​​The Perfect Day in Paris ​– Start your day with a fresh croissant and a café au lait from Merci Jérôme Motte-Picquet, just a 15 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. This bakery is where the magic happens, and you’ll definitely want to fuel up for a busy day ahead. Next, it’s time to tick off the must-see spots. Head straight to the Eiffel Tower because, duh, it’s Paris. Then, you can swing by Notre-Dame Cathedral or take a wander over to the Louvre Museum for a bit of art appreciation. To be honest, the line for the Louvre was super long, so my friend and I just strolled around instead. Sometimes you don’t need to see it all to appreciate the place. Lunchtime calls for something quintessentially French. Find a local café, order some escargot, and wash it down with a glass of red wine. In the afternoon, take your time to window shop or simply explore the iconic streets. Grab dinner at l’Entrecôte de Paris, where they serve a set menu featuring the famous steak and frites with their special sauce, plus a free refill system. It’s a bustling spot with walk in only service, my friend and I waited about 40 minutes to get in. Was it worth every second of queuing? You bet it was. We wrapped up our night with a peaceful walk to the Arc de Triomphe.

 

There's a lot to see in Paris. Here are just some iconic places and experiences that define the city:​​​

• Picnic at the Eiffel Tower

• Explore Montmartre

• Eat everything

• Louvre? Maybe. Musée d'Orsay? YES

• Shopping and flea markets

• Explore Le Marais

• Watch Moulin Rouge

• Arc de Triomphe

• Sainte-Chapelle

• Palace of Versailles 

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Most nights in Paris, my friends and I had a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower, drinking wine, eating prosciutto and baguette because, well, isn’t that what everyone does? The atmosphere was always laid-back minus the men who would try to chat us up in the most uncomfortable ways. Must be common around here. One night I had a French dude throw a live rat at me. He squeezed it too hard and it died right there. Welcome to Paris. The rats are practically part of the scenery but wtf? Still, we had a great time. As for accommodation, I found it a bit pricey. The closer you are to the Eiffel Tower the higher the cost so keep that in mind.

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The French Riviera is a beautiful region located along the Mediterranean coast, featuring some of the most famous destinations such as Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez. Personally, I found Nice and its beaches a little underwhelming. However, I discovered Villefranche-sur-Mer, the cutest little spot, perfect for a day trip. Only a short train ride from Nice, you will find streets with the most colorful houses against the blue Mediterranean water. The best thing to do here is to wander, appreciate the details, and chill by the beach.

 

Menton was a missed opportunity for me. I would have loved to see it, but I ran out of time. It resembles Villefranche-sur-Mer with its pastel-coloured houses. Despite being so close to Monaco and Nice, Menton is affordable and less crowded. If you're visiting towards the end of February, don't miss the lemon festival (Fête du Citron). You can visit the grand palace and casinos that inspired James Bond films and wander through the Serre de la Madone garden. Strolling around Old Town is a must.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France and wine go hand in hand like a baguette with brie or me with a glass of anything alcoholic. Some of the world’s most iconic wine regions are in Bordeaux, Provence, Burgundy, Champagne, and the Loire Valley, just to name a few. Many vineyards open their doors for tours and tastings, so you can taste through centuries of winemaking tradition. A tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.

 

Valensole has been sitting on my bucket list for a while. This little hilltop town in Provence is surrounded by endless fields of lavender, they call it the Lavender Village of France. You can walk through the fields, visit local farms and distilleries, and buy lavender everything: oils, soaps, even honey. The Provence lavender fields are some of the best in the world.

 

 

 

 

If you’re into the outdoors, the French Alps should be high on your list. Getting there seems straightforward. Simply fly to Geneva, and within an hour you can reach destinations like Chamonix. Chamonix is an ideal town for adventurers and athletes, with many events throughout the year such as the Mont Blanc Marathon, climbing competitions, cycling events, and yoga festivals. A lot of travelers actually prefer the French Alps over the Swiss ones, saying the landscape is more diverse. Probably cheaper too. I’d love to come back and do a Mont Blanc Hiking Tour one day. Late September is the best time for it right before the cable cars shut down for the season. Annecy is another gorgeous spot worth checking out. It’s a small town sitting on Lac d’Annecy, surrounded by mountains, with canals running through it and old buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colmar feels like a fairytale come to life. It's a quaint little city in the Alsace region of France and lies close to the border with Germany. I wish I had known about it when I was in Strasbourg, it was literally right there. The old town is all cobblestone streets and half-timbered buildings, a mix of medieval charm and early Renaissance beauty. It’s no surprise that Colmar is a hot spot especially in summer meaning that prices might be a little higher when you visit during this time.

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