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Julie Shipman Photography in Baja, Cabo, Los Barriles, Mexico and Park City, Utah – Park City Photographer

Julie Shipman Photography in Baja, Cabo, Los Barriles, Mexico and Park City, Utah - Park City Photographer

Action Sports Photographer, Portrait Photography, Travel Photography, Senior Portraits, Family Portraits, Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah

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croatian food

The Best Rhone Wine Tour in Provence!

July 10, 2017 by Julie Shipman

Let’s be clear. I am not a Wine Writer. I am not a Wine Blogger. I am a Wine Drinker.   I claim no sophisticated palette, nor ‘nose.’ But, I love wine. I love food. I love clever & curious people. I love beautiful scenery. And, I love to travel. If you too, love these things, this is a perfect way to spend a day or two in Provence.La Madelene Rhone Wine Holidays offer a perfect wine tour. I enjoyed their “Selected Domaines” Tour. This includes an overnight stay at La Madelene, or The Big House. In their words: “La Madelène is a beautiful renovated 12th c. priory located in the foothills of Mt.Ventoux in Provence. Founded by Benedictine monks, the house sits on a sandstone outcrop surrounded by mature trees with views over vines, fruit orchards and mountains. We have 5 bedrooms sleeping up to 11 people.”

We started with drinks on the patio overlooking the pool, followed by a lovely meal of several courses — each paired with the perfect wine. Our hostess, Jude, prepared a wonderful dinner while her husband,Philip, taught us about the Rhone region.Philip gave us a detailed lesson on the region: its history, soil and vineyards.

Fun Fact 1: Below, Philip shows us a round stone known as galets roulés. They are mostly quartzite, remnants from the glaciers and smoothed over by the Rhone River. These stones retain heat and release it at night, hastening ripening. They also help hold moisture in the soil.

We started the morning with a perfect Provencal breakfast of warm croissants, homemade local jams, fruit, cured meats/cheeses and fresh brewed coffee. Then we loaded up in a comfy Mercedes van and headed out. Our first stop was in the hills above Roaix at Domaine Escaravailles, founded by Jean-Louis Ferran in 1953. The wine maker’s daughter, Madeline Ferran, was our lovely and knowledgable host.

Fun Fact 2: “Escaravay” is the local word for beetle. The inhabitants of this village used this nickname to describe the black-robed monks who were the owners of the farm in the 17th century. Next, we drove west to the well-known appellation Chateauneuf du Pape, where we visited one of the largest and oldest wineries in the area — Chateau La Nerthe. This stunning large estate is home to the appellation’s finest Chateau. We enjoyed a private tour of their remarkable cellars which date back to the 16th century. Most Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are blends dominated by Grenache. Only one of every 16 bottles produced in the region is white wine.

Fun Fact 3: They made Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wine and he had it sent to the US in large wooden crates!The following photos illustrate their historic cellars.  Apparently, this is the perfect mold. It demonstrates the correct temperature and humidity levels of the cellar. Below you can see the private cellars of many famous chefs, sommeliers and wine collectors. I photographed two but there are hundreds.

Fun Fact 4: Sherry-Lehman is known as the leading wine retailer in NYC with a swanky Park Avenue address. Mr. Aaron’s family opened the store in 1934.

Fun Fact 5: Alain Ducasse is a renowned chef. He is the first chef to ever own restaurants with 3 Michelin Stars (the highest) in three different cities. He is also 1 of 2 chefs to hold a total of 21 Michelin Stars!   

Next, time for lunch at Verger des Papes in the village of Chateauneuf du Pape. When the Pope had his residence in Avignon in the 14th century, his ‘summer home’ was in this village (see photo below); apparently the putrid stink in the streets of Avignon was too much for him in the hot months!

After lunch, we visited an artisanal producer: Chateau Mont Thabor. The charming owner Daniel Stehelin works his tiny plot (about 9 acres) on his own. His chateau is a 17th c. building with a rather long and sordid past.

Fun fact 6: Don Pernety, founder of the Illuminés  de Avignon, stayed there on his journey to find the Philosopher’s Stone, a legendary substance, capable of turning inexpensive metals into gold! ~ I don’t think he found it…  The Chateau then became a post house for carriages on the road between Paris and Marseille. In 1881, the Swiss family Stehelin bought the small estate to develop into a vineyard … as it remains so today.A bit tipsy by this point, we ended our glorious day at Domaine Saint Amant, the highest vineyard site (500 meters in elevation) in the whole of the Rhone Valley. It also produces the most highly regarded Viognier (photo below) in the region and their cru wines regularly win top awards. The Jacques Wallut Family still runs it using traditional small scale cultivation by hand. Owner and wine maker Camille Nosworthy was our host. As we drove away this stunning view greeted us — a perfect end to an incredible day. 

