(801) 483-6533
murielle@blackpearlservices.com
M, T, W, Th, F
8:00am–6:00pm
Salt Lake City–Black Pearl
101 South 200 East Ste. 100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
“Travel & Leisure A-List” as a specialist for France and Italy 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Working in the Travel Industry Since 1986.
For Murielle Blanchard, travel has always been a way of life. A native of France, born in Germany and raised in Madagascar, Senegal, and Cameroon, Murielle developed an early appreciation for the world’s diverse cultures, traditions, and destinations. Her international upbringing continues to inspire the personalized journeys she creates for her clients.
With four decades of travel industry experience dating back to 1986, Murielle brings extensive firsthand knowledge and a passion for exceptional travel planning. Her expertise in France and Italy earned her recognition on Travel + Leisure’s prestigious A-List of travel specialists for six consecutive years, from 2012 through 2017.
From custom European itineraries and private villa stays to luxury cruises and immersive cultural experiences, Murielle specializes in creating thoughtfully tailored journeys that reflect each traveler’s interests and aspirations. She believes the most memorable travel experiences go beyond the ordinary, offering meaningful connections, authentic discoveries, and memories that last a lifetime.
Murielle brings four decades of travel industry experience, destination expertise, and trusted relationships to every journey she designs.
Recognized on Travel + Leisure’s A-List for France and Italy for six consecutive years, Murielle brings distinguished expertise to luxury travel planning.
Raised across Europe and Africa and widely traveled, Murielle offers firsthand cultural insights and destination knowledge that go beyond traditional travel guides.
From private villas and yacht journeys to immersive cultural discoveries, Murielle creates distinctive experiences that make travel unforgettable.
Every journey is thoughtfully customized to your interests, travel style, preferences, and expectations.
Murielle believes travel enriches our lives through meaningful connections, authentic experiences, and the discovery of new cultures.
With four decades of experience in the travel industry and a lifetime shaped by cultures around the world, Murielle Blanchard creates extraordinary, personalized journeys for discerning travelers. A native of France and a six-time Travel + Leisure A-List honoree for her expertise in France and Italy, Murielle brings exceptional destination knowledge, firsthand experience, and thoughtful attention to every itinerary.
An award-winning specialist in France and Italy, Murielle designs personalized journeys featuring iconic destinations, hidden gems, exceptional accommodations, and authentic cultural experiences.
Murielle helps travelers explore the world through private yacht experiences, luxury cruises, and distinctive voyages that combine comfort with discovery.
Drawing on four decades of travel experience, Murielle creates extraordinary journeys throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond.
For travelers seeking extraordinary destinations, Murielle designs journeys that combine exploration, cultural immersion, and carefully selected travel experiences.
From elegant European villas to secluded luxury retreats, Murielle arranges exceptional accommodations and private experiences tailored to each traveler’s preferences.
Murielle specializes in personalized travel planning, bringing together remarkable destinations, meaningful cultural encounters, and thoughtful details into seamless journeys.
