MORE Spring 2026 travels will be announced soon!

Loire Valley:
A Living Fairy Tale

A hands-on journey through gardens, wine, art, and joie de vivre.

April 9 - 18, 2026

If you're an active woman looking for new immersive experiences, then this journey is for you! Whether it's your first visit to the Loire Valley or the fifth, this tour will be unlike anything you've done before because it's focused on doing things—tasting, creating, laughing, relaxing—more than just sightseeing. We'll get hands-on in this region, enjoy a little light luxury at an unhurried pace, and you'll come away with new friends, tangible souvenirs, and lasting memories.

Apply now!

📷: Jean-Christophe Coutand

Imagine you've just woken up in your private bedroom in the Loire Valley—THE LOIRE VALLEY!—and the whole delicious day is in front of you. You smile as you think through the plan for the day: a massage and a facial this morning, and a leisurely bike ride through the vineyards this afternoon. It's springtime here, but nothing like you've ever experienced: it's just early April and the whole valley is brimming with blooms. In a few minutes, you'll join your fellow travelers for a buttery croissant but for the next moment you'll enjoy these soft sheets and the sunlight streaming through the window.

Welcome to your spring awakening

What's been happening in your life? Have your kids just gone off to college? Are your parents having health issues? Have you made enormous changes in your work life? Or possibly, are you looking to make enormous changes in your work life?! Maybe there's just something there that you can't quite put your finger on. There's an itch you can't quite figure out how to scratch.

It's time to take some time. Give yourself a gift: a chance to press pause on your life for a few days to allow for thoughts to settle. Enjoy some new experiences. Connect with some like-minded souls. Have some fun. Savor delicious food and sip incredible wine. And do it all with the knowledge that you'll return home with a rested sense of satisfaction, ready to tackle what's next.

The group of gallivanters

Did you notice that the action buttons on this page don't say "sign up" —they say "apply now?" This is because participants are carefully selected to ensure a thoughtfully balanced group of intelligent, creative, open-minded humans. This is a semi-private tour. There will be only four of us. Who we travel with matters just as much—if not more—as the destination itself. Plus, with a small group, conversations flow easily and every experience feels more personal. This journey attracts curious, kind travelers who know that shared laughter and good company make the best memories.

What's your "why?"

Do you feel stuck in a rut? Maybe you're ready for some creative adventures! Are you going through a little bit of ennui? Perhaps it's time to have some immersive experiences! Has it been a while since you've ventured beyond your town's borders? Sounds like you're ready for a little fun.

This trip is for the woman who's ready to play "Yes, And" with her life for a little while. Want to cruise on an e-bike through French vineyards? Want to try your hand at an artistic workshop—be that natural dyeing, silk painting, or watercolor painting? Want someone else to take over for a morning while a masseuse erases all your tension?

This ten-day experience is for women who are ready and open to reconnect with their sense of play and with other like-minded souls. It's about rediscovering the joys of life. Because when you're relaxed, inspired, and surrounded by kindred spirits, that's when the magic happens.

You belong here if you...

are craving inspiration to breathe new life into your routine
are feeling a bit stuck in a rut and need a dose of adventure and creativity
are ready to make your dream of traveling to France come true
know it's time to expand your horizons mentally, emotionally, and physically
are eager to make new connections with other like-minded women who are on the same path as you
feel a deep, undeniable pull toward the natural beauty and medieval spirit of the Loire Valley, and you’re ready to discover what’s waiting for you there

Here's what awaits you

Live the Beauty of the Loire

The Loire Valley pulls history from the pages of textbooks and places it right in front of you, where every château, village, and garden tells its own story. Walk the grand halls of Fontainebleau and Chenonceau, where stories of queens linger in the air. Then step back outside to the real Loire where you will find towns alive with color, café terraces full of chatter, and flowers opening in spring gardens. Between grand architecture and quiet corners, there’s space to wander, pause, and simply take it all in.

Indulge the Senses

France is a country that believes life should taste and feel good. Savor a wine-and-cheese pairing lunch where creamy local cheeses meet their perfect balance in a cool glass of Loire Valley Vouvray. Sink into spa time with a massage or facial, and let the calm settle in. Whether you’re blending your own natural cosmetics or creating something beautiful in a floral design workshop, the simple act of making becomes its own kind of pleasure.

