As you might expect, Mile End presents a far more interesting and eclectic shopping experience than Montreal's central shopping area in Downtown. L'Arterie on Bernard W. houses vintage apparel, shoes and accessories as well as creations from local designers in this neat little shop.

Bordeaux makes an excellent destination for a gourmet weekend break with its many restaurants and food shops. There's a great Sunday morning riverside market and it makes a good base for visiting the surrounding châteaux.

I love markets, but the Jean-Talon market radiates a shinier freshness and a richer vibrancy I haven't experienced before; the produce is simply more abundant in colour, shape, texture and variety.

As a society historically insulted for our lack of food culture, especially by our French neighbours, it's surprising that so many everyday Britons are becoming increasingly interested in all things culinary.

If you're going truffle hunting then the best chance of finding any is in Acqualagna, in Pesaro-Urbino Province, as it supplies two thirds of the Italian market.

Cheese is a cottage industry here with Pelardon being the king of the goat's cheese. Methods of production have remained unchanged for centuries and I visit Celine Mourgues to find out her secrets. She keeps 80 goats and milks them twice a day.