We had a lovely trip to France planned by Liz...
France | Jul 12 - Jul 18, 2026

Jessica
Jessica D.
Houston, TX, USA | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2026

We had a lovely trip to France planned by Liz and the rest of the team! We appreciate all their knowledge, input, and recommendations provided.

Hotel Reviews
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Paris

This was our favorite hotel. Amazing service (everyone was so kind and helpful with anything we could possibly need); they even upgraded us to a suite on their top floor when we returned on our last night. The location is fantastic, beds are very comfy, lovely bathrooms, great breakfast, GREAT A/C. Cannot say enough good things. This is where we will stay when we return to Paris.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bastide de Bellegarde
Avignon

Personally recommended by Liz and we get the hype! It's quaint, the host is personable, it's the perfect place to get an authentic taste of Provencal life. Dinners were lovely, the pool was a welcome break after our morning activities, and the team is so kind. A couple of things to note-we felt that our stay was uncomfortable due to the heat and mosquitoes. Our room on the top floor stayed warm throughout our stay and we were hesitant to open our window for better ventilation as there are lots of mosquitoes outside. We did mention this to the host, but nothing was done to address it, so we just adjusted for our 3-night stay. At other times of the year we can see how this would be the perfect stay, but during the summer it's a little tough. We also felt some of the pricing wasn't the most transparent. Although there is a sign by the front desk outlining cost of dinners, snacks, wine, etc., we noticed that when we requested a glass of wine during meals, we were poured very large pours that ultimately cost us the entire bottle (even if we weren't interested in this much). Just small things that gave us pause.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Caves du Louvre Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience
Caves du Louvre Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience
Paris

Rally enjoyed this experience! Informative, included excellent wines and cheeses.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Luberon E-Bike Adventure With Visits To Small Provence Towns
Luberon E-Bike Adventure With Visits To Small Provence Towns
Avignon

This was our favorite activity of the trip. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, kind enough to alter our plan for the day to work around the rough afternoon heat without us prompting him, and he noticed we enjoyed shopping at the small villages and took us to another for our last stop! He even offered to drop us off directly at our accommodation at the end of the day, rather than at the Tourism office. We really appreciated his thoughtfulness.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Afternoon Wine Tour
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Afternoon Wine Tour
Avignon

An enjoyable afternoon, our guide was very knowledgeable, we went to two wineries.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Louvre Museum Visit
Private Louvre Museum Visit
Paris

Excellent private tour of the Louvre highlights. Our guide was very informative!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Liz Chreist
Liz
Liz Chreist
Local specialist in Kimkim HQ | Replied on Jul 24, 2026
Jessica-
I’m thrilled that Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal was such a standout. Their team is exceptional, and it’s wonderful to hear how warmly they welcomed you—especially with the suite upgrade on your final night. The comfort, location, breakfast, and A/C are all part of what makes this property such a gem, and I’m so glad it felt like the perfect Paris home base for you.
I’m also happy that Bastide de Bellegarde offered the charm, authenticity, and hospitality we hoped it would. Their... Read more

Jessica-
I’m thrilled that Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal was such a standout. Their team is exceptional, and it’s wonderful to hear how warmly they welcomed you—especially with the suite upgrade on your final night. The comfort, location, breakfast, and A/C are all part of what makes this property such a gem, and I’m so glad it felt like the perfect Paris home base for you.

I’m also happy that Bastide de Bellegarde offered the charm, authenticity, and hospitality we hoped it would. Their dinners, pool, and personal touches are often highlights for guests, and it’s lovely to hear those aspects resonated with you. At the same time, I truly appreciate your candid feedback regarding the summer heat, mosquitoes, and the wine service. Thank you for expressing this so thoughtfully.

Your activities sound absolutely wonderful, and I’m delighted they added so much richness to your trip. The Luberon E‑Bike Adventure especially seems like a highlight, which is also one of my favorite activities. I’m glad your guide’s flexibility and kindness made the day even more special. It’s great to hear how much you enjoyed the Caves du Louvre tasting, your Châteauneuf‑du‑Pape wine tour, and your private Louvre visit as well. These experiences are chosen with care, and it’s lovely to know they aligned so well with your interests.

Thank you again for your kind words about our team’s planning and recommendations. It means so much to us, and we’re grateful for your trust. We would love to help you plan your next adventure whenever the time feels right.
Thanks
Liz and the rest of the France kimkim team