PARIS TO LOIRE & DORDOGNE VALLEYS: Castles, Caves, and Countryside with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

We do realize our prices seem high.   However, when compared to many other tours to the region, we are actually comparatively priced when you take into account that our trips include all meals (and vegan to boot!) and drinks, all the tips for drivers and local guides, and many other extras like a amenities/essentials bag, a free laundry day, the support of 2 full time tour leaders (most tours have only one), and, finally, the chance to travel with author and animal advocate Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

It’s also worth noting that there aren’t many 100% fully vegan tours in France, where veganism is still somewhat of a new concept. Our trip cost does factor in the lengthy and hard work done with all our hotels, restaurants and local partners in educating and preparing them for our visit (meals, advocacy, toiletries, etc), which is far beyond any tasks that other tour companies are faced with.  This work begins several months before the trip, and approaches full-time hours around 2-3 months prior to the trip’s start date.

We also realize that for many, these types of trips are something they’ve dreamed about for many years.  As such, we’ve constructed an itinerary that will make this trip truly memorable in regards to our accommodation, meals, and choice of activities.   

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and World Vegan Travel work closely together to create JOYFUL VEGAN TRIPS, which are specifically curated by Colleen to ensure the high quality that she has come to be known for.  All trips include activities and dedicated time with Colleen, such as Q&A session, round-table discussions, sharing, and more.

Absolutely!   We have many people on our trip that sign up as solo travelers.   ​However do note that single rooms availability is low, so book quickly!  Please see our COST & SIGN-UP section for more information.  

Should you still be on the waiting list when the trip closes and gets confirmed, we may be able to offer you a single room (depending on availability).

FLIGHTS
You are in charge of your own transportation — whether it be flights, train, bus, car, etc. — to our starting city, and your return transportation from our departure city. 

For your arrival, we ask that you try and arrive early on the first day, as our first meeting tends to be in mid-afternoon.  This exact time and place will be confirmed at a later date, but do plan ahead adequately to leave you enough time to get to our meeting place by that time.  Even better is arriving one or more days before.  This would provide you with a chance to take care of jet-lag and visit the town.

Please note that your transportation to our first meeting point is not included.  

VISAS
For citizens of western countries (ie USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc), no visas are necessary for a stay of 90 days or less in the Schengen Area, of which France is a member.   Other European citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy.

TRAVEL/MEDICAL INSURANCE
Medical travel insurance is mandatory on our trip.    We need to have assurances that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency, including repatriation.  You will need to send us your policy detail and emergency contact number before the trip’s start date.

Trip Insurance (trip cancellation, lost baggage, etc.), on the other hand, is entirely up to you, though we highly recommend purchasing it.  It often comes packaged along with medical travel insurance, or you may get coverage simply by paying for the trip using a credit card (inquire with your card supplier). 

As we are not a travel agency or booking agents, we can’t book any flights or ongoing travel (ie hotels, transportation, etc) for you. However we can surely help with recommendations, suggestions and tips as you look into flights, or extending your holiday. It never hurts to ask, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries whatsoever!

In general, September is an excellent time of year to visit the Loire & Dordogne valleys. The weather is almost always warm but not as hot as high summer, although it is slightly more changeable so the chance of rain is slightly higher. It is very rare and unfortunate for a holiday to be ruined by rain in these months, although early autumn showers may occur.

At this time, the countryside is more lush and the scenery even more beautiful, since the daylight is slightly less harsh than in the summer. It’s the perfect time for walking and cycling in the Dordogne, since the summer can be rather hot for these activities.

As a bonus, the huge summer crowds have mostly ebbed, and while far from being deserted, all the sights and towns will be much more manageable and, as such, be much more pleasant.

You should expect temperatures of no more than 25° (77.°F) and no lower than around 12° (53°F).

While we don’t have a luggage restriction on this trip, we recommend you not to bring more than 1 suitcase per person.  You will need to carry your bags only from the bus to the hotel twice (plus the trip to our meeting place) but you should still make sure you can lift it by yourself (ie  it’s not too heavy).  

