X marks the spot of our favorite peaceful Parisian landmark.

Outside the Tuileries and in Provence –blooms!

Capturing iris’s at the farm.Spring gives way to summer.And a little summer picnic to end the post!.

We love these shots.

City Hall is dotted with sculptures, several by Rodin — and surrounded by fountains in summer and an ice run in winter.Along the Seine. A great place for a picnic or to read. This turns into the Paris Plage in summer!

In Provence:The new church in our village.Where the bridges and buildings offset the blue of the sky.

Sunshine and blue skies, and…Bliss

There are few things better than a Sunday in Provence. In fact, even if you do nothing special, it’s a pretty great day. However, the photos below are what we consider pure Bliss. This is the best Sunday EVER! (And after you’ve read this, if you disagree, I truly would love to know what you do in Provence that is BETTER!!)

To start, we go to our absolute favorite place for a traditional 4 course Sunday lunch. Nestled in the cliffs…It’s a stunning but very casual place. When we talk about authentic dining, gourmet but not fussy, this is what we mean.The appetizer platter comes out for people to share. Provencal treats like Anchoiade, tapenade, moules or wild mushrooms…Followed by one of the traditional main courses –this is ‘yours truly’ filleting everyone’s fresh stream trout! Of course, daube and lamb etc are also choices.The Provencal tomatoes and purely delicious creamy potatoes are served as accompaniment.After is the cheese course. Banon is local to the area. It really can’t be found anywhere outside of the region –not the real stuff properly ripened.Then come desserts…Then the traditional Sunday hike.  When we say the road less traveled and “off the beaten path”, we mean it!Up to the ruins for a quick “look”. Though some people chose to relax in the shade instead of making the climb.Capturing the view.If you can!And then back “home” for the evening. If you can top this day of pure Bliss, I’d sure like to know how! If you’d like to do this with us some day, contact us! We’d love to share this wonderful experience with you sometime this summer. We will be there in July and August!

A Bientôt,

Wendy

For the photographers, there was an early morning shoot. The rest of us had a leisurely breakfast or even slept in. We all met in the garden, and then drove to see the poppy fields, where Anthony helped people capture the beauty.After our shoot, we visited a local village and friends we adore.For lunch we shared specially prepared warm goat cheese salads or soup au pistou and  then had an omelette made with farm fresh asparagus (thank you Lionel –our favorite chef in the village –who always has local eggs and something special for my perennial omelette!)After lunch there was sightseeing, walking, gallery hopping and, yes, more photography –yours truly even modeled –and learned there is a “walk”, a “look”, and, of course, not to smile too much!! For our next photography trips, there will be an option to do portraiture and we will use models.

But, ever the guide, I continued to give clear direction to all who asked!

We finished the evening with a wine tasting and meal in a private cellar –candle lit, with a menu to order. Pas Mal!

In case you were wondering –the blue in the sky is not touched up. That truly is the color!We hope to share this and more with you on our next trips. July and August festivals are just around the corner, as is our fall photography, foliage and Chateauneuf du Pape trip! Contact us now! Wendy@blisstravels.com

Spring time provides wonderful and very different sites.

The first “lavender” colored bloom of the season!In every direction the sights are green and blossoming.I just can’t get enough of the poppies!

And, of course, every day must have a castle in it somewhere!
Join us! It’s Bliss! Contact us with any questions.

Join us at one of our favorite all time markets!
To taste from our favorite all time products!Seasonal treats.colorful flowerslocally made goat cheesesand ambiance galoreJoin us on our next shopping experience! Bliss Travels

Some shots from our current trip —  A professional makes all the difference! Whether it’s knowing what and how to shoot — or where to find the authentic places and uncommon sights.

One of the paths that lead to an old Roman road…Poppies under a 2000 year old bridgeMorning light!

Our photographer, Anthony Bianciella, has a student photograph us.Off the beaten path, and exploring the light! Leave home. Step out of your normal comfort zone, and see things you might have missed!

After an afternoon of photography –and the vines lead us to a wine tasting at an organic (bio) vineyard.

Having a great time –even if the Mistral does blow –You could say they were “blown away by Provence”Fall foliage and photography in the Luberon in October. And May 2013 –booking now.

If you do enough research and talk to enough people, you can find stunning villages to wonder through all on your own. No problem. Provence is a region of Beauty. Touring Provence is a great way to spend your vacation. Just make your visit to France special by getting off the “beaten track”  and enjoy some sights with local color! It’s even more special when you can do and learn things you’d never get access to on your own. Over the next few posts, we’ll highlight some of these exclusive access activities.

Can you find a newly discovered excavation site? Bliss did!

And, have a private tour of a closed Provencal church –one with origins from before the year 500 ?

Visit a Roman bridge and learn to photograph with a professional photographer? AnAnd Make sure to find time to enjoy the local dining and wonderful people!

It’s truly Bliss!

A Bientôt….let us know when you want to do something off the beaten track.

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