France Tours for Couples

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!

      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!                                         

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!

This vacation trip in France for my wife and me was during the first two weeks of April, 2023.  It was springtime, with colorful flowers by the bunches in their prime everywhere we looked.  Trees and vineyards were just starting to green out for the coming season.  We initially contacted Zicasso in late-2022 about the possibility of this trip.  Zicasso connected us with the travel agency and our travel agent, Laurence for planning and arrangements.  She was responsive and good to work with as we exchanged itinerary ideas that converged to a plan.  She arranged to personally meet us at our Paris hotel at the beginning of our trip and that was a personal touch we appreciated.  Laurence was flawless throughout our trip in her arrangements for a car and driver every time we needed it such as taking us from CDG after the long flight to the boutique hotel near Luxembourg Garden.  She got us tickets for our visit to Musee d'Orsay, the beautiful and historic Chapel at Sainte Chapelle, and reservations for a couple of nice restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.  After a couple of days in Paris, she had a car for us to drive to Giverny and the Normandy Coast where her guide gave us a memorable, all-day, private tour of the D-Day beaches.  The next day, another private tour guide led us through Mont St Michel.  Spectacular!  Terrific tour.  Then, on to the Loire Valley where another of Laurence's private tour guides took us through the large Royal Chateau and Clos Luce where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years.  We were also able to visit Chateaus Chambord, Chaumont and Chenenceau.  Wow!  We also got the opportunity for a bicycle tour along the river.  To our surprise, that tour guide arranged to have a table set up for us under a shady tree in the middle of a vineyard where we enjoyed tasting really good local wines.  Then, our plan took us via the high-speed TGV train to Avignon in Southern France.  Laurence got us very nice, roomy accommodations in a B&B inside the city walls and within walking distance of the many historic sights and restaurants.  Tour guides took us sightseeing in nearby, beautifully preserved historical cities and villages including Arles, Nimes, Luberon, Goult, Pont du Gard and more.  We were busy.  More importantly, visiting the French countryside was a wonderful, unforgettable opportunity.  Given the quality of this trip, I highly recommend this travel agency and Laurence for planning such trips.  Excellent, excellent in every way.

Dan Hogan

This European travel company was the answer to a prayer for help.  We were trying to plan for our grandsons to include Rome and Paris.  The response from several agents was prompt, and I chose  Hilary for my agent.  After writing out some of my ideas, she responded with an initial plan and was always available to help me get through the details. 

We started in Rome with the Colosseum and the Vatican.  Our local guide was terrific with teens and knew how to manage our time to see the important sites.  Then we headed to Venice by train.  After  a great deal of walking we left by car for the Dolomites and the small town of Corvara.  What a perfect way to split up the sites of the large tourist cities with the incredible mountains of northern Italy.  Our last stop was Paris.  

Hilary worked hard to find hotels with great locations for us.  It was important after a day of touring to be able to relax and find a place for dinner within walking distance.  The effort she put into the planning to meet our needs was evident in the way that all the local resources were ready for us.  The transfers from airports to hotels to our scheduled events was efficient.  

I would definitely use her again.  

For our previous 2 trips to Europe we booked through a local travel agent but for the trip to France we decided to try something different. I found Zicasso through a Google search and they connected us with this travel company. And what a difference that made! We had a fantastic trip thanks to this travel company! Our agents starting planning our trip from what we thought we would like to see and do. We talked several times through phone calls and emails and they finalized an itinerary for us. We traveled to Paris, Amboise in the Loire Valley, and Bordeaux. We stayed in three 4 star boutique hotels, all of which were very nice and in great locations. Our room in Amboise had a beautiful view of Chateau d’Amboise, a 15th century castle where Leonardo Da Vinci is entombed! Our agent booked our hotels, our tours, our train travel, dinner reservations, and drivers to and from the airport and trains stations and some of our tours. Everything went as planned and was stress free. We had private guided tours of the Louvre, Versailles, a chocolate and pastry walking tour, chateaus in Loire Valley, and wine tasting and vineyards in Bordeaux. The guides were local people who were very personable and added to the experience by being able to talk with them about their life and living in France. We really enjoyed the French cuisine, the wine, the sights, and the French people! This was the best trip we had ever been on!