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3 Reasons An Authentic Provencal Aïoli SHOULD Be On Your Bucket List!
How to make a Provencal Aioli and why you should!
3 reasons Aioli should be on your bucket list
“Aïoli (garlic mayonnaise) epitomizes the heat, the power,and the joy of the Provençal sun, but it has another virtue - it drives away flies.”
As our friend and Provencal chef Mathias Dandine would tell you, “the key is to use seasonal and organic produce. When in season, I add artichokes, asparagus, leeks, celery, fennel and any great veggies that I find on the Gemenos market, near my restaurant”.
“Aioli intoxicates gently, fills the body with warmth, and the soul with enthusiasm. In its essence it concentrates the strength, the gaiety of Provence: sunshine.”
Come taste for yourself: Provence trip catalogue
The origin of this symbol of Provence dates back to ancient times, around 600 BC, in what is now Marseille. The Greek settlers coming from Phocaea (now Foça in Turkey) noticed that the local Gaul farmers would crush garlic and mix it with oil and egg yolk, creating a sort of paste and spreading it on their old bread to make it tastier. The Greeks loved it, and decided to supplement the sauce with vegetables and fish and served the sauce in a stone mortar. So the dish, aïoli, gets its name from the sauce that seasons everything on the plate. And now, a few thousand years later, it is still a tradition and the dish of choice for family meals and parties!
N°1: It’s easy and all the ingredients are accessible. All you need for the sauce is garlic, salt, egg yolks and olive oil! To make the famous aïoli sauce, crush the garlic (MINIMUM 4 cloves) in a stone mortar with a masher and add in a pinch of salt. Once it looks like paste, add 4 egg yolks, and then drizzle Provencal olive oil and whisk until it becomes a beautiful mayonnaise!
The next step is to gather seasonal vegetables. As part of an aïoli meal you will need carrots, potatoes, cod fish, boiled eggs, green beans and whelks, shrimp or mussels.
N°2: It’s healthy. The vegetables are cooked in water and the fish and seafood are poached. So apart from the olive oil in the sauce (which is the healthiest type of oil you can cook with), there is NO additional fat! You just need to season your cooked ingredients, and you are ready to dip away in the amazingly flavorful sauce.
N°3: It’s a social activity. “Our family meals, with my mom and my children, are very often accompanied by an aïoli”, says chef Dandine. Since there are many vegetables to peel and prepare, making the aïoli requires many hands! Everyone plays a part in the fun. And once everything is ready, add a glass of local rosé and enjoy!
Tour France: Best Celebrity Tips For Visiting Paris (or Anywhere in France)
It's not what you see, it's how you see it!
Tour France Paris and Provence
Tour France Provence Paris
Last night, I watched Anthony Bourdain's new show "Layover", the first episode of which focuses on Paris. And I was struck by how much I agreed with him. He said the exact same things I say to my clients all of the time (without the use of @#%& and other colorful wording.) For the second time (he also did a show on Burgundy) I knew most of the places (restaurants, streets, sights) he spoke of quite well, having been to them many times myself with and without clients. I even knew several people he spoke with/visited on air --quite a surprise to see them on the television instead of in person! But it is not familiarity that made me agree with Mr. Bourdain. It was that his advice was the best recipe for having a truly outstanding experience in France. Let me explain why.Everybody and their uncle tells you what to see while in Paris (or Burgundy, or Provence, or just about anywhere)....Your best friend, the guidebook, the blogger you love, the New York Times, your neighbor etc. There is a very long list of things you "absolutely should notmiss". (Even I have items remaining on that list.) But, how you plan your time is even more important than what you decide to see.I know that they might not seem to be very different things. But they are.People ask me all the time what they should see and when --well, that is the business of Bliss Travels. They also ask me to plan for their "downtime" (i.e. time not spent with Bliss Travels) and for the meals they will have on their own. And they should. They are, in fact, paying for my expertise. And they listen carefully to the names of restaurants and special streets and bakeries. The one thing I have a difficult time getting people to hear is that they shouldn't overbook themselves or run themselves ragged. Sure, they should see a few major sites. Sure, they should see a few "off the beaten track" items. But, they should also allow themselves to absorb the place they are visiting. The magic of Paris (or France in general) isn't revealed by a guidebook, or located solely in the many beautiful things to see. It is more keenly felt when one experiences the place and the culture as the locals do (even if a bit more intensely). There is something quite true about that old saying "when in Rome, do as the Romans" That is not to say that you shouldn't take a tour....Of course you should.
