I’ll be traveling to France in late May so it is time for planning and research. I have a stack of books from the library and I’m looking at travel websites. Although I have been to Paris and northwest France, this will be my first visit to Provence and I’m really looking forward to going there. I’ll be in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence and I know there’s a lot to see. After that I’ll go to Paris by train. As I prepare for this trip I’m making a travel list which includes the following:
- Go to the bank and order euros
- Listen to a “conversational French” CD and review language skills
- Look forward to adding another passport stamp
- Check the weather forecast before packing
- Include an umbrella and a poncho
- Pack light and save lots of room for purchases
- Enjoy the spring flowers (it might be too early for lavender)
- If it is too early, Plan B is to find lavender-scented souvenirs such as soap
- Take lots of pictures at different times of the day
- Slow down and have fun…
I can’t wait! Since I don’t have any pictures to share from Provence (yet) here are a few from Paris. And by the way, I’m also going to Barcelona on this trip so I’ll have to add that to my planning. This is what I call research.
Meg Travels 
I almost like the planning stages best. I tend to buy too many books, look at too many routes and have far too many ideas but we always tend to find a happy medium in the end. I’m like a kid waiting for Disney to open so can imagine how excited you are right now.
We did not make as far down as Provence last year so am looking forward to seeing what we missed on your blog ^_^
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Planning is so much fun because it provides a great opportunity for daydreaming! I’m really looking forward to seeing Provence and taking lots of pictures :)
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That’s very exciting, Meg! I think May will be the perfect time to visit the south of France. I had a holiday there a few years ago in the summer and it was stiflingly hot so a bit earlier would have been more pleasant. I hope you’re going to find some good chocolate, France is certainly a great culinary destination.
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I think that May is an ideal month to travel! And you know I’ll definitely be looking for chocolate and other delicious treats while I’m there :)
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What happy work! :)
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It is lovely to be able to plan and dream… :)
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Even better when the planning is attached to a dream about to come true :)
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That’s what I think too!
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Very exciting! I can recommend lunch at Cafe Angelina in Paris under the arches of Rue de Rivoli, half way between the Louvre and Place de Concorde. Waiters were lovely and chocolate desserts legendary. There’s also a posh bakery at the front of the cafe selling macaroons.
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I think that sounds like a wonderful place to stop for lunch! The desserts (and bakery) sound fantastic – thank you Sarah!
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You definitely have a great list. It’s a great mix of preparation, whimsy, and practicality. I especially like “slow down and have fun”! It’s so easy to get caught up in the rush of planning and travel. I can’t wait for our trip in June/July!
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Thanks – I know I can only plan so much and then I just want to enjoy the experience of travel. I hope you have a wonderful trip too!
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Lovely post, Meg! You and I both know that there can never be too many lavender-scented things; however, the real lavender is the best. I hope you get to see the lavender fields in Provence wildly in bloom! :)
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Thank you Rachael! That is something I hope to see in Provence if it’s not too early… :)
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You made me run and get the suitcases, we leave for a six week trip to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Sicily and Malta in 3 days and I AM READY.
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That sounds marvelous! To think you’re starting such a wonderful adventure in just a couple of days… Bon voyage!
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Ahhh! France in May. What a wonderful experience. Looking forward to your photographs and blogs about the trip! ~Thea
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Thanks Thea! It’s just about time to go and I almost feel ready – I’ll be taking lots of pictures :)
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So exciting. So refreshing to shake off the winter blahs with a jaunt to a new and lovely part of France. Take lots of pics so we can vicariously take the journey with you. Enjoy yourself, as I know you will.
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It will be so nice to be where it’s warm and sunny! Thank you Sharon, I’m really looking forward to this :)
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Wow, how wonderful. Last time I was in France I was 7yrs old. I remember everything clearly but from a child’s point of view. Would love to go back now, as an adult. So looking forward to your trip posts.
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I think it’s great that you remember France from your visit as a child, and I hope you get to go back again! I’m going to take lots of notes (and pictures) while I’m there :)
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Looks lovely. Will you be there for lavender season June/July?
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I’ll be there in May so it might be a little early (at least that’s what I’ve read). Of course I’m hoping I may see it starting to bloom!
