We will be arriving in Paris 3 days before our tour starts in May, 2015. This is our first RS tour. We have been told we will receive our hotel information 1 month before the tour. Do you think this is too late to try to book the pre-tour nights? We'd really love to stay at the same hotel and not have to move.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA, USA
419 posts
Why don't you call the Rick Steves office in Edmonds and ask them for information?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14731 posts
You will get your first and last night tour hotels several months out. If you are on a tour that stays multiple places you will get the rest about a month ahead. As soon as you get the first hotel go ahead and book your extra nights....don't wait.
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
You should receive notification of your first and last hotels a few months ahead of the tour. On 3 of our tours I got antsy and called them and they told me the first tour hotel. This may still be too early for them to give you a definite hotel name, but if you get to 4 months out and haven't heard, give them a call and they will at least be able to tell you when they will have everything finalized. On one of our tours we elected to stay in a different hotel because we were going in 3 days early and wanted to stay in a certain area of the city. so we just moved on tour day, no big deal.
What tour are you taking? Have a great trip!
Mimi
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
51 posts
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. It's my first tour so I don't really know what I am able to do. Mimi, we are going on the Paris and the Heart of France Tour beginning May 19, 2015. I am so excited! Been reading everything I can get my hands on and trying to be prepared! Thanks!
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
Paris and the Heart of France is one that we haven't been on, but it looks good. We took Paris in 7 days and then villages and vineyards of Eastern France and that was great.
I hope you enjoy the RS tour as much as we have (5) and it sounds like you're in good shape as far as planning. 3 days ahead in Paris will be nice so that you can acclimate and do some sightseeing on places that the tour doesn't go.
Have a great trip and let us know what you think afterwards!
Mimi
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
Paris and the Heart of France is one that we haven't been on, but it looks good. We took Paris in 7 days and then villages and vineyards of Eastern France and that was great.
I hope you enjoy the RS tour as much as we have (5) and it sounds like you're in good shape as far as planning. 3 days ahead in Paris will be nice so that you can acclimate and do some sightseeing on places that the tour doesn't go.
Have a great trip and let us know what you think afterwards!
Mimi
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
893 posts
PS Kathy,
When you contact the tour hotel, make sure you tell them that you're joining the RS tour that is coming into their hotel.
Mimi
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
51 posts
Thank you so much for all the advice! I will definitely post a trip report when i return with all the tidbits we learned. Hurry up May!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14731 posts
Oh, you've got plenty to do between now and then. You can run trials on exactly how much toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner you will need for 14 or 15 or 16 days. You can time how long it takes underwear, shirts and pants to dry. You can reinforce a 2gal Ziploc bag for your laundry and work out a laundry kit. You can do a trial pack and weigh your bag then decide you need to maybe do some upper body strength training between now and your tour date.
Can you tell I get totally nuts when I'm anticipating a fun trip? Have a wonderful time!
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
51 posts
Pam, you are my kind of organizer! Yes, I have already trial packed with my new little cute carry-on suitcase and I'm currently working on the toothpaste! LOL! Didn't think about the drying test. Awesome advice! Thanks to everyone!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
295 posts
We should have the hotel information for your May tour in January. You can call the tour department in January and they should be able to give you all the hotel details. The information will also appear in your tour portal. I like to book my hotel earlier than a month out. Mainly, because we might have another group in the same hotel right before your tour starts. I also really like to be at the same hotel and that allows me one less time to move.
Posted by
OP
Austin, TX
51 posts
Thank you so much Jenn!
Posted by
Sellersville, PA
3 posts
Kathy, don't be afraid to stay in a hotel near the Eiffel tower (7th arrondissement) if your tour hotel isn't in that area. We just did before we started our Paris tour that stayed in the 14th. Our friends groaned that we weren't staying at the RS hotel, but later thanked me for insisting on it. (My 3rd RS tour) We saved about 20 euro a night (it wasn't as nice, but it's in his book) and were in the area where we could walk to Rue Cler and the Eiffel tower. We picnicked on the grass with wine, cheese and baguettes watching the sun go down and the tower light up. We didn't pre book the tower because I wanted good weather. Saturday afternoon, the lines were short (about 30 min.) and the weather good, so we took advantage!