Testimonials

Cathy did a superb job in arranging our dream vacation in France.  We spent 15 glorious days starting in Paris, then exploring the wine country, side trips to Chartres and Beaune, and ending in Nice.  The itinerary included some fantastic private tours, but also included non-structured free time that allowed us to relax and explore some places on our own.  The accommodations were first-rate and the private cars to and from the airport greatly reduced the stress of travel.  Considering all the things we did and all the lovely memories we made, the cost was quite reasonable.

The hotels that Cathy selected were perfect for us.  In Paris, the Select Hotel Rive Gauche was a delightful little boutique hotel in the Latin Quarter right in the middle of the Sorbonne.  Our room overlooked the square where university students gathered, and we could open our window and hear music in the evening.  Although breakfast was included, there were charming places right outside the door for a quick snack or full meal.  The hotel was just a short walk to the lovely Jardin du Luxembourg with its fragrant chestnut trees, boat pond of movie fame, and even a small version of the Statue of Liberty.  The hotel was also a short walk to the Cluny Metro station, and a longer walk to the St. Germain neighborhood, the Seine, and Notre Dame.  Hotels in Dijon and Lyon were lovely “Belle Epoch” buildings right in the center of town.  And the hotel in Nice was right on the Promenade des Anglais with a balcony that faced the Mediterranean.  Once again, all within walking distance of great restaurants, charming market places, and other points of interest.  Great accommodations in perfect locations.

The private guided tours exceeded our expectations.  The tour guides were fantastic people, extensively knowledgeable, and extremely cordial.  And their English language proficiency was impeccable.  The guide for Versailles drove us to the gardens early in the morning before the crowds arrived, and he tailored the tour of the palace to our particular interests in terms of history.  He also gave us some good advice about places to see as we explored parts of Paris on our own.  The chef for our cooking class took us to a famous marketplace in the Latin Quarter, told us about the history of cheese, and then gave us a hands-on experience in preparing a great French meal, which we joyfully ate afterwards.  We sipped champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and then enjoyed a very romantic evening dinner cruise on the Seine with a table facing the window as we floated by Paris at night.  And when we took the wine tours in Burgundy and the Rhone valley we learned many things we didn’t know (and sampled some fantastic “Grand Cru” wines). 

Working with Amore was hassle-free and truly a pleasure.  Communication both before and during our trip was superb, with prompt responses and clear answers.  The Amore “app” was most helpful, and we received timely reminders by iPhone throughout our sojourn.  There was only one minor “hiccup” at one of the hotels, but the local rep (Susana) resolved the issue promptly.

Most importantly, Cathy listened to us carefully when we first met with her to discuss what we were looking for.  We had met with other travel advisors earlier in our quest, but Cathy was the one we felt most comfortable with because of her extensive knowledge and attention to our desires.  She skillfully delivered exactly what we wanted in our dream vacation.  It was truly a pleasure to work with Cathy and the Amore associates.