Valentine is the girl from the French Alps!
She grew up between the French & Swiss Alps, worked as a tailor-made trip planner in Sri Lanka & Maldives, and was an event organizer for extreme sports competition in Switzerland. She finally settled down in the Beaujolais wine region two years ago, to share her expertise about France & Switzerland.
She has good taste especially when it comes to accommodation:
she loves charming boutique hotels and gives attention to the greatest details. In her free time, she loves searching for new gems to visit.
Si prefieres, yo hablo tambien español :)
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Everywhere in France: Paris, French Riviera, wine regions (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Sancerre...), French Alps, Loire Valley, Normandy, Alsace, and other hidden treasures.
Switzerland : Obernese Alps, Ticino, Bern, Interlaken, Zermatt, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Montreux, Gruyères. You will fall in love with Switzerland!
I specialize in honeymoons, family trips, celebration trips (wedding anniversaries, birthdays), epicurian getaways, and so on!
"
How did you get involved in travel?
"Travelling opens your mind. I always loved to offer memorable experiences to my travelers. They become even more knowledgeable when they come back home! "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"On the way to Brittany on a family trip, I crossed the doors of Villandry Castle. I will never forget its magical gardens made of flowers and vegetables! I felt like Alice in the Wonderland trying to escape from the maze!
(Trust me, the experience is even better if you fly over the Loire Valley Castles in a hot air balloon)."
Valentine's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Road trip itineraries
Spend the day gliding through the countryside, starting with a guided bike tour on the Loire à Velo paths in the beautiful country. You'll continue riding along the Loire River, then explore the area around Chenonceau Castle, built on a bridge over the Cher River.Also known as the "Ladies...
The southeastern French region of Provence is one of the most scenic in the country. It's the land of the Riveria, medieval villages, lavender fields, and endless olive groves and vineyards. But Provence is as much a way of life as it is a point on a map. Today you'll experience Provence's...
The Louvre in Paris may seem like just a tourist's obligation, just as much as the Eiffel Tower, yet this palace of 35,000 pieces of art is certainly worth a visit! Henri Loyrette, former director of the Louvre, said that 80% of visitors see the Mona Lisa and then simply leave. In his opinion,...
Normandy is well-known for its important war sites from WWII. Spend an emotional day touring some of the most important areas, discovering the powerful legacy of D-Day on Normandy's landscape, as well as its effect on the world. A local specialist will lead you across Normandy's coast, and as an...
No visit to the French Riviera is complete without a legendary sunset, so why not take a cruise along the Mediterranean coast to make it even more special? Nice and its coastal neighbors offer beautiful postcard landscapes, enhanced by the unique colors of sunset. Combine the experience with a...
Enjoy a day spent savoring the famed countryside of Aix-en-Provence, starting with views of the Sainte-Victoire Mountains, a source of inspiration for the famous painter Cézanne. Your first destination is the Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire vineyards, set just east of the city of...
Recent trip reviews for Valentine
Valentine was very helpful in planning our tr...
Germany
|
Jul 13 - Jul 16, 2025
Jan T.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025
Valentine was very helpful in planning our trip and gave us several options as we were trying to decide what to do. Our hotel in Munich was outstanding and we got to experience a lot in three days!
Read more
Valentine was very helpful in planning our trip and gave us several options as we were trying to decide what to do. Our hotel in Munich was outstanding and we got to experience a lot in three days!
Hotel Review
Bavaria Boutique Hotel
Munich
We really enjoyed our stay here. It was not air conditioned, which we aren't used to, but it was still very comfortable. The staff was very friendly and helpful with making restaurant recommendations. If you're going to Octoberfest in Munich, this would be a great location!
Location
Close to the metro and Octoberfest grounds.
Staff
The front desk staff helped us locate some great food! They also held our luggage until our room was ready so we could go explore!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Aside from no air conditioning, everything was outstanding!
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jul 30, 2025
Dear Jan,
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure to organize your trip, and I hope you came back home with a lot of souvenirs in mind :)
See you soon in Europe,
Valentine
There were a few guides throughout the proces...
France
|
Jul 8 - Jul 17, 2025
Rowan O. G.
