Wednesday, December 24, 2014

A Guide to France and a Review of It...Well, More Like a Love Letter!

Why I Love France! 

I'm traveling in Europe, and decided to spend a while in France. It's just as awesome as everyone says! Well not everyone thinks so, of course, and France has a reputation for being unkind to Americans, but my husband and I wonder why. Everywhere we go we are met with kindness and people go out of their way to help us.  This is a welcome change from our Italian experience!


Colosseum Rome
Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Yes we loved Italy;  the ruins, the food, the art, the beauty, and everyone at all our hotels. But the average Italian on the street? Not so much. They all seem in a hurry, and not interested in helping anyone, let alone Americans who don't speak Italian. In fact they seem sort of angry. 

If we hadn't had our guidebooks, and my Google translator app for my phone, I think we would have been lost a lot more than we were. (We were totally lost several times in Florence and walked miles out of our way!) They are sort of rude, even to each other. Just not what I expected at all.

Like I said, the people in hospitality are generally nice. But don't get me started on the people at the train stations! (The ticket office people I mean.) At restaurants they can be either really nice, or really snotty. It's a toss up!

Florence Italy
Florence, Italy


We Love France Even More Than Italy! 

But we love France! Everyone here seems generally happy and nice and they go out of their way to help, not just the hospitality people, everyone on the street. I had 4 different men try to help me with my luggage at the train station even when it meant they might miss their own train! And the station employees are also very nice and helpful. 

Our train to Lyon broke down so it was unavailable; a train employee cheerfully informed us they would find a solution, and they did!  20 minutes later a bus arrived to take us to Lyon and he drove like a madman to get us to the station on time to make our connection. (We barely made it!)  We were not even able to get to our correct car or we would have missed the train.  

I was worried after our Italian train experiences, but not to worry.  The French ticket agent just smiled and said no problem, you're on the train and that's what counts. So refreshing! All the people around us smiled and smiled. They even tried to talk to us and since I speak some French it was totally enjoyable. 


Toulouse France
Saint Sernin Basilica, Toulouse, France

So here we are in Toulouse which is sort of like a mini Paris. It's called the Pink city because many if not most of the buildings are constructed from pink bricks. And it's breathtakingly beautiful too.  Since it's Christmas time, there are lights everywhere, and everyone seems to be in a great mood.  

But the difference between France and Italy  is that when French people hear us speaking English, they stop and tell us where to go for good food!  Ah, the French and their food. All I can say is the reputation is deserved. We love it! 


Palm Tree Cathedral Toulouse France
Jacobins Convent ceiling, Toulouse, France also known as the Palm tree ceiling

Before we left the USA, I checked out several travel books, and after my research I decided that the Fodor's ones are not only tried and true, but they are the most helpful for the kind of traveling we are doing; we don't have a schedule or a plan other than to stay where we like the vibe, and move on after we're done exploring. So if you're going on a trip, I highly recommend the Fodor's guides! We are using this one: 

 Fodor's France 2015 (Full-color Travel Guide)Check Price


But there are older ones available too, and of course guides for any country you can imagine.  So far every recommendation has been totally helpful and thorough. I don't think you can go wrong using a Fodor's Travel guide!

!  More countries coming up! Do you have a favorite European country? Let me know, as we are open to seeing new ones! 

All photos,© Heather Burns




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10 comments:

  1. That is so cool that you're having such a great time and getting to see so much of the world. I spent a summer traveling around Bordeaux. It was spectacular! The French were so nice. But I did see that niceness quickly fade when faced when an Ugly American. Someone that doesn't respect the customs of the country they are visiting. Enjoy the rest of your around the world tour and Happy New Year!

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  2. really enjoyed reading about your travels! And being French the French are making me proud by how helpful they're being to you! Ions ago when I went to France, I loved it too - would love to see 'the pink city' too, must look amazing!

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    Replies
    1. will be here a while and will keep posting about it! Didn't know you are French. How cool!

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  3. Enjoyed reading about your journey and happy to hear you are enjoying France. My son & DIL spent two weeks in Paris this past summer and had a marvelous time. They are still talking about it. And, yes, they found the Parisians friendly and helpful. And they LOVED the food (and wine). Have fun -- and a Happy New Year abroad!

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  4. Your journey sounds wonderful! We found the people of France to be wonderful on our visits several years back. Italy was great too...but we had a tour guide their so we didn't experience the people as much. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. Happy New Year!

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    Replies
    1. thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year to you too!

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  5. What a wonderful way to spend the holidays! We have been to France several times, even spent Christmas and New Years in Paris a few years ago, which was quite an adventure and break from tradition since every other Christmas of my life has been spent at home. Have fun! Oh, and yes! I quite agree with you, Fodors is a fabulous guide book.

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  6. Thank you Cynthia! Yes spending Christmas and New Year's in France has been the adventure of a lifetime!

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