Each year I take a “ride into Autumn,” driving into the kaleidoscopic crimsons, golds, and greens of fall foliage at its peak. Fresh air carries a whiff of apples and cider donuts. Pumpkins rest in fields waiting to be chosen by children giddy for Halloween. Hudson Valley’s…
I’m excited to announce that The New York Times has asked me to be the featured expert on their Times Journeys tour of Provence in June and October. The 2018 trip dates are June 10-17 and also October 7-14, 2018. Early summer and late fall are two…
Fall is one of the best seasons to visit Provence. Temperatures hover at a comfortable level, harvests reach their peak, and prices plummet. There are many deals to be found during “shoulder season”—those off-peak periods when the crowds have thinned and the weather is still fine. Not…
What’s a not-so-secret ingredient in the rising soufflé that is the burgeoning local food movement? The James Beard Foundation. Inspired by cookbook author and teacher James Beard who died in 1985, the Foundation continues his legacy of educating and inspiring people to “celebrate, nurture, and honor…
If you have visited La Braderie de Lille in northern France, you can count yourself lucky. The antiques and flea fair is one of the most anticipated and innocuous of annual gatherings in Europe. La Braderie de Lille has been attracting treasure hunters since the 12th…
Protocols around negotiating are specific to the local culture. Strategies that might be effective when haggling for a carpet in the souks of Morocco or Turkey could prove fruitless if used in the flea markets of France. Here are 5 tips for what works—and what…
At a time like this when the world is bubbling over with craziness at a full boil, I respond by drowning myself in the arts. I’ve been reading (currently on my night table: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen; it’s not exactly light reading but…
Much as the “Curse of the Bambino” hung over Boston for decades following the infamous decision of the Red Sox to sell slugger Babe Ruth to the Yankees, so too has the site of Les Halles in Paris been plagued after the market was dismantled in 1969…
Any trip to Paris prompts questions about what to do and where to eat. Another decision that’s important to some travelers is which Paris flea market to visit. Paris is a haven for antiques, collectibles, and vintage items. Two of the best flea markets (or “puces“)…
The whirlwind of Markets of Provence book talks and touring continues. I’ve bounced from Boston and New York clear across the country to California. I’ve had the opportunity to present at 92nd St. Y, Omnivore Books, Kepler’s Books, Porter Square Books, as well as others…
What an eventful two weeks it has been since the launch of Markets of Provence. I’ve been giving talks about Provence and sharing stories about the experiences that went into the making of my new book. I’m tremendously gratified by the turnout at events and the warm…
I can hardly believe that the launch of Markets of Provence is just around the calendar’s corner. The book will be widely available on May 3, and I can’t wait. I’ve seen one advance copy which, I must say, looks great. No one can pry it…
Magnolia trees are unfurling tender blossoms and daffodils are poking their heads through cold soil. Soon we’ll be treated to a parade of white, magenta, and yellow blooms. Another reason to welcome spring is the profusion of flea and antiques markets. Whether you’re visiting the…
Spring and summer are when Paris markets are coming into full bloom. Juicy gariguette strawberries and spears of asparagus will soon be widely available, along with cheeses and butter made with milk from animals that have been chomping on young flowers and grasses. At flea markets, summery dresses and scarves…
I recently visited Santa Fe, New Mexico, to celebrate my friend Carol’s birthday. I thought of it as pure vacation and decided—as a departure from my usual routine—that I’d forego going to a market and instead focus on activities that Carol and others had planned. Besides, I could’ve used extra sleep on…
Did you ever wonder about the French connection to Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French. It’s the day before Ash Wednesday and refers to the practice of eating fatty foods before the start of Lent when meat is forbidden. Carnival festivities begin with the Feast…
Paris markets can be hit-or-miss. That’s why I’m pleased to unveil a new tool called the Paris Market Finder in the Resources section of my website. Most markets in Paris are open only one or two days a week. Locals know by heart the days of their closest or…
Markets in Provence are a celebration of agriculture, crafts, and, more broadly, the Provençal identity. For travelers, they open a door to the local foods and way of life, plus a chance to participate in a tradition that dates back centuries. I immediately became enamored…
We can all use a boost of holiday cheer. One of the best places to go and stoke that merry glow is a holiday market. In France they’re called marchés de Noël. The tradition of Christmas markets started in Germany and spread to Alsace in the…
