Valensole

The Valensole Plateau is filled with rolling fields of lavender that seem to go on for ages. The smell is incredible, the color is so vibrant, and perhaps it's the aromatherapy, perhaps it's just the way of life, but everything feels so relaxed. That is certainly one thing I think the French have a knack for - enjoying life and taking time to appreciate the seemingly small everyday details.

Since it wouldn't be a proper mid-July without markets and festivals, there was also a lavender festival in Valensole.

We watched a man distill lavender oil on the town square, they gave free bundles of lavender to visitors, and lavender was used in a variety of foods available for purchase from chocolates and ice cream all the way to pâté. There was even a parade and group of people dressed in lavender, which is a sight you don't often see. They clearly take it seriously and it made me wonder where they are able to find so many uniquely colored accessories.

My favorite purchase was some edible lavender oil, which can be used in cooking (or making ice cream).

Before our trip I wasn't aware there is also something called lavandin, which is a cheaper species, but we were schooled in all of it. All of the fields have a steady hum of insects.

As we drove through the fields we stopped to take photos (thanks to our gorilla pod and remote)... kind of like nature meets photo booth.

Both of these also came in hand later in the evening, because we stayed in Allemagne-en-Provence and there were galaxies visible above with the naked eye. So many stars! There were things moving high up there and it made me feel very tiny. I don't really have great lenses for night photography, but with my trigger release I could at least capture some of it.

The home we stayed at was gorgeous - complete with a beautiful pool. It was a bit chilly when we arrived, so we just dipped our feet in. It was the perfect setting to make me think about cashing in city life for a fleeting moment.

Roussillon

One place not to miss in Provence is Roussillon and Le Sentier des Ocres for some striking natural beauty. There's evidently a rather violent legend explaining why the earth is colored with vibrant reds... it entails love, a blood bath, and now we can all appreciate the beauty of the iron hydroxide 110 million years later.

The contrast between the orange and red tones and the green trees and foliage is beautiful. I'd be curious how much it changes during the Autumn and Winter months.

Roussillon is another of "Les plus Beaux Villages de France" and it's as if the entire city has been splashed with terracotta paint. If you visit, make sure you stop at the ice cream shop right near the entrance and try the lavender ice cream - it's fantastic!

The vibrate colors are incredible and stained everything from the feet of several children who were running through to canvases of tourists who could purchase the pigments at nearby shops.

Autumn & the Isar

This is why I wish Autumn never ended...gorgeous blankets of golden leaves at the glowing Isar are just magical.

Burano

Burano might just be one of the most magical places. It really is as if it's the end of a rainbow with so many vibrant colors splashed about.

Getting there is relatively easy with a public vaparetto near Fondamenta Nuove. The journey takes about 40 minutes and boats depart roughly every 30 minutes.

While visiting this sweet little island we learned a few things: crime is virtually non existent, there is one school and the high schoolers get boated over to the main land, and each house is only able to be painted certain colors. The colors were the former house numbers, making the island a special little place. It also happens to have some of the least expensive Venetian souvenirs.

bright pinks

pomegranate

glowing façades

tilting church + rainbow homes

whites

shades of red

peeling paint

main canal rainbow row

oranges and blues

green shutters

colorful canal

pretty pastels

stripes + red flowers 

emily + laundry day

Ciao + Grazie, Italy! 

Marrakech

One of my painting teachers in college told me he thought I would really enjoy Marrakech and now I can tell him that he was right. It was so nice to be able to spend so much time exploring the city, because there is so much to see and do.

The area is conducive to getting lost - even if you have a reasonable map, which often leads to some interesting places.

The Djemaa el Fna...

is where most roads lead and at night this UNESCO site really awakens with an array of characters, foods, sounds, and smells.

- One of my favorite things was sitting at the little café on the corner and watching the action down below at dusk and watching the early evening action. The light was magnificent and it steadily faded into night.

Snake Charmers

Produce Market...

it felt like we were stepping back in time to see the weights + scales that were used.

Goods Markets...

one of many places to buy tea sets, clothing, carpets, decor + household items.

Transport...

seeing donkeys, horses, carts, motorbikes, and cars sharing the roads.

Souks...

there were a large array of goods for sale, but the light beams shining through the thatched roof was especially beautiful. (Side note: Stefan had no idea this slab of meat was behind him.)

Souks at Night...

so quiet compared to the hustle and bustle of the day.

Escargot...

food may be safe, but dishware can be problematic since there aren't great washing facilities - or so we were warned.

Terrasse des Épices...

this was our favorite restaurant. The ambiance and food were both fantastic. It was recommended by Jamie Oliver. Ironically we saw signs with 'Jimmy Oliver' and 'Jimmy Holliver' painted on many restaurants at other places around the city. I read about this one on his website.

Guéliz...

Considered 'New Marrakech' and has a very European feel. It's also an easy place to go for things with marked prices instead of bartering.

Guéliz • 16 café...

Modern foods and fantastic pastries

Guéliz • Grand Café de la Poste...

another recommendation by Jamie Oliver. The food here was terrific and the restaurant was very elegant. It drew a very interesting set of characters.

Koutoubia Mosque + Gardens...

beautifully tended with orange trees, greenery and a bit of shade.

City Walls...

those little holes allowed for the expanding and contrasting of the stone as it was being built.

Tanner's District...

even as soon as we approached the area men would come up with photos of the colorful Fes market to show us in hopes of guiding us there (In Marrakech it's not as colorful). Many people and children are more than willing to offer help back in exchange for some pocket money, although it's easy to visit on your own as well, which is what we did. The children were sweet - they would start yelling 'fermé (closed)' if you ventured down a residential dead end.

Palais Bahia...

one of the most visited sites in Marrakech. There are so many beautiful patterns, textures, and architectural details.

Jardin Majorelle...

this botanical garden is really something special. It was designed in 1924 during the colonial times by a French expat.

Memorial to Yves Saint Laurent

Oasis...

it's incredible to think this is more or less in the middle of a desert, because the area is so lush and green.

Marjorelle Blue...

Not quite Yves Klein blue, but quite similar and equally as beautiful.

Train Station at dusk

Mosques

Palmerie

Camels

Lantern shop...

I wanted a bright colored lantern and there was only one shop where we saw them for sale. I tried to negotiate for one and the man told me they start at 600 dirhams, which is about 60€. I went with the approach of knowing what I'd be willing to pay and being willing to walk away, which is what I ended up doing.

- We went back another evening with a plan and had a different sales man. Stefan tried his hand and incredibly the starting price was mysteriously 400 dirhams, or 20€ less than I was initially offered. Typically giving 10-20% of their initial offer and not more than 50% is fair market value.

Spices + Tagines...

we also brought back lots of spices and this little tagine trio, which is currently home to a variety of salts on our table, because I certainly love salt - and having a useful reminder from our travels.