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All France. All the time.
Welcome
Welcome
I’m Libby Cecchi, Chief Travel Operator of Gallivant & Traipse and I’m glad you’ve found me. Have you always dreamed of going to France? Have you been to Paris but never beyond? If you’re a woman ready for your first or next adventure in France, you’ve come to the right place! With a small group of like-minded women and a fluent, friendly host there to guide you around, you’ll enjoy the time of your life.
Who I Am
Who I Am
I am fun, friendly, and in love with France. I’ve been called “Julie McCoy” more than once. (If you’re my age, you know who this is. If you’re not, go watch an episode of “Love Boat.”)
I don’t know when my love affair with France began, but it was definitely early since I chose to start studying it in 8th grade. I first got to France when I was 19 years old and it was everything I’d ever dreamed it would be! Gorgeous; filled with chocolate, bread, cheese, and wine; and surrounded by people kissing each other’s cheeks and speaking in the most beautiful language I’d ever heard.
Leaving college with a degree in French, I had all these highfalutin’ and romantic ideas about traveling the world but found myself faced with car payments and rent. I quickly landed a job which led to a great career in the training industry which led to an amazing career in user experience research—and yet I continued to travel to France, leading tours, whenever the opportunity arose.
Like many others before me, a big turning point in my life came at age fifty. The world was at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I took a totally inspiring trip to Europe. Three weeks, three areas, three different groups of family and friends. Upon returning home, I realized how happy I was and that I needed more of this in my life. That’s when Gallivant & Traipse was born.
"Libby knows a lot. Super chill about it. Good. Really good." - AP
"Libby knows a lot. Super chill about it. Good. Really good." - AP
"Thank you so much for taking me on a once in a lifetime trip that I will always cherish!" - BB
"Thank you so much for taking me on a once in a lifetime trip that I will always cherish!" - BB
"Libby made things accessible to me that wouldn't have been otherwise." -JR
"Libby made things accessible to me that wouldn't have been otherwise." -JR
"Libby really put a lot of effort and time into researching every part of the trip from things to do and see, what to eat, where to stay, and more." - MP
"Libby really put a lot of effort and time into researching every part of the trip from things to do and see, what to eat, where to stay, and more." - MP
Our Travelers
Our Travelers
Our travelers are curious types of women, interested in other people and having new experiences, perhaps learning a thing or two. We are kind, seeking to understand by asking questions to learn about another culture rather than passing judgement. We are seeking more joy in our lives by embracing novelty. And we are not just there for what I call check-box tourism. I promise you will see amazing sites and get plenty of photos, but we definitely won’t have time for it all because we won’t be racing around trying to fit it all in.
Let me introduce you to a couple of women who have joined me for past gallivants. If you would like to talk to anyone for a testimonial, I can put you in touch.
"I really appreciated having someone know her way around - and also speaking the language. That gave me a level of comfort while also letting me make the most of all seven days of the trip." - AP
"I really appreciated having someone know her way around - and also speaking the language. That gave me a level of comfort while also letting me make the most of all seven days of the trip." - AP
Brenda is a fun, active woman who can spend an entire day curled up on her couch reading novels with her dog by her side. As a child, she was a dancer and cheerleader; today she uses that energy in her career as a nurse in an oncology department. Before nursing, she was a marketing executive at a non-profit organization which helped kids and young adults with disabilities, neurodivergent personalities, and mental health issues, so you can see the connection there. She was born in rural southern Minnesota but discovered she was a city girl when she moved to Minneapolis. She and her husband have three children, between the ages of “getting there” and “pretty much grown-up.”
Lisa is an entrepreneur—a jeweler—focused on using cultural relics and the natural world to inspire her artisan aesthetic. She started her own company about 13 years ago and is always looking for ways to improve her business. Lisa grew up moving around the world due to her dad’s job; she has lived in places like Mexico, Guatemala, Spain (and Wisconsin!) before moving to Minnesota permanently. She and her husband have one delightful daughter who is in graduate school. She owns one cat and used to have two dogs and dearly wishes she could once again but is trying to simplify her life. She loves the Northeast shore, Pilates, Greek food, and stalking dogs and puppies on social media.
Fora Certified
Fora Certified
As a Fora Certified Advisor, Libby Cecchi has the skills, training, and practice to help you plan and pull off incredible travel experiences. Advantages to working with a Fora Certified Advisor:
Expertise & personalization: trained to understand your preferences, budget, and travel style, and skilled at designing trips that truly fit you.
Access to partner relationships: taps into Fora's hotel and partner network to secure perks like upgrades, preferred rates, and credits.
Community knowledge: connection with thousands of other advisors, giving you access to broader expertise when planning trips.
Awards, Press & Resources
Awards, Press & Resources
December 2025: Interviewed by Voyage Minnesota
August 2024: Interviewed by City of Edina
August 2024: Interviewed by Bold Journey
April 2024: Given the 2024 Edina Mayor's Commendation Award for Individual Service (awarded to an individual for his or her outstanding and exceptional volunteer service to the community at large)
December 2023: Interviewed by Voyage Minnesota
A portion of our profits
A portion of our profits
At Gallivant & Traipse, we believe in supporting women not only through the journeys we create but also through the causes that matter most to their lives. That’s why a portion of our profits goes to Planned Parenthood, an organization dedicated to providing essential healthcare, education, and advocacy for women and families. Their work ensures that women everywhere have access to the resources they need to make informed choices about their health and their futures which are values that align closely with our mission of empowerment, community, and care. It feels deeply important to me to stand with an organization that uplifts and protects women in such tangible ways.
Where We've Been
Where We've Been
Other Special Memories
Other Special Memories
Alsace: visiting a monkey zoo, touring a chocolate factory, and watching a birds of prey show
Dordogne: wild swimming (including cliff jumping and rope swinging), participating in a medieval fair, and picnicking while canoeing the river
Provence: making perfume, getting dunked by a chilly waterfall while on a paddle boat, night ice cream
Paris: taking a street art tour, visiting Picasso's favorite art supply store
Are you still reading?! What else would you like to know about Libby or Gallivant & Traipse?
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