Tour France Paris
Tour France Paris Provence
Obviously, we pride ourselves in our small private walking tours and discourage big bus tours. However, bus tours are of interest to some people --especially if they have limited mobility. If you can't do a walking tour with someone like Bliss, then designing your own is a good idea.Of course you should see art in Paris. If not there, where? So choose a museum or two (depending upon the length of your stay) and enjoy that experience. (Tip: Get museum passes if you are going to visit one of busiest museums so you don't spend all morning in line.)Do remember to meander the streets of some of the more interesting neighborhoods, not just the grand boulevards...Do it without a destination in mind. Do you know that some streets in Paris are 1000 years old?Remember to try the local cuisine in one of the postage stamp size bistros that are so popular. (Unfortunately, once Mr Bourdain -a celebrity-- recommends a place on national television, the character of the place, and maybe even the menu can change --so try to find a place that still has its neighborhood character.) If you don't have someone like us to provide that information for you, wonder around --off of a main street, in a nice, but less touristic neighborhood. Start reading menus. If they are in English, move on. Do the same thing if the menu is large. Find a market fresh place with a lot of native French speakers, and give it a try.
Tour France Luxury vacations in Provence Paris
Tour France Paris and Provence
Lounge at a cafe with a coffee or a wine, and watch Paris go by. Walk along the Seine, or sit on the banks or a bridge and absorb the scenery. Visit a park.
Tour France Vacations in Provence
Visit a market street. You must! Taste as you go. A great trick, if you are doing this on your own, is to find a good market street, and look at where the customers are. Stand in line behind a long line of French locals. Listen to what they are ordering --or watch, if you don't understand the language...You'll see a pattern. Try what they are trying! (Normally, I do not advocate acting like sheep --however, if you are trying to find truly fine, non touristy food and drink, and you don't have anyone with inside knowledge helping you, then you must become aware of what the locals are doing. That's the only way you can do a real "quality check" and also experience local fare you wouldn't necessarily know was available
Market Day Tour France Provence
Tour France Summer Vacations in Provence
Attend a performance of some sort. How about a concert in a church (Paris over the holidays has many)? A ballet? A local circus for festival? (A Provence activity in the spring and summer) Even a a street performance is a good idea. You will relax. You will find that humor and entertainment are different and exciting. I will never forget one particular performance in a Mediterranean beach town. It was at the beginning of a trip and I was with two clients from Princeton New Jersey. That evening, before the fireworks --fun huh?-- there was a theatrical street performance as intricate and absurd as a Fellini movie. with actors tossing others into a small pool made on the sidewalk, yelling, laughter, grand gestures. And you didn't need to speak or understand a word of French to appreciate the humor and also how different it was from our own American street performances.Or the time last Christmas in Paris when, after lunch, we stumbled upon a street performer, who kept us in stitches without saying a word.Most of all, just relax and eat and drink and walk...You cannot have a bad time if you do those things! This is Bliss!-Wendy
Tour France Luxury Vacations Paris
Tour France: October in Provence (video)
October in Provence...
On our recent trip to Provence we visited the Luberon and Chateauneuf du Pape.What was extra special about this trip though was that people had the option to participate in daily photography workshops/sessions before or after sightseeing, and also that we had professional photographer, Anthony Bianciella traveling with us full time. That meant that he was always there to offer help and advice, or simply take on the spot photos for people. (Isn't it nice to be in your own vacation photos for a change?)
Of course, before we sped down to beautiful Provence via TGV train, we spent a little time in Paris. Walking, sightseeing, photographing...
and, mais oui, dining -in this case, on the season's first truffles. Truffles in a creamy polenta.
