Mediterranean Travel - Camargue, France

Late Summer Lunch at La Chassegnette

In the gorgeous Camargue region of southern France, a land of wild horses, rice and salt fields, there is a restaurant owned by chef Armand Arnal called La Chasegnette. A former sheep farm that has been carefully converted into a great restaurant that will treat you to the best that the South of France and Mediterranean Food has to offer. The restaurant has its own certified organic vegetable garden and is very proud of serving only the best most natural and locally grown ingredients.



The inside restaurant is decorated in a simple contemporary way, it is a great space and perfect for dinner. For lunch and if the weather allows ask for a table outside under the vine treluces. order a bottle of Rose, ask for the freshly made tapenade with sourdough bread crostinis and order the chef suggestions.



After lunch make sure you visit the boutique where you can buy local gourmet Mediterranean foods and wines. And walk around the property and gardens.



La Chassagnette is located approximately 8 miles south of Arles, on the road to Le Sambuc. Exit toward Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, then take a left on D36 in direction of Salins-de-Giraud

La Chassagnette
Le Sambuc 13200 ARLES
Closed on Wednesdays
Tel. +33 (0)4 90 97 26 96
Fax +33 (0)4 90 97 26 95
E-mail: chassagnette@heureuse-camargue.com
Web: lachassagnette.blogspirit.com

Med Food and Travel - Aeolian Islands

CULT HOTELS

The Raya hotel on the small Sicilian island of Panarea is renowned as one of the best “cult” hotels in the world. It's the creation of Myriam Beltrami and Paolo Tilche, who moved to Panarea in the 1960's.



The Raya received a 2004 award for “best hotel in the Mediterranean”, and is a prized destination for a small group of informed visitors who keep coming back. It's an informal place, perfect for enjoying nature and relaxing. But there's fun to be had; the hotel has its own private club and boutique, and there are a few restaurants and bars on the island.

Panarea is one of the volcanic Aeolian Islands off the north-east coast of Sicily, and offers delicious seafood, local cuisine and amazing views of the surrounding Aeolian Islands and the active Stromboli volcano.



Getting there is not the easiest thing, but only adds to the charm and ensures that the island does not become a tourist trap. I recommend catching a flight to Naples (which is the nearest airport) and then taking the Hydrofoil from Naples onto Panarea (around 4.30 hours). For more information, visit snav.it

Read more about the Aeolian Islands and Panarea at Italy Traveler

(photos by Hotel Raya and Adriano Bacchella)

About Med Food & Travel

This blog is a resource for food, wine and travel across a selection of mediterranean countries. Aiming to work with collaborations and suggestions from readers and contributors for the following countries: Italy, Malta, Morroco, Portugal, Spain, France (South of), but also adding new countries as we go along.



MEDITERRANEAN FOOD+WINE
I wanted to source great recipes and traditional dishes, that are not elaborate or complicated to prepare, things that I have tried and would like to try. I will start with a few recipes and local food info from each of the countries and then keep adding more each week.

TRAVEL & SHOPPING
For this section I wanted to create a resource of great places, iteneraries, and in general make things easier for the mediterranean traveller. It is not supposed to be a traveling guide, but suggestions on where to stay and where to eat. Finding great small hotels and guest houses, restaurants and shops.

We hope you enjoy the blog. Comments and suggestions are welcome.