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"Where did you learn to exceed expectations? It just keeps getting better and better everyday! We have had such a fun time!! We've learned so much on both tours. Thanks for a FABULOUS 2 weeks in France We hope to see you again soon!" Dennis and Dr. Patricia Gelner, St. Louis, MO (2012 Loire Valley Tour and 2012 Bordeaux "Grand Cru" Wine and Walking Tour)
"We loved your consideration to stop for so many photo ops throughout the beautiful countryside. The St. Remy market, the cooking classes, hotel and all of the restaurants were fabulous. It was wonderful meeting you! Thank you for a wonderful time in Provence! See you on your Bordeaux tour next time." Larry and Lyn Christenson, Palo Alto, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Christy Destremau and her staff do extraordinary tours of France. Highly recommend them." -John and Pam Birkhead, San Clemente, CA - (Loire Valley Tour)
"Hi Christy and everyone. We had a fabulous time in the Loire and had so much fun with our group! We missed you all in Paris! Thanks for your wonderful "tour guidance" in France. It was quite a memorable trip." Added message sent to us by Steve and Michelle - "We enjoyed 5 wonderful days with Christy's tour of the Loire Valley Sept. 12 - 17, 2012. It was absolutely one of the best tours we've taken, and our 2nd tour with France Off the Beaten Path (first one was in Provence in 2006). Christy and her staff saw to the group's every need, they were warm, accommodating and had every excursion well planned out. We visited remarkable Chateaux, ate at wonderful Michelin Star restaurants in the Loire and had a thrilling Hot Air Balloon ride at the end (which I think was one of the highlights for us). In addition, we were lucky to have an absolutely perfect group of fellow travellers and made many friendships we hope to foster back at home. We enjoyed very personalized and truly "off the beaten path" experiences with cooking classes/demonstrations, cheese and wine tasting and more. We hope to join another tour in the future with France Off the Beaten Path! Thank you, Christy, for a wonderful time in the Loire Valley!"–Steve Keller and Michelle Tidwell, San Francisco, CA – (Loire Valley 2012 Tour, 2006 Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for organizing such a lovely trip! The restaurant selections were excellent. I truly enjoyed visiting all the different villages. Cooking with Marc and seeing his castle was top of my list. Also enjoyed the flexibility of having options each day. I never felt rushed or that I had to be with the group all of the time. I love Provence even more because of you. Your website is the BEST I have ever seen. You painted a great picture of what to expect, and you delivered everything as described. I wouldn't change a thing, it was perfect! I'll see you December 2011 for the Champagne Tour." Leslie Santarina, San Francisco, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"My husband and I had the pleasure of joining the Provence tour last June and I can tell you that it was the most wonderful part of our trip to France. Our tour leaders were highly professional and warm and truly gave us a wonderful Provencial experience. Our tour consisted of 12 people and our two leaders. We made life long friends as we explored the region. There was a nice balance of walking through out the beautiful countryside, experiencing Provence markets, wine tasting, cooking and eating at incredible restaurants. We had an amazing time and would highly recommend this tour if you like a very personal yet classy experience! My husband and I were just reminiscing this morning and he was looking at our pictures on his iPad on his way home from a business trip yesterday. We were just talking about booking another "Off the Beaten Path" trip to another region of France.." –Anastacia and Robert Scott, Carlsbad, CA – (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved lunch at the winery! The hotel was perfect and the meals were very nice. We especially enjoyed Antoine's cooking class and having dinner at his home. Thank you again!" Mark and Monica Lang, Omaha, NE (Bordeaux Wine Tasting and Gourmet Harvest Walking Tour)
"I could not have imagined a more engaging, yet relaxing trip! We were physically challenged with incredible hiking through some fairly spectacular scenery. We savored (or at least tried) local food delicacies, even the snails We shopped our way through a variety of open air markets, quaint villages, and specialty shops. And we sampled bottle after bottle of wine from this amazing area. But it was Christy’s knowledge of the history and culture of France that made this trip an unforgettable experience. Even more impressive was Christy’s willingness to go above and beyond for the happiness of her clients, even when it meant taking us on a field trip to the local grocery store so we could buy our favorite French salt for 10 euro less than the cost at local tourist shops. Perhaps the greatest testament to my experience is that although I arrived alone, not once on the trip did I feel that I was travelling as a single. Thank you so much for such an amazing time in Provence!" –Paula Zecchini, Irvine, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We liked the variety of it all, the St. Remy walk and Calanques, cooking class, shopping the markets... We also appreciated your relaxed and cheerful manner of leadership and your knowledge of the local history and culture. Thanks for a great and memorable trip!" Steffie Grow and David Kuncicky, Santa Fe, NM (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We enjoyed the intimacy of the small group, and the personal care, warmth and friendliness of all the people we ecountered at the hotel and restaurants. The castles were fascinating, the food wonderful, the pace of the trip good and our guide's knowledge excellent!" Dr. Bruce and Debby Farkas, Chicago, IL (Loire Valley Tour)
"Our family of 4 with two adult sons have just returned from the Loire Vally trip with Christy and Off the Beaten Path. It was one of our favorite trips. Our sons loved it too!!! The combination of gorgeous chateaus with excellent and knowledgeable guides, and the cooking classes and meals with top Michilin chefs was fabulous!!! The hotel was confortable, perfectly locateded and we had the best rooms in the Chateau. Our two guides stayed in the hotel with us. Sometimes the best trips aren't necesarily the most well known. This company deserves to be! It's wonderful!!! After about 15 worldwide trips including most continents, my sons ranked this one up near the top. Plus, 14 people in the group. We like small groups and good food and fabulous sights. This took the cake!! Would return in a flash!!" –Connie and Ken Yonan, Chicago, IL – (Loire Valley Tour)
"Jane and I would like to reinforce to you just how much we enjoyed your attention and direction of our recent adventures in France. We will need a week to recover from the absolutely wonderful overload of exposure to the French culture, the magnificent countryside, and of course, the people and the food. We’re looking forward to coming back for your Loire Valley Tour next!" –Bruce and Jane Jackson, Melbourne Australia (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"This entire Provence Tour was well organized but not too structured. We had plenty of time to do everything we wanted. Loved the cooking classes especially the team class-that was really different from any cooking experience I've had before. What a wonderful way to teach cooking and new techniques. The calanques walk was even more spectacular than I had imagined. And, St. Remy de Provence is such beautiful town, I loved shopping there for all the traditional Provence things we hear about in the US. I loved the small group - everyone was so nice and lots of fun to be with. Excellent trip. If ever you need just 1 more person to fill a last minute trip, please let me know, I'd love to come back on another trip!" Patricia Jacubec, Washington, D.C. (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Just arrived home yesterday from our lovely tour in Provence. I would give every aspect of the tour a 10/10. Our hotel was lovely, the staff very accommodating and the meals were outstanding...I loved our stop at le Bistrot du Paradou, the meal and the decor and the servers. Also thought the mas de cornud your crowning moment. Such a lovely couple in such a lovely setting. Cassis was a pleasant day trip too. Our driver Jack was excellent. Very attentive to our needs and told us (through David) some interesting aspects of French life. David was entertaining and informative and very much