Home to Paris, one of the most romantic cities in the world,
France has many other things to offer travelers, which is why it
is one of the more popular destinations in Europe for people who
live there and those from abroad. You may have heard the
stereotypes of the French way of life, but until you experience
it yourself, you'll never know what it's actually like. To whet
your appetite, here are some of the "main courses" you can find
in France.
Wine Country - If you like
wine or just like the countryside - fresh air and sunshine -
then the south of France is going to be a magical realm for
you.
Weather Variety - One of
the cool things about France is that no matter what type of
weather you like (yes, some people DO like the cold for some
reason) then there's a good chance you're going to find a
place in France that suits your taste.
History - Being so dominate
in Europe in the early years, France has a rich and varied
cultural history. There's a reason Paris and some other cities
are still sought out as destinations for artists and writers
from all over the world. Seeing the history of France up close
and personal does a lot better job than simply reading about
the history of France in a dusty book or flashy website.
Things to Note When Traveling to France
August Holidays - A good
number of people in France take off August for vacation, which
means many of the shops and restaurants outside the more
touristy areas may not be open and available. This is minor
for most people, but it's something that you might think
about.
Currency - The Euro is king
in France, although some places may (or most likely may not)
accept US or British currency. Keep this in mind if you're
going to be spending money at a lot of different places in
France.
Fine Dining - While France
is known the world over as a place to get a great meal,
there's a good chance you might get sucked into a tourist trap
and pay too much for "normal" food. Take the time to ask the
locals where to get fancy (expensive) or good tasting (cheap)
food. The good news is that there are restaurants everywhere,
all offering their unique flavor. Another thing to note about
eating in France is that each region of the country has its
own specialty. You may want to plan a trip around sampling
several of these during one journey.
Whether it is the fantastic varieties of cheese, the many
great wines, or the beauty of the cities or the countryside
itself, there's something a little magical about France.
Depending what area you travel to, your adventure is going to be
different. This may be why so many people return to France for
vacation after having been there once. If you haven't been to
France yet (seeing a picture of the Eiffel Tower doesn't count),
then you need to seriously consider going.
