France - Oh la la

Since my last post was about travel planning, I figured it was only natural to talk about one of my favorite places to travel to – France!  For whatever reason, France has always fascinated me.  In school I began taking Spanish as every good Floridian should, but I quickly realized I wanted to do something different – so I signed up for French.  Three years in high school, a minor in it in college, and I’m still nowhere near fluent., but I can get around. (J’ai etudié il y a sept ans, mais je ne le practique pas tous les jours.)

I was lucky enough to go to France twice in high school with my French class.  It was my first time overseas, and it was of course magical.  All these sites and amazing monuments just had in me in awe, and that was all it took.  I was hooked on traveling around the world and especially hooked on France.  Overall, I’ve visited the country five times over the last 14 years, and I’ve traveled there in all sorts of ways – class trips, studying abroad and with family and friends. 

I‘ve visited Paris, the French Riviera and the beaches of Normandy, but I’ve hardly scratched the surface of everything there is to see in that beautiful country.  On my next trip to France (because there will be a next trip), I want to do a wine tour – visit the Champagne region, the Burgundy region and all the other regions where they do wine the best.  That would be a dream trip.  Now to make that happen!

But back to the City of Light – my favorite European city I’ve visited to date.  It just happens to be the home of my all-time favorite monument – the Eiffel Tower.  Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person is probably what started my love of France.  Anyone who’s been to my house can immediately see how passionate I am about it – since everything in my apartment decoration-wise probably has an Eiffel Tower on it.  It’s just beautiful.

When you get past the gypsies, the pickpockets and the graffiti, Paris is a beautiful city.  Strolling along in the Latin Quarter or near the Notre Dame Cathedral, you can see the romantic Paris that everyone pictures in their mind.  The trick is to find someplace off the beaten path where there aren’t a lot of tourists.  My old buddy Rick Steves helps out in this area quite a bit – bring his book with you!

By now, I consider myself a regular ol‘ tour guide for this city, so if anyone is planning a trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need advice.  I think I’ve pretty much done everything there – well almost everything.  And my number one tip or piece of advice for anyone traveling there – learn a little bit of French and don’t be afraid to use it.

My second piece of advice - go to Notre Dame and make sure you stand on the “heart of Paris“ – it’s a small medallion right in front of the church that is the exact center of the city.  They say if you stand on it, then one day you’ll return.  Every trip I’ve done it, and I’ve always gone back.

On that note – adieu, a bientôt!