Newsletter - August 2018

Greetings from Robbi and Jim

A warm welcome to all of the members of our Aroma Tours Newsletter in over 30 countries around the world.

Robbi and I are now back home in our lovely little cottage in south eastern Australia enjoying the awakening of spring with daffodils, newly opening leaves, magnificent flowering wattles, blossoming fruit trees and an abundance of rain.

It is so nice to be home again after almost three months of wonderful adventures in Spain and Provence with time to reflect on the many delightful moments that we have shared with our Aroma Travellers this year.

We are also looking forward to adding the final chapters to our Aroma Tours chronicles for this year and will share some stories of our Aromas of Tuscany and Flavours of Italy tours as well as our delightful Bali Women's Reteat with you in our October newsletter.

After 24 wonderful years, as we contemplate throttling back on the number of tours that we will be offering, Robbi and I feel truly blessed to once again be sharing our passion for the fabulous places and experiences that we love, with delightful people from around the world.

We are delighted to see that demand for next year's season is the strongest we have ever seen!

• For more details, prices and itineraries we invite you to visit our tour information page and if your would like to reserve your place this can be done via our make a reservation page.

Aroma Travellers Our Thanks

Without doubt, the main reason that we have grown and flourished over the years, is the on-going support we have received from our past Aroma Travellers and we are thrilled to see that they continue to make up almost 65% of our guests!

We would also like to give our heart-felt thanks to all of you who continue to support us with your kind words and referrals.

Robbi and I also greatly appreciate the wonderful words of thanks we have received over the years and have added a new compilation of Guest Comments to our site.

Celebration of Flavour

In all of our journeys we love to share with our guests the joy of experiencing the cuisine and gastronomic traditions of the regions we visit.

The tastes and aromas of fresh seasonal ingredients prepared with practiced skill, care and pride in preparation, combine in a myriad of ways to bring us moments to savour.

It is a challenge to express the delectable moments we share but hopefully your eyes have enjoyed nibbling along with us.

• For many more photos of the places and expiences that we enjoy during our Aroma Tours adventures please visit our Photo Galleries Page

Our Current Booking Status

Robbi and I are so thrilled to see the outstanding beginning for our 2019 season ( our best ever result for this time of year ), with 2 tours already sold out, several down to the last few vacancies and the remainder at least half full.

The current booking status for our 2019 season at the time of this newsletter is:-

• For detailed information about any of our tours please visit our tour information page and if you would like to join us please visit our make a reservation page.
• If you would like us to hold your place(s) for a few days so that you have time to comfortably make your other arrangements please let us know at [email protected]
• It is our pleasure to assist you with any questions you may have and we invite you to get in touch with us at [email protected]

Please note

• Our up-to-the-minute booking status is available via our calendar page
• If the tour you would like to attend becomes fully booked, please let us know if you would like us to add you to the waiting list for that tour in case a place becomes available due to a cancellation.

Photos of our 2018 Adventures ( repeat )

It is always a very busy time for Robbi and I while we are on tour, so I have just quickly compiled a few photos of our adventures so far, so that you can share some of the lovely places and experiences that we have shared with our guests so far.

What a beautiful sight! All of the women from our fabulous Treasures of Provence - Ladies Only Tour.
 

• I freely admit that I have a bit of a bias towards food shots - so yummy!

Treasures of Provence - Ladies Only Special Event ( 3 vacancies remaining )

Our "ladies only" special event Treasures of Provence last June was an absolutely divine experience and all of the lovely ladies who attended agreed that it was so wonderful to enjoy a week dedicated to all things feminine.

• Following on from this great success, next year's Treasures of Provence now has only 3 vacancies remaining.

Both Robbi and our dear friend Megan Larsen will once again be sharing many of the delightful elements that they love about Provence, especially for women travellers desiring to be cared for and nurtured by the beauty that the French aspire to so well…Simply a beautiful immersion into the essence of French style and charm.

For more details please visit our information request page and if you would like to reserve one of the remaining places please visit our booking request page

Provence Reflections

We have collected many lovely comments from our guests over the years but this one from Shannon and Scott Peck from the USA is one of our favourites.

"Our two aroma tours of Provence were beyond our wildest imagination in every way!

From the moment the tour began we found ourselves smiling and relaxing under the wonderful care of Robbi and Jim, who were both entertaining as well as super organized down to every detail. We didn't have a single worry the entire time!

Our job was to enjoy ourselves! That was rule #1! Their selection of places to see and things to do were superb! Every day we found ourselves almost overwhelmed by the beauty surrounding us, the exquisite meals, the history and inspiration.

We returned home feeling the most enriched we have every felt. I kept using the phrase, "blissed out!" throughout the tours. We miss Provence and its wonderful people!

We can never thank Robbi and Jim enough for the trip of our life time! And we deeply appreciate their constant care-taking and empathy towards our happiness, every day! It worked! You two are geniuses at this!" You did it all with great heart!

We look forward to another tour in the near future! Please don't retire just yet!" Thanks a billion for all the laughter, fun, and great times learning and experiencing the most wonderful place on earth!"

Travelling Solo in a Group

As well as couples and friends travelling together, we are regularly joined by solo travellers - mostly women, who appreciate being able to journey with liked minded people from around the world, without the need to do all the planning and take on the daunting task of touring by themselves.

Joining one of our small group tours is easy and we have already made all of the arrangements on your behalf to ensure that you have a delightful, stress-free holiday with the focus on having fun.

Having a ready-made group of friends to travel with, and us to take wonderful care of you is the way to go!

• There is no extra charge for solo travellers who are willing to share a room with another same gender guest from our group.

We have carefully crafted off-the-beaten-path itineraries that are the perfect balance of structure, experiences, details and free time to enjoy in your own way.

There have been a significant number of guests over the years who and have joined us multiple times, some of whom have become dear friends.

• Mona Smith, pictured at the beginning of this snippet, holds the record for the most tours attended by a solo traveller - she has journeyed with us 10 times and this year will be her 11th!
• Susan Troxell from NYC is a close second and has joined us 9 times with a 10th coming next year.

Our Invitation

Robbi and I look forward to welcoming you to one of our delightful tours or retreats as we continue moving towards our retirement in the next few years.

• For detailed information about any of our tours please visit our tour information page and if you would like to join us please visit our make a reservation page.
• As always if you have any questions or if you would like us to assist you personally with advice about your travel arrangements or with any other details please contact us at [email protected]

Warmest regards,

Jim and Robbi