Create and Explore

The Loire’s beauty has always inspired artists, and you’ll see why. Capture its light in a watercolor class, pedal through vine-lined lanes on an e-bike, or drift along the river in a quiet boat, watching the landscape unfold at its own pace. And when there’s nothing on the agenda, that’s the point! You'll have open exploration time to follow your curiosity, find your own favorite café, and let France work its quiet magic.

Hands-on Fun. Yes, please.

Where You're Staying

Your hotel is within an eighteenth century building which is perfectly located in the heart of the Old Town of Tours where you will be able to walk anywhere. Simple, clean, and bright, your room will be your own quiet, safe haven. No sharing with roommates! It's a boutique bed-and-breakfast with just fourteen soundproof rooms, air conditioning (probably not needed for April), and private, en suite bathrooms. Note that there is no elevator.

Our Home Base

Nested between two rivers, Tours has an easy charm that makes visitors feel instantly at home. It’s a lively university town with a mix of history and modern life like half-timbered buildings and plazas alongside sleek cafés and stylish boutiques. Wander the old quarter, linger in Place Plumereau, or step inside the soaring Saint-Gatien Cathedral. Whether you’re exploring its markets, admiring the Hôtel de Ville, or simply watching the river shimmer at dusk, Tours feels both quintessentially French and wonderfully livable.

Hôtel de Ville

Half-timbered buildings

Most Importantly, the Food and Wine!

They don’t call the Loire Valley the Garden of France for nothing. With its fertile soil and gentle climate, this region is a cook’s dream. You’ll taste rillettes spread on crusty bread, creamy goat cheeses from nearby farms, and fouaces, which are little wood-fired rolls that arrive warm from the oven. Menus change with the seasons, featuring freshwater fish from the Loire, wild game from local forests, and earthy mushrooms grown in the area’s limestone caves. It’s honest, regional cooking that celebrates what the land provides: simple, flavorful, and best enjoyed with good company.

The Loire is one of France’s most diverse wine regions, and you’ll quickly see (and taste) why. Each bend of the river brings a new personality, like crisp Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre, delicate rosés from Anjou, sparkling Vouvray, and light, fruity reds from Chinon and Bourgueil. The wines are as easy to love as the landscape itself: fresh, balanced, and made to be shared. Whether you’re toasting at a cellar carved into the chalk hills or sipping by the river, Loire wines remind you that good things here are meant to be savored, not rushed.

Reserve my place!

It's time to say yes!

You need to join this trip if you...

need a dose of adventure and creativity - whatever your reason!
are eager to make new connections with other like-minded women
need time to step away, slow down, and reconnect with yourself
are ready to make your dream of traveling to France come true

What You Will Find in the Loire Valley

The chance to step away and reset

Leave behind the noise and demands of everyday life. Create space to breathe, reflect, and get creative in a new setting.

Seamless travel and stress-free days

Every detail is handled: the itinerary, the driving, the reservations. All you need to do is arrive with your suitcase and let the experience unfold.

A circle of inspiring women

Because of our thoughtful application process, you’ll be joined by curious, intelligent travelers who are eager to share stories and experiences.

A small, intimate group

Small numbers mean greater access to locals, experiences, and each other. It’s a pace and setting that make every moment feel more meaningful.

An investment in you

This isn’t just a getaway. It’s time to nurture your creativity and imagine the direction you want to take in your next chapter.

A taste of the Loire Valley

Savor the region’s honest flavors like goat cheese, rillettes, local wines, and food that reflects the rhythm of the land. Each meal connects you to the culture and to the people who bring it to life.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, it’s time to say yes and join us for ten days of creativity, connection, and discovery!

Yes. Definitely yes!

The itinerary

Day 1, April 9: Arrival Day!

We will meet at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and I will walk you to our upscale hotel where you can immediately start to unwind. Find some snacks and start chatting with your fellow travelers on the rooftop lounge, take a dip in the pool, use the wellness center, or bury yourself in your bed for forty winks. We will enjoy this day with rest and gentle arrival rituals, where you can settle in as only you know how. We will enjoy a celebratory dinner and clink our glasses to what will be an incredible week!

