The tour departs from Paris on Monday, 1st September at 9am so you need to fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport on Sunday, 31st August. If you are doing the “Gay Paris” pre-tour extension, you'll need to arrive in Paris on Friday, 29th August no later than 2pm. The tour concludes after breakfast on Monday, September 8th in Nice, so you need to fly out of Nice airport on this day.
We’ve opted not to include transfers on this trip – and it’s all about saving you some cash! Getting from Charles De Gaulle Airport to the hotel is a breeze with the high-speed train. It takes just 35 minutes to Châtelet Les Halles, and from there, it’s a quick 5-minute walk to the hotel. Prefer a taxi or Uber? No problem – it’s about €55 and an hour’s drive. When we head to Nice, the hotel is super close to the airport, so you’ll only be a short ride away from checking in.
The 8-day “Rosé Royale” departs from the Grand Mazarin Hotel in the Marais, Paris on Monday, 1st September at 8:30 am sharp for your transfer to the TGV high speed train. Please arrive at the hotel no later than 8:00 am to check in. If your flight is delayed and/or you miss our departure please contact Kyle on +44 7385769780 and we’ll discuss your options to meet up with us.
One thing we can promise you is that you will have buns of steel by the time we send you home. There is a fair amount of walking involved on this tour and we visit a few clifftop villages so you will need to have an average to good level of fitness to enjoy this trip. For those of you not used to walking we suggest you “get into training” before the trip departs. The good news is that there is always amazing wine waiting for you at the end.
YES! We have listened to your feedback and now have a few rooms allocated for single travellers that have a single supplement. We also offer a “roommate matching” service where if you would like to share a room, we will match you with someone of the same gender.
This is a tricky question to answer as the situation is about to change. Right now, you DO NOT need a visa to travel to Europe but that is set to change in 2025. We will keep you all updated on the current requirement as details come to hand. At this stage it looks like you will just need to apply for an “online visa” which will grant you 90 days access to the Schengen states over a period of 180 days. France and most of Europe is part of the Schengen Agreement.
September is one of the best months to explore France! Expect beautiful days averaging around 24°C/75°F, so bring plenty of shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and sunscreen. Trust us, good walking shoes are non-negotiable – you’ll need them every day.
While the days are warm, the evenings get a little cooler, so pack a few long-sleeve options for those nights when the temperature dips. We also have some fabulous moments where you’ll want to dress up a bit. For our stunning “Blanc Ball” Gala Welcome Reception, an all-white outfit is a must! Plus, for those chic evenings dining in some of France's finest restaurants, think smart-casual vibes.
A lot of afternoons and early evenings will be spent lounging around the pool at our Château or soaking up the sun on the beach in Nice, so bring your favourite swimwear. Bonus points if you pack a kaftan to truly live your best holiday life!
Don't forget a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated during those sun-soaked days. And, since face wash cloths aren't a thing in most of Europe, bring along what you'll need if that’s part of your routine.
Of course! Please let us know through your online booking form if you have any strict dietary requirements. For example, we definitely cater for vegetarians, vegans, lactose intolerant, but we do not cater for “fad diets” such as Keto, Atkins etc. We also do not need to know if you do not like, for example, pumpkin or red onions (unless it is an allergy). One of the beauties of travel is trying new foods and new flavours. This itinerary has been designed as a “food and wine experience” so we encourage you all to be adventurous and sample things that you may not necessarily try at home. Whilst wine will be a focal point of the tour, please let us know if you do not drink alcohol and we will have alternative drinks for you.
Staying at the Chateau is designed to feel like your own home-away-from-home. While there’s no on-site restaurant or bar, the staff will prepare and serve a continental breakfast each morning for you to enjoy. On select occasions, we’ve arranged for a private chef to prepare delicious meals, and staff will be on hand to serve drinks during our dining evenings. We’ll also stock the fridge with local wines for you to enjoy at your leisure. If you prefer spirits, feel free to bring your favourites and mix up your own drinks whenever you like. And don’t forget to grab some of those amazing French cheeses and local treats while we’re out—you’ll have plenty of time to nibble and enjoy throughout your stay.
When we arrive in Nice there are several places near to the hotel where you can get a service wash done for a reasonable price. You can get laundry done when at the Chateau but we advise bringing enough clothes to get you through those first four days and plan to do your washing in Nice should you need to.
Standard European sockets are used everywhere in France. (Type F) – 2 pins, 220V. For those of you travelling from the United States, to protect your appliances and to not blow the fuses in the Chateau and in the hotels, please make sure your travel adaptors also have a currency converter in them as everything operates on 220 volts.
Both the Château and the Boscolo Exedra Hotel offer complimentary Wi-Fi, but just a heads up – the Château’s thick stone walls can make the connection a bit spotty at times. To ensure you're always connected (and can post those envy-inducing photos to Facebook and Instagram whenever you want), we recommend grabbing an e-SIM when you arrive in France. That way, you’ll have data on hand no matter where you are.
YES! We have found its easier for everyone if we include all your gratuities. So please know that we will take care of, (on your behalf), the gratuities for all local specialists, restaurant staff and local drivers. Of course, if you would like to give them something extra, they won’t say no! In saying this, please do continue to tip your restaurant staff and hospitality workers when you are dining/travelling independently. We recommend 10% of the bill when dining out.
If you would like to add extra nights at either the Grand Mazarin Hotel in Paris or at the Boscolo Exedra in Nice book please let us know when you make your booking and we will arrange it for you (depending on availability). We generally get better rates than you will receive online and are happy to help you.
