Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, packing suggestions, airfare strategies, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Our articles are written for travelers who want more than ordinary sightseeing. Whether you are planning a trip to Europe, Canada, South America, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, France, Peru, or a luxury river cruise, our goal is to help you travel smarter, more comfortably, and with greater confidence.

Since 2009, Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor has helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy carefully planned, adults-only small group tours with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service from real travel professionals who know our destinations inside and out.

Latest Travel Tips & Destination Guides

Archive by category: Paris and France Travel GuideReturn

30Sep

Best Paris Markets

30 Sep, 2025 | Paris, Markets | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (908)

Find out about the best Paris markets. From vibrant food stalls and historic flea markets to specialty flower and book vendors, explore authentic Parisian life while tasting, shopping, and experiencing local culture.

28Sep

Dates to Avoid When Planning a European Trip

28 Sep, 2025 | Public Holidays | Austria & Bavaria Travel Guide, Ireland Travel Guide, Norway and Iceland Destination Guide, Scotland Travel Guide, Paris and France Travel Guide, Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (3088)

Plan your 2026 Europe trip smarter by avoiding major public holidays in Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Austria, Italy, France, and Ireland. Skip crowds, closures, and high prices with our complete holiday calendar and travel tips.

21Sep

Inexpensive But Good Hotels in Paris

21 Sep, 2025 | Paris, Hotels | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (1081)

Enjoy the best cheap hotels in Paris recommended by The Traveling Professor. From charming Latin Quarter stays to chic Marais hideaways, enjoy budget-friendly comfort, great locations, and authentic Parisian charm without breaking the bank.

17Sep

Best Neighborhoods in Paris to Explore

17 Sep, 2025 | Paris, Marais, Rue Cler, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Latin Quarter | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (761)

Walk in the best neighborhoods in Paris with The Traveling Professor’s small group tours. From Montmartre and the Latin Quarter to Rue Cler and Le Marais, explore charming streets, authentic cafés, and the true Parisian lifestyle.

11Sep

Planning a Tour to the Normandy D Day Beaches

11 Sep, 2025 | Normandy, DDay, Bayeux | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (539)

The Traveling Professor’s Normandy Invasion Beaches tour offers a powerful, small-group guided experience. Stay in historic Bayeux and explore key D-Day sites like Omaha and Utah Beach over three unforgettable days with expert insights and exclusive access.

03Sep

Famous Paris Movie Restaurants on Our Small Group Tours

03 Sep, 2025 | Paris, Movies, Grand Colbert, Amelie, Midnight in Paris, Polior | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (878)

Discover iconic Paris restaurants from beloved films like Amélie, Midnight in Paris, Ratatouille, and Something’s Gotta Give. Our small group tours take you to dine where movie magic meets authentic French cuisine in unforgettable settings.

31Aug

5 Things You Should Never See or Do in Europe

31 Aug, 2025 | Temple Bar, Hogwarts Express, Blue Grotto, Blarney Stone, Bastille | Ireland Travel Guide, Scotland Travel Guide, Paris and France Travel Guide, Italy Travel Destination Guide | View Counts (1174)

Ignore these five overhyped European attractions to skip, including Scotland’s Hogwarts Express and Capri’s Blue Grotto. Learn smarter, budget-friendly alternatives and insider tips from The Traveling Professor for a more authentic and enjoyable European travel experience.

30Aug

3 Paris River Cruises You Should Not Miss

30 Aug, 2025 | Paris, Cruise, Bateaux Mouches, Canal St Martin, Vedettes du Pont Neuf | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (679)

Discover the best Paris boat tours with The Traveling Professor. Enjoy iconic Seine River cruises like Vedettes du Pont-Neuf and Bateaux Mouches, plus charming Canal Saint-Martin tours for a unique view of the City of Light.

26Aug

How to Plan a Day Trip from Paris to Giverny, the Home and Gardens of Monet

26 Aug, 2025 | Giverny, Vernon, Monet | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (930)

A day trip from Paris to Giverny offers Monet’s stunning gardens, charming village streets, and art history. Travel by train to Vernon, then bus or taxi, to explore the famed water lilies, Monet’s house, and the Museum of Impressionism.

22Aug

Perfect 7-Day Paris Itinerary

22 Aug, 2025 | Paris, Paris itinerary | Paris and France Travel Guide | View Counts (661)

Discover The Traveling Professor’s ideal 7-day Paris itinerary featuring must-see sights like Versailles, Montmartre, and the Louvre. Enjoy stress-free travel with the Paris Museum Pass and Navigo card for seamless access to the city’s best attractions.

About the Author

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

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