Grasse, a commune on the French Riviera, is considered the world's capital of perfume - producing over two-thirds of France's natural aromas for both perfumes and for flavoring food.It lies inland from the south French coast about 30 minutes drive from Nice. Warm and sufficiently inland to be sheltered from the sea air, the countryside around the city is dominated by fields of flowers, including rose, jasmine, daffodil, carnation, tuberose, orange blossom, and violet.

People come here for the flowers with their delicate scents. They are grown in Grass thanks to its micro climate and three perfumeries - Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard - open their doors to the public and offer free tours that explain the processes of producing a perfume. It is possible to create your own perfume, eau de perfume or eau de toilette and participate in all stages of manufacture from picking flowers to bottling.

Food and travel are both about adventure: the quest for new foods and flavours; the discovery of new places, new friends. And an increasing number of holidaymakers are seeking to combine both. Their Horizons are broad, their tastes eclectic. To meet increasing demand wineries are developing restaurants, hotels and spas. Tasting and cooking schools are being opened up.There is a world of discovery out there. Learn to make the best pizza in the world in Rome, order a mojito and mejillones (Spanish mussels) in Palma, eat beach food in Goa, savour the numbulo ham found on Corfu's Kerkyra Island...

But where to start? Work your way along the Côte d'Azur in search of sumptuous seafood?

Crete feels like more than just another of the Greek islands. It gives the impression of being a little country in its own right. But it's really the largest of the Greek islands, and arguably its most diverse and fascinating, with a remarkable history and a dynamic capital that is the fifth largest city in the whole of Greece.It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea separating the Aegean from the Libyan Sea.

Crete is a favorite Greek Island that hosts nearly a quarter of Greece’s tourists. It's interior has a rural charm and famous archaeological sites, while the coast offers towns with fabulous seafood and, caves of historic significance including the famous one where Zeus, the king of the gods, is said to have been born.There is no best time to visit Crete; it depends on what you seek. In January to March the weather can be cold and rainy, but it is also the time when flowers start to grow, with almond trees blossoming in January, anemones are plentiful and the citrus trees are full of fruit. April is the time of the Greek Easter, the most important feast of the Cretan year. In May and June the good weather is almost guaranteed. July and August is the high season when the weather is very hot. In September and October the sea is still really warm. November and December are quiet but the chances of good weather are high and it's still possible to swim.

The holidays often have a lot of time dedicated to family and home time; however, many people have to keep their regular working schedules for the majority of the time. If your office allows it, decorating your area or cubicle can be a great way to bring the holidays to work with you, and if you’re able, you can even bring some friendly competition to the office and have decorating contests, Secret Santa games, and a White Elephant gift exchange. This way, you still feel like you are celebrating the season even when surrounded by your work family instead of your actual family.

Cubicle/Area Decoration Contest

France and Italy may have lost cuisine's cutting edge for now but they are still masters of the craft of cooking - and there is plenty to thrill the most selective of culinary holiday makers.Time stands still at some Bordeaux châteaux, where workers use techniques like binding vine stocks with reeds, but this area boasts great food and wine shops, like From agerie Deruelle and the Cave Aux Quatre Coins du Vin, and is littered with hidden culinary gems.

Exceptional restaurants