France Impressions is a blog about my travels throughout France.
Travel is about embarking on journeys, discovering new places, its people, learning from others and in particular, learning about oneself. I believe travel is an art and I like to craft trips and tours around your personality, interests, desires and dreams. I undertake to open for you 'doors that are normally closed" thereby ensuring you gain access to exclusive experiences while introducing you to extraordinary personalities.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Alsace is magical anytime of the year, but becomes really special during the Christmas Holidays
This is the region which has had a large influence over Christmas celebrations in France. The Christmas market is a long standing tradition there, and the proximity of Germany gives a ‘germanic touch’ that is much appreciated in France. The setting is perfect: old half-timbered houses richly decorated, an abundance of fairy lights, classical concerts in local churches, good food and Christmas cookies and gingerbread, all combine to offer an unforgettable magical experience, which when it snows gives the most traditional Christmas atmosphere!
If you are in Paris during this time, take the TGV bullet train to Strasbourg for a lovely day trip and you'll really get into the magic of this region. Don't forget the hot wine and local sausages!! YUM!!!
First, there is the land itself. From Cape Finistere to the Riviera, via the Alps, The Dordogne and Provence…there is no more beautiful or varied landscape in the world. I drive regularly in France and have to always stop and get out and reassure myself that this is not a dream. It is unfair on the competition because it is at least six countries in one.
Its artistic legacy grows richer year by year. Just in one place, the Musee d’Orsay; one room after another with visions of such genius, that you wonder if it’s an optical illusion. Millet, Courbet, Degas, Cezanne, Monet, Renoir and on and on…hundreds and hundreds of serene works so deeply connected to the country that had produced them.
Within the countryside and depictions of it, there are the buildings. Versailles, The Sacre Coeur, Parisian townhouses or the great Provencal farmhouses with their turquoise-blue shutters are certainly admired. But I think if France is really in your blood you really have to love those undistinguished small villages and towns – The hotel de Ville with its black slate roof, the cobbled square, narrow shuttered streets –all somehow suggestive of intrigue and clandestine romance.
The wine of course, still remains the worlds best. The food, well what can I say..its the most important thing that attracts me to France; before, now and always.
But its greatest natural resource is of course, its people. They can be proud, they can be shy, they are almost always private and hard to get to know, but I have never laughed as much or found greater friendship or greater generosity of spirit than in France.
~ H.E. Lewis
Howard E. Lewis, CTC - Famed travel agent, raconteur,Edwardian in manner and spirit,gourmand, master BBQ Judge,hotel guest and man of leisure.
If you are interested in any of the areas/hotels that I have highlighted on this blog and/or wish to talk about France or anywhere else in the world ( hotels-cruises-tours) and what I and we at Protravel International can do to make your next tripmagical! , please don't hestiate to E Mail me (howard.lewis@protravelinc.com) or call me at 800-301-3993 ~ Howard
NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS BLOG
Howard E. Lewis, CTC - Conde Nast Traveler magazine award Winner since 2003 for France
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