City of Love to the Isle of Beauty

Like all great loves, Paris never bores and never ceases to challenge. The city’s reputation to intrigue, fascinate, captivate and bewitch people from all over the globe continues to this day. In 2012 the city received over sixteen million visitors, more than any other city in the world with the exception of London, host of the Olympics. Paris’ culture, gastronomy and glamorous history have always dared people to dream. There are no signs that these ambitions are slowing, as the city strives to make itself more attractive each day. The world is changing, and Paris is reacting beautifully.

The city of Orléans is very easy to access either by train or by car; it will take you maximum 1H30 to drive to Joan of Arc town. Perfectly located in the Loire Valley area, the Valley is riddled with its breathtaking châteaux where you will enjoy the nicest white wine in France, if you like your wine dry, try the Sancerre or the Pouilly-Fumé but if you want a bit of sweetness head off to Coteaux du Layon or Muscadet. Loose yourself from château to château on a bike ride like the Azay-le-Rideau, the Villandry and its gardens or the Beauregard château

In its designation, UNESCO cited the city as being an "exceptional testimony to the continuity of urban settlement over more than two millennia on a site of great commercial and strategic significance." Lyon has been know as THE gastronomy city of France, many famous chefs were born in Lyon such as Paul Bocuse and two of the most famous French wine are made in the Lyon area such as the Cotes du Rhone and Beaujolais.

Going through some gorgeous French villages such as Montélimar (known for its Nougat), you will arrive to the city of Avignon. It will not take you long to be charmed by its ancient streets, the restored medieval ramparts and the immense Gothic architecture of the Palais des Papes (Palace of Popes—the papacy was based here in the 14th century). Don’t miss out the Saint-Benezet brigde, called the « pont d’Avignon » of worldwide fame through its commemoration by the song. Enter the realm of seduction and charm that this animated Provençal city offers.

This is the last drive through France for this trip but probably the nicest, Going through the Alpilles natural park, you will drive past the beautiful beaches of Cassis and La Ciotat. Make your way to the Senanque, a beautiful and still-working 12th century abbey, tucked into an isolated valley north of Gordes, Loose yourself in its Lavender field and make a wish.

And so you arrived at destination, it would have take 100 years for the TOUR DE FRANCE to go through the Isle of Beauty. The entire world will wonder why after seeing the scenery of Corsica. With its very own identity, Corsica is a mix of French and Italian culture; the first language is French yet they still have their own lingo and an accent to die for when speaking French. Arriving in Bastia (the economic capital of Corsica), enjoy Corsican wine and charcuterie. You will definitely need a car to make your way around the island, the first stop will have to be St Florent, from there catch a boat that will take you to the Plage du Lotu (Lotu’s beach), you can only access to this part of paradise by boat. Once you are there, lie down on the beach or rent a 4 wheels with a driver and go in the Corsican Maquis (the inland).