The world of travel to all of our outstanding destinations
October in Provence and Chateauneuf du Pape
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Join us on this one of a kind trip to the wine region of Châteauneuf du Pape. We'll explore delicious wines, dine in wonderful authentic locales, visit beautiful villages and take amazing photos
Our low-key approach is like having a friend with special expertise traveling with you as you explore these spellbinding destinations. As a small group, you will have personalized attention and the level and type of activity that you prefer. No prerequisites to join this trip! Your desire to see and do things that most tourists never get to experience is all you need! Whether you are a novice or expert --photographer or wine lover -- this trip is something special. (Don't believe us, look at our 
Just sit back and enjoy the ride. We'll help you navigate the beautiful landscape and ensure that you will see and experience things that only an insider could see and do.
For more information and a full itinerary, please visit our website at 
Bliss Travels | 3 Hemlock Court | Princeton | NJ | 08540
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Tour France: Culinary Bliss
Tour France: Culinary Bliss!Our trip highlights always include culinary adventures. This trip is no exception. A spectacular tasting menu, a private luncheon, even a special cafe...whether formal or casual, it's truly Bliss!Foie Gras...compote....what more can we say?
Marscapone ravioli with parmesan foam make the perfect accompaniment --
Tomatoes and an incredible fresh ceviche in an almond milk...
squab, cherries, and rhubarb....
A nice finish to the day!
Tour Provence: Lavender in Provence
Tour Provence: Lavender Season
What's your favorite color? Well, in summer, my favorite color is lavender. And, right now, it's in full bloom...From the hills of the Luberon to the valleys, the color lavender is everywhere. It's Bliss!
Contemplating photos....
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: Provencal Perspective
Tour France: Provencal Perspective.Perspective is an interesting thing. Sometimes it refers to your relationship with people, sometimes time, and sometimes the physical environment...In Provence I usually see all three things at once. And that's a good day!Here we are at a typical Provencal lunch. Sure it takes 3 hours...But, it's not like "Thanksgiving dinner". We are not all just dying to lay down on the couch to lessen the "pain" of overeating. Rather, it's a relaxing and integral, yet energizing, part of the day
There's your perspective AFTER the meal...what do you do? Here's one idea...Though it's certainly not the only good idea, it is one that we find Bliss-ful!
(sorry it's sideways-- that's Emmy taking the road less traveled to the top of the cliffs...)Then there's physical perspective --in view and in deed...indeed!
To give you some perspective of the size of these cliffs, the above shot was taken from the cliff it faces --at a distance. The bottom two show CLIMBERS on the facing cliff. You must look quite hard --they are the "ant" like things on the rock face!
In this shot, the crevice in the rock is actually big enough to camp on --see the people walking inside of it?
All of this seems to put life in a better perspective. Bliss is not a "holiday" event or a gift. It should be a regular feature in your life. Call us when you are ready!609 462 6213 or wendy@blisstravels.com. 2 rooms in August and October are available. 1 room in July. June and September are full.
Tour France: Experience Provence...like a local
Tour France: Experience Provence...like a local (menu suggestions below)
Wondering down the village road
to visit the local market --set up from the town parking area through the main square, and on several little streets. Not the biggest area market --but a very authentic and less touristy one.
Taking our picnic items to a nearby olive grove where we walk along and see the first lavender blooms.
peeking in corners at gardens
Paints quite a nice picture of the day --we think it's Bliss
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: Best Summer Festivals in Provence (with schedule)
Tour France: Best Summer Festivals in Provence and Festival Schedule.Schedule:Cherry Festivals in mid and late JuneMelon Festival in JulyLavender festivals in late July and AugustBastille Day --July 14Tour de France --July 14 in ProvenceWine and art festivals...July etc.Fete Votives: late June, July and August.Summer is festival season. Provence is full of a huge variety of festivals.There are themed festivals. There is a honey festival, several wine festivals, art festivals, a melon festival, a cherry festival...and pretty much a celebration of any food product you can think of. Below are some photos of past festivals.
Being inducted into the "royal order of the melon". Really.
A special melon dish. Lobster or prawns are baked in this one of a kind "plat". We have been privileged to do this with the chef several times.
The meal following the festival celebrating the town's release from the dragon.
Walking around the Lavender festival last August.
There are "fetes votives" in each village. Those include things like dancing in the town square to live music, Champagne "stands", carnival games and perhaps even a special market. I love these local festivals. They bring such romance to a Provencal night.
The cafes take advantage of the closed roads to set up table everywhere. 
Bands play on the side walk --trumpets and all!
Evening fireworks over a Mediterranean village.There is Bastille Day. This brings a weekend full of festivities. In Paris, it is dominated by parades andfireworks over the Eiffel Tower. In Provence, it is marked by celebratory town wide meals (Pistous and Aiolis), dancing and fireworks in the town centers and huge, luscious markets full of tantalizing treats and products.
Tour France: Summer Colors Provence & Mediterranean
Tour France: Summer Colors
Provence and the Mediterranean. It's the most colorful, tasty time of year. Vibrant is the word that best expresses the summer. Long, languid, yet energizing. Enjoy the photos below. Taking them was Bliss!
