April 15 marks the first anniversary of the fire that devastated Notre Dame de Paris, one of the greatest landmarks of Western civilization. The Cathedral was accidentally set ablaze likely by a short circuit due to an ongoing renovation and miraculously remained intact despite losing a spire and a wooden roof. Throughout its 850-year-old history, Notre Dame de Paris survived several swirling events including the French Revolution, World War I and World War II, as well as plague, smallpox, cholera, flu and other fatal diseases that ravaged France and the rest of Europe. The current COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily put breaks on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris which is quite symbolic as it exemplifies the hardship and resilience of the French people. I was very fortunate to visit Notre-Dame de Paris in 2017 and was stunned by its grandeur and beauty, and today I'd like to share some of those memories with you.

Contrary to popular belief, Québec does not only bring an old European city to mind but rather has its own distinct French-Canadian flavour, unlike anything you can find in Europe. Québec looks and feels fabulous in many ways. I know quite a few people who aren't big fans of Montreal, but not a single person who wouldn't fall in love with Québec after visiting it. Even in the middle of winter, when it's freezing cold outside and there is a real chance of getting frostbite, Québec somehow manages to attract busy crowds for its world-famous winter carnival. Mesdames et messieurs make the acquaintance of Québec, one of my favourite places in Canada!

Alright, I hear you - no heavy texts and long reads this time. Especially about Paris. Because you either already know what I could possibly be telling you about this city, or want to learn it your way, through your own experience. I'll only say that my way of exploring big cities like Paris, London or New York is to wear comfortable shoes, have my camera ready, and just sit for a long stroll in whatever direction I want.

Among all types of aircraft, the hot air balloon is the oldest and the most exotic one. Invented in 1783 in France, hot air ballooning has not really taken off as a mainstream mode of transportation due to its relatively low velocity and a huge dependency on weather, namely on wind. After all, a hot air balloon does not have a steering wheel, so your final destination not only relies on a pilot's skills and experience but also on a fair amount of good luck. There are many places you can fly hot air balloons, but I figured Albuquerque, New Mexico would be the best place to try it since this is where the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon gathering in the world is hosted each year in October.

Those who follow my blog long enough probably know how obsessed I am with trains in general, and with subways in particular. I strongly believe that the best way to learn about a new city and its people is to take a subway. And that's without mentioning the direct benefit of using trains to navigate in urban areas. But for cities like Paris, taking a train is a necessity unless you stay within walking distance from its main attractions downtown. The term "métro" or "métropolitain" which became a synonym for underground urban railways around the world, has originated in Paris from the name of its founding company La Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris.

If you feel tired of the hustle and bustle of Paris and its big crowds of tourists, you'll find a little bit of relief in Montmartre. This neighbourhood, just north of the centre, has been known as a place that many artists call home. Well, at least up until recently as it got really pricey these days and ordinary artists cannot afford to live there anymore. Regardless, you'll most likely find Montmartre charming and enjoy strolling its narrow cobble streets in search of the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur that dominates the cityscape of Paris.

We saw four out of five planned on our day trip from Paris. The reason we didn't see the fourth one is because the fourth one with its garden and the adjacent forest turned out to be so beautiful and serene, that we didn't want to leave and stayed until sunset. The valley, nestled at the Loire River and its tributaries, offers over 80 castles (châteaux in French), 42 of which make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you'll be planning a similar trip to the valley, I bet your biggest challenge will be which ones you pick to see.

Normandy is not only for history buffs and art junkies. Those who admire nature will find some of the most beautiful places in the whole of France located on the coast of Normandy. Yes, I'm talking about those stunning white chalk cliffs and natural arches of Etretat and the endless waters of the English Channel.

Medieval French Town Honfleur entices you from the first glimpse. My favourite eye-catchers included narrow cobbled streets, manicured houses of Old Bassin harbour that squeeze one another and old mossy walls of the church of Saint-Etienne. But only after I left Honfleur did I learn that one of the greatest figures in Canadian history and "The Father of New France", Samuel de Champlain set sail to Canada from Honfleur to found Quebec City in 1608.

My first-ever trip to France was a huge success. Although most French people speak little to no English, France makes a perfect vacation destination offering great food, centuries-old history, rich architecture and beautiful nature. Infrastructure-wise, high-speed trains and a vast network of highways ensure that at least a quarter of the country can be easily reached on day trips from Paris. Normandy with its capital city of Rouen is one such place.