During this episode, Rachelle chats with Tonya Leigh, the founder of French Kiss Life, a destination for women who want to inject more elegance, style and joie de vivre into their daily lives. Through a vibrant online community and immersive travel experiences, Tonya helps women embrace life like a Parisian by slowing down to enjoy…
When I took my mom to France for the first time, which was also her first Transatlantic flight, I upgraded us to Air France Premium Economy so she’d have a comfortable experience. Plus, it was her birthday so I didn’t mind the splurge. Overall, the slight increase in the fare (around $200) was well worth the…
Before there were the bright colored Ladurée macarons (pronounced “ma-ka-roh”), or the coconut macaroon (pronounced “ma-ka-roon”), there were the original French macarons – thin sweet almond wafers made my nuns in 17th century France. Today, you can still find the original French macarons being made in a quaint medieval village best known for it’s lucious wines produced…
Spending a week in the Bordeaux region over the summer was a dream trip come true for me — exploring history, driving through vineyards, and (of course) tasting wine. Since then, one of the questions I’m most often asked is, “what recommendations do you have on where to stay in Bordeaux?” I’ve got quite a…
The Travel Bite Podcast a weekly audio program for foodies who love to travel. During each show, I share stories from my adventures around the world — From chatting with top chefs and winemakers, to talking with other travelers about unique eats and experiences, we’ll tempt your tastebuds and take your imagination on a culinary…
During this episode, Rachelle chats with Thibault Lemierre about Bordeaux’s Urban Wine Trail, the guy everyone in town calls the “wine magician,” and a few tips about where to go to taste some of Bordeaux’s best wines by the glass. For more information about Bordeaux and the wine bars talked about during the podcast, visit www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk. Also,…
I’m packing this week to head out on the most exquisite summer adventure, traveling to the most famous wine region in the world — Bordeaux! I’ll be traveling through the south of France in Aquitaine’s vineyards Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion, Sauternes & Grave, and Bergerac. Never has an itinerary sounded more delicious! I’m excited to work with…
I’m headed to France this summer, so in preparation (and anticipation!), I decided to dust off the Julia Child cook book my mom found for me at a garage sale and give coq au vin a go. It’s quite a treasured find, The French Chef Cookbook by Julia Child. One of Julia’s originals published in…
Traveling to Paris is a bucket list dream for many, but when you finally get down to planning your trip and start searching for Paris hotels, the sheer amount of places available within all the different neighborhoods throughout the city can be a bit overwhelming. There’s well over 2,000 hotels in Paris, and with that many choices, how can…
The latest video released in our Hotels Unstaged series! These are just quick videos done in one take when we check in to a hotel in order to give you a feel of the room, what amenities are included, and an unfiltered look at what the hotel is like. We’ll have a new release each…
Our first full day with Viking Cruises in Paris and we’ve had a great mix of tours and free time. After some coffee and a quick breakfast (does anyone know what these pastries are called …) Foodie friends, what are these cinnamon-y pastries called? I’ve seen them a lot during this visit to France! #TBonViking…
Our journey begins! My mother and I are on the Viking Cruise City Of Lights Tour. We’ve actually been in Paris for a couple of days now as I couldn’t miss the opportunity to share the City of Light with my mom! Plus, she has an Eiffel Tower figurine on her work desk and I…
1. You Don’t Need A Map One of the challenges in any new city for a visitor is finding your way around. Rather than walking through the streets as confident as a local, taking in the fresh air and scenery, we sometimes find ourselves with our face pointed at a map. This is especially true…
I confess, before attending the TBU Conference, I had never heard of Nantes. I didn’t even know how to pronounce it and was saying it in a way that rhymes “ants.” Nantes (pronounced nahnt) is located near the western coast of France on the Loire River and is just a short 45 minute flight from…
Just a quick update as it’s been a pretty epic week, and it’s only going to get crazier from here. First, I took my San Francisco Wine School final exam and passed, earning the honor of putting the letters CWAS behind my name. Sounds very official and CSI, doesn’t it? Rachelle Lucas, CWAS. It stands…
Are you a coffee fanatic? I know I am! If you follow my tweets or Facebook posts regularly, I’m sure you know how much I appreciate a perfectly made cappuccino from all the pics I post. Some are unusual or exotic locations … some are as mundane as my car. I think the most unusual…
Of all museums throughout the world, the Louvre is on the top of my list of museums worth traveling to see. Besides that fact that it’s in Paris, it was also once a fortress and residence of kings, and there are over 650,000 square feet of exquisite exhibits to get lost in. Not only is…
Ah, le macaron. If you’re looking for good French macaron recipe, you’ll find it here. My fascination with these delicate little cookies began while roaming the streets of Paris. I was lost somewhere around the Latin quarter, intentionally so. I must have walked miles that day exploring the city of romance and my tired feet…
This vanilla lavender gelato recipe is inspired by a trip to France. While in Paris, I pretty much walked every single neighborhood from my little B&B off of Boulevard de Grenelle to the Louvre to Latin Quarter. Because I felt there was so much to see in my own self-guided walking tour, most of my…