Description of tour
A Parisian Makeover is an eight-day escorted tour of Paris designed with a French fashion stylist around fashion, beauty and shopping. Group attendance is limited to eight (8) adult ladies (21 years or older), with a minimum of six (6) for tour viability.
Tour starts with group welcome by GBT tour director at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Sunday morning, followed by private transportation transfer to a luxury hotel in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of the Left Bank. A tour director and a fashion stylist will accompany the group during scheduled activities in the program.
Tour ends on the following Sunday with transfer from hotel to Charles de Gaulle Airport for departures.
Getting to Paris
Most United States airlines fly non-stop to Paris from New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities in the US. Specific European airlines such as Air France offer direct flights to Paris from most major American cities.
Travel documents
Passport and visas for international travel:
For travel outside the United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, all US citizens are required to have a US passport valid for six months from the return date of the journey. Driver's licenses and birth certificates are no longer accepted as proof of citizenship for international travel.
Information on passport applications, where to apply, forms, fees, requirements and last minute application services are available in the US State Department's travel website www.travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778. The website also brings contact information for consulates by country about entry and tourist visa requirements. US citizens do not require a visa when travelling to France for short periods. Please allow a minimum of 10 weeks for processing a passport application, and possibly more
during busy travel seasons. Check the website www.travel.state.org/passport for current processing times.
Non-US citizens, including permanent residents with green cards, must verify entry and visa requirements with the nearest consulate of a destination country.
Travelers are responsible for obtaining the correct documents for entry into the country on the itinerary, as well as for those required for re-entry into the United States.
Climate/clothing
Average temperatures in Paris during tour week will be provided upon registration for the tour. Bring
comfortable clothes and shoes for the day and one dressy outfit for evening programs. Bermudas and shorts are not accepted at many places.
Luggage restrictions
Airlines usually have restrictions on the weight of your luggage, as well as on the number of volumes you are allowed to carry. Check with your airline before packing, to avoid penalty fees.
Money
The currency in France - and in the European Community - is the Euro, which fluctuates against the US Dollar. For up-to-the-minute exchange rates check www.xe.com/ucc.
All banks charge a fee every time you use an ATM machine abroad; check with your bank about these fees before you leave the US.
Major credit cards and ATM cards are becoming more and more accepted worldwide. As replacing lost or demagnetized cards takes time, be sure to diversify your travel funds with cash. Leave excess credit cards and store cards at home and always have some small denomination of bills handy for use along the way.
Electricity
The French electrical system runs on 220 volts. You may need adaptors to convert the voltage as well as fit sockets, and they are easier to purchase in the US. Hair dryers are provided in the hotel.
Cell phones
Not all American cell phones work in France, so check with your provider about it before you leave, as there are extra roaming charges for its use overseas.
Gratuities
Gratuities (tips) are included in the tour price for all scheduled activities, but extra tipping is allowed. Tips in the hotel are not included in the tour price (luggage carriers, room service, etc)
Language
In Paris, and in the rest of France, the official language is French, but English is widely understood and spoken. It is a good idea to bring a pocket-size phrase-book to use in your free-time, just in case.
VAT
VAT, or Valued Added Tax, is the French equivalent of sales tax. If you do not live in the European Community, you will get it as a refund (usually around 18% on any purchase over 175 Euros) upon leaving the country. We will help you get this refund at the airport before your departure.
Bespoke tours
We organize shopping tours of Paris tailored to your schedule, interests and tastes. Please see Bespoke tours of Paris for details.
