Spring in Provence: Bliss Travels Newsletter

OUR NEWSLETTER! Bonjour! Spring has sprung! On our recent trip to Paris was sunny and beautiful. Spring is a spectacular time to travel to Provence too. Poppy fields, iris's, cherry blossoms, vines, and beautiful weather.  All without any crowds. . There is still time to book our May 15-21, 2012 custom trip to Provence and Paris. See things most tourists don't have access to. Enjoy custom itineraries in a private, small group setting. Contact us now. 609 462 6213.wendy@blisstravels.com. Foodie Trends in France Local takes on new meaning in France. Local is not just from the region, it's specific to the village, sometimes the farm. Our artisan jam maker in Provence grows all of her own fruits and herbs. Lavender, olive, lemon, verbena, strawberry, peach...if it's not in her back yard, and ripe for the picking, then it's not in her pots of jam or sorbet flavors. Chemicals and additives? No way. And now the chefs are following that trend. The top spots are buying from the local producers, in small quantities.... See our blog for more photos and trends. Read More Summer Provence Travel Spring and Summer fun in Provence and along the Mediterranean. We have great dates and special itineraries available. Tour the Provencal markets. See the Bastille Day fireworks. Witness the running of the bulls. Ancient villages, impressionist art, wineries and so much more. Book your trip now. wendy@blisstravels.com "I miss France! What a great trip. I felt so spoiled having you take care of everything. Thank you. Being a person that does like "tours" and having already been through Provence I didn't really expect much - I couldn't have been more wrong!!!" (October, 2011, New York client)  Contact us now. Special family prices and custom small group trips. wendy@blisstravels.com or 609 462 6213 Sincerely, Wendy Jaeger Bliss Travels Up and Coming French Culinary Trends Summer Trips Spring in Provence Insider Access Makes the Difference! What does an "insider" provide? What difference does exclusive access to things not available to the public make? Click here to read what Anthony says and you'll find out! Or just read what our clients say: "Wendy gave me not one but two vacations of a lifetime. The first vacation was so nice I booked a return trip within 60 days.... Her knowledge of the country and culture and attention to my special needs...and ability to deliver made me feel I was always in good hands. It was so nice I did it twice." (April and June 2011, Philadelphia client) "I had the most wonderful trip to Burgundy..... As a former head of the Bordeaux wine society in Washington, DC, but a great lover of Burgundies, I can tell you that all of my expectations were exceeded, from the pre-Burgundy days in Paris , during which I experienced things I had not, despite living in Paris for almost 5 years, to the Burgundy Adventure - including where we stayed, the tours, both of Beaune and the chateaux, the teaching sessions, and the meals (Ah, the meals!) it was the best vacation of its type I had ever taken. " (September, 2011 Washington, DC client.) Follow-up Links Bliss TravelsMay in ProvenceSummer Travel  Bliss Travels News Blog

Top New Food Trends in Paris & Provence

TOP NEW FOOD TRENDSAs culinary and wine specialists, we watch the food and drink trends in France closely. As everywhere, the trends are for fresh, seasonal and local. But, as usual, the French take this to a new level...Top restaurants have been getting rid of menus. Many places now offer only seasonal, not printed, menus. These vary by the day-- by the time, even the table. You are asked what you don't or can't eat. Special requests are always honored. But, after that, it's up to the chef. Brilliant, if you think about it. Now the chef can buy top product, even if there are only small quantities. There is no waste. Nothing is left "un ordered". It's local, fresh, conserves energy, limits waste, and, most importantly, allows the chef to showcase his or her talents --which is the reason you are there to begin with! Below was a wonderful seasonal dish of asperges et seche, offered only that evening, and only until it ran out!The other thing this trend away from printed menus created was the trend to little plates, and tiny tastings of many things. Freed from the need to purchase XX kilos of something, each plate could be prepared with small tastings of small batch artisan products and heirloom treats. Plus, this means the chef has greater opportunity to be creative  -as you can clearly see from the mini tasting plate below.The highlights were numerous. However, see bass with a sweet potato puree seasoned to perfection and another plate of baby squid with black ink risotto and lardons were stand outs!This trend continued to dessert, which is served in two courses. Traditionally the sweet is followed by a chocolate. Here we had homemade macarons and miniature cream puffs.We are excited to see what the Provencal chefs make of these trends this spring and summer given the extraordinary access to produce that they have. I think this year will be a banner year for French cuisine as these new trends migrate  across the country (and even the world). We are on the cusp of a new style of dining. And, it is timed in such a way that popular movements like Slow Food and local farm to table programs will only magnify and speed the development of these new trends.As always, Bliss will be ahead of the curve and exploring these new trends and others.A Bientôt,Wendy