Being based in Paris for five years has offered some wonderful opportunities for exploring further afield in France and beyond.

 

A day trip from Paris offers vast forests, grand gardens, historic towns or sleepy villages.

 

Le Train Jaune leaves Thuès Carança – July 2015
and the Île de Rè
Île de Ré – on the Atlantic coast of France – July 2018

I’ve sampled the varied character of French towns and landscapes just enough to know how much more there is to explore.

 

View from the top – Milan – December 2016
A glimpse of the Mediterranean from the garden of La Mortola – not far from the border of France and Italy – April 2016
Extreme viticulture – Cinque Terre – October 2018

Four forays into Italy have left me with plans for spring visits to come…

 

and I’ve only just dipped my toe into Spain with a visit to Barcelona.

 

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