France

Paris, the capital, needs little introduction, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and its Mona Lisa, Notre-Dame, Montmartre and the Champs-Elysees, all wrapped in cafe culture. Beyond it, the Loire Valley is studded with Renaissance chateaux like Chambord and Chenonceau, while Provence dazzles with lavender fields, Roman Arles and hilltop villages.

The French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) glitters from Nice to Cannes and Saint-Tropez; Bordeaux and Burgundy anchor legendary wine regions; and Normandy holds Mont-Saint-Michel and the D-Day beaches. Lyon is France's gastronomic capital, and the Alps offer Chamonix and Mont Blanc. French cuisine is a pillar of the culture, croissants and baguettes, cheeses and charcuterie, coq au vin, bouillabaisse and regional wines and Champagne, best enjoyed slowly at a terrace table.

Guided experiences in France are cultured, culinary and beautifully varied. Expect small groups, expert storytelling and guides who treat food and wine as seriously as art and history.

• Walking tours of Paris neighbourhoods, plus skip-the-line museum and monument visits
• Wine tastings in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and the Rhone
• Chateau day trips through the Loire Valley
• Food-market and cooking experiences in Paris and Lyon
• Riviera coastal drives and Provence lavender and village tours

Late spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal nationwide, with pleasant weather, gardens and vineyards in fine form, and lighter crowds. Summer (July-August) is warm and lively but busy, and many Parisians decamp on holiday.

Provence's lavender peaks in late June to mid-July, and the wine harvest colours Bordeaux and Burgundy in September. The Alps shine for skiing December to March. Highlights include Bastille Day on 14 July, the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Nice Carnival in February.