wanted to please. He bent over backwards for us taking us to special sites, and driving early departers to the train station in his own car. His way of explaining history made it interesting, not dry. All in all a great trip - well planned and executed. As you know, you can't please everyone, but you and David certainly pleased me. All the best." -Rosemary Chisholm, Toronto, Canada (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thanks very much for a great vacation! We really enjoyed the walks and loved lunch in Paradou. The cooking class was wonderful -great people and a different activity compared to our usual holidays. Our guide was excellent! She really took care of us throughout the trip." –Nicky and Tim Henshaw, West Yorkshire, UK (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Well, we are back and right in the swing of things again! Doesn't take long...lol - What a fantastic holiday we had with you in Provence. We really enjoyed everything about it and it was so much fun to be with such a young group. I loved the way you "guided". It was very casual and yet still very organized. I know why you have been so successful for these many years. And thank you for your suggestions for our last few days in Nice. The Windsor Hotel was perfect. A great location and we really enjoyed the outside courtyard. We did a lot of walking in Nice (really loved the city), went to St. Tropez, Eze. Monaco, etc. It was a great way to end our time in France. Thank you for posting all your pictures. They were amazing! ...Take care. Au revoir from Canada" -Janet and Glen Wilson, Ontario, Canada - (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We cannot thank you enough for making this a special trip for us. We loved every aspect of our Provence experience! The cooking classes and walks were wonderful, and we loved being able to dine in private homes...really gave us a flavor of the region. We met so many interesting people during the trip and our fabulous guide had an expert's eye for detail. We wish you only the best in your future endeavors (referencing our recent launch of ROAM Adventures for Women). Your new women only adventures are going to be a real hit. Hope to travel with you again soon!" Bill and Joanna Hamnett, Raleigh, NC (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We loved the wide variety of activities. We feel like we have a real idea of life in Provence. We really enjoyed our group and especially loved the cooking class – it was so interesting and we really enjoyed visiting with our hosts at lunch. It was great getting to see so many special places. Cassis was awesome and beautiful! Thank you for all of your dedication to excellence, hand work and kindness. We will always remember this trip! Thank you for a life-time experience!!" –Larry and Peggy Brizgis, Moline, IL - (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We loved Remi!! He was so fun!! Our favorite wineries were the ones in Saint Emilion and Graves. Antoine's cooking class was fun and the food amazing! Our lead guide was so fabulous, charming and knowledgeable. This was such a pleasant experience and wonderful way to discover Bordeaux wine country and all of these excellent wines! Loved having Chateau Haut Brion with our picnic lunch!! You guys do a great job and it shows in the way you treat your guests and how well everything is organized. Hope to be back sooner than later on another of your tours." Paul and Karen Galindo, Austin, TX (Bordeaux Harvest Tour)
"This was our first tour and we loved it!! We had lots of fun and enjoyed many laughs throughout the week! Cooking classes were fun and loved the hands-on part. The group size was perfect, as many had already stated, staying at one hotel as a base camp was perfect and we just had a lot of fun with the others in the group also. We will recommend you to our friends! WE HAD FUN!" Andy and Dorothy Klavins, Bainbridge Island (Seattle), WA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"The choice of castles was excellent. Cooking classes, dinners and markets were fun and interesting, and we LOVED the hot air ballooning, it was so much fun. Really enjoyed our guide! Thanks for a memorable time!" Ralph and Stephanie Sorley, Boston, MA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Merci, Merci! Thank you so much for a very memorable experience in the Loire Valley! We can't thank you enough for making our first visit to the Loire Valley a wonderful experience. Every detail was so special and we will be remembering our trip with you for a long, long time! We love France and your planning and taking care of all of the details was truly appreciated and will be treasured. We hope to go on another Off the Beaten Path adventure and wish you a great summer!" –Jodye Anzalotta and mother, Suzanne Anzalotta – New York, NY and Miami, FL (Loire Valley Tour)
"The walks were exceptional. Our guide's knowledge was outstanding, lots of options each day and the restaurants were also wonderful! Loved the group we created. Thanks for a great time!" Charleen Siemens, Vancouver, Canada (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"The small group setting was amazing – it allowed for greater fellowship among the group- making for a more personable experience! The trip gave me new perspective and insight through the "authentic" or local's experience of France. I'm taking more away from this trip than merely pictures and purchases! This was a truly unique experience (not your typical cookie cutter trip)! Friendliness: emails with OTBP were answered quickly, comprehensively and friendly. I didn’t feel like a number or just another guest. And, this trip was very relaxing, I was never exhausted or stressed, every detail was extremely well and professionally managed! This trip was leisurely, refreshing and fun! Thank you!!" -Angelica Pivarunas, Chicago, IL (Loire Valley Tour)
"We loved the calanques walk, St. Remy, cooking class and of course all of the eating and drinking!! Our group was so much fun and this experience was everything I wanted from Provence! We're going to tell all of our friends about you. Thanks soo much, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves." Mike and Beth Dizon, Manila, Philippines (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"The hotel accommodations were lovely! We thoroughly enjoyed our group; they were fun, intelligent and accommodating! Loved all of the cooking classes, each one was so different from the other. Our guide was very knowledgeable, efficient and facilitated our trips to the castles in a friendly and cordial manner.I always wanted to visit the Loire Valley and love cooking immensely and wanted to share a unique experience with my daughter. Thank you Christy for a fabulous week!!" –Marianne Gold and adult daughter Alexandra, Jupiter, Florida (Loire Valley Tour)
"Cooking classes were great! The walks were great! The company was great! We enjoyed it all! Merci and thanks for a fun week!" Jane & Joe Giordano, Austin, TX (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We loved Christophe and Angelique’s cooking class and dinner – it was very special! Hot air ballooning was wonderful. Christophe Cosme and Damien were fantastic! Right balance between leisure time and organized activities and we especially loved no hotel hopping!! Good chateau history/gossip and duration of history explanation. Thanks Christy for taking pictures during the trip and sharing them with us. And, thanks again for a fabulous time in the Loire!!" –Tim and Nina Ku, Middletown, Connecticut (Loire Valley Tour)
"Our guides were exceptional, very professional and fun! They made our entire trip. We especially loved the ochre village; it was spectacular. And your "best kept secret" bistrot lunch = awesome, one of my favorite days of the trip. What an experience getting to meet a descendent of Frederic Mistral in that very same moment after having heard about his influence and presence in the region. Loved that we stayed in the same hotel throughout the trip and that the trip was all-inclusive. This definitely was an off the beaten path experience every day. Thank you, we loved the trip!!!" –Claire Poignand and Matt Barton, Sydney, Australia (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved the optional bike ride, the dinners, especially the first night's dinner playing petanque and having dinner at the Chef's home. We thoroughly enjoyed all of the hiking/walking activities and staying in one hotel for the entire trip. Thanks for a great week!!" Russ & Mary Gentile, Jacksonville, FL (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for the best trip!! It far exceeded our expectations and was well organized and filled with lots of good laughs and humor! Excellent and entertaining guides really made this a special experience! The cooking class was outstanding, loved the walks and being able to stop and take photos all along our trails. Playing pétanque was a lot of fun and the small villages were definitely a highlight. We loved our Off the Beaten Path experience! We would have never thought to have gone and done these particular activities or visited these villages on our own and we’re so glad we saw them. We loved them!!" –Dr. Neil and Dr. Jordana Jamensky, Toronto, Canada (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thanks for a great time discovering Bordeaux wine country! We enjoyed this trip a lot. The people in the group were very compatible. The winery tours were very good. It was nice to be able to see all of the different processes. We will see you again on another tour." Jerry and Sheila Ettinger, Raleigh, NC (Bordeaux Harvest Tour)