San Jose, CA
| Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025
There were a few guides throughout the process. Justine, Margaux, Valentine, Mathilde, Lucie, and maybe others. Valentine provided excellent service and was the main specialist for the trip itself while in France. Lucie and others were able to step in when Valentine was not available. Overall, I was pleased with the services provided even though the trip itself did not exactly live up to the expectations.
Read more
There were a few guides throughout the process. Justine, Margaux, Valentine, Mathilde, Lucie, and maybe others. Valentine provided excellent service and was the main specialist for the trip itself while in France. Lucie and others were able to step in when Valentine was not available. Overall, I was pleased with the services provided even though the trip itself did not exactly live up to the expectations.
Hotel Reviews
Roi de Sicile Rivoli
Paris
No AC the first night. We had to leave the windows open which invited a near plague of flying insects. This ruined the entire Paris experience for me unfortunately
Location
A bit sketchy in terms of the location to be honest. But, relatively closeby to the Chapelle, Notre Dame, etc.
Staff
We expected a call from the hotel general manager given the horrible first night which we never received!
Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
Nice
Did not love the location. Very busy street corner, so the room itself was quite noisy even late at night. But the room itself was nicely decorated. Appreciated the modern aesthetic. Kitchen was a bit on the small side but did love the fact it came equipped with a washer/ dryer which came in handy for long travel.
Authenticity & Character
On the flip side, you are in the heart of the old city, so that adds to the "authenticity and character"
Location
Just too noisy. Nothing really can be done about this
Staff
quite helpful during check-in
The rooms were great. Love the very high ceilings which made the rooms feel more spacious than their small size. We loved the breakfast!
Authenticity & Character
Make sure you include the breakfast, it is that good
Location
This is a great location if you want to be in the heart of Bordeaux
Staff
Quite pleasant, and even wrote down recommendations for souvenir shops nearby
Activity Reviews
24/7 assistance in case of emergency
France
The Paris experience was not great. We were not satisfied at all with compensation for the first night ruined by no air-conditioning and flying insects. Only $250.00 USD refund was promised (yet to receive). This does not even equate to one night's stay at the Hotel Roi de Sicile.
Skip-the-Line Eiffel Tower Summit Tickets
Paris
Not sure what Skei the Line meant because there was still a line. Other than that, a good tour
Quality of Experience
Not clear direction on meeting point and transfer of vouchers for this one. We had to figure out on our own.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Have to get there on your own. Not too difficult, but allow enough time for it.
French Dessert Cooking Class
Paris
Chef Dominique was great. We had a bit of trouble finding the place and so we were late. But overall, a good experience.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
KimKim did not provide transportation to and from the location, so be prepared to figure it out on your own. Not too difficult, but take the bus instead of the Metro
Versailles Half-day Small group Tour
Paris
Too short! So much to see. The Palace is amazing and our tour guide was exceptional. I would have loved to spend more time in the gardens. We have to return.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our tour guide was patient, very knowledgeable
Monaco Day Trip via Èze & La Turbie
France
We did not see any value in going to the perfume factory which diminished the time we could have spent in seeing the rest of Eze and La Turbie. Monaco too, we felt that we needed more time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bordeaux Gourmet Tour
Bordeaux
Our guide was the best. She was extremely knowledgeable. Unfortunately, everything felt a bit rushed because this tour was planned by KimKim to occur right as we got into Bordeaux. This meant we had to rush to get to the hotel from the train station, then find our way to the meeting point. We were all exhausted from the strenuous train ride--so this was the only negative. I wish it was planned a bit better so that we could really enjoy it more.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She was the best.
Bay of Arcachon Day Trip
Bordeaux
The dunes portion of the trip was awesome. We really enjoyed this. Everything else seemed rushed, especially the walking tour. We would have loved a bit more time.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Aug 04, 2025
Dear Rowan,
We appreciate your detailed review about your trip and sharing your positive or negatives feedbacks regarding the hotels & excursions. Your feedbacks are very important in order to improve our services and we will make sure to take all your notes in account.
A combination of circumstances at your hotel in Paris with a A/C breakdown during the hot summer, were unfortunately unpredictable factors. We did our best to upgrade you on the best Suite for the rest of your stay. We will...
Read more
Dear Rowan,
We appreciate your detailed review about your trip and sharing your positive or negatives feedbacks regarding the hotels & excursions. Your feedbacks are very important in order to improve our services and we will make sure to take all your notes in account.
