Testimonials

Kris Hicks, New York, New York

Our Gascony tour was truly amazing and I was so happy to share this wonderful experience with my daughter. Slow travel in the French countryside with Sue as our guide, visiting the various little villages, delicious meals, staying at the beautiful
Chateau Les Bruhasses, and meeting four other amazing
women, was a vacation I will always remember. We will be
signing up for another tour next year!

Eva Quintana, Albuquerque, New Mexico

David Groshens, Billings, Montana

Steve and Diane Calder, Charleston, South Carolina

Mary Schinke, New York, New York

D’Artagnan & Angela Bebel, The Woodlands, Texas

We voted you the #1 guide in France! What an extraordinary experience, Sue. Thank you for creating such a creative and fun itinerary. Definitely the most delectable 80th birthday trip. You are so appreciated.

Dianne Felton, Newport Beach, California

Thank you so much, Sue, for such a wonderful holiday. You took us to so many great places & the Priory was perfect. I can honestly say I have never eaten so much in all my life, nor tasted such good wine! It was windy & a bit cooler than hoped for, but it really didn’t matter. I have brought home with me the memory of that perfect, startlingly blue Provence sky. Provence will always be one of my favorite destinations.

Gillian Farr, Hampshire, England

Jordan and Mary Bromberg, Stuart, Florida

There is not a day that I haven’t looked at my photos or relived the trip. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and could not have asked for more wonderful travel companions to share it with.

Marjorie Bombar, Bellevue, Washington

I very much enjoyed finally meeting you and hearing your perspective on all the places we visited. I also appreciated your kindness and empathy along the way—I have such a clear memory of you putting your arm around me when I got emotional talking about missing my mom. That was so sweet, and certainly not something I would expect from a tour director! But from day one you were much more than that, which is what makes your tours stand out from all the others. I hope to be able to do another tour with you in 2025. Crossing my fingers that you don’t burn out before then. As a group leader, Sue brings to the table her incredible life and people skills which make her uniquely suited for being so very good at what she does. She possesses both American and French sensibilities, is kind, thoughtful and a good listener and has an unflappable sense of calm. I highly recommend traveling on one of Sue’s tours, you won’t be disappointed.

Teri Kekautz, Santa Barbara, California

Last September, 6 of us got off the TGV in Saint Jean de Luz to be met by Sue and to begin our 10 day adventure! We began with a beautiful afternoon overlooking the Atlantic from the grass terrace of our hotel and home for rest of our Basque adventure. From there we went on day trips ranging from Biarritz and Bayonne to San Sebastián and Bilboa. All beautiful, quintessentially Basque from the architecture to food and of course wine. Sue was our guide, driver, always doing her very best to ensure that 6 diverse souls were happy. Not an easy task- ever herded cats? Any trip you take with Sue will feel like traveling with a friend.

Tony and Nancy Miller, Wilmington, North Carolina

I stumbled upon Sue Aran’s French Country Adventures through a French blog I follow and decided to look into it. I have traveled to Provence many times and loved it but had not planned to go again. However when I read the details of the Tarn/Provence tour, it called my name. Sue was easy to contact and answered all my questions over the next few months, and I cannot say how pleased I was with this trip. We only changed hotels (actually fabulous B&Bs) twice. She drove an 8-person van, but our group numbered only 5 so we had loads of room. As a small group, we bonded and became real friends. Sue’s itinerary was a perfect blend of structure and serendipity, and she was extremely knowledgeable about the area. She had suggestions for excursions in villages – museums, cooking classes, a tour of an ochre mine, markets, etc. – but the group was able to decide. This tour is billed as “slow travel” which appealed to me, and I think it was just that, perfect. I would go with her again. 5 stars!

Mary Ann Miller, Jacksonville, Florida

Sue is an informative professional, and congenial guide to her beloved France. Well versed in the history and architecture of the areas visited, she offers insight into the times and customs of the era and area. She easily engages with each client and I am certain that most, if not all, become friends. She goes beyond what your expectations may be. This was our second tour and I eagerly look forward to the next.

