Hi from Rick: Europe's Best Small-Town Soundtrack
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| In this month's Tour News, join co-author Steve Smith and me on a Burgundy vineyard tour and tasting with local expert Colette Barbier. |
Dear Back Door Traveler,
When I dream of France, I don't dream of Paris.
I dream of rustic stone villages with traffic-free old centers.
Whether in Burgundy, Normandy, the Dordogne, or Alsace, I love village France. I love it most when it's quiet, and I can hear the small-town soundtrack: the rustle of strollers on the cobbles, the pecking of the birds on medieval window sills, the crack of metal balls in the boules court behind the church, the snapping of laundry high above, the creak and rattle of aged shutters greeting the new day, the commotion of happy eaters spilling out of a bistro, and the joy of children running free.
Give me village France (or village anywhere in Europe) — quiet yet vibrant — and I'm one happy traveler.
In this month's Tour News we are celebrating the best of France as it's experienced through our tours of that rich and diverse nation. You'll find a wine-tasting clip from my Burgundy TV show, an interview with husband-and-wife France guides, some more tour guide wisdom on France excerpted from my radio shows, lots of tour member raves, and more.
We are also happy to announce our Spring Specials: save $200 to $300 on select tour departures! But hurry — a few other people are getting this email, so these tours are going to fill quickly.
For me, April always marks the start of a new 'work year' in Europe. In the coming weeks, my guidebook research will take me through London, Italy's Veneto region, Venice, Milan and Lake Como — followed by filming a pair of new TV shows in Spain's Andalucía.
It's a hectic schedule. But, as always, I'll seek out those magic moments when I can stop, catch my breath, and savor Europe's small-town soundtrack.
Here's to the creak and rattle of aged shutters, opening to greet the new day. Santé!
Happy travels,
Rick Steves