Day 2, April 10: From Paris to the Loire Valley

After leaving Charles de Gaulle Airport, we’ll make our way south toward the Loire Valley with a stop at the Château de Fontainebleau. For eight centuries, it was a royal residence. Fontainebleau offers the same elegance and artistry as Versailles but on a more intimate, human scale. Its halls tell the story of French kings and emperors without the crowds or excess. After exploring the château and gardens, we’ll continue on to the city of Tours, our home for the next seven nights. Once checked into our hotel, we’ll enjoy dinner together before a well-earned night of rest.

Day 3, April 11: Market Day in Tours

Saturday is market day in Tours, and it’s one of the best in France. We’ll spend the morning exploring the open-air stalls which will be filled with local produce, cheeses, breads, flowers, and handmade goods. For lunch, we’ll join a guided food tour to taste regional specialties and hear stories about the city’s culinary traditions, with a short walk through the historic center along the way. In the afternoon, we’ll get a gentle introduction of Tours that mixes a bit of history with a sense of place, allowing us to get our bearings and appreciate the city’s charm.

Day 4, April 12: Wine, Cheese, and a Taste of the Countryside

Today we’ll take a short drive into the Loire countryside for a hands-on wine and cheese pairing class. Six local cheeses will be matched with six Loire Valley wines, each introduced by a host who knows how to make learning both relaxed and fun. Afterward, we’ll sit down to a leisurely lunch featuring the wines we’ve just tasted. The afternoon is open for your own exploration in Tours, and anyone interested can join me for a visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts.

Day 5, April 13: A Day of Relaxation and Creativity

Just a few miles south of Tours, we’ll spend the morning at a spa set within a château. The experience begins with time in the hammam, followed by an aromatic scrub, a shea butter wrap, and a personalized massage: two hours devoted entirely to letting go. You’ll also have access to the jacuzzi and sauna before we return to Tours refreshed and recharged. In the afternoon, we’ll shift from relaxation to creativity with a watercolor class, perhaps held outdoors at the botanical gardens if the weather cooperates.

Day 6, April 14: Flowers, Castles, and the Loire River

We will follow the Loire River through the countryside to visit one of its most graceful châteaux. Built over the water and surrounded by formal gardens, it is known for both its beauty and the remarkable women who shaped its history. Our visit includes a floral bouquet workshop where we will learn the art of arranging flowers in the French style. There will also be time to tour the château and wander through its gardens before we return to Tours in the late afternoon.

Day 7, April 15: Exploring the Loire by E-Bike

Today we will discover the Loire Valley in the most enjoyable way possible, by electric bike. The route follows quiet paths along the river and through forests, with stops to visit two remarkable castles, one grand and world-famous, the other smaller and still lived in by a local family. Along the way we will pause for lunch within a historic estate and have time to wander, take photos, and enjoy the scenery. Traveling by e-bike lets us slow down and experience the landscape as the French do, with a sense of ease and appreciation for the beauty all around.

Day 8, April 16: Between Goats and Gardens

Our day begins in the countryside at a working goat farm, where we’ll learn about life on the land and the process of making the Loire Valley’s famous goat cheese. It’s a relaxed, hands-on visit that offers a real glimpse into rural life, complete with fresh air, friendly animals, and a taste of what’s produced right on the farm. Later, we’ll take part in a natural cosmetics workshop guided by a local artisan who grows and prepares her own plants and oils. Using simple, natural ingredients, we’ll each create a personalized product to take home — a small reminder of the connection between nature, creativity, and care.

Day 9, April 17: Farewell to the Loire

The morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace — time to pack, browse the shops, or take one last stroll through the streets of Tours. After lunch, we’ll make our way back to Charles de Gaulle Airport and check into our hotel for the night. We’ll share a relaxed final dinner together, raising a glass to the experiences, discoveries, and friendships that have made this week so special.

Day 10, April 18, 2026

Alas, all good things must come to an end. You will need to check out of your hotel room by 11 AM (I will make arrangements if your flight leaves later in the day). You'll hug everyone good-bye and I'll walk you to the airport check-in desk for departures. Remember you will need to be at the airport three hours ahead for your international flight. Some of you may decide to extend your stay in France - just let us know!

Depending on weather and our own interests and/or anything out of our control, this itinerary may be subject to change.

