Destination Artisans:
Your trusted gateway to discovering the beauty of
France and Belgium
Built on a lifelong love of France, deep travel industry experience and a passion for creating “wow” travel experiences, Destination Artisans offers a more personal way to experience authentic travel through France and Belgium. We are a destination management company creating luxury experiences curated for your pace of travel. Each itinerary is different and designed exclusively for you.
We Are Your Trusted France & Belgium Destination Management Company
Whether your interests lead you to historic battlefields, celebrated wine regions, charming villages or iconic cities, France and Belgium offer extraordinary experiences waiting to be discovered.
Destination Artisans was created from a genuine passion for these French-speaking destinations and a belief that travel should feel personal, immersive and authentic. By specialising exclusively in France and Belgium, we’re able to offer a deeper understanding of these destinations and create journeys shaped by genuine local knowledge.
Our approach is simple: take the time to understand each traveller, then create a luxury custom-made, private guided itinerary that reflects your interests, curiosity and travel style. The result is a more meaningful way to explore France and Belgium, shaped by local knowledge, thoughtful planning and carefully curated experiences.
Our Story
Destination Artisans was founded to provide a more personal and thoughtful approach to travel through France and Belgium.
After many years working within the travel industry and living in Paris and Brussels, it became clear that many travellers were seeking something different, not standard group tours, but private guided journeys designed around their interests, pace and curiosity.
Destination Artisans was created to offer exactly that: systematic and carefully crafted itineraries that combine expert planning, trusted local relationships and luxury travel experiences in France and Belgium.
Today, we work with both direct travellers and travel advisors around the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand who are looking for a trusted France and Belgium specialist to design meaningful journeys.
The Team Behind Every Exceptional Journey in France and Belgium
From luxurious itinerary planning to on-the-ground expertise, our team works together to ensure your private journey is thoughtfully curated and beautifully delivered.
Tailor-Made Journeys in France by Norma Keshishian
With more than 35 years in the travel industry, including time with Qantas and Accor Hotels, travel has always been both my profession and my passion. Since 2008, France has played a central role in my life. I lived in Paris for many years and later divided my time between Paris and Brussels, experiences that deepened my love for France and Belgium and shaped how I design itineraries today.
In 2016, I founded Destination Artisans to offer travellers a more personal way to experience these remarkable destinations. I truly enjoy getting to know each client, understanding what inspires them and crafting itineraries that feel authentic, well-paced and full of memorable discoveries. Now based in Sydney, with a presence in Nice, I continue working closely with trusted networks across France and Belgium to create itineraries that you will remember long after you return home.
Michael Hay
Michael Hay brings decades of travel industry experience to Destination Artisans. He founded DriveAway Holidays, one of Australia’s largest travel wholesalers and served as Chairman of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) for five years.
His expertise in travel operations, partnerships and the international travel market helps strengthen Destination Artisans’ commitment to delivering trusted and well-designed travel experiences.
Katherine Bouchard
After graduating from a U.S. college, Katherine moved to Paris to work for a major American news magazine and quickly fell in love with the city. She has remained there ever since.
Now working in tourism, Katherine shares her deep knowledge of Paris and French culture with travellers seeking more personal experiences. From hidden chocolate boutiques and artisan shops to iconic Parisian neighbourhoods, she introduces guests to the city through the lens of local life.
Her enthusiasm for Paris and its vibrant culture is contagious and her insider knowledge helps create truly memorable experiences.
How We Design Your Private Guided Journey
At Destination Artisans, our process is personal, collaborative and shaped by deep knowledge of France and Belgium. Each luxury journey is carefully curated, refined and managed to ensure a seamless and meaningful travel experience.
Step 1: Understanding Your Plans
We begin by learning about your travel goals, interests and expectations,
whether cultural exploration, gastronomy, family travel or a special occasion.
Step 2: Bespoke Itinerary Creation
We design a custom itinerary for you to review using our destination expertise and trusted local network, ensuring each experience is relevant, authentic and thoughtfully curated.
Step 3: Collaborative Refinement
We adjust and customise the itinerary with you, ensuring every detail
aligns with your preferences, timing and travel style.
Step 4: Planning and Coordination
Once confirmed, we manage all arrangements, from accommodation and private, English-speaking guides to transport and train reservations and tickets, ensuring everything is prepared in advance.
