Hello Explorers,
We’re excited to share the experiences of a couple who traveled through some of the most picturesque locations in Western Europe!
Pairing passions with curated experiences is our specialty and ensures customized and unique voyages for our clients. From culinary delights in France to the otherworldly beauty of the Swiss Alps, to the warmth of Italian hospitality, these three countries offer endless opportunities for discovery.
To truly absorb yourself in another culture requires a well-crafted itinerary combined with a spirit of adventure. Balancing activity with time to contemplate and rest looks different for every traveler. The visual beauty of a historical city like Paris contrasts with a guided walk through the French countryside. A hands-on experience is followed by a hotel stay within view of a clear-blue lake nestled against picturesque mountains.
Journeying through France, Italy, and Switzerland provided an epic European vacation for one couple. This travel log also helps guide future explorers to customize their own adventure! Contact us to begin crafting one of your own.
Our Travelers’ Story
Your first stop was France.
What experiences stood out?
We stayed in the St. Germain area at a very small boutique hotel. They served a delicious breakfast every morning with eggs, croissants, and smoked salmon. The staff were so kind and helped me with my French, because I was always slipping into speaking Spanish. That’s my comfort zone, but their patient guidance was very sweet.
In Burgundy, we did a wine and cheese tasting with a wonderful American expat guide. Her father owns a winery there, and she was knowledgeable about the perfect pairings and local history. The surrounding town was quaint and very special, the tasting customized just to the two of us.
Our time in the French countryside was unique and unforgettable, led by a tour guide named Nicolas. The three of us just drove around, with him telling us about the landscape, local customs, and history. A special highlight was a castle with beautiful architecture, grounds, and elaborate gardens.
Paris was amazing; we had never been there, and the hotel staff was wonderful.
Next, you went to Switzerland.
Tell us about your time there.
We were amazed by the scenery in Switzerland: the mountains, the lakes with sparkling water. First, our travels took us to Gruyere, a medieval village. Again, we tried local cheeses, including the one for which the town is named. Geneva is an incredible, upscale city. There, we attended the Watches and Wonders Convention, which was a dream of my husband’s.
I was pleasantly surprised to find how interesting I found it as well. We saw some amazing high-end watches, and on the second day, we designed our own watches. The welcoming staff began our day with croissants, tea, and coffee before beginning our private experience. During the first hour, we learned the history of timekeeping and how watches came to be. It was fascinating!
The watchmaker who was our guide did his apprenticeship at Rolex before taking on his role at the boutique-like location. I had never heard of it, but quickly gained an appreciation for their commitment to the craft of watch-making. We chose unique components to incorporate in our watches in a sterile environment free of dust and allergens.
Clad in special lab coats, we each created a cool treasure to take home. I’m left-handed, but watches are always right-handed, so our guide helped me create a custom watch like none I’ve ever had in my life. Every time we look at them, we think, “Look at this amazing watch that I made!” It was definitely a stand-out experience of the whole trip.
Any other stand-out experiences or properties?
I had no expectations for Lyon, and I always trust that Adventure Seekers will provide just the right itinerary. And it’s the food center of France, contrary to Paris, as most of us think. It’s like Paris, but more mellow. We did a walking tour with a guide and learned the history.
The property where we stayed was on a steep hill in the mountains. It was just incredible. We walked up and down the hillside, burning off all the cheese we had eaten. And when it was time to unwind, we did so in a room that was nothing short of spectacular. It had French doors that opened up to a beautiful view that could be seen from the bathtub, a major highlight for me!
The property we stayed at in Lyon, France, was one of my favorites that I’ve ever seen.
Switzerland has a really cool train system, and we took one all the way to the top of the Swiss Alps. The view was breathtaking, and we had lunch at the top. We also took an hour-long train ride to a picturesque town called Lausanne and stayed next to a lake. It was located in a seaside touristy village, but so beautiful with the lake surrounded by mountains in the background. I didn’t want to leave! Our hotel had a fabulous view with a glorious bathtub. That’s my thing; I love to take baths.
Another interesting memory about our time in Switzerland was visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lauvaux Vineyard Terraces in Geneva. We did a walking tour of vineyards on a steep hillside, where they were having a wine festival. The man who is the head of tourism in the little town taught us how to pop a champagne cork with a sword, something I was able to do on the second try. That wasn’t something I thought I’d ever do in my life!
In Italy, you went truffle hunting with dogs.
What was that like?
The truffle hunt was amazing, with a guide and two truffle-sniffing dogs. We were pleased to learn that the language barrier didn’t stand in the way at all. The younger, eager dog would sniff out truffles and call to the older, experienced dog, who would come over and dig it out. They were quite the pair!
Although we don’t speak Italian, we were able to communicate with our guide, who facilitated a very memorable truffle-hunting experience.
Once we had explored a peaceful, foggy forest and had our truffles, the guide drove us into a nearby town. The chef took our unearthed treasures, cleaned them, and shaved them over fresh pasta right in front of us. It was a wonderful experience in a medieval Italian town.
Another day, we followed a couple who guide tours and facilitate wine and cheese tastings. Sylvia and Claudio told us about the history and took us to a private cheese tasting, where we learned about all kinds of cheeses. They showcased varietals that we’d never see even in a high-end cheese store.
What was your experience traveling with Adventure Seekers?
Adventure Seekers made it so easy. When we travel, we like to leave the planning to the experts and just show up. It’s wonderful to arrive at the airport and have someone waiting with your name on a sign, and you just get in the car and go. It’s easy, with no drama or worries about where you’re going.
Adventure Seekers’ trip support is awesome! We would do it again in a heartbeat.
Where are you thinking of going next?
We’re inspired to visit every continent. We’ve been to Antarctica, which is the most difficult continent to traverse, so we figure we can go anywhere. Now that we’ve also done South America, North America, Antarctica, and Europe, we want to visit Australia and New Zealand. That’s the next adventure we’re dreaming of, and we’re very excited about that.
