Mille grazie – danke schoen – for the many wonderful “Back Roads” experiences. The places that you choose and all your special touches make your tours truly magic. Thanks for helping us to know this amazing part of Italy. Bill (USA)

As usual, you have created a unique and special travel experience. We look forward to future trips. Thank you again. Ed & Beth

You were certainly the vehicle that made “Under the Tuscan Sun” become a reality for both of us.  Joe & Gladys

What a wonderful trip! I will remember it forever. Thank you. Mary

We want to thank you so very much for a wonderful tour. You are the best! Devising the perfect tour for all to enjoy. Best tour ever for us! Claire and Sam (USA)

This has been the best trip we have ever been part of! You both gave so much of yourselves to make each of us remember it. Christine, your sense of humor and the kindnesses you showed us were so warm and genuine. We can’t express how much we appreciated the efforts you made to go above and beyond in far too many instances to mention. We will always remember you both. Jim & Jim (on the Backroads of Provence)

Christine & David – You have done it again! …. As last time, you didn’t disappoint us! Your attention to all our needs, Your friendly “handling” of us and your enthusiasm and excitement in finding and sharing with us those special, no “very  special” places and moments with us make yours unique excursions. Thank you for showing us this beautiful country, for all the “treats” that you make us aware of and helping us to learn more, and truly appreciate the lives of the people who are lucky enough to live here. Jim & Jim (on the Backroads of Tuscany)

Thank you so much for a very enjoyable time exploring the “Backroads of Western France”. All of your hard work preparing this trip was evident. Sharon

Thank you so much for sharing all of your incredible knowledge of this beautiful country (Backroads of Western France). I had a fabulous time and will consider Tuscany next year! Renee

“Backroads of France”: Once again you have created a wonderful and memorable trip and adventure! Thanks, Nell.

Thank you for all you did to make this trip extra special, particularly enjoyed the surprises planned each day! Nancy & Joan

David and Christine, Your wonderful vacation has done wonders to spruce up my drab and sad life. You are both true professionals, I enjoyed every minute of it. The attractions you selected were superb and every meal was memorable. Jo

Merci and grazie for ALL you did for us. You went above and beyond many times! Carolyn

Grazie! You are truly a marvelous tour guide. You made this trip feel as if I was a special friend. Your love of Italy and France was wonderfully contagious. I hope to return in a few years with my grandsons. Jill

Thank you, thank you! What a touching experience I have had!!! What a beautiful country! Maria

How wonderful you are! My soul was fed moment by moment! This trip was magnificent in a thousand ways! Thank you so much for all your extra special planning and surprises. You are the BEST! Diane

We feel we have experienced a tour of Provence unlike any other. Your “extra” efforts truly made a difference Mary Jane & Jay

Thank you for your charm, your wit, your patience, your history lessons, your guidance, your insight, your music – all of which helped to make the “Backroads of Provence” tour a wonderful experience. We saw such beautiful scenery, ate so much delicious food, and saw some interesting samples of French culture – it was most definitely a worthwhile trip! Kristen

Your enthusiasm, humor and knowledge of history – plus all the fun surprises, gave us a vacation we will remember forever – We are so grateful to you – and are richer as persons – and as a family for having been with you as our tour guide. We find it very hard to pack and now return to reality! Jim, Kathy and Karen

Thank you so much for the wonderful trip and for sharing your expertise once again with us! All the places we visited were spectacular (Ireland) and the food was fabulous! Jean and Judy

“Mountain top” experience of these last eleven days! It was an A++ experience: interesting, fun, educational, many surprises and, to us, everything worked out so smoothly. Sunny

Thanks for your genuine efforts and great patience you displayed as our tour guide for the last 2 weeks. You certainly are a credit to yourself and your profession by always being prepared and knowledgeable about the sites (Backroads of Switzerland) we are visiting on a given day. You are the best tour guide we have ever had. Ebbie

You have spoiled us again with a delightful trip of sights, sounds and gastronomic delights found on the “Backroads of Provence”. You are always appearing as happy, laid-back and patient. That makes it easy to be in a group when the leader is that way. Barb

Your “Backroads of Provence” tour is just excellent, you should be proud! I’ve made a few trips with professional escorts and on a scale of 1 – 10, some of them received 11 ½; you are at least a 13! Fran