"We enjoyed the walks and spending time in the smaller villages. Cooking class was especially enjoyable! The photos opportunities were great, and we loved the conversational and relaxed feel of the trip. There was an excellent balance of organized activities and free time. Thank you for a great week and for the last minute trip to the winery on departure day!" –Nichol and Yvonne Monaghan, Reading, PA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful week! I loved the variety of daily activities and having time to relax and enjoy a glass of wine after a long day. The wine included at the meals was fabulous and a definite plus! The small group was great. I loved the walks, cooking classes and having plenty of "free time" to explore on my own. There was a an excellent balance between organized activities and free time." Erica Elder, Sydney, Australia (Provence Tour)
"It was a fabulous trip! Thank you!! Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun. I loved the variety of activities, and having plenty of time to relax and explore on my own. My friend Erica Elder chose the trip, so I was a long for the experience and enjoyed every minute of it!!" Carol Franke, Toronto, Canada (Provence Tour)
"Loved it ALL!! The new friends we made, staying in one place as a base and the group size was perfect. Every day was full of fun and lots of laughs! Our guide was wonderful, knowledgeable and lots of fun too! She was always thinking about our needs and available when we needed assistance. Thanks for a great time in Provence! " Ben Francavilla and Jan Hodges, Harrisburg, PA (Provence Tour)
"I had a taste of every piece of heaven that I wanted and expected in the Loire Valley! Loved it all! Great variety, great fun!! Can't wait for the next adventure with you!!" Natalie Spiro, San Diego, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Just a short note to thank you for the wonderful tour this week in the Loire Valley. The variety of our activities and the fun involved, including the friendly and charming people we met, along with the warmth, ease and engaging personality of our guide, all have made this a trip I'll remember for a very long time! I'll certainly be looking at taking another tour with you in the future. Thank you again!" Debbie Versace, Adelaide, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"I'm thrilled that I went hot air ballooning - what a great experience! I loved seeing the chateaux - just what I expected. And, all the Chefs were delightful! I had a great time in Provence last year, and since I wanted to see the Loire Valley, I decided to take another trip with your company. I had a fabulous time again and enjoyed meeting everyone in the group. Thank you!" Margie Krumholz, Washington D.C. (Loire Valley Tour, Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We had a wonderful time! We especially enjoyed the cooking classes, all of the restaurants and loved our huge room at the hotel (gorgeous view). The group was a lot of fun and being able to spend time at Marc's family estate was a special treat. Please look us up if you're ever in NY. " Carmen and Barbara Morano, NY, NY (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Happy to be home but missing Provence~ thank you so much for a great time!! You're the best!!! I was having lunch in Marseilles (bouillabaise at the Miramar YUM), I met Claudia from Paraguay and I told her about your tours! Luckily, I had one of your business cards! I will highly recommend Off the Beaten Path!!" MJ Dino, Los Angeles, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved ALL of it! The pace, variety, quality, sequence of events. Many thanks, you run a very professional and high quality tour. You have exceeded all of my expectations. It has been a memorable trip!" Amanda Croker, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"Loved EVERYTHING! Liked having down time between all of the activities on both tours. These were fabulous trips! In the Loire Valley, cooking and dining with Christophe and Angelique was great, we liked all of the castles, the meals and the hot air ballooning. In Champagne, all of the tours and tastings were very special and each offered something different. We loved that there was someting new to discover each day!" Art and Nancyjo Peters, Chicago, IL (Have been on 2 OTBP tours : Loire Valley Tour, Champagne Tour)
"The walks were all great, and so were the wine experiences and Antoine's cooking class. We enjoyed learning about the different wine appellations and classifications. You did an excellent job and we loved being a part of the tour. Thank you! " Jim Boucher and Marty Uhlmann, Cheyenne, WY (Bordeaux Harvest Tour)
"We had very high expectations for this trip and you far exceeded them every day of the trip!!! This was a wonderful experience, everything was excellent! Our guide was great, really enjoyed the small group and other guests. What a great way to celebrate my 60th birthday! We learned a lot, everyday was a new adventure. You do what you do very well!!! Thanks again for a fun and memorable time! Added Note received from the Krownes - back in NY...I just wanted to share with you once again that "the trip was my dream come true for my 60th birthday"...I keep looking at all the pictures we took and smiling and put the ones you took on my facebook account...and already people are posting such nice comments." Ron & Liliane Krowne and adult children Andrew & Missy, Great Neck, New York (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Cooking class and all of the walks were excellent! You did a great job! Thanks for a wonderful week and lots of laughs in Provence!" Sharon Thiessen, Vancouver, Canada (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"I ate too much, BUT it was ALL sooo very good! The cooking classes were intimate, personal and a lot of fun. Our guide's grasp of French history was superb. Loved how this trip was casual, yet "top-drawer"- we were spoiled everyday and loved it!! I love France! Merci !!!" Cathey Mathias, Cape Canaveral, FL (Loire Valley Tour)
"This trip was truly a dream come true-so much fun and lots of interesting people both in our group and everyone we met during the tour. Loved Christophe C.'s style with us and his staff. I liked the way our guide spent time getting to know each of us individually as to our interests and special needs. The way the history and style of each chateau was recounted seemed to build to a climax. And, the ultimate was going to cooking class in a famous French chef's home and having dinner with them. That was very special! I chose this trip two years ago for the culinary experiences, selection of chateaux and the trip length, and finally was able to find a date that wasn't sold out and fit my schedule. Thanks for helping also to get medicine for cold so I could enjoy my trip." Sandy Ellison, Atlanta, GA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thanks for a spectacular trip in such a beautiful region! We had great dinner conversations. It was very comfortable traveling around in your minivans. The hospitality of such famous chefs was outstanding. GREAT JOB!! Already been to Bordeaux, but after our wonderful Loire experience with you we need to look at dates to come on one of your Provence Tours next!!" Don Drapeau and Betty Folliard, Minneapolis, MN (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful time!! I loved all of the winery tours, wine tastings and fabulous food. Cooking with Antoine was so very special and being welcomed to cook and dine in his home was a very memorable experience. Loved it all!!" Terry Berk, Solana Beach, CA (Bordeaux Harvest Tour)