What's included...

single-occupancy upscale lodging
breakfast every day
two special meals: arrival day welcome dinner and the farewell celebration on our final night together
activity fees for prearranged engagements (examples: tickets, materials)
all gratuities for tour goods and services
transportation while on the tour
my expertise: planning, guidance, inside information, and amazing curated adventures

...and not included

personal excursions, purchases, and meals
your personal alcoholic beverages except during our group meals (as listed above in "what's included")
airfare and any other transportation to the meeting location
transportation before and after official tour dates; personal transportation during the tour
passport, visa, or any other travel fees
personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance (highly encouraged)
gratuities for personal goods and services

This looks and sounds amazing. I want to apply!

Hi from Libby, your host & guide

I love, love, love the Loire Valley. Its flowing water, green pastures, and unbelievable palaces get right to my romantic heart and make it sing for joy. The reasons I want to bring you here are simple:

1. Known as the Garden of France, this region is bursting with its flora of fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers all year long. Its flavors, meticulously crafted by cooks and bakers and chefs dedicated to their special craft, will surprise and delight you. The Loire Valley is a place that will nourish you, heart and soul.

2. With its Renaissance palaces and Medieval castles, it's a region out of time, a perfect place to take a break from modern life and get a good reset— "touch grass" as the kids say. Visions of princesses wearing pretty tiaras, jousting knights on horseback, and musicians strumming lutes will play in your dreams at night. It's definitely a place to play and let your imagination run wild.

3. There is so much to do here, and I mean that literally! We won't just be trudging from one castle to another, snapping a photo, and checking them off the list. No! We will gallivant! We will DO. Floral bouquet design. Wine tastings. Watercolor painting. Gentle cycling. Scenic boat rides.

4. Change has a way of sneaking up on us. Sometimes it’s a new chapter we’ve chosen, and other times it’s one that’s chosen us. Either way, it can leave us feeling a little unmoored; we're ready for something new, but not yet sure what that looks like. That’s why stepping away matters. When we give ourselves time and space to pause, clarity begins to surface. The Loire Valley, with its calm rivers, open skies, and creative energy, is the perfect backdrop for that kind of reflection. It’s a place to breathe, to listen inward, and to rediscover what lights you up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need travel insurance?

I highly recommend that you research and obtain insurance coverage. I am not an insurance agent so I cannot recommend any particular policy. Be sure to understand what you are purchasing; there are differences between travel insurance and travel protection. I have some resources for you to help you find the best policy for your situation, just ask.

What's the weather going to be like?

Mid-April in the Loire Valley feels like the true beginning of spring. Days are comfortably mild, with average highs in the 60s°F and lows in the mid-40s°F. You can expect a mix of sunshine, a few clouds, and the occasional passing shower. A light jacket, scarf, and layers will cover most weather and you’ll often find yourself enjoying coffee or wine outdoors by afternoon.

I have dietary restrictions - can that be accommodated?

The Garden of France is the place to be if you're a vegetarian! There are plenty of meat-free options for you at most places; I will make sure there are choices. If you have other concerns, please connect with me so we can discuss further.

What's the activity level of this trip?

Actively active but not excessive. We will be walking around towns - it's possible to walk up to four hours a day (but not all at once)! We won't be running, we won't be taking long hikes. Kayaking and e-bikes are on the itinerary, too, so expect easy movement.

What should I pack?

I send a packing list to all my travelers! That being said, you won't need anything truly dressy, you should plan to pack in layers, and you can spend the whole trip in a pair of nice sneakers.

Where and when do we meet up?

Make sure your flight arrives at Charles de Gaulle airport on Thursday, April 9. 2026. I will be at a hotel just minutes away (walkable!) from the airport and can meet you at arrivals. Whenever you arrive during the day, there is a pool, a gym, and a lounge. In case your flight arrives before the 2 PM check in, you will have access to my room, where you can store your bags and freshen up. We will enjoy a casual welcome dinner together, allowing the time for everyone to mingle and settle in after their long travels.

What kinds of arrangements do I need for getting home?

You should plan to fly out of the Charles de Gaulle Airport departing on April 18. We will be staying at the same nearby hotel so no matter your flight time, you will be close by. I walk you back over to the airport; plan on departing the hotel three hours before your flight. You may have to leave earlier depending on other's schedules. Hotel check out is at 11 AM, so if your flight is later in the day, we can store your bags in my room.

Loire Valley: A Living Fairy Tale