Sparkling rose, by someToast

The authors suggest that by comparison with American Rose wines, the French ones excel,  are delightful with food and ever so drinkable.

Something not everyone knows is how Roses are made: they’re not a mix of white and red wine, Roses are actually made from red grapes such as Syrah, Grenache, or Cinsaut, with the skin participating in the wine making process for a limited amount of time only, thereby imparting the exact amount of colour/flavour. Most French Roses are quite pale and the Cotes de Provence region produces most of France’s Roses. The  Cotes du Rhone Tavel Rose is a darker than average blend of Grenache and Syrah with a high alcohol content and a delightful dry/flowery taste – a perfect accompaniment to light/medium light  French food! Also worth trying are the Domaine Tempier from Bandol near Cassis and the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence from the Luberon.

Roses actually travel well, so you don’t have to go to the South of France to sample them – although we think wines taste best near their place of origin, especially when accompanied by local food.

For your next European vacation, we’d also like to suggest some tempting tipples around Europe.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Amazing Rose wines in the South of France

The ambitious plan was to start at Lac d’Aubert heading 70 km further east for Bagnères-de-Luchon over several days. Instead, a 9 km descent to Lac de L’Oule was dictated right at journey’s start by the snow conditions! A combination of startled marmots, change to sunshine and overhead circling vultures made the hike both weird and peculiar! And the cheese, sausage and couscous meals with red wine did nothing to help with the advancing  heat. Despite some arm sunburn and dodgy knees, the views and succession of small, grey, and neat villages kept the hike worthwhile.

And so it continued, a heady mix of lovely, peculiar and downright unpleasant (food, underfoot conditions, weather…..) Destinations like Val d’Aube, Val d’Esquierry,  Couret d’Esquierry,  Granges d’Astau and  Lac d’Oô came and went, some full of day-hikers, others totally deserted and many breathtaking views were enjoyed. Journey’s end at the ski resort of Superbagnères and a meal with a last grand view completed the hike.

Moral of the story? Not sure if one exists, I guess make the most of what the weather and scenery offers you and be prepared to change the plan, even if it’s the complete plan at the start! Then make sure you live to tell the tale so at least others will not expect a perfect hike and be psychologically prepared for some of their own encounters.

You may also wish to consider our other suggestions for a selection of unusual hikes on your  Europe tour.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Hiking the High Pyrenees in France

Landscape near Arles, by Forever Wiser

The charming old town of Arles with its ancient walls, cobbled squares and lovely fountains is best visited on foot, as everything is within walking distance. More to the point, Arles centre is a difficult place to park your hire car!

Enjoy the impressive medieval architecture, then join the locals in one of the scenic squares and have a relaxing lunchtime meal accompanied by a glass of wine.

Other Arles top tips include advice on making evening meal reservations – or go hungry/have to make do with a takeway, visiting the nearby ancient Roman cemetery Les Alyscamps (immortalised by both van Gogh and Cezanne), dropping in the spledid cloisters of Saint-Trophime and finally the oft-repeated tip about addressing the locals  in their own language. The latter might be particularly pertinent, owing to the apparent friendly disposition of the Arles residents.

If your European travel takes you to this part of France, consider our own advice on the top Provence attractions.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Charming Arles in Provence, France

Strasbourg, by Fr Antunes

The home town of Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press and birthplace of the French national anthem (“la Marseillaise”), Strasbourg changed hands between France and Germany several times, since it was highly prized and fought over by both countries due to its strategic location.

Today’s Strasbourg boasts well preserved renaissance buildings and romantic narrow streets,  with the “Petite France” quarter containing beautiful half-timbered houses. The town centre’s a great place for a relaxed stroll through a richly historic location, only interrupted by choosing to visit uniquely interesting shops. Germany’s post 1871 addition of the “Imperial Quarter”, containing several neoclassical palaces and villas, added yet another dimension to this already interesting town.

So, for those traveling Europe with a keen interest in the continent’s history, Strasbourg’s a must see. For an altogether different experience, visit Brittany, a.k.a. Celtic France.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Charming European crossroads: Strasbourg, France

Paris Lamp shop, by ktylerconk

The article reveals “sexy shoe lane” (Rue de Grenelle in the 6^th Arrondissement) for class foot wraps by Sergio Rossi, Christian Louboutain, Prada, Michel Perry etc – just watch out for those hot chilli pepper prices! Once you know what’s current, 57 Avenue Montaigne in the 8^th Arrondissement will offer similar goods at much more sensible prices!

After all those hours spent happily tracking down that elusive shoe, bakeries and pastry shops can be no substitute for chocolate and Rue du Faubourg St. Honore in the 8^th Arrondissement has just the shop! The handmade light cream and chocolate ganache comes highly recommended. After which it’s off to the sommeliers for a tasting of 5 different wines and cheeses.

Sounds exhausting! Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the girl’s next trip featuring perfume, macaroons and bistros If you’re on a European vacation shopping in the French capital and need some other type of entertainment to round off the day, read our 2010 guide to Paris cultural events.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Best for girls in Paris, France

Gossip girl, by /colorinchi

Remember the season 3 finale? It was entitled “Last Tango, then Paris” – well, you’d expect a fitting start to season 4, even if only for continuity! Like in real life, darlings!

Well, high fashion, ritzy restaurants and chic nightclubs in Paris are pretty appropriate for the show, as at least one scouting exec has confessed to the New York Magazine.

Will the guys capture the glamorous Paris spirit as well as they did for Manhattan’s? I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt, but some prior acclimatization may be necessary (e.g. see what’s best for girls in Paris for suggestions!)

