The Algarve Beyond the Beaches: A Guide to Its Rugged Coastline and Charming Towns
What are the best places to visit in France?
Most people picture Paris when they think of France. It certainly is a beautiful city filled with neoclassical architecture with some of the country’s most recognizable monuments and museums - perhaps one visit to the city isn't enough and you will likely want to come back here again. In any case, there is a lot more to see around the country than just Paris. There are lot of good day trips options around Paris as well e.g. Versailles, Reims Chamgne region etc.
South of France - the French Riviera (also known as Cote d’ Azur) is the place to mingle with rich and famous with the glamour of St. Tropez, Monaco or the Cannes Film Festival. However, there are many other relatively lesser known destinations, such as the perched villages of Eze and Saint-Paul de Vence, and the perfumeries of Grasse to name a few. It enjoys a wonderfully mild to warm climate almost the entire year and that adds to the charm of visiting this region in any time of the year and you can top up your travel plan with a visit to neighboring Italian riviera or the Provence region.
The Bordeaux Region - Clearly, Bordeaux wines dont need an introduction. And, its not just about the Bordeaux city with the charm of its old town, but also the famous wine making sub-regions around the city. St. Emillion is one of the most beautiful villages that you would want to walk around for its medieval village, underground church, and the wine tasting in the vineyards that surround the village. And, keep at least a day to Explore the Medoc wine route with some of the most famous chateau and the castles. IF you more time, then dont give a miss to coastal region around Bordeaux with a golden beachline and relaxing views of the Atlantic.
Normandy - Try the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy and dont forget to visit island of Mont Saint-Michel, located off France’s northwestern coast. The tidal island is one of the most popular places to visit in France for its construction of medieval structures built as if stacked upon one another and crowned with the star attraction, the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel.
Loire Valley - A popular tourist destination in the center of France, regarded for its spectacular scenery, splendid chateaux, picturesque vineyards and historic villages. It stretches along the Loire River, twisting and turning through some of France’s most beautiful villages and charming chateaux. It can perhaps be visited on a day trip from Paris if one is driving around and planning to visit only 1-2 Chateau, although it certainly recommended to stay over in the region and soak in the countryside.
Alsace region in North-East France is home to some of the most charming villages around the wine route, and medieval towns of Colmar and Strasbourg (also the seat of EU parliament). It is best place to enjoy some of the white wines as you walk or bike thru the vineyards, visit villages like Eguisheim and take a day trip to neighboring part of Switzerland and Black forest region in Germany.
Then, of course there are the French Alps, with Europe’s highest peak Mont Blanc to visit. It's recommended to have a base around Chamonix - the birthplace of mountaineering as it perfectly complements the mountain peaks that encircle the valley. It's the perfect place for the skiing trip during winters or hike in summers to some of the most pristine views of the glaciers if one follows the track route of Tour du Mont Blanc.
If you would like to true French island experiences, then Corsica is perhaps the best possible choice with stunning beaches, vertical white cliffs falling into the water by the side of medieval town at Bonifacio and its worthwhile to drive thru the Calanques de Piana from Ajaccio, which is also famous for being the birtherplace of Napoleon.
