Travelers Circle Preview – 2020 Trips
Our Travelers Circle program is our way of expressing appreciation to our “alumni” travelers through special benefits and opportunities. In 2018, our 13th season, 56% of our travelers were Travelers Circle members and their travel companions. We welcomed 85 new Travelers Circle members last year.
As Travelers Circle members, you always get a special preview of the next year’s trips and the first opportunity to make reservations.
We’re taking a different approach in announcing our 2020 schedule. Today, February 6, we’re announcing the 2020 schedule and details of our newest trip, The Puglia Experience. You’ll have a week to review the trips, consider your interests, and coordinate with your travel companions. We’re not accepting bookings now. We’ll open for bookings at 6:00 pm EST on February 13; you’ll receive a reminder then. (This website will help you determine what day/time this is in your time zone.)
Our 2020 schedule will be announced publicly on March 1, 2019, and we’ll start taking reservations then from first-time travelers.
If you’re interested in a specific 2020 trip, we encourage you to contact us as soon as bookings open on February 13 to ensure your spot. 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 before March 1.)
Of course you can also make a booking at any time during the year, as many trips will continue to have openings. And cancellations are always possible, resulting on unexpected openings.
Travelers Circle members receive a 10% discount on all trips, and travel companions who join you on a first-time European Experiences trip receive a 5% discount.
Meet our New Team!
2020 will be the first year Kathy will work with our new co-leaders. She’ll continue to lead all our European Experiences trips, now joined by a different co-leader(s) on each trip. We’ve assembled a great team who bring special knowledge, skills and experience that will make your European Experience even better. (Some of you may already know some of our new team members or you’ll meet them as they come along on some of our 2019 trips.)
There will still be opportunities to travel with Charley. He’s retiring at the end of 2019 to focus on projects and interests at home, but he’ll continue to co-lead the Cornwall Experience and European Christmas Experience trips with Kathy.
So meet our new European Experiences team!
2020 European Experiences Calendar
| Trip | Dates | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| European Christmas Experience 2019 | December 2 - 14, 2019 | 12 nights Mon to Sat |
| Cornwall Experience | April 21 - May 1 | 10 nights Tues to Fri) |
| Luberon Experience | May 9 - 16 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Luberon Experience | May 16 - 23 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Chianti Experience | May 30 - June 6 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Chianti Experience | June 6 - 13 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Perigord Experience | June 16 - 23 | 7 nights Tues to Tues |
| Perigord Experience | June 23 - 30 | 7 nights Tues to Tues |
| Cotswolds Garden Experience | July 4 - 11 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Cotswolds Experience | July 11 - 18 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Cornwall Experience | Sept 5 - 15 | 10 nights Sat to Tues |
| Luberon Experience | Sept 19 - 26 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Luberon Experience | Sept 26 - Oct 3 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Puglia Experience | Oct 10 - 17 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| Puglia Experience | Oct 17 - 24 | 7 nights Sat to Sat |
| European Christmas Experience 2019 | TBD (December 2020) | 12 nights |
2020 European Experiences Trips
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 Kathy if you have questions… but please wait to book a trip until we open for bookings on February 13. (You’ll receive an email when bookings open.)
We’d love to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful places with you again in 2020!
 | The European Christmas Experience (2019) 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 this trip again in December 2020; dates TBA. 2019 Dates: Nov 26-Dec 8, 2019 (12 night trip) 2019 Prices: $5,600 per person, double occupancy; $6,300 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 special 10-day trip, expands 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 structures, world-famous gardens, and excellent local cuisine. This trip will be offered again in 2021. 2020 Dates: April 21-May 1 (Tues to Fri); Sept 5-15 (Sat to Tues) 2020 Prices: $5,850 per person, double occupancy; $6,700 single occupancy |
 | 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 is offered annually, in May and September. We hope to offer a Luberon Walking Week again in 2021. 2020 Dates: May 9-16; May 16-23; Sept 19-26; Sept 26-Oct 3 (Sat to Sat) 2020 Prices: $3,400 per person, double occupancy; $3,900 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 at their hilltop castle home. We plan to offer this trip again in 2021. 2020 Dates: May 30-June 6; June 6-13 (Sat to Sat) 2020 Prices: $3,500 per person, double occupancy; $3,900 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 will offer this trip again in 2021. 2020 Dates: June 16-23; June 23-30 (Tues to Tues) 2020 Prices: $3,500 per person, double occupancy; $3,900 single occupancy |
 | The Cotswold Garden Experience Special Trip in 2020! Based in the Chipping Campden, this special Experience week includes many of the Cotswolds finest gardens. We'll visit 8-10 gardens, including National Trust properties, large estates, smaller private gardens, an arboretum, and a lavender farm. Most visits will be in the northern Cotswolds, but we'll also spend a day in the southern Cotwolds. Our week includes other Cotswolds experiences such as picturesque villages and wonderful meals in a variety of settings.We'll offer this trip again in the future, based on interest. 2020 Dates: July 4 -11 (Sat to Sat) 2020 Prices: $3,500 per person, double occupancy; $3,900 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. 2020 Dates: July 11-18 (Sat to Sat) 2020 Prices: $3,500 per person, double occupancy; $3,900 single occupancy |
 | The Puglia Experience New in 2020! Our newest trip in southern Italy ("the heel of the boot") offers unique experiences and spectacular scenery on the sea and in the countryside. Our week includes special visits to family wineries and small food producers, guided walks in fascinating towns and villages, explorations of ancient sites, and a cooking class. Of course, our meals will be a highlight! We'll offer this trip again in 2021. 2020 Dates: Oct 10-17; Oct 17-24 (Sat to Sat) 2020 Prices: $3,500 per person, double occupancy; $3,900 single occupancy |