[PARIS] — One of Paris’ booming neighborhoods is the Canal Saint-Martin. You can’t miss it on the map, it’s the big gash right over there on the right. Go for a mid-day stroll, up and down the foot bridges. I was there only in November and another time in December, but I hear it’s jammed with sunbathers and walkers during the summer. On all the side streets and boulevards facing the canal, there are cute cafes and boutique shops of just about every category. You can rent bikes in the summer and putter all up and down the canal. Stop for lunch at the super cute Hotel du Nord, extra cool little restaurant. Some great small shops and cafes. Or pack a lunch, sit and
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[BAGNOLS, FRANCE] — I booked a Christmas trip to Paris many years ago and had a couple of extra days of exploring before flying back on my NYE flight — the best times for an upgrade BTW. I booked a quick TGV to Lyon and then rented a car to go to this cool castle hotel outside of town that I’d read all about. Chateau de Bagnols. A fortress of a castle, turned into a luxe hotel and destination-dining Michelin-rated restaurant. What a perfect place to spend a cold couple of days between holidays. At the time I was there in 2004, it was managed by the lovely Rocco Forte hotels, my favorite, which is how I got to know about the hotel. It has