According to Wikipedia, York, Pennsylvania is known as the White Rose City a place with so many well-preserved buildings that it is considered an “architectural museum.” Marjorie Williams has recently published her second book Markets of Provence we asked her how growing up in York gave her an appreciation for shopping …

Contributor blog post by Jill Barth: I attended Provence in the City, hosted by Vins de Provence. Over 25 winemakers met with wine industry and media folks at the Public Hotel’s historic Pump Room in Chicago. It was a gorgeous spring-like day in typically chilly-in-February Chicago. The afternoon’s wine was offered …

Last year I sat out an entire vintage due to my pregnancy (it was easily worth it, of course, and I’ve been catching up since baby grape’s arrival). Just because I wasn’t drinking, however, didn’t mean I didn’t go out and it was at a tasting at the sadly now …

Contributor blog post by David Taylor: It’s incredible how over the last fortnight so much plant life has burst into colour. The cherry trees as always are spectacular giving a white shimmer to the hillside, some are already turning and will soon be producing delicious red cherries. As sure as eggs …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: May in Provence is the continuation of annual flower markets and the beginning of the abrivado season. Horse festivals, running of the bulls…For me, the season really starts with the 1st of May celebrations in Arles where the Fête des Gardians …Continue reading here for Ashley’s …

Always good for entertainment, and the odd little treasure are the vide greniers; France’s answer to garage sales. These are sales on a village scale, with a festive atmosphere. Typically, vendors secure a spot by paying a nominal fee to the local town hall (Marie).  The wares for sale, oscillate between …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: Replacing the steep, narrow and dangerous staircase in our house with a space-effective spiral staircase was always part of our renovation plan. We looked online at beautiful industrial era staircases from Britain and compared those to the rickety plastic structures available at the local …

Though my husband and I enjoy spending our time together in meandering villages while in Provence, he feels a constant tug at his heartstrings luring him away toward something else. Being a cyclist and being in France, a cyclist’s dream, he is constantly enticed by the sight of Mont Ventoux …

Contributor blog post by Victoria Koning @MirabeauWine: I have been drinking wine for decades, but only in recent years have I really started tasting it. Looking at the colour, swirling the liquid nectar in my glass, sniffing the aromas deeply, taking a sip and swirling it in my mouth, letting …

Contributor blog post by Ashley Tinker: The cherry trees are flowering in Provence and there are punnets full of local tasty strawberries varieties at the local veg shop. We’ve officially (only today) moved into our new house and though we’re quite busy- …Continue reading here for Ashley’s list of all the festivals …