Get Away à la Carte

These vibrant and charming “oyster shacks” (cabanes à huîtres) are the perfect spot to savor oysters straight from the source! 🦪 Nestled along the picturesque villages of Arcachon Bay, these colorful huts offer an authentic taste of one of France’s most famous oyster farming regions, where local farmers produce an impressive 15,000-20,000 tons of oysters each year. 🤩 Just an hour’s drive from Bordeaux, a trip to the bay is an absolute must for any seafood lover. 🦪🥂

🫒This charming store full of mini olive trees is nestled along the picturesque cobblestone streets of the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence.

Provence, with its sun-drenched ☀️ landscapes, is home to 70% of France’s olive oil production! 💯 A staple in Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years, olives and olive oil production in Provence have shaped local culinary traditions, enhancing the regional cuisine to an elevated level of 🫒DELICIOUSNESS 🫒

Want to visit Provence? Come with us and Olive Tree next fall. More info on our website!

🌸 Discover the enchanting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a gem on the French Riviera just east of Nice in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Nestled between sea and sky, this stunning villa boasts exquisite gardens, each with its own unique theme. From the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean to the luxurious interiors filled with art and history, it’s a must-visit for anyone exploring the Côte d’Azur! 🏰✨

More fascinating info and reasons to visit:

🏰 Built between 1905 and 1912 by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, the villa showcases her passion for art and gardens.
🏛️ Combines various architectural styles, including Italian Renaissance and French Rococo, reflecting the Baroness’s eclectic tastes.
⛲️Features nine themed gardens, all meticulously designed in the shape of a ship, inspired by a voyage she took on an ocean liner.
🪴The French garden is designed to look like an ocean liner.
🖼️ Impressive collection of art and antiques, including pieces from the Renaissance and 18th century.
🎨 Inspires many artists and filmmakers, making it a popular location for photo shoots and movies.
🌊 Offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding landscape.
⛲️Gardens feature a spectacular fountain show set to classical music.

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle was more than just a stunning castle! 🏰✨Nestled on a picturesque island in the Rhine River near Kaub, the castle was built in the 14th century, and was a fortress strategically designed to control and tax river traffic. 🚤💰

🔍 Fascinating info:

The castle’s isolated location made it a perfect toll station, ensuring that all passing ships paid their dues before continuing their journey. 💸🛳️

In the Rhine River Gorge, there are around 40 castles 👀🏰 (most up on the hillsides) that are spread out over 40 miles and 10-15 of them served as these strategic tax checkpoints. 🤩

Heavy chains were placed across the river and were only raised once taxes were paid. ⛓️💰

Peeking down on Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is Gutenfals Castle, now a 5-room hotel. 🏨

Exploring the charming canals, historic architecture, and vibrant culture of Amsterdam, where bikes RULE! 🚴

Fun facts:
🚴‍♂️ Amsterdam has more bikes than people - around 881,000 bikes for 811,000 people
🌉 There are more than 1,200 bridges over the 165 canals
🛥️ Over 2,500 houseboats line the canals

Every corner of this city has a story to tell. From picturesque bike rides to cozy cafes, the reputed red light district and the museum district, it’s a place where you can easily wander charming neighborhoods for days on end! 🌷🚲

The iconic picture in la Petite France district of Strasbourg is just as magical as it looks. 🌟 On the right is what is known as Tanner’s House, where 16th century tanners would dry hides in the open area beneath the roof of this half-timbered structure.

La Petite France is lined with canals, adorable cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and balconies FULL of vibrant geraniums. 🌺

Can’t get a much better view of the vineyards in Rüdesheim, Germany 🇩🇪 than from a gondola ride 🚡! Amawaterways offers this as an excursion on their Rhine River cruises 🛳️. Put it on your bucket list! ✅

A beautiful sunny ☀️ day in Strasbourg brings out the best of the town! The historical district, La Petite France, is ADORABLE and is known for its canals, cobblestone streets, and half-timbered houses.

Since the 17th century the town has changed hands six times between France 🇫🇷 and Germany 🇩🇪 and the Franco-German influences are everywhere.

Strasbourg cathedral ⛪️ is striking and was the world’s tallest building for over 200 years during the 17th - 19th centuries. The reddish-brown sandstone from the Vosges mountains gives it a very unique appearance, accentuating the details of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.

Time to get Strasbourg on your bucket list if you haven’t been there before. 🎯💯 An easy way to get there is to experience one of Rhine River cruises!

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When in Lucerne, a Golden Round Trip ticket to Mount Pilatus 🏔️ is an AMAZING experience! This day trip starts with a scenic boat ride 🚢 on Lake Lucerne to the cogwheel railway (the world’s steepest!) that whisks you up the mountain. At the top, views are SPECTACULAR 👀💯! An aerial cableway 🚠 then takes you partway down where there is an option of riding a toboggan and/or zip lining before getting on a gondola 🚡 to make the entire descent. A bus 🚎 then takes you back to Lucerne after a FANTASTIC day of exploring the best of what Switzerland 🇨🇭 offers - mountains 🏔️ , lakes and beautiful views.

