you are a discerning traveler…
you daydream of the charm and magic of france..
…we provide unforgettable experiences amidst natural beauty, architectural splendor and extraordinary culinary encounters.
an afternoon of bliss in provence: step out of your seafront hotel and Stroll the outdoor “Marché Saleya” in Nice, purchase a “pissaladière”, other fresh cooked local specialties and a chilled bottle of Rosé. Then let your private guide take you to a tucked away beach only known to locals for a Provencal picnic facing the mesmerizing Mediterranean blue.
Now you feel like you’re in the movies: Enter this huge medieval fortress in late afternoon from a back door in the remparts - the “Porte d'Aude” - skirting the sea of tour buses and throngs of tourists. you are transported into the middle ages. As the sun sets, dine at the "Golden Hour" when only a few visitors remain in the walled city - That's the way to see Carcassonne.
Experience the Normandy coast off-road: in an authentic WW2 British Willys Jeep, just two or three of you and the guide, who takes you to sites you may never have heard of that had great strategic importance during the D-Day Invasion of June 1944.
Skip the line at the Eiffel Tower: walk up the stairs to the second floor inside the Tower for a romantic dinner at madame brasserie. you have a table by the window and are spellbound, overlooking the City of Light while sipping Champagne.
inside a bordeaux chateau: In the 1,000-cheese cellar, each morsel of cheese is paired with a different vintage Bordeaux wine. The discovery continues with the geography and geology behind each Bordeaux vintage’s characteristic personality.
looking for ways to make this trip unforgettable?
8 questions that we hear a lot
We love to stay in charming hotels, but how to find the really good ones?
I don’t speak the language, how do I know I’ll get my money’s worth?
Eiffel Tower is great, but we don’t want to only do touristy things while we are there!
Where are the cool spots that are off the beaten path? (Hint: check out our Instagram)
A winery visit needs to be truly authentic, how do I find one where we can mingle with the owners?
I want to feel like a true Parisian for 4 days, can you help us plan a trip like that?
Traveling the countryside, is a car rental really necessary?
How about high-speed trains and a chauffeur to greet us at the station?
Your Options for planning a trip?
plan it yourself
“What Could Possibly Go Wrong???”
In the age of the internet, it’s all at your fingertips, right? Enter a few search words and pretty early on it feels like too much. Way too much. And yet are you getting the inside scoop from a local? Where to visit in which season? How to avoid the crowd? Where’s the hotel that has that unforgettable cachet, right out of a movie? What restaurant has the best ambience? You get the idea.
Use a large multi-national tour company
“Good Enough for Some”
A one-stop shop for a tour anywhere in the world. It could be Ireland, Japan or the Seychelles, they do it all, from one call center. The chances that the rep who is working on your trip to France lived there for decades - or even traveled there?? - are very low. They can give you a package, NOT an experience tailored to your dreams and aspirations
work with Tournesol Travel
“The Perfect Experience - Start to Finish”
We have resided and traveled extensively through France. We know about those off-the-beaten-path spots. We speak the language, so you can be sure you are getting the right value for your money. Our extensive network “on the ground” ensures you visit what is truly worth seeing, stay at the best hotels and secure a great table at the charming local restaurants.
A couple of ideas to whet your appetite
paris & loire valley chateaux
Normandy & D-DAY beaches
Bordeaux & South of france
“When I look back on the trip that Lisa created for us, it was one of the best trips I have ever taken in my life! Every day we woke up and we knew we were going to have a great day.
Each of our accommodations was very unique, from a sleek modern hotel looking over the water to a sweet cottage in Saint Tropez and a private home outside of Nice. All of it was accommodating and different, and just make this trip super special!”
-Jen
“When you are planning a trip it is really hard to know where to go or what to do. Lisa gave us the perfect mix of relaxation and activities, and at the end of the day, we always ended up at beautiful hotel or having a wonderful dinner. It was breathtaking! It was one of the best trips!”