Jeannette Candau and Suzy Schutz take over The Blue Walk from founder Carlo Roberts, Carlo writes…
The Blue Walk concept began on the French Riviera 16 years ago, after going for a 200 mile walk and discovering those gorgeous coastal walking trails, and the sheer beauty of the area. The idea of turning it into a tour quietly tapped me on the shoulder for years, until I finally woke up one New Year’s morning, and said to myself, “If not now, when.”
So I began with France. The following year, by popular demand, I added Italy. The next year, just because it was clearly meant to be, we uncovered a beautiful unspoiled gem of a Greek Island, so added the Greece program. The next year we ran a Paris program and a Danube River Cruise. This year we have an England program. We keep growing, and going to our (my!) favorite places.
It is 2016 and it’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since I bought my home and moved to Guardia Sanframondi, my beautiful little hillside village in Italy. And as I get more and more involved in life here, and slowly position myself towards semi-retirement, I’m thrilled to announce a new team at The Blue Walk.
I’m turning the company over to two wonderful women, Jeannette Candau and Suzy Schutz. As the new owners, they will run the company, and I will remain as adviser, consultant, and continue to guide our tours.
It was a diligent year-long search to find the right new team to take over the helm, and I knew as soon as I met Jeannette and Suzy that I found who I was looking for. They already have the same dedication and enthusiasm for our company and bring wonderful new energy. They are experienced in creating and running successful businesses, have a passion for travel and adventure, are smart, kind, and just fun to be around. They will be co-guiding some of the tours with me this year, so you may get to meet them.
But most importantly, they honor my vision of small-group, friendly, personal experiences that I hope I have given my past guests, and will strive to continue to do so. For me, this has been such a labor of love. The Blue Walk was simply created from a lifelong journey of happy travel and adventure; discovering wonderful new places, putting together unique experiences, and just wanting to bring my friends along to share it with and say “Hey, look at that” and “Hey, try this”. We all have our passions, that was mine. How lucky I have been that it was not only my passion, but became my profession.
And as The Blue Walk continues to grow and evolve, I‘m excited to turn the company and its day to day operations over to this great new team, while I continue to be your guide, doing what I love best. Welcome Jeannette and Suzy – I know The Blue Walk will be in great hands.
Finally, as is true with all great experiences, you get so much more than you give. And the gifts of friendships with my dear clients-turned-friends, and the relationships with so many of my hotels that feel like returning to family each time we visit; was so much more than I could have expected.
My deep gratitude to you all for these wonderful years. Merci Beaucoup, Grazie Mille, Efharisto Poli.
Ciao from Italia, and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all,
The Blue Walk is one of the fabulous women run tour companies you can find on Women Travel the World – see their listing here
More links for women travellers…
- Tours for Women around the World
- Tour Companies run by Women around the World
- Accommodation for Women around the World
- Women who are Local Tour Guides
- Retreat Places for Women Around the World
- Tours which include Retreat Themes
