Travelers Circle Preview – 2019 Trips
Our Travelers Circle program is our way of expressing appreciation to our “alumni” travelers through special benefits and opportunities. In 2017, our 12th season, 59% of our travelers were Travelers Circle members and their travel companions. We also welcomed 72 new Travelers Circle members.
As Travelers Circle members, you always get a special preview of the next year’s trips and the first opportunity to make reservations. Today, February 14, marks the start of that preview period for 2019, and you’ll find our 2019 schedule and prices below. We’ll announce this schedule publicly on March 1, 2018 and start taking other reservations then. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to ensure your spot on a particular trip. You may also book now for family members and friends who will travel with you. (We can only accept an early reservation for one guest per Travelers Circle member at this time.)
Travelers Circle members receive a 10% discount on all trips, and your travel companions who join you on a first-time European Experiences trip receive a 5% discount.
Join us for Charley’s Farewell Tours! 2019 will be Charley’s final season before retiring from active tour leadership. We’ve designed our schedule to include all our destinations in 2019, offering 13 trips in seven different areas. Our schedule includes two new trips in familiar locations: Return to the Cotswolds and The Luberon Walking Week. We’re also hosting a special “Luberon Celebration Week” to mark Charley’s last Luberon tour. Please note that this year a few seven-night trips vary from our normal Saturday to Saturday schedule.
We also still have openings in some of our 2018 trips… it’s definitely not too late to join us. And we’re booking now for our 2018 European Christmas Experience trips. See our website for more information about what’s available.
Kathy will continue offering and leading European Experiences trips in 2020 and beyond, including trips to new destinations. We’ll keep you posted on her plans. She’s also open to developing and leading customized tours for private groups; Contact Kathy to discuss possibilities.
2019 European Experiences Calendar
| Trip | Dates | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| European Christmas Experience 2018 | November 26 - December 8, 2018 | 12 nights |
| European Christmas Experience | December 8 - 20 | 12 nights |
| Cornwall Experience | April 23 - May 3 | 10 nights (waiting list only) |
| Luberon Experience | May 11 - 18 | 7 nights (Sat to Sat) |
| Luberon Experience | May 18 - 25 | 7 nights (Sat to Sat) |
| Chianti Experience | June 1 - 8 | 7 nights (Sat to Sat) |
| Chianti Experience | June 8 - 15 | 7 nights (Sat to Sat) |
| Alsace Experience | June 21 - 28 | 7 nights (Fri to Fri) |
| Perigord Experience | July 3 - 10 | 7 nights (Wed to Wed) |
| Return to the Cotswolds | July 15 - 22 | 7 nights (Mon to Mon) |
| Cotswolds Experience | July 22 - 29 | 7 nights (Mon to Mon) |
| Luberon Experience | September 7 - 14 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Luberon Walking Week | September 14 - 21 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Luberon Celebration: Charley's Farewell Tour | September 21 - 28 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| European Christmas Experience 2019 | TBD (December 2019) | 12 nights |
Use the links below to learn more about each trip, see photos and videos, and read our articles on the Slow Travel Tours blog. Email if you have questions or would like to book one of these trips. We’d love to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful places with you again in 2019 and for you to be part of Charley’s last season!