"Wasn’t sure which was the best email address for you so hopefully this gets to you. Wanted to send out this brief note last week but it has been pretty hectic since returning. ... more importantly, Deni and I did want to let you know that we enjoyed our tour!, something (given the events that happened to us at the end-(Sindels had a family emergency arise towards end of the tour), we may not have communicated. The small size and the people themselves, most of the activities, the area and, of course, yourself made it something we are glad we were able to reschedule after a 10 year wait." Phil and Deni Sindel, Boston, MA (Provence Tour)
"We had a wonderful experience and fun time! You were very accommodating. We especially enjoyed Marc's cooking class at his family's home and the bistrot dinner!" Andy and Marianne Friedman, Phoenix, AZ (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"This was an awesome experience! We loved all of the walks, cooking classes and dinners. You will definitely see us on more trips, and especially looking forward to joining one of your new women's trips to Africa or Vietnam (ROAM Adventures for Women)! " Sisters : Nancy Reilly, Cape May, NJ & Ann Reilly, Los Angeles, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"People of Provence and our small group were great! This was our first tour. We chose it for its' flexibility, group size and we really wanted to experience southern France from a different perspective. Thank you, we had a fun time! The meals were one of the many best parts of the trip. The selection of restaurants and brasseries was excellent. We also enjoyed all of the cooking classes." Deb and Karen Schinnerer (mother/daughter), Michigan and Washington, D.C. (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"I especially loved Cassis, our cooking classes and farewell dinner! My daughter chose this tour for me as a birthday gift. It was my first tour ever, and she chose well! I enjoyed it more than I could have ever imagined, and Off the Beaten Path has set the bar quite high for all that follow." Laurette Mercer, Morristown, NJ (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thanks to our guide for everything, she really made the trip very memorable. I loved seeing the castles and smaller towns of France, meeting the people (both American and French), eating all of the wonderful food, staying at the Chateau des Tertres, and again our guide-she had such interesting information to share. I had always wanted to see the French countryside, but didn't necessarily want to go alone. This was my first tour ever and the bar has been set very high. We never had to worry or think about anything, everything was always taken care of (no worries, exactly what I was looking for). I hope to come back for your Provence Tour!" Ann Johnson, Atlanta, GA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful time here in the Loire. It was so lovely meeting you and all of your friends. Angelique is soo funny and Christophe such a nice guy! All the cooking class chefs were great. We loved everything!" Leonard and Gabriela Bebchick, Washington, D.C. (Loire Valley Tour)
"The walks were exceptional. Our guide's knowledge was outstanding, lots of options each day and the restaurants were also wonderful! Loved the group we created. Thanks for a great time!" Charleen Siemens, Vancouver, Canada (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We had a lot of fun! All the walking and cooking was fabulous! You have so much knowledge of French culture. It is wonderful. I am sending pics in several e-mails." Sisters: Barbara McLean and Patricia Gilbert, Orlando, FL (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We had a wonderful week! Our favorites included the cooking classes, all of the meals and the walk of the Calanques in Cassis! It was an amazing experience. Thank you for everything! We really appreciate your hard work to ensure we had the time of our lives! " Chris and Kim Hopkins, Houston, TX on ex-pat. assignment in Europe (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you! It was wonderful meeting you and learning so much about Provence. The cooking classes and long walks were fun! Loved the bonus at the end of our walk, being able to visit St. Paul de Mausole and Van Gogh's room. Liked that we stayed in one hotel for the duration of the trip and the variety of activities. We really got a nice feeling for the region. " John D. and Linda Shorey, Harrisburg, PA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Had a great time ! Activities were exactly what we would expect from the trip literature. The group, food and activities were fun! Thanks for everything!" Mark and Lyn Fanelli, American ex-pats on assignment in London, UK (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Just wanted to thank you for a fantastic trip. Marc's cooking class and the day in Cassis really stood out. This was my first venture into group travel and it could not have been better! Thank you so much ! " Cathy Gold, New York, NY (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"The dinner experiences were great, as was the hiking and optional biking we chose. We loved the variety in the itinerary and all the places visited. Cassis is beautiful! Thank you! Added note from Stacy : Thanks again for a wonderful trip!" Jim & Stacy Philip, Jacksonville, FL (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you again for a wonderful time. Our guide had such a delightful attitude and understanding of French culture and approach to food, wine and way of life. Loved being in this hotel and the setting! The trip was spectacular! " Persis Knobbe, San Francisco, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Our group was great! Everyone really had fun together. The two cooking classes and chefs were entertaining. Especially loved playing petanque. You were great!!" Dave and Becky Rosinbum, Olympia, WA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Had a great time in Damien's cooking class-wine and cheese tasting too! We liked the market experiences, the gardens at Villandry and especially our trip group-everyone was pleasant and enjoyable. Blois, Azay-le-Rideau and Chambord were our personal favorite castles. The history and architecture interpretation of castles and villages by our guide was excellent.We loved the way this trip was designed to experience French history, culture and food. Thanks you for a wonderful time!" Stephen and Michele Bloom, Fort Collins, CO (Loire Valley Tour)
"Wonderful group of people and our guide was outstanding. Our hotel was so luxurious and with beautiful scenery. Thanks for a memorable experience!" Elaine Binger, San Francisco, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a marvelous week! Marc's cooking class was a real treat, and the hotel accommodation and location in St. Remy was ideal! You were wonderful!" Travel Friends, Winsome McCallum and Gillian Oates, Sydney, Australia (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved St. Remy de Provence and its' market and shops! This was a great trip, thanks for everything! I'll be back!" Stephanie Sanders, San Rafael, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you so much for an amazing trip to Provence! You made this a very special time for Chelsie and me. We appreciate all that you did to show us such a fabulous time. We loved the fun group, the wonderful dinners, the walks and all the cultural information. And, I especially appreciate how special you made me feel on my 60th birthday!! The Champagne was the perfect touch." Renee Jones, Houston, TX (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved everything!!! Marc's class, all of the wonderful meals, the calanques walk, the village walk, it was all INCREDIBLE!! Our guide and my over all experience was extra amazing! Thanks, it was everything I had hoped for!" Chelsie Jones, Brooklyn, NY (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved all of the functions at the private estates! Thanks for a fun week ! " Kevan and Gail Vick, Lawrence, KS (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"I loved the Cassis calanques walk and town, they were both so fantastic and both cooking classes! This trip was more than I had expected, and we loved every minute of it. There was structure, but not too much. We always had the choice to do many different things and that created a nice pace. I could really relax and enjoy myself. The hotel was also fabulous. Thanks for an excellent week! " Tina Alwin, Fort Worth, TX (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Wonderful dinners and cooking classes! Everyone in the group was so much fun to be with, and our guide was just lovely! We had a great time. Thank you!" Ruben and Peggy Shapiro, Bloomfield, CT (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Our guide was wonderful, helpful and friendly. Thank you for helping me get a haircut! The first twi days, especially the dinners, were my favorites of the trip. Please contact me when your women's tours are posted. I would love to join one of them!" Arla Cohen, Long Branch, NJ (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
