Although it borders on the Perigord, the Quercy has developed its own character. Set between the rivers Lot and Célé, Cahors, the regional capital, is worth a short stop on your way to many other fascinating sights. You will see villages perched on hilltops like Saint Cirq Lapopie and the beautiful little town of Rocamadour, which used to be an important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella. Visit the cave of Padirac and its underground river and then, you might go for a short excursion to neighboring Aveyron and see the treasure of Conques and the village of Estaing... On your way to Toulouse, you must stop and see the cathedral of Alby, entirely built of pink sandstone, and don't miss the villages of Cordes-sur-Ciel and Montmirail. Drive through the vineyards of Gaillac and enjoy a stay in Toulouse, one of the most pleasant towns in France. Your journey will end with Carcassone, one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in Europe.

Here is a region of France where you can have the thrills of the city and the joys of the mountain. You could start your journey with Lyon, the second largest city in France, built between two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône. Follow the traces of its history all the way back to ancient Rome, visit the traboules, the intricate networks of houses and communicating courtyards downtown. Make sure you eat in a “bouchon”, one of the typical small restaurants in the old neighborhoods. Then take the train to Grenoble, which is the gateway to the Chartreuse range, where you must try the eponymous liqueur. The scenery gets more spectacular as you rise in altitude. Visit the beautiful mountain towns of Annecy, Mégève and Chamonix and put on a pair of hiking boots or take the panoramic train of Montenvert and the cableway to the Aiguille du Midi. There, you will admire the Mont Blanc (4807m) and the Vallée Blanche. Whether you're a city walker or a mountain hiker, don't miss this one.

Set in the heart of Europe, Alsace, despite its war-torn past and forced changes of allegiance, has maintained a very strong unity, that can be clearly seen in its architecture and heard in its German-influenced dialect. The scenery here varies between the vineyards of the Alsatian plane and the forest-covered Vosges. Start your journey with Strasbourg, which, aside from being an important local and European political center, is also a beautiful town. Be sure to visit its gothic cathedral and see its clock. When you drive south towards Mulhouse, you'll discover wonderful towns such as Riquevir, Colmar, Eguisheim, Guebwiller and the medieval castle of Haut Königsburg. Don't miss the awe-inspiring vista from the Grand Ballon des Vosges. Alsace is also a great wine producing area and you might want to visit the vineyards (and try the wine!) of Sylvaner, Riesling and Gewürtztraminer. If you are looking for a genuine experience, Alsace is the place for you !