• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

Europe, Travel
/
November 4, 2015

Road trip thru France’s Most Beautiful Destinations

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

Over the past three years, I’ve shared some fun adventures in travel through France. Many will agree that train travel through the country is one of the fastest ways to get around, and I agree, if you have the extra budget and if you don’t get stuck in the middle of a train strike, which happens often and unexpectedly and for extra effect, usually take place during the summer months when visits to the country is at its highest.

If you are up for the challenge, have the time, and are open to an adventure, I recommend taking a road trip through France instead. I have done this a few times now and have found that two weeks is a nice time to cover the best of any one region.

Driving in France_girlgonetravel

This is some a subject I’ve written about extensively in the past, but thought it might be more helpful to gather the highlights here to help better decide the destination for you, as well as plan your trip.

The Aquitaine Region

I have loved a lot of the different areas I’ve explored through the country, but the Aquitaine Region remains my very favorite of all time. Start your travels in Bordeaux. On one of my very first days here I had gotten lost exploring its winding streets. I had accidentally thrown away my map as I distractedly indulged in some gourmet chocolate samples given to me by one of the local shopkeepers as I walked by.

Bordeaux at night.

But, even in the rain the cobblestone streets, limestone buildings and many arches found throughout the city made this a fun adventure and one I would happily repeat.

The city is easy to walk and taking the trams from one end to another is inexpensive and a quick option. For this reason, I would plan to park my car and explore it all by foot.

Walking through one of Bordeaux's beautiful city parks.

You will need a car to get to other favorite spots, such as St. Emilion and Bergerac, a short, beautiful drive through the French wineries and farmland.

St Emilion is a must see when in the Aquitaine region_girlgonetravel

The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is one of my favorite French road trip regions. There are so many historic villages and smaller destinations that aren’t easily accessible any other way. Start your travels in Angers, deserving of at least a full day of exploration before moving on.

The Loire Valley is home to many lovely, historic villages._girlgonetravel

You will definitely want to plan on breaks from driving as your tour around so that you can fully enjoy the Loire Valley wine tasting experience offered at the various wineries in the region.

Loire Valley_girlgonetravel

The Rhone Valley

Of course, nothing beats a summer road trip through Southern France. This is a drive that you must definitely experience. The valleys, forests, as well as the many B&Bs and chateaus, the views and endless fields of lavender make for a magical and very French road trip experience. The Rhone Valley can have quick moments of rain followed by immediate sunshine, and days are often marked by the presence of the mistral winds.

Rhone Valley vacations_girlgonetravel

Take a break from your car to ride your bike through the winery of TerraVentoux.

Other beautiful areas that make for a fun road trip are Champagne and the Midi-Pyrénées.

Reims, France_girlgonetravel

Most travelers arrive through Paris, which I recommend walking through and taking the metro around, especially to enjoy the most of everything the city has to offer.

Rainy day at the Louvre, Paris. Just one highlight among many more to explore during a road trip thru France.Rainy day at the Louvre.

But the true beauty of France is outside of the larger cities, and once you do it, you will find that there is no better way to travel here.

 

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Five things I love about New Jersey
Next Post
Ireland road trip: a photo tour

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America315 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Hubby and I recently went to check out office spac Hubby and I recently went to check out office spaces for our business. We (I) started getting caught up in the perceptions of what other people might think about our business, or rather, how successful or serious it was with us operating it from our home. So, in order to keep up with the Joneses, we went out and searched. And immediately were like, "Nope."

One, it was an additional expense that we were taking on to convince other people of whatever we (I) thought they needed to be convinced of. And two, it felt like....well, like working out of an office, something which I personally haven't done in over a decade (almost two now) and which my husband just escaped from!

And lastly, we like to go out into the communities that our clients serve, but also that we live in, and get to experience it all ourselves. It makes us a great agency.

I share all of this because I am slowly coming to accept that there will always be those who will make a determination of who we are as people, as professionals, as a business simply from what they think they know, not from actuality...and..we (I) am still working on breaking down the toxic traits of corporate / professional influence and narratives.

