Back from Provence & Lyon - susan001's trip report with photos
Jul 12th, 2009, 08:38 PM
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Adrienne, yes, some of those taken in Cassis were with a macro lens.
Bredhairedgirl - I paid 120 E for a very nice B & B in Avignon, and 100 E for a suite in Aix. His single rooms are less, but those were booked. The suite is 120 E for two people.
Bredhairedgirl - I paid 120 E for a very nice B & B in Avignon, and 100 E for a suite in Aix. His single rooms are less, but those were booked. The suite is 120 E for two people.
Jul 13th, 2009, 08:53 AM
#42
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gorgeous, post-card perfect pictures esp. the lavender field! What kind of camera and lenses do you used? I am also starting my photography lessons and is researching on a starter camera + lenses I will buy that I would be able to use for the next few years. Thanks for posting, can't wait for your next pics.
Jul 13th, 2009, 10:30 AM
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you Myda. I have a Canon 450D (in the US, called XSi). The newest version, just out is the 500D or T1i. I used my Canon 17-40 L lens ($700) for most of these photos. It turned out to be the darling lens for me. I would recommend that you buy the camera body only, rather than paying $100 more for the kit lens. Then, buy a very good wide angle.
Jul 13th, 2009, 12:22 PM
#45
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Susan, so inspiring!! You have captured such beauty and character.
That's it. I am definitely going back in spring. I always end up in Sept. when the lavender and sunflower fields are just botanical cemeteries. It looks like you had a wonderful time. Good for you and thanks for sharing.
That's it. I am definitely going back in spring. I always end up in Sept. when the lavender and sunflower fields are just botanical cemeteries. It looks like you had a wonderful time. Good for you and thanks for sharing.
Jul 13th, 2009, 12:57 PM
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, Royal and Lauricelli, for your kind comments. Lauricelli, do make an effort to go in late June, early July when the lavender is in bloom. And go to the Valensole Plateau.
I will have my Luberon gallery ready by tomorrow.
I will have my Luberon gallery ready by tomorrow.
Jul 13th, 2009, 06:46 PM
#47
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 949
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Susan,
As others have said, your photos are beautiful - I especially loved the market scenes and the lavender fields.
Just a quick question - is this the website for your B&B in Aix: http://www.unechambreenville.eu/index.php
It's seems really lovely, and the prices are good. Do you remember which one of the suites you stayed in?
As others have said, your photos are beautiful - I especially loved the market scenes and the lavender fields.
Just a quick question - is this the website for your B&B in Aix: http://www.unechambreenville.eu/index.php
It's seems really lovely, and the prices are good. Do you remember which one of the suites you stayed in?
Jul 14th, 2009, 11:03 AM
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anna, Thank you for your comments - yes, this is the place. I stayed in the Calisson suite. It's really a good deal, and the location is just off one of the main squares in the old town.
Myda - I used the Canon 17-40L for almost all the photos in these galleries. You might also consider the 18-200 (same price) which will give you greater range, but the photo quality is not near as good. I use Lightroom2 to develop my photos. I find it's essential.
Okay, at long last - hear is the photo album of the Luberon villages:
http://www.pbase.com/scbowen/provenc...of_the_luberon
Myda - I used the Canon 17-40L for almost all the photos in these galleries. You might also consider the 18-200 (same price) which will give you greater range, but the photo quality is not near as good. I use Lightroom2 to develop my photos. I find it's essential.
Okay, at long last - hear is the photo album of the Luberon villages:
http://www.pbase.com/scbowen/provenc...of_the_luberon
Jul 14th, 2009, 01:21 PM
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Roamer - Loumarin was my favorite of the villages I saw, with Menerbes, a close second. I'm thinking of renting a gite in Loumarin - for 2 weeks, at least. Let me know where you plan to stay. Thanks so much for your kind remarks regarding my photos.
Jul 14th, 2009, 11:09 PM
#53
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Susan,
We found our apartment at www.rentourhomeinprovence.com. We are staying in "La Bonbonniere." We have had correspondence with the owner, Susan Manfull, who has been very helpful. She lives in US but spends time in Lourmarin. Her apartments have been favorably mentioned several times on Fodors. I will do a trip report - but I feel certain it will be positive re the apartment and Lourmarin!
