Trip Review: France, Monaco, Italy, Cannes, Bordeaux, Cognac Tour, Michelin Star Restaurant Experience, 2-Week Tour

Review by traveler

Sandra. G.

6.9.2022

General Info

Traveler Review

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

France

Monaco

Italy

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

Our planner was very kind and responsive throughout. Our trip was amazing overall. In terms of constructive feedback from our group on the planning front, there are probably tables or charts she could use to track her to-do lists to reduce duplication of emails or requests for info that were previously responded to

As for our guide, he was very knowledgeable and had an unprecedented joie de vivre. He was very mindful of our shared love for food and wine. The trip was fantastic overall including some improvisations on the guide’s part regarding hidden gems. He picked up on our likes and preferences fairly quickly and adapted our itinerary accordingly.
We did have a few hiccups however with our guide like late pick up at the airport and bringing us to the wrong hotel after a long journey and then blaming the travel planner. While he was apologetic, this was preventable and unnecessary in our view.

The guide’s approach could be more refined without us feeling the need to set boundaries when he oversteps by engaging in “testy rough around the edges” rhetoric among friends. He should have dropped off clients and searched for parking in a few situations so that client time is well spent. He should consider asking his clients if they have any objection to him consuming alcohol or joining the group for lunch given that he is driving us around. Alternatively, these details should be worked out at the planning stage so clients know what to expect. We were happy for him to join particularly at his beautiful finds and having a glass of wine but asking in advance would have been appropriate. There seems to be an expectation that we have not experienced with other guides in other countries.
Notwithstanding the hiccups, the trip was amazing overall and we made the best of it.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

Food, wine, fashion, and beauty with an amazing group of friends. All of it!! Monaco racetrack, our time in Cannes, Bordeaux, and lunch at Colombe d'Or in St. Paul de Vence, cognac tour in Cognac, and the amazing Michelin star restaurants we ate at.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

Not a thing except setting boundaries and expectations in advance with travel planner in relation to guide service.

Travel Company Comments:

Hello Sandra,
Many thanks for your review and comments; it is always appreciated and extremely helpful for us to receive feedback from our clients in order to continuously improve our customer service and trip planning process.
It sounds as though overall you had a really wonderful trip, which I am so thrilled to hear! There were a lot of moving parts and I worked very hard to ensure that everything you were hoping to see and do was included and that your itinerary was in line with your expectations. I am so sorry that a part of your vacation was spoiled by your very unfortunate accident, but hopefully you are well on the mend now.
When I spoke to your guide, he was extremely apologetic about the airport pick up and incorrect hotel. He assures me that he will pay closer attention to my notes moving forward (two hotels in the same town with very similar names, hence the mistake). It is certainly no excuse, but your trip coincided with one of the busiest times of year on the French Riviera and he had been guiding for several weeks continuously prior to your arrival.
We also addressed his overly-familiar behavior with you and he assured me this will not happen again; he was having such a lovely time and felt so comfortable in your presence that I think he got a little overenthusiastic and forgot that you were clients and not friends. I impressed upon him the need for professionalism at all times, as well as a little more forethought and reserve during future trips.
Once again, I would like to thank you for using our company to help plan your vacation to France.
Warmest regards,
Lisa