Loved it all! You did such a great job! Thank you for a fun week. You do your job very well!" Jerry and Helen Rosenthal, NY, NY (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thanks for a truly fun week in Provence! I loved, loved Marc's home, the cooking classes and the 'village to village' hike, the daily walking in the small villages, the small group and staying in the same hotel throughout the entire trip." Elizabeth Creamer, Blacksburg, VA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thanks for this fabulous vacation in Provence. From start to finish it has been the best!! LOved the cooking classes, people and hotel breakfast.Marc's cooking class was an excellent combination of food, beauty and insight into how a family in FRance can live. Dinners were all amazing and the variation and settings were beautiful and delicious! The market and time in St. Remy was a favorite, and the calanques walk was awesome and thrilling. We had a special trip will never forget Provence and our Ameri-French guide. Thank you again for an awesome vacation!" Until next time... Julia Sanders and mother Lois Parry, Philadelphia, PA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for just being you and doing a great job! This is a very creative concept and we were happy to participate in the tour." Dr. Mitch and Dr. Emily Clionsky, Boston, MA (Bordeaux Tour)
"Loved Marc's cooking class, dinner at the second chef's home, the calanques and Cassis village and especially the last dinner at the hide-a-way bistrot! Our guide's knowledge, optimism, enthusiasm for Provence was an inspiration. Thanks for a great week!" Paul and Helen McFadzien, Auckland, New Zealand (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Loved the markets, shopping, the calanques walk and of course the cooking classes. We had a fun time! Thanks again for everything!" Nelly Wong and Sue Ann Ang, Toronto, Canada (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a marvelous trip! Our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable and we had great fellow guests! The cooking classes were a lot of fun and the food was great!!" Paul and Fran Biancardi, Sydney, Australia (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a nice vacation!! We loved going to both Chef's homes, playing petanque, having lunch in the garden. Cassis was also great! Our small group was fun, and our tour guide was excellent!" Frank & Judy DiMaggio, Kennett Square, PA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Our guide's local knowledge and connections to local people and professionals were a real perk on this trip. Made it feel like we were with friends throughout the trip. Her knowledge of local culture, food and history of the area was brilliant. Loved all of the options and flexibility. The trip was well paced and the group dynamic! This trip was even better than anticipated, and I had high expectations. Thank you for a truly exceptional and memorable experience!" Jayne Gowland, Adelaide, Australia (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful week in Provence! We loved meeting you and everyone in the group. We had a fun time!" Cathy, Christie, Cindy and Barbara (mother-daughter trip), San Antonio and Fort Worth, TX (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We loved the planning, commentary and ability to take us to so many special places on this trip! We liked the variety of the villages, the meals and all of the countryside. The walks were memorable and I am so glad I did them (Don)! This trip more than met our expectations. We had a very special experience!!!" Don and Sue Bell, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"This has been an excellent experience for me as a solo traveler. Our guide was warm, patient and very knowledgeable. Cooking classes were great! Thanks again for a fun week!" (additional email sent to us: "Got to see the testiments on the web site and they look great. Thanks again for a great tour.") Trish Ashton, Alexandria, VA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thanks again for a memorable trip! I enjoyed all of the castles, the gardens, time spent in the different villages, ballooning and meeting the Chefs. Our guide was the best, first class at her job." Jaye Gregory, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"The cooking classes and hikes were great! The photo opportunities and pace of schedule and walks were very well planned. We really enjoyed that our guide took lots of photos for us to document the trip. Thanks again!" Richard Leung & Linda Jan, Princeton, NJ (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"This was the BEST tour I have ever been on! I loved how everything flowed. It was relaxing, and knowledge of french history was conveyed in an enjoyable way. Thank you again!!" Nancy and Mark Gutterman, Albany, NY (Loire Valley Tour)
"I really enjoyed the small group, cooking classes, hot air ballooning, the beautiful view from my hotel room and our guide's knowledge and helpfulness! I am looking forward to coming back for your Bordeaux harvest tour." Deborah Ng, Hong Kong (Loire Valley Tour)
"Loved the scenery, markets, walks, restaurants and seeing so much lavender! Excellent variety of activities. Thank you!" Jennifer Tong, Detroit, MI (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you so much for everything. In the Loire, we loved the hot air ballooning, the castles, dinners with the chefs and especially cooking class at home with Christophe and Angelique. And, in Champagne, the tours and tastings, private dinners were all very nice! The tours were wonderul, you did a great job! I would recommend France Off the Beaten Path to my friends." John and Donna Sanfilippo, Chicago, IL (Loire Valley Tour, Champagne Tour)
"Absolutely thought cooking class and dnner at Christophe and Angelique's home was charming, we had a great time with them. The experience was exquisite and humbling. Damine's cooking class was also a very delicious experience. Our guide was "FAB", her knowledge of French history and the region was a definite plus. Thank you again for my birthday surprise (Ann)! We also enjoyed shopping in Blois aand the hot air ballloning" Kat Street and her mom, Ann Street, Maryland and Sweden (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful and memorable first experience in France. We loved the Chefs, especially Christophe and Angelique and Damien's cheese tasting! Next time, we're looking forward to joining you in Provence!" Mike and Jen Williams, Atlanta, GA (Loire Valley Tour)
"The St. Remy market, cooking classes and making new friends was the real high point of this trip for me, Thank you! Marc's family castle and exploring Cassis was unforgettable and I loved our guide's commentary about all the places we visited. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had the best time!" Judy Alwin, Fort Worth, TX (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"You did a great job! I loved all of the markets, Pascal's cooking class and all of the old villages. Thank you again for everything this week!" Rhonda Harvey, Brisbane, Australia (Provence Tour)
"We really loved the trip. Seeing Gordes and Roussillon was spectacular! I (Chris) liked being able to practice French with our guide. Market day and Marc's cooking were also a lot of fun. You did an outstanding job, and we look forward to coming back for another tour." Lisa LeFort and Chris Radlinski, Minneapolis, MN (Provence Tour)
"Many thanks for a great trip. I loved the hot air ballooning!" Nick Norton, London, England (Loire Valley Tour)
"Loved ALL of it! The pace, variety, quality, sequence of events. Many thanks, you run a very professional and high quality tour. You have exceeded all of my expectations. It has been a memorable trip!" Amanda Croker, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"My favorites were Angelique's cooking class, Damien's wine and extensive cheese tasting and the hot air ballooning. Don't change a thing, it was all wonderful, loved it! I had a memorable week, thanks for everything!" Odette Pagan, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"Dinner with Christophe the last evening was sublime! Enjoyed the order of chateaux we visited. Loved Chenonceau, but the last day had such a lovely feel to it, saving the gardens for last. All of the Chefs were wonderful. Thanks for a fabulous tour, wonderful chateax and superb meals!" Kathy Hirschfeld, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"I LOVED it all! Thank you for a wonderful week!" Sarah Maxwell, Valhalla, NY (Provence Tour)