Elizabeth and John Quinn, Winchester, Virginia

Have you imagined a very special tour meeting all your personal requirements; small size; focus on complete experience of local scenery, local food, avoiding crushing crowds? A tour of Gascony is the answer to your dreams! Small size tour group (6 or less). Accommodations in a beautiful chateau. Sue arranges to pick you up, provides daily transportation, historical background, timely rest stops, and reservations at superior restaurants for meals. All questions leading up to travel are answered quickly, no gaps in information. All your needs are met. Just a perfect adventure!

Cheryl Callahan & Norman Miner, Hopkinton, New Hampshire

My wife, Marti, and I just returned from our second adventure with Sue; last year Gascony and late this September Provence. It was – in a word—Glorious! We arrived back home holding visions of incredibly deep blue skies, olive groves, vineyards, illuminations of Van Gogh paintings on limestone quarry walls, beautiful wines and cooking to match. Our small inn was delightful and located in the pedestrian friendly, historic heart of Uzès an ancient town with beginnings in Roman times. Sue was, and is, a wonderful guide, companion and friend, and as a bonus we had the pleasure of spending time with her husband, Colby, a very talented and fascinating gentleman. We’ve never had a better trip and we’ll be back!

Chip and Marti Corley, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Stuart and I had a great time on our French adventure! I thought our group was a particularly good and fun group! We all had some good laughs and plenty of Armagnac and delicious food and wonderful outings.You are an amazing lady and a terrific tour guide…no matter who cancelled, you didn’t get rattled….you just stayed calm and made alternate arrangements. Tom was also wonderful with his great knowledge of wine and Armagnac and a lot of fun!

Karen and Stuart Monroe, Winchester, Virginia

We had such a marvelous time with you for those ten days. I miss it all – the markets, the food, the ambience, the cheese. No, the bread! I will be making French bread here shortly! The trip definitely re-invigorated my cooking mojo for which John is very happy. I have been picking my figs from the bush daily and have two batches of jam down and one cake so far.Thank you for a wonderful trip full of so many fantastic experiences and memories!

Elizabeth and Paul Quinn, Winchester, Virginia

Bruce and I enjoyed the day immensely and learned a lot from Sue and the people she arranged for us to meet. She was extremely thorough in her preparation to ensure she was organizing things that fitted my brief (despite the short notice and being very busy at the time) and she came up with a full day of activities for me and my husband. I was really impressed with her local knowledge, contacts and her easy demeanor. As a freelance travel writer I’ve now got enough material for several articles. Sue’s a terrific ambassador and really knows her stuff – she was absolutely fabulous!

Deborah & Bruce Mackie, Canberra, Australia

The highlight of my recent trip to France was the extraordinary day I spent in Lourdes. From the moment Sue met me at the airport I knew I was in good hands. Our day was planned to perfection with ample time to see everything I had expressed interest in, enough explanation without getting bored or overwhelmed and plenty of time for pictures, lunch and shopping. Sue is a very knowledgable and personable guide who exceeded my expectations on all levels and Lourdes is a spiritual journey not to be missed.

Donna Toscana, Wyckoff, New Jersey

To capture the essence of our five or six long travel adventures with Sue Aran in France, we would need to write books or make movies. These times ranged from the hilarious to the deeply profound. Always the unexpected, with Sue’s keen and generous eye toward beauty, unique personalities, and new discoveries. Sue is brilliant at making the experience easy, and the France that she shares is transforming.

Lou Oma Durand and Ken Patten, Gig Harbor, Washington

Greg and I speak often of our time spent with you. The conversations, maps and suggestions you made for us, the laughter, visiting your friend, the elderly grand dame and being invited into her wine cave resplendent with award winning bottles of Armagnac, shopping flea markets, but most of all being invited into your house for a gorgeous home prepared meal. We’ve never been treated so lovingly and generously by a virtual stranger. As I said in France, you were a large part of our enjoyment of your adopted country.