One of the highlights is always the Provencal scenery. The ruins of Chateauneuf du Pape compete for our attention with the changing colored vines, and the gorgeous Medieval villages... Hard to choose which is the best view.
This particular trip included some light hikes through the countryside as well as the ocher mines, sightseeing in various Medieval villages, and a day trip to Chateauneuf du Pape for some truly remarkable wines from some pretty great vintages (Beaucastel, La Nerthe, Vieux Telegraphe, Barroche...to name a few). Click on the "wine" and watch the video Anthony Bianciella made of our trip so that you can take a "virtual vacation" in Provence.
Our next trip to Provence with Anthony is this May....Everything will be in bloom. Poppies, iris's, cherry blossoms. It is a gorgeous time of year to go to Provence. Some of Anthony's Spring photos are below. Click on any of the photos to learn more about our May 2013 trip to Provence. It's small, custom and pure Bliss!flower boxes around every corner.
spring produce fills the markets.
poppy fields everywhere.
Tour France: 5 Tips for Holiday Wine & Cheeses Combos
5 Special French Wine & Cheese Pairings for the Holidays
There are so many great French cheeses, and so many great French wines. It's almost too much to contemplate. However, we decided to profile the ones you are less likely to know about, and which, not coincidentally, go best with our favorite wines --those wines being Burgundy whites and reds, Provencal roses, Chateauneuf du Pape reds (and whites), and Champagne....(The pairings also have a seasonal element to them. The first and second pairing are ones we prefer over the holidays, while the 3rd is a fall favorite. The fourth reminds us of Provence in the spring and summer. And the 5th is a fall and winter treat to have anywhere!)1. Chaource: Chaource is a creamy cow's milk cheese with a bloomy rind that is made in both Champagne and Burgundy. This cheese has been made since the 14th century. When ripe it gets extra creamy and almost liquid. It's a great cheese for those who like creamy cow's milk cheeses and want something with a rich, balanced flavor. Pair it with Champagne --which is a wonderful combination --the creamy rich cheese and the sparkling wine. Or pair it with a Chablis. The ideal way to have this cheese is after a wonderful roasted Turbot with beurre blanc. Drink with Champagne --preferably in Champagne or Paris , in nice chilly weather over the holidays!2. Comte: Comte is a pressed cooked cow's milk cheese. The young ones are fruity with a softer, pliant texture. The older ones are crystalized and have a stronger more sharp flavor. And if you find one that has been properly aged, it's an unbelievably delicious cheese. The flavor of a great Comte is quite complex and hits you in different places on your palate. We have been lucky enough to find a cheese monger in Paris, who, over the holidays, carries a 48 month old "holiday" Comte that is truly remarkable with a full and deep complex flavor and crystallization that adds crunch and interest. It's a remarkable find. This wine goes well with either a very light red (Beaujolais) or a very rich white (a full, rich, oak, Burgundy) in my opinion.
3. Epoisses: Is a stinky (really) raw cow's milk cheese that has been washed while aging in a Marc de Bourgogne (a form of brandy from Burgundy). It is amazing. Because it is a raw milk cheese, you can only buy it in the US if aged more than 60 days. Thus, the best Epoisses is still found in Burgundy. Many people will tell you to pair this cheese with a red wine, since it is strong. However, I think the best pairing for this cheese is a white Burgundy. A full, round, buttery one. Try a Meursault Les Charmes, 1ere cru. Or for more minerality, a Puligny Montrachet. And, do try it in France if you can! Every time we go to Burgundy, I make sure to have this cheese with a wine that fits this profile. We are never disappointed by this combination.4. Banon: This is our absolute favorite Provencal cheese! It is primarily made of goat's milk which is washed in a marc (from Provence) and then wrapped in Chestnut leaves that are tied with raffia. Legend has it that it has been made since the first century A.D. This goes nicely with the scenery in Provence, which is also that old! When it is younger it has a creamy, slightly crumbly texture and a mild flavor. As it ages, it becomes creamier and runny. Both versions are delicious. This cheese pairs nicely (bien sur) with a Provencal rose. Also, though a crisp, slightly sweet white works. This cheese is best served with fruit before dessert, but is also good on a green salad as a starter or light lunch. We have a special cheesemonger we go to in one of the area markets who sells Banon "bien fait" (well aged and runny) and "moins fait" (creamy and younger) --at an astoundingly reasonable price. People line up 10-20 deep at the market just for her cheeses. They are Bliss!
