France

Postcard from Montmartre

I’ve never been in love with Montmartre–mostly because so many other tourists are. I prefer the charming, still-almost-undiscovered Marais or at least the much more central Saint-Germain-des-Prés. But the last time I was in Paris, I went off the sex shop studded main drag and snuck away from the hordes at Sacré-Cœur. I finally discovered [...]

December 26, 2010 Continue reading…

Postcard from Antibes

Antibes is one of my favorite neighboring towns to Nice: a glorious sandy beach, a foie gras sandwich shop, a row of amazing yachts to wander. Friends and I loved hopping on the train to spend a sunny afternoon strolling through town and then setting up for a suntanning session. The quiet cove doesn’t have [...]

December 19, 2010 Continue reading…

Postcard from the streets of Lyon

While Lyon isn’t as pretty as, say, the awe-inspiring architecture of Paris or the breathtaking vistas of the French Riviera, it does have a certain gritty charm to it. The street art is often simple, but more thought-provoking than most. A few of my favorites from the capital of the Rhône-Alpes:

December 4, 2010 Continue reading…

Lyon: more than just a place setting

Not many countries can boast a gastronomic capital. But this is France, and food is never taken lightly. Lyon, an industrial city along the Rhone, is known best for its nurturing of haute cuisine and its pork-filled bouchons. While the restaurants are certainly the highlight of the city, Lyon has far more to offer than [...]

November 23, 2010 Continue reading…

Postcard from Provence

It’s all about who you know, right? I’m lucky enough to have family friends who live in the heart of the French countryside. Down a bumpy, unpaved road outside of a tiny town that boasts a church, a bakery and a few assorted cafes, they live in utter serenity. I spent a weekend wandering through [...]

November 21, 2010 Continue reading…

My favorite restaurants in Nice

It’s easy to be fooled—and disappointed—by restaurants in Nice. Many cater to tourists, and feature overpriced, generic dishes and unenthusiastic staff. However, there are a few gems tucked away in the less-bustling streets and squares that highlight affordable quality. Many thanks to Rosa Jackson, Nice’s own food guru, for introducing me to many of my [...]

November 4, 2010 Continue reading…

The good, bad and worst in three hostels

In the past two weeks, I’ve stayed in three different hostels. City Backpackers in Stockholm, Sweden set a new high, a standard against which all future hostels will be judged. And Oops! Hostel and Young & Happy in Paris are fighting it out for the title of the worst hostel at which I’ve ever stayed. [...]