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GCT MS Bizet-Normandy to Paris

Carhut

By Carhut,
in River Cruising

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rborroto

rborroto

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Hi, I will be taking the July 23rd trip from Paris to Normandy. When I return I will post some comments and/or pictures of my experience with GCT and this "cruise-tour." Is anyone on here taking the same trip?

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VAPERSON

VAPERSON

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:) Thank you for posting your wonderful pictures! I've been wanting to do this trip and now I know what to expect. Thanks for showing pictures of the food, your cabin, and the onboard entertainment. We've taken several Grand Circle and OAT trips, but never a river boat trip. So far, we've enjoyed them all.

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Decebal

Decebal

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Carol, thanks for posting the pictures, it made my Sunday morning.

It's a trip that it's on my "list" to do, and now I have a better idea of the experience. Were the macaroons as delicious as they were pretty?

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Carhut

Carhut

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Carol, thanks for posting the pictures, it made my Sunday morning.

It's a trip that it's on my "list" to do, and now I have a better idea of the experience. Were the macaroons as delicious as they were pretty?

 

Don't know about the macaroons. Didn't have any. Wish I could have. We were on a guided tour and had to keep moving. I always get way behind the group as I'm always busy snapping pictures anyway. One good thing about GCT this year is the headphones we get to wear on most tours. So if we get away from the tour guide, you can still hear them. Unless you get too far away, it starts breaking up and then you lose them. Then I know it's time to hurry up and catch up with the group.

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Carhut

Carhut

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My husband and I will be taking the July 23rd trip as well. He planned this trip as a surprise for my 50th birthday gift - what a guy! Neither of us have ever cruised before, so I'm looking forward to a new adventure.

 

Bon Voyage! Happy Birthday! and have a wonderful trip. Let's here from you when you get back.

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  • 3 weeks later...
wannabeamainer

wannabeamainer

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We returned from our Normandy to Paris cruise last night. This was our first cruise (river or otherwise) and couldn't have had a better time! The Grand Circle operation is top notch (IMO) and we had great weather, which always helps. We're already thinking about a cruise down to Provence, and possibly the Great Rivers tour as well.

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Carhut

Carhut

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Would you be able to provide any feedback as far as which cities along the cruise route you would recommend to take the boats tours, rather than to explore on own?

 

At Honfleur, we had a little tour of the town but wish I could have spent more time there. It was really a picturesque town. We spent the afternoon on a Calvados Tour (opt). It was good but the other option was to stay in Honfleur. Your choice, I guess.

In Caudebec, we did wander in the town by ourselves, but the town was closed except for the pharmacy, only store that we saw that was open. Since they stay open on Sundays, they close on Mondays. The afternoon was a bus tour to an old monastery.

In Roen, there was a walking tour and tour guide pointed out special points of interest. In the afternoon we had a painting class on the boat. But one could skip that and wander in town if one wants.

Les Andelys, we were only there for a few hours. They took us by bus up to an old castle ruin and great views. Either could walk down as many did, or ride the bus back, as we did. We did have time to wander in the the town. Not a whole lot there.

Vernon, was the escorted tour to Giverny (bus) to visit Monet's home and gardens and the American Museum. Later in the afternoon we had our home hosted visit. Ours was really delightful. Enjoyed the couple tremendously.

Conflans, we had a little bus ride and a tour guide that showed us places where Van Gogh lived and painted his last two years. We visited the cemetery where he and his brother were buried. We really didn't see much of Conflans so can't tell you if there was anything there or not.

Then there was Paris. We didn't have much time on our own as we didn't do the extension. We had a boat tour in the evening through Paris, a bus tour the next day and then an opt. tour to Monmartre in the afternoon. Then it was pack and get ready to leave early the next morning.

Of course the day in Normandy was all planned and we traveled from place to place by bus that day, from 8:30 a.m. to about 6 p.m. Our stay in Trouville was nice. We had some time to explore but wish we could have seen more there.

That's about it. Hope it helps.

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  • 3 weeks later...

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