The Perfect Way to Truly Experience the Magic of France
Imagine visiting France with trusted friends who know the language and culture and are eager for you to experience what the country has to offer as well. People who’ve put time and effort into coming up with a thoughtfully planned itinerary, one with the perfect mix of organized events and time to explore and learn on your own. When I read about the Champagne Tour offered by Off the Beaten Path, it immediately appealed to me. I thought it would be a nice way for my husband and me to have some unique experiences on our first trip to France together, but it was so much more. Christy and Summer were amazing tour guides. It was like travelling with very old and dear friends, and their enthusiasm was contagious. They’d lived in France for a combined total of more than fifty years, so they were the perfect hosts. They referred to us as their “guests,” and that is truly how we felt. And even though they’ve taken thousands of people on tours throughout the years, they somehow managed to make our tour feel absolutely special. On the first day, they surprised us with a chance to experience “saboring.” Also known as sabrage, this is a celebratory technique for opening a champagne bottle using a dull blade. This was followed that night by an amazing dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant, and the rest of the trip was amazing as well. We visited four champagne houses, learned the history of the region, ate at other fantastic restaurants, and we even had a pastry-making class. Every moment was wonderful, and Christy and Summer made the whole experience unforgettable. As we were exploring the cellar of our third or fourth champagne house and I watched Christy smile at an art display of metal butterflies hanging in the tunnel, I asked her how she stayed so enthusiastic after doing this so many times. She said, “Every time the experience is different, and every time I learn something new.” This, I think, is what makes Off the Beaten Path so very special. And this is also why you need to experience it yourself.