BUCKET LIST TRIPS & ICONIC EXPERIENCES

Travel with Taste:

Elegant Culinary Adventures

Welcome to Your Destination for Boutique Culinary & Culture Trips, Authentic Recipes & Insider Travel Tips.

Hi, I’m Julie, and I’m here to turn your travel dreams into unforgettable realities. Whether you’re joining one of my chef-led group trips or working with me to plan your perfect private getaway, every journey is packed with incredible food, wine, and cultural experiences you can't access without insider connections. Picture yourself sipping champagne with a Michelin-starred chef, rolling fresh pasta in a cozy Italian kitchen, or exploring hidden culinary gems most tourists never see. My trips are all about authentic connections, luxury meets local charm, and memories that are uniquely yours.
Let’s make your bucket list happen!

Julie Hartigan sipping a coffee in Ortigia Sicily
Julie Hartigan hosting a group trip in Cortona

Real Encounters

Discover the heart of every destination by connecting with passionate chefs, winemakers, and artisans. From private tastings to hands-on cooking, it’s all about personal experiences that immerse you in local culture.

Elevated Taste

Forget cookie cutter menus and tourist packed spots. Enjoy chef-insider access to world-renowned culinary masters, local makers, and hidden gems. Skip trip planning stress and enjoy a perfectly planned and curated journey designed by a pro.

Hands-On Luxury

From spa visits and posh boutique hotels to connecting with local artisans and exploring with private drivers, my trips combine luxurious touches with meaningful, hands-on experiences. Create memories while enjoying every comfort.

Julie Hartigan leading a Women’sTuscanyTour

BOUTIQUE CULINARY & CULTURE ESCAPES

Skip the Chicken Fingers: Travel, Taste, and Live Like a Foodie VIP

Ditch the dumbed down, Americanized menus and overrun spots for a thoughtfully crafted adventure featuring standout flavors, exclusive dining experiences, and the true essence of each destination. Picture traveling in a small chef-led group, hands on culinary experiences, private local guides, intimate wine tastings with the actual winemaker, and exclusive encounters with award winning chefs and artisans.

Julie Hartigan standing in front a vegetables stand in Italy
Julie Hartigan Retreat Champagne tasting
Julie Hartigan - Group Trip Tasting

What you’ll find in all my trips

Unparalleled Elegance

Picture yourself on a sun-drenched terrace of a luxurious Tuscan resort, popping bottles of champagne and sabering like a pro alongside a Michelin-starred chef. This is your vacation—not the one packed with crowds and clichés.


Hidden Culinary Treasures

Roll up your sleeves and master the art of making fresh pasta from scratch or discover the secrets of traditional dishes during lively cooking sessions. Top it off with custom tasting menus crafted just for you by award-winning chefs.


Hands-On Gastronomic Joy

I’ll take you beyond the tourist trail. You’ll savor private tastings at intimate, family-run enotecas where each bottle has a story, handpicked from the most exclusive, off-the-beaten-path vineyards.

Julie Hartigan in Petra

ABOUT ME

Travel, Taste, and Live it Up with Me!

Hello, I’m Julie! From VIP foodie experiences to cozy boutique stays, I’m here to share my passion for fun, flavorful adventures.

I’m all about making travel fun, delicious, and totally unforgettable. Whether you’re joining one of my small-group tours or letting me plan your dream getaway, expect boutique stays, amazing food, and all the local secrets you won’t find online. Let’s create adventures that are as unique and fabulous as you are—because life's too short for cookie cutter trip.

Julie Hartigan in Paris eating and sipping wine
Julie Hartigan slashes with a saber a bottle
Julie Hartigan and group trip in Cortona, Italy

MY GROUP TRIPS

Chef-led Group Trips

Cherry-picked, chef-designed and hosted trips, immersing you in the best locals-only food and wine geek experiences and special stays in dream destinations.
I host group trips for people who NEVER do group trips!

SMALL CO-ED GROUPS OF FELLOW FUN LOVERS


FEEL LIKE YOU'RE THE STAR OF A FOOD TRAVEL SHOW


THE PERFECT BALANCE OF LOCAL MEETS LUXURY


UPCOMING GROUP TRIPS

Don't Put Off Your Travel Dreams for "Someday"

OCTOBER 2025

Morocco

I’m so excited to invite you on an incredible adventure to Morocco this October 2025! Together, we’ll explore this vibrant country in a way that combines luxury, culture, and unforgettable culinary moments.

Piedomont viewpoint on the lake

COMING SOON - NOVEMBER 2025

Piedmont, Italy

Calling all Barolo & Truffle Lovers! This adventure takes you up close and personal with the region's fabled winemakers and culinary culture. You'll visit the gorgeous city of Turin, the region's capital and former capital of Italy and then explore the breathtaking countryside filled with Medieval towns. We'll stay in a vineyard, enjoy private winemaker experiences, be part of a once-in-a-lifetime white truffle hunt, visit Alba for their world-renowned truffle festival, make fresh pasta, and enjoy mind-blowing exclusive dining experiences. 

FEBRUARY 2026

Ecuador & Galapagos Islands

In this immersive cultural experience you’ll visit the capital city of Quito, the Ecuadorian countryside of the Andes, and a deep dive into this South American country’s food culture and women artisans. You’ll also enjoy several days in the Galapagos Islands with it’s incredible wildlife on land and sea.

FINALLY IT’S YOUR TURN

Incredible Trips You Can Actually Take

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • “Absolutely do it! You will not regret it. It was a ball and I would go on another trip with Julie in a heartbeat!”

    - Kathy

  • “Honestly, I never would have found such unique experiences for myself like Julie did”

    - Kim

  • “Why did I want to go on this trip & bring my mom? Because you KNOW when you travel with Julie she’s going to create magical foodie experiences for you.”

    - MJ

  • “You had me at ‘exclusive tours with women winemakers'”

    - Tammy

  • “When I saw the itinerary it was way, way better than anything I could have done on my own. It was so incredibly great not to be responsible for anything but showing up and enjoying my time.”

    - Cathy

MY PRIVATE TRIPS

Private Trip Planning

Can't make my Group Trip or prefer a more intimate experience? No problem!

My custom travel itineraries are designed just for you, blending luxury and authentic local experiences. With my insider access and exclusive connections, you’ll enjoy a trip that’s anything but typical.

Julie Hartigan Private Trip Planning
Groip of girlfriends celebrating and toasting

Planning something special?
Let me create a private trip just for you!

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • “It was such a great way to get my far-flung friends together and the best part is ALL the planning was done for us!”

    - Debbie

  • “As a single girl who works from home, I rarely see my friends – this trip was just what I needed!”

    - Krissi


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