When I first heard about an opportunity to travel with the Greater Manchester UK club in 1994, my younger brother and I were thrilled. The destination? Hawaii. We pictured ourselves surfing on Waikiki Beach, sipping Mai Tais, and watching Hula dancers under the sunset. But our excitement was short-lived—our club’s committee decided that Hawaii was too far and instead chose France as an alternative.
France is a beautiful country, of course, but at the time, it felt too familiar, too close—almost as if we could get there by bus. My brother and I were disappointed. Little did I know, this journey would become one of my most treasured experiences.
Our first stop was Compiègne, just over an hour from Paris. We explored the Château de Compiègne, The Glade of Armistice, and even took a bus tour of Paris. On June 21st, the longest day of the year, I was introduced to Fête de la Musique, a nationwide celebration where streets and cafés filled with musicians, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of joy and culture.
Our second week took us to Remiremont, near France’s eastern border. Hosted by a warm, young couple in a charming stone house on a hillside, I experienced the unhurried rhythm of French life—breakfasts in the garden, dinners that stretched until bedtime, and lively discussions on why microwave ovens had no place in a French kitchen. We explored Alsace, with its German-influenced architecture, and Épinal, known for its colorful woodcut illustrations of storybook characters.
One of the most breathtaking moments came during a farewell dinner on a hilltop, overlooking a vast green valley. As we dined, a summer storm rolled in across the landscape, filling the sky with dark clouds, flashes of lightning, and the distant rumble of thunder. It was a spectacular sight—a reminder of how travel can surprise and move us in unexpected ways.
Friendship Force has taken me to over 20 countries, but this journey remains one of my favorites. It showed me that the true magic of travel isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the people, the culture, and the moments that stay with us long after the journey ends.
Remiremont,France. Credit: Xavier Grandmougin