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European Experiences Small group tours in Europe's most beautiful places: Provence, Tuscany, Cotswolds, Dordogne, Alsace, Cornwall, Puglia, Paris... and now Morocco.
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Now in our 19th year!

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY AND DISCOUNT!  We're offering a 40% DISCOUNT for one or two people (shared room) for our Périgor...
16/08/2024

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY AND DISCOUNT! We're offering a 40% DISCOUNT for one or two people (shared room) for our Périgord Experience week, September 4 - 11.

We just had a cancellation in the trip due to an unexpected illness and hope someone else can take advantage of the opportunity to join us for this very special week. The lovely Dordogne region of southwest France is famous for its rivers, castles, prehistoric sites, and exceptional cuisine. Based in the village of Montignac on the Vézère river, our Périgord week includes a day in the historic town of Sarlat on market day, explorations of several of France's most beautiful villages, castles and gardens; visits to famous prehistoric sites; and memorable meals.

See our website for more info about this trip. Contact Kathy ASAP at [email protected] with questions or to book this trip. Trip must be booked by August 20. Please share with others who might be interested!

The Périgord Experience 2024 Dates: Sept 4-11; Sept 11-18 2025 Dates: June 14-21; June 21-28 The Périgord Experience was launched in 2013, and we’ve hosted groups in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022. This trip is based in the … Continue reading →

Another special place in Provence... the Camargue!  Base in Arles for a few days before or after our Luberon Experience ...
13/08/2024

Another special place in Provence... the Camargue! Base in Arles for a few days before or after our Luberon Experience or Mediterranean Provence weeks and enjoy a day trip to this very unique area.

Horses, bulls and birds of all types live among the pink marshes of the Camargue, a rugged landscape shaped by the relentless push and pull of sea and river.

Aix-en-Provence is one of our favorite places in Provence!  Many of our Luberon Experience and Mediterranean Provence Ex...
13/08/2024

Aix-en-Provence is one of our favorite places in Provence! Many of our Luberon Experience and Mediterranean Provence Experience travelers spend a few days here before or after their week with us. Lots of great tips in this article! Who else loves Aix?

Here's how to plan the perfect trip to Aix-en-Provence, including the best things to do, places to stay, and more.

With the Olympics on everyone’s minds, tongues, and newsfeeds, so too is the wonderful city of Paris! Organizers have ex...
05/08/2024

With the Olympics on everyone’s minds, tongues, and newsfeeds, so too is the wonderful city of Paris!

Organizers have excelled in highlighting the city’s spectacular landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, and the Seine.

If all the stunning shots you’ve seen on TV have you dreaming of Paris, we can help!! We’d love to explore and enjoy Paris with you, and reveal some of its best kept secrets!

We are waiting list only for our Paris trips this fall, but we do have openings in 2025 in both our Inside Paris and Paris Experience trips. You can find more information about 2024 trips here: https://european-experiences.com/2024-trips/ and about 2025 trips here: https://european-experiences.com/2025-trips-2/.

Another theme coming out of our Portugal research trip is the rich textile traditions in this area.  We’ve met artisans ...
04/08/2024

Another theme coming out of our Portugal research trip is the rich textile traditions in this area. We’ve met artisans in different categories, practicing their trade from tiny to immense scales.

Maria, in the village of Ponte da Lima, is a seamstress, who sews local clothing and accessories. She also specializes in embroidery, a Portuguese skill dating back to the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, this intricate art form has passed down to future generations. Locals can even determine exactly where a particular linen has come from, based on its traditional color and stitching. This week, Jennifer and JP got to try their hand during an embroidery workshop. And we hope to organize this experience for our travelers.

Next up was a visit to the heart of Portugal’s textile manufacturing region near Guimarães. We met the CEO of the Lameirinho factory, established in 1948. Paolo is the 3rd generation in this company, overseeing a team of 800, manufacturing top quality luxury sheets and bedding, and exporting them around the world. Some employees have been with them for 40 years, passing on their skills to younger family members who continue to work here. Paolo says that we may not have heard of their brand, but we will all have slept on their soft Portuguese cotton sheets without knowing, if we’ve ever stayed at well-known American hotel groups.

Maria and Paolo produce different end-products and in different quantities, but their pride in traditional “Made in Portugal” textiles is what they have in common.

Join us in 2025 to experience these visits first hand.

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

We love this picture of our Bonnieux apartment, taken by .eu! We have the top two floors of the building right in the mi...
03/08/2024

We love this picture of our Bonnieux apartment, taken by .eu! We have the top two floors of the building right in the middle.