5. Roquefort: Is a sheep's milk cheese aged in caves with a strong flavor profile. It can be paired with a variety of wines. I like it with a Chateauneuf du Pape or other Rhone red. The full bodied reds compliment and stand up to the cheese. Of course, you can also have this with a port or other slightly sweet drink at the finish of a meal. Think about Roquefort served with roasted pears or figs --or even a fig confit -- slightly sweet fruit breads or oat crackers and port. Yum. Wonderful varieties of Roquefort can be found in the U.S. Pair it as we did below, with a Chateauneuf du Pape, Beaurenard 2007! Wow.
Have a Blissful Holiday Season!A Bientot,Wendy
Tour Provence: Vacation in Provence in a Day!
Tour Provence: Vacation in Provence in a Day!
From the ancient ruins you can freely climb through --to photography, to hiking, to pondering n'importe quoi... or just to put out a blanket and enjoy the view...
To the village panoramas...
To the life within...
Why not open the door on a new adventure. It's Bliss!
But first, read what others have to say...Don't take our word for it.
After you are through, book our last room. Watch the lavender flower, and experience the fragrance when a field is cut...It permeates the air for a quarter mile around it!
July 17-22 Provence (possible early arrival for Paris too!)
or
July 28-August 4 (Mediterranean and Paris) This trip is not advertised. It's a small private trip. contact us for details wendy@blisstravels.com
Tour France: Mediterranean Vacations in a Day!
OTour France: Mediterranean Vacations in a Day!On commence avec le déjeuner, biensur.Start with lunch. Views, sunshine, and a collection of colors.
Lavender, newly planted by a friend to "garnish" the best table in the house! Thank you Florian and Eric for another unforgettable experience--one a group of us will experience in late July and early August.(Join us in our last room of a small group --10 people --July 28-August 4 along the Mediterranean and in Paris. This trip was not advertised, and there is one room. Contact us for details asap. 609 462 6213 or wendy@blisstravels.c0m)
Of course, after lunch the Mediterranean beckons. It is pure Bliss!
Interested in our last room in July? Details below.(July 17/18-23 Provence/ParisA small group all inclusive trip to one of Provence’s most beautiful areas, with exclusive access to private activities and events. Provencal markets, lavender, Roman ruins, Cote du Rhone wines, special dining, Medieval villages, art, castle, hikes… and plenty of independent time. ONE ROOM.
Tour France: The Best Vacation in Provence!
Tour France: Provence in Cherry Season...The best vacation in Provence
Life may not be a "bowl of cherries" but you sure can pick your own treats....Fast food Provence style --pick your own dessert on the way home from dinner!These cherry trees are so full of cherries that the bows are bent nearly to the ground. This little orchard is off of a Roman road, a few steps from the center of a Medieval village we like to call "home".
On our way back, the view was panoramic.
Today's adventure begins with market day.Contact us to know more about our last room in July (NEW dates: Arrive between July 13 and 16 for Bastille Day in Provence or Paris, and then spend July 18-22 in the Luberon) and our trip in October!
Tour France: A Day in Provence
Tour France: Bliss Travels to Authentic Provence. Spectacular views caught by Anthony Bianciella, our talented traveling photographer. One thing that makes us feel "Blissful" is finding beautiful, less populated villages to explore. We build the day around a walk, hike, panorama and, of course, our traditional Provencal lunch. For us, that's why Bliss Travels! The only thing better than springtime in Provence is July in Provence. This is the ultimate "room with a view"!!
Some of the smaller villages still use different modes of transportation 
Emmy meets a new friend!
