Small groups. Hidden Gems. Slow Travel.
Gallivant & Traipse: joyful travel experiences to France with very few people
You're a Solo Traveler?
Are you ready to join a group of fun women who want to explore beyond the borders of Paris? Come with us! You'll be one of only 4-5 people: we keep it small so we can keep it nimble. And easy (your guide speaks French). No need to wait for that coach bus: we can hop into a minivan whenever our hearts desire!
👇 Find a tour to join!
Want a Private Tour?
Aw - are you getting together for a reunion with your college roommates? Or further back: your neighborhood pals you played kick-the-can with? Or you and a couple of couples want to get away - like, really far away? We can work with all of that - let's pick a place and a date to celebrate.
Let's pick a place and date! ⚡
You Need a Plan?
You know you want to go to France. You've done Paris and it was fantastic. You're ready to try out your French skills - but where and when to go? What to see? How to get around? If you want some counsel, or maybe an entire itinerary, we are ready for you! We've been all over France - let's talk.
Here's how to do it ✏️
Salut! Have you ever thought about exploring France beyond Paris? We can take you to France and make it slow and simple. We are experts in planning and facilitating remarkable, memorable, fun trips to France and will make it happen for you.
Let us show you everything France has to offer! Our trips are sensibly paced trips to the amazing little corners of France, customized to you, our travelers. We go beyond Paris because there is so much more to France!
Castles | Beaches | Regional Cuisine| Aqueducts | Champagne | Roman ruins | Vineyards | Palaces | Harbors | Mountains | Architecture | Art | VillagesWe tailor experiences to very small groups of 4-5 travelers for each trip. We eschew large smelly coach buses and regimented schedules (except for the occasional special entry ticket for an unmissable sight)! We spend time exploring, experiencing, and visiting.
Immerse yourself in beautiful art, incredible landscapes, and living history!
Getaway to Picturesque Normandy, April 2025
8 days spent exploring the stunning, rugged shores and gentle, placid beaches of northwestern France, steeped in history and tradition
Gastronomy is king in this area that is known for its apple varietals, sea food and cheeses. You can sample crisp hard cider and smooth Calvados, buttery mussels and tender scallops, and rich Camembert and tangy Neufchâtel.
And it goes without saying that we will touch upon numerous places in this area that have witnessed unfathomable historic events. Evidence of Roman explorers, medieval conquests, and WWII events are around every corner
Experience Two Jewels of France: Paris and Nice
Paris + Nice: A Curated Escape
April in Paris! The city is a riot of color and intoxicating scents in the spring. Parisians spill out into the parks and cafés, luxuriating in the longer days and enjoying the season’s first luscious, fragrant strawberries. We’ll be right there with them!
We will find Nice at its most glorious, with flowers blossoming and sunshine beaming down upon us. Imagine yourself dipping toes into the sparkling ocean, wandering the colorful markets, and discovering picturesque, historic little towns.
Why Travel with Us?
Could you book your own travel to France? Maybe? But here are six reasons why we'd be a great partner:
We don't just make the arrangements, we shape the itinerary. We know how to balance structure with serendipity. We help smooth the way to great experiences so you don't have to. And we will partner with you to discover your activity preferences, style, and rhythms in order to build the best adventure for you.
We, the experts at G&T, have been visiting Europe since 1993 and really know our way around. We understand its regions, their quirks and strengths, and what the people are like. When we plan a trip for you, we will weigh all these factors to make it great.
Looking for something different than the usual? We are experts in a whole lotta fun. Did you know that France has prehistoric caves? An entire zoo filled with free-roaming monkeys? Secret swimming holes? We do and we can find crazy interesting things for you to experience. (Check out all the photos!)
We know how to stay safe. We know how to stay aware of pick-pockets, avoid bad areas at night, chose good lodgings, and evade protest areas.
Parlez-vous français? Nous parlons français! Even in today's interconnected world, it helps to speak the native language. The ability to communicate with the locals can smooth relations and improve the experience. You can rest assured you'll be with a fluent guide which will make the whole trip easier.
You can benefit from small group travel. Being in a small group (vs. a large one) allows us flexibility - no rigid bus schedules, for example, and the ability to make or change choices at late notice. A small group can also save you money versus traveling solo; for example, if it's you and a bunch of friends, you could stay together in one place rather than all getting separate hotel rooms. And don't forget that special feeling of bonding with fellow travelers - which is difficult in larger groups and impossible for solo travelers!
"I'm so comfortable because you're here. All the communication has been so helpful."
“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”
– Charles de Gaulle
– Charles de Gaulle
Vingettes
Street Art Tour of Paris
July 25 2015
This isn't graffiti, it's an art exhibition! Street artists all have different reasons for why they chose to display their craft in this way and it's all fascinating. Our favorite is @invader - you can find his tiled mosaics all over the place.
Feeding the Monkeys
August 11, 2018
The monkeys walk along the paths, they climb the branches above your head, and they politely sit on benches to accept gifts. Truly, I've never experienced another place like it. The knowledgeable guide tirelessly answered all our questions (in English)!
Pont du Gard Swimming
July 22, 2015
This icon of southern France is a special place where people have been living for centuries. The Romans built this aqueduct during the first century; today we can walk across it and swim underneath it. And have a snack afterwards at the cafe!
L'arrivée du Tour de France
July 26, 2015
Even non-fans are thrilled by the excitement and the energy of the TDF on the final day as racers zoom past, lap after lap. The best part was the Brit next to us who yelled "FROOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
(for British cyclist Chris Froome)
Exploring Exquisite Villages
September 12, 2001
Have you EVER seen water this incredible color? It's a true inspiration for local residents, artists, and visitors of the Vaucluse Valley. On this day, the cicadas were singing, the brightly colored linens of Provence were prominently displayed, and the rosé was the perfect temperature.
A Celebration of Wheat
March 12, 2023
While exploring little villages of southwestern France, we happened upon this annual festival celebrating the successful sale of wheat and the prosperity it brought to the town. We grabbed a table, some glasses of wine, and watched as bands and performers circled the main town square, tossing copious amounts of confetti.
Our Tenets
Our favorite journeys include diverse activities with plenty of opportunities for relaxation and are focused on soaking up the vibe - pardon: la joie de vivre - of Europe. We don't like standing in long queues or riding crowded tour buses. We don't like eating sub-par food or going to gift shops where all the items were made in China. Gallivant & Traipse will create a unique, authentic trip for you and the small group; be it fun, relaxed, irreverent, spontaneous, or planned - or a mix of all of it.
Meet your guide, Libby Cecchi.
One more thing: We find the best food, the best bars, the best neighborhoods, the best beaches, the best vineyards, the best lodging, etc., and deliver to you. We chose these things because we tailor the right experiences for you, not because we're earning points or earning money from a company for our recommendations. I am an independent consultant which means that my focus is on giving you the best experience (so that you'll give me repeat business and referrals)!
