Spa towns in Europe

Two French spa towns in this article, Vichy and Aix-les-Bain (near the Alps), all beautiful. Naturally, Bath in England, featured in every Jane Austin book, is included as well: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/27/europe-spa-towns_n_2481111.html#slide=more274911

Spring dreaming

As we begin planning our return to Provence, I'm still digesting the last trip, thinking of one evening driving south on the autoroute toward Aix at sunset. The sky was clear and changing color. Sometimes I have wondered where all the Provence colors come from besides lavandre, but there they were, every color we see in Provence, in different patterns through the horizon. As beautiful as any impressionist painting in a museum, but ever changing and disappearing, without duplication.

Changes at White Toque

A favorite spot for us is a restaurant supply wholesaler in Secaucus, White Toque. For several years they have also had a retail component where we would go every few months and stock up on Maille vinegars and other French products including quiche and potatoes Dauphin and other cooking supplies. Unfortunately, they have closed the retail shop and now we are relegated to only ordering online with fewer products available as we are not ordering in quantity for a restaurant. Je suis tres desole.

Tour de France 2013 Route

Fabulous route for the Tour de France this year, bringing it into Provence to Aix on July 4 for the start. Obviously the date has no significance for the French but for we Americans it should be an interesting day after Lance Armstrong's confession of doping and losing his Tour titles. We can hope that this year's race is clean and exciting. for those who want to attend even a portion of the race, it is great fun, more for the crowds and the parade of sponsors, and the few seconds you actually see the racers speed by, here's the route: http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2013/us/overall-route.html Check back in June when they release the details/times for each village the race will transit through

Marseille - 2013 European Capital of Culture

With this designation, Marseille is working hard to overcome issues related to safety and crime and focus on its beauty and architecture. And now it even has a Starbucks! We will be back to Marseille this summer to understand it a bit more. For additional suggestions, here is a new article about Marseille from Conde Nast Traveler: http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2013/01/marseille-france-travel-guide-architecture-hotels-food Here is excellent link to English description of all museums in Marseille: http://marseillecityofculture.eu/museums.html

Best Hotels/Resorts - Conde Nast Traveler

Conde Nast Traveler has an interesting choice from readers for the 7th in the top 10 resorts and hotels in the world - Villa Gallici in Aix. http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/best-in-the-world-top-10-hotels-photos#slide=7 We will have to see for ourselves on our next trip.

Best Hotels in France - Travel and Leisure

There are so many great hotels in France that it is difficult to pick the "best" but we are pleased to see Plaza Athenee in Paris as the top choice of Travel and Leisure as it is for us: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-hotels-in-france/2

Thoughts on winter smoking in France

No, I'm not talking about the smoking hot french people in their stylish winter clothes, but smoking outside of restaurants and bars in the winter. Almost every restaurant or bar has outside seating areas, some with tents and heaters where those who want to smoke can sit pursuant to recent changes in anti-smoking laws throughout the EU. People are happy to sit outside and drink wine or coffee so long as the weather is not terrible, smoking or not, and the weather in Provence was quite pleasant so even in 40s or 50s we were sitting and drinking a coffee or Perrier outside, so long we were not in a tent and no one was smoking around us. But inside it was quite pleasant eating meals in a smoke-free environment, something we never thought we would experience in France, given the heavy smoking that has been historic there. During past winter trips in Paris or the Alps we have often been stuck inside small restaurants with low ceilings filled with smoke, rather the way it used to be here in the US. It always brings me back to the days when people smoked in offices, bars, and on planes and cigarettes were 50 cents a pack rather than $5.00 or more today. More and more we do notice in Europe that young people are not smoking, and us middle-aged folks are in the mix too. Perhaps the push has been due to the overwhelming costs to the health care systems of smoking and cancer, heart disease, strokes, and so on. Regardless of the reason, for we non-smokers it has definitely made traveling in France in the winter a much better experience.

Summer 2013 travel - services

Dear Readers: To start the New Year, don't forget that, in addition to the blog, J'Adore France can provide you the following services: 1. Personally guided travel with the owners of J'Adore France LLC in Provence. 2. Travel planning: assistance with planning travel itineraries for Europe destinations like France, Italy, Spain, and Holland. 3. Shopping tours of Paris and Provence including the Cote D'azur. (Best time is during sales in January and July) 4. Shopping service: We will shop for and ship items you cannot purchase anywhere else, but are not available via le web. For more information, you can review our website at www.jadorefrance.net and email us at jadorefrance2011@gmail.com.

new Air France flights - mini fares

Can't get Air France to Paris direct anymore, but they're trying to compete with easyjet with mini fares - 50 euro - from Orly in Paris to airports around Europe. Interesting concept so long as you're not checking luggage (that would cost 15 euro more). http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/today-in-travel/air-france-offers-ultra-cheap-mini-fares.html?id=13669313

Alfa Romeo - what fun!

Although I drove a manual transmission car daily for 15 years, it is always on my mind that I will forget how to drive one, so it was with great relief that I managed to drive our Alfa on this trip for the first time. I was not in any condition to drive it last summer. So getting behind the wheel is always a little nerve-wracking, but like always it came back to me like I had never stopped driving a stick. The car was fast, well-powered, with a five-speed, and a pleasure to drive, not too big for the roads there, great turning radius with tight steering. I always dislike cars with soupy loose steering. Looking forward to next trip and driving again.

Product search

On each trip to France we usually try to seek out one or two products that we need or want and determine whether it can be found there. This trip's product was powdered mustard. D. wanted to see if I could find it for when I cook some of his favorite foods including grilled veal chops, and turkey meatballs. We looked at the spice vendors in various markets, at Intermarche and in the local epicurie without success. Although the spice vendors had mustard seed, they did not have powdered mustard. That is until we were at my favorite spice vendor in the St. Remy market and voila, he had it. Another item we could not find was ground turkey. Veal was a good substitute for the meatballs and became the basis for an excellent meal, with salad, bread from Javaud, haricot verte, what could be better?

Paul - now in US

A favorite stop in the Paris CDG (Charles de Gaulle) airport is Paul, a wonderful bakery. Very worthwhile as soon as we land, outside the airport Sheraton, and just before getting on the TGV. We usually get croissant, sometimes a sandwich, and definitely an apricot pastry which is crispy, buttery and tangy all at the same time (not an easy task). Paul has now made some inroads in the US including in Miami and several in the DC area. Bienvenue!

Additional services offered by J'Adore France LLC

For our readers, we will be offering two new services in addition to our travel tours of Provence: 1. A personal shopping service for French products. This will be a service designed for those who have traveled in France, particularly Provence, purchased items which they have used up and cannot order from the US, or particular clothing, handbags or other items. 2. Other travel services i.e. designing itineraries for Europe travel. Please contact us if you are interested in these services.