I had a really nice time on this trip, everyone has been so nice to me! The hotels have been great – my favorite was the castle! I just wish that I could stay longer and do more things in these beautiful countries! I just wanted to let you know that I had lots of fun and I am greatful that I got the chance to come with on this wonderful trip! David you are the BEST! Steph (12 years old)

I’m tempted to spill a lot of words, but will just give you my heartfelt thanks for your kindness, your acute sensitivities, your infinite patience. These 14 days have touched me in many ways and I’m very grateful for all you’ve done. Inge

You’ve done it again! The “Backroads of Ireland” gave us perspectives to complement those of Tuscany. The world is indeed wondrous and mystical. Thank you for making all this possible to us. Jim & Carol

Thanks for another fun-filled, entertaining and educational tour. Ireland is indeed a beautiful place. I loved Provence too. Till next year! Bill & Kay

Once again, a fabulous trip on the “Backroads of Ireland”. Thanks again for all the lovely arrangements down to the smallest details and taking such good care of us! Bill & Sylvia

You obviously enjoy what you are doing and it shows in your wit, charm, compassion, love – a ran out of adjectives... (if I were a poet, I would write a sonnet!). My life is much richer… Verdie

This will go down as one of the wonderful times in our lives, thanks to your great planning. Ed & Beth

POEMS ABOUT OUR BACKROADS TOURS:

BACKROADS OF LOIRE VALLEY, BRITTANY & NORMANDY

Dear David,

You greet us each day with a bright “bonjour”

And share knowledge and insight about our fine tour.

Through the Valley Loire and troglodytes’ way

A surprise meadow feast… delightful, hurray!

Thank you for history, mystery, sweet singing by you,

For sights, sites and rounds and mounds in our view…

For ocean breeze, “impressions” blue,

Normandy beaches… sacrifice true…

Claude Monet and garden’s bloom,

Lily pond and “yellow room”…

Camembert, cider and Calvados,

Gourmet meals and “La Vie en Rose”.

I’ve not mentioned Mont Saint Michel

There’s more that I’ll remember as well.

So now we say, “au-revoir and adieu”

To our shepherd David, “we love you!”

Liz (USA)

BACKROADS OF BAVARIA, ITALIAN DOLOMITES & PROVENCE

After customs in München we met

David, our driver and guide

In hardly any time at all

On him we all relied!

He was a charming raconteur

Languages tripped from his lips with ease

He knew his history front and back

Answering our questions was a breeze!

R and M and A and I

Took in the Mozart Concert

And in between the lovely music

We dined and had dessert.

The concert setting was so divine

In an ancient baroque hall

I could imagine in their finery

Couples danced here at a fancy ball!

We loved the mountains of Germany and Tyrol

Astounded by the Dolomites

And David told such interesting tales

Of all the breathtaking sights.

In Schwangau we stayed at das Jaegerhaus

At dinner we could see

Perched high were two of Ludwig’s castles

Quite a sight we did agree.

The cruises on Starnberg and Königssee

Were both so very neat

The lovely scenery all around

Was a wonderful visual treat.

In Avignon the Palace of the Popes

Was across from our Grand Hotel

The traffic was fierce but I must say

David knew the roads well.

Whether Autobahn or the narrowest trail,

He traversed them like a pro

Except on rare occasions,

His speed was never slow!

Sunday near Avignon was quite

A different kind of day

David dropped us at the market square

And said, “Now you can stray”.

He’d dropped us at l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

A bustling crowded market

We parted with David and the car

And wondered where he could park it!

We settled Dad at an outdoor café

Where he could have a beer

While the three of us shopped, he could “soak up”…

The local… “atmosphere”.

When David picked us up he whisked us

To a park with a tranquil stream

And from his bags he set the table

For an epicurean dream!

There were fromages and wine and bread

Patés and olives rare

Quiches and Napoleons…

Not much that wasn’t there!

And all was set on a Provencal cloth

With matching napkins, cups and plates

I took the cloth to show my friends

When once again I’m back in the States!

We may forget some sights we saw

But this I’m sure will be

Forever etched into our minds

A most pleasant memory.

Our trip is coming to an end

Just St. Tropez and Monte Carlo

Then off we fly… vacation’s done

And we must look to tomorrow.

We want to thank you, David, so much

(And this is not an idle quip)

For making these last two weeks so great

A really ultra, fantastic trip!

Lidy (Minnesota, USA)