Normandy, Brittany & The Loire Valley

Insight Travel expanded the tour group to 39 people including 7 people extending from another Insight trip. Our group was too large for everyone to room in the main Chateau in the Loire Valley. All the solo participants including myself and some other couples were were forced to stay in upstairs garrett style rooms in the annex unconnected to the chayeau. The room had one old floor lamp to try to extend into the room for the only lighting beyond the little lights by the bed. Clearly dangerous wiring and all huge wooden beams under sloping ceilings were a danger warning. There was no fire suppression system not even fire extinguishers. We had to climb a long broken staircase. The manager said not to use the second staircase closest to our rooms which was very long and steep with worn treads. The only window was floor to four feet high with wiring covering the lower portion. Consequently in the event of a fire it would be difficult to climb out the window and jump two stories to the courtyard. Since Insight Travel does not prioritize life safety, it's impossible for me to recommend any Insight trips. That's unfortunate since many of my large group of senior friends are traveling multiple times a year since covid. I'm the first to use Insight and the were curious about the trip. They are astonished by this terrible company decision.

Enjoyed the trip. Probably one too many chateaux/castles visited. Normandy sites excellent. Wish dinners were earlier. 7:00PM or later dinner with an early morning departure is too late for us.

We would have preferred an extra night in St. Malo, and only one night at the chateau in the Loire Valley. We also would have preferred more time in Honfleur, and not only enough time for lunch. Exploring Honfleur would have been more enjoyable and memorable than the visit to the apple farm.

Apologies… this was not the tour I wanted and specified requested from my travel agent. I specifically requested a WW 2 type tour of the Normandy beaches and such. Enjoyed the time with my wife, up every morning before the sun to drive 1-2 hours to see another castle, church, vineyard, or orchard was not in my vacation plans.

I have submitted a detailed e-mail to : guestrelationsna@ttc.com

Not enough time spent in Normandy. could have been better and the tour guide to engage more. didn't give us much time to go thru museum etc.

Covered many sights and experiences in the time allowed. Excellent guide and driver. Very good value for money.

This is a very demanding tour that needs to be better communicated in description of the tour.

It was a very nice Itinerary some of the stops were a bit higher paced than expected. The Hotel’s were great and our tour guide Vanessa was absolutely wonderful. She was extremely knowledgeable and gracefully helped a few of us with issues we had.

The trip gives you a chance to see a different part of France beyond the typical Paris focused trip.

The places visited were fine but the distances between them made trip rushed (very rushed lunch atMont St. Michel) at times. Honfleur was disappointing: lovely old buildings but rather touristy and too many tourists. In Loire area, the Chateau de Villandry was not nearly as beautiful and exciting as Le Chateau d'Azay le Rideau. Below: we are from U.S., NOT Dominican R. The pull down did not work

I enjoyed all the locations included in the itinerary and options. Got to see memorials, cathedrals, chateaux and more. Also, enjoyed the time allowed to explore on my own. Our tour director, was so passionate about sharing all his information about the stops and the countryside.

This is a fast paced tour with much to see! was a wonderful tour guide and took care of us all the way. He was very knowledgeable on every tour we took. The optional excursions were fantastic and a must do for this trip. Definitely would recommend.

This is a jammed packed full on tour wherein one will experience many many interesting sites, sounds and smells. Although the tour is short, my memories will last a lifetime.

Bring your walking shoes........but well worth it!! History, beautiful gardens, wonderful food.......this tour has it all !! Loved staying in the Chateau De La Bourdaisiere....be sure and see its tomato and dahlia gardens.

Amazing time

Ideal way to see this part of the north of France-cathedrals, chateauxs and medieval towns. An opportunity to see wine and calvados production. For anyone interested in the D-Day beaches and the history of that dark yet hopeful time in history this is the ideal way to be reminded of the sacrifice of so many .

The Normandy, Brittany, Loire Valley itinerary is full and diverse with lovely accommodations and meals.. To stand where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, to gazing out on the beaches of Normandy, and walking the American cemetery, to sleeping in the same chateau as King Henry IV are but a few highlights. The local experts provide the meaningful historical details that bring it all to life. Thank you again, Insight, for another remarkable trip.

It’s a good balance between the beaches and inland to the Loire Valley. However sometimes the tour felt a little rushed, with not enough time to explore the village of a lunch stop or much free time.

Great pace! Lots to see! Excellent Tour Guide and Driver

Needs better accommodations. no old crumbling chateaus. experts need to walk at the pace of the slowest guest and stop offen enough to count heads. Older guest need showers not tubs. Airport drop off needs to be to each guests airline terminal. Start times need to be after breakfast (9:00am) with bags out at 8am.

I would recommend this tour with serious reservations due to our 2-night stay at Chateau De La Bourdaisiere. Our room was shabby and dusty and needed serious upgrades to be part of an Insight tour. I could find better end tables & blankets at a dollar store, including the disgusting fan they provided. The chair upholstery was torn, and the bathroom shower & toilet needed to be modernized. Upon arrival we were warned that the Wi-Fi was "slow", yet it was nonexistent. A positive was that the grounds were well-kept and the food we were served for both breakfasts was delicious. Our tour director, was wonderful! Very knowledgeable and a great personality. He spoke fluent French (and Italian) and we enjoyed his insights. In addition, he provided suggestions for appropriate places to eat on nights we did not join the optional experience. We would take another tour with him again.

The Tour Director was terrific. He was personable, caring and very knowledgeable. The local guides were likewise knowledgeable and passionate about the places we visited. For the most part the trip was great. The biggest disappointment was the two nights spent at Chateau De La Bourdaisiere. The accommodations were not on the level we expected on an Insight Vacation. The room was in severe need of an update. The upholstery was torn and the overall feel was shabby and run-down. Nothing was ever done to update the rooms. It also did not feel safe as the building and rooms did not adhere to basic hotel occupancy codes. Timed lights that went off in the hallways and staircases at night, potentially scalding hot water in the shower, hotel provided power strip with wire strung across the floor to power a floor fan. We were told in advance that the Wi-Fi would be weak but there was no signal except near the front office where 20 people would gather trying to get a signal. It is regrettable that an otherwise terrific trip was marred by the memory of this sub-par hotel stay. Insight needs to seriously consider removing this hotel from the trip.

The itinerary is very busy but spaced out enough. The information can sometimes be overwhelming because there is so much that can be explained in a short amount of time.

We liked the choice option- Bayeaux tapestry or Arromanche War Museum

The pace is very fast the first 3 days. The sites visited are spectacular.