Weekend in Biarritz

When Victor Hugo visited Biarritz in 1843, he said, “I do not know a place more charming and magnificent. I have only one fear: that it will become fashionable.” Naturally, we decided to head south and discover just how fashionable this town had become.

We arrived by train and settled into our charming hotel Villa Koegui in the heart of Biarritz. From there we began to explore the cafe-lined streets, stopping for tapas and sangria in the French Basque Country in southwestern France. Favorites became Puig & Daro for tasty small plates and local haunt Le Bar Jean which spilled onto the sidewalk every evening for apéro hour. Nearby Market Les Halles proved a welcome spot for local tastes and fresh produce.

The following day my adventurous Italian decided we should head to Saint-Jean-de-Luz by bike. Always up for a challenge, we rented bicycles and began the 10-mile journey.

Our journey began along the ocean and through the quaint village of Bidart, with a lunch stop at Hétéroclito in Guéthary.

As beautiful as the bike ride was (aside from a few steep moments), I was happy to arrive to Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Set upon a natural harbor in the southeast of the Bay of Biscay, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a popular beach resort.

After soaking up the sun, we met a friend for coffee in town, beneath the most picture perfect tree-lined cafe.

With one last look at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, we jumped back on the bikes, direction Biarritz, just in time for sunset and a well-deserved glass of wine.

Our last day was spent on one of Biarritz’s beaches, basking in the sun and surf that is so unique to this part of France. Maybe next time we’ll try our luck at surfing.

Parc de Sceaux

April in Paris isn’t complete without a picnic beneath the cherry blossoms. Even if that means taking the train (a quick ride on the RER B) just outside of the city to the Parc de Sceaux. This was our first visit to these gardens designed by Versailles’ landscape architect André Le Nôtre. And the hunt for cherry blossoms began! We finally found Bosquet Nord, and our afternoon picnic commenced. Needless to say, we were not alone!

What also draws nature lovers to this park are the elegant gardens leading to a château. It is France, after all.

Only open in the afternoon, this 17th century château owned by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a prime address in the late 1600s, was nearly destroyed during the revolution. In the 1830s it was rebuilt at the hands of the Duke of Trévise. So what’s to see on the inside? Collections of art, porcelain and furniture recalling years long gone.

Discover the magic of Parc de Sceaux for yourself. Cherry blossoms or not, it’s worth the journey from Paris.

The Heart of Paris

How fortunate I am to live within such close proximity to this 12th-century 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece. In tribute to this sacred lady, rightfully the very heart of Paris set on Île de la Cité, badly damaged in yesterday’s fire but remaining miraculously intact, I share a few thoughts and images from the past nine years. Walking through Notre Dame‘s gardens, or catching a glimpse while returning home from dinner on the left bank, always fills me with a feeling of profound peace. Within her welcoming doors, I become entranced by the history, the spirituality, the sense of belonging.

My first Christmas in Paris, she graced us with midnight mass as we sat in the second row, our spirits soaring high amidst a chorus of blessings. Last year we had the good fortune to watch the annual light show on the cathedral’s facade, what a spectacular sight!

Climbing 422 steps to the top of Notre Dame’s towers, I beheld the most stunning views of Paris. Undoubtedly my favorite vantage point in which to inhale the city, along with the gargoyles.

I can’t count the number of long, leisurely picnics spent on Île Saint-Louis, the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral providing our soundtrack as we admired her glowing beneath the late summer sun.

Cherished memories. Our four-year anniversary photo shoot with Chloe Lodge was shared with this sacred lady.

Whenever I catch sight of Notre Dame Cathedral I know exactly where I am, as she represents the heart of Paris.

This view that I have seen and admired countless times, will forever symbolize Paris to me. I know and pray that the heart of the city will continue to beat, as vibrantly as ever.

To donate to the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral, head over to Friends of Notre Dame or Fondation du Patrimoine.

Treasure Hunt in the Marais

Ready to discover the secrets of the Marais? Treasure hunt master Daisy de Plume is at it again! Running until April 17th, stop by Galerie S at 96b rue Beaubourg to pick up a hunt pack and take to the streets of Paris to discover hidden secrets of this historic neighborhood. If you don’t make it to THATMuse Marais, there are plenty of museums in both Paris and London in which you can hunt to your heart’s content! Head over to THATMuse and take your pick. Meanwhile, here are a few scenes (and tips) from the Marais hunt.

