Romantic Getaway to the Alps Tour

I started planning a 30-year wedding anniversary trip for my wife and me in August 2023. The 11-day trip started in Paris and went to Switzerland and northern Italy (Dolomites). What a tremendous job the Zicasso travel company did in planning this very busy trip, with lots of moving pieces. From pick-up at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to drop-off at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, everything was so well orchestrated.

While we were in Paris, the agency planned a day trip to Normandy, just ahead of the 80-year anniversary of the D-Day invasion, a half-day trip to Monet Gardens, and a Seine River cruise, all flawless. And the hotel they selected for us was a perfect match for our tastes, with a free, delicious breakfast each morning.

Next, the first-class train accommodations to Lucerne were terrific and again, the hotel they selected was perfect. We took two day trips out of Lucerne, complete with cog-wheel, cable-car, gondola, bus, and boat transfers for transportation. Everything was laid out in easy-to-follow instructions. Also planned, and very unexpected, but wonderful, was a tuk-tuk driving tour of Lucerne with cheese fondue served while our informative driver gave us the highlights of Lucerne’s rich history and beauty. Don’t skip this tour! It was well worth it and worth every calorie from the scrumptious, melted Emmentaler cheese with bread and small potatoes.

A driver, friendly and fun, picked us up at the end of our Lucerne visit to drive us to Bolzano in northern Italy. It was a five-hour drive that was stunning, with waterfalls pouring out of the Alps. He was a very attentive and cautious driver on breathtaking, yet tricky, switchback turns. The next day, the same driver took us another two hours to our final stop at Cortina in the heart of the Dolomites.

I can’t say enough about the travel agency, or thank them enough, for the level of detail, thought, and planning they put into our trip! The travel agent and her team were tremendous. She even checked in via email and text during our trip to provide me with any “heads-up” information she was made aware of so we’d be in the know. So thoughtful!

Our three-week winter escapade to France, Switzerland, and Austria was nothing short of a magical journey through some of the most enchanting winter wonderlands Europe has to offer. From the romance of horse-drawn carriage rides to the charm of bustling Christmas markets, every moment was incredible.

France: A Parisian Winter Dream

We began our adventure in Paris, the City of Lights, which becomes even more captivating during the winter. The Eiffel Tower sparkled against the night sky and Paris offered a blend of elegance and festive cheer that set the perfect tone for the rest of our trip.

Another highlight was our visit to Colmar, a charming Alsace town that felt like stepping into a storybook. Its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and magical Christmas market made it an unforgettable experience, with festive lights and holiday spirit around every corner.

Switzerland: A Snow-Capped Wonderland

Next, we ventured to Switzerland, where the true magic of winter revealed itself. The highlight was our trip to Jungfraujoch, the "Top of Europe." The journey up was as breathtaking as the destination itself, with panoramic views of snow-draped peaks and charming alpine villages. Once at Jungfraujoch, we were mesmerized by the endless expanse of snow and ice.

Equally unforgettable was our visit to First Mountain. The crisp air, thrilling walk, and ziplining added an adventurous touch. The view from the suspension bridge, with the mountains stretching endlessly into the horizon, was a sight that will forever be etched in our memories.

We also had the thrill of dog sledding near the Matterhorn. Gliding across snowy trails with a team of eager huskies was an exhilarating and unique way to experience the majestic mountain landscapes.

Austria: A Symphony of Tradition and Festivity

Our final stop was Austria, where the Christmas spirit was alive in every corner. The Vienna Christmas Market was a dream come true, with its illuminated stalls offering everything from handcrafted ornaments to mouthwatering strudels and mulled wine. Salzburg, with its Baroque architecture and snow-dusted rooftops, felt like stepping into a fairy tale. We also attended a classical music performance that added a touch of cultural richness to our holiday.

To top it off, we enjoyed a cozy, horse-drawn carriage ride through a picturesque Austrian village. Wrapped in warm blankets, we listened to the rhythmic clopping of hooves as we glided past snow-covered chalets and twinkling lights – a truly enchanting experience!

The entire trip was a seamless blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and festive joy. Each destination brought its own unique charm, leaving us with unforgettable memories of twinkling lights, snowy peaks, and the warm glow of holiday cheer. Winter in Europe is truly a season to behold and this journey was nothing short of spectacular.

