France Champagne and Burgundy Regions

Most of the vineyards in the Champagne region can be found in Epernay and Reims.  In Reims you will also find the amazing Louis XV Palace, the Roman Porta de Mars, and many museums dedicated to the art of making effervescent wine. The 13th century Reims Cathedral is a famous jewel of Gothic architecture. The cathedrall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was destroyed in World War I, but was restored with its stunning facade, interior and stained-glass windows. Try to make time to visit Moet Chandon and Taittinger vineyards.

Beaunne, is the wine capital of Burgundy, and an ideal base to explore the vineyards.  The burgundy region is known as the meeting place of civilizations. Located in the center of France, it is easily accessible via the high speed TGV trainand numerous highways winding throughout.

For more information about France tours please click here: http://www.escortedfrancetours.com/

France Tour Vacations

On August 7th, the movie Julie and Julia will open in theatres around the US. I was lucky enough to see a preview and in addition to Bon Appetit, all I can say is Viva La France! The movie is partly based on Julia Child’s book “My Life in France.”

There is no way to see this marvelously entertaining movie without wanting to see Paris. Whether it’s a first trip or a tenth, the movie is a love song to the City of Lights and makes one want to be there tomorrow. The Eiffel Tower, a cruise down the Seine, the Place de La Concorde, Montmartre, you name it…

Julia and her husband Paul dine in restaurants that are so French they couldn’t possibly be anywhere else. There is a charming scene about Julia’s very first meal in France and it’s Sole Meuniere. It was love at first taste and several years later, we all were in love with Julia and her French Chef series.

Please check out the low airfares to Paris so you, too, can taste the Sole, Boeuf Bourguignon, a freshly baked baguette, or chocolate dessert baked by a French chocolatier. My first meal in Paris was in a small local café and it was just chicken and French Fries. Yummmmm…one of the best meals ever!

There are many different types of tour vacations for France that include Paris only, or perhaps combined with a trip to the Normandy Beaches, the Chateaux in the Loire Valley, Provence or Monte Carlo & Nice in the South of France. If buses are not your style, you can travel by train or by riverboat as well.

 

 

France Vacation Packages and The Eiffel Tower

Paris…each year millions of people come to visit this extraordinary city. Also known as the city of lights, you cannot miss a visit to the main landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Engineered by Gusatave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1887 as the entrance arch to the Exposition Universelle, the World’s Fair. What was considered an eyesore for the Parisians at the time of its construction, is now a monument linked to many historical events, and a structure that represents France to people around the world. It is a “must see” for anyone going to Paris.

The tower has three stories, with the first two accessible by stairs and elevator, while the top floor is accessible solely by elevator. The view is not all the Eiffel Tower offers though, there is a skating rink on the first floor during winters and the facility is free to use. Apart from the rink, there is the Altitude 95 on the first floor, a restaurant able to cater to up to 200 people. The second floor has a reservations only restaurant, with a private elevator. In addition, a post office, a photo studio, souvenir shops and beautiful gardens. The view from the top, as expected, is phenomenal. You cannot miss the Eiffel Tower at night. The “metal lady” is illuminated by 352 projectors of 1000 watts and twinkles every 30 minutes in the evening with 20.000 bulbs and 800 fairy lights.

With the popularity of the monument, you can expect to face long lines, but the end view from the top of the tower is a worthwhile experience. If you travel with a tour operator, you can typically skip the lines as they get preferred access. Packages include hotel accommodations, breakfast daily and a half day city tour with prices starting at $599 pp for 5 nights. If you don’t like the idea of being on a motorcoach the entire time, there are not “city stays” that allow flexibility, while still having the essentials taken care of. You can also combine stays with surrounding cities such as London or Nice, take a cooking class, visit a wine vineyard, stay in a luxury resort, or take a river cruise. For more information on France vacations, visit www.escortedfrancetours.com