.
