Le Voyage en France
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When the phrase "romantic getaway" comes to mind, many people instantly imagine escaping to France. But there are many other options for a French vacation that do not have to be a couple centered lovefest.
Darien High School student Meredith Jordan recently traveled to Paris for her 16th birthday. Jordan explained why she opted for Paris to mark her sweet 16. "I think that Paris is one of the best places to celebrate something special. It was the perfect destination to celebrate a significant birthday."
But travel experts say do not just limit your visit to the City of Love.
"For first-time visitors, Paris is an obvious highlight," explains Carol Franks of Travel Trends of Connecticut. "To get acquainted with the city, take a bus tour, and then explore all of the various districts on your own and make sure to eat with the locals to experience a real sense of what life in France is all about."
Another more luxurious option is to take a river cruise throughout the countryside, stopping each day at a different location. According to Carol Franks, this journey gives travelers the opportunity to explore all of France in just seven days without the stress of internal transportation.
"The most important thing to remember when traveling to a foreign country is to be aware of the local customs, and respect its culture. To make the most of your trip abroad, learn a few common phrases in the national language to maximize the communication between you and the natives," Franks said.
Carol Franks says the best time to tour France is in the spring in the months of April and May. Alternatively, she says October too is a great choice because the temperatures are just right. Franks advises to stay away from traveling in the summer because that is when there are no locals and too many tourists.
The prices range greatly in airfare and hotel rate depending on the time frame and the flexibility a traveler has to explore different options. Generally, in the off-season winter months, the rates are under $3,000 and for spring and fall, the rates keep climbing up from there.
Many foreigners who have traveled overseas to France love the culture and ambience of the beautiful country, and the majority of travelers want to return. "I absolutely loved the trip, and it's probably my favorite city. I would love to go back to Paris, but I would rather visit somewhere I haven't been yet like Provence and the French Riviera before I repeat,” Jordan says.
France is a truly magical destination for any trip for travelers of all ages. This breathtaking country may be the source of a once in a lifetime vacation experience.
