I’m happy to say, I’m writing to you today with a much clearer head. Although, by 8pm every night, I can barely keep my head up and eyes open. Crazy how much jet lag has affected me this time around…maybe it’s a getting older thing? #yayaging
It took a full day just to sort through all our photos, and I have so many things to share with you…including the Princess cruise ports, my travel style, food, and packing tips. If there are specific requests or questions you have about the trip, cruise, countries, etc…feel free to leave them in the comments and I’ll work them into future posts. Based on the response to my Instagram posts while we were there, you guys want lots of details!
It really was a spectacular trip, not just for the amazing itinerary and experiences, but for the new friendships made. Princess Cruises assembled a stellar group of bloggers, and we all immediately bonded, giving our time together a feeling reminiscent of summer camp. Today I’m excited to start things off with one of our favorite stops, the third port on our itinerary…Provence, France. (I talked about why this spot is so special to me here.)
The port is actually Marseilles, France, and we were lucky enough to book a private car and English-speaking guide through Princess Excursions…so we spent our day exploring as many of the quant villages and countryside of the Provence region as we could. Cassandra and I simply told our guide we wanted to venture far from the crowds and tourists, but stay close enough in proximity to make the most of the allotted time we had in port, and she chose St. Remy, L’Isle-Sur-Sorgue, Lourmarin and Roussillon.
The villages each had their own personality, but all were so charming and quant, they didn’t seem real. Seriously, sometimes it felt as though we were walking through a Disney park! Except everyone spoke French and the food was 1000 times better. 😉
We got lucky, and happened to be there on a Wednesday…the one day each week St. Remy has it’s celebrated market. It was hard not to spend an hour at each booth…the smells and tastes were unreal…but we had lots to see in a day, so we kept moving.
Of course I chose to wear stripes that day, because France. Another perk of having a driver, is you can store things in the car without having to haul them around all day. Even so, I still chose a small cross body bag to carry my daily things, like wallet, phone, sunglasses, and lipstick. This blush bag coordinated well with all my outfits, and held a surprising amount considering it’s small size.
I picked up this market bag, and filled it with soaps, creams and treats for our parents back home.
We couldn’t help but stop at all the poppy and lavender fields, which were still a few weeks from blooming, but still smelled incredible. I guess we’ll just have to go back for the blooms someday!
Have you been to Provence? Do you have any requests or questions regarding our trip you want me to include in future posts?
*This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all clothing, ideas, and lavender-obsessing are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*
Such beautiful pictures! What was the weather like?
Looks like a scene from a storybook! So beautiful! I would love to see a post on packing tips- you had so many cute outfits on your trip and a small suitcase. Seriously impressed! My bags always push the weight limit when I travel!
Just beautiful! Can't wait to see more.
Tagging along with you on this trip is going to be so much fun! Your pictures are GORGEOUS! And your little striped boatneck tee and ankle jeans were perfect for this port. I just needed to see you on a darling little bicycle with a basket on the front! So cute. So French. 🙂
I cannot wait to read your trip stories and opinions. We are thinking about taking this exact cruise next summer with our 4 kids!! (Before the first one goes off to college as a big hoorah!). CANNOT wait to hear!
Hi, I'm French, living not so far from there (in Cote d'Azur, you have to come there next time 🙂 ) and my husband is from Provence. Glad to see that you have enjoyed the area. Did you taste the olive oil from there ? It's funny to see how the stripes are associated with France because nearly no one wears stripes here 🙂 (maybe more in Brittany)
All your photos are amazing Cassie! Enjoyed the tour very much !!!
Provence – (major)sigh – beautiful!!!
Absolutely stunning photos! I can't wait to take in every last detail of the trip. I bet you could make one heck of a coffee table book from this adventure and the beautiful views!
Stunning Pictures! Wish I were there.
Your photos are gorgeous! You captured so many details and also the overall beauty of this area. I think I would have been expecting Belle to come out of a shop, singing and with her head in a book.
Absolutely love following your travel posts! We are looking at a trip to Italy next fall. We aren't "Cruise Peeps" so want to go and travel via train/car. Eager to hear any and all details you can share! Know you typically pack lightly but it looks like you were able to take more options this time? Besides your fantastic boat trip, what did you do and love during your time at the Amalfi Coast? Thank you in advance for all you're able to share as I sit on the edge of me seat to hear more!! 🙂
I mean, come on! What a dream! So much beauty…including you pretty lady. 🙂 Can't wait to see more!
We are leaving on the same cruise the middle of July and can't wait! Was the weather cooler than normal? Seem to notice long sleeves and pants. I'm looking forward to your posts about the trip! ��
Wow, that looks like such a beautiful place to visit with lots of fun shops to look at. Thanks for sharing the pictures. It gives me a chance to see somewhere I've never been.
So loved following along with your snaps. I almost feel like I was there! Such a beautiful trip.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
I also loved following all the snaps and instagrams. We spent some time in Southern France a few years ago. All the pictures took me back. So beautiful! We happened to match our trip to when the sunflowers and lavender were blooming. Amazing! After following along with you, I keep looking at the Italian coast. What a fantastic trip you had!
What an experience! So cool to live vicariously through you!
Your pictures look like they are straight out of magazine! What an incredible experience!
How I love France. I haven't been to Provence but your photos have me convinced I must visit!
Hi Cassie! My hubby & I are embarking on the same cruise (same ports of call) in September on the Harmony of the Seas. I'm so excited I can hardly wait (focus…or think straight). So I purchased a pair of Converse All-Star shoes based on your recommendations. My question is, did you put an in sole in? Were they comfy enough for walking….everywhere? I know they are chic enough but I'm worried they might rub and cause blisters.
Hi Kimberly! I wore them everywhere just as they are…no socks, no powder, no insoles! As long as you get the sizing right, there's no rubbing. Have so much fun…can I come?!?!
Wonderful!! Thank you Cassie! Oh and I would also love to know what camera you took with you. Your pictures are amazing! And are they really that strict about not showing bare knees in Rome and Florence cathedrals? Or do skirts hitting just above the knee pass?
I took my Canon with a wide angle lens for landscape shots, and a 50mm for closer vignettes and portraits. Honestly though, I had my phone out for most everything!! And all my skirts are around knee-length, but I even wore shorts a few days and it was a non-issue going into churches and chapels. It's more about just being quiet and respectful if there's a service going on.
Based on your recommendations, my family of five is heading on a Mediterranean cruise this summer. Do you remember the tour name that you took in Provence. We will also be there on a Wednesday and the markets and small towns are exactly what we are looking for! Thanks!
Amazing!! have the very best time! We booked a private driver through the cruise ship excursion desk, and they took us to the different towns. It’s pricey, but a good way to make the most of the short day!! xo