Bohemian Rhapsody Paris
Paris, France | October 1-7, 2019
Pack your journal and sketch pad, bonnes amies, and live like a
local with our take on the expatriate experience. Slip in and out of the inspired Paris of famed femmes Colette, Nin, and de Beauvoir while immersed in the vibrant, art-centric Paris of today.
Wander, see, shop, create, share and just be. Your Paris awaits
Read our itinerary for more details.
The City of Light has long inspired writers, artists and lovers of culture, bringing out the best and brightest. Led by actor, writer, and Francophile, Tracy Shaffer, our Boho adventure, will take you down grand boulevards and secret passageways, tracing the footsteps of the famed “Lost Generation”, featuring les artistes’ femmes who made a mark of their own. The journey blends history with the vibrant arts scene of modern-day Paris, spectacular views to thrill and chocolate, of course, for a taste of le belle vie.
You’ll live like a true Parisian, nestled in the Hôtel des Grandes Écoles, a charming and unpretentious Maison in the Contrescarpe neighborhood made famous in Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast”. A cobblestone’s throw from the Pantheon, Le Sorbonne and the eclectic Latin Quarter, Contrascarpe was home to James Joyce and Papa himself, who penned his first novel, The Sun Also Rises, across the street. You’ll fall in love with the hotel’s private gardens, the quaint market of Rue Mouffetard and the serenity of your own personal Paris. Luxurious mornings are yours for resting, wandering, shopping or drawing inspiration. Afternoons are for discovery, evenings for delight. Along with our highly curated experiences, you will be provided with a menu of options for your own exploration, including insider info to galleries, vintage stores, fascinating bookshops, bistros, bars, events that only a “Bobo” Parisian would find.
A Peek at Your Week
Tuesday, October 1 - Bienvenue, Mes Amies
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Arrive and settle in before gathering for a champagne toast to welcome you
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Dinner in local bistro
Wednesday, October 2 - BoHo Old School
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Women Who Write walking tour of St Germain with chocolate tastings along the way
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Lunch at Café De Flore, long-running haunt of celebrities, writers and artists. Bring your journal and spend time pouring out your soul
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Stroll with us to the legendary Shakespeare & Company Bookseller and lose yourself in the place where so many of the literary greats got their start
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The rest of the afternoon is yours to write, rest, or continue wandering this vibrant neighborhood. Explore beautiful churches and landmarks, or discovering the fabulous shopping gems of the 6th Don't worry, we will have plenty of suggestions for you
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Dinner on your own
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Cap off the evening with our group dishing over drinks at the iconic brasserie, Les Deux Maggots
Thursday, October 3 - La Guingette
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We begin our day in trendy Canal St. Martin, home to the bohemian Paris of today, strolling through shops and galleries of the “Parisian’s Paris”.
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Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the canal before we depart on a cruise of Canal St Martin and down the Seine to the Musee D’Orsay
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Twilight visit to Musee D’Orsay and the works of Mary Cassatt, Rosa Bonheur, Degas and Cezanne
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End the evening with tapas and tango at Rosa Bonheur sur Seine
Friday, October 4 - Marvelous Marais
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The day is yours in one of Paris' most dynamic neighborhoods, Le Marias. Musee National de Picasso, the home of Victor Hugo, Musée Carnavalet for you history buffs, and fabulous shopping are some of your options. Or find a café table on the Place de Voges to sketch, write, and people watch
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Afternoon Tea at Mariage Frères, France’s oldest tea house. Inside this magical apothecary you’ll find a grand selection of the world’s finest handcrafted blends to sip and savor
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Walk to the Mecca of Modern Art, Centre Pompidou, where we’ll arrive for sunset cocktails and the most spectacular views of the City. Bask in Basquiat, marvel at Matisse, and pay homage to the world’s greatest collection of Contemporary Art
Saturday, October 5- Dizzying Heights
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Morning of your choosing; perhaps you’d enjoy the gardens of the Musee Rodin?
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Meet for lunch at Café Constant for traditional cuisine the French adore.
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Off to the Champs de Mar for a private photo shoot as the sun lights up the Eiffel Tower
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Nothing says Paris like the Eiffel Tower. Our reservation takes us to the top as the sun goes down and the city lights up to breathtaking perfection.
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The evening is yours
Sunday, October 6 - Top Of The World
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Our last full day we’ll hop in our chauffeured Citroen 2 Chaveaux, pop open a bottle of champagne and zip around the city. This two-hour tour hits all the highlights and the feels, landing in the crown jewel of La Vie de Bohème, the village of Montmartre.
