February is nearly upon us, and with the changing of the month, my time in Marseille is drawing to a close. Up next: the wine capital of France – and the city voted most livable in the country – Bordeaux. However, as with my itinerary here in the south, I won’t be confined to just the city.

My trip will actually begin in the Pyrenees, the mountain chain between France and Spain. Heading to Bordeaux after, I will begin my exploration, taking a break to head back south for a historic castle town.

After a brief getaway to Oslo – yes, Norway in February – I will be back in Bordeaux to do some more sightseeing, day trips, and truly get the feel for the city, before going to Lyon for the month of March.

So what will the month look like? Here is my full itinerary.

February 1-4 – Andorra

Andorra is a tiny country in the Pyrenees, accessible by bus from either Barcelona or, in my case, Toulouse. Best known for skiing and duty free shopping, I will be exploring other options, since neither of those things holds a ton of appeal. Wish me luck!

February 4-8 – Bordeaux

I plan to settle into my apartment and start my exploration of this beautiful river city. On the immediate docket: some red wine, for which the region is known, and a great cheese to accompany. Bordeaux has one of the largest pedestrian centers in Europe, so I’ll make sure to have plenty of good walks!

February 8-10 – Toulouse and Carcassonne

My mother has been incredible about a family genealogy project, and it turns out I have cousins in Toulouse who have graciously agreed to host me and show me around. Toulouse, the gateway to the French Pyrenees, is also home to Airbus, and much of the country’s aerospace industry.

Carcassonne, just a short trip from Toulouse, is one of the best preserved French castle towns, and I am excited to see it without the throngs of tourists that visit in the summertime.

February 10-14 – Bordeaux

My apartment will have missed me, and there is so much to do in Bordeaux that will require my attention.

February 14-18 – Oslo

I know it isn’t part of Bordeaux and the Pyrenees, but a brief trip to Norway is in the cards when family is meeting me there. Viking ships, reindeer sausage, and local art are all on the docket.

February 18 – March 1 – Bordeaux

One of my closest friends is coming to join me, and together we will explore the museums and sights of Bordeaux and the region. A must-see is La Cite du Vin, the largest wine museum in the world.

We will also be taking a couple of day trips, one to Arcachon for the world’s best oysters, and one to Saint-Emilion, a beautiful tiny town known as one of the top wine producers in France.

Make sure to check the blog for all of my updates, and my Instagram page for photos!

Isn’t Bordeaux pretty? I can’t wait to get there!