PROSPECTUS – a Parisian Walking Tour to the City of Lights and
Gardens
June 18-29, 2008
Historic buildings – Gardens – Chateaux – Sidewalk Cafes - Bridges over the Seine
Thank you for your interest in our excursion to a city which has so much to offer. But then, Paris is unique. Ancient
without the squalor or too much distracting modernism as is found in some other European capitals. Distinct and unique
neighborhoods. A beautiful river with a wide water-level treed path perfect for strolling and watching the bateau bus
(literally, boat buses, on which we will ride one day) sail by. Parisians picnicking and playing Boules in the parks. High
end shops and restaurants at close quarters to funky and affordable establishments. The time of year for our trip is an ideal
one where the weather is warm enough to be out of doors exploring all day, the gardens are in full glory, and the sidewalk
cafes will be bustling. Fountains will be fountaining. The trip price is commensurate with the current unfavorable
exchange rate. We hope this will be, not a luxury, but at least a decidedly comfortable trip and we are not trying to
stint by staying in budget hotels far from the primary attractions of the city. If exchange rates fluctuate in our favor,
we will be able to include more than advertised in the trip, such as extra dinners, or return monies after the trip.
THIS TRIP IS SUITABLE FOR THOSE SEEKING AN ACTIVE GROUP CULTURAL EXPERIENCE WITH SOME
UNSTRUCTURED TIME BUILT IN. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE IN GOOD HEALTH, ABLE TO WALK AT A
MODERATE PACE UP TO 6 MILES/DAY, AND WILLING TO TRY MINIMAL COMMUNICATION IN A FOREIGN
LANGUAGE. ALTHOUGH ONE LEADER SPEAKS REASONABLE FRENCH, SHE WILL NOT ALWAYS BE
AVAILABLE TO EACH PARTICIPANT, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE BREAK UP TO EXPLORE A MUSEUM OR A
NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS PART OF THE FUN, AND IS EASIER THAN ONE MIGHT EXPECT.
Whatever our destination for a day, we will all have continental breakfast at the hotel and depart together. For the most part
we will move about the city as a group. In some cases when we arrive at a specific location – such as a church or museum –
we will split up and meet together at an agreed time. As most dinners are not included, participants (and leaders) can group
up in the evenings to eat and explore together. We plan to stay in a hotel very close to the Latin Quarter, which is famous
for the quantity of its restaurants, all with reasonable, fixed price menus….and many have them in English. Most Paris
restaurants are SMALL. If we were to show up with 16 or so people we would not be able to get into the same restaurant.
That is one of the reasons we did not try to include all dinners in the trip – it is logistically difficult and makes it hard to be
flexible. But anyway, it is so much more fun to be able to explore and satisfy our individual tastes anyway (Merri’s is for
any restaurant that offers 3 courses of CHEESE!). We do plan to include some group lunches or dinners in trip price
however, as opportunities arise.
There are SO many things to see and do in Paris – we will absolutely not be able to do them all. Listed below are some of
the highlights of the trip. Leaders will purchase tourist attraction admission cards covering all but 1 day of the trip. These
allow multiple admissions to over a hundred large and small attractions during that period, so if we are passing by, say, the
Rodin museum (a LOVELY sculpture/rose garden and great lunch stop), we can get in for free and spend a few minutes
even if you don’t care for Rodin. And you may be surprised to realize you enjoy something you did not anticipate..
Major attractions we will visit:
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Napoleon’s Tomb / Invalides
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The Louvre (full day)
Versailles (full day)
Montmartre
Sacre Coeur
Notre Dame
Bateaubus on the Seine
Champs Elysees
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
The Latin Quarter
Saint Chapelle
Musee d'Orsay
Fountainbleau (full day)
We will be within a short walk of the Louvre, the Seine river, Tuileries and Luxembourg gardens (picture on first page) and
Notre Dame. Many of the primary attractions of Paris are relatively close to each other (and to our hotel) and we can visit
more than one in a day, while having time to explore the neighborhoods and unexpected “treasures,” such as the many
beautiful churches, in between our primary goals. Some days, though, we will plan an entire day at one location – such as
our trip outside Paris to the palace of Versailles or the day we go to the Louvre. The Louvre, by the way, is actually a
grouping of Palaces which were later joined for the convenience of their various occupants. They apparently did not like
each other well enough to want to live under the same small roof with only 400-odd rooms, but still wanted to visit without
going outside and getting their satin slippers stained – so they built a 1000-foot gallery to join two of the palaces. After all,
there was more than mud in the streets in those days. In any case, today the buildings alone are worth seeing if you don’t
even look at the art. However, in deference to those who truly don’t want to spend a whole day inside, this is a good
example of what we mean by a flexible day. We will all go to the museum together, then split up to see what we like, and
meet up again at a specified time either at the museum or back at the hotel.