The medieval town of Èze is a MUST if you are visiting neighboring Nice. 🏝️This beautiful hilltop village is one of the most picturesque in the region with absolutely breathtaking views. 👀

Narrow, cobblestone pedestrian-only streets are adorned with wrought iron lanterns, archways and greenery & vibrant flowers 🌺 growing up the building façades and are lined with quaint arts and crafts boutiques.

The crown jewel of Èze is the botanical garden at the very top. This garden is MAGICAL not only because of the various cacti🌵, succulents and rare vegetation but the views of the rocky outcrops, St Jean de Cap Ferrat and the Mediterranean coastline are unforgettably beautiful. 🌊

Definitely a place you could never get tired of visiting! 💯

🌟🎉 The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony is here! 🎉🌟

Can’t wait to watch the boats packed with athletes from around the world 🌎 floating by the stunning landmarks along the Seine River! 🛶 #

🌟🇫🇷 French guinguette: a type of open-air café or restaurant 🍽️ often found near rivers or parks 🏞️.

👉 The origins of “guinguette” trace back to the 18th century when small establishments located on the outskirts of Paris offered food, wine, and often music, creating a festive atmosphere that attracted working-class Parisians looking to escape the city and enjoy leisure time outdoors. They were considerably cheaper since they were outside of Paris and escaped the taxes levied.

The term “guinguette” itself is believed to have derived from the name of a sour cherry 🍒 variety called “guinguet,” which was commonly grown in the gardens of these establishments.

Guinguettes remain a nostalgic symbol of French culture, and are perfect for some summer fun! 🤩 💯🎯

Guinguettes
⭐️ are fun and lively!
⭐️ provide a place to gather to eat, drink, & dance in the summer
⭐️ have relaxed atmosphere with music, often accordion or jazz
⭐️ serve simple, traditional French food like grilled meats, salads, and desserts

🌿🎶 Find a guinguette and dive into summer!

Sparkling anyone? 🥂 Calvet offers delicious selections of Crémant de Bordeaux, the local appellation for sparkling in Bordeaux.

And if you’re lucky, you can sip on Crémant while savoring sweet specialties 🍰 at a private tasting with Renaud Calvet in his maison bourgeoise (that’s how trips to France with Get Away à la Carte roll = 💯).

🇫🇷 If you are traveling in Burgundy, the quaint town of Tournus along the Saône River between Beaune and Maçon is worth a visit. 🏰 Stroll through its historic streets, marvel at the stunning Saint-Philibert Abbey (a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture), and savor the exquisite local cuisine. 🍷🍴

Tournus is one of the stops on two of river cruises:

🌟 Flavors of Burgundy
🌟 Essence of Burgundy and Provence

River cruising is a fabulous all-inclusive way to see unparalleled views, experience curated local excursions and only unpack once time! 🧳 Reach out for more info.

❓🏰 Did you know there are over 45,000 castles in France? Château de La Brède is an off-the-beaten-path gem worth finding! ✨📸

Nestled in the heart of Bordeaux’s lush countryside, the magnificent Château de La Brède stands as a testament to centuries of history and elegance. Built in the 14th century, this stunning fortress was the birthplace and lifelong home of the renowned philosopher Montesquieu, a highly influential French philosopher and political thinker of the 18th century Enlightenment era.

🌳🌺 Stroll through the enchanting gardens, meticulously maintained to preserve their historical charm. 📚 Step into the very rooms where Montesquieu penned his influential works, including “The Spirit of the Laws.” 🕰️ Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of medieval architecture and captivating stories that echo through its halls.

🌟 Take a peek over the hill and discover the hidden gems of Montmartre! 🌟

While the front of Montmartre is iconic with the Sacré Cœur and bustling streets, the back side holds a charm all its own. 🌿✨

🛤️ Wander through cobblestone streets less traveled and find yourself amidst quaint cafés, secret gardens, and vibrant street art.

🍷 Wine in Montmartre? Mais oui! Montmartre was home to many vineyards from the 12th century until the annexation of the area into Paris at the end of the 19th century. Today, the Clos du Montmartre is the only remaining vineyard - a surprising sight!

🎨 Before its annexation, Montmartre was also dabbled with windmills (think Moulin Rouge), quarries for gypsum mines & farms before becoming a haven for many artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso.

📸 Snap a picture at Rue de l’Abreuvoir, one of the prettiest streets in Paris, and don’t miss the vine-covered La Maison Rose for a perfect backdrop. 📷🌸

Visiting Angers in the Loire Valley? Must sees:

🏰 Château d’Angers
🏠 Medieval half-timbered houses
🥖 Boulangerie Corneille (bakery) - run by a female award-winning baker 😋
🏢 Tourist office for great souvenirs/books and maybe a bottle of Cointreau, a delicious orange liqueur made just east of Angers

June 6th marks the 80th commemoration of the Normandy invasion that led to the liberation of France and Europe during WWII. Please take a moment to reflect on the courage and heroism the 156,000 Allied troops displayed and how so many lives were changed forever. We must never forget ❤️