France - Travel Blogs & Travel Guides: 2024

A Tour Of Provence, France – A Provence Travel Blog

Enjoying the incredible views in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Provence in France is peppered with rustic towers, impressive chateaus, rolling countryside and all the fresh produce you could dream of. Find out some of my favourite spots in this Provence travel blog.

This may have been a proper holiday for me… but after snapping away, there was no way I could keep these photos to myself!

My relationship with Provence started when I was 12 years old. After over a decade of holidays in the UK, my Dad decided it was finally time to head further afield. Not much further afield though! Off we went to Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, and checked into a beautiful villa with a pool. We spent our days exploring the lush countryside, looking forward to our 3pm ice creams and devouring steak frites in the evenings at tiny brasseries. I don’t remember much about the trip, apart from that the food was good… and the views were even better. Oh and the scent of lavender – that was definitely in the air!

So when my boyfriend was asked to be best man at a friend’s wedding in Provence, I couldn’t wait to return! We based ourselves at beautiful converted farmhouse Le Coeurisier (booked via Holiday Lettings) and while there enjoyed breakfast in the garden, country walks and outings to sleepy neighbouring towns.

Enjoying breakfast at Le Coeurisier, Provence (Photo: BackpackerMacca)

Considering booking L’Ecrin Du Val Claret in Tignes for your ski holiday? From more about the rooms, food quality and the spa in this detailed review.

As outlined in my Wanderlust Bambi post I wasn’t a natural skier… but after a few days in ski school, I started to get the hang of it! Thankfully, when I wasn’t on the slopes I had a cosy mountain hideaway to warm up in – the Mark Warner Hotel L’Ecrin in the village of Tignes Val Claret in the French Alps.

Covered in a snowy cotton-wool blanket, the chalet style hotel had a spacious reception area, a comfortable lounge with a fireplace, bar, restaurant, a luxurious spa, and 52 bedrooms.

Lounge area at Hotel L'Ecrin Du Val Claret — Lounge area at Hotel L’Ecrin Du Val Claret

Spa area at Hotel L'Ecrin Du Val Claret — Spa area at Hotel L’Ecrin Du Val Claret

The Mark Warner experience is all about warm service, comfort and convenience. Over the course of a few days I got to know the hotel staff – from the front desk team to the spa girls and the barmen. Everyone was friendly, full of info and brought a really lovely social vibe to the hotel. For families, they offer childcare – a great option when the grown ups fancy a day on the slopes.

Thinking of booking a beginner ski holiday? Find out more about learning to ski on a Mark Warner holiday in this first hand account.

All the gear and no idea. That’s how I’d describe myself as I headed to Heathrow Airport on a dark January morning ready for my first ever ski trip. I’d signed up to a beginner ski holiday with Mark Warner.

Kitted out in newly purchased snow boots and a borrowed ski jacket, I felt like a massive fraud. I’ve never skied in my life. I struggle with activities that involve balance or co-ordination. Don’t even ask about my track record on a bike…

Despite this, I like to think of myself as a bit of adventurer, yes really! I’ve hang-glided in Rio De Janeiro, volcano boarded in Nicaragua and I’m an adrenaline freak when it comes to rollercoasters. I’ll try most things once. So why did the thought of hitting the slopes fill me with fear? Well for a start, who learns to ski at the age of 30?!

SKIING FOR BEGINNERS

Thankfully this was a ski trip to ease anxious sorts like me into this bizarre concept of sliding down a mountain with two planks strapped to my feet. From London, I travelled to the Mark Warner resort in Tignes Val Claret in the French Alps. It was a beautiful journey – with fir trees dusted in white powder, frozen lakes and frosty mountain peaks. My home for the next few days was the chalet-style Hotel L’Ecrin du Val Claret (full review coming soon). Covered in a snowy cotton-wool blanket, the hotel was beautifully cosy with large lounge areas, an inviting fireplace and a luxurious spa. I started to think I could fit in here.

Spectacular snowy drive in the Alps… Feels like Christmas all over again! #mwmoment

A photo posted by Chloë Gunning (@wanderlustchloe) on Jan 13, 2016 at 3:31am PST