Latest posts
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In Search of Lavender
Every year in Provence, more than 70,000 acres of lavender are cultivated, transforming the countryside into a sea of fragrant purple. The peak bloom is usually late June to early July but, because of recent heat waves, a lot has already been harvested this year. Yesterday we drove northeast to the town of Sault in…
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Sting
The city of Nimes, very close to where we are staying in Noves, is famous for bull fights (only one bull fight is allowed every year now, which we did not attended I should add), but also for an annual music festival at the Nimes Colosseum which attracts an incredible line up of international and…
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Back in Provence
After a complicated day of travel yesterday from Heraklion to Provence (taxi, plane, bus, train, hire car), leaving at 7:30, we finally arrived at our familiar “second home” in Provence late yesterday afternoon. We were up early to get to the Sunday market at the picturesque village of L’Isle-sur-la-Sourge, less than 20km away, before 8:30…
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Saganaki Holy Grail
Saganaki is a dish where shrimp are cooked in a rich and spicy tomato sauce with ouzo and feta that we just can’t resist (I posted a picture last year that is still in the gallery). It is popular in every little restaurant, especially along the coast, and like any local dish there are many…
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Crazy About Crete
Today we drove from Chora Sfakion on the southern side of Crete to the tiny village of Nomikiana. Set on the lower slopes of the White Mountains, it overlooks the Libyan Sea and is surrounded by olive groves and dramatic mountain scenery. A 20-minute walk along a quiet country road that descends from the village…
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Heraklion
We have been reliably informed (although I have not fact checked this) that the airport at Heraklion is consistently rated as the worst in Europe. It certainly is not great! The reward, however, is that the city itself, and particularly the harbour district, is charming and inviting. We are staying at the same hotel as…
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The Battle of Waterloo
This looks like a fairly boring picture, but it is the actual site of the battle of Waterloo, where the Duke of Wellington finally defeated the French Emperor Napoleon. A week or so ago we visited the site of the battle of Agincourt, where King Henry V led a sick, starving English army to defeat…
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The Great War
This may be a slightly longer entry than usual. We have spent a very solemn and reflective few days in the north of France, and in particular the Somme region, following the “Remembrance Trail” and visiting monuments, memorials, museums and cemeteries dedicated to the soldiers who were killed or wounded during the catastrophic First World…
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The Museums of Amsterdam
Our short stay in Amsterdam was all about museums – Ann Frank’s House on Thursday and then on Friday the Rijksmuseum (home to a large collection of paintings by Rembrandt and lots of other amazing things like huge model ships built in the 1600s) and finally the Van Gogh museum. You could get so close…
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The Best Croissant In Paris?
This little place is just around the corner from out hotel. In 2018, it was awarded the trophy for the best croissant in Paris – and there is still a queue at the door all day long. Have to admit, they are pretty good! We have had a great time just walking and sightseeing and…