Check out this website for the wine tour   www.rhonewineholidays.com
The website for La Madelene is http://www.bighouseinprovence.com
I traveled with Chasing Atlas who puts together custom tours of Provence with an optional stop-over here. I highly recommend them. They create custom culinary and adventure tours of the region. La Madelene is also located just below one of cycling most famous peaks, Mont Ventoux.  Why not combine a great cycling adventure with the best wine tasting? Sounds perfect to me. For more info, contact me or:
http://www.chasingatlas.com

 

Filed Under: adventures, Bike Tours, Clear Blue Sky, Colors, France, France, Inspiration, Mountains, photography, Scenery, travel, travel photography, Uncategorized Tagged With: beetle, Champagne, chasing atlas travel, chateauneuf du pape, Cheers, croatian food, French wine, La Madelene, Provence, rhone wine holiday, rhone wines, The Big House, travel, travel photographer, vineyard, wine cellars, wine tours

Explore the Croatian Islands by Boat & Bike

August 11, 2016 by Julie Shipman

I recently travelled through the Adriatic Sea — along the Dalmatian Coast — to explore the southern islands of Croatia by boat and bike. It’s a photographer’s dream!  Croatia has it all: friendly people, beautiful architecture, great food & wine, spectacular scenery with clear blue water, mountains, beaches, vineyards, and …boats, boats, and speedboats from Boat Rental in the Keys! If you are attracted to a seafaring culture, I would highly recommend visiting these islands along with the Greek Island Hopping -Hostelbay 2018 crew, if you do, you will experience their people and customs layered in centuries, or millennia, of significant historical events. Until then, please enjoy the journey with me through my photos!

I began my boat trip in Trogir, a beautiful harbor town just north of Split… with old narrow cobble-stoned streets, quaint shops and outstanding restaurants.

Trogir, Old Town
Trogir, Old Town
Trogir, the Harbor
Trogir, the Harbor

We embarked on our boat (seen above) and sailed off on our journey.  Our path took us from Trogir to Solta, Vis, Korcula, Hvar, Brac… and finished in Split.

One must always learn the ropes of safe boating in order to avoid boating accidents. Visit aceboater.com to take up their course on boating and get a boating license.

 

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We head to sea!
We head to sea!

Throughout history, the inhabitants of these islands have lived off an abundant amount of fish and other seafood. Boats are far more commonly owned than cars! The bright blue color of the water juxtaposed with the white buildings and red roofs are captivating.

Harbor town of Pucisca on Brac, famous for the world's highest quality white marble! It's found in the White House and the Vatican!
Harbor town of Pucisca on Brac, famous for much of the world’s highest quality white marble. It’s found in the White House and the Vatican!
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Heading home… quicker and easier than a car on Brac.
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The beautiful village of Masclinica on the island of Solta.
An evening sail.
An evening sail.
Town of Komiza on the tiny island of Vis. Vis was a militarized zone for centuries and only opened up to tourists in 1995.
Town of Komiza on the tiny island of Vis. Vis was a militarized zone for centuries and only opened up to tourists in 1995.

Blue Boat

Along the southern coast of the island of Korcula, known also for its old growth forests because Venice did not have access to the island ---controlled by the Republic of Dubrovnik-- to plunder the trees for its boat building industry during the Renaissance.
The water is stunningly blue along the southern coast of the island of Korcula, known also for its old growth forests. Venice did not have access to the island —controlled then by the Republic of Dubrovnik– to plunder the trees for its boat building industry during the Renaissance and after.
Borrow a kayak and explore the hidden coves.
Borrow a kayak and explore the hidden coves. Here is Chasing Atlas guide, Pau Sab, doing some R&D on the sea!

Find a table by the sea, or in a quaint village and load your plate with freshly caught fish!

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Nonno, an excellent restaurant along the harbor in Korcula. Incredible views and wonderful food! Try the great octopus salad, a local favorite.
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Nonno Restaurant, Korcula.

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Explore the streets of the villages… it’s like walking through time. Korcula is the birthplace of Marco Polo! Who knew?

