The "Upclose" series offers insights into local culture and history as well as critical reviews of the best restaurants and accommodation.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Traveling upCLOSE
Take the train. Stay in a B&B. Try a hostel. Shop for a picnic. Have lunch on a hilltop park bench. Prowl the flea markets. Go to a festival. Commune with nature. Memorize the symphony of the streets. And if you want to experience the heart and soul of France, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.
The deep and rich experience of France that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. Traveling lavishly is the surest way to turn yourself into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with white-glove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect pâté. Doormen at plush hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from Dusseldorf to Detroit. Better to stay in a more intimate place that truly gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.
If you want to see France up close and savor the essence of the country and its people in all their charming, stylish, sometimes infuriatingly arrogant glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.
Our Gang
Who are we? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists, who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for La Belle France, which we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so that you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of France to the fullest. If you can't take your best friend on the road, or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us.
Take the train. Stay in a B&B. Try a hostel. Shop for a picnic. Have lunch on a hilltop park bench. Prowl the flea markets. Go to a festival. Commune with nature. Memorize the symphony of the streets. And if you want to experience the heart and soul of France, whatever you do, don't spend too much money.
The deep and rich experience of France that every true traveler yearns for is one of the things in life that money can't buy. In fact, if you have it, don't use it. Traveling lavishly is the surest way to turn yourself into a sideline traveler. Restaurants with white-glove service are great -- sometimes -- but they're usually not the best place to find the perfect pâté. Doormen at plush hotels have their place, but not when your look-alike room could be anywhere from Dusseldorf to Detroit. Better to stay in a more intimate place that truly gives you the atmosphere you traveled so far to experience. Don't just stand and watch -- jump into the spirit of what's around you.
If you want to see France up close and savor the essence of the country and its people in all their charming, stylish, sometimes infuriatingly arrogant glory, this book is for you. We'll show you the local culture, the offbeat sights, the bars and cafés where tourists rarely tread, and the B&Bs and other hostelries where you'll meet fellow travelers -- places where the locals would send their friends. And because you'll probably want to see the famous places if you haven't already been there, we give you tips on losing the crowds, plus the quirky and obscure facts you want as well as the basics everyone needs.
Our Gang
Who are we? We're artists and poets, slackers and straight arrows, and travel writers and journalists, who in our less hedonistic moments report on local news and spin out an occasional opinion piece. What we share is a certain footloose spirit and a passion for La Belle France, which we celebrate in this guidebook. Shamelessly, we've revealed all of our favorite places and our deepest, darkest travel secrets, all so that you can learn from our past mistakes and experience the best part of France to the fullest. If you can't take your best friend on the road, or if your best friend is hopeless with directions, stick with us.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
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This review is from: Fodor's upCLOSE France, 2nd Edition: Lovely Lodgings Best Bets and Great Deals for a Good Night's Sleep, What to See On and Off the Beaten Path, Feasts and Food Finds (Paperback)
I compared this book to every other travel book in the store and it by far had more information (500 pages of text). The format is easy to follow by region and it lists many of the smaller cities in each region. The maps offer are clear and the descriptions accurate. I've used this book to prepare for several trips to France (all in the outskirts of small towns) and have found it helpful each time.
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