VIP Tour of London and Paris

Thank you to Zicasso for pairing us with our travel agency and their representative, who was wonderful and attentive. She checked in on us during the trip and surprised us with complimentary champagne for our 30th anniversary! She made sure everything during our 14 days around London, Jersey (an English Channel Island), Normandy, and Paris was very smooth, with professional tours, private drivers, and seamless connection points.

We couldn't have asked for better private and small-group guides, and I highly recommend them all. The guide in London was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and flexible while showing us around Soho and downtown. Another guide gave us background on past and present events for the tour of Windsor Castle. He was hilarious and an absolute treasure. Our other guide was a fantastic historian and showed us around Mont St. Michel on its 1,000th anniversary. Another guide took us on the most delicious Normandy cheese, cider, and Calvados tour, educating us on the processes. Our Giverny guide got us into Monet's Garden early, before the crowds, allowing for gorgeous pictures. Lastly, our St. Germain Secret Food tour guide took us to a Basque restaurant, where food and wine were so good you never want to leave.

Eric planned the perfect holiday in France. Our driver was waiting for us on arrival. Off to Normandy for our first three nights, with a quick stop at Monet's garden at Giverny. Our guide brought the water lilies to life. We checked in at an amazing five-star hotel. Do not miss either of their two Michelin-star restaurants. It's a short walk into Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, where you will find many restaurants. We spent two days exploring everything Normandy and World War 2 with an exceptional guide.

Paris did not disappoint. We hit the ground running. Eric arranged a tour of Paris by car. The evening dinner cruise on the River Seine was definitely a highlight of the trip, as were beautiful views of the city lit up at night, including the Eiffel Tower. I had no idea how beautiful the Palace and Gardens of Versailles are - the restaurant on-site by the lake with rowboats is wonderful. Of course, the guide matters - she was the best! If you're a foodie, make sure you schedule a cooking class with our chef. Shopping at the local markets is an adventure in itself. I've been able to recreate the meal back in the States.

We chose to explore the Champagne houses on this trip. Both were exceptional and yes, we brought home four bottles. In between houses, we had the most wonderful lunch with a champagne flight at Au 36 in Hautvillers. A trip to Paris would not be complete without visiting the Louvre and Orangerie museums. We completed our holiday with a flute of champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower! 

Eric and the guides made perfect restaurant recommendations. I most definitely recommend him and the travel agency!

My wife and I enjoyed two wonderful weeks in France. Our trip was excellently planned by our travel agent at this France travel agency. In Paris, we stayed at a very nice, small hotel with the perfect location. The hotel was surrounded with streets filled with stylish boutiques and outstanding restaurants and cafes.The hotel staff was most considerate of our needs. We visited just about all of the major attractions. We particularly enjoyed our excursions to Versailles and the Louvre Museum. We stayed three nights in Bayeux, an ideal location to explore the Normandy invasion sites, museums, and cemeteries. Bayeux is a very walkable city and filled with its own treasures such as the Tapestry Museum. Our comfortable B&B was minutes from the museums, Cathedral, and fine restaurants.We spent our last four nights in Amboise, a great base to explore the castles, chateaux, and wineries in the Loire Valley. We stayed at a wonderful B&B that had its own beautiful gardens and served superb breakfasts.Our accommodations throughout our trip were excellent. The hosts, guides, and drivers provided by our travel agent were dedicated to making our vacation special and memorable.

      Absolutely superb travel experience!  My first trip to France was in May for our 25th wedding anniversary (2 years late),  for 10 days/8 nights.  I usually plan our travel, rather meticulously, but I didn't know where to begin to plan a trip to France.  My husband found Zicasso, and this travel agent and her company, and conveyed our preferences and information, and she magically concocted the perfect trip!  The driver in Paris was waiting at the CDG airport as we exited, very jet-lagged, so it was marvelous having someone lead us to a car and practically carry us into our hotel.  He was wonderful, polite and efficient, and spoke perfect English.  He also drove us from Paris to the Loire Valley for the end of our trip, which made the journey so easy and pleasant for us.  A travel company representative was waiting at our hotel when we arrived, with our itineraries, tickets, maps and information.  She was very helpful and welcoming.                                                                                                           

I was nervous to have someone choose a Paris hotel for us, but the hotel in the Latin Quarter was absolutely perfect for us!  It is in a charming historical neighborhood that was easy to walk.  The hotel is top-notch and staff is great.  They have a beautiful courtyard garden to relax, and I will forever miss their amazing breakfasts!  The room was large and beautiful, and had everything we could want, plus charming gifts and treats.  The bathroom was fantastic, with a big soaking tub as well as large shower.   It was quiet and comfortable, the way we like it.  And it was so easy to walk to metro stations and zip away to every part of Paris.                                                                                                                                                                               

Our Paris guide was a joy to be with.  We were so comfortable with her, as she walked around the Latin Quarter and showed us historical sights we would not have found.  She took us on the metro for our first ride, and helped us buy 5-day tickets--a great decision.  After that, we had no trouble navigating the metro system.  Our guide was an extremely valuable guide through Le Louvre.  She highlighted wonderful pieces throughout that we might have missed, giving us an overall tour before leaving us to explore on our own.  She is a true gem.  We were so blessed to have her help.                                                                                                                           

Our visits to L'Opera Palais Garnier, Le Louvre, and the top of the Eiffel Tower were all well-planned for us, and we skipped the lines to all.    We picked up our tickets to the Eiffel Tower a few blocks away and were led as a small group by a guide, directly through the checks and gates, right to the walkway to the elevator.  That saved a LOT of time.    The van trip to Versailles was slick and easy.  However, there was not much time allowed for viewing before we had to meet for the trip back.                                                                                                                     The dinner cruise on the Seine was wonderful.  We were well-pampered with excellent food, drinks, and views Paris at night.   We highly recommend it.                                                                                                  

We were driven approx. 2 hours to Amboise in the Loire Valley to finish our trip.  Again, I could not have chosen a better place to stay, it was absolute perfection.  The grounds, garden and buildings are gorgeous and decadently comfortable.  The food was incredible and service fantastic, especially the agent at the front desk.  We had a fabulous, large room, with everything we could have hoped for.  I only wish we had planned to stay at least several days longer there, there was so much to enjoy simply by staying at the hotel.  It was short walking distances to everything, including the fabulous Chateau d'Amboise Royal.  This castle is not to be missed, and sits atop Amboise.  You have no idea from below all that awaits above, not least the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci.  Da Vinci's house and gardens are down the road from the castle and is another destination to spend most of the day.  The wine caves visit was really interesting, with wonderful wines.  And we had another great guide drive us to Chateau Chenonceau and Chambord with a few other people.  It was so much better than taking a big bus tour or trying to get their on our own.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The trip was so much more enjoyable by utilizing this travel agency.  It was so relaxing, knowing we had reliable transportation (especially during the numerous transit strikes) and English-speaking guides.  I hope we can do this again very soon!