City Guides Archives

My Weekend Trip to Bordeaux, France

Butterflies in your stomach, your heart racing? Ah yes, the feeling of being smitten. I recently visited Bordeaux for the first time, and this is exactly how I felt: undeniably enchanted by this vibrant city. My college friend Tori and I did a girls’ weekend during our vacances scolaires, and it was just the break I needed. We ate well, we drank well, we laughed well in Bordeaux. You know those destinations that you visit and you say to yourself, One and done, no need to return. Well, my trip to Bordeaux was not one of those. I am...

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Best Day Trips from Nice

Taking a road trip through southern France comes with its challenges. The roads are narrow and windy. You have to pay for the rental car, which is astronomically more expensive if you’re under age 25. You have to figure out paying for parking or finding free options — way harder than it sounds. But as much stress as the rental car brought Mal and I on our French Riviera trip, we still say it was worth it. So many places on our itinerary cannot be reached by train. And having a car made it easier to go by our...

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Top Things to Do in Nice and Monte Carlo

What is a trip to the French Riviera without a stay in Nice and Monte Carlo? These two gems on the Côte d’Azur boast deep blue ocean views, city hustle and bustle, and old France charm. Mallory and I took a week-long vacation through the Riviera, including stops in St. Tropez and Cannes. And Nice stands out in my mind for its labyrinth of Vieille Ville and Monte Carlo for its glitz and glam. I’d love to share the top things to do in Nice and Monte Carlo for your upcoming French Riviera adventure. This post includes affiliate links,...

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Top Things to do Near Gorges du Verdon + Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Social media can introduce us to the most beautiful places. Years ago, I pinned a post from The Blonde Abroad about her trip to Gorges du Verdon. And when I saw the awe-inspiring blue water in her photos, I knew I had to see it for myself. So when Mal and I were planning our vacation throughout southern France, we knew we had to add this stop to our vacation. Here are the top things to do near Gorges du Verdon, including Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. About the Area The Gorges du Verdon touch both the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var départments — the...

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12 Things to Do in St. Tropez

I’d heard about the glitz and the glamour of St. Tropez, but I had to see it for myself. This ritzy vacation town is nestled on the Côte d’Azur and is known for its exclusivity. I don’t know if I was “just like Leo in St. Tropez,” as Taylor Swift croons on her Lover album, but I sure enjoyed my visit, especially the views. Here are 12 things to do in St. Tropez. Or as the cool kids call it “St. Trop.” How to Get to St. Tropez France’s public transportation system astounds me. It’s wild how many places...

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11 Things to Do in Cannes + Day Trip to Antibes

Known for its annual Cannes Film Festival, this southern France gem is more than this one event in May. Mallory and I embarked on a road trip along the Côte d’Azur, and Cannes ended up being one of my favorite spots. Its gorgeous Mediterranean Sea views and classic architecture are sure to make you swoon. Here are 11 things to do in Cannes, plus a day trip to Antibes nearby. This post includes an affiliate link, which means I may earn a kickback from included links. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps me run my...

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How I Got into France as an American During Covid

When I submitted my application to teach English in France for a year, Covid wasn’t even a headline. In January 2020, I turned in the last recommendations, documents and transcripts. And I waited until what was supposed to be “early April.” Alas, February brought headlines of this mysterious virus, March ushered in global panic, and April introduced a new way of living. I became anxious that this pest of a virus would interfere my post-graduation plans. And I worried a lot about it. And the toughest part? There was nothing anyone could say, recommend or even predict. Should I...

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How I Applied for My TAPIF Visa to France

When people would ask me about my “trip” to France, I often chuckled. Because a trip suggests short-term for the purpose of sightseeing. And because it’s entirely easier to take a trip than it is to move abroad for work. Most trips don’t include health insurance coverage, salary, rent or visas — the last of which truly distinguishes between vacationing and moving abroad. I want to start off by saying every experience and every country’s process is different. And it even varies by what type of visa you’re applying for — and they are many. Although there are a...

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Our Day Trip to Long Row Lavender Farm

Sometimes you just need a little getaway. Our trip to France in May was canceled due to COVID, and it’s been a long time since this travel-loving gal has set out on an adventure. So when my sisters and I had a free Saturday, we decided to take a day trip to Long Row Lavender Farm in Wright City, MO. And it was the perfect escape I needed. Here’s how you can visit Long Row Lavender and what you can expect from this darling gem in mid-Missouri. How to Get to Long Row Lavender Unless you’re really familiar with...

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