Hidden France Celebrates Custom Luxury Vacation Agency's First Year With the 150th Anniversary of the Hospices of Beaune Wine Auction

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Sep 09, 2010, 07:35 ET

ORCHES, France, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The most memorable vacations typically are not the cookie-cutter type. That is exactly why Diana Williams launched Hidden France (http://www.thehiddenfrance.com) in 2009. Her lifelong passion for France and its culture compelled her to create a boutique travel and tour service that provides guests with refreshingly different, personalized and unforgettable experiences in France.

Francophiles and oenophiles alike revel in Hidden France's customized trips for individuals and groups to destinations such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley and Provence. The agency specializes in tapping into the fascinating adventure, customs, food and wine that abound within one of the most culturally rich countries in the world. Williams tends to all travel details, from thoughtful itinerary management to making important local introductions on behalf of Hidden France travelers.

"From the wineries to breathtaking routes, premium accommodations, gastronomy and much more, everything is tailored to the traveler's wishes," says Williams, an American who lives with her husband, Alex Gambal, winemaker/owner of Maison Alex Gambal in Beaune in Burgundy's Cote d'Or. "I want to show the world the France I fell in love with."

For this fall, Hidden France has designed a distinctive package to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Hospices of Beaune Wine Auction. On Nov. 17-22, 2010, eight guests will partake of winery visits, tastings from the 2010 vintage barrel, a barrel auction on Nov. 21, dining at Beaune's finest restaurants and luxury accommodations. For additional details, visit http://tinyurl.com/Hidden-France.

"Diana has taken all the great features that one has come to expect from the big, luxury outfitters -- the daily briefings, high-end equipment, detailed route maps, van support -- but then she has taken all that to the next level with the personal touch, delicious gourmet hideaways off the beaten track, the side road with the amazing view," say N. and J. Shepard of Redding, Conn.

J. and D. Sherman of New York, NY called their trip to Burgundy with Hidden France "once-in-a-lifetime" and continued, "Diana Williams ... was somehow able to translate our desires to experience this magical and beautiful part of France by filling every day with breathtaking views, many opportunities to meet and interact with the interesting and charming people who live there, fabulous food and oh ... the wines, the wines!"

For more information, visit http://www.thehiddenfrance.com.

About Hidden France

Hidden France offers private, custom vacations of the highest quality for individuals and groups that include the area's finest hotels and restaurants and the most fascinating sites. Hidden France specializes in the wine regions of France and provides travelers with inventive, personal voyages within a variety of French locales and, soon, Scotland's Highlands and Isle of Skye.