There are so many great destinations waiting to be seen. Lolo and I made this discovery during our recent carefree summer getaway through France. Once we returned home, however, I realized we probably approached some things a little too carefree. We packed way too much luggage. We tried rolling an old, wobbly carry-on with a bad wheel through the airport. We arrived in France without any reservations. We rented a box truck with broken air-conditioning during a blistering heatwave.

But... this trip was not about the destination. It was all about the journey! We may have begun our carefree summer getaway as tourists, but we ended it as travelers.

We saw more than just the famous landmarks, despite sore feet and sunburns. We veered off the tourist track to ride the backroads that wind past vineyards, cherry orchards, and fields of lavender and sunflowers. We waited in line to order croissants from many a boulangerie along the side of the road. We wandered narrow, bumpy cobblestone paths in medieval hilltop villages. We ate with the locals at charming outdoor cafes. We shopped the antique fairs and markets. We sampled a slice of the "real" France.

With a little planning, you can also sample a slice of the "real" France. Follow Lolo's Travel Tips and remember to always take time to smell the roses!