With her passion for travel, Murielle has visited:
The Nubian Desert in Sudan; Norway; North, West, East and South Africa, Madagascar; Comoro Islands; Seychelles Islands; Peru; Vietnam; Thailand; Cambodia; Myanmar; Bhutan; Guatemala; Djibouti; Mexico; Kenya; Tanzania; Senegal; Burkina Faso; Mali; Botswana; Cameroon; Morocco; Ethiopia; Hawaii; Alaska; St Lucia; Cuba; Argentina; Patagonia; North Yemen; China; the Sultanat of Oman; the Marquesas Islands; and most countries in Europe including the islands of Malta and Corsica; gorilla trekking in Uganda; Finland; Dominican Republic; Croatia
In the world of ocean cruising, there are several types of ships: mega cruise ships, small luxury cruise ships, expedition ships and sailing ships. Four companies offer sailing ships in their fleet: Windstar, Star Clipper, Ponant and Sea Cloud. The
I had the wonderful opportunity to experience Ponant’s ice breaker ship called Le Commandant Charcot. It was a short sailing of 4 days at sea between Brest in France and Reykjavik in Iceland. 4 days at sea gave me the
I had the wonderful opportunity to experience Ponant’s ice breaker ship called Le Commandant Charcot. It was a short sailing of 4 days at sea between Brest in France and Reykjavik in Iceland. 4 days at sea gave me the
Welcome to the country of a thousand lakes! Finnish Lapland is a dream destination. If you like nature, silence, and beauty, Lapland is for you. After eight days spent in Finnish Lapland, I am overwhelmed with feelings of peace and
I just returned from a 7-day cruise on the Rhine on one of Viking” s ship, Viking Kara, exploring Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Rhine River runs from the Swiss Alps through the Franco-German border and empties into
If you think Africa is all desert and savannah plains, you’re incorrect. Its landscapes are as diverse as they are breathtaking, a liberal helping of pretty beaches, charming towns, and stunning panoramic views.
Here are my picks for two of
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African Travel, AMA Waterways, Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal Cruises, Natural Habitat Adventures, Rail Europe, Star Clipper, Tahiti Legends, Seaborn Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises, Windstar Luxury Cruises
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I am native of France, born in Germany. I had the privilege of being raised in exotic places such as Madagascar, Senegal, and Cameroon. From my early youth, I have been exposed to different cultures and environments. From these experiences I have gained respect for travel and the wealth it can bring to our lives.
I have been a travel consultant for 34 years, and during that time I have designed customized itineraries for clients all over the world. I have traveled widely myself and have discovered the most interesting hotels, lodges, and restaurants. I would be delighted to offer you the benefit of my unique travel background. I strongly believe life is enhanced by the trips we take. The world is one big country with many enchanting regions. Whether your next holiday involves family, a romantic getaway, adventure, luxury, or relaxation, I have ideas, contacts, and a wealth of experience to place at your disposal. I offer a wide-range of travel experiences such as exotic journeys, small ship expeditions, tailor-made itineraries, cultural discoveries, philanthropic journeys, inspiring retreats and many more. I can offer you the world, your way!
I travel for the excitement, the learning experience, the emotion, and the possibility to make a better world.
“Murielle is an amazing travel consultant and her knowledge and expertise to Europe is unprecedented. Anyone lucky enough to work with Murielle in planning a vacation will be truly rewarded,” said Brian Hollien, Co-Chairman of Morris Murdock Travel.
What Murielle’s Clients Are Saying:
“Murielle,
This trip to Oman, Egypt and Jordan has been spectacular. The sights and sounds of these countries are remarkable and we have had wonderful guides every day in each place. I think I have personally adopted four or five of them!
A special thank you for the special dinner at Crimson in Cairo. It was a wonderful evening spent getting to know Mohsen (whom I have adopted, we just need the paper work to go through … oh and yes, I need permission from his mother.)
The hotel choices have been incredible, the airport pick ups and transfers are invaluable. We are completely spoiled. And of course the Nile cruise on Historia was first class and the food awarded ‘The Best’ in the river cruise industry.
Warmest regards,
-Virginia M.”
“Murielle Blanchard did what I could not do for myself on the internet! I searched the internet for a French biking company that would work for my family with two strong bikers and two weak bikers. We wanted to see the same castles in the Loire Valley but two of us needed special accomodation to get to distant chateaus in France’s Loire Valley.
I emailed and called companies that I found on the internet but none could assist us. Murielle, however, was able to quickly arrange a biking trip to France for my family which offered the unusual option of pick up and drop off service at far flung castles. My adult son and husband will be able to ride 3-4 hours round trip to see castles and medieval villages on bicycle while my younger son and I will ride to the same castles and back in a van driven by the staff of LoireLife Cycling. LoireLife is also arranging short biking trips to small chateaus close to their guest house that my son and I can manage to bike with the rest of our family on light exercise days.
