I chose to start this blog at a time when I am turning a new page in my life story.  It is time for that change and I am calling this holiday to Europe the first chapter, the first page of my new life story.

There are so many things that I love and that bring me pleasure and those are the things that I want to write about and that I wish to share. For me it is important to embrace things I love, acknowledge them and share them.  I love to travel, I love great food, I love my daughters and my grandson, I love new adventures and I love to embrace life!

Provence isn’t just a destination for me – it is a place that I have fantasized about, dreamed of, read books about, watched films about and always knew that one day I would visit.  I never doubted it but I wasn’t sure how I would manifest it. When Greta invited me last year, I knew it was closer to my reality.

Provence – the lush gardens, mountains, forests and water.  Provence – farmer’s markets with delicious foods – baguettes, cheeses, sausages and delicious melons and other fruits and vegetables.  Provence – villages playing Boule, friendly shop keepers, unforgettable dining experiences, meals a la fresco.  I have come here to find it all.  I want to feel, touch and taste every experience.

I flew overnight from Toronto and arrived at 7a.m. in Paris.  A few hours later, I boarded a train to Antibes in the south of France.  The trip took about seven hours.  I could have flown to Nice but I wanted to experience that train ride across the country.  I really enjoyed it watching the French countryside pass by and the scenery changing.

When my daughters were young, they had a story book called “ Orlando and His Little Friends”.  Orlando went on holiday with his parents and he met new friends along the way – his little while friends.  My girls have teased me for years about being Orlando because I love to talk to people and make my own “little while friends”.  Checking in at the airport, I met a woman and we started up a conversation in the line.  We found we had things in common and we were both on our way to Paris.  We decided to give the special Air Transat lounge a try.  The airline had a special on and the lounge was $36 for 2 hours.  It included alcohol, a buffet meal and a quiet calm atmosphere.  It felt like traveling first class and was a great start to the holiday.  I  traveled to the airport by TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) – I recommend it because it is cheap and easy – subway to Kipling and then the express bus to the airport all for a $3 ticket.

I am visiting my friend Greta Berlin who owns this magnificent villa in the south of France.  It is so beautiful – 3 large bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, large living and dining room and a view that catches your breath every time you look.