Over the last 10 years we’ve enjoyed this home base, and the advantageous position in the village that it offers. We’re steps from the Clos du Buis where we host our Luberon Experience trips, the main market square with several restaurants, a nice shopping street, and of course, the village boulangerie!

Because of its corner position, the building has been photographed often over the decades and it’s such a treat to spot our apartment and see how others view it and how it’s changed with time.

For info about renting our apartment: https://bonnieux-apartment.com/

During our research trip in Northern Portugal, we’ve experienced incredibly warm hospitality. And we’ve also observed  l...
03/08/2024

During our research trip in Northern Portugal, we’ve experienced incredibly warm hospitality. And we’ve also observed locals embracing religious tourists in this part of the country.

Several towns are on the Camino road leading to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. We’ve encountered pilgrims and come across “stamp counters” welcoming walkers with refreshments, souvenirs and a chat.

There are many sanctuaries in the area, little chapels dedicated to a saint or a miracle. These are usually up on a hill, with views and facilities. Some never close their doors, ensuring no traveller is without shelter. Lastly, numerous religious buildings house beautiful tiles and priceless works of art, beckoning all visitors.

This week, we had the immense pleasure of being guided around the last remaining monastery in Portugal, by the Abbot himself. This dynamic and friendly man, Dom Bernadine, leads 20 brothers in their religious pursuit and way of life. In addition, he is a remarkable artist, sculpting both wood and marble into beautiful decorations. We spent 1.5 hours entranced by the monastic complex, the Abbot’s creations and his positive energy. We felt more than welcomed.

In Portugal, a deep religious history has continued into modern times, with faith taking a central role in much of daily life, including tourism.

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

“Bom dia,” or good day, from charming Guimarães in Northern Portugal!This perfectly preserved medieval town is protected...
02/08/2024

“Bom dia,” or good day, from charming Guimarães in Northern Portugal!

This perfectly preserved medieval town is protected by UNESCO for its “Outstanding Universal Value”, notably its construction style which was exported to colonies around the world. Secondly are the 1000 years of history, as the birthplace of modern Portugal, and where the first Portuguese king was born.

Beautiful Guimarães will also be our home-away-from-home during the 2025 Portugal Experience weeks. And we are in love with our hotel!

Located in a former noble mansion, our small, independently owned hotel faces the church and a square filled with cafes. During our research trip, we have enjoyed getting to know the owner, Ernesto, and his wife, Teresa. One evening, they invited us to a very special dinner amongst friends and business colleagues. The hotel restaurant launched the new season’s menu with matching Portuguese wines

Not only was it a delicious meal, but we were also warmly received by everyone at the table. With a mix of English, French and Portuguese, it was a great cultural exchange. The conversations were lively and we even shared our favorite songs on Spotify! It was a magical evening.

We are looking forward to returning with our travelers, so that they can enjoy the very special hospitality of the Portuguese people.

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

Olá from Portugal! We wish you were here!Our research trip is going smoothly, as we uncover hidden gems to share with ou...
31/07/2024

Olá from Portugal! We wish you were here!

Our research trip is going smoothly, as we uncover hidden gems to share with our travelers in 2025.

Our last evening in Porto was spent in the company of Ricardo on a tasting tour of the city. We had a great time grazing the market and small food shops with this passionate foodie. We tasted local cheese, charcuterie, sardines, bread, coffee, pastries, and multiple wines, all while learning about the Portuguese way of life. Our tastebuds led us to a savoury “bifana” pork sandwich in a local tavern, as well as “bacalhau” croquettes with “dirty rice” (salt cod and tomato rice) at a trendy neighborhood spot.

This food walking tour is such a fun way to dive into the buzz of Porto and enjoy the friendly Northern Portuguese hospitality. And we’ll do it all over again, as our ice breaker activity on our welcome evening. We can’t wait!

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

Reporting from our Portugal research trip this week: next stop, a visit of the Gaia riverside in Porto. This dock area i...
30/07/2024

Reporting from our Portugal research trip this week: next stop, a visit of the Gaia riverside in Porto. This dock area is famous as the home of several Port wine cellars. All the big names have facilities here, including Sandemans, Taylor’s, Grahams and more. We were advised to visit Burmester cellars for its spectacular location at the foot of the bridge. This immense stone warehouse did not dissapoint and we enjoyed a tour followed by a tasting of 3 vintage ports.

Port wine originates in the steeply terraced Duoro River valley. All grapes in this beautiful region are hand-harvested, then produced into Port, a fortified wine that can be white, ruby or tawny. Once in barrels it is shipped downstream on flat vessels to Porto, to be aged, bottled and transported around the world.