As once a full-time travel blogger, I experienced first hand what it is to be dismissed and not taken seriously. But, because of my travel blogging work, I have visit over 40 countries (and still counting) and have been published and spoken on stages around the world. That doesn't just happen.

All this to say, as I (we) move away from renting an office in order to be taken more seriously by the corporate world...and save ourselves some money in the process...we are reminded to work on ourselves and on being our own biggest cheerleaders and advocates. Sure, we seek out support and mentorship and always work on learning and refining our skill. But can't pay attention to what others might be thinking. It will never be an accurate portrayal.

And a lesson to never, ever spend more money than we have to just to convince others how serious we are in our commitment to our work. In the meantime, our current office spaces are working out just fine.

#entrepreneur #smallbusiness
A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes nigh A band of misfits on a beautiful Finger Lakes night.

Life is too short and time too precious, so make sure to spend it with people who bring you joy and make you laugh. Whether it’s one person or more…it’s not the number of people, but the quality and kindness of their hearts that counts.

Here are some of the kind, sweet friendships we’ve been so lucky to have cultivated in our new home. Kisses and hugs @haejones32, @sarahloublagg, @nevetsretlaw, and @jerakahheady.

Till our next gathering! 

#friends #fingerlakeslife #fingerlakes
My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the sea My happy place: the farmers market. It’s the season for all the fresh, local, delicious goodness of the Finger Lakes to take center stage.

The region has a lot more than fried and fast food to offer locals and visitors. The vast amount of organic and locally sourced food is something that is really celebrated here. Even more so the fact that it is accessible and not exclusive to the privileged.

From cider to cheese to meats and veggies…all local, all from a passionate farming community. 

Oh, then, the artisans. *swoon* So much handcrafted beauty. For example, this beautiful hat from @easylivinghats. I have been wanting one of her hats forever and finally got not one but two! And her team, seen here, is so sweet and helped me find the right fit. Support local, shop small, be happy in the process. 📸@ithacafarmersmarket. 

#fingerlakes #myflx #farmersmarket #shoplocal #shopsmall
Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the cool Hey, wanna come to a cool event in one of the coolest places I know in Ithaca? (Read on!)

Today I took a stroll into the pavilion of the @ithacafarmersmarket. There was no market today, and though still a lovely space when empty, nothing compares when the market is buzzing with food purveyors and food-lovers! It is exciting and a favorite pastime of ours. Even more fun is when there is a special event happening!

And with that, I want to let you all know about the upcoming @tasteoftheflx taking place on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Ithaca Farmers Market and offer you a discount code for your ticket! Use BRAVE20 for $20 off of either ticket tier.

The event will feature 50 + vendors, music in 3 acts, and a full evening of celebration! Taste of the Finger Lakes serves the dual purposes of showcasing the dynamic Finger Lakes food and beverage industry while raising funds for 3 non-profits doing the important work of improving access to healthy food across the region. Local, good food for a good cause...the best combination!

If you already have your ticket or plan to take advantage of this discount code to purchase it, let me know! I hope to see you there!

#fingerlakes #tasteofthefingerlakes #flxfood #flxeats #farmersmarket #ithacany
Cheers and Happy Pride to this beautiful, inspirin Cheers and Happy Pride
to this beautiful, inspiring, proud community full of people that I love so much.

To my LGTBQIA+ family and friends, know I adore you, would fight for, and support you always. You make my life and the world a more beautiful place. I celebrate you today, this month, and always. 

Thank you for being you. 🌈

#pridemonth #loveislove
What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. What a stunning day to be on the lake with my fam. We missed spending time with each other and it was time for us to slow down and bond. Even the surly teens eventually gave in to the fun and smiled a few times. Have I told y’all how much I love our new life here?

#lifeintheflx #fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #soflx #thisissoflx #Lakelike #myflx #keukalife #winecountry

Copyright © 2022 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice