Becoming Tripologiste

(9 minute read)

The Early Days 

Travel has always been a way of life for me, rooted in my earliest days. I was born in the picturesque Burgundian countryside of France to a French mother and an American father. Before I turned four, my family moved to Texas, but every year during school holidays, I returned to France to stay with my cousins at my grandfather’s house in the small village where he lived. Together, we explored local sites, and I often traveled to visit family in other parts of France, especially Lyon, Paris, and Annecy. These trips made international travel second nature to me, and I even began flying to France unaccompanied when I was just nine years old.

At home in Dallas, life felt distinctly French. My mom prepared meals she had learned from her mother and grandmother, and we always ate together at the table as a family. We spoke French at home, and I attended a French school, making me feel very much like a French kid growing up in America.

Over the years, I had countless opportunities to explore different parts of France, Switzerland, and Italy beyond my family visits. During my senior year of high school, I joined a group trip through Italy and France with my class, marking my first foray into organized group travel—an unforgettable journey that left a lasting impression. Later that year, I began attending Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland, on the Italian border. Living there introduced me to a new language, culture, and the transformative experience of living outside the U.S.

In 2013, I sailed from Marseille, France, to Calabria, the region that occupies the "toe" of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula. It was during this trip that I truly fell in love with Italy, marveling at every inch of the Mediterranean coast. That same year, two of my cousins and I cycled through central France, retracing the pilgrimage route my grandfather once took to Santiago de Compostela. With a giant map of France spread across the floor, we planned the journey with excitement. Each day, we rode for a few hours, stopping to enjoy saucisson sandwiches against picturesque backdrops whenever hunger struck. In the mornings, our hosts prepared platters of bread and homemade jams that we could barely finish. The trip culminated in Conques, where we celebrated my grandfather’s 90th birthday. Along with planning the cycling route, I managed the logistics of accommodating all 21 family members in three guesthouses for the celebration. Planning adventures and gatherings was becoming a lifestyle.

These escapades planted a voice in the back of my mind, telling me I should help others discover the same joy in travel that I’ve experienced. Seeing the Mona Lisa is a must, of course, but the real beauty of travel lies in uncovering the places off-the-beaten-path—the places that only locals know. For example, near my hometown, there’s a field of rocks found deep in the forest called La Mer de Pierre (the Sea of Stone), a peculiar but magnificent geological wonder. My mother had taken me there as a child, just as her own grandmother had taken her. Europe is brimming with these hidden gems, and it became my dream to share these memories of discovery with others.

Jonas Joins the Party 

In 2022, I was thrilled to return to France to spend time with my cousins. We had been planning a long summer weekend at our family home in Burgundy, a much-anticipated reunion. The agenda was perfect—cooking meals together, hosting a talent show, and playing pétanque under the string lights. When I mentioned the trip to Jonas, a seasoned traveler himself, he asked if he could join. I love sharing my culture and family with friends, so I thought it was a fantastic idea. After some quick planning, we found ourselves in Burgundy, surrounded by three generations of family. We were so many that we didn’t have enough beds, so we strung hammocks in the attic for the more adventurous of us, transforming it into what felt like the below decks of an old sailing ship.

The weekend flew by, filled with laughter, stories, and great food, but Jonas and I still had about 10 days left in France. Before leaving the U.S., we had loosely planned a road trip through southern France and Italy. However, once we started mapping it out, it became clear that it would be too much ground to cover in too little time. Half-jokingly, I suggested Corsica, but as we looked into it, we realized it was not only possible but perfect. We rented a car, booked an overnight ferry, and drove to Nice to set sail. In hindsight, we should have booked a cabin instead of Pullman seats for better rest, but nevertheless, we were on our way to Corsica.

As the sun rose the next morning, our ferry docked at L’Île Rousse on Corsica’s northern coast. Having previously sailed the Mediterranean and much of the coast of France and Italy, I believed I knew what to expect. Corsica was a wondrous revelation. The island is a breathtaking blend of turquoise waters and rugged mountains cloaked in dense pine forests, with charming stone chapels nestled within unspoiled villages. After dipping our feet in the sea, we began a 60-mile drive (that took two hours) into the mountains to reach the cottage where we’d be staying. Though we slept in bunk beds every night, our accommodations couldn’t have been more ideal. Our host, Aurelien, greeted us with coffee and croissants each morning, and local villagers would gather to chat and share gossip. By sheer luck, we happened upon a neighboring village’s annual festival, where we danced alongside multiple generations of locals to summer pop hits and a live traditional Corsican folk singer—a singular experience most tourists would never see. This event has led to one of our biggest travel-planning philosophies: Leave space in your itinerary for magic to happen! There will always be moments that you never could have planned for.

We spent our days driving across the western side of the island, discovering stunning landscapes. One highlight was a hike along the sea in the scorching heat, where we didn’t bring nearly enough water, but survived the adventure (thanks again to the Italian family that shared their water with us). Afterward, we rewarded ourselves with a refreshing swim and peaceful repose at the pebble beach in the Calanque de Piana. That evening, we enjoyed a dinner of freshly caught fish, sourced straight from the bay where we had been swimming. The next day, we visited Ajaccio, Napoleon’s birthplace, and soaked in the crystal-clear waters once more at another nearby beach. This secluded beach was so breathtaking that we abandoned our plans for the next day to return, relishing every minute—from a hilarious encounter with the scant number of beach-goers after a jellyfish invaded the cove to watching the sun dip behind the mountains at sunset.

When our time on the island came to an end, we crossed Corsica to Bastia and boarded another ferry. Once again, we sailed overnight, this time waking up in Savona, Italy. Driving back on the autostrada, we had hoped to take the gondola up Mont Blanc, but cloudy weather had closed it. Instead, we went under the mountain via the impressive 7.5-mile tunnel. After crossing into France, we stopped in Chamonix for a hearty lunch of tartiflette served with charcuterie and wine. Further down the road, realizing we were just 40 minutes from Geneva, we made a spontaneous detour so Jonas could add Switzerland to his list. After one more night in Burgundy, we headed to Paris for the last 24 hours of our trip. We skipped sightseeing and spent our time lounging by the Seine with beers and dancing at a rooftop bar with Parisians. Our first of many unforgettable adventures had come to an end.

Those two weeks not only solidified our friendship but also shaped our philosophy: create an itinerary that has a purpose and a plan, but isn’t overpacked. Leaving space for spontaneous, magical moments is essential for a deeper, more enriching experience—these are the moments that can only happen when you’re truly immersed in the destination.

Our First Clients

By 2023, my mother had retired to her hometown in Burgundy, and my sister had settled in the Basque region of France. Feeling the pull to be closer to family and start a new chapter, I began to consider the idea of moving to France myself. Around this time, some family friends reached out for help planning a European trip—a perfect opportunity to turn my dream of crafting unique excursions into reality. After working with them over some weeks, Jonas and I created an itinerary that drew upon their core passions for art and architecture, ensuring the trip would be both inspiring and memorable.

Their journey began in London before continuing to Paris, where I met them after their Eurostar arrival. A minor hiccup—a fender bender in our taxi—nearly prevented them from catching their next train to Burgundy, but I quickly arranged another cab, getting them to the station with moments to spare. Once in Burgundy, we visited the Le Corbusier-designed Chapel of Notre-Dame du Haut in Ronchamp and explored the region’s Romanesque churches, including a private tour of Saint-Lazare Cathedral in Autun, and Vézelay Abbey, where a spellbinding former nun serenaded us with medieval chants. 

From there, we headed south. I drove their rental car, along with their suitcases, to Marseille while they enjoyed the comfort and speed of the train. Marseille served as our base for scouting the region’s remarkable architecture and art. We stayed in a hotel housed in another Le Corbusier-designed building and visited Frank Gehry’s stunning new LUMA Arles museum. For their final night in the area, they indulged in a stay at a luxurious countryside hotel, complete with an expansive art park and a picturesque vineyard. Continuing on to Cannes and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, we followed the footsteps of artists like Bonnard and Van Gogh. Our final stops included Vallauris, famous for ceramics that inspired Picasso, and Lyon, where I saw them off as they headed to Paris to complete their journey at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay.

After they departed, I reflected over dinner at Jaja, my favorite Parisian restaurant. The trip had been a success—weeks of planning had culminated in helping them experience the best of France. It was a moment of fulfillment, knowing I had finally turned my passion into a reality.

Moving to Europe

I had little time to rest as my mother and I had plans to visit friends in Florence. Seeing it in the off-season and guided by quasi-locals, I discovered the charm of Florence and Tuscany like I never had before. We wandered through damp parks, combed abbeys adorned with frescoes of the Last Supper, and dined on bistecca alla Fiorentina in local restaurants far from the tourist traps. Snacks came in the form of unforgettable schiacciata sandwiches—from the famous All’Antico Vinaio to the lesser-known but equally delicious Il Cernacchio. I even spotted L’Importuno di Michelangelo, a graffito on the Palazzo Vecchio attributed to Michelangelo himself.

Returning to Burgundy, we eased into the familiar chaos of the holidays—planning meals, decorating, and reconnecting with family. Having spent nearly a third of the year in France, I felt a deep desire for more. In my twenties, I traveled Europe alone, discovering places I would revisit for years to come. In my thirties, I traveled with friends, sharing those discoveries and uncovering new ones. Kicking off my forties, I wanted to continue exploring while introducing others to the wonders of Europe’s lesser-known destinations—places beyond the tourist corridors that deserve more appreciation and could benefit from the economic boost of tourism.

Back in the U.S., I focused on how to make a permanent return to France. Jonas had also developed a strong case of wanderlust, and amazingly, he qualified for an entrepreneur visa—a perfect opportunity to tie our budding travel business into relocation plans for both of us. We developed a business plan, completed the paperwork, and in July 2024, after months of effort, he received his visa. This kicked off a whirlwind process of moving to France, so we could get to work.

Now settled in France, in the same small village that my grandfather lived, we’re traveling at every opportunity—rediscovering places I’ve loved and exploring new ones together. Since September, we’ve crisscrossed the country, spending time in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Dijon, much of Burgundy, and even London (France’s “second-largest city,” as the joke goes). Along the way, we’ve made wonderful new friends, hosted visitors, and welcomed a new client who left her first trip to France transformed—exactly as we’d hoped.

Tripologiste

Looking back, I realize how my lifelong connection to France has not only fueled my love for travel but also ignited a deep desire to share the rich culture of Europe with others. What began as a personal passion has now evolved into a true calling: creating meaningful, unforgettable experiences for others. The adventures Jonas and I have shared have not only enriched our understanding of this extraordinary continent but also solidified our dedication to helping others explore its undiscovered wonders and transformative beauty. Through our growing travel business, we’re excited to craft unique journeys that go far beyond the ordinary well-trodden paths. We can’t wait to share even more unforgettable adventures that leave lasting impressions long after the trip ends!