"Our trip was so much more than we expected, very personalized and I had such a wonderful time!! Our Guides were exceptionally knowledgeable about the region, French history, cuisine, culture and wine... I loved everything we did from the cooking class and wine tasting to all the castles we visited and the hot air balloon ride. The week was exciting and fun..." Linda Sites, Los Angeles, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"I really enjoyed the cooking classes and meals. I also really enjoyed going to the savonnerie. I think it is great that you offer truly off the beaten path visits to places I could not have found on my own. Thank you so much for a great time. I really enjoyed it!" Linda Lorenat, San Mateo, CA (Provence Tour)
"I really enjoyed our guide, all of the chefs and spending time with the other members of the group. All were great! I also enjoyed touring the castles and lerning the history them, as well as experiencing the delicious, refined dining. Thank you!" Mary Haas, Washington, D.C. (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you for everything! We had a fabulous time! Had been waiting for a long time to see the gardens at Villandry." Jean Bloch and travel partner and friend Sonya Pancaldo, Manhattan, NY (Loire Valley Tour)
"I really enjoyed Marc's and Pascal's cooking classes, our guide and the surprise at the end of the St. Remy walk! Thanks a million. It's a small world, we'll meet again. This was a wonderful experience!" Nel Bretney, Barbados (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"I had a wonderful week here in the Loire! Thanks for everything!" Wendy Roberts, San Francisco, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"We really enjoyed the cooking classes and of course all of the wonderful French food! We had a great group to add to the fun of this trip. St. Remy is a beautiful and interesting town, lots of history, art and plenty of things to do. And, of course the walks were very enjoyable. We loved the variety of activities you offered and our guide was fun, knowledgeable and very personable. Thank you for a memorable week in Provence!" Yves and Patricia Dussault, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful and memorable vacation. I loved Roussillon. It was beautiful and a big surprise for me. I also thought Cassis was very nice, especially the calanques walk. Both cooking classes were wonderful and in wonderful settings. And finally, our guide was perfect - friendly, knowledgeable, interesting and very helpful. It was a great experience for me to see Provence for the first time "off the beaten path"! Merci beaucoup!" Margie Krumholz, Washington D.C. (Has been on 2 OTBP Tours - Best Adventures in Provence Tour, Loire Valley Tour)
"(Bordeaux Tour): Everything was so wonderful! Our Chef, his family, our Guides and the winery tours were all amazing! Being able to experience all of the activities of this trip was unbelievable. (Loire Valley): Angelique & Christophe felt like I was having dinner with friends in France, and enjoyed the balloon ride over Chenonceau. Balloon trip!! I am so glad I did it, the view was magnificant! Angelique & Christophe were great, and Bernard & Christine were wonderful!" Laurie Crimando followed by husband Bill's feedback, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (Have been on 3 OTBP Tours - Bordeaux Harvest Tour, Loire Valley Tour, Burgundy Tour)
"Thank you for a great time again! We enjoyed the cooking classes and meeting the Chefs, they were informative and fun! Our guide was excellent...the Balloon ride was a unique experience. And we learned many interesting facts about French history during our tours of the chateaus. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed coming back for another one of your small group trips." Charles and Susan Kollar, Princeton, New Jersey (Have been on 3 OTBP Tours - Loire Valley Tour, Bordeaux Tour, Provence Tour)
"A few words to tell you that we loved the tour and the variety of activities and walks. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about French culture and food (as she was last year when we we're on your Bordeaux Tour), and the cooking classes were outstanding. Each one was so different from the other and the food we prepared was amazing! The itinerary description was "spot-on". This was our 2nd tour, we really like that your tours offer so much quality and value! Continue to keep the price vs. value experience, as we're looking forward to a 3rd trip. Thank you for another excellent time!" Terje and Belinda Gudmestad, Los Angeles, CA (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours - Best Adventures in Provence Tour, Bordeaux Wine Tour)
"Wonderful meals on both tours! The calanques walk in Provence was extraordinary. The market in St. Remy was also a great experience. We really enjoyed participating in the cooking classes (Provence and Bordeaux)...There was such a variety of experiences on both tours...it was fun and enlightening! We had such a great time!" Ed and Janet Wood, Pittsburgh, PA (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours - Provence Tour, Bordeaux Tour)
"Gosh the activities just got better and better! We loved the cooking classes and wine tasting (both Bordeaux and Provence). The calanques walk in Provence was also great! Saint Emilion village (Bordeaux) was beautiful, and having all of the winery tour appointments (Bordeaux) made for us was very appealing. We really enjoyed ourselves on both tours!" Bob and Eileen Hamilton, Seneca, SC (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours - Provence Tour, Bordeaux Tour)
"We loved our trip! (Loire Valley): The dinner with Christophe and Angelique in their home was wonderful and the hot air ballooning was amazing! Experiencing the different castles was a great mix and all of the stories came together so well. Christine and Bernard at the Chateau des Tertres were wonderful people. (Provence): We loved Cassis and the villages in the Luberon, they were beautiful and charming, and enjoyed shopping at the market. In general all of the meals were unbelieveable, so good!!" David and Lauren Rush, Thousand Oaks, CA (Have been on 2 OTBP Tours - Loire Valley Tour, Provence Tour)
"I did want to let you know how much I enjoyed myself on the tour and it certainly will be a highlight to remember - and look at the photos with wonderful memories. I really enjoyed the hot air ballooning, loved the history, all the chateaux were great and interesting. I liked the combination of history, food and wine that this trip offered and the good value of the trip itself. Thanks again!" Lisa Jarrold, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"Great group of people and mix of activities! Thank you for a wonderful trip! Especially enjoyed the cooking classes and castles." Michael and Sue Minshall, Perth, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thanks for a lovely trip! We had a wonderful time with you! We especially enjoyed the cooking classes and visiting all of the smaller villages. Next time we come back, we hope to join your Champagne Tour." Jack and Paula Sherman, New York, NY (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful experience in the Loire Valley! The people, hotel, activities and restaurants were all fabulous. We had a marvelous time and will highly recommend you to our friends." Joe & Carolyn Sielski, Allendale, NJ (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you for everything, we had a fabulous time! There was a nice variety of activities, the trip was very well paced and there was a lot of attention to detail. And, our guides were very accommodating wherever possible. We would highly recommend this trip!" David and Amy Abrams, Brookline, MA (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"I loved ALL aspects of the tour; hot air ballooning, wine and cheese tasting, the hotel, our guide, the different castles, the dinners! The cooking classes were especially fantastic. Don't change a thing! You really made this experience wonderful!" Wendy Barnett, Melbourne, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"The trip gets a 5 out of 5! My favorite thing was the extensive cheese and wine tasting with Damien. Thanks to our guide for making this trip so exceptional!" Marti Hyland, Arlington, VA (Loire Valley Tour)