I searched high and low on the internet for a biking company that meet our needs but it was Murielle’s experience in France which found us the perfect company to provide a spoke and wheel style biking tour that fit our family’s unique needs! I highly recommend Murielle for your next French vacation.”
– J. Olson, California
“Bonjour Murielle –
Now that our luggage is put away, the numerous photos are downloaded, and family and friends have stopped asking us about our incredible trip to France, we didn’t want to let more time go by without letting you know how EXTREMELY grateful we are to you for putting together such an amazing vacation. We cannot stop talking about how wonderful our France vacation was. And we couldn’t have had such a magical experience had it not been for you. THANK YOU — MERCI — THANK YOU!!!
Everything was remarkable! The hotels you selected (their locations could not have been any better); our tours were remarkable; restaurant and site recommendations phenomenal; our transportation great (we enjoyed having our car with reliable GPS…it allowed us to wander and explore the magnificent countryside and vineyards)… all TOP NOTCH and FANTASTIC! We appreciated that all our transfers and tours were pre-arranged and prepared, so all we had to do was to ‘show up’. We loved all your recommendations and we were never at a loss for daily activities. All we can say is that the trip would not have been as remarkable had you not assisted putting it together for us. We are still walking on clouds as this was one of the most wonderful trips we have taken. Everything… I mean everything was perfect!!!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for arranging such an amazing trip for us. We look forward to having you assist us with our next traveling ‘adventures.’
Your biggest fans,
– Rick & Lulu C.”
“Murielle,
The Italian Lake district to Chamonix to Anncey that you helped guide me to was the trip highlight, as was the time in Beaune riding bikes in vineyards while my daughter was on the Mediterranean coast. Your suggestion that she take the train and meet us in Dijon rather than us driving back south to pick her up was a good one.
Thanks for your help on planning parts of this trip. Since I met you we have spent nearly four months traveling in Europe and it all worked better because of you.
Thanks again.”
-Del D.
“Dear Murielle,
You are the absolute best. We would be totally and literally lost without you. Thanks for everything!!!”
-John M.
“Murielle,
We had the most wonderful time. You helped us have a lot of fabulous memories!
Thank you so much.”
-Hugh & Diana H.
“Hello Murielle,
We just returned from our cruise last night. Well, you did it again! Everything you touched (planned for us) in our behalf was amazing. You even planned perfect weather. The gift in our room from you and the Black Pearl Luxury Services was greatly appreciated. I told you that you were a princess. I have now been to Europe for three weeks and I know what a princess is and yes, you still qualify.
Sonja and I just wanted to say THANK YOU for making our vacation so special. You have done yourself proud!
Love,
– Glen and Sonja”
“Murielle,
I wanted to thank you for all of your efforts. We truly appreciated all of the tours that you arranged for us. They were amazing! We will use you again and recommend you highly.
Please if you ever need a reference let me know.”
-Kristina S.
“Hi Murielle,
I have to tell you that you have done a fabulous job for us!!! The icing on the cake is Hotel Minerva , what an amazing treasure!! They have a garage right under the hotel and they tend our car for us! We had cocktails and dinner here and the experience is phenomenal! Highly recommend it!!! Our room is superb and staff exceptional!
Thank you so much!!!”
-Lori B.
“Dear Murielle,
We arrived home yesterday afternoon after a wonderful and memorable trip. We profusely thank you for the excellent advice and assistance that you provided us.
With regard to the French portion of the trip, all aspects were outstanding! Le Relais du Louvre was very well located, comfortable, friendly and very French, just as we had hoped. We patronized two of the recommended restaurants twice each; the food and service were excellent, and they were within walking distance and moderately priced.
The Renaissance barge on the Briare Canal even surpassed our high hopes.
Accommodations were spacious and comfortable; the crew members were friendly and very attentive; the scenery was lovely; and the daily expeditions to the various sites were all interesting and unique experiences. Thank you again for your thoughtful and thorough service, and send our best wishes!”
– Enid and Rick G.