If your Europe tour passes through France’s capital, try the ‘off the beaten track’ 19th arrondissement.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Upper East Side arriving in Paris, France

Free camping

They love campers in France, so much in fact that they provide free campsites – get that, no charge, no hassle, but also no facilities. But what the hell? Known as ‘Aire de Campin’, these simple sites are a brilliant way to keep costs down on a tour, plus they are quite often located in beautiful little towns, just a stone’s throw from the local pâtisserie.

Beach bum camping

The south west coastline is home to some of Europe’s longest, sandiest beaches – surf the best waves and watch the sun set over the Atlantic horizon. Because of its beach bum attraction the area has developed to cater for all manner of camping client, take your pick from massive corporate parks with onsite entertainment, through to bijous pitches where you can shack up in a yurt or tipi.

Vineyard camping

Over 1000 wine growers and farmers throughout France offer one night of free camping – the perfect solution for a wine cruise of the grape regions. This is a great way to get to the roots of rural France, staying on small farms, getting personal tours of crops and sometimes even the offer of an evening meal, and always, of course, excessive amounts of excellent plonk.

Mountain camping

If you can’t quite bring yourself to crawl into a tent, then your best bet is to head off to the ‘coolest campsite’ in France – quite an accolade and quite rightly awarded. Near Mirepoix, Airstream trailers perch in the foothills of the Pyrénées, with amazing mountain vistas, luscious woodland settings and all manner of luxury amenities, including a relaxation yurt and wood fired hot-tub.

Capital camping

Camping on the outskirts of a major metropolis may not seem like fun, but in the fashion capital of the world camping on the city limits is anything but shabby. For a calmer, cheaper accommodation alternative to the harsh extremities of downtown Paris, the campsite in the northwest suburb of Maisons-Laffitte is just 11 miles from the Eiffel Tower, on an island over looking the slow moving Seine.

This guest post was brought to you by Post Office Travel Insurance.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Guest Post: Quirky camping in France – a life under canvas

Parisians consider the 19th both real and lively. The Route de Mouzaia area is characterized by wisteria-clad brick houses with brightly-painted doors that have names such as Villa de la Renaissance or Villa de Progrès – how tres Francais! Secret tiny gardens abound, simply there for discovering.

The Buttes Chaumont public park is both dramatic and relaxed and also contains a high-cliff temple, gushing waterfalls and hidden grottoes. The park is a secret known by Parisians mainly, who amongst other things come to stroll amongst its grassy areas (grass is not ordinarily available for walking on in the rest of the city). The nearby Villette park is also for gentle strolls, but additionally a venue for art, sciences and summer events.

The 19th’s Canal de l’Ourcq is flanked by independent cinemas at both banks; don’t miss out on the canal-side Velo (bike) shop serving rich hot chocolate. How very French! Other highlights include street- and almost-street art, most unusual rustic shops and tasteful graffiti galore. The 19th must surely be one of the great day visit and/or lovely picnic spots in Paris.

So, if the French capital is on your European vacation  itinerary, do give the 19th arrondissement a try!  You may even find some cheap hotels in Paris in this district as it’s away from the city centre

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

19th arrondissement: off the beaten track Paris, France

Puente la Reina. Camino de Santiago, by aherrero

The walk begins at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (‘El Camino Francés’)  and carries through rolling hilly Basque countryside and the León flatlands, ending at the high ground of Galicia. This walk is mostly thought of as a pilgrimage and volunteers along the route consider their efforts supportive of pilgrims.  Albergues (hostels) at regular intervals on the route are maintained and run by a mixture of municipalities, private individuals and the church.

But be aware, if you want to earn the much coveted certificate (Compostela), it’s crucial that you complete the last 100km on foot (or 200 by either bicycle or horse). This year (2010) is Holy Compostelan because the 25th of July (St James’s Day) falls on a Sunday.

Reaching the end means that the names of those achieving the Compostela are read out during a very colourful and flamboyant Mass.  A true Catholic delight! Even if one did not commence the walk with religious intentions, the cleansing of the soul and a better degree of self- understranding may be some of the potential benefits.

If you’re on a Europe tour and hiking’s your bag, read some of our own articles containing additional suggestions on great European hikes.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

El Camino de Santiago: historic walk to Galicia, Spain

Paris Roman Amphitheatre De Lutece, by Benjamin Rossen

The Romans certainly got quite far in their day and the South of France was but one of the areas where they built many grand structures. The 90 000 spectator 1st century ancient Roman theatre Arènes de Nimes is an excellent example, now standing as close as possible to its original design, as also does the same-age but much smaller Arles Theatre Antique.

The 7 000 seat Theatre Antique d’Orange, conceived by Octavius, is in excellent preservation and still plays host to summer festivals. This year’s performances includes Tosca by Puccini, a lyric concert, a symphonic orchestra and Mirelle by Gounod.

A tiny single-arched Roman bridge at the province of Vaison-la-Romaine withstood German WW2 bombs and can still stand the test of walkers today!  By contrast, the grand three-level Pont du Gard aqueduct in Nimes towers majestically about 50m above the surface of the river Gard.

These are just some of the examples of magnificent Roman ruins that can be seen in France, if only you’re looking out for them. Try spotting French ruins next time you’re on a European vacation in Espelette in the French south west, near Biarritz and St Jean Pied de Port.

Originally from Top Europe travel content, blogs and websites.

Amazing Roman ruins in the French countryside