Author Archive for Su Stephens
Stephens is Owner of Olives & Vines. Olives & Vines is a luxury holiday company based in the South of France offering stays at their beautifully designed holiday house and boutique hotel in Le Castellet.
Finding our mojo in The Great Outdoors
By Su Stephens on Mar 15, 2021 in Europe, France, Leisure Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe
Slowly, ever so slowly, the world is waking up from a year of lockdown. Our strange hiatus in our homes has left us with two overriding emotions. First, we feel penned in and cannot wait to get out into the world again. Second, there is a hint of hesitancy, even fear maybe, of going to 
Dreaming of a better Summer
The pandemic has taken its toll. With months under restrictions, which seem to get ever more stringent, the winter months are even bluer. It is in these cold months, with snow on the ground and de-icing the car, that we turn our dreams to Summer. For some, booking a Summer holiday is an essential psychological
A road trip through Provence
By Su Stephens on Jan 14, 2021 in Europe, France, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, Western Europe
Travel in 2021 is going to be challenging. We will continue to want to keep our distance and stay out of crowded, tourist resorts. Therefore, going somewhere so attuned to the traveller’s needs as Provence might not be your best option. However, the desire to see our beautiful world up close is more potent than 
How to recover your sense of calm in Provence
2020 has tested us all to the limit. Our security in work and our freedom to travel where we wish has been limited. We have worried about the health of our family and friends and potentially experienced loss and grief. While there have been difficult years in history, none have been so challenging in living
A perfect day in Bandol, Provence
By Su Stephens on Nov 17, 2020 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, France, Going Out, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
If you wake up in one of the small boutique hotels that are within distance of Bandol, then your day is already perfect. The light in Bandol and surrounding areas in the morning is glorious; it will flood your room with warmth. Looking out across the view will leave you breathless, the big open skies 
The top 5 places to visit in Provence
Go to Provence, they said. You will love all that you see. And they were right. But Provence-Alpes-Cote d-Azur is a region over 31,000 km2 in area and with over 5 million residents. It is close to the Italian Cinque Terre; it borders other beautiful areas of France, such as the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. When everything is
Hiking in Provence
When you need to keep your distance from people, but you also need some beauty and wide-open space, what better way to spend your day than with a long hike. Travelling to Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur and walking the coastline could be the best decision you could make this autumn. The Var region is an area of outstanding
Time to dream of tomorrow
By Su Stephens on Aug 13, 2020 in Europe, Food and Drink, France, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
It has been a challenging year. We may have booked our holidays and then seen our hopes scuppered thanks to the closing of borders and travel restrictions. The recent resurgence in virus outbreaks and the possibility that advice could change in an instance all but destroyed most people’s hopes of time abroad. Of course, this 
Provence boating holidays
By Su Stephens on Jul 20, 2020 in Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, France, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe
We are free to roam the world once more and seek out its beauty. It has been a troubled year, and we have grown used to your homes and the company of a few. It might feel too much to fly out to a major resort to sit amongst thousands of people again. The perfect 
Holidaying in France this Summer and Autumn
The tourism and leisure industry has been one of the worst hit sectors around the world since the outbreak of COVID-19. With bars, restaurants and hotels closed plus significant travel restrictions in place, France (along with most other countries around the world) has been devoid of tourists since March. It was therefore incredibly exciting that
The latest COVID-19 coronavirus and travel news from Provence
By Su Stephens on May 16, 2020 in Europe, France, Health & Safety, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
It’s incredible to think that it’s been nearly two months at the time of writing that the whole of France was placed into a strict lockdown which prevented anyone leaving their homes. In common with the rest of the world, there were of course some exceptions such as being allowed to exercise or shop for 
Enjoy a taste of Provence at home
By Su Stephens on Apr 16, 2020 in Europe, Food and Drink, France, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Another month and coronavirus continues to dominate the news. The lockdown’s being experienced by countries around the world have for the most part remained in place which of course has put paid to the best of laid travel plans for millions. Here in France, President Macron has announced that there will be a partial let 
Health and wellbeing in Provence - looking to the future
By Su Stephens on Mar 26, 2020 in Europe, Food and Drink, France, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Under normal circumstances, many of us would choose to visit a beautiful place like Provence to enjoy some rest and rejuvenation in order to improve our Health & Wellbeing. In the midst of today’s Coronavirus pandemic, health concerns are an order of magnitude more serious. Whilst travel plans for the immediate future have been put 
April to September in Provence
The mere mention of Provence conjures idyllic images of lavender fields bathed in evocative inspiring light. Whether you imagine the enchanting countryside clasping precarious hillside villages, or consider the cooler climes of medieval caves, Provence will not fail to delight. Here we offer ideas on things to do and places to visit in Provence from
Cycling in Provence – the best way to see this beautiful region?
By Su Stephens on Jan 15, 2020 in Europe, Food and Drink, France, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Claimed by the Romans, this charming region of South-East France was christened ‘La Provincia’ by Caesar. The Romans are remembered for many things, not least the incredible network of roads they built. Today, whilst original Roman roads are few and far between, Provence is criss-crossed by some fabulous stretches of tarmac which lend themselves perfectly 
