When my sister and niece invited me to join them in Paris for a little vacation next month, I declined as I had already planned a trip to London at the same time and made an investment in theatre tickets and such. However, I thought how I always wanted to take the Eurostar from London through the Chunnel and thought maybe they would be interested in meeting me in the charming city of Lille, France – about an hour north of Paris by train. They agreed. So, in a couple of weeks I will be on my way to London, via Boston, and will eventually make it to Lille for a side trip – so watch for all the reports right here.

In the meantime, I am studying up on Lille by doing all manner of research, but the single best source of information is the fabulous Lille – Bradt Travel Guide by Laurence Phillips.

About the Lille – Bradt Travel Guide by Laurence Phillips:

“Whether you decide on a Sunday-night tango with stranger in a Renaissance cloister, or order a bowl of onion soup at dawn, should you explore France’s best art collection outside Paris or head for the discount designer stores of the legendary flea-markets, if you share a sandwich with artists in an old post office building or discover the Michelin-starred chefs of tomorrow, a decade since Lille was first chosen as European Capital of Culture the city has not stopped partying since. Just as the city continues to re-invent itself with ever more exciting places to eat, to explore to relax and to stay, so the latest edition of the award-winning Bradt Guide keeps up with the changes and continues to share the secrets of the past, present and future of a capital of Culture, of Flanders and of Life.”

The Lille – Bradt Travel Guide by Laurence Phillips is available from Amazon and other find booksellers.