First you’ll encounter the French Alice in Wonderland, who’s also a space invader, for those keeping track.

Discover a hidden ivy-clad alleyway that boasts an old umbrella shop. Take note of that yellow umbrella…

Ready to encounter Paris’s oldest stone house? Who lived here other than famous alchemist Nicolas Flamel.

After many a photo-op (which of course earns you extra points) stop by the Stravinsky Fountain for a little graffiti challenge and a look at Dali. Can you spot him?

The THATMuse Marais hunt ends in a magical garden, one that I didn’t even know existed until I went on this Marais adventure. Thank you again for your treasure hunt magic, Daisy de Plume! Now, it’s your turn…

Adventures in Amalfi

To celebrate ten years since that fortuitous meeting on Prince Street in New York City, my Italian and I chose one of the most stunning settings, the Amalfi Coast. From Naples we rented a car and the adventures began! First stop was lunch at the fishing village of Cetara.

Back on the winding hillside roads, we headed towards Amalfi, destination Hotel Santa Caterina. This is where the dream began, or rather, continued, upon our terrace with a view of this once powerful maritime republic. Could there be a more perfect setting to celebrate our love story?

Barely did I want to leave our hilltop perch, but it was time to explore the town, and the rest of the Amalfi Coast.

From a visit to the 9th-century Amalfi Cathedral that overlooks the town, to Pasticceria Andrea Pansa dating back to 1830 and known for their famous lemon cake, we toured the town. We also perused the paper shops, Amalfi town once the leading manufacturer of handmade paper. How fitting for an anniversary gift!

Our next stop along the coast was to the colorful village of Positano, equally impressive from afar and from within the maze of streets. I could only imagine the hoards of people visiting come summertime.

The next day we braved the even longer and more winding roads to discover Sorrento. What a gem! Set on the Bay of Naples this coastal town just outside of the Amalfi Coast won our hearts.

High above Amalfi town sits Ravello, considered by many the hidden treasure of the Amalfi Coast. With so many stately homes and gardens galore, I could understand why! Following the sun, we ended up at Villa Cimbrone. Dating back to the 11th century AD and restored in the 20th century by Ernest William Beckett, many notable personalities passed through this grand estate, including Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, Henry Moore, T.S. Eliot, and Winston Churchill.

It was the Terrace of Infinity, with its endless sea views, that called to our souls, as it had so many before us.

A twenty-minute walk from Amalfi, we discovered the small and endlessly charming fishing village of Atrani.

Here too we discovered a vast terrace that appeared to float directly into the sea. And I apparently with it…

Walking back to Amalfi following five days of coastal bliss, our hearts were even more full than when we arrived.

Ceramic Artist in Bloom

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, who better to feature than my own mother, one of the strongest and most positive forces in my life. Not only does this woman possess the kindest of hearts, she’s also uniquely talented. From her days of running a Polish Folk art gallery in the Hamptons to creating her own line of t-shirts (whose prints inspired my first hand-painted bags) to becoming an interior decorator, this woman is an inspiration! These days, since spending winters in Florida she has discovered a new passion, ceramic art.

After being invited to join a ceramics class in her South Florida community center in 2006, her ceramic garden quickly blossomed. I’m immensely proud of her innate talent as a ceramic artist, can you tell? She even created 35 ceramic roses for my wedding in the Italian Riviera. What’s better than flowers that never lose their bloom!

Themes aren’t limited to flowers. Basia presented her ‘Best in Show’ dog series at several exhibitions in Westhampton Beach. Aren’t they cute? She also had a solo exhibition of her work in Sanok, her hometown in Poland. I’ll soon be writing about her for a ceramics magazine in Australia, stay tuned!

My mom is endlessly inspired by her trips to Paris, where she spends hours with the Impressionists at the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. Last year’s trip to the gardens of Giverny was a dream! This spring I’m taking her to the South of France where she’ll undoubtedly fall in love with the Provençal landscapes.

View more of Basia Dietz-Zieba’s ceramic art on her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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