Possible increase in taxes for French vacation homes

For both those who own properties and rent them out, and for those buying and selling a vacation home, although some EU legal experts say it is against the law as discriminatory to non-French residents. Interesting to see how this one turns out, who challenges it and how the legal process winds through to its conclusion. http://www.france24.com/en/20120813-france-gives-green-light-holiday-home-tax-hike

Canicule - French heat wave

In the US we had the hottest summer on record, and in France it's not looking much better. 109F in some southern French departments! With heat warnings including in Paris, especially after the heat wave in 2003 where so many people died. The word for heat wave in France is Canicule. http://www.france24.com/en/20120817-france-weather-government-ministry-health-braces-heat-wave-canicule-prevention-measures

French Riviera Article

Good article for an introduction to the Cote D'Azur hitting the highlights, so if you want glitz, glamour, and have to money and desire to rush to keep up with the "beautiful" people, this is for you: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/09/travel/savoring-south-of-france/index.html?hpt=hp_bn10

Cup holder conundrum

It seems to be a very American requirement to have cup holders in our cars for our waters, coffees, and sodas. When traveling in Europe, we realize it is something we truly take for granted in a vehicle sold in America. The only questions would be where are they, how big are they, and what size drinks they could hold comfortably? For me the questions is whether my starbucks carafe for my coffee will fit in it. Jeep yes, Mercedes or Volvo, no. That said, in purchasing cars this year in France, we immediately noticed the difference. While we love our Alfa Romeo Break (wagon), it is a much more stripped down sporty vehicle then we have in the US, and it definitely is lacking cup holders. Naturally, as always, this got me researching the importation of the adorable Fiat, and found that it had to be Americanized for importation, not just for emissions, but including a console with cup holders. The conundrum in France will be can we get used to no cup holders for our water bottles, or do we retrofit? I suspect by next summer we will figure it all out.

Where do europeans go to escape the crowds?

How that the Olympics are ready to start tomorrow in London, and tourists are spreading out through Europe, where do the Europeans travel? Germany, Sweden, Croatia and yes, naturally Provence. Here's a link with some lovely spots: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/departures-magazine/secret-european-summer-ge_b_1699981.html#slide=1275019

Drinking age in France.

While traveling earlier this month, D. and I were noticing young people who were at least 16 sitting in cafes socializing but not drinking alcohol, so it got us discussing the current drinking age in France. I was aware that previously it had always been age 16, but it was raised in 2011 to age 18 with France's efforts to combat drinking problems in its society, and working to change the French culture where families are allowing children to drink in their homes as young as age 12. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/12/143521104/french-lessons-why-letting-kids-drink-at-home-isn-t-tres-bien

XL Airways - A hidden French experience

Since our summer plans were disrupted due to my illness, our tickets for France changed and became too expensive. Poor Avril would be left in the kennel we decided, as our journey would be too short to stress her by traveling, and I was too ill to have her with me in the markets and restaurants. But I recalled an article I read about XL Airways and new flights in the US to Paris, from Vegas and SFO. I did not know this airline existed, but I did my usual research and found that it is about 16 years old, based in Paris, and provides seasonal flights from US to Paris in the summer, and then shifts toward Morocco and other spots in the winter. Miraculously, we were able to get two seats from JFK to Paris, at a fairly reasonable price given how late we were purchasing the tickets. We arrived at JFK to travel, the plane leaves at almost midnight. We had ordered a wheelchair for me. And it was quick to arrive as there are no seats in the terminal near the check-ins. Our only difficulty was a manager who insisted we check a bag we intended to carry on, which required an emergent re-arranging of its contents into other bags. Luckily, as always, I had thrown in my favorite pink Longchamp shopping/plage bag, and we loaded it with items we did not want to be checked in the bag. The manager was unhappy but we prevailed. The wheelchair service was a blessing as we zipped through a lengthy security line which normally would have taken at least on hour to clear. Although the plane was delayed by two hours, we boarded quickly once it arrived and was ready, and were on our way. Although the coach seats were narrow, the plane was clean, the staff all French and quite pleasant, and nearly all the passengers were French. The food was nothing special and there was one movie (quite old by about 8 years), and cartoons for the children, but we were able to sleep for several hours. Upon arrival, we were so pleased to find a wheelchair waiting for me just outside the plane doors, and a pleasant young man, who whisked me through customs, and once D. had our one check-in bag, was able to take me through the airport to the TGV station and the Sheraton. Although we had missed our train due to the plane delay, D. was able to get tickets rescheduled for the next train to Avignon, a three hour journey instead of 7 via auto. We slept more, and arrived at our destination without stress or worry, especially given my condition, it was a miracle.