Frequently asked questions
How do I sign up for this tour?
To sign up for this tour please call (914) 576-5687 Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm, Eastern time. Or fill out and mail to GBT the Registration form you can access by clicking the link on the Price & Conditions page. A deposit per person of $ 1,000 US dollars (check only) is due at registration, of which $ 500 is non-refundable. A signed Risk Release form is required at registration - you can click the link on Price & Conditions page; please fill it out and mail it to GBT with your registration form and deposit check. Your booking is secure when we receive your deposit.
What if I register and pay my deposit after eight other people have already done so?
Tour group is limited to eight people, and they are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a deposit at registration. These original eight people will have priority to participate in the tour until 40 days of tour start, when balance of payment is due. If your deposit is received after they have signed up, but before they make full payment, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list in the order of which your registration was received. Should any of the original eight people cancel or fail to make full payment in due time, you will be notified that a space has become available; you may then choose to pay the balance of the tour cost within 48 hours and join the group, or receive your full deposit back if you decide not to join it.
When is the balance of my tour cost due?
Balance of the tour cost is due no later than 40 days before the tour date. Balances may be paid by check, Paypal or credit card.
When does a tour become viable?
GBT tours are guaranteed to run once six (6) or more guests book it; we usually have that information around 50 days prior to tour date. Only after the minimum number of guests in the group is guaranteed will we ask you to pay the balance of the tour cost. If we don’t reach the minimum number of people, your full deposit will be refunded.
What is included in the tour price?
We include deluxe hotel room for seven nights, all breakfasts, private transportation during the tour program, company of bilingual tour director and services of a French fashion stylist, three dinners (wine and beverages included), tea party at traditional tea house, admission to burlesque show, suggestions and addresses for free time, assistance with sales tax refund at departure.
What is not included?
Airfare, passport or visa fees, travel and health insurance, telephone expenses, drinks unless specified, excess baggage charges, tips and services unless listed in the program and all items of a personal nature.
How big is this group?
All GBT groups are limited to eight people (8) with a minimum of six (6) for tour viability.
What if I have to cancel my tour? What is GBT cancellation/refund/transfer policy?
If you have to cancel your booking: 40 days or more before tour starts, you will receive a refund of $500 (half the deposit); if you cancel between 40 and 30 days of tour start, your $1,000 deposit becomes non-refundable, but you will receive a full refund of all other payments made; we regret that we cannot offer refunds 30 days or less of tour date. If your cancellation occurs more than 30 days of tour date, you may choose to transfer payments to another tour at a later date; transfers are not allowed within 30 days of tour date.
What if I change my mind and transfer to another tour after I’ve already made a reservation?
You may transfer from one tour to another no later than 30 days before the start of the tour you have registered for. When transfering to a different tour, if it costs more than your original tour, you must pay the difference; if it costs less, we will refund the difference. Transfers are not accepted within 30 days of original tour date.
What if GBT cancels a tour?
GBT may cancel a tour if circumstances beyond our control – weather related disasters, strikes, war, terrorism or civil unrest - may deem travel unsafe at a tour’s destination, or if we don't reach a minimum number of guests for a group (6). In such cases a full refund of your deposit and all other payments will be made, or you may choose to transfer your payments to another tour at a later date.
Why would I need a travel protection plan? Does GBT offer such plans?
We recommend that you buy a trip cancellation insurance, which will cover your investment if you have to cancel the tour or if an emergency arises during it. These policies usually cover cancellations for medical reasons as well as medical expenses or medical evacuation during the tour, lost baggage and airline cancellation charges, among others.
We don’t sell such plans, but we can recommend reputable companies in the field.
Where does the tour start and how do I get there?
Tour starts at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Specific information on how to get there in time to join the group will be provided when you register - airlines serving the area, schedules, etc. If you work with a travel agency for your reservations, we will be glad to help your agent at no extra charge.
What type of hotels or inns does GBT work with?
We select only first-class hotels and inns for our programs; we favor small boutique hotels with fewer rooms and excellent service, and we check every detail - from room size and comfort to the type of meals served and the distance to a town's main attractions - before we choose a hotel for our groups. As we work with different hotels depending on availability, we do not inform the name of the hotel the group will be staying.
What types of meals are served during the tour programs?
We personally select the restaurants, bistros and taverns where we have group meals. We choose them based on either their outstanding cuisine or the comfort and authentic charm of the places favored by locals. In some locations we opt for meaningful historic locations or extraordinary views.
How do I get around during the tour program?
All GBT groups are transported in a chauffeured mini van for the duration of the program. The vehicles we select are all brand new and equipped with air conditioning, and we personally choose our drivers to make sure they are courteous, friendly and helpful.
Will I have free time?
There will be free time for you to explore on your own or with other group members. If you have specific interests, please let us know what they are when you sign up for the tour so we can give you related information and addresses.
Is the minivan available during free time?
The driver and the minivan are not available during free time - nor is the tour director or the fashion stylist. We will give you maps and information to make sure you will have an enjoyable and safe time.
Can children be part of the groups?
No, we ask that our tour members are 21 or older.
What is the average age of GBT tour members?
We have a mix of all ages over 21, but most members are in their 40’s and 50’s.
If I’m traveling alone, will I feel uncomfortable?
Many tour members travel alone and feel quite comfortable in our small groups, which foster a sense of a camaraderie.
If I’m traveling alone, will GBT find me a roommate?
If you would like a roommate, we will try to pair you with one of the same gender. If no suitable roommate or shared room is available, you will have your own private room at the single occupancy price.
Who is the French stylist who will be helping us in Paris?
We work with two high-end stylists in Paris, and will choose one or the other depending on their availability. They are both French and insiders to the fashion scene, with access to the coveted addresses only locals know. For obvious reasons, we do not inform their names until you meet them in Paris.
Finally, why should I travel with GBT?
Because we are quite familiar with our destinations, where we benefit from extensive networks of friends and select tourism professionals - people who will offer you an insider’s point of view of their cultures and the kind of access usually reserved for locals. Our groups are small, which fosters camaraderie and creates a friendly atmosphere during the programs. We don’t compromise on quality to lower costs and the hotels and restaurants we include in our programs are the finest and most beautiful. Our directors speak the local languages, are familiar with the locals and offer the highest standards of international travel, taste, culture and savoir-faire. If you travel with GBT we guarantee that your voyage will be pleasant, sophisticated and world-class - the experience of a lifetime.
Do you need any other reason to travel with us? Call us at (914) 576-5687 or e-mail bea@goldenbeetours.com
