Romantic Vacation: France, Switzerland, and Italy

My first solo trip was something I had dreamed about for years. I wanted it to be more than sightseeing. I wanted adventure, comfort, safety, and freedom without the stress of planning it all alone. Through Zicasso, I was connected to two specialists and Zicasso's travel consultant stood out immediately. She delivered an itinerary that gave me everything I asked for and more: maximum cities, maximum fun, and maximum value, all without compromise.

Before deciding, I researched and compared tours, packages, and individual prices online. The travel consultant’s proposal came out on top for value and content. While the other agent offered fewer cities and activities at a higher price, her plan was ambitious without being overwhelming. She booked my trains, arranged private transfers where needed, and selected boutique-style hotels that exceeded expectations. I was honestly surprised at how good they were. I stayed at hotels in Interlaken, Florence, and Sorrento. Each was clean, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring. I had prepared myself for budget trade-offs, but instead, I found thoughtfully chosen hotels that balanced affordability with real quality.

Every document, train ticket, and activity confirmation was uploaded into the app. It became my lifeline throughout the trip, with every detail at my fingertips. The structure gave me confidence, while still leaving me free to explore.

Switzerland came first: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. Each city felt like stepping into a postcard. Interlaken gave me the adrenaline rush of skydiving, while Zermatt charmed me with its close-knit magic and alpine beauty. Italy unfolded with equal ease: Lake Como, Venice, Florence, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Rome. Every destination felt curated, yet natural, from gondola rides in Venice to boat tours on the Amalfi Coast.

What I loved most was the balance between structure and freedom. Pre-booked activities and restaurant reservations gave me a strong framework, but I could just as easily decide to spend an afternoon wandering Florence, eating gelato, or sitting in a piazza. The rhythm of the trip was perfect, structured enough to tick off bucket-list highlights, yet relaxed enough to feel like a real vacation.

Food was freestyle, but memorable. Highlights included a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Zurich with its elegant Japanese-Peruvian flavors, a different Japanese restaurant, a restaurant in Como with its modern fusion menu, an Indian restaurant for comforting classics, and international favorites like those in one of the restaurants in Rome. Between those meals and plenty of gelato and crepes, every stop added its own flavor to the journey.

As a solo traveler, safety mattered. I felt comfortable walking around in the evenings and was usually back in my hotel by 1am to stay rested for the next day. What really gave me peace of mind was the travel consultant’s constant support. Communication was fast and responsive. I never had to wait long for answers, whether through the app or email. There was a moment when I made a mistake with the trains and missed an activity. She immediately stepped in and worked to reschedule it or secure a refund that same day.

Earlier in the planning process, I also had a card issue due to an address error. Even though policy would not normally allow it, she and her team patiently waited until I received the refund before finalizing the booking, just weeks before my trip. That flexibility and care spoke volumes.

The difference was clear. She used my budget to its fullest potential, giving me more destinations, more experiences, and better hotels than the alternative option. She managed to combine the efficiency of a fully organized tour with the freedom of independent travel. Everything was planned, yet everything was still mine to shape.

This trip was everything I wanted: good food, beautiful views, safety, and absolute reliability. It was an organized journey with freestyle flexibility, which is exactly what solo travelers dream of. The travel consultant’s planning let me chase adventure while always knowing I had a safety net. Switzerland and Italy gave me memories I will never forget, but it was the behind-the-scenes planning that made it possible. If you want a trip that is your way, your budget, your pace, but without the endless hassle of managing it yourself, the travel consultant at this agency is the person who can make it happen. My first solo trip became my dream trip and that is the highest praise I can give.

My trip through Switzerland in October was nothing short of magical. The combination of crisp mountain air, golden autumn leaves, and snow-capped peaks made every stop along the way feel like stepping into a postcard. Swiss chocolates lived up to expectations.

Zurich was the perfect starting point—modern, clean, and full of energy. I loved strolling along Bahnhofstrasse for shopping and ending the day by the peaceful shores of Lake Zurich. The Old Town’s cobblestone lanes were charming and the café culture was ideal for people-watching. I really enjoyed the chocolate factory tour and the tuk-tuk tour of the city, with traditional fondue. The walking tour was so educational. The trip to Rhine Falls and the quaint town of Stein am Rhein is not to be missed.

From there, I traveled to Lucerne, one of the most picturesque towns I’ve ever seen. The Chapel Bridge and its flower boxes were stunning against the backdrop of Mount Pilatus. A boat cruise on Lake Lucerne was the highlight—the reflections of autumn colors on the water were breathtaking. The Rigi Kulm and Mt. Titlis tours are fascinating. I went by boat, train, bus, and funicular.

Grindelwald and the Interlaken region were the heart of the trip. The scenery was absolutely unforgettable. The Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains dominated the skyline, and even though it was a bit chilly, the air was crisp and refreshing. The cable car rides and mountain hikes offered jaw-dropping views at every turn. Make sure you take the fondue class at the restaurant in Grindelwald and Interlaken. Come hungry!

Bern, the capital, surprised me with its warmth and old-world charm. The medieval architecture, clock tower, and bear park made for a fascinating visit. It felt quieter and more local compared to Zurich and Lucerne—a perfect stop to slow down and enjoy Swiss culture.

A visit to Gruyères added a delicious twist to the journey. The village looked like something out of a fairy tale and touring the Gruyère cheese factory was fun and tasty. Don’t miss the local chocolate factory tour.

Finally, I ended in Geneva, a sophisticated city by the lake. The Jet d’Eau was impressive and I enjoyed exploring the international district and strolling through the old town. The blend of French influence and Swiss precision made Geneva a wonderful final stop.

Overall, Switzerland in October is perfect for travelers who love scenic beauty without the summer crowds. The weather was cool but pleasant, and the autumn colors made the landscapes even more magical. Every train/gondola ride felt like a scenic tour through paradise.

