A.A. Milne may have made Eeyore famous in his Winnie-the-Pooh books, however in reality the hardworking donkey has been helping humans out for thousands of years.

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Recipes & Travel:
Donkeys of Provence, Provence Travel, Travel in France

The fruit is put into jail in May when the Manguin Distillery imprisons roughly 1400 pears in glass bottles in their orchard. Nutmeg had to see for herself how the new owners at this distillery were re-crafting a traditional industry into more of an art form.
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Recipes & Travel:
Avignon, Avignon Distillery, Île de la Barthelasse, Manguin Distillery, Poire Williams

Nancy McGee installed herself in France some 30-odd years ago. A Canadian by birth she speaks both official languages (French and English) thanks to her French-Canadian mother. Nancy says that growing up in Baie Comeau, Quebec for those who do not know the geography is “ Basically not very far from the North Pole.”

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Recipes & Travel:
Absolutely Southern France, Aix en Provence, Custom tours, Expat, Sete

Sombreros, sunshine and margaritas were the fuel for a series of historical walking tours in Palm Springs. Kathryn Leonard and her husband were visiting friends in and the Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende five years ago when the idea for historic walks sprouted in her head.

Kathryn is a retired schoolteacher with enough energy to challenge the energizer bunny. An avid tennis player and skier she may have finished with her professional career, but she is certainly not prepared to be idle. Kathryn told Nutmeg that during a walking tour in San Miguel de Allende she thought that the concept would work well in Palm Springs. (more…)

Recipes & Travel:
California, Frank Sinatra, Historical, Palm Springs, Stars, The Movie Colony, Tours, Walking Tours, Walks

The Emerald Isle has long been attractive to golfers, gardeners and Guinness lovers. Nutmeg is here to tell you that it is also a destination for foodies. With nine Michelin-starred restaurants in the Republic of Ireland, there is more to the food scene than Irish stew.
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Recipes & Travel:
Food, Ireland, Small tours, Tours, Travel

The cocoa goji balls are criminal – they should be locked up!
Carole Beaton owner and operator of An Edible Life in Canmore is modest, she says that she is not a confident cook and “only started baking in the fall.” When pressed for more details, Carole admitted that she may have baked before launching her food business, but never in retail quantities.
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Recipes & Travel:
An Edible Life, Canmore, Cocoa goji balls, Food, Gluten-free, Takeaway

L’Abbaye du Thoronet was first classified as a historic French monument in 1840. Restoration work started the year after and still continues today. Nutmeg wanted to visit the Thoronet Abbey as they had already seen the “sister” abbeys Silvacane and Sénanque. The straightforward design of these buildings produced volumes of space where the only adornment would have been the harmonic chanting voices of the monks. These religious structures are stark and somber yet at the same time refreshing, no marble, no gold, no organ pipes, just natural light and acoustics.

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Recipes & Travel:
Abbaye du Thoronet, Abbeys, Provence, Travel

Lonely Planet was wrong!
The road to Quinta Santo Antonio’s perch was not rutted, but it was vertical. Ginger and Nutmeg arrived at this B&B, balanced on tiny foothold of flat land between Douro Valley vine terraces, in a state of somewhat rattled marvel.

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Recipes & Travel:
Douro, Port wine, Porto, Portugal, Things you should know about Portugal, Travel Tips, Wines

Travel bugs are compelled to visit San Francisco. Aside from its unmatched setting, this city appeals to a broad range of preferences with a nearly endless array of choices for foodies, sports fans, art & architecture gurus and history buffs.
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Recipes & Travel:
Alcatraz, Alcatraz Historical Gardens, Garden Conservancy, Gardens, San Francisco

Hydra is a short 90-minute ferry ride from Piraeus port in Athens making it a popular getaway for Athenians and for those tourists wanting to sample the Greek islands. Hydra is also fashionable, as it remains one of the few islands with practically no vehicles. You can visit this Saronic Island by foot, by donkey or via boat-taxi.

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Recipes & Travel:
Bratsera, Greece, Greek Islands, Hotels, Hydra