"I loved the cooking classes with amazing Chefs, very high quality! Everything was so smooth, fun and perfectly executed! Thank you!" Melinda Ohmer, San Francisco, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Our guide was terrific! We loved everyone and everything: Christophe and Angelique and making new friends! The trip was full of interesting information and the activities were very well planned and flowed well. We really were able to kick back and enjoy the experience! Thank you sooo much!" Yehuda and Victoria Netanel, Calabasas, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"We were lucky enough to be on your Loire Valley tour in May of 2009. It was spectacular! Everything I had hoped for. I cannot say enough about how enjoyable it was. Our guide was so much fun, so knowledgeable, so professional. She made everything run smoothly and presented the history as if it were a wonderful story book. We were lucky to have her. Thank you!" Todd & Janice Much, Chicago, IL (Loire Valley Tour)
"This was a fabulous way to see the Loire Valley! The mix of activities really made the trip feel extra special, and though I don't cook for myself at home, I really enjoyed the cooking classes and meeting the different Chefs. The trip far exceeded my expectations in every way! I hope to be back soon on your Bordeaux Tour." Hugh McIntyre, Atlanta, GA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you so much for such a great vacation! Katie and I had such fun." Ann Coney and grown daughter, Katie, Stow, MA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Everything was as beautiful and wonderful as I imagined. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and had a wonderful personality. We loved hearing about the castles before exploring them, and there was a nice variety. Our group was the best! Thank you for a dream come true!" Susan Blakey and grown daughter, Shannon, Dallas, TX (Loire Valley Tour)
"We loved the calanques hike, cooking classes with Marc and Pascal, the markets, the walk in the ochre park. The small group was great, we learned a lot of new things about Provence and France in general, plus we did a lot of relaxing. Thank you! We had a blast!" Brent and Marti Gutwein, West Lafayette, IN (Provence Tour)
"A short note to tell you how much I enjoyed the Provence trip and our guide. Her experience, wonderful, upbeat personality, as well as her extensive knowledge of the region made the week both educational and fun! The walk in Cassis, trying "moules frites," the cooking classes, lunch with Marc and talking about French life and culture were wonderful. I will definitely recommend your company to my friends and family, and don't be surprised if you see me on your Loire Valley trip sometime in the next year or two!" Barbara Teiger, Bloomfield, CT (Provence Tour)
"Loved Cassis and having the option to go on the walk or take the boat out to see the calanques, cooking classes were each so different, and the overall travel experience was very comfortable. I loved that we didn't do touristy things! And, I really liked having a great American guide who, since she lives in France, really knows so much about the country, people and daily life. Thank you for a wonderful trip!" Diane Santarsiero, Monkton, MD (Provence Tour)
"Thanks for taking care of us in Bordeaux. We loved participating in all of the activities on the tour. We could have never organized them ourselves. It was a fantastic trip with fun filled days, a truly remarkable experience. We're hoping to hook up on another one of your tours. Always stick with the best. We will highly recommend this trip to our friends and family." Terje and Belinda Gudmestad, Los Angeles, CA (Bordeaux Tour)
"Loved all of the wine tours and tastings, the bread baking class, cooking class and the hotel! We greatly appreciate your kind consideration and expertise. Thanks for making our tour so enjoyable!" Charles and Susan Kollar, Princeton, NJ (Have been on 2 Off the Beaten Path Tours - Bordeaux Tour, Loire Valley Tour)
"Everything really was excellent. The most important factor to me was how comfortable you made the trip for all. It's obviously very important to you that your guests are happy and it shows. This is an incredibly well thought out and planned trip! The variety of activities and winery tours, the different vinification processes and how each is so unique is very well done. There is no repetition and the week just flies by. Not only was it an awesome vacation but I also made new friends, and am very glad we did this trip. Merci!" Dwayne Jarrell and Mike Mitterman, Chicago, IL (Bordeaux Tour)
"We enjoyed the good mix of activities and the fact that the trip wasn't just wine tasting. We had a great group of traveling companions and it was fun getting to know them, as well as meeting the Chefs at cooking class. Seeing the harvest in action was the best! Thank you for taking such good care of us!!" Pam Miller and Jim Rasmussen, Boston, MA (Bordeaux Tour)
"Thank you for such a fun trip! Everyone we met was so warm and friendly. This was our second trip and we surely will be back! You did a great job and we loved all of the activities, you have certainly made this an exceptional experience for us!" Ron and Brenda Clements, Houston, TX (Bordeaux Tour)
"We thoroughly enjoyed our Bordeaux experience with you. Everything was so personalized and the group size was perfect. The variety of activities was very well balanced and our guide was fabulous!" Martin and Patricia Sibliger, Atlanta, GA (Bordeaux Tour)
"Loved both cooking classes and the pace of the tour! The variety of activities and restaurant selections were fabulous! I had a wonderful time. Thank you so much! I hope to come back with my husband next time." Colleen Flynn, Fort Salonga, NY (Provence Tour)
"Thanks for a memorable experience with your French friends. We came to learn more about wine and are going away with so much more. Chateau Yquem was a real treat!" Dr. Allan and Dr. Shirley Graham, St. Louis, Missouri (Bordeaux Tour)
"The tour far exceeded our expectations! Our guides were very knowledgeable, skilled and organized. Well done and many thanks! I would not change a thing." Patrick & Rosemary Tuohey, Victoria, Australia (Bordeaux Tour)
"Just a short note to say thanks for everything you did on the tour, we really enjoyed ourselves again. We feel very fortunate to have "discovered" your tours, they are definitely the best group tours we have ever been on. We had a great time, it was especially neat to spend so much time with Christophe & Angelique." Bill & Laurie Crimando Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (Have been on 3 Off the Beaten Path Tours (see Bill and Laurie's other commentary on this page) - Burgundy Tour, Loire Valley Tour, Bordeaux Tour)
"The hotel accommodations were great! Our guide was fun, knowledgeable and friendly. And being invited to cook and dine with Christophe and Angelique in their home was definitely one of the many highpoints. Thank you for a wonderful experience!!" Duncan and Mary Ann Aldrich, Reno, NV (Loire Valley Tour)
"This was a marvelous trip, everything was so personalized. I especially enjoyed the bread making, cooking class and the superb wines." Dudley & Rita King, Hilton Head, South Carolina (Bordeaux Tour)
"We had a spectacular time! We saw France as insiders and felt like we spent the week with friends and family! Thank you for a wonderful vacation! We look forward to another Off the Beaten Path tour!" John & Barbara Lawless, Hendersonville, NC (Bordeaux Tour)
"On a scale of 1 to 10, your Champagne tour gets a 100!!! By far one of the best small group trips we have been on. There was so much attention to detail and ensuring that each of us was well attended to. Our entire group really felt very welcome and special everywhere we went, like everyone was happy to see you, our guide, and us, as your guests! Thanks from all of us for a memorable time! We're looking forward to another trip with you!" Tom & Priscilla Peters and friends, San Francisco, CA (Private Group Champagne Tour)
"Thanks for the trip of a lifetime! We want to come again. Hotel was excellent, relaxing, quiet and very conveniently located, the pace of the trip was just right, loved the cheese maker's farm and the potter's workshop, the restaurants were wonderful experiences and our guide was very informative and accommodating!" Teri Foster and Harmony Rodriguez, Oxnard, CA (Provence Tour)
"We are world travelers and this was our first time joining a tour group, and we had the time of our lives!! We really enjoyed learning about Provence with a knowledgeable guide who was fun, cheerful and helpful, as well as meeting the other trip guests. From the Luberon villages, both cooking classes to our hotel in Saint Remy de Provence, this was an exceptional and relaxing experience!" Loren and Althea Korte, Lexington, MA (Provence Tour)
