Travel Tips For France

Whenever you are planning a trip to France you should consider the amount of eating you will do while there. There are beautiful sights to see but just as many temptations for delicacies to taste. You might find that you are able to gain quite a bit of weight in even a short trip to France.

The best pastries in the world are found in France. The light and airy cakes are like feathers coated in seductive butter cream frostings and deep rich chocolates and they are as fattening as they are beautiful. With over 2300 pastry shops in France you will find that almost every corner will be offering the tempting treats. It is difficult to refuse the candied chestnuts, sherbet cakes, raspberry tarts and fruit filled crepes. If you are looking for gourmet ice cream you can find the best at Berthillon in Paris where you are tempted with a long list of flavors all homemade and delicious.

The most highly sought after chefs are found in France so you can expect that every meal will be as tempting as the last. Your pallet will love the explosion of flavor but your waistline might not. When trying something new that you just cannot resist it is a good idea to share with a friend. Only order one small serving and if you share you will avoid the heavy calories but still get the taste of the delicacies.

A bike ride along the glorious countryside is a great way to burn some of those extra calories. You can find castles, museums, and some unique tucked away restaurants to visit on your journey. The places that you want to see while in France may be overwhelming but if you make a list of the top places it will create a smoother trip.

Buying maps of the cities you plan to visit before arriving is a good way to get a feel for the countryside you are planning on visiting.

Educate yourself on the French culture. The French have much different attitudes than American. You should learn the proper etiquette and be in tune with the attitudes of the locals before you arrive.

You will find that there are many people in France who speak English. You might want to learn some French in case you cannot find someone to help you locate a taxi, find your way back to the hotel or direct you to a sight of interest.

The weather changes often in France so be sure to check it frequently before you go on an outing. You should pack light when travelling to France, the French are not heavy travelers so therefore you might not be accommodated with your bags. The trains offer limited space for your suitcases and many hotels will not have elevators so you could end up dragging several bags of the staircase on your own and if there are several flights to go it could make the start of your trip exhausting.