Our Zicasso travel representative made sure every small detail was organized and even double-checked the drivers, tours, etc, in advance. This is the perfect travel company and we will surely use them again! Our agents communicated with us throughout the trip to ensure everything was flawless! Thank you for the most magical holiday ever! We shall cherish these memories forever.

Thank you to our travel planner and her company for helping us plan and schedule an amazing trip to Europe for our grand daughter’s graduation from high school.  This was a multi-generational tour - grandchildren, parents and grandparents.The trip was a year in the making to see the highlights and do some of the not to ordinary experiences in London and Paris, plus an extension to Budapest, Salzburg and Munich for the grandparents.  Our travel planner was attentive to our desires to do and see certain attractions, but also she suggested sights and activities unique to the places we were to visit.  She located condos in center city which were accessed by walking or public transportation to the major sites on our itinerary  ( We purchased Oyster Cards in London to make for quick and easy access on public transportation.)

Upon arriving in London we settled into our condo and then took off on our first adventure to ride on the Coca-Cola London Eye with  beautiful views of the city and then do a thrilling ride on the River Thames.  To highlight the activities in London: (the parents had previously visited London and Paris two times and the grandparents three times)  tour of Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral; in the evening  of the second day it was a dark, cold and rainy setting the stage for our Jack the Ripper Tour.  It made the walk on the cobbled alleyways eerie and thrilling reminding us of days gone by.  On our second full day we visited Wimbledon with behind the scenes visits of facilities used by the press, broadcasters and the world’s best tennis players.  Our grand daughters and their mother play tennis so it was very exciting for them to see the grass courts and to envision the championship players on center court.  Back to center city to visit the Tower of London to see the royal jewels and to hear the history of the castle and of those who were executed there.  Day three we were able to see the various stages of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace,.  We didn’t have to stand in line for hours, as we had done in the past, but instead were able to see the inspection, Old Guard, New Guard, Palaces and were even able to march alongside the Guard and the Ceremonial Bands.

Leaving London, we arrived in Paris and were met and transferred to our centrally located condo.  On our first full day in France we traveled to Normandy via train.  We visited the Caen War Memorial, the Normandy Landing Beaches walking on the beaches where so many lost their lives fighting for our freedom and for those in other countries.  After lunch we visited the American Military Cemetery to remind us of the human sacrifice.

We purchased 4-day Museum Passes in Paris in order to visit the museums on our own time frame: the Louvre, the d’Orsay, the Rodin and the Palace of Versailles.  We put on our walking shoes and walked to the museums and other major sites: Notre Dame, the Eifel Tower, the Arc of Triumph and the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise over the next four days.  In the evening of our second full day in Paris we did a Gourmet Food Tour walking in the Les Halles-Montorqueil section of Paris.  We sampled wonderful pastries, cheese, sausage, wines and candies from this famous area.After seeing Versailles three times before we were excited about the unique visit our travel planner had arranged for us.  We did a bike tour in the town of Versailles, purchased items for a picnic lunch and then pedaled out to the Palace grounds.  We explored Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, and the Petit and Grand Trianons, picnicked at the end of the Grand Canal and skipped the lines to tour the Palace.

To end our tour in Paris and to send the grand daughters and their parents off to home, we highlighted the last night with a dinner cruise.  We all enjoyed the fine cuisine and the beautiful night time views of Paris along the River Seine.

We as grandparents continued our journey to Budapest, Salzburg, and Munich.  Staying in centrally located hotels we were able to walk to main attractions and to easily meet our guides for our tours.  In Budapest we did a walking tour of Pest learning about the history, legends and myths while visiting the major sites.  Our second day we took a market tour in one of Europe’s finest halls while sampling several foods and drinks.  Leaving the city we visited a winery-owned restaurant in Etyek for lunch and then drove to a family run winery for a wine tasting.Leaving Budapest we went by train to Salzburg via train.  (We found the trains comfortable, clean and an easy way to move from city to city and country to country. 

Doing the “Sound of Music” Tour was a highlight for us after enjoying the movie over the last fifty years.  We also visited the Fortress of Hohensalzberg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birthplace, did a Mozart concert at the Fortress and toured the beautiful Salzkammergut area. 

