What’s not included?
You pay for your lunches and the alcohol and bottled beverages you drink. We pay for the wine at the wine tastings we organize. The tour price does not include airfare or transportation to the TGV station where we pick you up.
What about transportation?
On the first day of each tour (Sunday) we will meet tour participants at the TGV station nearest the tour starting point (Loire Valley – Tours, Burgundy – Dijon, Provence – Avignon). Please arrange to arrive before 2pm because we will be playing tennis Sunday afternoon after you check into your hotel. On the last day of the tour we will drop you off at the same TGV station. We will be playing tennis Friday morning so please schedule your departure for Friday afternoon to allow time for tennis and the hotel checkout. All of these TGV stations are accessible from both Paris and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport. Train fare is not included but we are happy to make your train reservation and have the ticket mailed to you. We can also help arrange before and after trip lodging.
Is there any legal stuff?
You must sign a release that we will mail to you.
Will the other tour participants play at my level?
We will do our best to put you on a court with players who have a similar NTRP rating.
Will I be lucky enough to have a roommate?
Our prices are based on double occupancy (two people to a room) with a private bath. Single rooms are subject to availability and there is a single room surcharge.
What will our hotel and rooms be like?
There is a link to all our hotels so you can look for yourself to see what they are like. All are handpicked because of their comfort, charm, cleanliness, and level of service. None of our hotels are “cookie cutter” so each room is different with its own unique personality. While we do our best to ensure that all your rooms are as similar as possible, some rooms may be more spacious and/or have amenities that others don’t have.
What should I bring?
We recommend you bring two rackets in case you break a string. Racket restringing will be available but you don’t want to miss any tennis while your racket is being restrung. We will provide all the tennis balls you will need. Bring a fleece jacket, as France can be chilly even in June and September. None of the restaurants will have a dress code but it’s customary in France for women to wear a dress or pants and men long pants at dinner.
What will we do each day?
On Sunday, the day you arrive, we will be playing tennis in the afternoon. That evening there will be a welcome wine tasting party followed by dinner. Each morning, after a delicious breakfast, we will play several hours of tennis. You will then return to your hotel around noon. Lunch is on you own. We will provide you with a list of nearby cafes and restaurants. In the afternoon you are free to relax or explore the town and surrounding area. We will be happy to help arrange any excursion that might be of interest to you. In the evening we will meet for dinner together.
What should I do as far as money is concerned?
First of all, you don’t need to bring euros with you. You can get all the euros you need from ATMs that you will find everywhere, including at the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport. Usually it is cheaper to withdraw cash from an ATM with a bank ATM card (issued by your local bank) rather that with a Visa or MasterCard. For purchases in France your regular Visa or MasterCard will work. We suggest you bring two different credit cards in case one doesn’t work for some reason. Call your credit card companies and notify them you will be in France so they don’t block your card on account of unusual activity.
Will laundry service be available?
Yes. Each of our hotels, for a fee, will arrange to have your clothes cleaned. It will be your responsibility to pay for this.
Do You Offer Private Tours?
If our tours don’t fit your schedule, or are full, we can arrange a tour designed especially for your group virtually anywhere in France. Just tell us when, where, and in what style you want to travel.
How do I reserve and pay for a trip?
To secure your reservation, a deposit of 20% of the total trip price is required within ten days of booking. The full balance is due 95 days prior to the departure date. Payments for bookings made less than 95 days prior to departure are due in full at the time of booking. Regrettably, failure to make deposits or payments on time could result in the cancellation of your reservation, and cancellation fees will apply. We accept payments by check (personal checks are fine) or wire transfer. Unfortunately, due to high bank surcharges, we cannot accept credit card payments. All checks must be in US dollars and drawn on a US bank.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel 95 days or more before the trip begins you will receive a full refund. A cancellation less than 95 days before the starting date of a trip will result in your losing 100% of the trip cost. These time periods are based on the date we receive your cancellation notice. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies.
How can I get more answers?
You can call 830-998-8989 between 8 am and 7pm central time seven days a week or you may e-mail us. References are available upon request.