The Trip of a Lifetime through France and Spain

This past September, I took a ‘trip of a lifetime’ with my husband to France and Spain. We had long been planning this and focused most of our trip on some of the roads less traveled, in search of food and wine culture plus a bit of outdoor activity along the way.

I studied abroad in Spain in college, so it was special to go back to that city where I had studied, and see many new areas as well.

We started our trip in Paris, with a quick exploration of the city in search of a croque madame (and coffee!). The next day we took a quick train ride to Reims, where we explored champagne caves and learned about the champagne-making process, which was far too scientific for my jet-lagged brain!

Champagne production tunnels in Reims

We wandered around Paris, seeing all the quintessential sights such as Arc de Triomphe and The Eiffel Tower. After a food tour on the Left Bank, we wandered around and got caught in some showers (just like home)! Even in the rain the Luxembourg Gardens were stunning, and some flowers were still in bloom. We topped off our first destination with a gourmet meal with one of my dear friends from law school, who happened to be there in Paris at the same time.

Arc de Triomphe during a sunbreak, and rainy but beautiful Luxembourg Gardens

Next, we were off to Lyon, a picturesque city framed by two rivers. Lyon is famous for its food, and we started our day with a tour of the food hall and took some tasty snacks with us (my favorite was the brioche with almond praline - just a touch sweet and the perfect morning snack).

Our tour guide, Sebastian, showed us around his family’s winery in the Beaujolais, where a case of wine (you read that right, a case), was only 36 euro! Sadly for us, someone in our group, who definitely isn’t me, is a notorious overpacker, so we only took a few bottles home with us.

I had no idea, but Lyonis home to many Roman ruins. We explored an amphitheater and some ancient baths. The city has many underground tunnels (Traboules), some of which remain open to the publicand were originally used for transporting goods. They were also used for secret meetings during World War II.

Lyon is home to some beautiful murals, and we got to pose with some of them (can you spot us?)

Our next stop was further south, to explore another wine region, Chateauneuf de Pape, famous for their Rhone wine varietals. We saw some vines that were over a hundred years old! In the French countryside we went on a guided e-bike tour through the gorgeous, rolling hills. My favorite stop was at a windmill, where a family of cats was running the show.

Our final stop in France was on the French Riviera. This region instantly felt so Mediterranean it was hard to believe I was not in Italy (though our tour guide pointed that out to us, just a few km away!). We enjoyed the sea, and took a day trip to Monaco. We arrived just in time for the changing of the guard at the palace, took a tour through the palace, and saw that the prince was home that day, per the raised flag. After a quick visit to the Casino Monte Carlo (which was surprisingly quiet!), we went on a ‘little hike’ to Eze (Eagle’s Nest), which boasted some of the most remarkable views of the Mediterranean I’ve ever seen. We treated ourselves to some frozen treats on the way down.

Our time in France concluded, and we headed to Spain. I had studied abroad in a smaller town (which is now much more popular than I remembered), Seville, in the south of Spain. This area is home to Flamenco, and the famous Seville oranges commonly used to make marmalade. On our final night we attended a flamenco show in an intimate venue, where we could see a traditional flamenco performance before dinner.

I took my husband to my favorite watering hole, Cien Montaditos (meaning 100 little sandwiches), and to the campus where I had studied while living there. We explored the Plaza de Espana. We walked across Seville’s many bridges, and took home some ceramics, for which the region is famous.

Plaza de Espana

Cordoba is a quick train ride from Seville, so we took a day trip there to explore the cathedral/mosque, and the old Jewish Quarter. The mosque-cathedral was originally simply a mosque, before Christian missionaries came to the area. In the building, you can see the remnants of the original mosque, and the lines of expansion made over centuries. Cordoba also still houses a Jewish Quarter, with a museum and synagogue. The famous philosopher, Maimonides, has a statute there, and it is said that you can rub his foot for good luck (which we did)!

Inside the Mosque- Cathedral of Cordoba

To conclude our incredible trip, we took off to Mallorca for some relaxation before heading home. We stayed in a converted fortress on the water and had spectacular views greeting us. From our hotel we could jump into the warm Mediterranean sea, plus enjoy fresh fish and jamon y queso for a beachside snack.

View from our hotel in Mallorca

If you are looking for the perfect mix of history, food, and culture, I highly recommend exploring all that Spain and France have to offer - though I’ve barely touched the surface, I cannot wait to go back - especially for more paella, jamon iberico and manchego by the river.

 

 

Hannah Gurewitz is a dedicated family law attorney and mediator at the Law Office of Sophia M. Palmer and has been in practice since 2016. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she pursued her passion for theatre and Spanish at the University of Oregon before earning her law degree from Seattle University School of Law. When not advocating for her clients, she cherishes moments with her husband and two feline companions, Citra and Simcoe. You can often find her exploring the local culinary scene or staying active with friends and family.