Travel – Destinations and Deals By Julianne W. Ray, Certified Travel Counselor julianneray@gmail.com www.raytravelresources.com

La Belle France – Part II August 2008 Last month we began by discussing some of the interesting regions of France. We continue this month with some of the other areas that are waiting to be explored. The Greater Southwest: Land of foie gras and truffles, the southwest is dotted with charming hilltop villages straight out of a fairytale and impressive chateaus dating from the Middle Ages. For a trip even further back in time, head to the Dordogne Valley, one of the cradles of civilization, to explore the prehistoric grottos and the 15,000-year-old paintings at Lascaux. The region’s rivers are perfect for canoeing, and the Canal du Midi – connecting the Atlantic and the Mediterranean – offers a unique way to discover rural France: canal barging. Hike along the ancient Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, which leads all the way to Galicia in Spain. Don’t miss Toulouse, the buzzing rose-pink city, where you can feast on rich cuisine like duck confit and cassoulet paired with full-bodied red wines. Outdoor enthusiasts adore the snow-capped Pyrénées, filled with villages and spa resorts with thermal springs. You’ll also find some of the best hiking trails in france in the National Parks. Provence, Côte d’Azur and Corsica: Drenched in sunshine, the glamorous French Riviera stretches from Toulon to the Italian border, encompassing chic seaside resorts like St. Tropez, Nice, Cannes and Monaco. Picturesque towns dramatically hug the cliffs above the sparkling Mediterranean.The Impressionist painters were inspired by the intensity of the light in Provence, and the landscapes seem right out of a painting: cypress trees, white-washed houses with terra-cotta roofs and fields of lavender. Sip pastis at an outdoor café, eat the famous bouillabaisse of Marseille or enjoy fruit from a Provençal market. The sea-swept Mediterranean isle of Corsica boasts dizzying landscapes – where mountains meet the sea.

Burgundy, Lyon and the Alps: Smack in the middle of the Côtes du Rhône wine-growing region, Lyon is nestled between the Rhône and Saône rivers. The exuberant city is often considered the country’s gastronomic capital. Bouchons, the traditional eateries, serve hearty fare like boudin noir aux pommes (blood sausage with apples). Vieux Lyon is a marvel of tiny cobbled alleys and medieval houses and the Roman ruins are showcased in the splendid Musée Gallo-Romain. Wine lovers must make the journey north to Burgundy to follow the Côte d’Or, one of the world’s most famous wine routes. Check out the Marché aux Vins in Beaune, and pick up a pot of specialty mustard in Dijon. At France’s western frontier the Alps soar skyward from lush green valleys. This Alpine wonderland draws adventure seekers in all seasons. Tucked beneath Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the country’s oldest ski resort and the site of the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. Excellent powder and a hopping après-ski scene distinguish the Alps as one of the hottest ski destinations in the world. DEAL of the month: Trafalgar Tours “A Taste of France” Reserve your place by August 31, 2008 with Ray Travel Resources for a $50 USD rebate of your tour cost. To read more of Julie’s travel articles visit http://www.raytravelresources.com/ Contact Julie at julianneray@gmail.com, (504) 324-1406 (Vonage), julianne2005 (Skype) or +52 376 766 2795. Julie holds numerous country specialist designations from various international tourist boards, is a Rail Europe specialist and is a graduate of the International Tour Management Institute. The Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) designation is conferred by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents in Wellesley, Massachusetts, upon travel professionals who have completed a rigorous post-graduate two-level certification program, exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, demonstrate advanced knowledge of business, industry and global issues necessary for expert practice, and possess at least five years of industry work experience. Julie has worked in the travel industry since 1987 and is the owner of Ray Travel Resources.