A combination of circumstances at your hotel in Paris with a A/C breakdown during the hot summer, were unfortunately unpredictable factors. We did our best to upgrade you on the best Suite for the rest of your stay. We will make sure to avoid this hotel, which seems like have decreased in quality since our last visit last year.
Enjoy Summer and see you soon in Europe,
Valentine
Amazing trip to Switzerland!
Switzerland
|
Jun 30 - Jul 10, 2025
Jessel M.
Atlanta, GA
| Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025
My wife and I had an unforgettable experience in Switzerland, thanks to the kimkim team. We worked closely with Valentine in organizing the trip. She was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and professional in her dealings with us. All our requests were met, and her recommendations were spot on. We started in Zurich and finished in Geneva...and visited Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt, Montreux along the way. We were fortunate to be in Switzerland during the Women's Euro football tournament...
Read more
My wife and I had an unforgettable experience in Switzerland, thanks to the kimkim team. We worked closely with Valentine in organizing the trip. She was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and professional in her dealings with us. All our requests were met, and her recommendations were spot on. We started in Zurich and finished in Geneva...and visited Lucerne, Grindelwald, Zermatt, Montreux along the way. We were fortunate to be in Switzerland during the Women's Euro football tournament and the Montreux Jazz festival...Valentine worked the itinerary so we could experience both. She was a delight to team with. She and her colleague, Emilie, were also in touch during the trip to ensure all was going well and to deal with any questions we had, which we very much appreciated. Overall, the hotels, trains, excursions, tours, guides, recommendations, etc. were all fantastic. We had a great trip and very much appreciated the support we received. THANK YOU kimkim for a wonderful holiday!
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jul 18, 2025
Hello Jessel,
Thank you so much for your kind review :)
It was a pleasure to plan your amazing trip to Switzerland! Happy that you spent a great time and could enjoy the amazing sports & musical events of our country!
See you next time, maybe in France?
Enjoy Summer,
Valentine
Exceeded our expectations!
Switzerland
|
Jul 7 - Jul 14, 2025
Jennifer S.
Russia
| Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025
This is our first time using a booking agency and we were a bit hesitant. We couldn't be happier! The trip was overall seamless and easy to navigate multiple locations and public transportation throughout the country because our reps from Kimkim handled everything for us.
Our Ebike trip with Flying cycles and George was fantastic! George was an excellent guide and had great stories to tell about the areas we were in.
The service at every hotel we visited was spectacular! ParkHotel...
Read more
This is our first time using a booking agency and we were a bit hesitant. We couldn't be happier! The trip was overall seamless and easy to navigate multiple locations and public transportation throughout the country because our reps from Kimkim handled everything for us.
Our Ebike trip with Flying cycles and George was fantastic! George was an excellent guide and had great stories to tell about the areas we were in.
The service at every hotel we visited was spectacular! ParkHotel Schoenberg was excellent!!!!!
Even in the days it rained we had fabulous adventures hiking and enjoying local pubs and farms around Switzerland. Beautiful country and fantastic people.
Hotel Reviews
Parkhotel Schoenegg
Grindelwald
The town of Grindelwald is one of my favorite places in Switzerland. The team at ParkHotel was absolutely fantastic! High quality service in every way.
Authenticity & Character
Swiss tradition.... family tradition hotel
Location
Quaint town with fabulous nightlife and lots to do.
Staff
Friendly and helpful, ready to help whenever needed.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was clean and neat.
Hotel Phoenix Zermatt
Zermatt
The hotel staff here was exceptional. Great service and lots of helpful tips for making our time in Zermatt perfect.
Authenticity & Character
Authentic Swiss ski town! Lots of shops and restaurants and pubs in town. Easy to walk around and enjoy.
Location
Little bit of a hike if you have luggage. I would recommend arranging a taxi in advance ...it is possible but the last little bit is a hill to climb.
Staff
Absolutely the star attraction! Their team is fabulous.
Boutique Hotel Wellenberg
Zurich
We only spent one night in Zurich but the hotel was very nice for us. We enjoy the country more than cities but had a fabulous time walking around Zurich and shopping before heading home. Easy to navigate. We had the owners suite for our family and the size and privacy was excellent!
