This past Thursday, March 7^th, we hosted the first “A Little Taste of Europe” and I’d call it a success!

If any of you have read any of my posts, or have ever worked with me, you will surely know that I am passionate about all things Europe.  I love it all – the people, the culture, the food, the arts, the music the architecture, the languages, the little towns and villages – I really could go on, but I’m sure you get the picture.

When I first got into the travel industry back in 1993 – 20 years ago now – things were a lot different; let’s face it, the WORLD was a lot different and the way that consumers, (that would be you,) were marketed to was different.  There wasn’t access to the internet, and you couldn’t just Google – Great Vacations to Europe – and get a billion options on a computer screen!   No, there was a lot more face-to-face interaction at store front travel agencies, or at Travel and Cruise Shows.

Nowadays, my customers are much more knowledgeable about travel destinations than they were, but they have also been inundated with too many options…so many in fact that most have begun to wonder what is really best for them.

As I sat there thinking about how much fun I used to have at those old events, I started thinking about how I might be able to help my clients and share my passion.  After looking for a solution with no  luck, I decided to do something about it – and my event, “A Little Taste of Europe” was born!

My goal for this event was this; to share my passion for Europe while helping people, making friends and having fun.  I structured the event as a small group of like-minded people who loved food and travel and wanted to learn a little more about both.

Our first event was held at The Vintage Olive in Montgomery Alabama and featured food pairings that highlighted the use of flavored gourmet Olive Oils and Aged Balsamic Vinegars from around the world, the wine shop next door suggested a wine for our guests to taste.  Our educational component was delivered by Ms. Kathy Brock from AmaWaterWays River Cruises, who shared a presentation on River Cruises available in Europe, (including Russia), Asia and Africa.   She was able to tell about the smaller River Cruise Ships, the itineraries that are available on the Rhine, Seine,   Danube as well as other European Rivers – and those in Russia, on the Mekong and in Africa.

Our goal was 20 attendees – invites were sent by email, Facebook as well as by postcards delivered by the good ol’ US Postal Service.  We had a few last-minute no-shows, but all in all I was delighted with the attendance.  We had RSVP’s for 13 – 9 people actually made it, not counting me and Kathy Brock, or the owners of The Vintage Olive, Ed and Carley Gannon as well as my husband who made an unexpected appearance. (He came in from out-of-town)

The smaller group and the wonderful food set a comfortable atmosphere that really made personal conversations easy and optimized the sharing of ideas as well as the asking and answering of questions.

Kathy was also able to offer a $100 Gift Card from AmaWaterways for any new River Cruise bookings that were made and deposited by Friday, March 15, 2013.  You need not have been present to take advantage of this special offer!

A Little Taste of Europe is next scheduled to be in Chattanooga TN on Sunday afternoon, May 5^th and then in the Atlanta GA area in the fall.  Please feel free to contact me if you’d like an invitation, or if you are interested in having A Little Taste of Europe event near your home.  We are a travel agency after all and can easily get to a town near you!

      Trish Gastineau, European Travel Specialist

         Simply Europe Travel, an affiliate of Travel Experts – A Virtuoso Agency

Office: 334.356.0490   /   Toll-Free: 855.297.9801   /   Email: trish@SimplyEuropeTravel.com

#1 Selling Avalon Waterways River Cruise Specialist 2011

Offices in Montgomery and Clanton AL