Provence & The C?te d'Azur

Bonjour!

It’s been a lovely two weeks in southern France, filled with charming small towns, colorful local markets, and sparkling coastline. France is perhaps my favorite country that I’ve visited in Europe; I can’t ever get enough of the exquisite food and wine, including eating my weight in pastries! It was such a treat to go back this summer and explore a new part of the country.

I’ve also found that no matter which city I’m in, the people that I meet in France are always incredibly kind and eager to share their passions. Conversations like these are part of what makes travel so special to me.

Enjoy this behind the scenes look at my time in Provence & the French Riviera!

Spotlight On…

Provence

We chose to stay in Aix-en-Provence, which was the perfect city to work from while still enjoying so much of the region! Its central location makes for easy day trips to nearby villages, wineries, and splendid natural scenery. Private transportation or renting a car is a must if you plan to travel around since many of the smaller towns are not conveniently serviced by trains.

Our time in Provence was the perfect blend of nature and wine—two of our big loves! Some of our favorite moments included:

• A full-day tour of the prestigious Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine region, which was the first in all of France to be given appellation status (AOC). See the “Tasting Notes” section for more!
• Perusing the Aix-en-Provence markets that set up in every square and are full of the freshest local produce and handmade goods
• Kayaking through the bright turquoise water of the Verdon Gorge. Perhaps my favorite kayaking experience to date!
• Being immersed in the incredible sensory experience that is the Valensole lavender fields—the hum of bees, scent of the flowers, and purple rolling hills are like none other
• Enjoying a delightful walk through vineyards, sculptures, and art galleries at Chateau La Coste

I also had the privilege of connecting in-person with the owner one of MMarkham Travel’s incredible partners, Deluxe France . Furthering connections like these when we travel are how we help take our clients’ experiences to the next level and ensure that they receive the best service on their trips!?

The French Riviera

The famous C?te d’Azur is quite aptly named—what struck me most about the coastline of the French Riviera is that it the sea is a pure bright blue color here with no shades of green. We loved staying in Nice with its central location and easy train connections to other towns.

Although we had suboptimal weather, we made the most of our time by being flexible with plans when we could and prioritizing time by the water on the sunniest days. All in all, a great week!

Highlights included:

• Spending two of our days lounging by the sea at a beach club in Nice, Le Galet. Beach clubs in Europe are absolutely my favorite way to enjoy the coast!
• Discovering the charming village of èze perched high up in the hills with its stunning views of the coast and fragrant blooming jasmine
• Enjoying the most delicious pastries almost every morning from La Maison de Celine—my favorite had fresh raspberries!
• A romantic dinner at Le Plongeoir on our 3rd anniversary where we were given the best seat in the house over the water
• Exploring the Picasso Museum in Antibes; the building itself was a former studio of his and houses the works that he made there

Tasting Notes

I could easily write a whole newsletter about the wine in and around Provence! For now, I’ll stick to sharing more about our experience in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. As I mentioned above, this was the very first region in France to be given an appellation designation. Appellations indicate that there are strict standards used in every step of the winemaking process. A special feature of grapes grown in Chateauneuf-du-Pape is that they must all be picked by hand—no machines allowed. That’s pretty unheard of in winemaking, and ensures that no part of the grapes or vines are damaged or tainted by machinery during the harvest.

This area is technically a part of the southern Rh?ne valley, not Provence, so it required a bit more transportation time. However, it was an absolutely incredible experience! I am very partial to many of the grapes used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape red blends, namely Grenache and Syrah, so the wines were an incredible treat.

Our favorite winery that we visited was Domaine de la Solitude. We enjoyed a wonderful walk there along the vineyards where we could see the unique rocks that characterize the region; they absorb heat during the day and release it into the vines at night, making for fantastic ripening of the grapes. At the tasting itself, we sampled 6 wines and were so very lucky to be poured some of their highest Reserve label wine, “Secrète.” This is the kind of wine that is rarely, if ever, poured on a tasting, but a bottle had already been opened. My husband and I both agreed that, across the board, this was some of the best wine we’ve ever had—it was an easy decision to ship a case home!

Featured Hotel: Villa Gallici?

Just minutes outside of the old town center of Aix-en-Provence lies Villa Gallici. This one of a kind, stunning Relais & Chateaux resort is a slice of traditional Italian glamour in the south of France. Upon arrival, guests will instantly note the smell of lavender throughout the property and lushly landscaped gardens.?

In addition to its unique style, notable features include a complimentary tea time each day, two restaurants (both with an outdoor terrace), and a sculpture walk through the gardens that includes many art pieces from the owner’s personal collection. Guests will also delight in the large bathrooms, each with a separate soaking tub, and their private terrace or balcony.?

As always, when booking with MMarkham Travel, our clients receive exclusive perks and amenities available through our hotel elite program and Virtuoso affiliations. At Villa Gallici this includes:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant and via in-room dining
• $100 Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Now, we’re onto our next country—Italy! Stay tuned for updates from Milan, Lake Como, Venice, and the Dolomites over the coming weeks.

If you’d like to keep up with my travels and see more frequent content, you can follow along with me on Instagram @abby_mmarkhamtravel and check out our team @mmarkhamtravel.

Cheers!

Abby McCormick

Travel Designer at MMarkham Travel