Valentine Julien

Barcelona to Nice along the Mediterranean

We had a wonderful time making the journey along the Mediterranean coast. Starting in Barcelona we were able to visit the newly opened Sagrada de Familia with a wonderful guide - one of the highlights our trip. We had an early entry so the crowds were easily managed and we were able to enjoy both inside and out. The next day we had another great guide who showed us the Jewish history and historical presence in Barcel…

We had a wonderful time making the journey along the Mediterranean coast. Starting in Barcelona we were able to visit the newly opened Sagrada de Familia with a wonderful guide - one of the highlights our trip. We had an early entry so the crowds were easily managed and we were able to enjoy both inside and out. The next day we had another great guide who showed us the Jewish history and historical presence in Barcelona. After Barcelona, we went to Girona, which was a wonderful surprise. We stayed at a lovely hotel in the old town that was a converted palace. Our tour here of the old town focusing on Jewish history was incredible. The next day we had an all day small group tour of Dali's house and museum - both well worth the travel including the incredible views along the Costa Brava. Travelling by car along the southern coast of France was relatively easily finding great things to see - Pone du Gard, Baux de Provence town and castle, St. Paul de Vence and finally Nice. An electric bike ride in Nice was also wonderful.

Detailed planning for Switzerland and Italy

Valentine was very detailed and helped us along the way when we had questions. She planned an amazing trip and made our lives easier!

Three weeks in Switzerland by train

Zurich: Hotel Central Plaza was a great choice. It was not only well-appointed, but it was the perfect location. Access to the amazing Hauptbahnhof made it extra fun. Vanessa was an excellent guide. We wish we had booked more time - it was that good. The suggestions were very helpful - museums etc. helped on a rainy day. Trains: We cannot say enough about the itinerary planning, timing, and guidance on connection…

Zurich: Hotel Central Plaza was a great choice. It was not only well-appointed, but it was the perfect location. Access to the amazing Hauptbahnhof made it extra fun. Vanessa was an excellent guide. We wish we had booked more time - it was that good. The suggestions were very helpful - museums etc. helped on a rainy day. Trains: We cannot say enough about the itinerary planning, timing, and guidance on connections. We LOVED them.. Colmar: Great choice for our Alsace stop. Hotel Turenne was lovely, new, fresh, great service, and very well located. Louie, our Epicurean guide was excellent, friendly, and very attentive. The amount of cycling (15 miles) was perfect for us, and itinerary was well curated. Lucerne: (not feedback for Mobee International) My nostalgic choice of a key stop. In retrospect, now knowing all of the Alps we were going to experience - would now probably skip Lucerne. Hotel Wilden Mann was a great location, and in retrospect was very well-managed for an ancient and historic building. The guide Sarjon (sp?) for our tour was knowledgable, but very soft-spoken, did not make sure that we could both hear, and did not volunteer information while walking from information point to point. He would answer question in a low conversational way with Maria, and I could not hear at all. It was a difficult, and bad experience. Locarno: The trip to Locarno was beautiful, and a lovely experience on its own. Hotel Lago Maggiore was perhaps the best hotel throughout our trip. Location was superb; room and balcony fresh, spacious and beautiful. Breakfast service was the best. Service people excellent. Rafaella, our guide was phenomenal. Could have spent the entire day with her. Great suggestions as well. Valentine's suggestions for restaurants and hikes etc. were very helpful. Zermatt: Wonderful trip through the Centovalli to Domodossola and on to Zermatt - based on Rafaella's suggestion. Hotel Julen was a cute hotel, nice view, AC, and an amazing restaurant, the Schaferstube. The staff was unfriendly, and their breakfast service staff was uneven, from OK to terrible. Valentine's suggestions for other activities were as always excellent. We enjoyed all of our time in Zermatt, and were literally sad to leave so soon. Montreux: Hotel Golf Rene Cape was a beautiful location with spectacular views, access to the promenade, and transportation. The staff was lovely, the service excellent, but the accommodations were sub-par, especially the bathroom. It was also hot due to no air conditioning. We realized that our late change from Glion to Montreux put Valentine in a difficult situation trying to find us a hotel in town - and she did well considering. E-Bike tour in the Lavaux vineyards: Our guide Yves was just terrific. He was super-knowledgeable. He rode a bit ahead of us, not realizing that when we get on bikes, we do not want an easy ride. We are seeking not only a tour, but a good work-out as well - and he never quite "read the room" on that. So, we didn't feel connected in a way that we could carry on a conversation, and ask questions while pedaling. When we stopped, he inundated us (almost overloaded) with amazing geological, agricultural, and historical information. (We would rather have too much, than not enough.) We were a bit surprised that the entire riding portion of the tour was only 56 minutes total. We expected 2-3 hours, like the Alsace tour. The vineyards and the visit to Chapuis vineyard was magical, and tasty. We realized after that we could have contracted Yves for as long as we wanted. That perhaps should be a question to be asked prior to booking. We so wanted to spend more time on bikes that the next day we traveled to Chatel St Denis to rent bikes from Alexandre at E-Bike Plaisir, (who Yves contracts with). He provided us a custom itinerary based on our request for 40+ Km, and we had a delightful afternoon that took us through farm country, Mt Pellerin, the Lavaux vineyards etc. We got our fix. Loved our time in Montreux - the people were friendly and welcoming, the Freddy Mercury Days vibe was fun. It lived up the its reputation as the Swiss Riviera. Grindelwald: The Golden Pass trip was a lovely experience. We had no idea what to expect in Grindelwald, but it was awe inspiring, in the spectacle, the infrastructure, the options, everything. Sunstar Hotel: Crazy beautiful view, modern, fresh, well-appointed. Only down-side was dealing with the multitudes of bus tours pouring in, and constant navigating through crowds. The room was warm, again no air conditioning - and buggy. We had to get bug spray to handle it. No screens as always. The bike tour out of Interlaken was an early morning - but the tour was excellent, actually amazing - and Marceau our guide was delightful and knowledgeable. Valentine's suggestion to change from Wengen to Grindelwald was a great decision. We visited Wengen, and it was a bit too sleepy for us. Her Grindelwald suggestions were perfect as always. We could have spent more time there - it was that good. Zurich: Central Plaza Hotel - again, would not hesitate to stay there if we return. The rooms, the staff and the breakfast service were excellent. Car Transfers: Probably did not need the transfers from central Plaza to the Hauptbahnhof They were unnecessary. Luggage Transfers: We hated them - then loved them. For our situation using only a carry-on suitcase and a backpack - it made it quite difficult because everything we needed for the morning rituals went in our suitcases. They were (necessarily) too early for that reason - it forced 5:30 wake-up - not ideal when on vacation. That's when we hated them. BUT, when navigating stairs at the train stations and making connections - we loved them, because even a carry-on fully-packed suitcase is heavy - and we were able to avoid any potential for a fall or injury amidst the throngs of people dragging their huge bags down and up flights of stairs. Would we do it again? Yes - just for the safety factor at our ages. We loved having lovingly pre-planned excursions (bike trips, tours) as well as days when we could choose what to do. On those days Valentine gave us detailed and amazing suggestions, most of which we happily did! Valentine was available to us day and night 7 days a week during this trip, answering questions and helping us navigate any uncertain parts. We've never had a travel company provide such on-the-ground assistance at a moment's notice. Valentine gave her heart and soul to us and shared her knowledge of this beautiful area so generously. We are already recommending her and Mobee International without reservation to our friends!