Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

 Enchanting France….experience it now….

“The French air cleans up the brain & does good - a world of good” -  Vincent Van Gogh

 

Europe is never boring & it stands the test of time, in more ways than one. Not only is it rich in history, it is also a destination that practically demands repeat visits. There simply is no way to tour Europe & not be awestruck by its scenic beauty, epic history, dazzling artistic & culinary diversity. Once you have ticked off the great Museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what is left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that is what!

 

Talking about France, it seduces travellers with its unfalteringly familiar culture, woven around cafe terraces, village-square markets & lace-curtained bistros with their plat du jour chalked on the board. Come……experience France with us…….

 

Europe’s almost unmanageable wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Renaissance art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice, the Napoleonic splendour of Paris, and the multilayered historical & cultural canvas of London. Less obvious but no less impressive attractions include Moorish palaces in Andalucía, the fascinating East meets West brew of İstanbul in Turkey, the majesty of meticulously restored imperial Palaces in Russia's former Capital St Petersburg & the ongoing project of Gaudí's La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

 

There is a huge diversity of natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens & lochs; Norway's fabulous fjords, seemingly chipped to jagged perfection by giants; the vine-raked valleys of the Loire; & the steppe-like plains of central Spain. If you are looking for beaches, a circuit of the Mediterranean's northern coast reveals one gem after another. Or strike out to lesser known, yet beautiful coastal regions such as the Baltic & Black Seas. Mountain lovers should head to the Alps: they march across central Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy & tiny Liechtenstein.

 

Europe has some of the best nightlife in the world. Globally famous DJs keep the party going in London, Berlin & Paris, all of which also offer top-class entertainment, especially theatre & live music. Other key locations for high-energy nightlife include Moscow, Belgrade, Budapest & Madrid, while those hankering for something cosier can add Dublin's pubs or Vienna's cafes to their itinerary. Continue to party on the continent's streets at a multiplicity of festivals & celebrations, from city parades attended by hundreds of thousands to intimate concerts in an ancient amphitheatre.

 

Once you have ticked off the great Museums, panoramic vistas & energetic nightlife, what is left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that is what! Who wouldn't want to snack on pizza in Naples, souvlaki in Santorini or even haggis in Scotland? But did you also know that Britain has some of the best Indian restaurants in the world; that Turkey's doner kebab is a key part of contemporary German food culture; & that in the Netherlands, you can gorge on an Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table)? Once again Europe's diversity and global reach is its trump card.

 

And now let us talk about France, the largest country in Western Europe, encompassing medieval & port cities, tranquil alpine villages, mountains & Mediterranean beaches.

 

Cultural Savoir Faire | Glorious Scenery | Art de Vivre

Distilling a country as wide-ranging & diverse as France into one pithy & persuasive paragraph is like describing a 40-year-old bottle of Burgundy as 'red'.

 

One of the oldest nations on Earth & the most ethnically diverse in Europe, Republique Française has long been a gateway between the continent's northern & southern regions. Lowland forests are home to deer & wild boar, while the woodlands of the Alps & Pyrenees provide refuge for rare chamois antelope, ibex, brown bears & alpine hares, among many other species. The Mediterranean coastline is a stopover of millions of migrating African birds, including flamingos, vultures, egrets & bee-eaters.

 

From the baguette, bicycle beret, to the cutting contemporary edge of art, architecture & fashion, France is a country that dances to the contrasting tunes of tradition & modernity with perfect poise. Steeped in history, but not stuck in it, it delivers the expected & the unexpected in equal measure, making even your 50^th visit as fun as your first. These deep & broad influences have made France a world leader throughout history in nearly all aspects of culture, including cuisine, wine-making, politics, philosophy, music, art, film, fashion, literature, and sports.

 

The world's most-visited country for over 20 years with 89 million visitors in 2018, it is filled with history & secrets awaiting explorers around every corner. France has inspired various writers, artists & travelers to enjoy life & follow their dreams. All these people come here for many a reason: its cities contain some of the greatest treasures on the continent, its countryside is prosperous & well-tended.

 

Wide fertile plains dominate most of the north & west, making the country the agricultural epicenter of Europe. The sprawling, forested plateau of the Massif Central, a range of ancient mountains & extinct volcanoes, occupies France's southern interior.

 

France is one of the most geographically diverse countries in Europe, containing areas as different from each other as the Museums of urban chic Paris, the sunny French Riviera with windswept Atlantic beaches, the ski-slopes at snowy resorts of the French Alps, the Renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley, petanque in Provence, rugged Celtic Brittany, vineyards of Bordeaux, cellars of Champagne, glittering Cote d’Azur, the historian's dream that is Normandy with its landing beaches & the prehistoric caves of the Dordogne. A country known for rich emotions, turbulent politics, rational thinking & enlightenment.

 

Paris, its Capital, is known worldwide for its couture fashion houses, classical art Museums including the Louvre & monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its sophisticated cuisine & its wines. Lascaux’s ancient cave drawings, Lyon’s Roman theatre & the immense Palace of Versailles are testaments to its long history.

 

France is about world-class art & architecture, outstanding Museums, Roman Temples & Renaissance Chateaux. It seduces with both iconic landmarks known the world over & rising stars yet to be discovered. This country's cultural repertoire is staggering - in volume & diversity. And this is where the beauty of la belle France lies: when super stars like Mademoiselle Eiffel, royal Versailles & the celebrity ridden French Riviera have been ticked off, there is still plenty more to thrill.

 

The rhythm of daily life - dictated by the seasons in the depths of la France profonde (rural France) - exudes an intimacy that gets under your skin. Don’t resist - rather, live the French lifestyle. Embrace the luxury of simple, everyday rituals being transformed into unforgettable moments, be it a coffee & croissant in the Parisian cafe where Jean-Paul Sartre & Simone de Beauvoir met to philosophise, a stroll through the lily-clad gardens Monet painted, or a walk on a beach in Brittany scented with the subtle infusion of language, music & mythology brought by 5^th century Celtic invaders.

 

Food is of enormous importance to the French & each region has its own specialities alongside French classics. The daily culinary agenda takes no prisoners: breakfasting on warm croissants from the boulangerie, stopping off at Parisian bistros & shopping at the market are all second nature to the French - and it really would rude to refuse. But French gastronomy goes far deeper than just eating exceedingly well. Its experiential nature means there is always something tasty to observe, learn & try, wherever you are - be it flipping crepes in Brittany or chinking Champagne flutes in ancient Reims cellars, the culinary opportunities are endless.

 

And then there is the terroir (land) and the varied journey it weaves from northern France's cliffs & sand dunes to the piercing blue sea of the French Riviera & Corsica's green oak forests. Outdoor action is what France's lyrical landscape demands - and there is something for everybody. Whether you end up walking barefoot across wave-rippled sand to Mont St-Michel, riding a cable car to glacial panoramas above Chamonix, or cartwheeling down Europe's highest sand dune, France does not disappoint. It’s great outdoor is thrilling, with endless opportunities & the next adventure begging to be had. Allez!

 

France seduces travellers with its unfalteringly familiar culture, woven around cafe terraces, village-square markets & lace curtained bistros with their plat du jour chalked on the board. Embrace the luxury of simple, everyday rituals being transformed into unforgettable moments. A unique experience is just the beginning……. take the plunge now & Yep…. France is waiting…….and The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World…

 

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to France. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore more options & we will be happy to customise & offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…