Trafalgar is doubling down on its slow travel offerings with the launch of its inaugural Villages of France itinerary.
Just weeks after the launch of its first river ships on the Rhine and Danube, Trafalgar is on a mission to stay longer and delve deeper in the French countryside.
The brand’s new nine-day Villages of France itinerary focuses on the ‘road less travelled,’ prioritising storytelling and community connection over traditional high-volume tourism hubs.
Following a bus route specifically designed to bypass highways, the itinerary highlights the slower pace and undeniable charm of France’s lesser-known locales.
The road less travelled
Departing round-trip from Paris, the tour explores Orléans and Bourges before visiting the picturesque villages of Beaune, Colmar and Ribeauvillé.
A highlight of the journey is the ‘Be My Guest’ experience at Château de Vieux Chambord in Burgundy. Hosted by the Devaulx de Chambord family, the visit emphasises personal and cultural connection with tours of the 14th-century estate and a traditional lunch spotlighting local produce.
In Strasbourg guests take part in a signature MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience at Café Joyeux, an enterprise supporting inclusive employment in the hospitality sector.
The journey continues through the Champagne region – Metz, Épernay and Reims – to the town of Meaux, renowned for its brie cheese, where guests visit a local dairy and farmers’ markets before concluding in Paris.
The Travel Corporation Tour Brands partner marketing director for Oceania Louise Levesque said that the itineraries’ inaugural departure is a culmination of collaboration and craftsmanship.
“It is a testament to the fact that when travel is created with care and a deep respect for local communities, it creates memories that last far beyond the journey itself,” she said.
Trafalgar are not the only operators expanding their offerings in France. Yesterday, Intrepid announced their acquisition of Altaï Group, a nature-based, small group travel operator based in Lyon.
Advisor intel: Trafalgar’s Villages of France itinerary is priced from AU$4,925 / NZ$5,350 per person.