Zicasso’s tour operator was excellent.

Highlights: Lucerne’s lakeside views, Grindelwald’s mountain trails, Gruyères fondue/chocolate, and Bern’s old-town charm.

Tip: Bring layers—mornings and evenings can get chilly, but the afternoons are perfect for exploring. Do not stay at the hotel near the Zurich airport. Stay in Zurich and take a taxi to the airport. In Grindelwald, avoid one of the hotels there.

When we started planning our trip to Italy, I knew I wanted to work with a travel agent—specifically, someone who specialized in Italy and was based there. After reaching out to several agencies and reviewing their responses, we chose Zicasso and, more specifically, our travel agent. She is based in Milan and from my very first interaction with her, I knew we had made the right choice.

Our trip could not have been more perfect. Our agent put a lot of thought into every location and planned activity. At the outset, we had a few discussions with her about what we wanted from the trip and, after that, we were happy to leave most of the details in her capable hands. Our goal was to explore mid-to-northern Italy and everything—from the hotels and tours to the free time and transportation—was beautifully organized.

Our 11-night trip started in Milan and ended in Florence, with overnight stays in Milan (one night), Lake Como (three nights), Venice (three nights), and Florence (four nights). Initially, I was hesitant about staying at Lake Como for three nights, but our agent encouraged me to do a little research. I’m so glad she did, as it turned out to be incredible. We had more self-guided time at Lake Como, which was perfect as we adjusted to the time change. In Venice, our itinerary became more structured, but we still had plenty of time for our own explorations. By the time we reached Florence, we had activities and tours planned for every day, which was just what we wanted.

A highlight for my family was a full-day trip into Tuscany, where we visited San Gimignano, an organic vineyard in Chianti, and finished with a tour of Siena. Our day trip to Rome allowed us to see the main attractions and we concluded the journey with a tour of Florence and the Accademia Gallery. Every tour our agent arranged was spot on.

Throughout our trip, she was wonderfully communicative—always available when we had questions, but never intrusive. She even helped us with a couple of last-minute requests: booking a hotel in Milan for one night and arranging train tickets to Verona for an impromptu visit to Juliet’s balcony. Whenever we needed something, she was there.

When we return to explore the mid-to-southern part of Italy, there’s no question that we’ll be asking her to plan our trip again. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a seamless, thoughtfully curated Italian adventure.

Wow! I cannot recommend this company enough for your international trips. We were blown away by the quick response times when planning, the detailed itineraries, and their ability to make our dream trip become a reality. We started planning late, and they were still able to create and book our dream trip in less than two months! 

We knew we wanted to go to Switzerland and northern Italy, but honestly weren't sure what areas to visit or what activities to do. Our travel agent, through Zicasso, created a dream 10-day itinerary for us, starting in Zurich, then traveling to Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen Valley, Zermatt, Lucerne, Lake Como, and ending in Milan. 

They gave us options of activities to do in those cities, with detailed descriptions and recommendations. We chose a lot of mountain expeditions, which we were well pleased with. They provided other suggestions for things to do in the areas we visited and even provided restaurant recommendations. We were so impressed by how quickly they adjusted the itinerary if we requested a change, and they were so accommodating. 

They were able to book us a private guided tour of The Last Supper painting in Milan, which was a highlight of the trip! We loved every activity planned and had our tickets sent to us ahead of time to print out or download, which made everything so easy. The detailed itinerary had maps, photos of buildings, walking routes, etc, and was so easy to navigate. We had the smoothest trip because of that detailed itinerary. The trip planner reached out to us several times while we were abroad just to check in and make sure everything was going smoothly. 

The hotels were also amazing! Every single one had an amazing breakfast and a beautiful view. We were upgraded twice! They only use four- or five-star hotels, and I think that is a huge bonus. We were so happy with our hotels and hotel rooms. We were also incredibly happy with the price of the trip and the ease of booking and payment. 

Overall, I have been telling everyone to use this company for their trips and we will definitely be using Zicasso again! Thank you, Zicasso, for the trip of a lifetime!

Zicasso's travel company planned the most amazing trip to Venice, Verona, Florence, Tuscany, Siena, and Rome for our family of five. It was the best trip I've ever taken, and having all the details covered by them and plans and tickets sent to us via WhatsApp allowed us to really live in the moment and not have to think about what was next. I loved every second. I cannot wait to plan another trip to Italy to experience the southern half of the country.

The trip Zicasso's travel consultant designed for us was absolutely perfect in every way! The hotel in Florence was a beautiful place to stay. The rooms were very clean and comfortable, and the breakfast was outstanding. I loved seeing art everywhere in the hotel and the staff were helpful and accommodating.

All of our drivers were friendly and helpful. As two women traveling in a country where we didn't speak the language, our drivers made us feel safe and well taken care of.

Our guide for the Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, and the Duomo was incredible! She enriched our experience with her extensive knowledge base and delightful personality. We formed a fast friendship and were sad when our time with her came to an end. She was one of the highlights of our trip. I can't say enough wonderful things about her! 

The wine tours were fabulous! We learned so much about the Chianti region. Each tour was well done, but Montalcino was the stand-out experience. It was so elegant and wonderful. Needless to say, we brought home several bottles...

I can't thank the travel consultant enough. From start to finish, she was absolutely lovely to work with. She understood exactly what we wanted and curated a trip of a lifetime for us! I fell in love with the art, architecture, people, food, and wine of the region, and hope to return someday.

I must also acknowledge our US contact. He was incredibly helpful any time he was called on to assist. So cheerful and positive.

I have already recommended Zicasso to many of my friends. I will certainly look forward to my next trip curated by your company.

Thank you for an incredible experience!