Location
Easy walk to train station. Location made walking around town convenient for shopping and dining.
Alstadt hotel Krone Luzern
Lucerne
Location ideal for shopping and town night life. Breakfast was convenient and had a lot to offer in the mornings.
Authenticity & Character
Center of town with fountain and fun views of nightlife.
Location
Small European town center feel. Lights on the street outside made leaving windows open a little difficult (no a/c could be a problem during summer)
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean
Activity Reviews
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland
Easier to utilize than expected and made travel much better than dealing with a rental car and trying to find parking.
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe (tickets and seat reservation)
Switzerland
This was fantastic! So glad we planned for a full day on top of mountain. We spent plenty of time on everything and took a long hike out the trail while on top.
Quality of Experience
We really enjoyed and were happy we spent a little extra money to Zipline and snow tube. Also plan for enough time to be able to hike the trail while on the top of the mountain.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
It is amazing that people of all physical capabilities are able to get to this location because of the trains and cable cars!!!!
Transport
Easy as long as you reserve your cable car seats in advance and show up on time!
Self-guided day to Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains (tickets)
Switzerland
Walking around on Mt Rigi may have been my favorite day...even in the rain. It was peaceful and beautiful. Because of the rain there were very little tourists which helped. Boat ride on the lake was perfect.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
E-bike tour Lauterbrunnen & Valley of 72 Waterfalls
Switzerland
Highly recommend George as a guide! The trip took some physical strength but was not overly strenuous. Views were amazing. I did "feel it" that night though!
Quality of Experience
I left my passport bag in the train right before our tour. The staff at the bike tour made multiple trips make to the train station to help me be able to eventually track it down. They made sure I felt comfortable going on the tour and not ruining my day. They definitely are go above and beyond type of people.
Food
Better than expected!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
George was great!
Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket & Priority boarding)
Switzerland
Excellent views. If we had done this first I probably would have been more impressed... however after Jungfraujoch this trip required less time. Very glad we spent time hiking on the mountain and especially going to "Reflection" Lake.
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jul 16, 2025
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your kind review :)
It was a pleasure your customize and plan your trip from A to Z. Glad you liked the activities, hotels, stunning views & peaceful atmosphere of our beautiful country!
Enjoy Summer, and see you soon maybe in France of Germany?
Best,
Valentine
From start to finish we enjoyed our ten day t...
Switzerland
|
Jun 24 - Jul 3, 2025
Kim S.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Jul 15, 2025
From start to finish we enjoyed our ten day trip through Switzerland. We were traveling with our 14 year old grandson and Valentine really thought about him as she planned the trip. We all appreciated the accommodations that we had in each town we visited, and all the choices for activities.
Thank you Valentine for a memorable experience!!
Read more
From start to finish we enjoyed our ten day trip through Switzerland. We were traveling with our 14 year old grandson and Valentine really thought about him as she planned the trip. We all appreciated the accommodations that we had in each town we visited, and all the choices for activities.
Thank you Valentine for a memorable experience!!
Hotel Reviews
Hotel Adler Zürich
Zürich
Very friendly, clean and roomy.
Schweizerhof Zermatt
Zermatt
A beautiful room with at clear view of the Matterhorn.
Hotel Anker Luzern
Luzern
A favorite for its size and view!
Authenticity & Character
Very artsy feel.
Parkhotel Schoenegg
Grindelwald
Very helpful. We had to have some papers sent to us from home and appreciated their help with that. They also helped with internet issues.
Location
We had a lovely view from our room, at the end of the hallway.
Mona Montreux Hotel
Montreux
We were there during hot weather and our room on the 16th floor baked. The air conditioner was poor and it was situated so it didn’t cool the entire room. The patio was oven like due to the hard work of the air conditioner.
Activity Reviews
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland
The train was on time, comfortable and that made for easy traveling.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self-guided day to Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains (tickets)
Switzerland
Loved it all! From the clear skies, to the fog, to the thunder/lightning/rain storm! It was amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Grindelwald First - Adventure Package (2 activities)
Switzerland
My grandson loved this, as did we, two 70+ year olds!