Marco Polo was born in Korcula but died in Venice, where he is most associated. Visit his house!
Marco Polo was born in Korcula but died in Venice, after many decades of traveling the world. You can visit his house, now an interesting museum.
The hidden streets of Pucisca, Brac.
The hidden streets of Pucisca, Brac.
Sunset ride in Korcula, along the harbor by the old fortress walls.
Sunset ride in Korcula, along the harbor by the old fortress walls.
Beautiful art abounds throughout the islands.
Beautiful art abounds throughout the islands.
actually it is one of the oldest wine regions in the world. The viticulture in current Croatia existed hundreds of years before the rise of the Roman Empire.
Many people are not aware that fantastic wines come out of Croatia. It is actually one of the oldest wine regions in the world. The viticulture in current Croatia existed hundreds of years before the rise of the Roman Empire.  DNA analysis has revealed that the well-known Californian grape Zinfandel, is genetically equivalent to the major grape varietal on the islands, Crljenak Kastelanski, its ancestor!
Peeking at the sea through the buildings on Vis.
Spying the sea through the buildings on Vis.
Gorgeous flowers abound on the islands, here in the streets of the bustling tourist town of Hvar.
Gorgeous flowers are everywhere on the islands, here in the streets of the bustling tourist town of Hvar.
Hvar.
Hvar.
View of Hvar and the neighboring islands from the fortress. Best viewpoint in the islands and well-worth the hike up the hill!
View of Hvar and the neighboring islands from the fortress. Best viewpoint in the islands and well-worth the hike up the hill! Don’t miss it… the prison of the old fortress is creepy and fascinating. I highly recommend a visit.
Hvar, as seen from the fortress.
Hvar, as seen from the fortress.

The locals here are witness to many occupations over the decades, and going further back to their ancestors, over the centuries… they are colorful and kind people.

Old man entertaining the crowd in Hvar.
Old man entertaining the crowd in Hvar.
Three Old Men; one sees this sight often!
Three Old Men; one sees this sight often!
A fisherman who came in empty handed today in Vis.
A fisherman who came in empty handed today in Vis.
And, yes, there are a few old ladies too. The youth? they go to school mostly in the cities on the mainland, ferrying over daily.
And, yes, there are a few old ladies too. The youth? they go to school mostly in the cities on the mainland, ferrying over daily.

And, the countryside… we cycled through it daily. It’s by far the best way to explore the quiet backroads, tiny villages,  fields of flowers and multiple vineyards.

Poppies and lavendar everywhere ~ Stunning!
Wild poppies and lavendar everywhere ~ Stunning!
Many small churches such as these dot the landscape.
Many small churches such as these dot the landscape.
One of the many hidden bays and beaches... this one on Korcula.
One of the many hidden bays and beaches… this one on Korcula.
Pay attention. While the cars are few and far between, you may see a boar or two!
Pay attention. While the cars are few and far between, you may see a boar or two! The roads are perfect for cyclists.
A beautiful place to take a rest and hydrate... Water or wine... your choice!
A beautiful place to take a rest and hydrate… Water or wine… your choice!
Just another quiet and beautiful long downhill to the sea... in this case, to the town of Komiza on Vis. (And, yes, you must do the climb to enjoy the ride down!)
Just another quiet and beautiful long downhill to the sea… in this case, to the town of Komiza on Vis. (And, yes, you must do the climb to enjoy the ride down!)
It really is this beautiful. My riding buddy and friend, Jill Murwin, who owns the travel company Chasing Atlas -- who provides these tours! She had to do her R&D!
It really is this beautiful. My riding buddy and friend, Jill Murwin, doing a little R&D checking out the roads and views on Korcula.

 

Day and night, by boat and by my new Bike Hint bike, it’s an outstanding adventure to explore the islands of Croatia. The experiential travel and adventure company, Chasing Atlas, can organize a customized large group (boat holds 18-22), small group or intimate trip there for you.  Contact Jill Murwin @ChasingAtlas to inquire ~  info@chasingatlas.com or www.chasingatlas.com.

Old Church in the harbor of the town of Vis, on the island of Vis.
Sunset at the Old Church in the harbor of the town of Vis, on the island of Vis.
And goodnight, from Vis.
And goodnight, from Vis.

Filed Under: adventures, Beach, Bike Tours, Croatia, Cycling, photography, Road Biking, sailing, Scenery, Sea, travel, travel photography, Vacation Tagged With: adriatic sea, adventure week in croatia, bike and boat, bike croatia, boat, boating, chasing atlas travel, croatia, croatian food, croatian photos, croatian vacation, cycle trip, cycling in croatia, dalmatian coast, family vacation, islands, photography in croatia, sailing, sailing the adriatic sea, seafood, travel, travel photographer

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801.913.1624 All images © Julie Shipman Photography
Park City Photographer - Baja Photographer

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