Our groups will experience both phases of the Port wine process, with time spent in the UNESCO protected Duoro vineyards, followed by a day in Porto. We are certain to partner with Burmester, as the presentation was passionate, the place beautifully historic and the wines delicious!

Join us for a little tipple in 2025.

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

We are excited to announce that we are going to be able to exceptionally offer two weeks of the Périgord Experience next...
30/07/2024

We are excited to announce that we are going to be able to exceptionally offer two weeks of the Périgord Experience next June (2025), due to the unexpected availability of our team members.

This is such a special trip, in a region rich in culinary delights, beautiful scenery, prehistoric sites, and medieval history. We love our stay in the charming village of Montignac, which spans the Vézère River. Every day brings a new and unique experience... and delicious food!

We are also offering this trip this September (2024) and still have a few openings in our first week. This would be a really lovely place to spend the beginning of the summer or fall! Check out our website at the link in our bio for more information about the trip and to contact us.

29/07/2024

A little taste of the ambiance in Afurada, a neighborhood of Porto, formerly a fisherman’s village on the Atlantic. Locals line up to enjoy the mouthwateringly fresh barbecue sardines, salads and potatoes, all washed down with Viño Verde, a fresh white wine from Northern Portugal. Join us for lunch here in 2025!

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

European Experiences is in Portugal this week! Jennifer and JP, our co-leaders, are trying out some of the activities an...
29/07/2024

European Experiences is in Portugal this week!

Jennifer and JP, our co-leaders, are trying out some of the activities and restaurants planned for our 2025 trips. Just a one week-long European Experience requires several weeks of research, making local connections and concentrated itinerary planning.

Jennifer is on her 3rd Portuguese reconnaissance mission and this is JP’s first. They’ve started the week in Porto. This colorful riverside city will host our ice-breaker welcome evening and another full day’s outing during our trip.

JP & Jennifer have tried out the funicular ride down to the port, a unique experience offering phenomenal views. They walked across the iconic Luis I bridge and made their way to the estuary where the Atlantic meets the Duoro River. The ocean fog cleared just in time for lunch. At a former fishing village, now a neighborhood of Porto, they enjoyed a bbq sardine lunch at a popular locals’ spot. While people crowded around waiting for a table, a musician entertained the street. This was exactly the kind of immersive, authentic experience our team was hoping to find!

Our « reccie » trip to Portugal is getting off to a great start!

https://european-experiences.com/portugal-experience/

Last Minute Opportunity on Fall trips! 15% discount!We’ve had a few cancellations and have openings in three of our upco...
27/07/2024

Last Minute Opportunity on Fall trips! 15% discount!

We’ve had a few cancellations and have openings in three of our upcoming small-group trips this fall. We're extending a 15% special discount, available until August 3.

The Périgord Experience in the Dordogne (southwest France)
September 4 – 11: Three openings.
https://european-experiences.com/perigord-dordogne-france/

The Luberon Experience in Provence
September 21 – 28: Two openings.
https://european-experiences.com/luberon-france/

The Luberon Experience Women’s Week
September 28 – October 5: One opening.
https://european-experiences.com/luberon-france/

Contact [email protected] for more information!

It’s that magical, purple-tinted time of year: lavender season in the Luberon… and the Cotswolds! Can you tell which is ...
13/07/2024

It’s that magical, purple-tinted time of year: lavender season in the Luberon… and the Cotswolds! Can you tell which is which?

We usually visit the Cotswolds right around the beginning of lavender season, and it’s always a lovely surprise to see the bright colors! While we don’t visit the Luberon during the summer (as it’s peak tourist season), our apartment is always available to rent if you want to go lavender-field hunting!

Our European Experience trips aren’t just about the beautiful places and unique experiences… they’re also very much abou...
06/07/2024

Our European Experience trips aren’t just about the beautiful places and unique experiences… they’re also very much about the people. We love our connections with local people and also the friends we make in our small groups.

Last night’s farewell dinner at our wonderful Cotswolds hotel was very much a celebration of our special week and the new friendships that always enhance our experience. (And of course a bountiful and delicious meal!!)

Friday was the last full day of our Cotswolds Experience week. In the afternoon we visited Snowshill Manor and Garden, l...
06/07/2024

Friday was the last full day of our Cotswolds Experience week. In the afternoon we visited Snowshill Manor and Garden, located in the countryside adjacent to the picturesque village of Snowshill.

The eccentric owner Charles Wade filled the house with his extensive and eclectic collections, while he lived in a small outbuilding. He also worked with a prominent architect to create a beautiful Arts and Crafts garden that surrounds the house and old farm buildings. The garden is now over 100 years old.

