We’ve returned from 17 days in France, which was pleasant enough but not a particularly “necessary” trip for me. (I traveled a great deal when I was younger; Michele still has the travel bug more than I do). We were intrigued to find that in the area on either side of Nice — places like Cap d’Antibes and Cap Ferat — many of the more spectacular villas are now owned by Russians. As one Frenchman said to me, “French people can’t afford them.” Fascinating. The Cote d’Azur is a gorgeous part of the world, but I wouldn’t visit in the dead of summer, when it is super-crowded and hot. June, September or October, oh my yes! Specifically, the darling and affordable Hotel Beau Site in Cap d’Antibes.

And of course, Paris charmed us again during our two-night end-of-trip stay. If you or any friends get there, we recommend the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles on the Left Bank (ask for a large room, though). What a city!