The Auvergne? To us, it's like France's geographical version of the Loch Ness monster--heard about by many, seen by few. But that's okay. Fewer people means more space for us to explore the spectacular volcanic terrain of jutting peaks and forested hills.

Located in central France, this region is the embodiment of outdoor nirvana. Hundreds of hiking and biking trails fan its upland, especially in the Parc Naturel des Volcans d'Auvergne, France's largest national park. The Puy de Sancy, Auvergne's highest point (1,885 m) towers here, affording the types of views normally only witnessed by National Geographic phtotographers, especially when the surrounding slopes explode with wildflowers.

The few towns that dot the Auvergne, such as Clermont-Ferrand and Le Puy, wow the eyes with Romanesque churches from the 12th century constructed of volcanic rock. While Vichy and St. Nectaire are best known for their spas and bubbling mineral water springs that allegedly contain therapeutic balms, both make for superb tour stops to soothe the body and sample some of the region's famous cheeses while feeling insightfully good about being in on one of France's best kept secrets.