It's time to revisit Alsace outside of a Christmas context. For reasons I don't quite understand, Alsace is only on everyone's list when it comes to Christmas vacation. And while I'm sure that the markets are magical, December is not a great time of year to visit vineyards. Not much going on in the vines at that time! At the very least, it sounds like the region merits at least two visits: one of the markets, and one for the wines. And indeed, the wines merit their own trip. REASON #1 : GREAT VIEWS, AMAZING WEATHER Like most all wine regions of the world, Alsace is stunning. But it is also kn ..read more

There's way more than the Champ de Mars! I first discovered the beautiful simplicity of Parisian picnics when I studied abroad there a decade ago. As broke students, we'd keep things simple: someone buys a few baguettes, some fruit, some cheese, and of course, a bottle of French wine. We'd always go to the Champ de Mars, where the Eiffel Tower is located, but now, after having lived in Paris many other times, I can say with confidence that the picnic is alive and well and that Parisians have several other favorite spots in which to enjoy the sunshine. Check out my top picks below for a picnic ..read more

Getting around, finding a place to stay, and of course, which wine producers to visit while in Alsace, France. With its picturesque villages, rich history, unique linguistic identity, and incredible wine culture, there is truly no place in France quite like Alsace. And while it's world-renowned for the Christmas markets, the region deserves a trip during the summer and early fall - if for no other reason than to capitalize on the wine region's beauty! Here's how I spent one week exploring the region. GETTING IN + AROUND Strasbourg may seem far away from Paris (indeed, certainly closer to Germ ..read more

A guide to one of Paris' best kept secrets: the 20th arrondissement. I've been obsessed with the 20th arrondissement for years. There's a reason Parisians love it: without any major tourist attractions (except for the Père Lachaise Cemetery, which straddles the 20th and the 19th), it's one of the few neighborhoods left where you hear more French than English. It has a decidedly local feel that I am head over heels in love with, and I almost always stay there when I'm booking a trip. If you, like me love to hang out where the locals do and discover a side of Paris you may never have experience ..read more

Restaurants I visited and loved this time around on my trip to Paris. I'm not an expert on Parisian restaurants by any means, but I do happen to have a lot of Parisian friends who are foodies (birds of a feather), which means I often end up dining and imbibing in some pretty lovely places. Check out the below list of places I enjoyed on my trip this past May. Le Réveil du 10eme Apparently Paris' best wine bar since 1987, this place has a long, lovely wine list and a great menu of snacks to accompany it. My drink of choice? The Saint-Amour Beaujolais Cru (of course - is anyone surprised by thi ..read more

What to do if you've only got three days in the capital of Alsace. I'll go ahead and say it: Strasbourg is one of the most underrated cities to visit in France. Everyone goes for the Christmas markets, and while I'm sure they're fabulous, there is something to be said for visiting this beautiful European capital in the spring. I fell in love with its charm, history, and cross-cultural experiences, and I was only there for three days. Here's my guide for all the things you should do if you only have a few days yourself. DAY 1 My train arrived around noon, which meant I had a few hours to kill ..read more

New York City isn't the end of the tristate area's fantastic food scene. Food & Wine recently named Jersey City as one of the country's top up-and-coming food scenes. And while some were taken aback (i.e.: How could there be anything better than New York City in this area of the country?!), my boyfriend and I were not surprised. We are spoiled for choice here. While this list is by no means exhaustive (we just moved to downtown, so I'm definitely still exploring!), these are some of our favorite places to go. Every time I've been to each, I've never been disappointed in food or service. Ch ..read more

If you think French women don't tend vines, make their own wines, or own any vineyards, it's time to think again. It's March which means it's time yet again for French feminism and American feminism to go head to head. In many ways, the French are far more progressive than us and in other ways, not so much. When it comes to women in wine, France is both, simultaneously. A recent estimate from Vitisphere revealed last year that there are over 12,700 women in top leadership roles in French châteaux and domaines around the country (known in French as cheffes d'exploitation - CEO or ownership leve ..read more

When you live in the United States, speaking any second language isn't easy. And it's especially not easy if it's a language that's mostly spoken on the other side of the world. Unfortunately, our American educational system doesn't make it easy to learn a second language, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost. There are four categories of resources I use (most of them - free!) to keep my French brain vivant : podcasts, movies & TV, books, and plain old conversation. Let's start with the easiest one. PREMIÈRE PARTIE: Podcasts 1) France Inter - Le Journal 18H (Apple Podcasts) France Inter ..read more

Where I stayed, ate, and explored in Paris, plus - musings on my return to France after a two year hiatus. When Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz snapped her snazzy red heels three times, she dreamt of returning to Kansas. When I was a kid and saw Wizard of Oz, I snapped my heels together and said, "There's no place like Paris" three times, instead (I have the 20th Century Fox Movie, Anastasia, to thank for that). Having lived in Paris several times, the pandemic's ban on all things travel locked away that little girl inside of me who - now knowing full well, many years later of course, that Pari ..read more