Blizzards, hail storms and bone-chilling temperatures have marked the start of 2013 and while there’s plenty to enjoy in Paris at this time of year, the attendant sniffles and coughs quickly put a damper on fun. In times like these we must skew our attention elsewhere – toward planning. Because there’s no greater salve for winter doldrums than the promise of a getaway.
In our case, we’ve got our sights set on a return to Amsterdam to visit friends who, after years of expat life, are steeling themselves for their next adventure; a first trip to Florence; a long weekend in Marseille; a short sojourn in the Dordogne for a wedding; a jaunt around Spain or Portugal (end of July/August – which is better?!); and our long overdue honeymoon in Thailand (potentially) at the tail end of 2013. Sadly, this means there may not be an opportunity for me to return to the States this year but I’m hoping to sneak in a week by autumn.
As exciting as these prospects are, planning them properly – that is, ensuring our itinerary will yield the best possible experience – entails considerable research. Fortunately, AFAR Magazine‘s integrated online community puts travel tips and recommendations all…