2019 European Experiences Trips
 | The European Christmas Experience 2018 This 12-night "trip of a lifetime" takes us to three different areas during the magical Christmas season: Salzburg, Austria; Munich, Germany; and Colmar in Alsace, France. We enjoy the holiday atmosphere and traditions through special experiences including walking tours, Christmas markets, visits to museums and historical sites, day trips to the countryside and small villages, musical events, and a cooking class. So much more than a Christmas markets trip! We'll offer one Christmas trip in December 2019; dates TBD. 2018 Dates: Nov 26-Dec 8; Dec 8-20, 2018 (12 night trip) 2018 Prices: $5,500 per person, double occupancy; $6,200 single occupancy |
 | The Cornwall Experience Cornwall is a unique and ancient area of England, the southwest tip, with over 300 miles of mostly-rugged coastline and a sub-tropical climate. This is a special 10-day trip, expanding our usual Experience week to include several days on the idyllic Isles of Scilly. We'll enjoy quaint fishing villages, white sand beaches, historic and natural sites, prehistoric monuments, world-famous gardens and galleries, and excellent local cuisine. We will offer this trip again in 2020, co-hosted by Kathy and Charley. 2019 Dates: April 23-May 3 (10-night trip, Friday to Tuesday) 2019 Prices: $5,700 per person, double occupancy; $6,500 single occupancy Sorry... now waiting list only |
 | The Luberon Experience The Luberon is an incredibly beautiful valley surrounded by low mountains and views in every direction. The authentic perched village of Bonnieux is the perfect base to experience the best of Provence. Our week includes perched villages, colorful outdoor markets, wineries, picnics, castle ruins and more. This trip was named one of National Geographic Traveler's 50 best tours in the world in 2012. This trip will be offered annually, in May and September. 2019 Dates: May 11-18; May 18-25; September 7-14 2019 Prices: $3,300 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | The Luberon Walking Week New in 2018! The Luberon offers some of the best and most scenic moderate hiking in Europe. This special week is designed for travelers who want to explore more of this beautiful area on foot. Our daily walks will range from 2-1/2 to 6 hours on varied terrain. We'll also do a tour of villages on electric bikes. The week will include other activities and wonderful meals. Kathy's co-leaders will be our fun Australian friends Jonathan and Jenny. Non-walking roommates are welcome and will enjoy non-walking activities hosted by Charley. We hope to offer this trip on an annual basis. 2019 Dates: September 14-21 2019 Prices: $3,300 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | The Chianti Experience The beautiful wine region of Chianti is located between Florence and Siena in the heart of Tuscany. Our groups base in the medieval village of Castellina-in-Chianti in a former palace overlooking the vineyards. Our week includes bustling historic towns, quiet hilltop villages, a cooking class in a farmhouse kitchen, three distinctly different winery visits, and dinner with friends in a privately-owned hilltop castle. We plan to offer this trip again in 2021. 2019 Dates: June 1-June 8; June 8-15 2019 Prices: $3,400 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | The Alsace Experience Join us in the idyllic wine region of Alsace, in the foothills of the Vosges mountains near the German border. We'll stay in the peaceful wine village of Kientzheim. Our week include picturesque villages, the charming town of Colmar, the 12th century Haut-Koenigsbourg castle and other historical sites, winery tours and tastings, and a day trip to a fascinating outdoor heritage museum. We'll enjoy Alsatian cuisine in a variety of settings. We plan to offer this trip again in 2020. 2019 Dates: June 21-28 (Friday to Friday) 2019 Prices: $3,400 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | The Périgord Experience 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 Experience week includes a day in the historic town of Sarlat, explorations of several of France's most beautiful villages, castles and gardens; guided visits to famous prehistoric sites; and memorable meals in a variety of settings. We hope to offer this trip again in 2020. 2019 Dates: July 3-10 (Wednesday to Wednesday) 2019 Prices: $3,400 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | Return to the Cotswolds New in 2018! There's so much more to see and do in the Cotswolds! We'll continue our explorations during this special week, based again in Chipping Campden. The week will include stately homes like Chastleton House and Stanway House; the unique museum and gardens at Snowshill Manor, and Bourton House garden. We'll visit villages such as Swinbrook, Stanton and Stow-in-the-Wold. We may also visit a local brewery or gin distillery, walk in the countryside, and take a cooking class.... our itinerary will be based on the group. We hope to offer this trip again in the future, based on interest. 2019 Dates: July 15-22 (Monday to Monday) 2019 Prices: $3,400 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | The Cotswolds Experience The Cotswolds is the English countryside you've dreamed of: an idyllic land of rolling hills, gentle streams, grazing sheep, and quaint stone cottages. The well-preserved village of Chipping Campden, with its lovely High Street, is our home for the week. Our week includes historic castles, traditional pubs, magnificent gardens, lunch on a working farm, a special visit to a historic (and perhaps haunted) village pub, and a special dinner at the Pudding Club. We plan to offer this trip again in 2021. 2019 Dates: July 22-29 (Monday to Monday) 2019 Prices: $3,400 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |
 | A Luberon Celebration: Charley's Farewell Tour Charley's last Luberon tour will be a "greatest hits" week, a "Return to the Luberon" extravaganza of friends, fun, food, and wine in this beautiful place we love so much. A highlight of the week will be a big party that includes all our local friends in the Luberon. 2019 Dates September 21-28 2019 Prices: $3,300 per person, double occupancy; $3,800 single occupancy |