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Famous, fabulous and oh so French, the charm of Montmartre will sear itself into your now Parisian soul. Imagine living like Lautrec, Pissaro, Monet and Picasso as you visit the Basilica Sacre Couer, Picasso’s studio, or the Café des Deux Moulins (Amelie’s fav) as you discover this delectable village. We’ll avoid the crowds of tourists at the Place du Tertre, preferring the enchantment of the backstreets, finding perfect photo-ops and drenching our hearts in amour.
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Our final dinner at Le Tambour or another frenchy-french place
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For the adventuresome, finish the night with an au revoir toast in a posh and sneaky absinthe bar
Monday, October 7 - A Bientot, Paris
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Bon voyage and reapplication of mascara
Bohemian Rhapsody
October 1-7, 2019
$3850
Maximum Guests: 10
Every Travel Sister tour is planned down to the most thoughtful detail, from meals to private tours and excursions.
By the time you get home, you won’t believe you were only gone for a week!
Inclusions:
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Pre-trip planning: conference call “meet and greet” with fellow travelers 1-2 weeks to review trip checklist and answer any questions
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Local ground transportation: provided to and from Travel Sister activities
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Accommodations: six nights in a quintessential " boho" hotel in Paris’ St. Germain district
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Activities: all activities described above and included in detailed itinerary
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Meals: daily breakfast, plus lunch and dinners listed above
Exclusions:
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Airfare
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Passport or visa fees
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Travel or health insurance
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Telephone expenses
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Airport transfers
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Local transportation outside of planned activities and not listed in final itinerary
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Services/meals/alcohol not listed in final itinerary
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All items of a personal nature
See our Terms of Service page for details on deposits, refunds, and more.
Most questions you may have about this trip can be found here or on our general FAQ’s page. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch!
Will I need to learn how to speak French?
It can’t hurt, but it’s not necessary! Most of the people we’ll meet along the way will speak English.
Will Travel Sister help me with arranging independent activities and related ground transportation?
Absolutely. Let us know your fancy and we will do our best to help you.
When do I get a full itinerary?
Please get in touch with us directly to learn the details about this trip. Once you submit your deposit, you’ll receive a full outline of the itinerary and we’ll get you scheduled for our pre-trip informational conference call for the entire group.
How much does the trip cost? Are refunds permitted?
Travels are priced based on meals, accommodations, activities, and can vary by location. See the pricing page and terms of service for all the details you need about prices, fees, deposits, and refunds.
What happens if there’s an incident on this trip? Do you provide insurance?
Our sisters in travel should read our liability waiver to have a full understanding of what every traveler is responsible for and what is/isn’t covered by Travel Sister.
Who will be my roomate? Can I get a private room?
Tour prices are based on double occupancy. If you are travelling with a companion , we will ask you to provide their name so we can place you together. If you are travelling solo we will place you with another travel sister. Alternatively, you may request your own room for a supplemental fee.
I have some dietary restrictions. Will I still be able to enjoy the culinary experiences?
Yes, mostly! According to So Cheese, there are anywhere between 1600-3500 cheeses in France and it is one of the largest wine producers in the world. Couple that with the French’s love of bread (not to mention crepes and macarons) and you have a perfect “worry” storm for certain food-sensitive travelers. Fear not, intrepid friend. Although not the norm, many restaurants provide gluten-free offerings and one can usually find dairy-free options as well. Although we cannot amend our itinerary to meet specific dietary needs (as this trip takes a deep dive into the Parisian food scene), we will do our best to answer your questions. We take your health and well-being very seriously. If you have any hesitations at all, please review our itinerary or get in touch and allow us to help you decide whether this is the trip for you.
Is it safe to travel abroad?
We understand your concern, and suggest reading the following International Travel Advisory to have the latest information on where you’ll be going, and steps you can take to help you feel confident in departing for your upcoming adventure!
International Travel Advisory
Traveler is responsible for ensuring they have all the proper documents for transit or entry. All names on documents must match the legal name on your photo I.D., and travel document information must match transportation tickets. Please check the State Department website at http://travel.state.gov for further information.
Immunizations may also be required. Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
Failure to comply with any of these regulations may result in denied boarding, denied entry, and/or government-imposed fines. If you are a citizen of another country, there may be additional requirements. Check with the nearest consulate or embassy of the destination you are travelling to and find out the entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens. Finally, U.S. Citizens should register all travels with the U.S. Embassy via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step/.
