Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours of the Loire Valley in France. A highlight of the region is Chateau Villandry, renowned for its beautiful Renaissance-style formal gardens including a Kitchen Garden.

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One of the things we love about traveling is the food! Here are some of the meals and culinary treats that Artisans of Leisure travel experts are dreaming about for when we’re able to travel again.

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The legendary La Colombe d’Or is one of our favorite lunch destinations  along the Cote d’Azur and a must-visit for its magnificent art collection, Provencal cuisine and atmospheric flower-filled courtyard.

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Enjoy this interview with Ashley Isaacs Ganz, the founder of Artisans of Leisure, about her recent France tour that included Paris, Provence and the Cote d’Azur–some of our favorite destinations during the glorious summer months. Q: Where did you visit on this trip? A: We started in Paris, where we stayed at the iconic Ritz Paris. […]

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For travelers wanting a unique and very special day trip from Paris, consider visiting exquisite Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the privately owned palace and gardens that were the inspiration for Versailles. Artisans of Leisure arranges exclusive private tours of the chateau with the owners, as well as elegant lunches, dinners or cocktails in the lavish interiors. […]

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Italy abounds in gastronomic treasures, but perhaps none is more highly prized than white truffles. Travelers visiting the Piedmont region in October and November—prime white truffle season— can see and taste the best of the best at the Alba International White Truffle Fair. We arrange for our travelers to visit the fair, and we also […]

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When traveling between Barcelona, Spain, and destinations in southern France, such as Provence and the Cote d’Azur, we highly recommend a stop in Carcassonne.    A spectacular fortified city, Carcassonne sits atop a strategic hill above the Aude River in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. From afar, the scale of the city, with its fairy-tale […]

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Many of our private France tours include a stay at Chateau la Cheneviere, a wonderful luxury hotel in the heart of Normandy.  Situated in a beautifully restored 18th-century chateau surrounded by expansive grounds, the hotel makes a perfect base for exploring the region, including highlights such as the D-Day beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel, the Bayeux Tapestry, the […]

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We love visiting European cities during the holiday season, especially to visit the wonderful Christmas markets that take place throughout the region. The markets—which showcase local holiday traditions, seasonal cuisine, and regional crafts—are an amazing way to join in the local holiday cheer. Many cities in Europe—from Salzburg, Austria to Waterford, Ireland—have Christmas markets. Some […]

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The South of France is a perennial favorite destination for Artisans of Leisure travelers. This year, we’re excited about the reopening of La Bastide de Gordes, a sophisticated hotel and spa that offers luxury and style in the heart of Provence. Perched on the steep slopes of Gordes, a beautiful and ancient Provencal hill town, […]

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From glorious fall foliage in Japan to the start of holiday markets in cities throughout Europe, autumn is a wonderful time to travel in many of our destinations. Need ideas for an amazing last-minute vacation? We’ve selected a few of our favorite tours that are sure to inspire: • Essence of Japan • Classic Argentina • Luxuries of […]

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From summer festivals in Japan to al fresco dining and luxury seaside resorts in the Mediterranean, summer is a wonderful time to travel in many of our destinations. Need ideas for an amazing last-minute vacation? We’ve selected a few of our favorite tours that are sure to inspire: • Journey Through Italy • Best of Ireland & […]

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We just received the following message and photos from Artisans of Leisure travelers in France. They had a private tour through beautiful Normandy, where they visited the historic city of Rouen and Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, among other places: “The day in Giverny and Rouen was PERFECT!  Mother’s Day . . .  Perfect […]

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The newest member of the Artisans of Leisure team is Luke Pyenson. Read on and you’ll see why! Q: What got you started traveling? My whole family loves to travel, in particular my grandmother, who has been all over the world. Growing up, I would hear stories from her or my parents about various far-flung […]

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This holiday season, spoil family members and friends with the ultimate gift of an Artisans of Leisure tour. Here’s a selection of new tours and perennial favorites that are sure to inspire and delight every sophisticated traveler on your list: • For foodies… Who wouldn’t want to eat their way through a Vietnam for Foodies tour, […]

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We were touched and honored to read this letter from the mother of a family that travels regularly with Artisans of Leisure. We hope you enjoy reading about how traveling together has become such an important part of their lives. As my eldest daughter enters her senior year of high school, with her two sisters not […]

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Be sure to visit our website to read the latest Artisans of Leisure newsletter. It’s full of inspiring travel ideas and photos, including: Just Back: Holland, Belgium & Paris (slideshow) Just Back: The Best of Vietnam (slideshow) Ireland for Families New Zealand: Luxury, Landscapes & Lifestyle Insider Venice & Florence Festive Season in Europe Our Newest […]

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The Thanksgiving holiday is an ideal time for a quick overseas getaway with family or friends. It’s also a great way to celebrate the tradition in a creative way. Artisans of Leisure’s private, customized Thanksgiving tours combine in-depth cultural touring with the best of the season, such as fall foliage, special cultural performances and holiday […]

