Romantic France & Italy Private Tour

We feel that the 190-room Le Bristol (yes, the one from Midnight in Paris!) is our favorite luxury, 5-star hotel in Paris. Opened in 1925, the hotel occupies an 18th-century building near the shops of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. We consider the airy, iconic Le Bristol to perfectly illustrate French culture and service. Though the Deluxe Suite here is our favorite, each room is individually decorated in a traditional style with Persian carpets and colorful toilets! In addition to two other notable restaurants, we especially like the hotel’s Café Antonia and Le Jardin Français restaurant. Amenities here include a high-quality, three-floor spa and fitness center, but we feel the property’s sixth-floor, nautically-themed pool opening onto a solarium to be the property’s most impressive feature!

We feel that the 190-room Le Bristol (yes, the one from Midnight in Paris!) is our favorite luxury, 5-star hotel in Paris. Opened in 1925, the hotel occupies an 18th-century building near the shops of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. We consider the airy, iconic Le Bristol to perfectly illustrate French culture and service. Though the Deluxe Suite here is our favorite, each room is individually decorated in a traditional style with Persian carpets and colorful toilets! In addition to two other notable restaurants, we especially like the hotel’s Café Antonia and Le Jardin Français restaurant. Amenities here include a high-quality, three-floor spa and fitness center, but we feel the property’s sixth-floor, nautically-themed pool opening onto a solarium to be the property’s most impressive feature!

Having visited in April 2019, we noticed that much has changed at the 5-star, 48-room Relais Christine since our last family visit in 2013! Occupying a former 16th-century abbey, in a quiet section of the trendy Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris’ Left Bank, the hotel is a short walk to the Seine and the Pont Neuf bridge. The property recently completed a major renovation, including rooms with updated walk-in showers, an expanded Spa Guerlain (located in the vaulted cellar), a Finnish sauna, and an exercise room. The critical thing that has not changed is the warm and inviting atmosphere and service. It is no hyperbole to say that a stay at the Relais Christine is like staying with family friends. Though usually fully booked, our favorite rooms are the Garden Suites, opening onto the private lawns enclosed by clipped hedges.

Having visited in April 2019, we noticed that much has changed at the 5-star, 48-room Relais Christine since our last family visit in 2013! Occupying a former 16th-century abbey, in a quiet section of the trendy Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris’ Left Bank, the hotel is a short walk to the Seine and the Pont Neuf bridge. The property recently completed a major renovation, including rooms with updated walk-in showers, an expanded Spa Guerlain (located in the vaulted cellar), a Finnish sauna, and an exercise room. The critical thing that has not changed is the warm and inviting atmosphere and service. It is no hyperbole to say that a stay at the Relais Christine is like staying with family friends. Though usually fully booked, our favorite rooms are the Garden Suites, opening onto the private lawns enclosed by clipped hedges.

Located in a national historical monument building, formerly the residence of a 14th-century cardinal, Hôtel La Mirande is set in an ideal location inside the walled section of Avignon, across from the medieval Palais des Papes complex. With just 26 rooms, special care was followed during the property’s refurbishing, featuring painted wood-paneled walls with tapestries, antique glass windows, and vintage oak parquet floors We particularly like the hotel’s garden dining terrace and courtyard conservatory for afternoon tea. Being avid Japanese-enthusiasts, we were surprised to see they have Kukicha and Gyokuro tea options! Of special note for our “foodie” friends, La Mirande’s restaurant dining experience offers a gastronomic menu featuring organic, farm-raised products taking to heart the words “seasonal” and “terroir”! The restaurant’s Le Marmiton cooking class is noteworthy among chefs throughout Provence. With its charming, relaxing atmosphere and personal, singular service, we feel a stay at Hôtel La Mirande is a special and memorable experience to enhance your private tour of Provence.

