How do you start with a “career” spinning tunes in a bar in Chamonix and end up a successful sculptor? You follow your heart. That, is a life lesson for Nutmeg who admits she likes to have a plan or better yet a “road map” outlining the next steps.
Category Archives: France
Aix en Provence Travel App Edible Heritage
Nutmeg owes an enormous thank you to friends and family for their patience in the last several months, as they endured her chronicles of how to develop a travel application.
Enfin! – Finally!
Edible Heritage Aix en Provence the App, a new pocket travel companion, is for sale and ready to be downloaded to your mobile phone.
Sassafras Does Provence
Sassafras is native to eastern North America, not France. However, she works for an airline and she has made it a personal quest to visit Europe regularly. With Ginger away in Calgary for 10 days, Nutmeg thought that a little time with her girlfriend in Provence would be enjoyable.
The trip did not quite start as planned, Sassafras’ arrival was delayed due to an airline strike. Then her in-country train connections took longer than the transatlantic flight. Despite, those minor hick-ups, she arrived on a beautiful summer day, for a lot of cycling and a bit of culture. Nutmeg had packed a 7-day agenda into 5 days; here is a summary of her visit:
Blending Wine and Art at Chateau La Coste in Provence
Ginger and Nutmeg had spent a morning at a cooking class, and even longer consuming the tasty results. It was already 15:00 (3pm) and they needed a walk after that four-course lunch. On advice from a friend they decided to visit Chateau La Coste to answer the question; can decent wine be produced from a combination of Irish wealth and French grapes?
This vineyard is found just outside of Aix-en-Provence, near the town of Puy-Sainte-Réparade. It is not to be confused with the town of Lacoste (that will be another post). Paddy McKillen a wealthy Irishman purchased the old bastide and surrounding land in 2002. This is a man who knows about premium quality, he is the majority owner in several high-end hotels including, London hotels Claridges and the Connaught.
Chamonix Mountain Guiding a Female Touch
Chamonix based mountain guide, Isabelle Santoire is part of an elite group of trained mountain guides at le Syndicat national des Guides de Montagne (SNGM).
There are about 1600 guides associated with this group in France, many of whom can be found in Chamonix. These are individuals who have all met the stringent testing criteria. Isabelle represents of small number women in this physically demanding line of work; there are only 14 females in Chamonix and even fewer who guide full-time.
Laundry And The Euro Zone
Nutmeg could have saved the European policy wonks and financial wizards a lot of time and energy.
The Euro began trading on currency markets, ten years ago on January 1, 1999. It was not until 2002, that hard currency, reached the hands of the inhabitants, and started circulating in the cafés, restaurants and stores. Now, the “man on the street” felt the impact of this strange new currency as they reluctantly handed over their Francs, Marks, Schillings and Lira.
St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume and Gourmet Food in Provence
The village of St-Maximin-la-Ste-Baume is located in a valley a short 30-minute drive south of Aix en Provence. Vineyards surround the town and just to the south is the Massif de la Ste-Baume. The town was named after St Maximinus, who reportedly converted the residents to Christianity and where a 6th century parish church was built and named in his honour. The church was later demolished when the basilica was constructed.
Corsica ABCs For Foodies
The island of Corsica is odd shaped, think of a bunch of grapes with the stem at the top and you will not be too far off. The stem of the cluster forms the wild and stunning Cap Corse. The island’s terrain is enormously varied from mountain peaks (120 summits over 2000 meters) and river gorges to sandy beaches and lush plains. This varied topography is reflective of the balance of the grapes in the bunch. Ginger and Nutmeg were told by friends that Corsica is like a mini-France. They were right, the island offers the traveller a rich and tasty experience within the 1000km coastline. The Corsican population is fiercely proud of their locally produced food and beverage products. Ginger and Nutmeg did their best to sample a wide variety of the available goods during their trip. Nutmeg had a bit of fun with this post and hopes you will too.
The following are the ABC’s of Corsican food for the hungry and parched traveller:
Domaine Arena – one of the top-rated wines on the island. Ginger and Nutmeg have tried the red and white varieties – both are excellent. This winemaker is located in the Patrimonio region. They were one of the first vineyards to begin the process of replanting classic Corsican grapes such as Biancu Gentile. The wine is made in an organic style, and it is delicious.
Corisca A Long History
It is impossible to do the history of Corsica justice in one short blog post. The following is a brief summary and an opportunity to show off our photos. For those history buffs out there, you can easily lose yourself for hours on the Wikipedia pages alone.
A history of strong, dominant forces formed the island of Corsica, throughout its’ entire history. The landmass of Corsica was created by intense, volcanic activity. Among other names for this beautiful island, one is “a mountain in the sea”. Corsica is the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean, with well over 100 peaks higher than the 2000-meter level. The dramatic peaks, lush valleys and 1000 kilometres of coastline, have all played heavily, in the civilization of the island, as it exists today. The Moor’s head is dominant on the Corsican flag and visible throughout the island on 1000s of items from beer labels to beach towels. The exact origins of the symbol remain debated; however, it is a powerful, iconic reminder of the island’s history. It is a chronicle over millenniums of habitation, growth, conflict and struggle for survival.
Corsica The Beauty
Years ago, Nutmeg had a boss (a faithful blog reader) who suggested that it could be a career limiting move, to stay in Paris longer than the assignment required. Nutmeg found this rather disappointing as she had a strong desire to explore Corsica, and felt that she deserved a holiday. The French, for good reason, call Corsica “l’Ile de Beauté” or Island of Beauty. The island is stunning at every turn with sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, granite mountain peaks and lush agricultural areas. Corsica offers something for every taste, from the “beach lizard” to the “adventure racer” and all the folks in between. Nutmeg would like to thank her former boss, if she had visited Corsica all those years ago two things probably would have happened:
- She would have fallen in love with the island
- Ginger may have had another name like Antonio
