A Paris food market is a circus of smells, tastes, touch, colors and even sounds of food.  Discover any of the 56 cheeses classified and regulated under French law.   The salty smell of fresh oysters and mussels from the coast will make you take a deep breath and exhale with an “ahh”.  The burst of color from the blueberries, strawberries, peaches, and oranges lights up the day.  Wait on line for a baguette, put it under your arm and enjoy the pageantry of a Paris food market. Take a look at The Traveling Professor's picks of his 4 favorite food markets in Paris.

A visit to the beaches, cemeteries, and battle sites pays tribute to the acts of bravery our heroes displayed on June 6, 1944 in Normandy.  It brings with it a greater understanding and appreciation of the events surrounding that fateful day.  Walk in the sand at Utah and Omaha to get the vantage point of the liberators when their landing-craft ramps dropped into the surf.  Visit enemy bunkers. See the cliffs scaled by the Rangers at Pointe du Hoc.  Walk through the liberated villages still scarred by the ferocious fighting that took place.  Everyone experiences different emotions upon seeing the field of crosses and Stars of David at the American Cemetery, but be assured of this - the memory will stay forever.

People who go on The Traveling Professor's small group tours are busy people.  I am often amazed by how much energy they have, even after spending a day at Versailles, Notre Dame, Montmartre, or the Louvre.  My friends at "Theater in Paris" have developed a great concept that will make any visit to Paris even more enjoyable and interesting. 

Last month, I led a group of 8 travelers to Paris.  On the itinerary was a trip to Versailles.   By train, the enormous chateau is about 40 minutes outside of Paris.  There is no doubt that Versailles is glorious and grand.  However, if not planned correctly, you might lose your head over some of the more frustrating aspects of visiting Versailles.  In this blog post I will diplomatically point out some of the shortcomings of what could be a great museum and help you enjoy your trip while having your cake and eating it too.

One of the biggest expenses for a tour to Paris is lodging. An option for travelers is to rent an apartment for all or part of their stay.  Personally, I like to rent an apartment for an authentic Parisian stay.   I also like the option of being able to prepare my own meals after a visit to one of the many food markets.  An apartment rental can also be a great value in terms of quality and comfort over a hotel.  In today's blog post, my friend Connie Afshar of Panache Rental gives her top tips on renting an apartment in Paris.

When I get into conversations with travelers or just with people in general when I am talking about France, they sometimes ask me "aren't the Parisians rude?".   It kind of surprises me when they ask this because in general, that has not been my experience with the French people.  However, I think I know why people sometimes complain about the French being rude and in short, it is not what you think it is. Read today's blog post and I'll break the myth about the "rude French".

There are a few options for getting around town in big European cities like Paris, Rome, London, and Madrid.   Of course there is the walking option and there are taxis.   Most major European cities are serviced by the metro and while it is probably the fastest way to get from point A to point B, there are many reasons why The Traveling Professor prefers the bus.   Read my blog post today and I will tell you why.

Lodging costs typically make up the most expensive part of a vacation to Paris and in Paris, hotels can be expensive. However, there are several good 2-star picks, and The Traveling Professor has them for you.  2-star Paris hotels can be a great value, but usually they do not have a restaurant (not a big deal in Paris) but probably does not have A/C.   Don't expect a spa or turn-down service.  However, with these picks, expect to get a good night's sleep at a good price.

Here are 14 of the best Paris restaurants, for every taste and budget.  The Traveling Professor has been going to Paris for over 15 years on a labor of love, researching the best restaurants, just for you.   In this list are restaurants of all kinds - casual, lunch spots, dinner spots, romantic places, expensive places and super deals.  Whether you travel with The Professor on one of his small group tours to Paris or travel on your own, check out his Paris Restaurant Review.

Monet is arguable the most famous of all Impressionist artists.   And when in Paris, most travelers want to see the best of his works.  The Traveling Professor has picked out four of the top spots to see the best of Monet.   Check out today's blog post to find out where you can see Monet's works from his beginnings as an illustrator to the great works he is known for today.