Cou Cou Tour Helps Mother-Daughter Duos Travel Without The Mental Load.
Our guests UpNext on the Reframed Podcast series are Ali and Toni, the best-friends behind Cou Cou Tour. These lovely ladies were introduced to us by a past guest, client and friend, Anna Ballard of Ballard and Prescott.
Little did Anna know that Paris has always been on my bucket list of places to travel. I’ve dreamed of sitting within eye sight of the Eiffel Tower, baguette under my armpit with a picnic blanket spread out while I admired the love of my life.
I shared on the episode the story about how at hour 47 of my 48 hour labor for our first born, my husband promised me a trip to the South of France. Nine years later, we still haven’t taken the trip, but after this chat with Ali and Toni, I have reframed my definition of “love of my life” and have decided that I don’t have to go to France just one time. I can take the “loves” of my life, go just with my daughter AND travel solo! Brilliant!
When You’re Tired of Planning:
Reframing Mother-Daughter Travel
I love how Cou Cou Tour is reframing travel for mothers and daughters.
- Focusing on connection
- Pushing boundaries outside of regular life comfort zones, and
- Giving moms permission to travel both with their daughters or solo.
Each trip is specially curated by Ali & Toni to reflect the interests of the group of people they bring together.
Travel Creates Connection
Ignite Your Senses
The idea is to embark on adventures that ignite all of your senses and are not pulled directly off of the most popular lists for travel to the destinations.
Try Something New
Both Ali & Toni have spent extensive time immersed in French culture, forming connections with locals that cater unique experiences for Cou Cou Tour guests.
Give Up Control & Embrace the Magic
Their goal is to give moms a chance to embrace the magic of the trip, without having to focus on all of the “mom details” that go into planning it and making it happen. Cou Cou handles all of the logistics (minus the flights) so you can lean into enjoying the moments and deepening your connection with yourself and your daughter(s).
Yes, I did spend my entire French vocabulary in the first 5 seconds of our chat, but I did learn a few new words, including my new favorite: Cou Cou. It means Hello, darling! And is just the best way to greet someone each day!
Now my darlings — let’s dive into what you can find inside the episode:
About Cou Cou Tours
Ali and Toni are two longtime friends (think: 20 years, raised-kids-together deep) who turned their shared love of France, connection, and the best butter into Cou Cou Tour—custom, small-group travel experiences designed for women, families, couples, and mother–daughter pairs.
They’re the kind of hosts who interview you first, learn what lights you up, and then build a trip that feels boutique, warm, and wildly thoughtful—like traveling with friends who already know the best spots and the best people.
Key Takeaways
- Let someone else hold the details so you can actually experience the trip (and not “mom” your way through it).
- Document as you go—a notebook, a sketch, a ticket stub—because memory-making hits different when it’s tactile.
- Say yes faster to the things that feel a little scary (hello, solo travel… or a spontaneous Syrian wedding invite).
- Get your kids out of their bubble—new places quietly teach confidence, perspective, and identity.
- Choose travel that creates connection, not consumption—the souvenirs that matter most are often the moments.
Episode Highlights
00:00 — “Bonjour!” and my immediate realization that my French is… limited 😅
01:27 — Ali + Toni’s origin story: mom friends → travel partners → business partners
04:58 — What CoucouCamp is (and why moms deserve to travel without carrying the whole plan)
06:10 — The genius of daily themes + a travel journal (sketching, writing, collecting little treasures)
07:44 — How they plan everything in Notion (visual, collaborative, lifesaving)
18:10 — The “strangers to lifelong friends” magic (and the deeper stories people carry)
32:25 — Why moms should travel solo too: the “just say yes” philosophy
36:22 — Their unexpected travel hack: bringing home French butter 🧈
41:17 — Shared albums, real cameras, and why intentional photos beat endless phone scrolling
45:58 — Where they’re heading next: France, Provence, Cotswolds, Morocco
Connect with Ali + Toni of Cou Cou Tour
- Visit their website: www.coucoutour.com
- Follow on Instagram @CouCou.Tour
- Favorite Tool for Organizing Trip Itineraries: Notion
- Favorite Gem to Visit: Jardin d’ Acclimation https://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/en
Never miss an episode of the Frame of Life Podcast
- Listen + Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
- Join the Frame of Life Community on Facebook
- Follow along on Instagram
Want help finding your a community of support for your retail business?
Check out our Sponsor The Retail Playground Powered by UpNext. Get connected to entrepreneurs and resources to help your business thrive! Use our code FOL15 and FOL15Q for 15% off your monthly subscription.
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment