Preparing to Travel Abroad (Again!)

In less than two weeks, I will be jetting off again to France. This time, my mother and I will live for two weeks in Pontlevoy, France, in the heart of the Loire Valley region. It was nearly 18 months ago, only just back from our trip to Paris, that we began to scheme about what to do next in France. We wanted some place removed from the bustle of the city, temperate weather during the early summer months, and full of opportunities to roam the French countryside.

Last year as we prepared our trip to Provence, I posted a series about preparing to travel abroad that included Packing Clothes for Your Trip to Europe and Makeup Travel Tips for the Everyday Girl. They are two of the most popular articles visited at our blog. Much of the advice is relevant regardless of the destination and I read over them as I thought about my plans for the Loire Valley. The entire series also includes:

• Travel Books: Provence — The Books for Planning
• Vacation Rentals: Provence — A Place to Stay
• Internet Travel Communities: Provence — Community Websites and Message Boards
• Personal Care: Essential Beauty Tips Before You Travel
• Financial: How to Use American Credit and ATM Cards in France

As I prepare for yet another extended stay in France, I will be posting a series specific to the Loire Valley and providing fresh advice about books, rentals, internet resources, and technology that has made the planning all the easier.