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How exciting – love the planning phase! Do you have some extra room in your suitcase for me – just kidding:) Happy Tuesday
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I think planning is so much fun! Travel by suitcase sounds uncomfortable… :) Thanks Renee!
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Sounds delightful – bon voyage! What does the photo of the chairs signify?
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Thank you! The chairs are from the Jardin des Tuileries. I liked the way some of them reclined – it’s as if they’re reminding you to relax… :)
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I would be happy to relax in those chairs, in that place!
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It’s a fine place to sit and admire the scenery!
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Nice! We’ll look forward to lots of good photos of your trip.
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Thanks! I’m going to take two cameras and extra batteries – I should have put that on my list… :)
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Good idea!
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How exciting, I do hope you get to see the lavender fields. My cousin said that she thought she had died and gone to heaven when she went to Provence. I also love the planning stage, it is so much fun.
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I really would like to see the lavender – it looks so charming! I’m looking forward to seeing Provence… :)
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That sounds like a great trip. Paris, Provence and Barcelona – I am turning green with envy!
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Now that the time is near it’s getting more and more exciting – I can’t wait!
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Planning is more than half the fun! We did a near identical trip in 2008. Just might return to Paris for a week in July……fingers crossed. Happy planning :-)
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Thanks Madhu, it’s been wonderful planning things. That will be so great if you get to Paris this summer!
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A new adventure in the works!
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It’s really nice planning for another adventure too!
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I love the planning stage – different from the travelling part, but exciting nontheless!
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I couldn’t agree more Marianne! It’s so interesting to learn more about the place where you’re going :)
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May is a great time to travel! I’m excited for you, Meg. I am making list for my trip… :)
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I think May is a wonderful travel month too! Thanks Amy and have fun planning your trip :)
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So exciting, Meg! I always go carry on, and I still always seem to overpack. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip.
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I think it’s fantastic that you travel with a carry on Naomi! I’m looking forward to some great adventures… :)
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Oh how I wish I could travel in May! You will LOVE Provence. If you can, try to make it to the Cotes Du Rhone villages such as Sablet, Seguret and Gigondas. The scenery there is stunning. The Luberon is also gorgeous but more popular, I think. Have a great time!
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Thank you Liza! I’m really happy to be going in May and I’ll try to get to these villages too. I know it’s going to be so beautiful there… :)
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Late May is a beautiful time to be there. Of course, in my books ANY time is a beautiful time to be in France. You will love it all! Please have a papaline for me in Avignon, a local sweet.Two coats of chocolate enclose papaline liqueur. The outer coat is applied by hand to give the textured effect. They look weird but taste divine! Barcelona too? Lucky you!
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I have a feeling I’m really going to enjoy seeing Provence! Thank you for the suggestion – chocolate is always one of my favorite treats. Going to Barcelona is going to be amazing too!
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Sounds like a great trip. I love Paris and Barecelona… happy planning :) The anticipation is just as fun as the trip itself.
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Thanks, I have definitely been enjoying the whole planning process… :) I’m really looking forward to this trip!
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When I have time I have planned to the extreme -copying things and making my own little travel booklet. Less weight than carrying big bulky travel books that you only need a few pages from. I love the planning; it builds the excitment. I have also read that people are least stressed when planning a trip! It is all the anticpication!
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That’s such a great idea to create your own travel booklet! And I love the planning process (including the anticipation)… :)
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Saved a lot of money on travel booklets by getting things from the interenet. I could customize all the places I wanted to go… I left blank pages at the end and it became my travel journal too. Very functional and a great memento for later. With work so busy now I only continue to journal and maybe add a few must sees to start it off.
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Thanks for describing how you use your travel booklets! They must make wonderful souvenirs later when you fill in the journal… :)
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They are great :) Glad you liked the idea.
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Have a great trip, Meg. I haven’t been to Provence, so I’ll look forward to the photos. Blessings.
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Thank you so much! It won’t be long now and I’ll be taking lots of pictures… :)
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Looks like that internal travel bug has kicked in again. Provence! How lovely and yes, I especially love the point where you pack light to save for a lot of purchases too ;)
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I can’t wait to get there! And I know I have to leave as much room as possible for all those wonderful things I’ll be bringing back :)
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