Battlefields and World War Tribute Tour: England & France

Zicasso's travel company helped create a wonderful UK trip for my family. Their fine attention to detail, along with a spectacularly planned itinerary, was greatly appreciated. From our drivers to amazing tour guides - the one in White Cliffs of Dover, the one in Ireland, and the one in Scotland - this trip was spot-on perfect! 

The travel company's app was extremely helpful and user-friendly, and the lodging facilities chosen were perfect. In particular, the hotels located in the heart of each city made walking tours and exploring ideal. In addition, pre-planned excursions and activities added to an overall positive experience.

Our travel agent arranged a fantastic week-long trip for three friends and I to visit World War I battlefields in France and Belgium.  From the moment we arrived in Paris, we were met by our very knowledgeable guides.   They served as our drivers and guides for such sites as Cambrai, Vimy Ridge, Ypres and Verdun, among many others.   At various sites, local guides would also join and provide unique perspectives on the battles and personalities involved.    Our travel agent was easy to work with and very responsive in tailoring the trip to our interests and arranging for stays at boutique local hotels as well as lining up the local guides that enhanced our understanding of the battles.

As the 100th anniversary of the end of The Great War approaches, it was amazing to see how little some of the battlefields have changed in a century.   Although the trees have grown back and many buildings have been rebuilt, the landscape is still scarred with shell craters and trench lines.   Watching the "Last Post" ceremony at the Menin Gate to remember the over 50,000 Allied soldiers who fought at Ypres but whose remains were never found was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that were made by both individuals and families.

This company exceeded my expectations and delivered a first class trip that all of us will remember.  Thanks to our agent and all the guides that made our trip so special.

It was a wonderful trip. We had not been to London before and our hotel was an ideal location. It was approximately 2 blocks to Buckingham Place and a pleasant 20 to 30 minute walk to Parliament and Trafalgar Squares. The tube was also very accessible and easy to use. Our tour guides for a ½ London orientation tour and for the Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge were exceptional.

In Paris, the hotel was more of a business hotel than a location for tourists. It was located between two Metro stops but on a residential street and many homeless people gathered in the evening at the church at the end of the street.  Therefore, travel to museums was several stops including transfers to other lines and we were not comfortable walking in the neighbor at night. Our day trip to Normandy was unforgettable and very emotional. We like travelling in a small van with four other tourists and a drive rather than a large bus. Our driver/guide was very congenial and gave us sufficient time at each site to explore on our own. He was new to the tour and not a certified tour guide as was the case in London.  He was knowledgeable but I question the accuracy of some of his statements. For example, “body parts and equipment still wash up on the shores of Normandy today.”

We were disappointment in the travel company's attention to detail concerning our trip. They never told us that breakfast was included with our hotels. The London hotel told us upon arrival and we had to ask at the Paris hotel. The staff at the Paris hotel did not know and had to check on it. We did not receive any tipping guidance on tours/trips that were pre-paid by our travel company. Were the gratuities included with the transportation to and from the airport, or the London and Paris tours?  We did provide our driver/tour guide with a gratuity but had no way of knowing if it was adequate. For our Normandy trip, we did NOT have a either a receipt or a confirmation number and the driver/guide requested payment for the trip. We told him it was paid for by the travel company and he checked back with his office and both he and his office apologized for the error. In addition, it would have been nice to know that dinner was included on our 17:01 pm trip back to London. Due to our late arrival in London, we ate a late lunch, so we passed on the pre-paid meal offered on the train.

The description of our ½ day London tour read, “½ day tour of London. The (morning) tour includes a panoramic drive around the city to see many of the well know landmarks.”  From this description, we did not know that we would stop and enter paid attractions. We did not plan to use the 2-day London Pass because we did want to waste it on the only a afternoon that would count as a full day.

 The travel company uses a pre-written itinerary and just drops in the traveler’s information. The never asked about our interests or the type of vacation we envisioned. 

Our trip to France was laid out to keep us on the move and see as much of Paris and Normandy as would be comfortable on a vacation.  The trip met our expectations, and was very enjoyable as vacations should be.  The weather was a little unsettling at time, some light rain, but for the most part most days just needed a sweater or light rain jacket, one day we needed to carry an umbrella. 

Of course the pick up at the airport is wonderful, after being in a jet for 12 hours, having not to worry about taxi or shuttle or rental car to get to the hotel is wonderful.  Our driver was very professional and wasted no time in getting us to our hotel.  He was not overly talkative but very polite and competent in his duties. Key point here, we avoided driving a car is Paris!

Our hotel that Zicasso booked for us was perfect. Just on the edge of the city, not too busy but within easy travel of most points we were interested in.  The room was clean, the staff very nice, and the daily breakfast was outstanding. The place where to relax and rest every day is very important, the the hotel was ideal for us... this made our time in Paris very pleasurable.   

