Lyon: A Food Lovers' Dream Destination

If your idea of the perfect holiday is eating your way through every local dish and culinary hole-in-the-wall, then a trip to Lyon, France will make you feel like you've found vacation Nirvana. After all, this quaint city (actually the country's second largest, after Paris) is known as the gastronomic capital of France, thanks to a gazillion cafes and bistros (or "bouchons," as the Lyonnais version is called), world-renowned chefs like Paul Bocuse, and extra high quality local produce. For gourmands, it's simply -- pardon my French -- ****ing Paradise.

The Lyon Convention and Visitors Bureau recently launched a new program to help visitors get to know its lovely (albeit potentially fattening) city: Lyon City Greeter. This initiative connects tourists with local Lyon residents, who provide directions, information, and suggestions. The greeters will take you around once you get there, or simply provide suggestions over the internet. The service is free, and the greeters aren't paid -- they're simply proud citizens happy to share their city and make sure visitors have the best trip possible.

Of course, one thing they'll point you towards is the best place to get a perfect croissant and pain au chocolat...and, perhaps, a local branch of Weight Watchers or a place to pick up a large pack of Alka-Seltzer.