Last time I was in Paris, I met up with my good French friend and host sister (from my study abroad days in college) who had recently scored an amazing apartment in Paris’ coveted Montmartre neighborhood. When she asked where my husband and I would like to go for a drink, I responded that I …
My husband and I wanted to take our good friend out for lunch on his last day with us in France. Knowing that he really enjoyed seafood, we asked a few locals where we could find the best fruits de mer in the picturesque seaside town of Saint Jean de Luz. Without hesitation, all …
Whether you are in Paris or a small village, Sundays in France seem to have a similar pace. Our life in St. Jean de Losne the last couple of Sundays has been no different. A very important start is Neil’s trip to the boulangerie for a baguette and croissants or some other baked goods he …
In my years traveling and working in France, I’ve observed many Americans clumsily attempt to craft phrases in French while ordering in restaurants, purchasing museum tickets, or asking directions to La Tour Eiffel. Do the French turn up their nose? Do they walk away in a huff, disgusted by the American’s lack of linguistic finesse? …
When preparing for a trip, there are several things that we think can improve your home security and peace of mind. 1. Designate a Primary Contact Person One of the most important things to do is designate a person to be your primary contact person (PCP) while you are away. This is the person you …
Do health problems make you nervous about traveling? Neil and I have been traveling internationally for years. We’ve had a few mishaps along the way which necessitated seeing a doctor, but nothing major. This year, however, two weeks before we were scheduled to leave for a summer in France, Neil had an unexpected heart attack. …
You’ve been to the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral, gazed up at the Eiffel Tower and the Arch of Triumph, taken a sightseeing cruise on the Seine River. Now you want to discover the lesser-known treasures of Paris — which is what we did on our latest visit to this fabulous city. John and I …
Follow Linda and Dave Beach’s story about their first trip to Provence: While we have been to France several times, neither my husband Dave, nor I had been to Provence, so it was new territory for both of us. We decided to rent a house for a week in the small village of Bonnieux and …
A sunny spring day in Amsterdam is as good as it gets. Sunlight sparkles on the canals, cafes set up outdoor tables, flower stalls bloom with color. I could spend weeks strolling this picturesque city in the Netherlands, dodging bicyclists and admiring the architecture, but with only a few days to explore, John and I …
Tipping in Europe – What You Need to Know Traveling to Europe should be an adventure, but trying to figure out the tipping rules for each country can be a headache. Here is our quick guide to the ins and outs of tipping in Europe. Tipping in Austria At restaurants in Austria you should round …