France

It's easy to see why France is the world's top travel destination. Whatever you want to see, do or experience, France has it. And the beauty of a French vacation is that it's spectacular, whether elegant or simple. You can stay in the Ritz in Paris, rub elbows with celebrities in Cannes or Saint-Tropez, and visit the breathtaking castles along the Loire. Or, you can explore the wonders of France's natural beauty – the largest beach in Europe, the Alps, the Seine river valley, and Mediterranean islands such as Corsica. Local legend holds that, after God created the earth, the sun, the mountains and the sea, the leftovers of each were used to create the paradise of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Once you've seen the jagged coastline and turquoise waters in Nice, you'll believe it's true. French cuisine, whether traditional, ethnic or nouveaux, is world-renowned. Yet you can just as blissfully dine on cheese, a baguette and some of the famous French wines, from regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne. French history is as rich as its cuisine, from the Celts and Romans to Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution to the French Resistance and the beaches of Normandy. Or you can see history in the making in Burgundy, where a medieval castle is being built today. And certainly nowhere in the world is more famous for its artists than France, home of Monet, Manet, Gauguin, Degas and Renoir, just to name a few. While a visit to the Louvre or Musee d'Orsay is always recommended, you can also soak up today's artistic life with a stroll along the left bank of the Seine. Whether you want to put on the Ritz or avoid the glitz, your vacation to France will be the trip of a lifetime.