Posts tagged: Provence Travel

Almost indescribable, the scent of a fig tree full of almost ripe fruit is a fragrance that is both sweet and earthy. Nutmeg had never had the opportunity to enjoy the remarkable smell of the fig tree, before she spent the summer in Provence. The scent is distinctive, almost arresting in the open air, however, in a closed space can be overwhelming.
The fig tree is often referred to as the Common Fig. It grows both cultivated and wild in most countries that are close to the Mediterranean and in many parts of Asia. Some tree varieties will bear fruit up to four times a year.

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Recipes & Travel:
Easy healthy snack recipes, food info, Markets in Provence, Provence Travel, Recipes with Figs, Travel in France

Really, who would believe that?

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Recipes & Travel:
Airline Travel Tips, Provence Travel, Travel in France

One of Nutmeg’s all-time favourite quotes is by the third United States President, Thomas Jefferson:
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.“

Needless to say, she was thrilled to read a book by Roy and Alma Moore entitled “Thomas Jefferson’s Journey To The South of France”. The book is available through Amazon, it is a well-researched chronicle of Jefferson’s visit to the southern part of France in 1787. The book includes copies of his letters, recent pictures and some snippets of history. Jefferson was at the time the American minister to France; his journey however, was a personal one with few official obligations. He set out from Paris on February 28, 1787 and returned on June 10th, the same year.
This post is not a book review, but rather Ginger and Nutmeg’s view of some of the places that the illustrious man visited 224 years before. A note to readers, this blog post,…

Recipes & Travel:
Books, Provence Travel, Thomas Jefferson in France, Travel Book Reviews, Travel in France

Eygalières is a beautiful village located in the heart of the Alpilles in Provence. The town has a population of barely 1,800 souls, most of whom live in another locale on a regular basis. The number of residents swells in the spring and summer months as the homes and hotel rooms fill. Owners and staff at the local cafés and restaurants work hard during these months serving the throngs of visitors.
The setting for Eygalières is idyllic; a medieval village perched on a hill offering views of the Alpilles and Mont Ventoux. The hamlet has one bustling main street filled with three cafés, two bakeries, a butcher, two groceries, several restaurants and too many real estate agents.

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Recipes & Travel:
Alpilles Mountains Provence, Camargue, Cowboy Culture in Provence, Provencal Traditions, Provence Travel, Travel in France

Nutmeg owes an enormous thank you to friends and family for their patience in the last several months, as they endured her chronicles of how to develop a travel application.
Enfin! – Finally!
Edible Heritage Aix en Provence the App, a new pocket travel companion, is for sale and ready to be downloaded to your mobile phone.

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Recipes & Travel:
Aix en Provence, Edible Heritage, Edible Heritage Audo Guided Tours, French Travel App, Provencal Food, Provencal Traditions, Provence Travel, Travel in France

Sassafras is native to eastern North America, not France.  However, she works for an airline and she has made it a personal quest to visit Europe regularly.  With Ginger away in Calgary for 10 days, Nutmeg thought that a little time with her girlfriend in Provence would be enjoyable.
The trip did not quite start as planned, Sassafras’ arrival was delayed due to an airline strike.  Then her in-country train connections took longer than the transatlantic flight.  Despite, those minor hick-ups, she arrived on a beautiful summer day, for a lot of cycling and a bit of culture. Nutmeg had packed a 7-day agenda into 5 days; here is a summary of her visit:

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Recipes & Travel:
Biking in Provence, Markets in Provence, Provence Travel, Travel in France

Southern Alberta spring is transient.
Nutmeg likes to call it the Spring Tease.
You might be tempted to clean off the deck, haul out the garden furniture and make an assessment of the damage winter did to the yard. You may even take your bike out for a spin, careful to avoid the gravel left over from the icy days. There could be an opportunity to sneak in an early season golf game.
Don’t put away your warm clothes yet!
These are the few weeks a year, when multi-sport enthusiasts can ski and golf in the same day, although you may be warmer skiing.
Last week the daytime temperatures in the Bow Valley hovered around 7C (45F) and Lady MacDonald was crowned with a fresh dusting of the white stuff.
Nutmeg reflected once again, that there really are places in the world, where flowers are blooming by this time.
A touch of red

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Recipes & Travel:
Banff National Park, Canmore Alberta, Flowers in France, French Poppies, Monet Paintings, Provence Travel, Travel Alberta

Ginger and Nutmeg had spent a morning at a cooking class, and even longer consuming the tasty results. It was already 15:00 (3pm) and they needed a walk after that four-course lunch. On advice from a friend they decided to visit Chateau La Coste to answer the question; can decent wine be produced from a combination of Irish wealth and French grapes?

This vineyard is found just outside of Aix-en-Provence, near the town of Puy-Sainte-Réparade. It is not to be confused with the town of Lacoste (that will be another post). Paddy McKillen a wealthy Irishman purchased the old bastide and surrounding land in 2002. This is a man who knows about premium quality, he is the majority owner in several high-end hotels including, London hotels Claridges and the Connaught.
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Recipes & Travel:
French Wines, Provence Travel, Travel in France, Wines of Provence

The village of St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume is located in a valley a short 30-minute drive south of Aix en Provence. Vineyards surround the town and just to the south is the Massif de la Ste-Baume. The town was named after St Maximinus, who reportedly converted the residents to Christianity and where a 6th century parish church was built and named in his honour.  The church was later demolished when the basilica was constructed.

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Recipes & Travel:
Hotel Le Couvant Royal, Provencal Food, Provence Travel, St Maximin la Ste Baume, Travel in France

Ginger and Nutmeg were invited to join some friends for a day of “easy” cycling on L’Île de Porquerolles. This is the biggest of three small islands that make up the Îles d’Hyères or Les Îles d’Or (Golden Islands), located just off the coast from Hyères.  This is the rougher, wilder, “native” side of the Cote D’Azur.  The ferry leaves from a couple locations; you can check the schedule on the official site.
Scheduled departure for the ferry was 10:30am, a bit of extra traffic congestion through Toulon, and a slight wrong turn made for a VERY tight connection.  G&N were absolutely the last to board the boat, but they made it! This late February day was certainly not one for bathing suits or t-shirts, fleece and puffy jackets were in order. The temperature hovered around ten degrees Celsius, with gusting winds and a constant threat of rain. Nutmeg is absolutely not a boat person, so the short choppy crossing…

Recipes & Travel:
Biking in Provence, Cote d'Azur Travel Ideas, L'Île de Porquerolles, Provence Travel, Travel in France