"Thank you for the wonderful tour and excellent care during our trip to the Loire Valley. Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year!" Jim & Deb Hassell, Anchorage, Alaska (Loire Valley Holiday Tour)
"We enjoyed every minute of this trip! The history of the Loire Valley castles was interesting and the hot air ballooning was fabulous. There was a nice balance between the gourmet meals and walking at the castles. We had the time of our lives! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!" David and Sue O'Brien, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"Our sincere thanks for a wonderful week! We thoroughly enjoyed being introduced to the history, culture, food and wine (with generous application) of the Loire Valley. Our guide made this a truly memorable experience!" John and Kathleen Newcombe, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thank you for a great vacation! Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. Gordes and Roussillon were marvelous and I especially enjoyed the cooking classes." Julia Holmes, Silver Spring, MD (Provence Tour)
"The mix of all the different experiences made this a totally enjoyable visit! I loved the cafes, food, cooking classes, the little villages, cassis and calanques and the other guests! Our guide was really knowledgeable, and went out of her way to make this an unforgettable vacation for all of us in the group!" Ross Lomon, Toronto, Canada (Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful time! Our guide was a delight; very knowledgeable and friendly. I loved the calanques, cassis village and the cooking classes. Marc was very charming and his family villa stunning. This was an excellent way to discover Provence! Thank you again!" Gail Janes, Washington D.C. (Provence Tour)
"We had a marvelous time!! The cooking class with Christophe and Angelique was highly enjoyable. I am not a knowledgeable cook so I greatly enjoyed our time with them. Our daily excursions to the castles were very well balanced and informative with free time to explore and have lunch. Our guide was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. And, I absolutely was thrilled with the hot air ballooning, it was excellent!! Our pilot, Charles, oozed with French charm. Thank you again for a enjoyable trip!" Ted and Bar Hewlett, Essex, UK (Loire Valley Tour)
"This was the most enjoyable small group trip we have ever been on! From our guide to the meals, the hotel and everything in between, we can't tell you enough how fabulous it all was!! We will definitely recommend you to our friends and family." Sean & Tina Zeigler, NY, NY (Provence Tour)
"Thank you for a wonderful 'first time' experience to France. Provence is so beautiful and the people we met throughout the trip were so friendly. We really enjoyed every day!!! We plan on coming back hopefully next year for the Loire Valley Tour." Dave & Joyce Johnson, Chicago, IL (Provence Tour)
"Thank you for the most wonderful vacation we have ever had!! Our Guides were the best! Their knowledge, thoughtfulness, flexibility, liveliness and inspiring conversations will stay forever in our memories. The hotel was absolutely delightful. We really enjoyed the composition of the group and the size of the group, as well as our visits of the Castles, the meals, balloon ride, wine tasting, markets and cooking class! We so much appreciate everything you did for us!" Marilyn Bartholme and John Simon-Ash, Mahwah, New Jersey (Loire Valley Tour)
"Our trip was so much more than we expected, very personalized and I had such a wonderful time!! Our Guides were exceptionally knowledgeable about the region, French history, cuisine, culture and wine. We met many of our guides' local friends who are prominent chefs and wine producers. I loved everything we did from the cooking class and wine tasting to all the castles we visited and the hot air balloon ride. The week was exciting and fun, and I especially loved meeting all of the Chefs following our dinners." Linda Sites, Los Angeles, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Thanks for a great tour!!!! The food and wine was fantastic, hospitality of Christophe and Angelique was enjoyable, friendly and educational. Christophe Cosme's kitchen experience was great, as were the castles and hot air ballooning. And our guide was informative, helpful and friendly." Catherine Perkins, Brisbane, Australia (Loire Valley Tour)
"What a wonderful trip!!! The hotel was so beautiful, and Bernard and Christine were the perfect hosts. I loved all of our meals and being able to meet the Chefs after dinner! Our Guides were flexible and knowledgeable about everything. There are too many things I loved about the trip to list them all!" Janet Coe, Los Angeles, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Our Guides and our hosts at the hotel were delightful. Our Loire Valley experience was a complete success! Thank you so much for making our trip such a wonderful experience! The hotel was beautiful, the food out of this world and all of the activities were exceptional!" Hannah Jones, Los Angeles, CA (Loire Valley Tour)
"The dinner at the 13th century chateau was outstanding, as were the evenings with each of the cooking class Chefs. Enjoyed the chateaux visits, hot air ballooning and our knowledgeable guide." Veronica and Herb Stein, New York, New York (Loire Valley Tour)
"Additional note sent to us: I loved the Chateaux, meals, the hot air ballooning, the other tour participants and our tour guide and her willingness to share information about life in France. (An added note sent to us from Kay): Thanks very much for the picture. It is nice to have it to remind us of the tour. We continue to think that you offer a first class tour. I must confess that one of my best stories has been about our balloon ride." Admiral Ralph and Kay West, Arlington, VA (Loire Valley Tour)
"Enjoyed the castles, meals, balloon ride, special guides, plus our main tour guide and her attitude and knowledge." Ralph West, Arlington, VA (Loire Valley Tour)
"I DID find this entire experience was remarkable! Our Guide was fabulous, knowledgeable, courteous and engaging! I was amazed that every walk and winery tour could be so different and exciting. Thanks for the excellent food, lots of great wine and good company, thanks for a fabulous time!" Lauren Sheridan, New York, New York (Bordeaux Tour)
"I loved tasting wines under the guidance of our Tour Guide, Antoine and Remi! We all agree that this was a wonderful trip!" Dr. Cathleen Dohrn, Chicago, Illinois (Bordeaux Tour, 2005 Tour de France Tour)
"What a fabulous trip, it far exceeded all of our expectations! Thank you for everything, especially for having taken such good care of us and providing such a memorable experience of the Bordeaux wine region!" Don and Christine Allen, Queensland, Australia (Bordeaux Tour)
"Everything came together to compliment a wonderful experience. Good friendship, a wonderful host, to arrive as strangers and leave as friends! Thanks for making it a trip to remember! A special thanks to our guide, for a wonderful trip and marvelous friendship." William (Bill) Jones, Johannesbourg, South Africa (Bordeaux Tour)
"Awesome experience! Worth waiting 50 years for (celebrated her 50th birthday on this trip). Thank you Antoine, Claire and family for making us feel so welcome. Thank you for a wonderful trip, hopefully the start of many more trips here and in South Africa." Joanne Jones, Johannesbourg, South Africa (Bordeaux Tour)
"Really enjoyed our guide, Chefs, Angelique and Christophe (and his apple tart), the castles, excellent choice of restaurants, the 13th century chateau being a fabulous setting for dinner, and finally, our beautiful and quiet chateau accommodations. (following is 2nd comment sent to us) Its been a while since I returned from the Loire Valley trip. I just wanted you to know what a wonderful time my sister and I had with on the tour. I am putting my pictures and momentos in a scrap book. As I am looking at all the beautiful Chateaux we visited I am just overwhelmed by the beauty of them all. Its was positively one of the best trips I've ever taken. I absorbed so much. The food was exquisite and the people of France were so warm and wonderful. I loved our evenings with Angelique and Christophe. I bought a copper pan in which to make my tarte. I purchased it from Williams Sonoma exclusively to make the famous Tarte Tatin for which Christophe won his award. You were just wonderful. It was a very warm experience." Diana Pleva, Los Angeles, CA (Loire Valley Tour)