It seems odd that this village was not named “les beaux” (the beautiful).
Impossibly perched on a plateau straddling a rocky peak of les Alpilles, the castle and hamlet of les Baux de Provence does deserve its title as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”.  The revived town site offers visitors sweeping views of the stone crags, a valley filled with plains of olives and rows of grapevines and in the distance the Mediterranean.

However, les Baux is not in reference to good looks.
(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Alpilles, Les Baux, Les Baux de Provence, Provence

Nutmeg’s parents were visiting and had agreed to stay for Canadian Thanksgiving, but not a single day beyond that. On the fringes of Alberta winter, these two south Florida natives were well aware once the white snow flakes start to fly – it could be six months of frozen misery.
Florida Sunset
(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Healthy Thanksgiving Meals, What is Turducken

Nutmeg was tired of lugging around a bulky camera; with its big lens and a menu of options that she could not understand. The only two settings she had ever used were automatic and off. Frustrated that the fancy camera was not getting any “exercise,” and her iPhone offered the same capabilities in a much lighter package, she decided that enough was enough.

(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Andrew Squires, Facilitutors in France, Photo Workshops, Photography, Provence

Nutmeg received an email regarding a trip to Ireland although she was extremely tempted by the itinerary, the tour dates could not work into their schedule. The proposed trip, designed for a small group of travellers is a bespoke, crafted experience combining some of southern Ireland’s famous historical sites with rock climbing and sea kayaking. Nutmeg was intrigued she reached out to Mary Baskin an accomplished interior designer to understand more about her story and the company.

In her own words…
(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Provence Travel, Touring Ireland, Travel in France, Vagabond International

Nutmeg considered an alternate title for this post:
“Camino – What colour is your poncho?”
The email arrived in February from Sassafras. She was wondering if anyone might join her to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela for a week in May. This lady was not planning to celebrate her milestone birthday at a luxurious desert spa. Nope, she wanted some girlfriends to join her on a long walk. In the end, nine brave (or foolish) gals agreed to subject themselves to her adventure.

(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Camino de Santiago, The Way of St James, Travel in Spain

Nutmeg toured only a small portion of Ireland with her family. The island is tiny, yet the number of potential attractions is enormous, and the roads are small. Rather than bore you with the specific itinerary, she decided to do another ABC list (this one abbreviated).

Aran Islands lie off the coast from Galway. These are three barren specs of land still occupied by native Irish speakers. Even if you have not heard of the islands you have most likely come across an Aran cable knit sweater, typically made from heavy, cream-coloured wool.
(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
ABC Travel Lists, Touring Ireland, Travel Ireland

News flash! Nutmeg has been working…

Icy, glacier-fed waters carved a turquoise ribbon through the dense pine forest, and warm sulphur liquid bubbled to the earth’s surface long before any human activity in Banff National Park.
Wildlife corridors and the river flow opened access to the first human eyes, native Canadians and then a sprinkling of hardy European explorers. The steel rails of the Canadian Pacific Railway replaced the dusty pack-horse trails, bringing the curious wealthy from far flung lands. Once the asphalt road reached the Banff town site, the word was out that this mountain playground was now open to all.

(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Alberta Tour App, Audio Tour Guide, Banff History, Banff National Park, Banff Restaurants, Best Apps for Travel, Food in Banff, Touring Alberta, Travel Alberta

Nutmeg was invited to explore Ireland with her family. The dates for the Irish tour were selected, and the itinerary confirmed. The uncontrollable was the weather. The Emerald Isle teased the group on the first day with a cool, sunny day. During the balance of the trip the sun was elusive, the rain was not – it was GREEN.
The following is one of Nutmeg’s ABC lists to give you a view of this glorious place.

(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
ABC Travel Lists, Good Food Ireland, Irish Travel, Touring Ireland

The stonemasons never showed up.
• Monday morning in Provence
• South of France
• Forecast for a cobalt blue sky and 28C
• There must be a national holiday soon
Who could blame them?

(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
Abbey Montmajour, Abbeys in France, Arles, Christian Lacroix, CIRVA, Provence Travel, Travel in France

Imagine an era before email, Facebook, e-checks, iTunes and SMS – 1963.
In celebration of a simpler time, and those readers who might be nearing their 50th birthdays, Nutmeg put this list of 1963 facts together.

(more…)

Recipes & Travel:
1963 Facts, 50 facts from 1963