Picture a village square somewhere in Provence in the late afternoon. The plane trees are throwing dappled shade over the café tables, the ochre walls are glowing as if they've been lit by a very expensive lighting designer, and the only real decision left in your day is whether to linger over the cheese or open another bottle of your favourite rosé. That, my friends, is the mood of a gay tour of Provence done properly, and it's exactly the feeling Wayne and I built Rosé Royale around.
I started Hermes Holidays in Sydney in 2016 because I wanted to break the mould of what people think when they hear "group travel". Our ethos was simple: to curate luxury travel experiences the way Wayne and I actually like to travel. After 28 years circling Europe as a guide on tours, I knew what worked and, just as importantly, what didn't. Our recipe is simple: gorgeous accommodation, late starts, long lunches, incredible inclusions and brilliant company, creating an environment where absolutely nobody raises an eyebrow at who you are or who you love. And Wayne and I host every trip ourselves, to make sure everything runs to the standard we expect.
Why Provence Was Made for a Gay Holiday
Provence has been seducing visitors for centuries, and frankly, it knows it. Vineyards roll out in every direction, and markets spill over with olives, cheeses and linen you absolutely do not need but will buy anyway.
What makes a gay holiday in Provence with us a little different is the company. We absolutely adore our Hermes family, and we're honoured that 80% of our guests come back and travel with us time and time again. We also love welcoming new members into our ever growing family. You'll find our groups are small, so it feels less like a tour and more like a house party with excellent catering and good music. Gay men, lesbians, bisexual, trans and nonbinary travellers, and our wonderful straight allies all fit right in. Plenty of people join us solo, too, so we keep a few rooms aside for single travellers.
Château Life, Darling
If you have ever fantasised about having your own château, Rosé Royale is your audition. We spend four nights at Château de Tourreau, a 20 acre estate of woodland, manicured French gardens and orchards, with grand reception rooms, a billiard room and a library inside, and an enormous pool that becomes the social headquarters of the entire trip.
The château is drop dead gorgeous. No, really, it is STUNNING! I never thought I would stay somewhere so beautiful. You truly feel like you're living your Disney Princess life, and you're just not going to want to leave.
Breakfast is served in the courtyard, with the gardens just waking up around you. Try archery, pétanque or tennis, or commit fully to the ancient sport of lying very still on a sun lounge. All are valid. We also give you a whole day at the château to live like Kings and Queens (let's be honest, mainly Queens).
Then there are the parties. Our Blanc Ball welcome gala is dinner under the stars in the château grounds, with our private chef, wines from the neighbouring vineyards and a strict all white dress code. Later in the week you are encouraged to don your favourite fabulous kaftan as we throw an afternoon tea dance around the pool. Dine, dance and dip, repeat as required.
