River Seine travel tips

Welcome back to our Saturday edition, a sampling of our top lifestyle reads.

“Going over the top” to impress a special someone every February 14 is a relative concept. Jet-setters know the world’s top luxury tourist destinations strive to offer unique experiences, but chasing the coolest place someone else has never visited requires a discerning palate whenever a dash of romance is involved.

The countdown has begun: France will welcome the 2024 Summer Olympic Games from July 26 until August 11 with the Paralympic Games following from August 28 to September 8. Paris and the Île-de-France region form the cradle of the action where the spectacle will kick off at 8:24 p.m. sharp (or, 20:24 – touché).

AnneMarie McCarthy, Lonely Planet's destination editor for France, recently traveled to Normandy for an autumnal foodie tour that was packed with farm-to-table treats and cozy accommodations. Here, she shares some tips and insights for anyone planning a similar trip. 

When it comes to flying in business class, no one does it quite like Air France. Known for their Francophile food options—which begin from the moment you step into their lounges, stocked with petite macarons, croque madames, and classic French cocktails, such as the Kir Royal—amenity kits with products from French brand Clarins, and impeccable service, a flight with the airline is like getting a little slice of la vie française. Although already an excellent experience, this past summer, the airline began rolling out updated business-class cabins, starting with flights from Paris to New York City. But things just got even better: This month, Air France is offering travelers the chance to win a pair of free tickets to experience their business-class offering for themselves.