Village roads, old and "new" 
A walk, followed by lunch --in a tiny restaurant we found off a little alley and side street. Now, it's an annual favorite. Look at yesterday's set menu below 
Menu of: Burgundian like soft poached egg in red wine and mushroom, fish with saffron, fresh pasta and market veggies, Brie de Meaux and salad, along with dessert, bien sur
We sincerely hope you can join us on our next authentic, and off the beaten track adventure! It's Bliss! Please contact us when you are ready for a new sort of travel experience.
Tour France: Photograph Provence!
Tour France: Photograph Provence.Our photographer, Anthony Bianciella, has a student photograph us.
Off the beaten path, and exploring the light! Leave home. Step out of your normal comfort zone, and see things you might have missed!
After an afternoon of photography --and the vines lead us to a wine tasting at an organic (bio) vineyard.
Having a great time --even if the Mistral does blow --You could say they were "blown away by Provence"
Fall foliage and photography in the Luberon in October. And May 2013 --booking now.
Tour France: Off The Beaten Track in Provence
Tour France: Off the Beaten Track in Provence...If you do enough research and talk to enough people, you can find stunning villages to wonder through all on your own. No problem. Provence is a region of Beauty. Touring Provence is a great way to spend your vacation. Just make your visit to France special by getting off the "beaten track" and enjoy some sights with local color! It's even more special when you can do and learn things you'd never get access to on your own. Over the next few posts, we'll highlight some of these exclusive access activities.Can you find a newly discovered excavation site? Bliss did!
And, have a private tour of a closed Provencal church --one with origins from before the year 500 ?
Visit a Roman bridge and learn to photograph with a professional photographer?
An
And Make sure to find time to enjoy the local dining and wonderful people!
It's truly Bliss!
A Bientôt....let us know when you want to do something off the beaten track.
Tour France: Spring in Paris & Provence
Tour France: Spring in Paris and ProvenceWhat a whirlwind arrival. Talk about "hitting the ground running". What a beautiful day! Sights galore. Wonderful views. It was bliss!
Let's orient ourselves to Paris.
Two of our professional photographers. Anthony's trips with us are great!! And Michel is tops! They are both enjoying the mid day sunshine!
Of course, they might be smiling because of their lunch!
Then, of course, the photographers in our group started snapping away --while the rest of us admired our surroundings.
To finish the day, we enjoy a non touristy rooftop view and a glass of rose....It was Bliss!What us to save you a space on one of our summer trips --Bastille Day? August Lavender season? Let us know now! wendy@blisstravels.com
What is Insider Access & Insider Photos from Provence & Burgundy
What is "insider access"?
5 Reasons Why July 10-20 Are the Best Summer Weeks in Provence!
The best time to go to Provence. People always ask me that. The answer --well, apart from "anytime" --might not surprise you. For summer time, the best time is July 10-20. And here are my top reasons:1. Bastille Day in Provence! Paris is Paris. And Bastille Day is quite an event. But, in Provence, in certain towns and small cities, they have the running of the bulls through the streets. Imagine sitting at a cafe, having a rose, or coffee, and watching the French cowboys herd bulls through the Medieval streets. The boys and young men jump the barrier and chase the bull trying to hold onto his tail. And there are bull fights (the kind where the bull is not hurt.)
2. Fireworks over a castle or ancient fort. When the night sky lights up a castle and then the fireworks pop up over that, that might even be better than the Eiffel Tower. (This is a hard choice to make!)
3. It's prime festival season. There are wine festivals, village fetes and all manner of special celebrations. Even a melon festival! That means there are parades, special markets, special tastings and lit up village squares where you dance the night away!
4. The best beach weather! The Mediterranean is great in July. The weather is great. The excitement level is wonderful. The sky is blue. And there are street shows to watch almost every evening -as you have your dinner outside looking at the sparkling sea.
5. Lavender. Need I say more? You are assured of lavender all July --and first half of August (depending upon the weather that season. And you are assured of lavender related festivals and special events!
Of course, we love Provence almost all year round! It's Bliss!
