THE ALIX COLUMN
May 18th, 2026How to Experience Local Art and Culture on Your Next ALIX trip
ALIX tours are built around the delight of exploration curating unique journeys for small groups of women with a focus on arts and culture. What makes ALIX special is that we work with local experts with the goal of making the unfamiliar become more familiar. Our experiences go beyond passive sightseeing and our guests are often active participants in making and creating as a way of gaining deeper insights into a culture.
For example, during our visit to Marrakesh in 2023, one of the highlights was shopping for ingredients with our chef who would later lead our cooking class. One of our first stops was to a communal oven where women brought their kneaded and risen breads to the baker. We then shopped the small markets for vegetables and grains and meats as the locals do before engaging in the traditional cooking class.
Another wonderful example of a hands-on ALIX experience took place during our Impressionist journey in Honfleur. Our hotel, Hôtel Saint Simeon carries a rich tradition of hosting artists, and through that connection we engaged a local art instructor named Laurent. The guests spent a memorable few hours in a watercolor class under his guidance, painting in the very setting that inspired so many of the great Impressionists.
During a recent trip to France, for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, we visited Atelier Simon Marq who has been a master of stain glass design and creation since 1640. They have created windows for major cathedrals throughout France. Today their tradition is central to the creation of a major new window at Notre-Dame de Paris as well as collaboration with contemporary artists to translate their designs into the medium.
We had the pleasure of learning about every step of the process - seeing sheets of glass, observing their young and talented staff using patterns to determine the intricate placement of lead around the design and completed masterpiece
Each ALIX Experience offers a deeper connection to the destination’s culture through hands-on activities and meaningful engagement with local artisans, educators, and artists, creating a richer understanding of the local community and traditions. We invite you to join our next experiences in October - Venice for the Venice Biennale & France for the Belle Epoque tour.
May 4th, 2026How do we choose our trip destinations?
With great care and research.
At the ALIX Experience, our destinations are guided by what is unfolding in the world of art, both contemporary and historic. This philosophy allows us to create experiences that feel educational, enriching and immersive for our travelers. Our themes are shaped by important moments in history such as milestone anniversaries of important art movements or groundbreaking institutional openings and exhibitions.
For example, our 2024 tour - Travelling the Paths of the Impressionists- was inspired by the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, a pivotal milestone in art history. Rather than limiting ourselves to the museum exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay, we also traced the footsteps of the artists themselves by visiting the landscapes that inspired their work such as Honfleur, Le Havre and Giverny. Similarly, our Provence experience was thoughtfully aligned with the opening of LUMA Arles, a major contemporary art destination.
When we curated our Notre Dame tour, it was based on the long-awaited reopening of the cathedral. To truly understand the artistry and craftsmanship behind such a monument, we visited working studios like Simon-Marq, the renowned stained glass atelier. Encounters like these allow our travelers to connect not just with finished masterpieces, but with the living traditions and artisans who keep these art forms alive.
What’s next?
At the end of September, we travel on a special Land Art of Utah experience to explore the earth works by two important American artists- Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson.
Mid-October, we fly to Venice for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia – In Minor Keys by Koyo Kouoh. Following our time in Venice we will travel to Paris to embark on a Glass tour in Eastern France.
Each experience that we design goes beyond the headline event. We delve into themes, explore historical threads, and seek out specialists in the fields and places that contribute to great memories.
April 20th, 2026Safety and security for women travelers
Safety and security for women travelers is one of our core concerns at The ALIX Experience.
As a woman owned company, ALIX believes that real luxury starts with peace of mind. At The ALIX Experience, our top priority is the safety and security of every guest. When curating our cultural trips, we carefully vet all transportation, service providers, accommodations, dining, and curated activities to ensure they are of the highest quality, safe and welcoming for women.
Hotels
Each property is carefully vetted to meet high standards that truly matter: cleanliness, safety, tranquility, and an environment that feels welcoming and aligned with women’s needs. This means offering a variety of room options, prioritizing quiet and uncrowded spaces, or choosing locations that feel both secure and serene. On our trips we provide full and exciting itineraries but always ensure that guests have the option to step out on their own which is why we always make sure that the neighborhoods are safe and welcoming to solo women travelers.
At ALIX, we prioritize smaller boutique properties where guests are recognized by staff. In larger hotels, it’s easier to feel anonymous, which can reduce both the sense of security and the level of personalized service.
Wellness is another cornerstone of the ALIX Experience. For many women, travel isn’t just about seeing new places, it's an opportunity to reconnect with themselves. At the ALIX Experience we often select hotels that have access to spa treatments and gyms that nurture both body and mind.
La Ferme Saint Siméon Hôtel & Spa a Relais & Châteaux in Honfleur, France where we stayed during our Impressionist tour.
Transportation
On each tour, ALIX arranges private luxury transportation through trusted partners. This means no scrambling for taxis, no navigating buses/ subways/ trains and no concerns about reliability or safety. We keep our group sizes small so that we can all stick together and enjoy the experience together in the safety of our group. Often there is a surprise experience like the Paris ride in the Citroën 2CVs.
After an eventful day of looking at Impressionist Art, we finished our day by taking a ride around Paris in two historic French Citroën 2CVs while enjoying some champagne.
ALIX chooses culturally rich environments and destinations that inspire reflection and connection with like-minded women while prioritizing safety and security for our guests.
