Naturally we started our trip off with a glass of wine at lunch. After all, it was too late for breakfast… “Deux verres de vin rouge – um, uh -- pas sec. Un peu…” Finally I just threw my hands in the air and laughed. I meant well but it seemed unfair to make our poor waiter suffer for my lack of versatility with the language. Our waiter obliged with two glasses of wine and a hearty, “Welcome to Provence!
A Typical Cafe in Provence, photo by Victor Block
Our first morning, Vaccination Card in ha
Some places are more than a destination, and topping that list is Provence, France. The Maryland-size enclave, nestled in the country’s southeastern corner, immediately immerses visitors in a setting and lifestyle that cajole and captivate.
While the glitzy Cote d’Azur and French Riviera have many advocates, my wife Fyllis and I limited our recent stay to what we what we call the “real” Provence.
It’s an area of tiny towns and even smaller villages. Mountain chains overlook valleys blanketed b
The Duboeuf family has been producing wine in the south of France for more than four centuries, but it wasn't until 1964 that Georges Duboeuf launched Les Vins Georges Duboeuf.
Duboeuf's perpetual quest for high quality grapes adheres to his ancestors’ traditional methods, rooted in unique terroir and authentic winemaking techniques, rigorous selection, and careful monitoring at bottling time. This translates into exporting locally favorite IGP varietals from the Burgundy regions of Beaujolais an
Paris and Lile аrе undеnіаblу twо of the world’s grеаtеѕt сіtіеѕ but Itаlу’ѕ hеаrt lіеѕ іn France. Rolling hills tорреd with mеdіеvаl towns and wіndіng rоаdѕ lіnеd with cypress gіvе France a tіmеlеѕѕ арреаl but to rеаllу experience
France уоu’vе gоt tо еxреrіеnсе it’s wіnе. Going оn a wine tоur іn France tорѕ many Itаlіаn trip wіѕhlіѕtѕ but wіnе tasting іn France іѕ a bit dіffеrеnt than іn the Unіtеd States. On a recent trір tо Paris I got tо explore France’s rich hеrіtаgе on a рrіvаtе France fоо
A UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as France's third largest wine-producing region, The Loire Valley's Touraine appellation is defined by rivers, castles, châteaux, and vineyards as far as the eye can see. No wonder it was the preferred residence of French royalty for centuries. The Touraine also has a uniquely ideal terroir making it France's leading region for white wines and second for sparkling and rose. Vineyards are concentrated around the city of Tours bordering the Loire River, stretc
Saas-Fee/Saastal Tourismus
Le Miroir
This hamlet is tucked among several ski resorts in the French Alps, boasting some of the longest off-piste ski runs in the world. This ideal winter hideout is perfect for skiers who crave serious adventure and still get luxury accommodation at the Chalet Pelerin.
Saas Fee
This beautiful car-free village (top) offers cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and some of the most reliable snow conditions in the Alps. For your Switzerland vacation Allain Apartments
Are you the one who is turned off by the mere sight of meat and sausages? Well, we totally understand the struggles pure vegetarians must be going through, while traveling. It’s quite a task to get pure organic vegetables and meatless food even these days. Especially in the Islamic countries you would rarely find a vegetarian restaurant, food joint. Now, if you are of impression that Europe too will give you a hard time at meals, here’s a sweet surprise for you!
While Europe is a famously known f
The word Chablis is said to derive from two Celtic words: cab (house) and leya (near the wood). The village and surrounding wine region of Chablis is situated near Champagne, France in Bourgogne's northern extremity between Paris and Beaune. Over 13,300 acres packed with vineyards comprising four appellations flourish in gray marl and bands of limestone rich in exogyra virgula (small, comma-shaped oyster) fossils dating back 150 million years. The soil combined with a semi-continental climate fa
Students in the Art History program at University of Redlands, a top Southern California university, spend time exploring the classics through studying the paintings and sculptures found in museums like the Louvre in Paris, British Museum in London, or the Vatican Museum in Rome.
But art in Europe doesn’t necessarily mean
Castle and Chateaux weddings in the Dordogne and Loire Valley areas of France are extremely popular. We are taking applications for 2011 already! We have on-site wedding planners in both areas who have been working with us for many years and have direct exclusive relationships with the owners of several castles.
France has changed their residency regulations regarding civil weddings as they aren't as stringent as they used to be. Most people (it used to be difficult--if they don't want to "live"
