Highlights from My France Trip 2014

Maribeth and Steve Do France: Capping Off Our Last Night in France at Julien in Paris

Oysters and Vin Blanc at Lake Hossegor: One of Many Delightful Meals in France

Hossegor Surf at Sunrise

Pâtisserie du Golfe in Hossegor

Biarritz at Night

Glorious Contrasts: Steve Headed Out to Surf at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz

Tapas and Wine at Bar Jean in Biarritz

How silly of me to think that I could work in a few blog posts while traveling through France during these past few weeks! Really.

That was my intention but I’m afraid I failed mercifully at the task. Instead, I was busy experiencing life in France rather than taking time to write about it sur place. Sure, I took tons of notes and I will be churning out stories from this trip–both here at my blog and in updates of my guidebooks–in the months to come. (I’m also doing a downloadable guide for A Tour of the Heart:  A Seductive Cycling Trip Through France, so the information will serve there, too.)

Savory Basque Charcuterie

Surfing at Biarritz

Spa-Going at Le Miramar Thalassa Sofitel Biarritz

Sunrise from Our Balcony at the Sofitel Biarritz

Versailles by the Sea: Hôtel du Palais Biarritz

View from Our Balcony at Hôtel du Palais Biarritz

I had all I could do to keep up with emails and other required communications, which had me typing into my phone and laptop, while so many wonderful excursions, visits and meals awaited me.

Les Halles de Biarritz: The Marketplace

J’Adore les Fromages Français

Shopping with My Classic Guide to the French Provinces in Biarritz

Yet I did regularly post photos to Facebook both under Maribeth Clemente and A Tour of the Heart. I had launched myself on Twitter and Instagram before I left the States, so I did some posts there as well. Check out those links for lots of great images, some detailed descriptions and many fun comments from friends and fans. I will continue to post photos on those social media outlets in the months to come.

Villa Catarie: Our Quaint Boutique Hotel in Guéthary

Basque Charm in Guéthary

Basque Linens

More Basque Charm

Guéthary: Another Surfer’s Paradise

Beach Day

One of Many Elegant Meals

And where do I begin to write about all that I discovered, observed and savored? I have so much to share by my favorite medium, the written word. I expect my first real France post will be about how it was to be back in France after having been away so long. In many ways it was like coming home; in others it was a big confirmation of the life I’ve chosen to live in Colorado. Often, it was a wondrous mix of both; my juxtaposition between Parisian sophisticate and Rocky Mountain girl continues to amuse and astonish me.

Bike Riding in Hossegor with Marilys from Landes Tourism

Shopping at the Hossegor Market: Fresh Strawberries from the South of France in October!

Checking the Surf Report à l’Heure de l’Apéritif at Les Hortensias du Lac in Hossegor

Cycling Around Hossegor

Our Last Night in the French Provinces at Les Hortensias in Hossegor

Although in truth, I have become more Coloradan. Thankfully. And the French provinces continue to woo me more than Paris. Don’t get me wrong though–the City of Light remains magical.

Keep your eye out for lots of posts about Paris and the provinces as well as at least one on Antwerp, Belgium, where I visited friends and did a bit of touring. Europe was first introduced to me in Antwerp and it will always claim a special place in my heart.

One more thing:  As much as I’ve become a Western gal, I’ve realized that I love Europe more than ever and have vowed to return with greater frequency from now on.

Hossegor Sunrise

Hossegor Surf

Last Day at Work

Old WWII Bunkers at Capbreton Beach

Coffee on the Beach

This was the sentiment for Steve, my boyfriend, as well, which comes as no surprise since my dear Stefano Togni was born in Milan and spent much time in Italy throughout his life. (He only recently became an American citizen in fact.)

Saying Goodbye to Christiane Bonnat from Basque Tourism at the Train Station in Biarritz

Our ties to the Old World are strong, something that bonds us to each other even more. How grateful we are to have experienced so much together on our extended stay in the Southwest of France, a balmy, sun-drenched sojourn that featured great coastal destinations in the Basque Country and the Landes.

Paris Taxi

Paris Lunch

Paris by Night

We also had one helluva time in Paris, a stay punctuated by lots of ups and downs. But just like many a good tourist, we ended our visit to the City of Light at the foot of the Eiffel Tower at midnight on Steve’s last night in France, a moment we immortalized in the photo below.

The Money Shot

All in all, c’était vraiment fabuleux!