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We recently caught up with Emeric Harney of Harney & Sons Fine Teas to discuss tea, travel, fashion, food and more. Q: What makes Harney & Sons unique? A: Harney & Sons is a tea company that is committed to making quality tea an everyday luxury. We pride ourselves on providing education on proper tea […]

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The latest version of the Artisans of Leisure newsletter is now online. Highlights include: Interview: Summer Travel in Greece & Turkey Italy: A Few of Our Favorite Places Peru beyond Machu Picchu A Luxury Journey through Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Oman (slideshow) Exclusive Switzerland The Best of Normandy, France New Holland & Belgium Tours   […]

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2013 is an exciting year for Artisans of Leisure: it’s our 10th anniversary! We’re proud to be celebrating our first decade of offering the most luxurious and creative private tours available. Where are you considering traveling? For inspiration, we asked a few of our clients to comment on favorite aspects of their recent Artisans of […]

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Be sure to visit our website to read our latest Artisans of Leisure newsletter. It’s full of travel ideas for now and the future, not to mention two slideshows from recent trips: • Just Back: Vienna, Prague & Berlin (slideshow) • An Interview with Our Newest Travel Expert • Where to Go Now: India • Expanding Our International Garden […]

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Comprising four provinces in northern Spain and three provinces in southern France, the Basque Country packs a lot into an area about the size of New Jersey. The region has its own language and a rich cultural heritage that make it a surprising change from the flamenco-tinged pueblos of Andalusia and the big-city bustle of […]

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Want to learn to make mozzarella by hand on the Amalfi Coast? How about a private karate lesson in Kyoto? A surfing lesson in Bali? Would you like to paint porcelain in Austria or assist on an archaeological dig in Israel? We offer hundreds of such learning experiences that can be incorporated into our private […]

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Artisans of Leisure founder and CEO Ashley Isaacs Ganz shares a few of her favorite things about her recent two-week overland trip through Europe. Favorite hotels on this trip: I love the luxurious Old World hotels found throughout the region, such as Brenners Park-Hotel in Baden-Baden (Germany), the Hotel Sacher in Salzburg (Austria), the Baur […]

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Many people with restricted diets or food allergies worry about finding appropriate meals when traveling overseas. Several of our in-house travel experts have food restrictions, so we understand firsthand the challenges. We also know how to overcome them. Artisans of Leisure regularly works with travelers who have food restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, kosher, gluten-free and […]

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Europe is one of our favorite regions to visit in the summer, and there’s still time to plan an incredible summer vacation. Here are a few ideas from our travel specialists. 1.) For the Mediterranean at its best Recommended destinations: Italy & Sicily, French Riviera, Greece & more Inspiration for your tour: Enjoying beautiful views […]

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Portugal is a cultural and culinary gem still waiting to be discovered by many travelers. Our carefully planned Portugal tours and excellent local guides give access to iconic Portugal experiences such as touring the atmospheric back streets of Lisbon, attending a fado performance, private wine and port wine tastings at local vineyards, and tracing echoes […]

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When taking a luxury cruise, a great way to make the most of your time in ports of call is with private shore excursions and private overland tours. Artisans of Leisure has a vast network of expert guides and drivers in cruise destinations around the world, and we work with sophisticated travelers to customize private […]

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Versailles is one of the most interesting and elegant cities in France. Our private France tours bring travelers to our favorite spots in Versailles, many of which are rarely visited by international travelers. One of the grandest royal palaces in the world, Chateau de Versailles–Versailles Palace–is a magnificent Baroque complex set on thousands of acres […]

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Artisans of Leisure arranges incredible family vacations customized to families of all sizes and age ranges.

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Artisans of Leisure is well known for our private culinary tours in destinations around the world. We hope you enjoy this interview with one of our culinary travel experts. Q: How does food influence how you travel? A: Basically, I travel to eat. Quite often I plan my touring around a certain restaurant I want […]

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Normandy is one of our favorite travel destinations in France. It’s just a few hours by private car and driver from Paris, and there are endless touring options. One of the highlights of traveling in Normandy is the food, which we feel is among the best in France. Normandy is the home of many of […]

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We feel that food is a window into culture, history and traditions, and we always encourage our travelers to visit local food markets as part of the private tours we arrange. It’s a great opportunity for people-watching and to sample the tastes and flavors of each destination. Here are a few of our favorite food […]

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We love planning family tours in France. It’s a perfect destination for families with children of all ages. Our private France tours are designed so the touring is flexible and fun for all family members. For those with young children, parents can truly experience all of the pleasures of France–the incredible history, beauty and cuisine–without compromising anything. There is plenty […]

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We love Deauville…its glamour, village-feel, incredible seafood, legendary racecourse, and its beautiful beach lined with colorful umbrellas. Each time we visit, we love to pick up colorful French linens that are bright and fun and a perfect reminder of Deauville. Destinations:  FranceTags:  beach, culture blog, Deauville, design blog, France tours, French, French linens, interior design, luxury travel blog, Normandy, Normandy tours, […]

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