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Trip Reviews
FRANCE planned by Joël Massé
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My October trip to Corsica was a huge success, thanks to very careful planning by Joel and his colleague, Nathalie. They listened carefully to my travel objectives and planned a trip that more than met my expectations. They took my age (87) into account and booked comfortable—in some cases, luxurious—hotels. Through their contacts in Corsica, they found a very knowledgeable and companionable guide, Ludovic, who helped me navigate the sometimes rough terrain of the island and taught me a great deal about its complex history and culture. I couldn’t have managed the trip without him.
If I have any criticisms at all, they are minor and of my own making. I may have slightly overestimated my own endurance. Thanks to my guide, I made it through fine; but a day less or a day more, with some R and R built in, might have been desirable. My other criticism is also minor, and it has to do with accommodations for older people and those with disabilities in Corsica. There is very little attention paid to this in hotels and public places—almost no railings in public places, for example. Older people and anyone with a disability should keep this in mind when contemplating a trip to Corsica. On the good side, people are so kind and friendly that they make up for it in courtesies of every kind.
Corsica is a gorgeous and exceptionally interesting place; the terrain is breathtaking; the food is wonderful; the culture—to the extent I was able to experience it—is unique. I would encourage people to visit it and to make their plans through Joel and his colleagues. Thanks very much, Wendy Perrin and associates, for a trip well planned and executed!
Joel was terrific! Starting with the trip planning (for two couples), he was responsive to our requests and was very flexible. His original plan had too many guided days, and we are a group which likes to do independent exploring. We ended up with a mix of guided and independent days, which was exactly perfect.
Major shoutout to Joel for hiring drivers and guides who were on time, let us know exactly where we would meet them, and who were knowledgeable and friendly. We were especially impressed with Thomas, who advised us that he would meet us at the head of the train at Gare de Lyon, and did. (We had a bad experience with a driver meeting us at Atocha in Madrid and who it took an hour to find.)
His hotels were great choices, although the first one (and this was not Joel’s fault) assigned each couple terrible rooms upon check-in. While my husband and I were able to move, our friends were stuck with a subpar (to say the least) room. To make up for this, Joel treated us to a lovely dinner—a really kind gesture on his part.
I think the best thing I can say is that we definitely will use Joel and his company to plan our future France trips, and for any other countries they cover. His attention to detail, ideas about our guided tours, and his responsiveness are remarkable.
Great job, Joel!!
Our recent family trip to Paris was nothing short of magical. We arrived on July 13 and departed on July 22 (yes, a bit of time-travel humor—it flew by that fast!). From start to finish, the experience was beautifully curated and stress-free, thanks in large part to the exceptional planning and insight of Joel, who we highly recommend for anyone considering travel to France. Joel was a pleasure to work with—responsive, thoughtful, and incredibly accommodating.
We stayed at Résidence du Sénateur, which proved to be the perfect home base. The location was ideal for exploring the city, tucked away in a charming, quiet area yet close to everything. The accommodations themselves were comfortable and elegant—just right for a family looking to both unwind and immerse themselves in the Parisian atmosphere.
One of the true highlights of our trip was the quality of the tours and tour guides. Every guide we met was knowledgeable, personable, and made the history and culture of Paris come alive in an engaging way. Whether we were exploring iconic landmarks or discovering hidden gems, each tour added richness and depth to our experience.
All in all, this was a memorable family adventure that exceeded our expectations. Paris is always a good idea—but with the right planning, guides, and accommodations, it becomes unforgettable.
Joel Masse was top shelf! We had an amazing experience working with Joel and would highly recommend him.
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