There's a version of a day trip to Châteauneuf-du-Pape that most people get. They drive in, take a photo in front of the castle ruins, buy a bottle at the first cave they see, and leave within two hours feeling like they've done it. Yeah, we're not doing that. But we are doing this . You wake up knowing the day has exactly one job: to be enjoyed. Today there aren't any museums keeping us on track with their timed entries. We don't have a single reservation we're rushing to make. I have...

Published under: Maison d'Amies | The Philosophy Series   Let me be honest with you about something. You don't need me to take you to Paris. I mean that sincerely, and with love. Paris is one of the most well-documented cities on earth. There are books, blogs, apps, and entire industries built around helping you have a wonderful time there. You can find the best croissant in the 7th arrondissement with a single search. You can book your own train, reserve your own bistro, navigate your own...

There are places you visit once and remember fondly, and then there are places that quietly claim you. Avignon is the latter for me. I’ve returned to this region more times than I can count, and each visit feels less like a trip and more like coming back to myself. It’s where Maison d’Amies began, long before it had a name, rooted in shared meals, wandering streets, and the belief that travel should be savored, not rushed. Avignon isn’t a destination you conquer with a checklist. It’s one you...