We scheduled some tours (both private and group) through Zicasso, all were nice. Some involved transportation, which for the most part was great.... we did have one little miscue on a taxi ride, but one phone call to the Zicasso agent quickly resolved the potential problem and we made the tour as planned (out to Giverny). We did schedule a couple of walking tours but we would suggest letting the Zicasso agent take care of the tour details, especially those involving travel (train or van).

One of the most enjoyable days for us was having lunch on a luxury boat traveling the Seine river.  This was a 2 hour cruise on a glass covered boat, during light rain, enjoying French cuisine that is freshly prepared on board each day and served accordingly. It was wonderful being served this great food, with live entertainment, while slowly cruising the river and watching the Eiffel Tower pass in front. Actually was romantic, how very French!

We spent most of our time in Paris, but the last 3 days we journeyed over to Bayeux in Normandy, This was outstanding!  We stayed in a B&B that was dated 1560, but was in perfect condition (huge rooms), the hostess was most pleasant and kind... she served a great breakfast each morning, and kindly arranged several reservations for dinner for us. We were less than one block from Notre-Dame Cathedral (unbelievable).  Great shopping here too.

I'm kind of a history follower, so investigating this town and nearby places was wonderful. The tours that Zicasso arranged for us were right on.  We visited Utah, Omaha and Sword beaches (we were able to walk on Omaha and Sword at low tide).  We of course visited as many museums as we could, there are a couple of must do's, but there are many little privately operated places  (like next to a restaurant or quick stop) that have may pieces of memorabilia... we actually had one of the tour guides do a couple of unscheduled stops at these little places so I might take a few pictures, very cool.

The trip back to the airport (CDG) from Normandy was taken care of by Zicasso, of course, on time with no problems. I want to give out special kudos's to our driver that took us to the train station for the trip from Paris to Normandy: Beside not having to drive on these narrow packed streets, he promptly took us and our luggage to the station, he pulled up onto the curb right at the traffic light at the intersection (parking looked crazy), and I thought he was going to kindly drop us off on the side walk and be off (this is what I would expect). He unloaded our luggage and took us into the station (leaving his Mercedes van on the curb), had us wait a few minutes in the main lobby while he investigated where our train dock was (we don't read or speak French), and then escorted us on a 3 minute brisk walk through the main station to a remote dock and found our train number, and then explained what to look for on the overhead monitor when the train was ready to board.  This man is a true gentlemen.

The entire trip was wonderful!

Thank you Zicasso 

Had a wonderful trip to England (Cotswolds, London) and France (Normandy and Paris). Our travel specialists at this travel agency were always available for questions and planning and tweaking the trip. They had suggestions for places and experiences I believe only they as Londoners could have provided. Top Notch.

I had planned this trip for over a year with this wonderful France travel agency and will be eternally grateful, not only for the perfect itinerary, but for the flawless execution of every aspect.   It was beyond special.  Our travel agency teamed us up with the most wonderful drivers and guides, who became friends by the end of our stay!  Our driver in Paris, was there for us at every turn; to whisk us to our boat at Bateaux Parisens, to deliver us to and pick us up from the late show at the Moulin Rouge, and he was also there to help us with all of our luggage at the train station in Paris as we arrived from Caen.  His unfailing good humor and fearless navigation skills, along with his innately kind nature, made us feel instantly comfortable.

We had a spectacular guide in Paris.  She guided us through Versailles, the Musee d'Orsay, the Orangerie, the Marmottan-Claude Monet and the Rodin, just to name a few of the museums we visited.  We were accorded instant access and did not have to wait in any of the long queues, courtesy of our travel agency and guide!  She was a treasure trove of information and very intuitive with regard to where our interests lay.  In American terminology, "we had a blast" with our guide!  She had a disarming way with museum staff and in one instance, at the Rodin, was able to charm our way towards an extra 5 minute look at the upstairs of the interior as the museum was closing, so that we would not miss the sculptures of the fabulous Camille Claudel.  I simply cannot express how much her knowledge, affability and charm added to our experience!

Diane, an American expatriate who has lived in France for over 30 years, was our driver/guide in Giverny and Normandy.  Instantly comfortable with Diane, we so enjoyed our journey to Monet's home and gardens at Giverny.  Blessed by spectacular weather, we were able to fully appreciate the beautiful gardens in full bloom and under blue, sunlit skies.  Diane drove us to Honfleur, where we sat harbor side enjoying tea and conversation while taking in the sights of this beautiful seaside fishing village. We spent the next few days exploring the beaches of Normandy, the Norman Tapestry at Bayeux and two lovely chateaux in the area, while enjoying our stay in the very beautiful Chateau de Chenevieres.

Every detail of our trip was so perfect!  When I began planning for this grand adventure, I had a vague idea of what I wanted to see and do.  Our France travel agency was able to take my ideas and thoughts and shape them over time into a detailed, concrete plan incorporating museums, historical sites, nights of entertainment and plenty of free time for exploration.  I feel so lucky to have found this company to make my dream a reality!