Introducing our episode

If you heard last week’s podcast, you’ll know that Seb and I just got back from our European escapades, wrapping up our trips to Italy and taking a quick pit stop to gear up for our upcoming adventure in the French Countryside this September. By the way, we still have some spots available, so if you’re interested, don’t hesitate to join us!

Today, I want to give you a sneak peek into our experiences and behind-the-scenes moments from our time in France. You know, the nitty-gritty details of what it’s really like to put the final touches on a World Vegan Travel trip. Now, a lot of people have this idea that it must be all fun, romance, and glamour – staying in beautiful places, indulging in tastings, and all that jazz. And let me tell you, sometimes it is! But other times, it can be downright frustrating and exhausting.

Seb and I find ourselves in the midst of decision-making and disagreements as we navigate the last-minute arrangements. It’s a bit of a high-pressure situation, trying to ensure everything is perfect before the actual trip kicks off. So, trust me, it’s not always a walk in the park.

So, buckle up and get ready for some real talk about what goes on behind the scenes of a World Vegan Travel trip.

In this episode we discuss:

• European escapades: Italy and French Countryside adventures
• Behind-the-scenes of World Vegan Travel trip preparations
• Switzerland Panoramic train experience: Breathtaking views of Swiss landscapes
• Arrival in Paris and experiencing Maison Mere hotel
• Seeking the authentic chic Parisian vibe at Maison Mere
• Noting the need for vegan toiletry alternatives for travelers
• Transition from Italy to Italian-speaking part of Switzerland
• Unforgettable paddleboat ride and leisure in Fluhen
• Reflections and notes from an extra night in Venice

Other World Vegan Travel content connected with this episode

• Seville Vegan Tours: Flamenco, Tapas, Sunshine – Why you should add Seville to your must-visit list in Spain | Bruno and Marta | Ep 97
• Interview with Join Us In France Podcast | Vegan Travel in France Tips and Tricks
• Reflections on our Incredible Northern Italy Vegan Tour | Northern Italy 2022 Travelers | Ep 80
• Tips for Easy Vegan Travel in France
• WHY WE LOVE FRANCE
• The Ultimate Vegan Guide to France
• S4 Ep 15 | France: Not as vegan unfriendly as you might think | Natalie Lynch

Connect with Brighde

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Transcript

If you heard last week’s podcast, you’ll know that Seb and I just got back from our European escapades, wrapping up our trips to Italy and taking a quick pit stop to gear up for our upcoming adventure in the French Countryside this September. By the way, we still have some spots available, so if you’re interested, don’t hesitate to join us!

Today, I want to give you a sneak peek into our experiences and behind-the-scenes moments from our time in France. You know, the nitty-gritty details of what it’s really like to put the final touches on a World Vegan Travel trip. Now, a lot of people have this idea that it must be all fun, romance, and glamour – staying in beautiful places, indulging in tastings, and all that jazz. And let me tell you, sometimes it is! But other times, it can be downright frustrating and exhausting.

Seb and I find ourselves in the midst of decision-making and disagreements as we navigate the last-minute arrangements. It’s a bit of a high-pressure situation, trying to ensure everything is perfect before the actual trip kicks off. So, trust me, it’s not always a walk in the park.

So, buckle up and get ready for some real talk about what goes on behind the scenes of a World Vegan Travel trip.

After wrapping up our incredible trips in Italy, we decided to extend our adventure by spending an extra night in Venice with Colleen and David. It was the perfect opportunity to unwind and reflect on the amazing trips we just ran and to make notes for next year.

Let me tell you about the next leg of our journey—it took us to Lugano, the main city in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland our first time. And boy, oh boy, the transition from Italy to Switzerland was quite a trip! It was like we were in Switzerland, but everyone spoke Italian – I know that’s obvious, but we have been to Switzerland so many times and never to the Italian speaking part.

But let me tell you, the real highlight was yet to come. The following day, we embarked on a Switzerland Panoramic train experience from Lugano to Luzern. We were promised breathtaking views of the Swiss landscapes, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint, especially once we got through the Gotthard tunnel. And when those panoramic windows opened up, we were completely immersed in the jaw-dropping beauty of the Swiss Alps, the lush green valleys, and those adorable little villages scattered along the way.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we reached Fluhen—a place that marked the beginning of our unforgettable paddleboat ride to Luzern. Picture this: a beautifully preserved vessel from 1901, gently gliding across the tranquil waters, with the sun shining brightly above and a gentle breeze in the air. Pure magic, my friend.

We treated ourselves to some delicious Radlers—a thirst-quenching blend of beer and lemonade. Sipping on those icy-cold beverages while soaking in the stunning surroundings, it was like the cherry on top of an already perfect cake. It truly felt like the epitome of Swiss leisure and relaxation.

Now, let’s fast forward a bit. It had been years since we last set foot in Luzern, and we were ready to rediscover it all over again. It’s a fabulous city, for sure.

The following morning it was time to get a train to Paris to start putting those finishing touches on the trip.

So, on arrival in Paris, I finally had the chance to experience Maison Mere, which is now our starting hotel in Paris. We used to stay at another hotel near Les Halles, and while it had its perks like being centrally located and offering plenty of rooms for our travelers to extend their stay, it didn’t quite give that authentic chic Parisian vibe that people often look for. You know, the kind of hotel that truly captures the essence of Paris.

One major advantage of the previous hotel was that the rooms were actually quite spacious compared to typical Parisian rooms, which tend to be on the smaller side. However, I felt that it lacked the boutique experience and had some issues with the vegan breakfast we had paid a premium for, as well as the service. I kept complaining to Seb about wanting a new hotel, but the options were limited until last year when he discovered Maison Mere in the 9th arrondissement – which is a pretty good location.

On this trip, I finally got to see Maison Mere for myself, and, I was impressed. The hotel had the branding and ambiance I had been longing for in a Parisian hotel. Our room was on the 6th floor and, it wasn’t too small. However, I did notice that the toiletries contained honey, which means we’ll have to provide alternatives for our travelers – seriously, why put honey in soap!

The following morning, we had a breakfast tasting that we had planned in advance. Overall, I found the breakfast to be a bit underwhelming, and I couldn’t quite figure out why. It means I still have some work to do to bring it up to the standard I expect. Incidentally, on our way back, we stayed in a different room, which was noticeably smaller than the one on the sixth floor. It made me wonder if our travelers will appreciate the size of the rooms at this hotel.

So, to sum it up, I do have some concerns about whether our travelers will enjoy the hotel, but only time will tell.

So, after spending our first night in Paris, we hopped on a train to Bordeaux. Let me tell you, we absolutely love those TGV trains! Not only are they punctual, abundant, and comfortable, but they also give us the perfect opportunity to get some work done and catch up on the millions of emails that I had snoozed while running the trip. I mean, being able to work while zooming through the beautiful French countryside at a couple of hundred kilometers per hour never gets old!

Once we arrived in Bordeaux, we had to tackle the not-so-fun task of picking up our hire car. Now, I don’t know if you’ve experienced this before, but for some mysterious reason, picking up rental cars always seems to take forever. It’s one of those pet peeves of ours. I wish I knew why it takes so darn long!

Anyway, once we finally got our hands on the car, Seb had to get acquainted with another new set of wheels, and off we went onto the highway. The first leg of our journey, which lasted about 90 minutes, was on toll roads. But then, things changed. You see, the Dordogne, where we’ll be spending a fantastic five nights on this trip in September, is actually quite off the beaten path. And when I say that, I don’t mean it’s in the middle of nowhere and only accessible by helicopter. No, not at all. France doesn’t really have places like that. But in the Dordogne, there are no major highways. Instead, you’ll find mostly small and winding roads, charming little towns, and villages scattered everywhere.

Now, due to the relatively small population and fewer cities in the area, public transportation isn’t the greatest. It’s still better than where I live in Canada (and I’m only 45 minutes away from a city), but it can be a bit tricky to navigate the infrequent departure times which is why people should come on this trip – because getting to stuff is a pain. But hey, that’s where driving around the Dordogne becomes both necessary and really fun!

Let me try to explain The Dordogne countryside for you, which is where we are spending 5 nights with our group.The Dordogne landscape is a picturesque and captivating region located in southwestern France. It is renowned for its natural beauty, rich history, and charming countryside.

As you explore the Dordogne, you’ll be greeted by rolling hills, lush green valleys, and meandering rivers that add to the region’s enchanting allure. The landscape is dotted with picturesque villages and medieval castles that seem straight out of a storybook.

One of the highlights of the Dordogne is its stunning river, also known as the Dordogne River, which flows through the heart of the region. The river winds its way through the scenic countryside, offering breathtaking views along its banks. You can even embark on a boat trip which we will be doing or enjoy a leisurely canoe ride to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings which we will be giving our travelers the opportunity to do as well as an optional activity.

