I recently came back from a 10-day trip to Europe in which I went to medieval towns, Mediterranean beaches, Alpine lake resorts and major cities — all with a two-and-a-half-year-old in tow. “How did you do that?” many people have asked me in complete wonderment. I could tell these inquisitive folks just about anything but I […]

Seillans, a tiny town in Provence, is one of the prettiest villages in France. But you don’t have to take my word for it, or even decide based on these photos. That’s because Seillans is officially one of Le Plus Beaux Villages de France. This prestigious association began in 1981 when the mayor of Collonges-la-Rouge […]

Where would I like to be right now? Submerged in the infinity pool at Terre Blanche, looking at the incomparable views of Provence. Truly, there are few things better in life than being in a beautiful pool in beautiful surroundings with beautiful landscaping. Over my two-night stay at Terre Blanche, a five-star luxury resort in […]

The kiddie pool at Terre Blanche, a five-star luxury resort in Provence, has to be the best kiddie pool in the world. No, I haven’t been to them all but I don’t see how there could be better one in existence. First, you’ve got the incomparable Provencal setting. But beyond that, look at how beautifully this French pool has been constructed with its trio of fountains and mosaic-tiled bottom.

It’s one thing to read a book on a cruise but it’s quite another to hear a lecture from a famous author! If you’re thinking of taking a cruise, then I hope you’ll enjoy this guest post about Cunard’s lineup of impressive speakers. Luxury cruises are synonymous with relaxing in style; and seeing the world […]

My whole South of France and Geneva itinerary came about because I had a persistent daydream of my husband, toddler and me playing on a beach in the French Riviera. There were plenty of fabulous Cote D’Azur towns to choose from but once I realized that a sandy (as opposed to rocky) beach was a must, my choices narrowed considerably. So now all we had to do was find a vacation rental in Antibes … in less than two weeks from our departure date!

We had fallen totally in love with Annecy, France, but we were beholden to a strict itinerary (designed by moi). So after lunch on our second day there, we reluctantly departed from this gorgeous Alpine Venetia and set off south to Avignon. This had been a last-minute addition to the itinerary when we decided that we wanted to break up the six-hour drive from Annecy to Antibes, where we would spend three nights.

Sometimes as a travel blogger, I must ask myself difficult questions that have no ready answer. Most recently, I had to ask: Do I prefer how the famous Palais de l’Isle in Annecy, France, looks during the night or during the day? An equally important question may be: what is the Palais de l’Isle, the […]

I’m a huge fan of the UK but I haven’t made it to Exeter yet. I really enjoyed this guest post about what to do in Exeter and I hope you will too! Haldon Forest Park There are few forests in the UK that can claim to have as broad an activity base as Haldon […]

Whatever France’s Lac Annecy is selling, I’m buying. After all, I’m only used to seeing this kind of pureness in advertisements that are trying to persuade me to buy beauty products and pharmaceuticals. Looking at this lake, anything is possible. If you could be younger, smarter, more energetic, happier, better looking, stronger or just plain healthier, this lake will make it happen. I’m perfect, the lake says. You can be too.