Step 5: Ongoing Support
We remain available throughout your journey and beyond, ensuring a smooth experience and welcoming your feedback for future travel planning.
Who We Work With
Destination Artisans works with both travel advisors and direct travellers seeking a more thoughtful and expertly curated experience in France and Belgium.
We work with:
couples seeking a romantic escape
families and multi-generational groups
travellers interested in gastronomy, culture and discovery
private groups wanting a more curated experience
travel agents looking for a trusted France and Belgium destination specialist
Whether you are planning a first-time visit or returning for a deeper exploration, we create luxury private journeys that reflect your interests, your travel style and the way you want to experience the destination.
Trusted. Connected. Committed.
Travel specialists for France and Belgium
Destination Artisans is a luxury Australian-based destination management company with offices in Sydney and Nice, supported by trusted industry partnerships and strong local relationships across France and Belgium.
Our Local Network, Your Global Advantage
At Destination Artisans, our trusted local partners help bring each France and Belgium journey to life.
We work with long-standing English-speaking guides, historians, chauffeurs, hospitality partners and specialists across France and Belgium who share our commitment to quality, insight and personalised service.
These relationships allow us to go beyond standard travel planning and create more enriching experiences, whether that means expert-led historical touring, boutique accommodation, regional food and wine experiences or seamless local transfers. It’s this combination of local expertise and boutique planning that helps make each Destination Artisans journey feel more personal, more informed and more memorable.
Provence
Meet Jean-Jacques in Provence, one of the trusted local experts who helps bring Destination Artisans journeys to life on the ground in France.
From charming hilltop villages and local markets to vineyard experiences, scenic drives and the slower rhythm of southern France, Provence is a region full of colour, character and unforgettable moments. With Jean-Jacques as your guide, travellers can enjoy a more personal and insightful experience of Provence, shaped by local knowledge and the kind of authentic detail that makes a journey memorable.
The Somme
The Battle of the Somme, fought between July and November 1916, remains one of the most significant chapters of the First World War. Today, the landscape still bears the scars of conflict, with preserved trenches, shell craters, cemeteries and memorials honouring those who served and sacrificed.
The Remembrance Trail, linking the towns of Albert and Péronne, guides visitors through key sites of the Western Front. In 2018, thousands gathered here to mark the centenary of the Armistice signed on November 11, 1918, making the Somme a deeply meaningful place to visit and reflect.
https://au.ambafrance.org/The-Somme-a-must-for-visiting Australian
Biarritz and the Basque Coast
Biarritz, an elegant seaside town on France’s southwestern Basque coast, has attracted visitors since European royalty began holidaying here in the 19th century. Today, it blends classic seaside glamour with a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
The town is also one of Europe’s leading surfing destinations, with long sandy beaches and renowned surf schools. A highlight is the Rocher de la Vierge, a rocky outcrop crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary, offering sweeping views over the Bay of Biscay. Just minutes from Spain, Biarritz is also a gateway to the rich culture and cuisine of the Basque region.
Rouen, Normandy
Rouen is steeped in English medieval history and remains central to Normandy’s story. William the Conqueror held court here, Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke and Joan of Arc was tried and executed during the Hundred Years’ War.
Today, tourists can explore a museum in the Archbishop’s Palace beside Rouen Cathedral. With half-timbered houses, historic streets and stunning Gothic architecture, Rouen is one of Normandy’s most captivating and atmospheric cities.
Honfleur, Normandy
Honfleur has long inspired artists with its charming harbour, historic streets and the soft light that defines the Normandy coast. Visitors can explore museums and galleries that celebrate the painters who once found inspiration here.
Strolling along the estuary reveals gardens leading to the beach, while the nearby Notre-Dame de Grâce chapel offers beautiful views across the Seine estuary. Honfleur lies along the Côte Fleurie or Flower Coast, close to Deauville and Trouville, making it an ideal day trip or a relaxing stop while exploring Normandy.
Calvados, Normandy
Located just a couple of hours from Paris, the Calvados region of Normandy feels like a world away from the bustle of the capital. Rolling countryside, charming villages and dramatic coastline make it one of France’s most rewarding regions to explore.
Rich in history and tradition, the area offers everything from historic landmarks to regional culinary specialties, including the famous apple brandy that gives the region its name. Whether visiting historic sites or simply enjoying the slower pace of rural France, Calvados provides a wonderfully authentic Normandy experience.