The Dordogne is also known for its dense forests, particularly the oak and chestnut trees that cover the landscape. These forests provide a peaceful and serene atmosphere, perfect for leisurely walks, hiking, or simply enjoying the tranquility of nature.

In addition to the natural beauty, the Dordogne is famous for its impressive limestone cliffs and caves. The region boasts several remarkable prehistoric sites, including the renowned Lascaux caves, which feature ancient cave paintings dating back thousands of years – which our travelers will be experiencing.

Lastly, The architecture of the Dordogne region in France is truly captivating, and the castles in particular hold a significant place in its architectural heritage. The region is renowned for its medieval and Renaissance castles that dot the picturesque landscape. These castles showcase a variety of architectural styles, ranging from fortified structures to elegant châteaux. With their imposing towers, intricate stonework, and stunning settings, the castles of the Dordogne exude a sense of grandeur and history. They stand as a testament to the region’s rich past and provide a glimpse into the architectural splendor of bygone eras. Visiting these castles is like stepping back in time and immersing oneself in the enchanting world of medieval France and of course, our travelers will be visiting these too!

We finally arrived at our hotel La Villa Romaine So, picture this: our travelers on the trip will have the pleasure of staying at the charming La Villa Romaine near Sarlat. This was our first visit since we initially met Emilie the owner in 2019.

Now, let me paint a picture for you. La Villa Romaine (which has about 16 rooms) is located about 10 minutes from Sarlat on the outskirts of Carrsac, surrounded by breathtaking countryside on the river Dordogne. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you feel relaxed and at ease. The architecture of the hotel which incorporates the traditional Perigord architecture blends beautifully with the natural surroundings.

I have to tell you about the rooms—they are something special. A perfect mix of modern comfort and traditional charm. The decor is lovely, and each room offers a cozy and intimate space to unwind after a day of exploring and as we will be taking over the hotel in September, this is going to feel like home and we will be able to really let our hair down with dance parties and not have to worry about other guests..

Let’s not forget about the outdoor area. The hotel has a large picturesque garden, with vibrant greenery, fragrant flowers, and a sparkling swimming pool. I can already picture our travelers soaking up the sun, taking a refreshing dip, or simply lounging around and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

The incredible staff at La Villa Romaine are incredibly warm and attentive, always going above and beyond and overall, they have been a delight to work with so far.

I can’t wait for our travelers to experience the magic of La Villa Romaine firsthand. It’s a place that truly captures the essence of the Dordogne and provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I am so excited for our travelers to stay here.

One of the main reasons we wanted to come again, was to try some of the food.

Now, let’s discuss the traditional Périgord cuisine and its challenges from a vegan perspective. It’s important to acknowledge that the traditional food in Périgord is largely unvegan friendly, as it heavily relies on animal products and meat-centric dishes.

Périgord cuisine traditionally revolves around ingredients like foie gras, black truffles, and various meats especially duck and goose. These animal-based delicacies are deeply ingrained in the culinary heritage of the region, making it challenging for vegans to easily partake in the traditional gastronomic experience.

Foie gras, made from the livers of ducks or geese that have been force-fed, is a delicacy often associated with Périgord. Sigh…

Another prominent ingredient in Périgord cuisine is black truffles so YAY! That’s vegan (unless you have an issue with the dogs that find the truffles) but while these earthy fungi can add a unique flavor to dishes, they are often paired with non-vegan ingredients like eggs, cheese, or meat.

Furthermore, the region’s meat-heavy dishes, such as cassoulet and confit de canard, pose significant challenges for vegans. These traditional recipes rely heavily on animal products too.

Clearly, a lot of work needs to be done.

As I mentioned earlier, we had visited La Villa Romaine before and had a meeting with the young chef back in 2019. Despite primarily creating non-vegan dishes, he seemed genuinely excited about putting together a vegan menu. We had been chatting for a while by email – through a translator, and I was thrilled when he sent me his preliminary menu because, honestly, it was quite impressive.

The chef had prepared an extensive selection for us, with 10 appetizers, main courses, and desserts, even though we were only staying for five nights and perhaps one lunch. We couldn’t possibly try all the dishes during our stay, but we narrowed down our choices to a few that I was skeptical about. And let me tell you, they exceeded our expectations!