Greg Roats and Woodleigh Hubbard, Bainbridge Island, Washington

French Country Adventures was the perfect reprieve from Los Angeles. I’d never seen rolling hills until my visit, nor the darling blonde cows roaming the area. Scenic is an understatement. If you’re looking for peace with a bit of adventure this is the tour for you. Sue will show you hidden corners of Gascony, not just the famous stops. Depending upon your itinerary she’ll make sure you see amazing locations like the famous pilgrimage village of Rocamadour, including its castles and caves, as well as the tiniest, most charming fortified village in France. Come with an appetite because there is fantastic food at every corner!

Sarah Skerritt, Santa Monica, California

My trip to Gascony with Sue as my tour guide was full of wonderful discoveries and experiences. Gascony is one of the most beautiful regions in France to which I have traveled and I have been to most of France. I loved interacting with the locals and the wide community of ex-pats. Sue is a wonderful student of the history of this region and will show and tell you in detail. The ease of pace, the richness of flavors, the charming villages and Gascony’s diverse history is unable to be adequately described, but should definitely be experienced.

Carolyn Sullivan, Reno, Nevada

Last November I traveled to various charming villages around Gascony with Sue Aran. I knew very little of the rich history in this area of France. Sue gave me an insider’s tour of every village. We visited the local flea markets, indulged in freshly made hot chocolate, walked the ancient cobbled streets that the Cathars traversed, tasted Armagnac at a family-run distillery, and enjoyed traditional Basque food. Besides exploring all the wonderful villages, the countryside itself is breathtaking. I can’t wait to join Sue for another amazing experience.

Elizabeth Chester, Santa Monica, California

There is a love of the land and Sue’s affinity with every landscape, farmhouse, castle and small town cathedral we passed that made the journey through the French countryside a grand adventure like no other. The visual masterpieces found around every bend in the road were heightened by the joy I sensed, coming from her heart, as she offered the gift of France from the same place where she had claimed France for herself. I felt less like I was “touring” and more like I was sharing a France that mattered to her and not just the France we all find in travel books. Her selfless gift of sharing is evident through her true sense of place in this amazing country. Knowing her to be an accomplished photographer, I felt at home knowing she held the same importance for the visual collection of ones experience that I do as a visual artist. That alone made my trip to this visual wonderland so much more satisfying as I gave in to her judgement of choices of where to visit. I felt like she had absorbed my preferences and customized my visit to fit my visual appetite. I thank her for an experience that I will always return to in my mind again and again.

John Fehringer, Juneau Alaska.

Sue knows the Gers so intimately and it is so wonderfully un-touristed and full of treasures. I often think of that perfect square town and that perfect round village – their locals, their shops, that ice cream!!!! And the hill town, Lectoure, with its lovely market.

Jane Ellis and Jack Litewka Berkeley, California

Going on a tour can be an exciting way of seeing an area that you are unfamiliar with, don’t know the language and would like to be able to just relax without all the worry of what, where, how and when. Traveling with Sue as my guide was just that. Her French is excellent, she knows her way around, has favorite places and people she wants you to see, meet and experience. What we did! Here’s a glimpse: Farmers’ markets in more than one town. Fresh doughnuts. Croissants and coffee in many towns. Chocolate. New friends, garden parties. Laughter. Antique markets. Wishing I’d brought a trunk! Apricot tart. Regional wines. Gardens, trees, countryside, winding roads, sunsets, naps, cats, more flowers. Churches, farm houses, the music of the French language. The bones of the experience are enhanced by the calming atmosphere of Sue herself. We were never in a hurry. She was always willing to stop for a photo or just stop to admire the countryside. Another tour another time to do even more.

Janna Wachter, Seattle, Washington