Quality of Experience
A bit of a long wait we decided it was worth it!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Summer Kayak Tour Lake Brienz
Switzerland
A sunny, calm day with Ryan our guide. There were only 5 in our group which made it personable. We learned a lot about Switzerland from Ryan.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket & Priority boarding)
Switzerland
I’m a bit uneasy with heights so it wasn’t my favorite but my husband and grandson loved it!
Chillon Castle (Entrance tickets)
Switzerland
It was a very hot day but the castle was cool inside! The setting and history was amazing.
Self-guided: Gruyères Village, Cheese & Chocolate 🧀🍫
Switzerland
We enjoyed the entire day. The chocolate factory was fun and all the chocolate appreciated. The Gruyère castle was a beautiful setting.
Transport
At the end of the day our train was delayed due to a tree down. We were told they were sending a bus to take us back to Montreux. FINALLY we got back 3 1/2 hours later. (20 minutes from the station!) BUT we made a good friend during that time, so thanks to Nicolas we now have a good story to share!
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jul 16, 2025
Hello Kim,
Thank you so much for your kind review!
It was a pleasure to organize your beautiful trip to Switzerland :)
Happy that you had a great time with your grandson.
All your comment are very helpful to improve our services.
See you soon maybe in France or Germany?
Valentine
All in all a great trip.
France
|
Jun 10 - Jun 18, 2025
Juan A.
New Zealand
| Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025
All the arrangements were perfect. Our guide, Chloe, in Marseilles was excellent. The pastry chef, Chef Marthe, was a very experienced and amazing teacher. Our captain, Bastian, in Cassis gave us a wonderful tour of the coastline. All in all a great trip.
Read more
All the arrangements were perfect. Our guide, Chloe, in Marseilles was excellent. The pastry chef, Chef Marthe, was a very experienced and amazing teacher. Our captain, Bastian, in Cassis gave us a wonderful tour of the coastline. All in all a great trip.
Activity Reviews
Seine River Cruise with Audio Guide
Paris
Unlock the Secrets of Perfume-Making!
Paris
Baux de Provence Castle & Quarries of Lights (Combined ticket)
France
The Quarries was an unexpected delight.
La Galerie Dior - entrance ticket
Paris
French Dessert Cooking Class
Paris
Sorgue River Canoe Trip
France
Pont du Gard (Entrance tickets)
France
Lavender Museum (entrance tickets)
France
Another unexpected delight.
Half-day Visit of the Calanques by boat with swimming stops from Cassis (private cruise)
France
Private Gourmet Food Walk in Marseille
France
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jun 24, 2025
Bonjour Juan,
Thank you so much for your kind review, happy that you enjoyed France with your grand daughter, what a family memory of a lifetime🤩
Next time, maybe Normandy, French Alps or Switzerland?
Enjoy Summer,
Valentine
Valentine planned a spectacular trip
Switzerland
|
Jun 8 - Jun 14, 2025
Kevin S.
Newark, NJ
| Reviewed on Jun 18, 2025
Valentine planned a spectacular trip of a lifetime for us. She took the time to understand the kinds of activities and places we enjoy, many of which we would never have discovered on our own. One of our favorites was our walking tour with Roberta through Gandria, who gave us a personalized tour of this beautiful village near Lugano.
Read more
Valentine planned a spectacular trip of a lifetime for us. She took the time to understand the kinds of activities and places we enjoy, many of which we would never have discovered on our own. One of our favorites was our walking tour with Roberta through Gandria, who gave us a personalized tour of this beautiful village near Lugano.
Hotel Review
Walter au Lac Hotel
Lugano
Location is perfect. We had a beautiful balcony overlooking the lake, which made our stay very memorable. We highly recommend!
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jun 18, 2025
Good morning Kevin,
Thank you so much for your kind reviews! It was a pleasure to organise this special trip for you, Happy that you went back home with tones of beautiful memories in mind :)
We note all your feedbacks to continue improving our offers and advise less-knowned amazing areas!
I wish you a great Summer, and do not hesitate to reach out for any new trip in France & Germany, these are my specialty too! :)
A bientot,
Valentine
Road Trip Bordeaux to Avignon
France
|
May 17 - May 26, 2025
Wilson G.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on May 30, 2025
/Users/Tom/Desktop/Bordeaux to Le Baux Road Trip May 17.pdf
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on May 30, 2025
Hello Wilson,
Thank you so much for your feedback on the trip, it was super helpful :)
It was a pleadure to organize your trip and we are happy that you enjoyed Dordogne & Provence area!
See you soon in France!
Valentine
An amazing tour of Switzerland
Switzerland
|
May 11 - May 24, 2025
Laura H.
De Pere, WI
| Reviewed on May 28, 2025
Our trip to Switzerland was nothing short of AMAZING! We worked months in advance with a planner who helped us come up with a custom made itinerary full of adventure and to fit our budget. As our travel time approached the original planner had left the company, but Valentine made a smooth transition helping us make small tweaks and answering all our questions. We were so grateful for being set up with the Swiss Travel Pass as it allowed us to travel freely by train, boat, bus, cable cars and...
Read more
Our trip to Switzerland was nothing short of AMAZING! We worked months in advance with a planner who helped us come up with a custom made itinerary full of adventure and to fit our budget. As our travel time approached the original planner had left the company, but Valentine made a smooth transition helping us make small tweaks and answering all our questions. We were so grateful for being set up with the Swiss Travel Pass as it allowed us to travel freely by train, boat, bus, cable cars and even gave us free admission to museums in Zurich as well as Chateau de Chillon in Montreux. Valentine provided us with the special vouchers we needed for certain things that were not included in the pass, such as our visits to Schilthorn, Rochers-de-Naye and for priority seating on the Gornergrat panoramic train to visit the Matterhorn. A highlight of the trip was our E-bike tour of Lauterbrunnen and Valley of 72 Waterfalls. Cuba was our tour guide for the day and he did an excellent job taking us along on the bike paths at a pace that allowed us to enjoy the stunning views of the valley and mountains. Seeing the Trummelbach Falle as part of this tour was an added delight! Each day we built in enough time to really enjoy the places we were visiting and exploring. Hiking was spectacular coming down Rigi Kulm to Weggis and hiking up above Oeschinen Lake. We also decided to hike from Stechelberg to Lauterbrunnen after visiting Schilthorn -Piz Gloria. This hike was very easy on a paved trail. Another fun excursion we experienced was riding the Chocolate Train out of Montreux. The day featured tours of cheese, a castle, and chocolate at Cailler factory. I highly recommend having a cup of hot cocoa at Cailler! It was the best I ever had even after all the chocolate samples! We enjoyed having all our lodging close to train stations on travel days and each place was close restaurants, stores and a Coop was always near by for picking up snacks for hiking. Every place had friendly people working reception, were clean, comfortable and provided breakfast. Switzerland is a beautiful country with lovely people. We are so grateful to have visited and will treasure the memories.
Hotel Reviews
Boutique Hotel KARL
Luzern
The staff at reception were friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help us with exploring the area on our first days in Switzerland. Our room was very clean and the breakfast was perfect for starting our days.
Authenticity & Character
It’s located along side the river and has a small boutique feel.
Location
It’s walking distance to everything you need in Lucerne.
Staff
Very friendly and welcoming.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was spotless upon our arrival.
Hotel Weisses Kreuz
Interlaken
As a family of three adults traveling together our lodging was spacious and provided all the room we needed.
Authenticity & Character
It has an old world charm to its setting.
Location
It is located in downtown Interlaken close to both train stations. We got to experience seeing the paragliders from our balcony.
Staff
They were friendly and kind.
Hotel Ambassador Zermatt
Zermatt
A great place for a family of 3 adults to stay. We had plenty of room. Seeing the Matterhorn from our balcony was an added bonus!
Authenticity & Character
It is a very comfortable place and the swimming pool, sauna and whirlpool felt like a spa day!
Location
It was basically across from the train station. Very easy to access on our arrival and departure.
Staff
They were very kind and offered ideas of places to visit in the village.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was clean and the beds comfortable.
Hotel La Rouvenaz
Montreux
This was a nice hotel located close to the lake and walking trail. As a family of 3 adults we had to checkout two rooms, but this worked out fine for us.
Authenticity & Character
It has old world charm and character.
Location
Very close to reaching everything you need to from here.
Staff
Very polite, kind and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very comfortable and meet our needs.