It was overcast in the morning when we visited Broadway (though no rain) but we had blue skies for our time at Snowshill.

Although it’s outside the Cotswolds “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” Stratford-upon-Avon is just 30 minutes from ou...
04/07/2024

Although it’s outside the Cotswolds “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” Stratford-upon-Avon is just 30 minutes from our base in Chipping Campden. Our group enjoyed our day in Stratford… Shakespeare’s town! As a group, we visited Holy Trinity Church, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and New Place… then time on our own to explore more, have lunch, and shop.

Another fun day in the Cotswolds! After beginning our morning in Moreton-in-Marsh (market day!), some of us learned abou...
03/07/2024

Another fun day in the Cotswolds! After beginning our morning in Moreton-in-Marsh (market day!), some of us learned about birds of prey at the Cotswold Falconry Centre. Others enjoyed the lovely Bourton House garden nearby. We had lunch at the village pub in Snowshill and then visited the lavender farm. We also loved the colorful wildflower meadow.

And always a highlight… an evening at the historic Fleece Inn in Bredforton!

Monday afternoon on The Cotswolds Experience. The gardens in this area are one of the highlights of our week. Just five ...
01/07/2024

Monday afternoon on The Cotswolds Experience. The gardens in this area are one of the highlights of our week. Just five miles from Chipping Campden, in a quiet spot in the countryside, Hidcote is one of England’s most famous gardens. Created by Lawrence Johnston beginning in 1907, it’s known for its series of garden “rooms.”

It was cooler today, and overcast, with a brief shower while we were at Hidcote… perfect timing to visit the tea room. But that meant there weren’t many visitors at this very popular garden… easy to wander, explore, enjoy, and take photos.

We welcomed our second Cotswolds Experience group on Saturday afternoon… a fun group of 12 people.  Kathy’s daughter Kel...
30/06/2024

We welcomed our second Cotswolds Experience group on Saturday afternoon… a fun group of 12 people. Kathy’s daughter Kelly is also with us for a few days, and Kathy is joined by her local co-leader/driver Zoe. We’re enjoying getting to know each other, experiencing the beautiful countryside, and sampling delicious and bountiful food!

One last post, as we wish our Inside Bath travelers farewell, and we’ve saved the best for last. Here’s a look back at s...
29/06/2024

One last post, as we wish our Inside Bath travelers farewell, and we’ve saved the best for last. Here’s a look back at some food highlights of our short time together.

Bath and Bristol are located in Somerset county, well known throughout the country for agriculture and food producers. This is the region where real Cheddar cheese is made, along with apple cider, artisanal breads, hams, fresh dairy products, and beautiful fruits and vegetables. It’s a big foodie destination in Britain and we certainly explored it.

Already posted was our fish & chip dinner at a nationally award-winning restaurant, featuring fish caught that morning. We also had dinner at a “gastro-pub”, with a friendly pub setting and a creative twist on traditional dishes. A highlight was our lunch taken as a formal afternoon tea at the Royal Crescent Hotel. Taking a break from local cuisine, we had a night out at an Indian curry restaurant, an institution in Bath, with its dining room in a former ballroom. Lastly the most outstanding meal was at Root in nearby Bristol, where we were treated to a rainbow of absolutely delicious vegetarian sharing plates.

The “British Food Revolution” regularly makes headlines in the UK, with many creative chefs using ingredients sourced in this “green and pleasant land”. We definitely made the most of the local cuisine during our inside Bath experience.

https://european-experiences.com/inside-bath/

“Ship shape and Bristol fashion” was the theme of our last day on Inside Bath.  We explored the historic harbor with our...
29/06/2024

“Ship shape and Bristol fashion” was the theme of our last day on Inside Bath. We explored the historic harbor with our favorite guide, Lindsey, a proud resident of this important maritime city.

Bristol was the capital port during the heyday of British trading on the high seas, during the 18th and 19th centuries. We learned so much about the vibrant community of traders, sailors and pirates who inspired authors to write classic novels, such as Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe.

After a 12 minute train ride from Bath, we enjoyed a short cruise through the warehouse district, a walking tour of the historic dockside quarter, a fabulous lunch at “veg led” Root, and a tour of the SS Great Britain steamship.

Bristol is a youthful, vibrant and cool city that is a contrast to bourgeois Bath. It was a great way to wrap up our trip discovering this memorable corner of Southwest England.

https://european-experiences.com/inside-bath/

The last major Experience of our Cotswolds Women’s Week: the Cotswolds lavender farm at Snowshill.  (Because of the weat...
28/06/2024

The last major Experience of our Cotswolds Women’s Week: the Cotswolds lavender farm at Snowshill. (Because of the weather the lavender is blooming late here this year, and we wanted to give it as much time as possible.)

