From the excess of the Riviera to the wilderness of Camargue or the big ego of the historical cities, Provence is great from the highest mountain to the serene sea. But at the heart of it all you will find the Luberon - and that is a coup de coeur to last a lifetime.
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Of Love and War: the Legend of the Black Rooster
In the ancient realm of Tuscany, nestled between the rival cities of Siena and Florence, the fertile Chianti region lay as the coveted prize in a bitter territorial feud. For generations, the animosity the two cities had been simmering like the Tuscan sun. A white rooster, a black rooster and grand horse race Desperate for a resolution to establish the rightful owner of the Chianti territory once and for all, the leaders of both cities decided to settle the matter with a grand horse race. The rules were simple yet unprecedented: two riders would set off at the crowing of a rooster, one from each city, and the point where…
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Bretagne: a Celtic love story
How did we end up having a Creperie? Our friends already know, and the story, has become quite famous in the press at the time. However, INCEPTION is the best part: what is the connection between salted caramel, King Arthur, galettes complètes, island houses, and Celtic dances? In one word, a wedding. Of course, not just any wedding, but a wedding like no other, which took place in a hamlet surrounded by waters in Brittany. Besides bringing together a bunch of wonderful people scattered all over Europe and uniting a couple deeply in love, the wedding was the perfect opportunity to step into a story. To be honest, Carnac was…
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Best of Lavender Season: top 8 fields in Provence
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque Yes, it’s my no.1 too. Topping all lavender tops and Provence guides, the iconic Senanque Abbey is a masterpiece set amidst heavenly lavender fields. Wander through the ancient stone walls, capturing postcard-perfect shots of the abbey framed by fragrant lavender blooms, but take your time offline and gadget-free. The symphony of colors and scents here brings you closer to God, literally. Bonnieux and the Luberon Valley The absolute sine qua non of the lavender season in Provence, The Luberon Regional Park is home to all the wonders: lavender fields, hilltop villages and sinuous country roads where you never cease to french kiss. Bonnieux is one seductive village perched on a…
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POSTCARDS from happy MYKONOS
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MYKONOS #SINEQUANON: THE THINGS YOU CANNOT LEAVE OUT
ONE: The windmills That jump-into-the-postcard feeling: amazing! The iconic windmills that are a synonim for Mykonos and for the Cyclades can be seen from just about everywhere in the bay area or from up the hill in the city. Incredibly famous and photogenic, they are the soul and signature of Mykonos. Built in the 1700 to mill the wheat using the revolutionary power of wind, they have been a symbol of wealth and welvome for all visitors: trade ships, fishing ships, merchants and travellers. The most famous ones are the Kato Milli, the row of six mills on the shore cliff in Chora, next to Little Venice. You can reach…
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LONDON #SINEQUANON: THE THINGS YOU CANNOT LEAVE OUT
ONE: THE CLASSICS, AT NIGHT 360 view in the heart of London: a late night stroll crossing Westminster Bridge, taking in the view up and down the Thames, The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Eye, all in a splendid swirl. TWO: THE HIGH(EST) VIEW London seen from above is more than extraordinary, is utterly dramatic and incredibly enjoyable, especially with a glass of prosecco to complement the view. Book your ticket to The View from the Shard (yes, it’s worth every penny and then some) or/ and to Sky Garden for a true show of wonder. Tip 1: Sky Garden is free entrance, but you need to…
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SARDINIA #SINEQUANON: THE THINGS YOU CANNOT LEAVE OUT
ONE: Costa Smeralda A little over 20 km of coastline and the most expensive location in Europe (real estate prices are 300,000 euros sqm), Costa Smeralda is famous for its white sand beaches, its scenic route, its hidden coves and bays and known as the VIPs playground ever since the 60’s. Porto Cervo is a celebs hotspot and has one of the most beautiful luxury brands shopping mall in the world, while Romazzino is that ideal real estate project dreamt of by Prince Karim Aga Khan and sought after by Clooney and co. Normally, this kind of labels are something the happy few thoroughly avoid, but in this case we…
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POSTCARDS: If it’s February, then it’s Carnival in NICE!
Nice Carnival is one of the greatest carnivals in the world: every year before Mardi Gras, there are two weeks of daily events and parades, including the famous Night Parade (on the Promenade du Paillon) and the Battle of Flowers (on the Promenade des Anglais).
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Bet you didn’t know: Carnival was born in Nice!
Did you know that the Carnival in Nice is the original carnival-type celebration ? We all know about – and even travelled to – the famous Carnival in Rio or in Venice, but few of us are aware that the Nice Carnival is the oldest ever mentioned, namely by the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou in 1294. The Nice Carnival is not only one of the major carnivals in the world, but it is maybe the greatest in terms of the complexity of the parade: each year has a special theme which sets the tone for the design of 18 spectacular floats and all the masquerades and connected activities. The 2020 theme…