Safety Survey
While our current focus is on curating luxury tours for small groups, we undertsand that there is a much larger audience for whom safety will always be an issue for women while traveling.
The core commitment of The ALIX Experience has always been to provide resources and experiences for women who travel for business and leisure. As we address these broader needs ALIX is exploring our role as advocates with the hospitality industry to assist in establishing standards and protocols that are sensitive to the unique needs of women travelers. We ask that you take a few minutes to complete this survey that will provide invaluable feedback.
What makes ALIX tours special?
April 6th, 2026The ALIX Experience, is a women owned business. We are specialists in creating curated luxury travel for small groups of solo women travelers over 50. Our mission and commitment is to connect like-minded women and engage them in unique experiences around art and culture.
Our founder, Suzanne Randolph has worked for decades as an art advisor and has in- depth knowledge of historical movements and contemporary trends. As a result ALIX has the advantage of access to a noted global network of art historians, artisans, and experts in many fields to weave authentic and enriching experiences into each tour. Every ALIX trip is thoughtfully crafted to combine luxury, art, and cultural immersion.
What makes ALIX tours special?
We keep our group sizes small - with 8 travelers being ideal ! These intimate group sizes ensure personalized engagement with tour specialists, meaningful connections with fellow travelers, and authentic cultural experiences while preserving the flexbility and independence that solo travelers cherish. With a small group size, we enjoy our meals at one table and can all engage in shared lively conversations. The intimacy of our tours results in a community of safety and comfort.
Pictured here is a fond memory from our ALIX Experience Tour to Marrakesh where we took part in a traditional Moroccan home cooking class.
While our itineraries are thoughtfully curated and filled with rich immersive experiences, what truly sets ALIX apart is the extraordinary women who join us. Each guest brings her own life experiences - many are pioneering leaders in fields such as law, finance, public service, real estate and the arts. Their perspectives and accomplishments and curiosity is what elevates our tours. By intentionally keeping our groups small, no more than eight women, we foster a sense of intimacy that allows for genuine connection.
Many of our travelers return again and again, drawn not only by the diversity of our tours but by the opportunity to reconnect with women they’ve met on previous experiences. Over time these shared experiences evolve inoto a deep and vibrant supportive community of friendships. The tours become a catalyst, opening doors to new perspectives, lasting friendships and a network of dynamic women who continue to inspire echother.
Another special memory from an ALIX Experience Tour in Paris, at Restaurants Virtus.
The Alix Experience featured on Travel Girl Magazine
Women in Business: Challenges of Traveling Alone
by Suzanne Randolph, Founder & CEO of The ALIX Experience
This piece was published on the August 2016 French American Chamber of Commerce Membership Newsletter.
In today's global business economy, staying on in a company and moving up the ladder of success, more often than not requires frequent travel. For many executive women, business travel has been the tie breaker between profession and family, with many women deciding to take a time out. Each year the percentage of women traveling for business domestically within the United States, and internationally, is growing. The most recent government statistic projected that women will comprise 47% of all the business travelers leaving the United States.
For many years it was assumed the impact and challenges of business travel were the same for both men and women. But with the rise of women in corporate leadership positions, as entrepreneurial innovators engaged in corporate initiatives, women's voices and needs are being heard. While there may be overlap in the needs of men and women, studies in recent years have shown the impact on women traveling for business is decidedly different. Women have said being away from their family is probably the hardest issue when they are traveling for business, followed by maintaining their personal routines and coping with time "alone time."
Most business trips last between four to six days, with younger staff spending closer to four days and the seasoned executive spending closer to six. Women have said that the third day is when the reality of business travel really hits them. You've rested from your trip the first evening, attended the client dinner with your team on the second evening, followed by a full day's work on the third day. By day's end many women ask: "where can I go and what can I do?" These moments of "alone time" are handled differently by each woman, and for many women who travel to the same city regularly it can vary from visit to visit.
Some women embrace "alone time" with open arms. An investment banker who travels regularly to San Francisco says she looks forward to time alone as it allows her to catch up on shopping, taking time for a massage and simply catching her breath. Many experts agree, that alone time is necessary and beneficial to our mental health. As explained by Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter in Psychology Today, "In today's constantly connected world, finding solitude has become a lost art...seeking solitude can actually be quite healthy. In fact, there are many physical and psychological benefits to spending time alone." Carter goes on to discuss how alone time provides an opportunity to think deeply and disconnect in order to effectively sort through personal problems and discover oneself.
I recommended that the traveler, research, research and plan ahead! While your hotel concierge may be able to give you advice, always be your own best friend! Research experiences in your destination so you can sketch out a solid plan that is tailored to your interest. I often create my own calendar for reserved or "just in case" moments. Short evening cooking classes or wine tastings are all by definition fun in bringing people together. For performances, often house seats become available at the last minute and you can find yourself in a fabulous center orchestra seat for a memorable experience. Lecture series or author's talks at select bookstores can round out a day nicely followed by receptions where you can meet and mingle! And for those quieter moments nothing beats an evening massage!
In Anne Marie Slaughter's recent book, Unfinished Business, she shares "Working really hard for something and someone you believe in is exhilarating and often necessary. But it can and should be punctuated with periods where you take far better care of yourself."
Whether it's taking a cooking class, exploring top fashion boutiques or indulging in an extravagant spa treatment, women to transform their solo-time into a journey of self-discovery and do the things they love. When you're recharged and inspired, you feel fulfilled, boosting productivity and overall performance.
