Welcome to the award-winning world of “Bliss Insider” travel
Bliss has a passion for travel - and we want to share it with you
Since 2003, Bliss Travels has thrived on creating one-of-a-kind, immersive vacation experiences for Small Group travelers. We take our travelers off the beaten track of package tours, offering authentic insider experiences the others simply don't have access to.
With just 8 to 12 travelers per trip, Bliss Travels’ Small Group Insider Trips take us to the places we love to visit every year — Paris, Provence, Mediterranean Coast, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Porto, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Istria, Croatia….
Our trips are unique, intimate, relaxing and fun. We love what we do, and we love our travelers — many return year after year!
Bliss Travels invites you to “see, do and taste” as a Bliss Insider — not a tourist
Instead of riding in a bus past distant villages and walled vineyards, or waiting in long lines, we travel by private car and driver to where the tours don’t go — to meet the locals, walk in their vineyards, visit their wine cellars, stay in their inns and chateaux, experience their marketplaces… then sit down to private meals created in collaboration with top local winemakers and highly talented chefs, some locally celebrated finds, and others with Michelin stars!
Watch our video to learn what it means to be a Bliss Insider!
How do we do it? Bliss Travels is led by a renowned food and wine expert!
Wendy Jaeger, founder and heart of Bliss Travels, is a wine and food expert who is well known in the US and in Europe. Over many years of travel throughout Europe, Wendy has built a vibrant network of contacts that bring together the very best in culinary, wine and cultural resources for her travelers.
It’s like traveling with a friend in the know
Wendy’s enduring relationships, coupled with her food and wine expertise, make her trips truly one of a kind. And her passion for sharing them with her travelers makes every trip truly memorable.
“The whole trip was amazing! It’s very clear to me that you work tremendously hard to provide the perfect experience for all your guests yet make it effortless for us. And even though you have done most of these excursion numerous times you manage to make it feel new and fresh for your guests.”
Our
destinations
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France
Indulge in a sensory delight as you embark on an unforgettable journey through France – a country that effortlessly blends history, culture, and undeniable charm.
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The Netherlands
From its iconic tulip fields to its charming canal-lined cities, the Netherlands offers an array of enchanting experiences.
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Portugal
Unveil a world of captivating beauty as you embark on a journey to Portugal, a country that proudly showcases its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
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Spain
With its vibrant culture, world-class cuisine, and iconic landmarks, this enchanting country offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler.
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Croatia
Nestled in the heart of Europe, this stunning country offers unforgettable experiences including its abundance of truffles, the crystalline Adriatic sea and hundreds of stunning islands and villages.
Upcoming small-group trips
We know all of these European destinations inside-out. And we can’t wait to take you there! Many of our trips are designed and scheduled to complement each other and be booked together. Look for our suggested Trip Pairings on each Trip page.
It’s like traveling with a friend in the know
Always small groups of 8 - 12
Genuine insider access - see, do and taste what most tourists never get to experience
All trips tailored to travelers attending - events and menus are selected to best fit client preferences
Daily private guided tours by car or van - no commercial tours or buses
Exclusive regional accommodations - only boutique venues and private owners
Schedules are relaxed and leisurely, with plenty of sampling along the way!
Daily gourmet breakfasts in your hotel, at your leisure
Second gourmet meal each day, along with daily bespoke tastings
Our private, curated pairings and meals all have custom menus and feature unique, hard-to-find bottles
Multi-course meals with curated wine pairings and celebrated chefs, often Michelin-starred!
Immersive experiences and events that cannot be replicated!
Rare Experiences
Rare Experiences are unique, special access itineraries open only to return Bliss Travels clients, food and wine professionals, wine collectors or specialists, or art aficionados who share a desire to delve even deeper. We visit select, hidden wonders that few people ever get to see — inaccessible private castles, priceless private art collections and historical sites, secret gardens, centuries-old vineyards and winemakers of ancient lineage — who do not unlock their gates to the public, ever. Only Bliss has the access to create one of a kind Rare Experiences itineraries.
Loire, Champagne and Burgundy
This trip begins in Paris and travels to the Loire. Upon arrival at their lodging, a special Loire wine tasting will be offered and paired with a custom menu. The next day, our guests will be invited into the residential chateau of an historic and famed Champagne family, owners of domaines in Champagne, Burgundy and Loire. A rare bottles tasting will be offered, along with a tour of the grounds and custom lunch in the family dining room. While in Burgundy, our guests will have access to a private dining room and special menu including Grand Cru wines as well as a private tasting of several rare Burgundies.
Provence
Our rare experiences are culinary, wine and art focused, and they are too numerous to mention. They include bottles from a private collection of a top collector of Rhone wines and will be paired with a special custom gastronomic Provencal menu served in a private venue. We also highlight a former chef of a Michelin starred restaurant who comes to prepare a special meal for us, and a multi course dinner of original Roman recipes, served in the former Temple to Dionysis. These meals are only surpassed by access to an astounding private art collection housed in a 14th century home, as well as access to a second, private location where a new collection is being offered. This, along with a rare bottles tasting and a unique market visit, offer a rare look at some of the best, small sites in the region. Led by one of the top experts and head of the arts for the South of France.
Our Bliss Insiders Say It Best
“Thank you again for making our first trip to Europe magical ❤️. The experiences you created and shared with us will forever be etched in our memories and carried in our hearts”
“Thank you for arranging and hosting a trip of unforgettable memories. You...outdid our wildest dreams of chateaus, hotels, food, wine, events, sights, trips and camaraderie. You took our breath away again and again”
“One of the loveliest times I’ve ever had! I’m still basking in the warm memories. You created a magical experience. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you! It was an awesome trip, and I am so happy I did it. Great to spend time with you and meet some great people”
“Thanks again for a wonderful couple of weeks. I always enjoy the enriching things you plan for us.”
“A fabulous visit that exceeded our expectations. Most impressive to us were the guides who could converse deeply in a variety of topics—culture, history, religion. In addition, the location of the hotel allowed us to feel truly immersed within a neighborhood. ”
“Thank you so much again for another fantastic trip! We are both over stuffed full of excellent food and wine. Looking forward to planning another adventure with you! ”
