France - Travel Blogs & Travel Guides (2021)

10 Unique Things To Do In Cannes

Charter a yacht, book a cooking class, or take a street art tour – there are so many unique things to do in Cannes!

Read This Before Visiting Paris in Winter

Paris is ALWAYS a good idea, but there’s an extra sprinkle of magic to the city in the colder months. Find out the best things to do in Paris in winter, and start planning your adventure!

Hello winter wanderlust! As you wander the maze of pretty Parisian streets lit by twinkling lamps, and take in the morning mist lingering over the city’s most famous sights, you’ll feel glad you travelled at this time of year.

You might know from reading this blog that I’m generally more of a warm weather girl, but I find certain places extra special in crisp, cool weather. To be honest, visiting Paris in summer isn’t all that fun. It’s hectic, packed with tourists and trips in peak season come with a heap of added stress.

It’s also a lot cheaper to visit Paris in winter. Hotel prices are lower and flights and trains are more reasonable (so long as you don’t time your trip to coincide with one of the main holidays).

Visit Paris in winter and you’ll be able to explore the city’s bohemian neighbourhoods, enjoy the best cafes and restaurants (without lengthy waits) and enjoy crowd-free experiences at the top museums and galleries.

Visiting France In Summer – Best Summer Holiday Destinations

Visiting France in summer is always a good idea! From the French Riviera to the city of Bordeaux and Brittany’s pink granite coast, it’s time to find out France’s top summer holiday destinations.

When it comes to summer holiday destinations, France is a great option, especially if you’re based in the UK. It’s quick and easy to get to, there are stunning beaches, beautiful chateaus and picturesque landscapes, plus the food and wine is top notch too. It’s no wonder so many of us choose to visit France in summer each year.

6 Places To Visit On The Cote D’Azur, France

From Saint Tropez to Nice, it’s time for a tour of the Côte d’Azur!

The Côte D’Azur (or French Riviera) is famed for its beautiful blues and air of sophistication. I associated it with film stars schmoozing on yachts in Cannes and glamorous ladies holidaying in Monaco. I couldn’t imagine for a second that it was a place that a) I’d be able to afford to visit or b) feel comfortable in. Yet, after my surprise trip to Nice and Monaco last year, I was pleasantly surprised!

Views of the port from Parc De La Colline Du Chateau

We stayed at a charming hotel, moments from the pebbly beach, enjoyed warm weather and sunshine in October, and feasted on delicious Mediterranean food. I snapped photos of blue and white umbrellas in Nice, Monaco’s famous casino and wondered why I hadn’t visited sooner. And while it was on the pricey side, it was no different to London. The combination of great food, gorgeous sunshine, and a short flight time makes a holiday in the Cote D’Azur pretty appealing!

It’s certainly made me rethink the region as a whole, and along with recommending Nice and Monaco, I’ve got a few other places I’d be keen to visit.

Srprs.me Review: The Day I Turned Up At The Airport And Had No Idea Where I was Flying

Could you handle travelling to the airport with absolutely no idea of where you’re jetting off to? If you like spontaneity, find out all about my recent adventure with srprs.me!

I’m a seasoned traveller. I pack in 30 mins. I arrive at the airport just the right amount of time before a flight. I have playlists and TV shows ready for short haul flights. I have eye masks and travel pillows for long haul. I’ve almost mastered the art of relaxed travel.

So what happens when all control is relinquished? Well, last month I booked a weekend trip with Srprs.me. It’s a novelty concept where you pay a standard rate that covers flights and a hotel. The only thing is, you don’t find out where you’re going until you’re at the airport.

You might be thinking this sounds like a nightmare… how on earth do you know what to pack? BUT… It’s actually surprisingly liberating. So let me outline a little more of how the concept works…

When you book your trip you can choose between a backpacking option or a city break. I went for a 3 day/2 night city break. I then chose between Europe or Mediterranean Europe. Craving a bit of October sunshine, I went for the Med. Then it asked for three destinations I didn’t want to visit… so I popped down a few I’d visited recently. I selected approximate flight times, preferred airport, and that was it. My fate was in their hands!

A week before travelling we received the weather forecast via our online booking page. It updated daily, so by the night before (when I was packing) I had a fairly good idea of the temperatures and weather conditions to expect. The Srprs.me team posted out a special envelope with a scratch card in, which I was instructed to take with me to the airport.

As the week before ticked on I went from feeling excited one minute, to nervous the next. I packed not knowing if it was going to be a place I’d be trekking around, lazing on a beach or mingling in glam surroundings!

I arrived at Heathrow Airport at 7am on Friday morning and met my friend Kristina who was joining for this mini adventure. We joked about all the random things we’d packed, and then got on with business.

I took out the scratch card, scratched off a code, and input it to the website. The page loaded… You’re off to Nice!

We both whooped, jabbered excitedly about how neither of us had ever visited, and couldn’t believe what a lovely break lay ahead! We received plane tickets and hotel confirmation on email (for a lovely 4 star hotel in the centre), and gallivanted off through security. A few hours later we landed in Nice, keen to start exploring.

Despite being mid-October, Autumn hadn’t hit yet and the south of France was still enjoying beautifully warm and sunny days. As we landed over the seafront, I could see why this part of the world was called the Cote D’Azur – all the blues!

There’s something pretty magical about the spontaneity of arriving somewhere without a plan. I’m big on planning, usually researching minute details of how to get to the best viewpoints, top restaurants and finding those hidden gems that nobody knows about, but there was a new feeling of liberation about this trip.

So, with just three days exploring the city, what did we do? And did the spirit of surprise and spontaneity stay with us for the adventure?

Top Things To Do In Nice, France

Explore Parc De La Colline Du Chateau

After learning our destination, I quickly posted on Facebook and Twitter for recommendations, and walking up Castle Hill came top. As we climbed the steps, the views of Nice’s city and beach areas got better and better. Also at the top was a beautiful waterfall which I’d definitely recommend checking out.