My journey to France begins...

 Painting The Essence Of France 2012

a page from my sketchbook of the Domain du Haut Baran

...my journey begins in a French Castle built in the 12th Century...

Chateau de Mercues

 

beautiful view of the village in the valley

French red bud trees in bloom

French pine trees have these unusual pine cones

the view from our room - breathtaking

 view of the Lot River from our room

 Rosie & I in the dining room - we had the most delicious breakfast!

I now LOVE formage blanc - a sweet, creamy white cheese that is like yogurt in texture, but like heaven on your tongue!

Day 2 - Traveling to the Domain du Haut Baran

We stopped in Castlefranc and had lunch at a lovely, quiet restaurant, 

it was there I met Juliet - an 8 yr old princess...

 ...with sparkly shoes!  

We became friends and exchanged business cards (her family owns one of the oldest winery's here)!  

A young woman with great taste in shoes always gets my attention!

Lovely wisteria and a rosemary bush along the way to the chateau

Ah - finally!  The Domain du Haut Baran does not disappoint!

on the way to my room...

the view from my room of the valley - how inspiring!

Day 10 - Leaving Venice....these are my last views of Venice taken from my water taxi ride to the airport! :( Ciao Venice!!!




St. Marks Square....
The Doges Palace...

Day 8 (continued)....after visiting St. Mark's Basilica we journeyed over to the island of Murano and the Burano.....our waiter at the hotel, Stephano, was from the island of Burano and he sang every morning as he waited tables - now I know why he was so happy :)


Glass sculpture in the town square of Murano....




Burano...

Day 8....Venice....we started the day at St. Mark's square and ended the day in St. Mark's square...spectacular!