France´s ravishing, rocky island in the Mediterranean (which the French dub l´Île de la Beauté, the Isle of Beauty) is home to some of the sea´s most stunning beaches, ranging from the more developed strands of the south to the wi
Naturally we started our trip off with a glass of wine at lunch - after all, it was too late for breakfast… “Deux verres de vin rouge – um, uh -- pas sec. Un peu…” Finally I just threw my hands in the air and laughed. I meant well but
Read more…Europe’s towns and cities famously light up and don holiday finery for Yuletide, but during the Christmas season in Colmar, in northeast France’s Alsace region – already famous for its charming historic quarter, with its cobblestone streets, canals,
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Well, it's certainly been a bloody shambles of a year so far, eh? And who knows what awaits in the few weeks left to go. But at least some degree of travel is back, especially in and between countries in Europe. A
Read more…France has beaucoup more to offer, of course, than the glamor and glitz of its cities, The rural side of the country is full of cliffside castles, vibrant vineyards, charming towns, and fragrant fields that can make family road trips very memorabl
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Sure, going out for an intimate dinner à deux is pretty much everyone's default on this day for lovers. But to make Valentine's Day extra special, seek out an experience that will make it truly memorable for years to come. High and low, on land and
In addition to providing efficient, inexpensive transport throughout some of the world's greatest cities, their most distinguished rapid-transit systems also provide an insight into history and society. Here are five outstanding examples.
Today is a momentous Armistice Day, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the horrific “Great War” that embroiled dozens of countries, kingdoms, empires, and colonies, and scarred and shaped all of world history for the past century, fo
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When planning a holiday in Paris, you should consider visiting in October. In this period, the summer has just ended. It means most Parisians are relaxed, since most tourists are gone. Furthermore, the weather now is ideal for exploring outdoor cafes
One of the world's most coveted terroirs, the region and town of Cognac, just in the Charente region of southwestern France, three hours away from Paris by train (and also, by the way, the birthplace of 16th-century King François I) is a typically ch
It's harvest time inChampagne again - not to mention a most agreeable time of year to visit this lovely and historic region some 100 miles east of Paris, with its main townsReims (whose landmarks include a Roman triumphal arch and a lovely 13th-centu
Located in southeastern France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region - about an hour 15 minutes east of the closest air gateway, Geneva and a six-hour drive from Paris- this charming village of a bit over 1,200 permanent residents also happens to be one
The Côte d'Azur is famous for its number of cities and towns that are haunts of the rich and famous. Among the best known of these is this city of 73,000, best known to the rest of the world for its glamorous film festival. But there are also a n
Read more…When it comes to hiking, admittedly I am an addict. Give me mountains to climb, lake shores to wonder, ridges to scramble across - anything that involves a pair of walking boots, a backpack and stunning views and I’m a happy gal. Living in the UK, I
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Founded in 1115 and situated in a narrow valley in the south of the Dordogne, the Abbey de Cadouin is classified as a 'monument historique'. For 800 years this Cistercian abbey drew in pilgrims making the journey to view a sacred piece of cloth belie
Just a block apart on Boulevard Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the City of Light, a pair of iconic and rival cafés, Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, have been iconic fixtures of the Latin Quarter since the late 19th century. But is there any real reason
The many immigrants who’ve made Paris home over the years have left an exotic mark tasty enough to justify a visit by itself — especially if you’re curious about unusual cuisines that may be hard to find even in, say, New York, London, or Los Angeles
The City of Light is one of the world's top destinations for good reason - popular for its art, culture, cuisine, museums, and architecture from medieval to modern. Also known for its romance, Paris offers visitors an amazing holiday - really, with
Member Paul Shawcross, contributor
New, completely revised Green Guide Normandy features new maps, an improved structure and new sights, presenting top attractions, regional introductions, most interesting towns, shopping hot spots and suggested place
As the cradle of Christianity, the Old Continent’s history with Easter is millennia old. And though recently it has evolved from a merely religious observance to an secular cultural (even pop cultural) phenomenon, the mix of elaborate religious pa
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