This month I went back to school … to wine school. Now, I have little regrets about my university days, but if I had to name one it would be my lack of involvement in university life. I was busy juggling full-time study with a part-time job, saving for my next …

Serious athletes often push their physical boundaries to new extremes; climbing higher mountains, running longer distances, or entering Navy Seal inspired team-relays on muddy courses… Now, serious wine buffs can compete too! Connoisseurs who are looking to close their personal “wine gap” by moving beyond buying familiar labels and ‘trusted’ …

“To Joan. A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou, plus a house in Provence.” ~Dedication: The Provence Book. It was a perfect Provencal day, where the cobalt-blue morning sky turns white by noon under the sun’s intense rays. Nutmeg arrived at Provence Paradise, an enclave of self-catering …

Fancy a walk through lavender fields? Do you want to get away from the crowds on the coast? Did you know there are 60 kinds of orchids in one national park? In two recently published guidebooks Walking in Provence East and Walking in Provence West by author Janette Norton, you …

Glanum a Roman oppidum, protected by its fortified walls once housed a flourishing community. The settlement stood on a hillside in the shadow of the rocky, crests of the Alpilles slopes. The Franks in 260AD destroyed Glanum. The population was forced to resettle on the valley floor, giving rise to St Remy de …

Philippe Goninet might be slightly biased, but according to this Provence tour guide read more here. “St Remy is the place I always recommend as a base for visitors.” Here are his top tips for a visit to Provence.  #Discover Stroll around the village and discover its hidden gems in …

In search of a lunchtime snack today, I happened across Columbus Café which I hadn’t seen before. It has a good array of fresh salads, filled baguettes, and toasted paninis and bagels, plus muffins which they say are made on the premises.  

Ok, I’m dreaming about Starbucks. I know I know…… I should never say such a thing like that when I’m in France surrounded by the highly sophisticated coffee drinking society of Aix. It starts early with a small black (ordered as un cafe, mainly served in a cup but sometimes …

What a wonderful subject for next year’s show at the Carrieres de Lumieres. ‘Leonardo de Vinci, Michel-Ange, Raphael: Les Géants de la Renaissance’ takes the visitor on a journey starting in Milan. It then goes to Florence where Raphael and Leonardo were painting portraits and Madonnas.

A few years ago, a group of Provencal pastry masters called les Artisans Pâtissiers Chocolatiers du Vaucluse got together with a concept in mind, their project was to make a cake that is representative of Provence. As you can likely tell, from their official title these artisan bakers know what …