If you have had the chance to visit the French Riviera it is a magical place. With Mediterranean sunsets, fishing villages, cliff embedded towns, and a beautiful turquoise coastline that you can’t take your eyes off of, there is all the reason to plan your trip to Southeast France. But before you take off to the majestic destination, here are eight amazing places to discover while in the Southeast of France.

Cannes

This elegant resort city may look modernized, but it holds a ton of historical value. In fact, hundreds of years of history were made between this city’s walls. Back in the 11th century, the monks fearing an invasion of the Saracen built a watchtower, which still stands in Cannes’ Old Town. Strolling along the coast of the mile-long La Croisette, you will discover quaint shops and several designer boutiques. Dine at one of the many fabulous French restaurants after you have taken a hike in the Massif de l'Esterel, a coastal Mediterranean mountain range.

The Azores is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands scattered across the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Although an autonomous region of Portugal, they’re located exactly half-way between Lisbon and Boston. You can fly directly to these paradise islands from the East Coast in as little as five hours.

With their subtropical climate, the Azores remain warm year-round and temperatures never drop below double figures. Once the rainy season (November to March) subsides, the islands are alive with flowers. The mild weather and scenery make the Azores an attractive choice for hiking, watersports and whale watching. 

Find out which of these islands are the most interesting to visit. 

São Miguel 

As the largest of the nine, São Miguel is the ideal starting place for a vacation in the Azores. It draws together lush landscapes, fine food and cultural activities.

With its elegant black and white architecture, bustling marina and spread of museums, Ponta Delgada is the capital of the island. Meanwhile, over in Furnas, you can dine at Tony's Restaurant where local speciality, cozido, is slow-cooked on the volcanic soil.

Lisbon truly has something for everyone in this eclectic European city.

When most people decide to take an amazing trip to Europe, they think of visiting Rome, London, or Madrid. One of the places that seem to fly under the radar is Lisbon, Portugal. It is the perfect place for a summer trip for reasons that you likely never even knew.

Lisbon is Portugal's capital; it has so many things to offer visitors. Perched atop seven hills, Lisbon is a vibrant seaside town bursting with history and tradition. Here are five reasons why you need to add Lisbon to your list of dream destinations.

The Sun

When most people think of sunny European destinations, places like Athens, Rome, or Barcelona come to mind. Lisbon is the last place people consider, although it should be the first. Lisbon averages 2,799 hours of sun a year, making it the sunniest European cities. The beautiful beaches are located about 30 minutes from the city center are the perfect place to enjoy this sunshine.

This Thursday, I will team up with the Madeira Promotion Bureau and Belmond Reid’s Palace to deliver a virtual presentation about the island of Madeira. Ahead of this event, I want to give you some background on this beguiling island. 

Madeira is an archipelago of islands located in the Atlantic Ocean that is geographically closer to Africa while officially a part of Portugal. The largest of the cluster is the island of Madeira - a mere 90-minute flight from Lisbon. With its gorgeous landscapes, resplendent flora, and fresh seafood, Madeira is the perfect island getaway that gives you a taste of both Europe and Africa. 

Explore Madeira’s beautiful wilderness! 
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Madeira’s natural beauty has earned it a number of accolades, including the Hawaii of Europe, the Island of Eternal Spring and the Pearl of the Atlantic. Surrounded by sapphire ocean, the terrain of the island is a mix of plunging ravines, emerald-green valleys, and graceful waterfalls.