A European Autumn Whirlwind 

That wind is carrying us toward 2025--where should we go?

Wow! What an amazing five weeks it has been. 

Two groups, virtually back to back: one for the Loire Valley and Bordeaux, one for a music trip on the Danube. (Naturally, both involved wineries...)

France

Clients started out with a few days in Paris (because...Paris), where they explored the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, and more. Because I hadn't visited the museum since its renovation, I managed to make it to the Palais Galliera, a true temple of fashion and costume history.

Soon it was time to head for the central Loire Valley, home to endless chateaux and scores of wineries. Each day we visited one eye-popping manor house or castle, along with a winery in a nearby appellation. It was a full but still leisurely prelude to our Bordeaux cruise.

We started our cruise with a tasting and educational seminar by our private sommelier, a perfect way to kick off our week in France's most legendary wine region. From bike tours to artist encounters to fine dining and a LOT more wine, this was a week of indulgence. A few light showers during the week did not spoil anyone's enjoyment and, in fact, yielded several beautiful rainbows along the way. After all, you can't grow all those grapes without some rain.

Our suitcases were heavier for the return flight, thanks to the fine bottles we purchased along the way. If you know me, you know that wine is just about the only thing that will make me willing to check a bag!

Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary 

November marked the second edition of Celebration of Classical Music: the Danube.  This time we followed the reverse itinerary, so we started out with four nights in Vienna.

I was able to engage the same enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide we had in the spring, and once again the clients appreciated the depth of information she brought to our walking tours and museum visits. We visited the Leopold and Belvedere for their outstanding collections of Austrian art. For this group of music lovers, our private tour of the Bösendorfer piano manufactory was certainly a highlight, as was our extravagant and celebratory lunch together at a historic restaurant off the beaten path.  In the evenings, various guests enjoyed symphony and chamber concerts as well as ballet and opera performances, as one simply must do in Vienna.

During the cruise, we were able to enjoy a variety of musical entertainments and music-themed excursions, as well as the usual array of excellent options from walking tours to gastronomic adventures. Our timing was perfect to enjoy the opening days of Christmas markets in both Vienna and Budapest, which was an unexpected bonus. The crew were busy elves, decorating the ship every day while were out or even at night when some guests were already asleep, providing delightful and festive surprises throughout the week. 

Following the cruise, and I daresay this may have been the most enlightening part of the trip, a small coterie of guests continued with a wine tour of western Hungary. Hungarian villages have a long history of fine winemaking, both still and sparkling, and these three days more than measured up to that high bar. Seventy-five or a hundred years ago, you were apt to see Somló and Lake Balatón wines wines listed on the same fine menus as Bordeaux and Champagne. World War II and the Iron Curtain both took their toll. This is the smallest wine region in Hungary and its products are top notch. We met with obsessed and philosophically-minded winemakers, who personally guided us through their cellars, with barrel tastings, dinners, and more. Everyone on this tour had to buy another suitcase to carry wine home! If this sounds like your cup of tea, or your glass of bubbly, I'll be offering another version of this tour in conjunction with the Gems of Southeast Europe cruise in June 2025.

The 2025 Suggestion Box is Open!

Now that my 2023 travel is over, it's almost time to get to work on 2025. Normally, I include the Suggestion Box in the survey my clients receive each January. But this year I thought I'd try something different. 

If you would like to suggest a Mon Voyage Small Group Trip destination BEFORE the 2025 survey is published at the end of the holidays, please reply to this message with one or two places that you'd most like Mon Voyage to offer a tour in 2025. If I notice any trends among your responses, I will include a few of the most popular suggestions in the survey. Please don't send a long list--one or two suggestions maximum. 

Important updates for 2024 and 2025 (click each trip for details):

Vietnam and Cambodia (January 2024): Sold out; wait list only. I can watch for openings if you want to definitely book in the next ten days.

Alluring Amsterdam (March 2024): Tick tock! Extra rooms will be released 12/20/23. 

Incomparable Istanbul (May 2024): This trip is almost sold out. There is one spot remaining for a solo traveler only (own room).

Of Myths and Moussaka (September 2024): Take advantage of the $150 early booking discount on this amazing Greek odyssey if we reach our minimum by 12/20/23. 

Gems of Southeast Europe (June 2025): Please inquire for details on this lovely and relaxing Lower Danube cruise, and explore the areas from Bucharest to Budapest. I also plan to offer a Hungarian wine tour as an optional Mon Voyage post-cruise extension (details to come). Deposit your cabin by 12/14/23 and receive TWO discounts.

PLUS!! BLACK FRIDAY BONUS!! Book the Lower Danube cruise by 12/1/23 and Mon Voyage will also cover an extra $50 in onboard creditI 

Please note that Mon Voyage is closed for the holiday weekend but I will be back in the office on Monday.

Don't forget to contact me about your private travels for the months and years ahead. My 2024 book is filling up!

À la prochaine--