Dancing in the streets...for every holiday, summer festival and so fun to do and watch!
Clear blue, peaceful...
A favorite place to promenade and watch the street performers.
dining on the mussels, beachfront on the island
a bientôt! Hope to see you this summer. Contact us for more information
Tour France: Paris & Provence Showers and Flowers
Tour France: Paris and Provence: Showers and Flowers
Painted on a wall in the Marais...early spring themes!
X marks the spot of our favorite peaceful Parisian landmark.
Outside the Tuileries and in Provence --blooms!
Capturing iris's at the farm.
Spring gives way to summer.
And a little summer picnic to end the post!
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Tour France: Paris & Provence Architecture and Structure
Tour France: Paris & Provence -Architecture and Structures.We love these shots.City Hall is dotted with sculptures, several by Rodin -- and surrounded by fountains in summer and an ice run in winter.
Along the Seine. A great place for a picnic or to read. This turns into the Paris Plage in summer!
In Provence:
The new church in our village.
Where the bridges and buildings offset the blue of the sky.
Sunshine and blue skies, and...Bliss
Tour France: A Typical Day in Provence with Bliss Travels
Tour France: A typical day in Provence with Bliss Travels.For the photographers, there was an early morning shoot. The rest of us had a leisurely breakfast or even slept in. 
We all met in the garden, and then drove to see the poppy fields, where Anthony helped people capture the beauty.
After our shoot, we visited a local village and friends we adore.
For lunch we shared specially prepared warm goat cheese salads or soup au pistou and then had an omelette made with farm fresh asparagus (thank you Lionel --our favorite chef in the village --who always has local eggs and something special for my perennial omelette!)
After lunch there was sightseeing, walking, gallery hopping and, yes, more photography --yours truly even modeled --and learned there is a "walk", a "look", and, of course, not to smile too much!! For our next photography trips, there will be an option to do portraiture and we will use models.
But, ever the guide, I continued to give clear direction to all who asked!
We finished the evening with a wine tasting and meal in a private cellar --candle lit, with a menu to order. Pas Mal!
In case you were wondering --the blue in the sky is not touched up. That truly is the color!
We hope to share this and more with you on our next trips. July and August festivals are just around the corner, as is our fall photography, foliage and Chateauneuf du Pape trip! Contact us now! Wendy@blisstravels.com
Tour France: The Best Time to Visit Provence is "in Bloom"
Tour France: Visit Provence in Bloom.Spring time provides wonderful and very different sites.
The first "lavender" colored bloom of the season!
In every direction the sights are green and blossoming.
I just can't get enough of the poppies!
And, of course, every day must have a castle in it somewhere!
Join us! It's Bliss! Contact us with any questions.
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
Tour France (& the world) with Bliss and other Bloggers!
An Award! Love it! Thank you Backyard in Provence. We find your posts "blissful" to read as well! Ashley is living the dream, having moved to Provence with her husband and daughter. She gets to spend all of her time on exploring this amazing region - imagine if your vacation in Provence didn't end after a week or two!! We love her posts, and know that every single one of our readers and clients are jealous@The "how to" of this award is:
- Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
- Answer the questions on your favorites below.
- Pass on the award to 10 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs, and let them know you awarded them.
Here are my favorites:
Favorite Color – Red in Spring (for poppies) and Purple/lavender in summer for you know what! And, of course, oranges in fall....Do I have to pick one color for the entire year?Favorite Animal – Emmy the wonder dog (all of my clients know why that is....the rest of you will have to come on a trip to find out!) --any clients who wish to comment on Emmy may do so freely below!Favorite Number – right now, 5 --the number of exciting summer trips we have planned!Favorite Drink – Rose in Provence and Burgundy anywhere else!Facebook or Twitter – Facebook --I like photos!Your Passion – That's easy --France--mostly Provence, the Med and Burgundy. That's why the business is named BLISS travels!Giving or getting presents – Giving. Love to see happy surprised people!Favorite Day – Any day spent in Provencal sunshine.Favorite Flowers – Poppies and anything growing in the Luxembourg gardens.Backyard in Provence "stole" some of my favorite blogger's names. So please know you also would have been nominated.Please click away and check out some of these blogs. If you’re on the list, please pay it forward….1. bobbieconti2. ENOFLYZ3. Foodimentary4. Lot18 Blog5. Rantings of an Amateur Chef6. Leslie Carterand related 7. Bucket List Publications8. FrenchWeddingStyle (Monique Mariage)9. My World of Food Adventures10. Travel Destination Bucket ListAll great writers, adventurers, diners --as well as visually exciting! Share the Bliss
Tour France: Recipes from Locals & Insider Experiences during Vacations in Provence
Tour France: Recipes from Locals & Insider Experiences during Vacations in Provence I've been touring France and leading small custom groups on "insider vacations" for a while now. Some of what we do is haute cuisine and grand chefs with Michelin stars. But, some of the best, most authentic experiences occur in the countryside and about country cooking and local lore. I have been collecting recipes, adapting them and teaching French cuisine for almost as long as I have been leading trips.Each recipe has a story. This one is very special. The story is as deliciously amusing as this country recipe is tasty. So for a casual Provencal experience, try this story on for size!
