The Beauty Of French Culture And Customs

When you travel to France, you can't help but be taken in by the French customs and culture. France is a beautiful country, and the stereotype that the French are rude is blissfully wrong. When you take a trip to France, be sure to spend some time taking a break from tourist attractions to soak up the French culture and customs.

Eat Like the French

Everyone seems to associate French culture and customs with food, which isn't a bad place to start. The French love their food, and mealtime is a leisurely affair to be spent with family and friends. While it seems like many Americans try to eat as quickly as possible, often on the run in the car or in front of the television, the French eat slowly and savor each meal. The culture and customs of French eating trend toward long, leisurely meals with smaller portions of rich foods. The French sit at the table to eat (not in front of the television), and eat late dinners, often with multiple courses. And wine almost always accompanies the meal.

Fashion and Style

Fashion and style is often closely associated with France. And while many if the world's top designers hail from France, the custom of French culture is also highly fashionable. The French are, as a whole, well dressed and take pride in their overall appearance. While jeans, t-shirts, and sweatpants are commonplace in the United States, they are far less common in France. Women are known for their high heels, and the graphic t-shirts that are so prevalent in the United States are rarely seen. There is a feeling of formality, and well-made, well-tailored clothes are the norm. While you are in France, take a trip to one of the world-renowned department stores, such as Galleries Lafayette or Printemps to take in some French fashion.

French Customs and Culture for Travelers

There are some French customs and culture to know when you are traveling to France to make your trip more enjoyable. First, slow down. The pace of life in France is much more leisurely - take the time to enjoy your trip and to soak up the culture around you. Second, be sure to enjoy a meal or two in a French café. The café culture is an essential part of France, especially in Paris, and no trip to France would be complete without it. When you are in a restaurant, the tip is generally included in your bill; generally, it is considered appropriate to round the bill up to leave an extra Euro or two for good service. And finally, make the effort to try to speak French, even if you can only ask if someone speaks English.

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A Quick Tour of Italy - Genoa

If you are planning a tour of Europe, why not consider the Liguria region of northern Italy, commonly known as the Italian Riviera? This thin strip of land lies on the Ligurian Sea, not far from Monaco and the French Riviera. While Liguria is by no means undiscovered, its crowds are much smaller than those next door. This beautiful region is home to many little towns or villages, and the international port city of Genoa almost smack dab in the center of the coast. This sometimes beautiful, sometimes ugly city of about six hundred thousand calls itself La Superba (the Proud). Read this article and you'll see why. Be sure to read the other articles in this series: eastern Liguria, western Liguria, and Cinque Terre, five little seaside villages that just might steal your heart.

Over its long and bitter history Genoa was often destroyed. It was a major participant in the Crusades and may have captured the Holy Grail. By the Seventeenth Century Genoa lost its power. In 1860 Giuseppe Garibaldi set out from Genoa with over a thousand volunteers to launch his successful campaign for a united Italy.

Caruggi, Genoa's medieval center, is the largest such district in all Europe. One nearby attraction is the Sixteenth Century Merchants and Bankers Row. It was the site of the first Italian Stock Exchange. The Twelfth Century San Matteo Church just south of Caruggi contains the tomb of Andrea Doria, Genoa's second most famous sailor.

Twelfth Century twin towers mark where an ancient Roman road entered the city. Legend has it that Christopher Columbus's father was a gatekeeper there. His alleged boyhood home is nearby.

Via Garibaldi is chock full of palaces. The Sixteenth Century Palazzo Doria Tursi is the largest palace. The Sixteenth Century White Palace and the neighboring Seventeenth Century Red Palace are now devoted to the arts.

Be sure to see Genoa's harbor, the largest in Italy. It's fairly safe, if you are cautious. It has become a major cultural center. Il Bigo is a distinctive monument built for the 1992 Columbus commemoration.

The Genoa Aquarium is the Europe's biggest and one of Italy's most visited museums. Its huge tanks reproduce the environment of the Mediterranean Sea and the oceans and contain over six hundred species.

Liguria is famous for its pesto, claimed to be the world's best. To make it, simply grab a mortar and pestle and combine basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Val Polcevera DOC is the only DOC wine in the Genoa area. To tell the truth, there are many better reasons to visit this lovely area.

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