The origin of the phrase ‘hold your trap!’

May 2 This is a common sight in ancient churches in Europe. Choir benches, made for monks or priests to stand for hours reading, praying, chanting, or whatever monks and priests did in the times when churches were primarily for prayer and not for tourists. There is a story that goes along with those solid […]

Chartres, France is a medieval jewel

May 2 We just finished two days of exploring Chartres, a city about a hour to the south and west of Paris but many more miles away in terms of peace and a small-town feeling evoking a time more than 900 years ago. Chartres is not just amazing for its huge cathedral, although that is […]

Memories of Paris in the Spring

April 8 Random shots from our tour in Paris with two couples from Calgary April 2 – 6. Are you on Facebook? If you are, please go to Facebook and find our page for European Focus Private Tours. We post many photos there along with short vignettes about our travels in Europe.

Plan Your Perfect Trip to Europe

With expert help from the seasoned guides of European Focus Private Tours. We work with singles, couples, families and groups of friends who have common interests. Best of all, your tour is led by the designer! No fumbling around, no getting lost, no wondering what hotel to use or where to eat or what to […]

2014 calendar update

Updated January 15, 2014 Thinking of a dream trip to Europe? So are these people. And, they have made their reservations already for travel in 2014. Don’t wait to fulfill your dreams of easy and relaxed travel in Europe. April 11 to 25: Tour for two, renewal of vows in Italy, first time clients Steve […]

An Afternoon in the Alsace, France

October 9 We stayed two nights recently in a great little inn located in Gleiszellen, right on the border between the German wine country and the Alsace region of France. What better way to spend the afternoon than with a visit to a couple of colorful and charming villages along the Route du Vin? (French […]

Slow Travel in Alsace, France

October 8 Jim and Denise are enjoying their 19-day trip through southern Germany with an excursion one day to the colorful Alsace of France and a lunch stop in little Riquewihr. We like the old farm with the sundial and ‘Carpe Diem’ painting above.

We Love The Back Roads of Europe

October 9 Big Tour Buses don’t take them. Tourists on their own with just a map or GPS system don’t know where they are. But with a combined 40 years of European travel experience, the guides of European Focus Private Tours know where they are. We’re talking about those little back roads of Europe, where […]