Everybody should meet their local French butcher. He is charming, funny, full of advice and local color. One day several years ago, while attempting to test some new recipes as well as research an area winery, and be very efficient by accomplishing this in one afternoon, a woman who worked for me and I decided to visit the local butcher of Menerbes instead of the one in our nearby town. The weather was quite hot and we needed to order meat, but didn’t want to cart it around with us all day, to roast in the strong provencal sun. In this way, we two American women, entered the Boucherie in Menerbes, requesting, ever so politely, in French, to please have a chicken (and rabbit, if one was available) prepared for us. We asked if he would be so kind as to hold it for us in refrigeration for several hours. This was no problem. He would be glad to help us, but it’s not possible that we are American he says. He is convinced that since we speak French and wish to cook…..well, clearly we must be English or Australian or just simply confused. No, we assure him we are sure of our origins. To make conversation, we inquired politely about several of the prepared foods he has in his case.
In France, it is quite common for Butcher to also sell certain prepared items such as ratatouille, grated carrot salad, stuffed vegetables, roasted tomatoes/eggplants, and the like. He starts waxing poetic about his ratatouille, which, coincidentally, he is in the process of making at this very moment.
When we mention that we also are planning to make this dish later that day, he insists that we follow him through his shop (which he cavalierly leaves unattended) through his living quarters, and laundry area to his kitchen where he is making the biggest vat of ratatouille known to mankind. As we look around, we see not only the vat of simmering fragrant vegetables, but colanders of cooked vegetables, tilted this way and that, and a large fry pan still warm and oily from before we entered the shop. Next to the stove was a small metal framed kitchen table, with an ashtray, a water glass ½ full of red wine, and the corked bottle. Clearly this was the perch from which Monsieur le Boucher watched his ratatouille simmer. The Butcher painstakingly describes the secret to his ratatouille, which is that one must first cook each vegetable separately, and then drain them before finally creating the mélange. He thoughtfully stirs the pot. After we thank him, showing our appreciation for his generosity, he guided us through the doors of the now reopened Boucherie, and bellows into the street a hearty "a bientot". When we return several hours later, the butcher is in the shop, but comes to the street with our bird, to chat with us. That we are stopped in the middle of a tiny one lane winding road (one of only two that exit the entire village) is of no consequence to him. He chats boisterously with us, asking us about our day, the recipes, whether we’d like to take some ratatouille and nobody seems bothered by the fact that they are held up in ‘traffic’. Nobody other than us, that is. The car behind us is content to wait. After all, this is important. We are discussing dinner!
Ratatouille recipe* It must be stated that Ratatouille is to the Provencale what meatloaf is to the typical American family. Every family has their own recipe with it’s own special ingredients. More often than not it is made with a handful of this and a handful of that. Like meatloaf here, it is the sort of dish that non-cooks, cook. And like meatloaf, it is often best the next day served cold, or even reheated. Sitting overnight allows the flavors to meld nicely. Below is my favorite recipe. It seems to be what works best both in France and the United States, with their different sorts and size s of produce. But that doesn’t mean you can’t alter the proportion of vegetables, or even substitute them….Just make sure to take the butcher’s advice, and cook each one separately before creating the mélange.1 Red Pepper10oz Eggplant, cut into ¾ inch cubes2 lb small green zucchini, cut into ¾ inch cubes2 lb ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped1 ib sweet onion, coarsely chopped12 T olive oil or peanut oil (peanut oil can be heated hotter, but olive oil lends a nice flavor)1 bay leaf2-3 sprigs of fresh Thyme4 cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoon sugarSalt and pepper6 leaves of basil, chopped.Heat 2 T of oil, cook peppers for a couple minutes. Drain peppers and transfer peppers to a colander. Wipe pan clean of excess oil,.Add 3 T of oil to the pan and sauté onions on medium heat for several minutes until lightly browned. Transfer onions to colander, and wipe pan. Add 2 T of oil and reheat pan. Brown zucchini at medium high heat and drain, and add to colander. Last, add 2 more T oil to pan, heat at medium high heat and brown eggplant for several minutes, stirring as needed, and drain and add to colander. Heat a large pan, one large enough to accommodate all the vegetables. Add the remaining oil and heat. Add garlic and sauté for one minute. Add tomatoes, sprinkle with sugar (if you have very sweet, ripe, flavorful tomatoes, the sugar will be unnecessary) and add herbs, except basil. Bring the the tomatoes and their liquid to a boil. Add salt and pepper and all the other vegetables, stir, reduce heat and cover. Cook for 30 minutes or more until very tender. Stir occasionally to avoid burning. When finished, remove the pot from the heat and remove Thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Add the fresh basil. This dish is best the longer you let it sit, so the flavors of the vegetables can meld properly. Let the ratatouille sit in the pot off of the heat at least another 30 minutes, or better yet, cool the pot down and refrigerate overnight.So, if you can't attend one of our amazing trips to Provence, and experience Bliss with us, then at least visit your local farm and enjoy some freshly made ratatouille!