Insider Tips on Paying for & Planning a Trip to Provence (Luberon)
I'm going to share some "tricks of the trade". When you book that vacation to one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, France --specifically Provence and Paris, there are many things professionals think of that you don't consider. So, to get the most out of that "trip of a lifetime" to one of those "must see" places, see below for special tips from Bliss Travels. They could save you more than $1,000, not to mention give you peace of mind.
FIVE FINANCIAL THINGS TO CONSIDERRemember the added costs.Look at what's included and not included.Sometimes people decide to book their own trips -sort of a la carte -- so that they can do exactly what they want and also "get a better deal". Sometimes, people use search engines or decide to book through someone --whether it's a huge clearinghouse or a small boutique company. No matter what you decide don't forget to include (or ask if THEY include):1. Train tickets to Provence (from Paris or elsewhere). (The best train deals are found in French on French websites and in France itself. You won't find them on sites here.)2. Transfers to get you to the Paris train station and back -whether you want a private car, will take a cab or prefer to navigate the subway. (Time, stress, and money are all considerations)3. A last night in a Paris hotel. Special tip: Most trains from Provence into Paris do not arrive in time for you to take your flight home to the US the same day. Many large internet travel sellers don't tell you this. After you book, you find you'll need train tickets, extra hotel nights, transfers....So the "deal" wasn't all that great once you discovered the "extras".4. Ground transportation while in Provence. There are no trains in the Luberon, and almost none in the Cote du Rhone. Anyway, the most beautiful villages, sought after vineyards, and stunning coast line are not (for the most part) on the direct train route. Cars are very expensive. Roads are unmarked (except highways) AND it can cost more than 150 dollars to fill a tank of gas in a large rental car. Major roads have very expensive tolls --really. It's not uncommon to pay 20 euros/30 dollars for a toll. Figure this as you budget or compare travel packages.5. While most people do remember they have food costs, they often forget they are dealing with an exchange rate --so multiply your budget by 1.4 (or so) to get the amount of dollars you will really need so that you don't go over your budget. If you're buying a package, make sure to find out what meals are included, and what type of meal (is it a sandwich and a bottle of water or is it a 3 course meal with wines and coffee...)? Whether you do it yourself or book an all inclusive trip, it's a nice balance to have one "big meal" --the traditional 3 courses with wine, and then shop the markets for that "other" meal. Not only does it "balance the budget", it's a great way to try the local fare and enjoy the bounty that is Provence!There are more tips, and I'm happy to answer questions too (wendy@blisstravels.com) , but this should get you thinking realistically about your trip costs and better able to compare "apples to apples" as the saying goes.FOUR VACATION TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ENJOYMENT1. Make sure you situate yourself in a convenient place, one, hopefully, that's beautiful, centrally located, but also authentic and not a "tourist trap". Go for the lesser publicized places.2. Pack light. Rooms are small. Cars are small. Travel is easier --especially train travel --if you can just wheel a little case through the station instead of wrestling with tons of things you don't need. Hint: pack a folding travel bag like a Longchamps bag in your case. That way, if you do buy things to take home it's no trouble.3. Don't move around too much. If you are taking a typical 8-9 night trip --your first night is on the plane. Your last night is in Paris (or elsewhere) so that you are there in time to get that (typically) morning flight home. That gives you 6-7 nights. Stay in 1-2 places. One for 4-5 nights, the other for 2 nights. It gives you variety without hassle. And, it cuts down on endless day trips -which, if you're doing it yourself, can be very tiring.4. Consider booking at least part of your trip (the part not in a large city) with a (boutique --not tour bus size) all inclusive company so you don't have to navigate roads, take tons of time figuring out what to do and where to go, and so you can just relax and have somebody there to help you make the most of your vacation time! (It also gives you the added budgetary advantage of knowing exactly what your costs are --as long as you've done your homework above.)BUT if you do book with someone-- make sure you will not be herded around with a big group, that you are not staying so far away from things like a village or town center that you are held captive by the groups' schedule, and that you find someone who will listen to your specific interests and ideas when planning. Find someone that will allow you to have a flexible schedule, and as much independent time as you want.And, most of all, Bon Voyage! We wish you a Blissful vacation!