During one of the free weekends this summer, I was able to visit Bordeaux, France. Although I did not know all that much about the city, it turned out to be one of my favorite personal weekend travels of the whole summer. Bordeaux is located in the southwest region of France, bordering the Bay of Biscay and is a port city on the Garonne River. Bordeaux proper (central Bordeaux) has a population of about 250,000 people. Obviously known for its spectacular wine culture and numerous vineyards, Bordeaux offers a multitude of options for budding sommeliers to explore. There is the newly opened La Cité du Vin, a modern wine museum offering 360 degree views of Bordeaux and wines from across the world. Something I was happy to discover in Bordeaux was the numerous amount of vintage stores scattered around. From vintage clothes and shoes, to the coolest old vinyl shops, I found some really unique pieces that I will always cherish. Bordeaux has a wonderful, fresh atmosphere, partly due to the various universities in the area. I would describe it as a younger, more relaxed Paris, but without the tourists and selfie sticks. Surprisingly, there was a plethora of various cultures’ restaurants here. We stumbled upon a wonderful Thai restaurant called “Santosha” that I highly recommend. I visited “Sip” coffee shop for a great latte and wonderful pastries. I strolled along the river – or you can even rent one of the city bikes and give yourself a personal tour. I had the best Sunday brunch at “Plume” – an absolute priority. Bon vacances, mes amies! – Anna Utley

The view from our Airbnb – try and spot the copper lanterns that line all of the city’s streets!