We found our apartment at www.rentourhomeinprovence.com. We are staying in "La Bonbonniere." We have had correspondence with the owner, Susan Manfull, who has been very helpful. She lives in US but spends time in Lourmarin. Her apartments have been favorably mentioned several times on Fodors. I will do a trip report - but I feel certain it will be positive re the apartment and Lourmarin!
Jul 15th, 2009, 08:29 AM
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
romaer - thanks for the information. I actually did a search on this forum last night and found the very same apartment. It looks truly lovely. I do want to stay there, and I look forward to your report.
Thanks so much, nancicta and vientianboy. I have a Canon EOS XSi (450D), with 17-40 L lens attached.
Myda, Lightroom2 is a software program by Adobe. It provides a unique way to store your photos, but also provides many many sliders for adjusting your photos. I couldn't do without it now. I recently bought Photoshop CS4, but I still use Lightroom 95% of the time. Most pros use one of the following to process their photos: Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture.
Thanks so much, nancicta and vientianboy. I have a Canon EOS XSi (450D), with 17-40 L lens attached.
Myda, Lightroom2 is a software program by Adobe. It provides a unique way to store your photos, but also provides many many sliders for adjusting your photos. I couldn't do without it now. I recently bought Photoshop CS4, but I still use Lightroom 95% of the time. Most pros use one of the following to process their photos: Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture.
Jul 15th, 2009, 10:19 AM
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Final thoughts: Given the fact that I was lugging way more equipment than I ever want to carry with me again, I think I was able to see and experience quite a bit of the region.
The laptop was required for the workshop, but I found I loved having it with me, as all the hotels and B & Bs had WiFi for accessing the Internet. I have a 15" Macbook Pro (circa '07), which is heavy. I would love to upgrade to a Macbook Air (very light) for future travels.
I will only bring a camera with one lens on future travels -- perhaps even a midsize camera that's not a DSLR - to cut down on size and weight.
If I had to name favorite places I saw this trip (not necessarily in order), here they are:
Beaujolais region
first Valensole field (with the two stone houses)
Loumarin
Menerbes
My summer reading is set: I will read The Plague, by Albert Camus (walked past his house in Loumarin), and re-read A Year in Provence (first read it in early 90s)
As for films, I will rent Quills, about the life of Marquis de Sade (Lacoste) and maybe see A Good Year again, since I walked past that cafe in Gordes.
The laptop was required for the workshop, but I found I loved having it with me, as all the hotels and B & Bs had WiFi for accessing the Internet. I have a 15" Macbook Pro (circa '07), which is heavy. I would love to upgrade to a Macbook Air (very light) for future travels.
I will only bring a camera with one lens on future travels -- perhaps even a midsize camera that's not a DSLR - to cut down on size and weight.
If I had to name favorite places I saw this trip (not necessarily in order), here they are:
Beaujolais region
first Valensole field (with the two stone houses)
Loumarin
Menerbes
My summer reading is set: I will read The Plague, by Albert Camus (walked past his house in Loumarin), and re-read A Year in Provence (first read it in early 90s)
As for films, I will rent Quills, about the life of Marquis de Sade (Lacoste) and maybe see A Good Year again, since I walked past that cafe in Gordes.
Jul 15th, 2009, 10:42 AM
#59
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your reply on my post, Susan...
Once again, your photos are simply stunning. I find after a trip to France, I am already thinking about the next one just days after returning home!
I know someone on Fodors had said that there is nothing remotely scary about driving in Provence. I know my son would beg to differ. He did find it unnerving much of the time. You had enough to do without driving. I think your trip sounded absolutely perfect! We never made it to Loumarin, so it looks like we need to go back!
Once again, your photos are simply stunning. I find after a trip to France, I am already thinking about the next one just days after returning home!
I know someone on Fodors had said that there is nothing remotely scary about driving in Provence. I know my son would beg to differ. He did find it unnerving much of the time. You had enough to do without driving. I think your trip sounded absolutely perfect! We never made it to Loumarin, so it looks like we need to go back!
Jul 15th, 2009, 11:20 AM
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much, Kansas. I have really enjoyed your report! I have been wanting to visit the Dordogne region for several years, but I feel compelled to visit Provence again. I'm sure I'll sort it out.
