As many experienced travelers know, Paris and France are romantic and exciting any time of year, but the off-season offers savings, smaller crowds and exciting events.

The City of Light can take your breath away with monuments like the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe, renowned museums including the Louvre, beautiful boulevards, shops and an endless array of restaurants and cafes.

The French countryside has the historic regions of Brittany and Normandy. Relive the Allied forces’ landing on D-Day or delight in Monet’s gardens at Giverny.

The chateaus and castles in the Loire Valley will enchant you. The region’s proximity to Paris makes it a perfect day trip from the city. Or visit the playgrounds of the rich and famous–Nice, Cannes and St. Tropez. And February is Mardi Gras, or carnaval, in France, including the big festival in Nice.

Or if you’ve always wanted to ski the Alps, France offers some of the finest resorts in Europe.

With so many choices, planning a French itinerary can seem overwhelming. Let your AAA Travel agent help you find the right travel package, saving you time and money. Perhaps you’ll decide on one of several trips offered by Travel Bound, a company with 30 years of experience.

Call 1-888-366-4222 to find the nearest AAA Travel office.

Another norovirus outbreak hit cruise passengers and crew on a trans-Atlantic voyage in November. About 700 people on Carnival Cruise Line’s Liberty fell ill with stomach flu-like symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cruise ships can be affected because of close living quarters and new passenger arrivals that may bring the virus on board. Also, health officials track illnesses on ships and quickly report them.

Frequent hand washing helps to prevent contracting the virus. Travelers also can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, along with hand-washing practices, while on a trip.