One standout was the Crispy Arancini with roasted vegetables and vegan Parmesan cheese – it was excellent. We also loved the Vegan Shepherd’s Pie – Hachis Parmentier with sweet potato and grilled hazelnuts. The Perigord Burger was another winner. However, I must share a little amusing story about the Shepherd’s Pie. Seb, who despises mushrooms, tried the Shepherd’s Pie and realized it had mushrooms in it. He was not pleased with me for not communicating his mushroom aversion to the hotel for the tasting. Now, I have to admit, I don’t have much patience left for his mushroom dislike. If it were up to Seb, we’d never see mushrooms on any menu ever again. But I refuse to accommodate this because many people genuinely enjoy mushrooms, and they are a key ingredient in Périgord cuisine especially during our arrival in September. So, that particular lunch became a bit of a humorous bickering session as Seb pushed around his Shepherd’s Pie.

During our stay, we also had a lovely meeting with Emilie, the owner of the hotel. We had a lot to discuss, especially regarding laundry arrangements for our group. We needed to figure out what the hotel could reasonably do with laundry and how to communicate these details to our travelers. Questions arose, such as whether the washing products used were heavily scented and if the hotel would mix all the colors in the same machine. We also had to tackle the topic of drinks. As you may know, our trips always include drinks, but we have to be mindful of the place we’re staying or dining at and avoid the most expensive wines or whiskeys as that will blow the budget, for example. It was important to ensure that all the wines and drinks served were vegan-friendly. We spent quite some time working on a day menu for drinks between meals – like a nice glass of rose by the pool, or a cup of tea, as well as aperitifs and digestifs menu just before and after dinner. It was quite a task, but a necessary one to get it just right to make sure our travelers are able to have maximum choice and to experience as much of these French drinks as possible.

Additionally, Seb and I took a trip to the local supermarkets, snapping pictures of all the interesting vegan products we found. Our intention was to share them with the chef, making his life a little bit easier by providing helpful suggestions and ideas.

All in all, it was an eventful and productive time at La Villa Romaine. We had delightful culinary experiences, engaging meetings with the staff, and made progress on various important aspects for our upcoming trip – next steps are to finalise the menus. I am also a bit worried as I have more travelers with allergies for this group so I hope the team are okay with that!

Oh, we had another puzzle to solve during our trip! We had to figure out where and what to have for lunch when we visit The Lot Valley. This beautiful place is located about 90 minutes away from our hotel. Why visit The Lot Valley?

Rocamadour is a must-visit, with its stunning medieval architecture and captivating history. And the Pech Merle Caves are a true hidden gem, known for their fascinating REAL prehistoric cave paintings compared with the reproductions of Lascaux.

But here’s the thing – we needed to plan our lunchtime adventure. With all the exploring and sightseeing, we knew our bellies would be rumbling by noon. We wanted to find a spot in The Lot Valley that offered not only delicious vegan options but also a convenient location to maximize our time and it is a very rural area.

Oh boy, we had a bit of a lunchtime dilemma during our trip! We had a couple of options to consider, and each had its pros and cons. Let me break it down for you.

First up, we thought about having a picnic lunch. It seemed like a potentially great idea, and we were confident that the hotel could prepare a lovely spread for our group. Picture this: sitting on a blanket, enjoying delicious vegan sandwiches, salads, and snacks amidst the beautiful scenery. It sounded perfect… until we started considering the what-ifs.

What if it rains? That would be a major bummer, and our picnic plans would be washed away. And even if the weather was lovely, we had to face the reality of securing a public picnic table big enough for our group of 20 people. That could be quite a challenge, to say the least – and while a picnic blanket sounds lovely and a great solution, but the travelers on this trip are a little on the older side, and I wondered if everyone would be able to sit on the floor.

So, we turned our attention to the second option – finding a restaurant that would be able to accommodate our large group. This seemed like a safer bet, as we could avoid any weather-related mishaps and have a guaranteed place to gather for a satisfying lunch.

Now, the tricky part was finding a restaurant that not only had enough seating but also offered vegan options.

Alright, let’s dive into the exciting restaurant hunt in Cabrerets, next to the Pech Merle Caves. Here’s the story: We had visited the village before, way back in 2016, and had a lovely lunch at a place called Restaurant Le Jardin de Cabrerets. Back then, it was listed on Happy Cow as a vegan or vegetarian-friendly spot. We even had the chance to chat with the owners, who were vegans themselves. However, at some point before then, they made the difficult decision to reintroduce animal products into their menu, and the restaurant eventually closed.