Swiss Night by Fassbind
Zurich
Located on a quiet street and still close to walk to downtown and lake area.
Authenticity & Character
Everything is themed with farm cows. There was a beautiful light design on the ceiling that gives the room added charm.
Location
On a quiet street.
Staff
The lady who welcomed us was extremely nice and helped us understand the bus system in Zurich.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Well kept and comfortable for our needs.
Activity Reviews
E-bike tour Lauterbrunnen & Valley of 72 Waterfalls
Switzerland
A great way to tour and experience Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen!
Quality of Experience
The whole tour was amazing!
Food
The picnic lunch was perfect! Healthy too!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cuba did a nice job telling us about the area and rode at an easy pace so we could enjoy the views!
Transport
The bikes were all in great working order.
Swiss Travel Pass
Switzerland
Our travel pass helped us travel Switzerland with ease. It’s great because the travel pass is more than just a train pass. It includes access to ride boats, buses, trams and visit museums. It also gives you discounts for other activities.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Self-guided day to Mount Rigi, the Queen of Mountains (tickets)
Switzerland
We were blessed to visit in a clear beautiful day. The views hiking from the top of Rigi to Weggis were spectacular!
Quality of Experience
The beauty of Mt Rigi , the spring flowers and glacier blue water.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ease of using Swiss travel pass
Transport
It was fun to experience a boat ride taking us to tram from Mt Rigi.
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on Jun 04, 2025
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for your sweet review, we are really happy that you enjoyed your trip and the beauty of the Swiss mountains!
It was a pleasure to take over your trip organisation, and it was also very helpful to get your day by day feedbacks.
See you soon maybe in France or Germany?
Have a lovely Spring and Summer,
Valentine
The first time in Paris
France
|
Apr 16 - Apr 23, 2025
Judy G.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Apr 25, 2025
It was a truly memorable trip for all three of us. We especially enjoyed the cooking class with Chef Dominique. He was very informative and great letting us all have a chance to participate. Also special was the view of the Eiffel tower from our room on the 6th floor of our hotel. We watched it lit up every night! Saw the usual iconic landmarks, the tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and the cathedral with the beautiful stained glass windows. Some of us saw King Louie's castle and were...
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It was a truly memorable trip for all three of us. We especially enjoyed the cooking class with Chef Dominique. He was very informative and great letting us all have a chance to participate. Also special was the view of the Eiffel tower from our room on the 6th floor of our hotel. We watched it lit up every night! Saw the usual iconic landmarks, the tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and the cathedral with the beautiful stained glass windows. Some of us saw King Louie's castle and were underwhelmed with the Hall of Mirrors but were really wowed with Claude Monet's home and gardens. All in all a great trip. First time in Paris had to see all the major attractions. Lines were long even though we had timed tickets. Some of the venues (the Eiffel tower in particular) did not have signs to direct you where to go. We were trying to get to the second floor restaurant for lunch and had to walk totally around the building to find the access. Thanks to KimKim for all their help in getting this trip together. Will definitely use your services again if we make another European trip. I don't think we contacted Valentine while we in Paris although she was very receptive to our requests to organize the itinerary.
Hotel Review
Hôtel Lorette - Astotel
Paris
We stayed in an apartment on the 6th floor and could see the Eiffel Tower from our skylight. What a bonus! Enjoyed the treats in the lobby and the beverages in the room. Breakfast was great,,,plenty to choose from. (Would have liked soft boiled eggs.) Clean establishment with beds made and clean towels every day. Good working elevator which was important to me as I have a breathing problem and do not do stairs well. Would highly recommend this establishment.
Location
Close to Metro stop and cafes.
Activity Reviews
Palace of Versailles & Giverny Day Trip
Paris
Guides, Drivers and Staff
French Cooking Class
Paris
We really enjoyed this activity. Chef Dominique was great in explaining everything and letting all of us have a chance to contribute to the meal. It was delicious. I would recommend this activity to any travelers over the age of 10.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Valentine Julien
Valentine Julien
Local specialist in Lausanne
| Replied on May 03, 2025
Bonjour Judy,
Thank you so much for your review and feedbacks :)
All your comments are very helpful!
I am glad you spent a great time in our beautiful city with your family and I hope you will comeback to discover more about France :)
Enjoy Spring,
Valentine
