This year I’ve already led three French Country Adventures to Provence, the Basque Country, and the Tarn, Gard and Camargue. Some of my slow travelers have been repeat clients.  Some were quiet, while others shone. Some were shy and some were funny. Some of the things I’ve overheard merited writing down, such as “I know more French when I drink wine.”, and “A little bit of me goes a long way.” And some of my clients have written wonderful notes to me about their time in France and what the tour meant to them.

Basque Country Tour in San Sebastián, Spain

Tarn, Gard & Camargue Tour at Salins d’Aigues-Mortes

Edible Provence Tour at Le Prieuré La Madelene

One client sent me this note and photo.

“Dear Sue,

I hope you’re doing well. I just want to tell that the wine I ordered on our trip in April just arrived 2 days ago. I think it was worth the wait. Very special memories. I left my heart there. I’m telling you in my previous life I lived in Avignon. If only I remember how to speak the language. PS creating south of France atmosphere whenever I can.”

Best wishes,

Lana

Newly arrived Chateau Beaurenard wine.

The Edible Provence Tour spent the day in Chateauneuf du Pape on a wine tour with Dany MItchel. We had a fabulous lunch at Les Verger des Pape, then had a tour and tasting at Domaine de Beaurenard, an organic winery that uses the Demeter method of planting and harvesting by the cycles of the moon.

Traveling slowly changes you. It can mark your heart in imperceptible ways.

Sue Aran lives in the Gers department of southwest France. She is the owner of French Country Adventures, which provides private, personally-guided, small-group, slow travel tours into Gascony, the Pays Basque, Provence and beyond. She writes a monthly blog about her life in France and is a contributor to Bonjour Paris and France Today magazines. Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France, England and other European countries.