A Life Enriched by Travel
For me, travel has never been simply about visiting somewhere new.
It has been about the people I have met, the friendships that have developed and the privilege of being welcomed into places and traditions that most visitors rarely experience.
Over many years I have travelled widely for both business and pleasure. Along the way, I have been fortunate to build lasting friendships with restaurateurs, hoteliers, winemakers, chefs, producers, gastronomic associations, and local hosts whose generosity has opened doors and created unforgettable experiences.
A Taste Of… grew from a simple wish: to share those experiences with a small group of like-minded travellers and fellow bon vivants.
Personally Chosen, Personally Hosted
I do not select a destination simply because it is fashionable or familiar.
Each journey begins with a place I know, value and genuinely want others to experience. I look for character, provenance, hospitality and, above all, people with a story to tell.
Every journey is personally curated and personally hosted. Group numbers are kept deliberately small so that guests can travel comfortably, sit together around one table and enjoy the relaxed companionship that develops naturally over a few memorable days.
Beyond the Obvious
I have always been drawn to places that reward curiosity.
Sometimes they are celebrated destinations viewed from a different perspective. Sometimes they are regions that remain surprisingly overlooked. What matters is that each offers something authentic: a strong sense of place, distinctive traditions and people proud to share them.
Carcassonne is a perfect example. My own connection with the city has grown through repeated visits, enduring friendships and the great honour of being welcomed as a member of the International Federation of Cassoulet.
Those personal connections are at the heart of A Taste Of…
My Role
I am not interested in rushing guests from one attraction to another.
I would rather allow time for a conversation, an unhurried meal, a walk through an old town or the unexpected moments that so often become the strongest memories.
My role is part host, part curator and part travelling companion. I make the introductions, take care of the details and share the journey around the same table.
A Personal Invitation
If A Taste Of… appeals to you, I hope you will register your interest.
Whether you join me in Carcassonne or on a future journey, I look forward to welcoming you around the table and sharing places that have become part of my own life.
Brian Smith
Founder and Host, A Taste Of…