Rick Steves' Loire to the South of France in 13 Days
July 6 to July 18, 2014
Enjoy the ramblings and observations from my eighth Rick Steves' tour, and, as always, it was a trip to remember.
Why do I choose Rick Steves' tours?
For my fortieth birthday, I went to Europe. I met a friend in Scotland for an 8 day adventure through the Highlands. The tour company was NOT Rick Steves', but the group was small and educational. I had a great time and while we were in Edinburgh I noticed larger tour groups walking around. They looked dazed and slightly "herded" and, with matching scarves, just a little bored. I thought that my little group was a much better deal. The next year I went to Paris alone and I realized I was lacking some travel skills. For the next summer I looked for "small group travel" online, I ran across a company called " Rick Steves' Europe through the Back Door". They had a 7 day city tour of Paris and I remember thinking that if it was "terrible ....well, it was only for a week". That tour proved to be a wonderful experience. With the tour I had travel companions, I had free time, and, most importantly, I started to develop a skillset for travel. Over the years I have went on different Rick Steves' tours, knowing that I will have a quality experience and if I want to return to that country I will have the skills to do so. And, even though I now feel quite capable as a traveler, my first choice for going somewhere new is to take a Rick Steves' tour first.
Even with a tour, travel is a little different for a solo traveler. As you will see through my thoughts and pictures, I will have fewer "people" photos. And, if you are a bit of a social animal, let me assure you that every RS tour I have been on has been full of excellent group activity. The groups have always been generous and high spirited and, on occasion, surrogate families. With that being said, if you do travel alone, I think you will find these tours are perfect for you. You will not feel like a 5th wheel and you will find you have access to places and activities you would probably not have had alone.
So enough of that, please enjoy my passions.......photography, painting, and travel!
Even with a tour, travel is a little different for a solo traveler. As you will see through my thoughts and pictures, I will have fewer "people" photos. And, if you are a bit of a social animal, let me assure you that every RS tour I have been on has been full of excellent group activity. The groups have always been generous and high spirited and, on occasion, surrogate families. With that being said, if you do travel alone, I think you will find these tours are perfect for you. You will not feel like a 5th wheel and you will find you have access to places and activities you would probably not have had alone.
So enough of that, please enjoy my passions.......photography, painting, and travel!
Tour overview......A hint of things to come!
Early Arrival! Always a good Thing!
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