Oui, c'est encore la belle France, from the bright lights of Paris to the rocky shores of Brittany & the chic vibe of the Côte d'Azur -- both deluxe and pas cher.

 

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5 of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica

  Robert Brands 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 wilder northern beaches with few or no amenities. If you´re looking for a beachy getaway next summer - especially one that allows you to combine it with fabulous history, culture, cuisine, and eco opportunities - do give serious consideration to la…

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Provence: lovely hill towns plus beaucoup wine & cheese equal paradise

Victor Block   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 it seemed unfair to make our poor waiter suffer for my lack of fluency with the language. Our waiter obliged with two glasses of wine and a hearty, “Welcome to Provence!" Our first morning, COVID-19 vaccination card in hand, we left to explore…

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Christmas in Colmar, in Alsace-Lorraine

 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, and half-timbered houses – the displays reach another level entirely, going far beyond lightbulbs adorning the main streets to the façades of the small houses in its old town illuminated in all the colours of the rainbow. The results, as any…

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Marseille & Versailles cited in 'Using Astrology to Plan Travel this Holiday Season'

fshok.com Still vibrant and popular today, the five-thousand-year-old art of astrology can identify, say, business and romantic opportunities or challenges. And those celestial bodies slinking about the stars can also help pinpoint optimal times and places for travel. And since destinations have their own astro-charts -- which interact with yours -- astrology can even serve as a kind of spiritual travel agent. It can tell you, for example, about places likely to be harmonious or challenging…

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  • A Tripatini member is looking for a specific kind of tour guide in Paris for July. Can you help? Thanks!
  • A tripatini member has a question about Normandy. Can someone help? http://www.tripatini.com/forum/topics/suggestions-for-tour-companies
  • @Maria, Avignon is also an excellent base. I have used both Avignon and Aix as a base to do road trips in both Vaucluse and Bouches du Rhone areas. Avignon is perfect if you want to see the Papal Palace in Avignon, the Roman Théatre in Orange, go to the market in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, climb up the water source of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, visit the old standing roman bridge and village ruins at Vaison-la-Romaine, see the orchards at Châteauneuf-du-Pape in addition to Pont du Gard and all the good stuff mentioned below.

    If you choose Avignon and do not care to drive, take a look at the local tours offered by Lieutaud.

    But Avignon has one logistical issue. There is no nearby accessible airport. So if you want to use Avignon as your base, you may need to move to Aix the night or two before your trip back to the States. Why? Because depending on which airline you take, the flight out of MRS is early in the morning -  LH/UA/CO 615AM, AA/IB/BA 7AM, DL/AF 8AM. This is the reason why it is good to be in Aix the night before you return to Miami. Also you cannot just take the TGV back to Roissy since the flights from CDG are also in the morning. The Air France nonstop to Miami leaves CDG at 1115AM.

     

  • Provence is more than doable since the TGV from Paris to Avignon is only 2 hours and 10 minutes.  My question is whether or not you plan on renting a car once you get there. The suggestion of staying put is excellent and doing days trips. Please remember that July is when most of the festivals take place and depending on what you like and don't, you could schedule a trip focusing on music, art, dance... and ALWAYS food. The markets are a must. 

    Please access Bonjour Paris and use the search function and enter "Provence."

    Bon Voyage.

  • @Maria, You might be able to squeeze a 5-day trip to Provence, especially if you fly out of (return from) MRS airport (in Marignane about 30 minutes SW of Aix en Provence) back to Miami. I suggest you take a 3-hr. TGV train from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to Aix en Provence TGV station (Taxi, about 15 mins from the city) and stay in Aix center (as close to cours mirabeau as you can afford). From Aix you can take day trips to the Luberon an see some of the most beautiful villages in France. Try not to miss Gordes, Roussillon, and Les Baux. You can add Menerbes and Lourmarin especially if you are a fan of Peter Mayle. In addition, St Remy (very pretty city or commune as in French), the Roman ruins of Glanum, and Van Gogh's Asylum, Saint-Paul-de-Mausole are nearby each other. If you have more time (doubtful), then do Arles or Avignon plus the Roman Aqueduct, Pont du Gard. The Aix Tourism office offers tours if you don't want to drive around. You'll find the Aix Tourism Info office in the end of Cours Mirabeau in the right side of the circle (rotunda). Good Luck and enjoy Provence.

    Note: The fare from Paris or Provence (open jaw) is usually the same so fly back from MRS airport.

    Tony

  • Setubal region will have the 3rd Edition of Half Marathon on the Sands. 21 kms on the beaches of Costa da Caparica http://bit.ly/kIT4ts
    http://ww25.portugaldreamcoast.com/en/iii-half-marathon-on-the-sand/?subid1=20210531-2350-11cb-a321…
    See related links to what you are looking for.
  • A crowded Provence is like a normal day in Paris.  The beaches are where most people will go, if you can get a good room rate, I'd go for it.  Pick a base of operations, somewhere with train service, and it's very easy to travel by train up and down the coast.
  • @Maria, it depends what sort of things you are interested in. Provence is beautiful. There are lavender fields, wineries, art galleries and perfumeries to visit - and more besides. it is also a nice area for walking. Closer to Paris another place of interest could be the Alsace, Strasburg,Colmar and the Vosges National Park - a kind of fairy tale region full of half-timbered medieval villages and vineyards. Or, a little bit on the wild side, Brittany is also very beautiful. This is an area with many megalithic monuments, stone circles and menhirs. And the coast is beautiful, but it is often quite wet. But if you want something more glamorous, head for the Cote Azure, Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez... If you enjoy hiking and climbing the Alp or the Pyrenees would be perfect, though Alps might be easier to get to from Paris if you have so little time. You could fly to Geneve and go from there.

    So many places - so little time!

    best

    Kat

  • Check the western part of the Riviera (between Marseille and Toulon). It is not yet too crowded in July. Check www.provence-coast-travel.com or contact me as I will be there (Sanary/mer) from May 28 through Fall.
  • hi folks, i'm flying to france on july and wondering where to go besides paris. i have ten days and want to spend 5 in paris but where else would be good on limited time? i've heard alot about Province and the Riviera, but i think the Riviera will be too crowded, no? What would be the best way to "do" Province? I've looked at a couple guidebooks but i'd rather hear it frm people who ve been there
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