Onto Munich for three days.  We enjoyed a walking/driving tour of the city with stops at the Bavarian monarchs palace, the 1972 Summer Olympic Park, the BMW Plant and the famous Hofbrauhaus.  On day two we went outside the city by train to the see King Ludwig‘s castles.  We marveled at the natural beauty of the Alps and villages and the magnificence of the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles.  To complete our stay we took a five hour tour to the Dachau Concentration Camp.  Our guide gave us a detailed tour of the camp and the memorials.  A sobering experience and “lest we forget” all those who lost their lives.

The total trip was remarkable and a special thank you goes out to our tour designer for her expertise and diligence in making everything work together in our time frame.  Her attention to detail was awesome: we had a detailed itinerary, all necessary vouchers for attractions and travel, excellent guides and accommodations.  We highly recommend this company and our outstanding agent.

This summer, I traveled to Europe for the time with my Husband. This travel agent planned a wonderful trip for us and I must say that I am still in my vacation hangover! :) We visited Italy, Switzerland, and Paris.

Italy: I had THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE in Italy. We visited Venice, Florence, and Rome. Venice was indescribably romantic. Our hotel was hotel was located in the heart of the city so we covered the entire city by foot. We had a private tour guide and she was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. 

After two days of stay in Venice, we next traveled by train to Florence, the fashion capital of Italy. On the first day, our agent had planned a private city tour for us. Our private tour guide was amazing! She told us about the city, best places to buy leather and best gelato place in Florence. Our hotel was strategically located. It was just 0.3 miles from the train station so we literally reached in 5 mins to our hotel. The next day was group tour to Ufizzi gallery and that's where we did not have a good time. The tour company was nice but the tour guide was not all that great. We received differential treatment there. I was not feeling well that day so instead of asking how I am doing, the guide asked my husband if we are done with our tour. WOW! I don't know if it was because of our color, race, or nationality. 

The next day we went to explore the wilderness, the cypress-lined vineyards of Tuscany. We visited a small medieval town and then headed to wine tasting. There, we spent hours in lingering over a meal in the open air, had one of the best meals of our lives as the fresh ingredients were picked up from the market that day and the hosts were as gracious as your own grandmother. We truly enjoyed the glace of Italian culture there. The trip to Chianti was the best part of our entire journey.

The next day we traveled to the sun-washed city of Rome. We had a beautiful time there too. 

Then We flew to Zurich. Our room was amazing and had a breathtaking view of the lake Lucerne with the city line of Lucerne. After two nights in Lucene, we then traveled to Lauterbrunnen. As they say, Switzerland is "Heaven on Earth" we actually did witness that heaven in Lauterbrunnen. The view of the valley of 72 waterfalls was incredible. Our hotel was located near the train station and the had a spectacular view from our room. Unfortunately, the hotel did not have any help available. Even for a glass of hot water, we had to climb up and down 3 floors, which was disappointing. Plus restaurants were super expensive and the food was terrible. 

Then we went to Paris. Paris was again unforgettable. Because of our travel agent, we got to see the Batille's day parade and the gorgeous view of Eiffel tower in fireworks! That experience was unforgettable.

Overall, the trip was amazing. Our agent did put together an amazing itinerary for us and we had a time of our life there.  Highly recommended!

We had a fun trip to Switzerland that we worked with this travel agency on.  The logistics arranged by our travel agency worked well with one exception: They had planned - and we had approved - a challenging transition from Zermatt to Lucerne which included a 6:37 AM departure via train in order to make a noon lake cruise.  We ended up cutting our stay in Zermatt a day short so we could travel to Lucerne in a more leisurely fashion.  It did cost us an additional stay in the Lucerne hotel.

We had a significant problem with the initial travel agent assigned to work with us.  After giving up on it working, we contacted the head of the travel agency and reported this.  She assigned another person to work with us, although we saw evidence of the initial person's continued involvement behind the scenes - a bit frustrating. 

We wanted to see the most dramatic natural beauty of Switzerland - and the border town Chamonix, France -, and we did.  The gondola ride up to Aiquille du Midi and the scenery we saw from there did not disappoint.  One of the most spectacular days we've ever had.  If you don't have trouble with heights or claustrophobia, we highly recommend.

While seeing the Matterhorn in Zermatt was impressive, we didn't care much for the ultra-touristy Zermatt. The arid, brown climate there was a stark contrast to Chamonix and Lucerne.  It should be added that Lucerne is very touristy too, but much prettier than Zermatt.