Expertly Curated Travel Experiences
Rooted in an Authentic Passion for the Mountains
At Pyrenees Experiences and Operations Collaborative, everything we do begins with a profound love for the Pyrenees Mountains. Founder Sarah Newell established PEO Collab to share the beauty, culture, and history of southwestern France with the world. Whether you are a traveler looking for a transformative journey or an experience provider seeking an operational partner, PEO Collab is here to bring the finest, most authentic version of the Pyrenees to life.
Operating Signature Journeys and Supporting Exceptional Businesses
Curating Signature Tours
We host our own handcrafted cultural, historical, and mountain programs, such as Art de Vivre in Ariège: Discover the Soul of Southwest France and Women in the Mountains, highlighting the heritage and landscape of southern France.
Empowering Other Experience Businesses
We serve as the operational backbone for guides, retreat leaders, authors, boutique operators, and others. From venue sourcing and logistical design to serving as the local host, we take care of administrative details so creators can focus entirely on their guests.
By operating our own live programs, we stay actively engaged in field operations and guest care. We test our systems in the real world every season, ensuring that the operational support we offer to partner businesses is practical, refined, and current.
Bridging Expertise on Both Sides of Tourism
Owner and founder Sarah Newell brings a distinct blend of expertise to both sides of the tourism experience, combining research rigor with hands-on outdoor leadership:
Information Science (MLIS):
Education in Information and Library Science brings research capabilities to curate authentic, narrative-driven itineraries.
Public Administration:
Leadership background in Parks & Recreation provides public-sector management rigor, clear risk mitigation, and operational structure.
Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Leadership:
Proven experience as the founder and owner of Athara Adventures SAS ensures a ground-level understanding of safety, guest expectations, and field execution.
Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors:
Strategic planning facilitating high-level local partnerships and economic development.
Your Partner in the Pyrenees
Whether you are seeking an unforgettable personal journey through southwestern France or looking for a trusted local operations director to bring your retreat or tour vision to life, Pyrenees Experiences and Operations Collaborative is your travel partner every step of the way.
For Independent and Small Group Travellers
For those who love the mountains and crave authentic, deeply resonant travel.
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Travelers seeking research-backed, narrative-driven itineraries through the rich landscapes of Occitanie, Cathar country, and the Pyrenees.
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Friends, families, or small cohorts who want a custom-designed private departure without the stress of managing mountain logistics, accommodations, or local transport.
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Experienced or new solo travelers are welcome on all small group tours. Each signature experience is built to give the solo traveler independence while including them in the group dynamic. Approximately half of our participants come as independent travelers.
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Our tours are ranked by activity level for each person to choose the experience that's best for them.
For Businesses, Facilitators, and Organizations (B2B)
For experience creators who need an on-demand Operations Director and trusted local partner in France or remotely worldwide.
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Who: Hiking guides, cycling operators, wildlife specialists, and horse-trekking businesses.
How We Help: We handle customer communications, registration tracking, seasonal planning, and vendor coordination so owners can stay focused in the field.
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Who: Yoga instructors, authors, artists, photographers, and life coaches.
How We Help: We manage venue sourcing, transport planning, guest onboarding, and can serve as your licensed local host under French legal regulations to remove administrative and liability hurdles.
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Who: Universities, academic institutions, and lifelong learning organizations.
How We Help: We design research-backed cultural programming, manage field logistics, coordinate accommodations and catering, and build rich local educational itineraries.
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Who: Guesthouse owners, boutique stay operators, and international property owners in Ariège, Aude, and the surrounding region.
How We Help: When the right fit, we connect you with experience providers seeking lodging, coordinate caterers, optimize booking workflows, and help curate guest experiences.
The Power of Collaboration
About the Experience
Select discoveries are crafted into original, handcrafted journeys operated directly by PEO Collab.
At Pyrenees Experiences and Operations Collaborative, operations are grounded in real-world exploration and partnership. Based in southwestern France, founder Sarah Newell actively explores the Pyrenees Mountains, surrounding foothills, Occitanie, Languedoc, and beyond.
During these field explorations, Sarah is constantly seeking out hidden places, authentic cultural connections, and unique regional partners. This ongoing research yields two distinct outcomes:
A Curated Partner Network
Every artisan, trail, heritage site, and local provider discovered becomes part of an active partner database for future collaboration.
PEO Collab was born out of a desire to connect people deeply with the land, local traditions, and quiet majesty of Occitanie. We curate and support immersive journeys that allow guests to step off the beaten track and experience the genuine rhythm of mountain life.
"Traveling through the Pyrenees with Sarah wasn't just a tour—it was like having the keys to a hidden world. The care, local depth, and effortless flow allowed us to truly absorb the landscape and history without a moment of stress."
Recent ClientReady to Build Something Extraordinary?
We create exceptional experiences—and help others do the same.
To explore if PEO Collab is the right partner for your business or upcoming retreat, schedule a no-obligation discovery call today.