Fast forward to our recent trip in the Dordogne, and we discovered that Restaurant Le Jardin de Cabrerets had reopened its doors. We were intrigued but unsure if the owners were the same and what kind of menu they offered now.

Walking in, we introduced ourselves and explained our vegan needs and expectations. To our surprise, the people working there seemed genuinely interested in working with us. They revealed that they rented the restaurant from the old owners, who occasionally dropped by. Excitement washed over us as we saw a glimmer of hope for a vegan-friendly lunch here.

Before leaving, we made sure to exchange contact information. I got their email address and planned to follow up the next day to discuss the details further. As of now, I haven’t received a response, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll get back to us soon with positive news.

In the meantime, we’re still open to the idea of the picnic option if the restaurant plan doesn’t pan out. So, stay tuned as we navigate through this restaurant adventure and uncover whether we’ll be enjoying a delightful vegan meal at Restaurant Le Jardin de Cabrerets or spreading out our picnic blanket amidst the breathtaking scenery of The Lot Valley.

So, after our time in The Dordogne we started heading north to Elephant Haven, an elephant sanctuary. Elephant Haven is a sanctuary in France that provides a safe and natural environment for retired and rescued elephants – they have two. It offers them a peaceful setting to live out their lives, focusing on their well-being and happiness. The sanctuary resembles their natural habitat, allowing them to roam, forage, and socialize with each other.

Let me tell you about this incredible sanctuary we discovered a few years ago. We were so excited about it that we reached out to them to see if they’d be open to a visit from our travelers. This was way before the pandemic, and we had initially planned to come here in September 2020. Unfortunately, like many other plans, it got canceled due to the circumstances.

We stayed in touch with the sanctuary and asked if they would still be interested in hosting us in 2023. And guess what? They were absolutely thrilled to have us!

Our main goal for this visit was to reconnect with Sofie and Tony, the founders of the sanctuary, and to meet Delhi and Gandhi, the elephants who hadn’t even arrived when we last visited in 2019. We were eager to catch up with Sofie and Tony, hear about their journey, and see how far they’ve come since our last encounter.

When we finally met up with them, they shared their stories, and let me tell you, it was both tough and inspiring to hear. They’ve poured an enormous amount of work and resources into making this sanctuary a reality. Their dedication and passion is evident as they recounted the challenges they’ve faced along the way.

But here’s a delightful surprise: Tony, the founder, actually cooked us lunch! Can you believe it? We had no idea he would. And let me tell you, the dishes he prepared were out of this world. It was such a joyous and memorable moment, sitting together with Sofie, Tony, and their amazing team, sharing a meal and exchanging stories.

Our visit to the sanctuary was truly heartwarming and eye-opening. We left feeling even more inspired and motivated to support their incredible mission. It’s places like these and people like Sofie and Tony who remind us of the immense impact individuals can make when they pour their hearts into something they believe in.

After enjoying a delightful lunch and bidding farewell to Sofie, Tony, and their team, we hopped back into our vehicle and hit the road to our next exciting destination for the night – Chateau D’Artigny.

Located in a picturesque setting, Chateau D’Artigny is a majestic castle that exudes elegance and charm. I had heard so much about this enchanting place from Seb and couldn’t wait to experience its beauty firsthand.

As we drove closer, the castle emerged on the horizon, standing tall and proud amidst lush greenery. Its grandeur and architectural splendor were simply breathtaking.

Once we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the staff, some whom we had been chatting with on email for several months.

We settled into our rooms, which were a perfect blend of modern comfort and classic charm – we had a corner room so we had great views over the surrounding woodlands.

Alright, let me share the wild ride we experienced during our trip through the Loire Valley. After enjoying a lovely aperitif, we were all geared up for dinner, which happened to be our only dinner tasting at the chateau.! The food was absolutely fantastic, but here’s the catch—it had more of an Asian-inspired twist rather than the traditional French flavors we were expecting. We were a bit concerned because our travelers were hoping for an authentic vegan French dining experience. On top of that, the pannacotta’s consistency didn’t quite hit the mark. So, we made sure to jot down all our thoughts and observations, preparing for a meeting with the chef the next day to discuss these culinary twists and turns.

Now, brace yourself for the most challenging part of the trip—the next morning. We kicked off the day with a meeting at the fabulous Chateau D’Artigny. We had the pleasure of engaging with the staff and the chef, and let me tell you, they were incredibly accommodating. They agreed to all our requests, no matter how quirky or outlandish they may have seemed – like our request for a jester’s outfit

However, our plans took an unexpected detour when it came to our scheduled lunch tasting. Seb had arranged for us to sample an example of the lunch of a company offering boat trips on the scenic Loire river. But here’s the twist—we had some reservations about the owner of the boat company. During Seb’s previous boat ride experience, the owner had brought his dog along and kept shouting at the poor thing. That should have been the first alarm bell. As if that wasn’t enough, we had been going back and forth for months discussing the food for the picnic lunch on the boat with our group.

We made it crystal clear that we needed a vegan menu, but all we received was a PDF with a vegetarian menu and not vegan meny from the caterer they use. Polite as ever, we pointed out the mistake, explained again what vegan means and kindly requested a revised menu. The owner’s response? He claimed it was too much work, that he trusted the caterer and assured us that we could taste the food in July?

So, with a mix of hope and skepticism, we finally met the owner in person, ready to savor his promised culinary vegan delights. And what happened? Drumroll, please… The food turned out to be 100% not vegan! We asked him if this was egg in the quiche. He called his caterer friend who said it was and of course we had to say, that this wasn’t going to work, and let’s just say he wasn’t exactly thrilled. He started getting defensive, blaming everyone but himself. We stood our ground, reminding him that we had tried to prevent this very situation. The tension escalated, but neither side was willing to budge. It was an unfortunate deadlock. Left with no other choice, we bid our farewells and promised to be in touch. We dove back into our emails, searching for clues as to what went wrong. Lo and behold, we rediscovered the caterer’s email PDF with the word “Vegan” written right on top followed by a non vegan menu! We even attempted to reach out directly to the traiteur, but in the end, we realized that the boat supplier wasn’t someone we wanted to work with. So, we decided to explore alternative activities or suppliers, and the clock was ticking—we only had 24 hours to sort it out.

Lesson learned: Trust those initial gut feelings. If something doesn’t sit right, it’s usually best to listen to your instincts. Luckily, Marion, our Loire Valley guide, came to our rescue who we met for the first time the following morning. We sat down over a cup of coffee and spilled the beans about our predicament. Within minutes, she worked her magic and set up a meeting with a fantastic cellar that produced marvelous Touraine wines, many of which were vegan-friendly. The discussion with the owners was a breath of fresh air, and we began to believe that this new plan would be better than the boat. Even though we can’t taste the food before the trip, we might consider sending Marion to give it a try and provide us with feedback, or perhaps I could even squeeze in a visit before the trip starts if any concerns arise.

After wrapping up our business in the Loire Valley, it was time to head back to Paris for our final night before flying back to Canada. Instead of taking a quick mode of transport, we decided to embark on a 45-minute walk to Aujourd’hui Demain, a vegan restaurant with an attached grocery store. This walk turned out to be a delightful adventure! The energy in the streets was contagious as Parisians made the most of the last days of the school holidays. And guess what? The weather was simply splendid. When we finally reached the restaurant, I couldn’t resist ordering an iced Matcha Latte and indulging in their Fish and Peas dish—it was absolutely divine! In fact, some of the best food I had tasted since our time in Italy. Check out the show notes for some mouthwatering pictures of all the deliciousness! We walked back to Maison Mere and had our final night in France.

And with that, we concluded our Behind the Scenes journey during our France trip preparations! As I sit here writing this, I’m back home, tackling the emails I had put on hold until my return. Let me just say, the snooze feature in Gmail is a true lifesaver. Seb and I are also diligently following up on various matters from the trip. It can be a bit frustrating when others don’t share the same sense of urgency, preferring to leave things until the last minute before departure. But hey, that’s all part of the adventure, right?

Thank you so much for tuning in and joining us on this unique journey through the behind-the-scenes moments of our France trip. We hope you enjoyed this different style of episode and gained valuable insights into the intricacies of planning and experiencing a vegan travel adventure. Your support and feedback mean the world to us, and we would love to hear your thoughts about this episode. If you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to share them with us. Your input helps us improve and create content that resonates with our listeners. So, drop us a line, leave a review, or reach out on social media. We appreciate you being part of our travel community, and we can’t wait to bring you more exciting episodes in the future. Safe travels and bon voyage!