Grand Place, Brussels
The Grand Place is the historic heart of Brussels and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Surrounded by ornate guild houses, the Town Hall and the Maison du Roi, it’s celebrated for its remarkable architecture and rich decorative detail.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, the square becomes especially magical during the Christmas season with festive displays and a towering tree. Every two years, the famous Flower Carpet transforms the square into a vibrant floral masterpiece.
Montparnasse Tower, Paris
For one of the most impressive panoramic views of Paris, the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck offers a remarkable perspective over the city and its iconic landmarks.
Located in the heart of Paris, visitors reach the top in just 38 seconds and emerge 200 meters above the city skyline. From here, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and many of Paris’s most famous monuments.
Much like the Empire State Building in New York or the London Eye in London, the Montparnasse Tower provides a unique vantage point to fully appreciate the beauty and scale of Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of France’s most iconic landmarks. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries on the Île de la Cité, it has played a central role in the city’s history.
Visitors admire its stained-glass windows, rose windows, towers and gargoyles. Notre-Dame also marks “Point Zero,” the historic reference point from which distances to other cities in France are measured.
Montmartre, Paris
Montmartre’s cobbled streets, lively cafés and sweeping city views make it one of Paris’s most charming districts. Perched on a hill in the 18th arrondissement, it retains the village character that once drew artists, writers and musicians.
At its summit, Sacré-Cœur Basilica offers stunning panoramas. Visitors can wander winding streets, explore galleries and bistros, follow in the footsteps of famous artists or capture the neighbourhood’s vibrant spirit through photography.
The Destination Artisans Difference
for travelling in France and Belgium
Personalised Approach
We take time to understand your interests, travel style and priorities before shaping a journey that feels genuinely personal and well considered.
Trusted Local Connections
We work with long-standing local English-speaking guides, chauffeurs and specialists to deliver authentic, insightful and well-coordinated experiences on the ground.
Tailor-Made Itineraries
We curate each journey from scratch, creating private itineraries that reflect your pace, preferences and how you want to experience each destination.
Clear Communication & Support
We operate across Australia and France, speaking both English and French, ensuring smooth communication and reliable support at every stage.
Attention to Detail
Focusing only on France and Belgium means we’re never stretched, allowing us to plan every detail carefully so your itinerary feels seamless, balanced and thoughtfully paced throughout.
Transparent, Expert Guidance
We provide transparent, experience-based recommendations, helping you make confident decisions and enjoy a journey that truly works for your budget and travel style.
Why Choose Destination Artisans for Your France & Belgium Dream Trip?
At Destination Artisans, travel is more than ticking boxes. It’s about creating luxury experiences that feel personal, meaningful and seamless. As a boutique destination management company, we don’t just take orders; we craft journeys through France and Belgium that reflect your passions, preferences and travel rhythm.
Every private itinerary is thoughtfully curated with trusted driver-guides, local insight and careful planning, ensuring each trip is authentic, engaging and tailored to what matters most to you.
Your France & Belgium Travel Questions, Answered
Helpful information about planning your bespoke journey with a boutique destination management company.
-
Destination Artisans is led by Norma Keshishian, a travel professional with more than 35 years of industry experience and a long-standing connection to France and Belgium. Her deep destination knowledge, trusted local relationships and firsthand approach shape every journey we create.
-
Every luxury itinerary is custom-made. We do not offer cookie-cutter packages or standard touring programs. Each journey is tailored to the traveller’s interests, travel preferences and priorities, whether that means culture, gastronomy, romance, family travel or deeper regional discovery, creating luxury experiences designed for your pace of travel. Each itinerary is different and designed exclusively for you.
-
As a boutique destination management company, we manage every aspect of the journey behind the scenes. We collaborate with a trusted network of guides, chauffeurs, hotels and local experts across France and Belgium, coordinating each element with attention to detail. From arrival transfers to private experiences, every part of the itinerary is thoughtfully arranged to ensure a smooth, well-paced and enjoyable luxury private travel experience.
Ready To Start Planning Your Journey with Destination Artisans?
As your trusted destination management company, we help you create private, tailor-made journeys through France and Belgium. Whether it’s a romantic escape, family adventure or cultural tour, we work with you to design an itinerary that suits your interests, pace and style, making every travel personal and memorable.
Start planning your next private journey with us now!