Travelers Circle Preview – 2018 Trips
Our Travelers Circle program is our way of expressing appreciation to our “alumni” travelers through special benefits and opportunities. In 2016, our 11th season, 52% of our travelers were Travelers Circle members and their travel companions.
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 2018, and you’ll find our 2018 schedule and prices below. We’ll announce this schedule publicly on March 1, 2017 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.
Our prices will remain the same in 2018. Travelers Circle members receive a 10% discount on all trips, and your travel companions receive a 5% discount.
We’re offering 14 trips in five different areas in 2018:
The Cornwall Experience: April 11 – 21; April 21 – May 1 (10 nights)
Return to the Luberon: May 5 – 12
The Luberon Experience: May 12 – 19; May 19 – 26
The Chianti Experience: June 2 – 9; June 9 – 16
The Alsace Experience: June 23 – 30; June 30 – July 7
The Cotswolds Experience: July 21 – 28; July 28 – August 4
The Luberon Experience: September 8 – 15; September 15 – 22; September 22 – 29
We’re also considering adding one or two European Christmas Experience trips in November/ December 2018. This is a 12-night trip involving three bases in three countries. Please let us know if you might be be interested.
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 or call us if you have questions or would like to book a 2018 trip. We’d love to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful places with you again in 2018!
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The Cornwall Experience New in 2018! 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 hope to offer this trip again in 2019. 2018 Dates: April 11 – 21; April 21 – May 1 (10-night trip) |
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Return to the Luberon This special week is designed for Travelers Circle members who have experienced the Luberon once and want to discover more of this special area. Bonnieux is still our home base, but most of the week involves new experiences in the Luberon and other parts of Provence including a visit to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and a truffle hunt and tasting. This trip is reserved for Travelers Circle members and their family and friends. We will offer it again in 2020. 2018 Dates: May 5 – 12 |
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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, always in May and September. 2018 Dates: May 12 – 19; May 19 – 26; September 8 – 15; September 15 – 22; September 22 – 29 |
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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. This trip will be offered again in 2020. 2018 Dates: June 2 – June 9; June 9 – 16 |
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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’ll offer this trip again in 2019. 2018 Dates: June 23 – 30; June 30 – July 7 |
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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. This trip will be offered again in 2020. 2018 Dates: July 21 – 28; July 28 – August 4 |