our Tours

the mission

Our tours can be thought of as ‘deep dives’ that might include winemaker visits, great meals, meeting artisans and farmers, and maybe even dining with guest visitors. Together, we’ll visit the kitchens, wineries, olive mills, and other small businesses that you would surely miss by not wandering far enough away from the big cities.

And ultimatley, hanging out together, we’ll fill up your camera and notebook with some fantastic memories, and great stories of your own.

Let’s go adventure together…

A detailed illustrated map of France featuring iconic landmarks, foods, and cultural symbols associated with various regions, including references to landscapes, cities, and activities.

Upcoming Tours

  • Starting in the south of Liguria, and finishing somewhere near Naples, we'll visit at least three wineries, and also three olive oil producers.

    And I promise...you WILL be off the beaten path for this trip. We'll travel together in a spacious passenger van, and stay in super-comfortable (but not over-the-top) accommodations. And wait til you meet my new buddy Pasquale in Lucca. Phillip Seymour-Hoffman lives!

    READ MORE…

  • That's sort of a jerky title name isn't it? I just couldn't think of anything more appropriate though, because for this tour, done with a combo of a van AND some train travel, we'll draw a big circle around the place I've called home for the last 9 years.

    We'll start in Paris for lunch and then train to Orléans where we'll begin a downstream tour of the Loire that finishes in Nantes. Along the way we'll see at least four wineries, eat at some of our favorite restaurants, and best of all, you’ll get some home cooking too!

    The daylight will be long, and we'll be outside for a lot of this one. Some gentle walk along the river should be in order.

    READ MORE…

  • I'm in love. A few friends (and spontaneous travelers) joined me here last November on a scouting mission and we all agreed. Let's go back!

    This tour will commence in Bordeaux and then continue into the foothills of the Pyrenées. We'll eat at an affordable and sumptuous 1-star, stretch our legs in verdant foothills, and take the train nearly all the way to the Spanish border and back.

    Amidst it all we'll treat ourselves to things like Espelette peppers, Irouleguy wine, and Bayonne chocolate. And then...we'll go to Spain! San Sebastien is calling, and so is Pamplona, Logroño, and La Rioja--a beautiful intersection of great food, wine, and yes--olive oil.

    READ MORE…

  • The regions of Abruzzo and Apulia don’t get the same ink as Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coast in the west. So…let’s go east!

    Even though we’ll start in Rome, we quickly cut across the country to arrive in Pescara, where spend a few days in Abruzzo. There will be plenty of time stretch our legs on this trip, either on the beach, or in the foothills. We’ll finish our tour on the sea to the north of Bari.

    The focus of this tour will be Olio Nuovo. We'll step foot into at least 6 olive oil mills during a time of year that can't be beat--just weeks after harvest is complete. And don't worry...there will be plenty of pasta and pizza, with great country wine to wash it all down.

    READ MORE…