Two years ago, my family and I spent the whole month of July in France. It was, without a doubt, one of the best trips I’ve ever had.
For starters, spending time with family and friends we hadn’t seen in years was just plain wonderful. You don’t realize how much you’ve missed people until you see them again. But the funny thing was, the bonds remained so strong, it was as if we had never parted. The numerous gatherings, filled with interesting conversations and uncontrollable laughs, were as animated as ever.
Then, there was the food. Oh, the food! Is there any need to explain? Let me try to put it simply: it is an experience that in my mind equals Heaven. From the fresh bread and croissants, to the wonderful cheese and wine and of course, the delicious cuisine, there is no end to the culinary wonder. Even when you think you are full and there is no way you can eat anything else, you somehow find it in yourself to take another bite because that dessert sure looks tempting…What can I say, I’m weak!
Finally, the scenery was breathtaking. My husband and I love to explore historical sites, so we joined my brother and his family in the South of France, in a medieval town called Sarlat-La-Canéda. An experience I will never forget. My senses were stimulated in every possible way. From the narrow cobblestone streets, to the crooked centuries old buildings and shops, to the beautiful market and amazing food shared with loved ones, that day spent in Sarlat was probably one of the best days of my life. Hands down.
We also visited a fortified medieval town called Domme where we ate a Nutella crepe, took a guided tour of the town on a little train, visited the museum, shopped for souvenirs and finally rested at a scenic overlook where we had an amazing panoramic view of the valley and river below.
Then, there was a visit to the Castle of Monbazillac where we did a little wine tasting and ate a wonderful meal.
Another place we visited was a little town called Monein, in the Jurançon Region. We had a private wine tasting at a local family operated vineyard, where the son of the owner welcomed us and gave us a tour of the grounds and cellar. It was a beautiful day.
The last place we visited was Normandy. Although we stayed in Deauville, a seaside resort that became a very popular Parisian vacation destination in the early 1900s, and took a little stroll in the adjacent town of Trouville-sur-Mer, the best part was our day in Honfleur. It is a medieval port that has multicolored row houses, reminiscent of Copenhagen, and has inspired many impressionist artists. There, we had lunch and then wandered through the beautiful town, coastal park and gift shops. We finished our day sitting outside a little café facing the port, sipping our drinks. I still picture the view in my mind. No words. Just awe.
Needless to say, when the time came to leave, I wasn’t ready. It felt like my soul was bound to France and leaving this wonderful place behind had never been so hard. Honestly, a part of me never left and I am counting the days until I can go back and create more amazing memories.