With Tour de Friends, customers are invited to discover the backstage of France and immerse themselves for a week into an authentic French way of life.
BELLEVUE, WASH. – A new travel service, Tour de Friends, LLC., is shaking up the tourism industry by offering a unique way of traveling and discovering France through special customized tours in four different areas of the country during specific times of the year.
Mehdi Merred, one of the owners of Tour de Friends, is a native of France and an accomplished cook and wine connoisseur. He and his wife Aleeta Merred, want you to experience France in a completely relaxed way with someone from France who will provide outstanding service and will help you eliminate the worry and stress of the language barrier, money exchange, and tourist traps. You will experience France through cultural immersion and cuisine as opposed to going to crowded tourist sites.
Tour de Friends offers unique travel experiences that emphasize the cuisine, artisans and countryside of France. With Tour de Friends, customers are invited to discover the backstage of France and immerse themselves for a week into an authentic French way of life.
During 8 days and 7 nights, travelers have the opportunity to meet wine grape growers, wineries, bread bakers, farmers, and other local producers who over the years have shaped the French culture and cuisine. Through personal interactions with a unique network of artisans, Tour de Friends’ guests learn traditions and savoir-faire that tourists usually never get to experience.
Each tour features cooking classes, in which customers get opportunities to pair and taste wine while preparing gourmet meals. Enhancing cultural authenticity, Tour de Friends doesn’t compromise with quality and luxury on the other. Visitors stay at luxurious chateaux, villas and castles carefully selected to offer comfort and escape from everyday life.
In particular, Tour de Friends will offer the following four special customized tours in unique areas of France every year:
- In the spring and late summer, Tour de Friends will guide you through the splendors of the Cote d’Azur country side while completely immersing you to the authentic Provence culture.
- In the summer and fall, travelers have the chance to discover Bordeaux and the world-renowned wine of the Southwest region of France. In these tours, customers have the opportunity to visit the well-respected wineries, taste the culinary specialties of the Dordogne region while being housed in a luxurious castle or a mansion.
- Offered only in the first week of December, Tour de Friends invites you to discover the Alsace Lorraine region that offers a perfect combination between the French culinary wonders and the German Christmas spirit. In this “kickoff” to the Christmas holidays, customers walk through the “marches de Noel” (Christmas markets) and discover this wine region well known for its Rieslings, Gewurztraminers and Pinot Noirs.
- Taking place in the winter season Jan.-Mar, Tour de Friends’ French Alps tour sets you in the heart of ski heaven, even though you do not need to ski in order to appreciate the view of the breathtaking snow covered mountains and the walks through the welcoming Savoyard villages. Additionally, you will experience the hospitality of French Alps villages such as Chamonix, Megeve and La Clusaz.
Tour de Friends believes that creating strong personal interactions and engaging guests in the discovery process are key to providing unforgettable experiences. The tours are limited to 8 people at one time providing interactions that create comradery, while establishing strong connection with each individual. Tour de Friends takes pride in its ability to customize the traveling experiences by taking into account each individuals’ interests and characteristics while planning for the activities. The limited setting is ideal for 4 couples, a group of family members, a group of friends, or corporate events.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