While we have planned group activities daily, there are many other activities offered by private tour companies, such as day
trips to Loire valley chateaux, Chartes cathedral, the Parisian catacombs, etc. If you wish to take any tours apart from the
group, they will be at your own expense. Leaders will assist in booking these tours if you wish once we get to Paris.
CLIMATE
Weather in Paris at this time of year is pleasantly warm with moderate potential for rainfall.
TRIP LEADERSHIP
Merri and Pam have each led MANY prior major excursions. Both are SOLO and CPR certified. In addition, Merri has
been to Paris several times and led an AMC trip there in 2005. She speaks French moderately well, which proved an asset
on prior trip.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
We will stay in a comfortable, European style hotel near Latin Quarter and Luxembourg gardens. Full continental breakfast
is provided by the hotel. Rooms are small doubles with private bath. Some group lunches and dinners are included.
AIRLINES AND TRAVEL
Trip price includes airfare from Boston or NY (other East Coast cities may also be an option). We plan to depart the
evening of the 18th, arriving in Paris the morning of 6/19. We will leave and return home on the 29 th. We will seek the
least expensive tickets possible, and these usually have stiff cancellation penalties attached to them. In addition, FLIGHTS
MAY NOT BE DIRECT. After tickets have been purchased each participant owns their ticket; thus, if you wish to change
or cancel the ticket, you must deal directly with the airlines.
INSURANCE
Cancellation insurance is not included in trip price . Once you sign up, leaders will provide information on optional,
AMC-recommended cancellation insurance. Emergency Evacuation insurance IS included in trip price.
REQUIREMENTS
a) You should be in good physical condition, able to walk briskly up to 6 miles and be on your feet for several hours at a
time. Most of our destinations will be reached by walking - taking transportation to meet the group is not an option.
b) Adaptability. An important criterion for this trip is the ability to be flexible. Weather conditions, delayed planes,
and closures can change our daily plans. Everyone is expected to be able to “roll with the punches” as much as possible, be
cooperative, abide by leaders’ decisions, assist leaders as requested and add to the total group experience while enjoying
themselves. Foremost, while leaders will try to offer options and solicit participant preferences, the decision of the leaders
will always be final as they are ultimately responsible for the safety of the group.
EQUIPMENT/CLOTHING
Sturdy but nice walking shoes are the primary requirement for this trip, along with a small shoulder bag for maps, camera
and water. Hiking boots, sneakers and backpacks are not appropriate. Paris, like most cities, treats those who are better
dressed better, so business casual dress is in order. And since we may be eating lunch or dinner out sometimes without
going back to hotel, this makes sense.
COST PARTICULARS -
The cost is $3,600
Included in the price
1. Round trip airfare from East Coast to Paris (other departures may be arranged)
2. Transportation within Paris (to/from hotel, bateaubus, subway and train)
3. Accommodations in centrally located mid-range hotel, 2 to a room with private bath.
4. All breakfasts, some lunches/dinners
5. All Admissions
6. AMC Committee fees
Not included in price
1. Transportation to and from home airport and parking
2. Airport departure tax (none at present)
3. Alcoholic beverages
4. Any pre-trip costs, including books, or anything else not in the above list of “included in the price”
5. Optional tours not taken with group
6. Transportation other than with the group
7. Trip cancellation insurance
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Registration - $1000
December 1st - $1,000
March 1st
$1,600 – if you apply after March 1, full payment is due with registration
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellation must be in writing – Postmark or Email date below:
Prior to Feb. 1 - $100 non-refundable fee charged; If your airline ticket has been purchased, you own it subject to airline
change fees). All other moneys returned.
After Feb. 1 a) same as above; and
b) Any moneys paid out to vendors and money necessary to keep the trip cost from increasing / causing an increase for
other trip members.
After May 1 - NO REFUNDS for any reason, including accident, illness, or any other type of emergency.
Note: Sometimes additional moneys may be returned after the trip, if a cancellee’s spot can be filled from the waiting list.
This depends upon two factors:
1. That the trip is filled - 14 participants (in addition to the leaders).
2. That there is a waiting list compiled by the leaders, through the application and screening process only. No one may
substitute another person for themselves.
REGISTRATION
The minimum age for this trip is 18. A separate application is required for each person. To reserve a space on the trip,
please mail the Application, Medical and Release forms with deposit to :
Merri Fox
115 North Road
Harwinton, CT 06791
Make checks payable to Merri Fox - AMC. The leaders will promptly review your application. Upon acceptance, an
acknowledgement will be sent to you. If not accepted, your deposit will be returned promptly.
If you have any questions, please call:
Pamela J. Madigan
12 School Street
Medfield, MA 02052
Tel: 617-680-3393
Email: PMadigan@verizon.net
Merri Fox
115 North Road
Harwinton, CT 06791
Tel: 860-485-1697
Email: merri.fox@pw.utc.com