The farm has many varieties of lavender, and most were in full bloom. The wildflower meadows were also spectacular… we loved the colors! 🌺

Our Inside Bath group has been getting behind the scenes of the Georgian lifestyle. The stunning city of Bath has, effec...
28/06/2024

Our Inside Bath group has been getting behind the scenes of the Georgian lifestyle. The stunning city of Bath has, effectively, been frozen in time. Most of the architecture dates back to a 100-year span from the mid 1700s to 1800s, when Britain was ruled by four King George’s in succession.

At this time, the country was booming, with various interests abroad, including the colonies and otherwise. There was immense wealth, particularly in London and Bath. The upper class loved this city and built beautiful mansions out of a local golden stone. Many streets are laid out with “terraces” of attached homes, the most famous being the Royal Crescent.

During our time together, we’ve been in, out and around these impressive buildings, learning about the society at the time. Even our comfortable and pretty hotel has been converted from a Georgian townhouse! We definitely have had an immersive experience in real places used in productions such as Bridgeton, and many Jane Austen stories, all filmed in Bath.

https://european-experiences.com/inside-bath/

Our Cotswolds women had a beautiful day at Blenheim Palace… but first a stop at the Rollright Stones (a prehistoric ston...
27/06/2024

Our Cotswolds women had a beautiful day at Blenheim Palace… but first a stop at the Rollright Stones (a prehistoric stone circle dating back to 2500 BC).

The special exhibition on Icons of British Fashion was a fun surprise.

Our group is super-compatible and really enjoys being together!

The adventure continues for our group on Inside Bath. Accompanied by bright summer sunshine, we wandered away from the b...
27/06/2024

The adventure continues for our group on Inside Bath.

Accompanied by bright summer sunshine, we wandered away from the busy Bath city center for a walk along the historic Kennet & Avon canal. Opened in 1811, this waterway allowed heavy cargo to be safely transported between Bristol (on the Atlantic) to London (inland). Back then, long barges were towed by horses walking by the side of the canal. Nowadays, people enjoy strolling along the “towpath”, observing modern pleasure boats, canal life, nature and gardens.

Our group really enjoyed this outing. One of our sportier travellers helped the local “lock keepers” manually crank open the heavy doors to allow a boat to make its way down the canal. We saw a heron, swans and ducks. We walked amidst golden stone villas dating to the late 1700s. We chatted with locals and got friendly with a resident cat!

This afternoon was the epitome of the quaint British summertime.

https://european-experiences.com/inside-bath/

A special treat for our Cotswolds Women’s group this evening. We were invited to visit the beautiful garden of Mrs. Eliz...
26/06/2024

A special treat for our Cotswolds Women’s group this evening. We were invited to visit the beautiful garden of Mrs. Elizabeth Smith here in Chipping Campden. Elizabeth is a very active 96 years old and has planned the development of her garden over 22 years, now with the help of our friend George who is her gardener (George arranged our visit and joined us with his wife Sue.).

The roses were especially beautiful… over 90 different varieties. And the evening light on the golden Cotswold stone provided the perfect backdrop.

We appreciated Elizabeth’s warm welcome and her hospitality. And special thanks too to George and Sue!

We kicked off our Inside Bath trip with a brilliant welcome in this historic city. England really revealed her best with...
26/06/2024

We kicked off our Inside Bath trip with a brilliant welcome in this historic city.

England really revealed her best with a warm summer’s evening, which we enjoyed during an overview stroll with our guide, Lindsey. Then we joined the locals for cider and draft beers at The Raven pub, an institution in Bath. They were impressed to see our group of Americans playing “Shove Ha-penny”, a typical pub board game, which Lindsey taught us.

When hunger called, we walked to another locals’ favorite, The Scallop Shell, for delicious fish & chips. This restaurant regularly wins awards for the best in its category, across Britain. And, as we do our best to cater for special diets, one of our travellers was thrilled to be able to order her meal made with gluten-free batter.

We’re off to a good start!

https://european-experiences.com/inside-bath/

Another glorious day of sun in the Cotswolds! Our women’s group enjoyed the Moreton-in-Marsh market, the lovely Bourton ...
26/06/2024

Another glorious day of sun in the Cotswolds! Our women’s group enjoyed the Moreton-in-Marsh market, the lovely Bourton House garden, lunch at the pub in the village of Snowshill, and Snowshill Manor and garden. In the evening we had a fun visit and delicious dinner at the historic Fleece Inn in Bretforton.

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