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France: Hiking & Cultural Experience in Brittany
DATES: June 5 - 15, 2025
Join us for a very special 11-day hiking and French cultural experience on the island of Belle-Île-en-Mer, located off the coast of Brittany. This picturesque island was included in the New York Times list of the 50 most beautiful places in the world! The island prioritizes sustainability and is a peaceful, uncrowded place to get away from it all and enjoy being close to nature. This will be a small group experience, led by myself and French co-leader, Marie.
The travel plans include:
Approximately two to three hours of easy to moderate difficulty guided hiking (most but not every day), along a spectacular coastline with stops along the way as well as time to explore the local villages, sites, shops, etc. Our goal is to enjoy the outdoors and the culture!
Cultural experiences include exploring the local food and wine, outdoor markets, historic sites, arts and crafts, botanical gardens, artisanal products, and more. We'll also spend time in Vannes, a charming Breton coastal town steeped in history.
There's also free time to do whatever you'd like! Go kayaking or SUPing, enjoy relaxing at the beach, take advantage of the local spa services, or just spend the day at the hotel pool and jacuzzi.
We will stay at a lovely, locally-owned hotel with daily breakfast included on Belle Île, and our trip will begin with a stay in Vannes and will end with a night in Paris. There's always the option to extend your stay in France if you'd like!
Hotel stays, breakfast, transportation in-country (airport shuttle, trains, ferry, and group taxis), cultural activities, tours, entrance fees, and 5 group meals are all included.
Please enter your contact info below for updates, or email me at julie@mindful-explorer.com with questions or to express interest!
Fully Booked!
Sustainable Travel is Easier Than You Think:
GREEN
Destinations, Transportation, Lodging…
Think Green, Local, and Conscious!
Opt for sustainable destinations and eco-friendly transport and lodging.
LOCAL
Experiences, Guides, Restaurants, Shopping…
Show support for the local community by choosing local businesses.
CONSCIOUS
Respect, Rethink, Reduce, Recycle, Reuse…
Be a conscious traveller, showing respect for the local culture and natural environment by reducing, recycling, and reusing.
Responsible Travel Reminders:
Before you go, do some research on your destination(s). Check out the local public transportation, farmer's markets, and locally-owned shops and restaurants.
Be sure to pack responsibly and lightly, including sustainable toiletries, a reusable or filtered water bottle, sustainable essentials like reef-safe sunscreen, multipurpose items such as reusable tote/shopping bags and a sarong or microfiber towel, reusable utensils to cut down on single-use plastics, and healthy snacks.
Be sensitive to and respectful of the local customs, dress, etc. Learn key phrases in the local language, buy local products and food, pay a fair price, and be mindful of where you shop, focusing on supporting the local community.
Use local public transport and travel overland by train and bus as much as possible instead of flying.
Be mindful of energy and water use at your lodging, keeping it to a minimum, recycle and compost when you can, and dispose of trash properly.
When exploring, stay on designated trails, respecting natural habitats and sensitive ecosystems, keep a respectful distance from wildlife, and be sure to pick up and carry trash out.
