This is the land of fine cheeses and even finer wines; of savoir faire and joie de vivre; where cuisine and culture are like two closely related members of the same family. This is the country that invented the word “cuisine”.
Savor a vintage wine while gazing across the Bordeaux countryside, where long, tidy rows of ancient vines undulate across every slope of every hillside, and fade into the distance like green corduroy. The French say all roads eventually lead to Paris. So, be sure to visit the City of Love, and take time (perhaps not for the first time) to pay homage to some of the world’s most iconic cultural centers: Notre Dame; Versailles; the Louvre.
ARTS & CULTURE
CULINARY
MULTI-GENERATIONAL
Traveling the world with your family is like sharing a box filled with presents. The box is the world itself and the presents are the bonds that form through the experiences we share, and the perspective, patience, understanding, and tolerance we gain from expanding our horizons and seeing how other people live. There is no greater gift.
In various destinations around the world, we have highlighted examples of exceptional accommodations that set new standards for aesthetics and responsible tourism. These properties reflect our own company values by emphasizing community involvement and the preservation of cultural heritage, protection of natural resources, and sustainability, both in practice and design. They also combine outstanding comfort and service, natural beauty, and functionality. Where you stay along the way can greatly enhance any journey. Options abound, but these are some of our favorites.
The original palace hotel, that epitomizes quiet elegance. The hotel is a living, breathing work of art, where modern amenities and 18th-century grandeur collide. Waking up in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the world couldn’t be better, as history and the contemporary come to life.
A step back into history, this converted 16th century cloister offers a serene retreat after exploring charming Avignon. Blending modern and ancient architecture, and featuring simple, but uniquely appointed, rooms, the hotel sits inside the town walls, just a few steps from the Papal Palace. The rooftop pool with its splendid views, and a magical secret garden invite carefree repose.
Romantic, stylish, and nostalgic, this central hotel features 26 themed rooms meticulously decorated to reflect the glamor of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Bullfighters, filmmakers, actors, artists, and writers stayed here... toast them from a leather armchair in the salon or on the balcony of the charming bar. A few steps away, in the Place du Forum, Van Gogh’s famous café still comes to life daily in the early morning sunshine.
