Ventimiglia and San Remo
Almost Provence There is a stretch of Italian coastline where France exhales and Italy begins to breathe—a liminal zone of gardens, train whistles, and restlessness.
Orange Echoes of Antiquity
The Roman Theatre of Orange Tucked away in the heart of Provence, the city of Orange boasts a treasure that transports visitors back to the
The Genie or the Janitor of the Galaxy?
Back in 1995, Elon Musk and I lived and worked as Resident Advisors in the freshman dorm called “The Quad” at the University of Pennsylvania.
Caving and rolling in Ardeche
So these are the dog days of summer and it’s hot. Very hot in Provence. Alas, I have to do something with my kids, but
Bonnieux in the Luberon
Somebody told me about this wondrous hanging village that unveils itself like a bride as you exit the serpentine road through the Luberon. And indeed
Christmas in Provence
I have been celebrating Christmas here in Provence for over 15 years. But still, each year I discover a new tradition, a different custom here
St. Tropez in the Winter
It’s winter and raining. Our days indoors watching Wednesday on Netflix eating Panettone cake and chocolates feel very heavy. I check the weather. Seems like
Lourmarin: All still lies before us
“Yes, one evening in Provence, one perfect hill, one whiff of salt are enough to show us that everything still lies before us. We need
Cannes: The Cathedral of Cinema
You might be asking: How does a tour guide in Provence get to walk the red carpet in Cannes? I came to the Cannes Film
A glorious trap: Les Baux de Provence
It’s a tourist trap. No way around it. Well there is, and I will explain how to beat the trap. Yet, despite it being super
Mt. Sainte Victoire: An Icon of Provence
Great things are done when men and mountains meet. It doesn’t happen in the streets. William Blake What’s Provence without her St. Victoire? The first
Walls Surround her: Avignon
What can I write or add that hasn’t been said before about the majestic city of Avignon? Should I recount its papal history with names
Ansouis, at the Luberon foothills
Ansouis. Ever heard of this Provencal village? You didn’t. Despite it being “One of the most beautiful villages of France”. There are many stunning villages
A week in Nice, and only Nice.
A week in Nice, just Nice? No. You must have visited Monaco one day, Antibes another, went up to Grasse? Nope. Nice and only Nice.
The other Cannes
This article is not about the Cannes you know. The glitzy film festival. The opulent hotels and restaurants. The bountiful markets. The stunning old city.
Ménerbes: Cannonballs and Cakes
Driving from Bonnieux to Menerbes I am treated to the quintessential Provencal experience. I am a star in my own road trip movie. I am
Who’s afraid of Marseille?
So let’s be honest, you prefer not to stay Marseille in Provence. If you happen to land at its airport, you rent a car and
Whispers in black woods: Oppede-le-Vieux
As a traveler, there are some places you visit and say “It was lovely” or “very interesting”. Some you might adorn with superlatives like “amazing”
Ollioules: Fête de l’olivier
Ollioules is a small town in Var next to Toulon. It was first a small village in the middle ages. The old city, it’s heart
Toulon is not Toulouse
Toulon is the capital of Var. It is the largest military navy base of France, home to the aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle, nuclear
In Provence, we search no more
And she said, I want to go where the forests are so dense, city walls stand unbreached, the Price of Monaco lives…And she said, I
Provence for Beginners
What is Provence, really? So let’s say luck or wise choices have placed you in a position to be able to spend a few days
Bored on the Rock of Monaco
Bored in Monaco? The most alluring and beautiful place on the French Riviera? Blasphemy! To set the record straight, first, Monaco is not the Riviera,
