Urban Outings has received  many inquiries about our BURGUNDY, FRANCE VILLA VACATION (& PARIS GAY  PRIDE), and know that many of you may have the same questions , or just want a better idea of what we have in store.   To that end we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the trip.

See below.  If you have any other questions, please contact customerservice@urbanoutings.com  
or at (800) 495-7091 x213.  We hope to see you with us in France,

 - The Urban Outings Team

What is the specific flight info if I choose the package that includes air?

While all flight information is subject to change, as it stands we are to depart New York (JFK) on Friday, June 17th at approximately 6:00PM for a direct flight arriving in Paris (CDG) on Saturday, June 18th at approximately 7:00AM.

We depart Paris (CDG) on Sunday, June 26th at approximately 6:00PM and arrive in New York (JFK) at approximately 8:00PM (June 26th). This is also a direct flight.

If I don't live in New York but am very interested in joining you (or have a friend who doesn't live in New York who I'd like to bring along). Can I (he) still participate?

Of course! Select the "Land-Only" package, and you can book your own flights to and from Paris.
Before you book your flights, contact us to coordinate your arrival and departure with the rest of the group - (800) 495-7091 x213, customerservice@urbanoutings.com

How do we travel from Paris to the Villa in Burgundy?

A private chartered coach will be waiting for us at the airport to take us to the villa.
No need to deal with trains or taxis.

(Please note: If your are making your own travel arrangements, you must coordinate your arrival the the main group's arrival in order to catch our coach. Otherwise you must take the TGV train on your own, at your own cost, to the villa.)

What are the accommodations like?

We will be houseguests for the week. We are staying in beautiful private homes / farmhouses. Each house is an authentic farm villa that has been modernized with today's amenities. The property includes a gorgeous pool and a hot tub.

The houses open onto a central garden. Each room has its own charm and unique furnishings.
To view all of the different rooming options, download a Trip Enrollment Form located at
http://www.urbanoutings.com/images/burgundy_trip_form.pdf .

Who is hosting this trip?

The same European travel experts who led our immensely popular 2003 and 2004 Tuscany, Italy villa vacations are hosting our trip to Burgundy.

They pride themselves on taking the best possible care of their guests. The same way you would make sure your houseguests are well-fed, comfortable and experiencing everything your city has to offer - not just dazzling them with tourist highlights - is the same way Carolyn and Tom treat Urban Outings.
As a testament to their care and professionalism, two participants from last year's Italy vacation have decided to join us for this year’s trip to Burgundy.

Who are Carolyn and Tom?

Carolyn is a professional chef who has been living in France on and off for the past 10 years studying French cooking and, more specifically, the gastronomically rich region of Burgundy. She will be our personal chef for the week preparing all of our breakfasts, some lunches and most dinners.

Tom is our other host for the week. He will be taking us on most of our excursions and will likely be the one driving us around and showing us the sights. By the way, Tom has also been an Urban Outings Event Host (so he's family!).

What kind of food will we be eating?

A note from our chef Carolyn: “As your chef for the week, I want you to know that I think Burgundian cuisine has rich heritage of hearty sustenance.

I will be pleased to talk about the food we eat, the combinations of ingredients and the peasant farmers that created these food traditions. I feel that experiencing the local cuisine is a large part of travel and I hope you put aside any food "prejudices". There are wonders to be found in the fresh produce, cheeses and other specialties of the region. If, however, you have serious eating restrictions (i.e., allergies, etc.) please let us know in advance so we can accommodate you. If lactose intolerance has bothered you in the past, Lactaid pills can really help. Otherwise I hope you will be open to tasting food in the way you did when you were a child.”

How are we getting around? I don’t speak French and I hear that the French rail system is difficult to navigate, even for the French.

Both Tom and Carolyn are bilingual French-English speakers so don’t worry if you don’t speak French.
All travel arrangements for scheduled excursions will be taken care of by our travel hosts so there is no need to have to deal with getting around on your own or renting cars.
However, there are opportunities for car rental upon arrival at the airport should you be interested.

What’s on the itinerary?

This entire trip has been very thoughtfully planned. Everything has been taken care of. From a Day Trip to Dijon, an excursion to Flavigny and other beautiful walled towns, morning walks, picnic lunches, strolls along the Burgundy Canal, cooking classes with our chef and visits to abbeys, monasteries & vineyards, there are plenty of options. However, you are not required to participate in all activities if you do not want to. If you want to forego an early-morning nature walk and sleep in - that’s fine.
If you want to spend the day relaxing by the swimming pool or reading a book instead of going on a day excursion, that's ok. If you’d like to help out in the kitchen and learn a few recipes - that’s fine too.
While there are plenty of options and no shortage of things to do, you are free to choose what activities you want to participate in.

I’ve been to Paris but not Burgundy, what’s it like?

As beautiful as it is, Burgundy is mostly untouched by the average herds of tourists.
It’s quiet and serene, and off the beaten path. Burgundy is known for its wines, fine gastronomy and for the Roman architecture. The capital of Burgundy is Dijon, which produces the famous "mustard of Dijon". Tiny villages, manor farms and millhouses, exquisite parish churches and open-air stone laundries down by the stream are the rural soul of France.
No trip to Burgundy is complete without settling in and enjoying their most well-known dish, Boeuf bourguignon (beef simmered in red wine with mushrooms, small white onions and chunks of bacon) with a glass of Burgundy wine.

What kind of weather is typical of Burgundy in June? What should I bring with me?

June is the ideal time to visit France. The heat of August hasn't set in, foreign tourists are mainly in the big cities and you have a chance to see where the French vacation. Although we anticipate pleasant, warm weather for June, summer temperatures in France (as anywhere) can vary.
Remember, we are in the hills, so anticipate cool evenings. Good walking shoes are a must, for treks in the valley and through the other nearby towns. If you plan on being outdoors a lot, bring a hat. Otherwise, just dress comfortably as we’re in the countryside where things are more relaxed.

I’ve never been to Paris. How much time will we have there?

Our private chartered coach will take us back to Paris on the morning of Saturday, June 25th.
We will check into our centre-ville hotel and enjoy Saturday (and Saturday Night) in Paris, as well as Sunday morning and Sunday early afternoon.

Is it true we will be there for GAY PRIDE PARIS?

Yes, the trip ends with a weekend in Paris during Gay Pride Paris Weekend!
And after a week of relaxing with the untouched beauty of Burgundy, we’ll have some time for some BIG GAY FUN by joining in the Paris GAY PRIDE Festivities.
Whether you’ve never been to Paris or if you’ve been there dozens of times - this is definitely the best time to be there, if you’re a gay man! ;-)

How much space is left?