When Paris welcomes me...

When you return from your summer holidays and reality hasn't quite hit you yet... when you get an extra bonus in form of a sunny, hot September week... when Paris is still void of tourists... when it all seems to be too good to be true... THIS is when I fall in love with Paris again!

 

Enjoying a bike ride to St.Germain de Prés 

Starting the day with a Cappuccino at Café de Flore

It's one of Jean Paul Gaultier's boys!!!

Not a single person queuing in front of the Louvre

Art for all: Jef Koons' tulips in the back garden of the Petit Palais

Terrasse ephemère equals extended terraces allowed!

It's time for a treat. 27°C in September!

A little rest in M. Balzac's garden

Tête-à-tête dinner with a view 

B&W weekend

It might be that the locals are all still escaping town while the weather is nice, it might be the travel restrictions banning oversees tourist from visiting the city, it might be the partial Saturday lockdown in preparation of the gilets jaunes, it might be that people are still weary of wondering around outside... whatever the reason the city is spectacular to flaneuse around this month. Even in black and white Paris is still stunning!

La grande Dame de Fer

Paris' Russian Orthodox church

Abandoned river banks

When in Paris do as the locals...

Open or closed for business?!?

The heart of Paris is empty

Not a soul in sight

Place de la Concorde, France largest square and completely deserted 

A glimpse up the empty Champs Elysées

Heading North

It has been 11 weeks... 11 weeks since Spain opened its border with France and we jumped into our car and hit the road. For the first time we drove the 1250km in one go without a pit stop along the seaside at San Sebastian. 

It was a smooth ride, not a single tourist car in sight, no French trailer, no Dutch caravan, no Moroccan overloaded car only kilometers of trucks heading South but they all stuck to their lane so we cruised along and made it in 12 hours.

The way back was equally easy. The school holidays were over and many travellers had decided not to leave their country this summer. So, no overnight stop in Arcachon but due to an administrative glitch we needed to stop along the French border for a "contrôle téchnique" during which we had lunch in a rather dull industrial area but ... the Lemon Meringue pie was delicious! Lunch menu for two at 12.- Euros... you cannot beat that?!?

Back to school

 

Just can't get enough of the beach...

Hues of Ibiza blue on my last day

I will miss this island vibe

Every perspective is picture-perfect 

A beach all to myself on Ferragosto

Pretty shells everywhere

Lunch with a view

A romantic morning swim... all I'm missing is the D&G model

Artistic Ibiza

Strip away Ibiza's image of being a hedonistic party-island where just about anything goes and you'll see the real Ibiza, a laid-back spot of natural beauty, nestled softly in the western Mediterranean. 

Since the sixties, Ibiza has been known to a few for its magical aura. Aside from its more famous and wilder reputation, its hippy vibe beats quietly along under the radar of its louder neighbours. Flower power is definitely alive in Ibiza.

People have always been drawn in by the island's charms, its laid-back locals and its stunning scenery - and that doesn't look set to change any time soon.

Arte en Ayianna

Earrings from Antica Sartoria

Missoni beachware

A gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Stone sculpture by Expat with Kids

Francesca Fontana art

African vibes

That Ibiza feeling

Taste of ibiza

As blissful as a warm beach day can be, it can also come with its own supply of stressors. Applying sunscreen evenly, finding a parking space, and generally ensuring that a swimsuit stays in place can all be enough to make our temperatures rise.

But what could be more indulgent than sitting on a white sandy beach, gazing out at the turquoise waters and sipping a sangria de cava? Eating wonderfully delicious beach food, of course.

Ibiza's chiringuitos and restaurants are going the extra mile with amazing and delicious local specialties because good beach food can be as important an experience as the actual beach itself...

 

Nothing like a "jarra de sangria de cava" with some pan con aioli

The perfect beach "chiringuito"

Watermelon mojito... need I say more?

Latest discovery... 7 Pines lounge bar with a view

A cocktail called L'Orange with passion fruit

More Sangria de cava

A simple glass of Terra Gauda enjoyed with friends

A romantic dinner spot

Chocolate mousse with a twist

Lunch with a view

Where do I start?

It's "Mamma Mia" all over again

Homemade orange marmalade with greek yoghurt

Still lost in Ibiza

My new favourite spot for breakfast, happy hour and dinner: 7 Pines

Church in Sant Josep

Shell ankle bracelets are so last year but I don't care!

Flamingo picnic at the beach

A surprise dinner with friends under a full moon

Girly breakfast at 7 Pines

It's a hot, hot day!

Dinner date at the local chiringuito