Located in a national historical monument building, formerly the residence of a 14th-century cardinal, Hôtel La Mirande is set in an ideal location inside the walled section of Avignon, across from the medieval Palais des Papes complex. With just 26 rooms, special care was followed during the property’s refurbishing, featuring painted wood-paneled walls with tapestries, antique glass windows, and vintage oak parquet floors We particularly like the hotel’s garden dining terrace and courtyard conservatory for afternoon tea. Being avid Japanese-enthusiasts, we were surprised to see they have Kukicha and Gyokuro tea options! Of special note for our “foodie” friends, La Mirande’s restaurant dining experience offers a gastronomic menu featuring organic, farm-raised products taking to heart the words “seasonal” and “terroir”! The restaurant’s Le Marmiton cooking class is noteworthy among chefs throughout Provence. With its charming, relaxing atmosphere and personal, singular service, we feel a stay at Hôtel La Mirande is a special and memorable experience to enhance your private tour of Provence.

If interested in a more private experience, we may recommend a few beautiful private villas in the Provence area. Villas have the option to add additional cleaning services and private chef services. We feel the private villa option to be ideal for families traveling together and couples looking for a private escape to enjoy peaceful Provence. Pictured is one of our favorite villas, the four-bedroom La Maison de Maussane in Maussane-les-Alpilles!

If interested in a more private experience, we may recommend a few beautiful private villas in the Provence area. Villas have the option to add additional cleaning services and private chef services. We feel the private villa option to be ideal for families traveling together and couples looking for a private escape to enjoy peaceful Provence. Pictured is one of our favorite villas, the four-bedroom La Maison de Maussane in Maussane-les-Alpilles!

Clients have loved their stays at this luxury villa and resort. Il Falconiere was conceived by Silvia and Riccardo Baracchi when they transformed the 17th-century home of poet Antonio Guadagnoli into an idyllic Tuscan retreat. The resort is set on a 30-acre site alongside olive groves and the Baracchi’s own wine estate, an approximately 30 – 40-minute walk to the nearby town of Cortona. Among the many amenities here are a Thesan Etruscan spa, winery, a Michelin-star restaurant, and a pool.

Clients have loved their stays at this luxury villa and resort. Il Falconiere was conceived by Silvia and Riccardo Baracchi when they transformed the 17th-century home of poet Antonio Guadagnoli into an idyllic Tuscan retreat. The resort is set on a 30-acre site alongside olive groves and the Baracchi’s own wine estate, an approximately 30 – 40-minute walk to the nearby town of Cortona. Among the many amenities here are a Thesan Etruscan spa, winery, a Michelin-star restaurant, and a pool.

Being huge fans of the AMAN brand, we were certainly not disappointed with our first visit here. Lavishly converted from the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, the 24-room Aman Venice is a proper reflection of other AMAN properties we have stayed at worldwide. The high-touch service, upper 5-star luxury quality, and special commitment to the local, cultural uniqueness of the area make it one of our two favorite properties in Venice. Located on the Grand Canal with private access to the Doge’s Palace, the Aman Venice includes beautifully decorated public areas, with contrasting Rococo-style rooms designed in a more contemporary aesthetic. We particularly enjoyed the hotel’s rooftop terrace offering 360° views over the roofs of Venice. The luxurious 2nd-floor dining room includes a nice balcony overlooking the Grand Canal. In addition to a small spa and gym, we loved the hotel’s two small gardens.  The quiet, shady back garden offers a nice, quiet respite from the noise of Venice summers.  Though kids are welcome here, we believe young ones (12 or under) may be a bit disinterested.

Being huge fans of the AMAN brand, we were certainly not disappointed with our first visit here. Lavishly converted from the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli, the 24-room Aman Venice is a proper reflection of other AMAN properties we have stayed at worldwide. The high-touch service, upper 5-star luxury quality, and special commitment to the local, cultural uniqueness of the area make it one of our two favorite properties in Venice. Located on the Grand Canal with private access to the Doge’s Palace, the Aman Venice includes beautifully decorated public areas, with contrasting Rococo-style rooms designed in a more contemporary aesthetic. We particularly enjoyed the hotel’s rooftop terrace offering 360° views over the roofs of Venice. The luxurious 2nd-floor dining room includes a nice balcony overlooking the Grand Canal. In addition to a small spa and gym, we loved the hotel’s two small gardens.  The quiet, shady back garden offers a nice, quiet respite from the noise of Venice summers.  Though kids are welcome here, we believe young ones (12 or under) may be a bit disinterested.