We do have one free laundry included on the trip, so hopefully this can help in not over-packing.   Laundry will also be available on other days at a fee.

In terms of clothing, it’s a good idea to bring some late summer garb, such as shorts, t-shirts, etc., and a swimsuit, as we will have a swimming pool at our Dordogne hotel (and in case you want to go caneoing down the rivers).

Long and light cotton pants and shirts (or dresses) are a good idea.    A hat is a good idea to block off the sun.  

A sweater or light jacket for the cooler evenings is a good idea.  Rain gear isn’t really needed, but a small umbrella could prove useful. 

Do bring some comfortable, but sturdy, shoes, as we have many walking tours.  The Dordogne villages are made for exploring, and often the streets are cobblestones.   Overall we’re not going on any big hikes, so there’s no need to bring your best pair of hiking boots.    You can always bring a 2nd set of comfy shoes/loafers to wear in the evening, for dinner and also afterwards when we’re relaxing with a nightcap. 

Other essentials should include:

• sunglasses
• Cameras and plenty of batteries and storage cards is a must. 
• sunscreen lotion

​
We will be sending an info packet several weeks before the trip that will include, amongst other bits of information, a packing list.

If you are coming from outside of Europe, then yes, your mobile phone should work, but do check with your carrier to make sure.   It is highly recommended to turn off global roaming unless you carrier can offer you a package for your stay in France.  Otherwise you risk being charged exorbitant fees upon you return home! 

If you are a UK or other European citizen, your phone should work as usual as Europe no longer has borders when it comes to mobile phone usage.  However do check with your carrier to ensure your package qualifies. 

 If your phone is unlocked (please check with your carrier directly) you can also purchase a French SIM Card from Amazon, and enjoy having a local number and much cheaper data (internet) usage.   We recommend the 20GB Orange Holiday Europe SIM card.  Please follow the instructions that come with the SIM as we do not offer support for this product. 

Yes, our hotels have WIFI, and we will also have internet connection on-board our coaches. For the latter, connection speeds may vary, as will the connection itself.

We provide all accommodation, transportation and meals. All expenses during our included activities are taken care of, including tips for guides and drivers.

You will then only need cash for extra purchases such as souvenirs, extra drinks outside of what’s included, extra snacks, etc. There are ATMs in every town and credit cards are accepted in most places. This mostly means Visa and MasterCard, with American Express having quite a lower acceptance rate outside of hotels and higher-end restaurants.

The tour leaders will be carrying extra cash. If you decide to go on an optional activity at the last minute but don’t have enough money, we will be able to help you out and you can simply pay us back when we find an ATM.

Non-premium alcoholic drinks are included, especially during meals and down time. 

Tipping hotel and restaurant staff is not necessary and entirely up to you.

This is generally not a problem, but we do need to be informed at the time of booking so we may prepare the meals accordingly. Please be as precise and detailed as possible. Once on the trip, it is difficult and/or not possible to change our meal plans.

Colleen (and her husband David) is very much another traveler in our group and will be taking the same vehicles and participating in the same activities as the rest of us. You can approach and talk to her at any time, just like anyone else. Having said that, do remember that she will be as tired as everyone after a long day of travel or sightseeing, so we should just be respectful of that as we are of anyone else. ​​

We do have quite a lot of walking activities on this trip, though mostly this will be on flat surfaces in towns and villages.  Some Dordogne villages are build near cliffs and hills, so expect a bit of uphill/downhill walking.   

Youth above 16 years young are welcome.    We are currently not accepting any younger children. ​

There’s no upper age limit, though do note that there is a fair amount of walking on this trip. 

We will provide water, juice, coffee, tea, some cocktails and wine/beer during lunches and all dinners and some activities. We will make it clear what’s included and what’s not. Premium alcoholic drinks (ie expensive cognac, whiskey, champagne, etc) are not included. You can pay for those on the spot or sign it to the room and pay when checking out.

World Vegan Travel and Joyful Vegan Trips aim to be a safe place for all LGBTQ travelers. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort.

​Generally speaking, France is a safe and welcoming travel destination for the LGBTQ community.