Agent Report: Birthday Celebrations in the South of France
Ellison and her family recently returned from a special trip to the South of France to celebrate a special occasion, and of course she wanted to share all the glorious details with you!
Ellison with her mother, Tina, and her daughter, Jane, at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
According to our late-founder, Fred Poe, his daughter Ellison had “circled the globe by age six.” Given that Ellison’s parents founded Poe Travel back in 1961, it should come as no surprise that they are a family who are passionate about travel, so being grounded for the better part of two years hasn’t been easy on them. However, we’re thrilled to report that Ellison’s family recently jetted off to the South of France to celebrate her mother, Tina’s, 83rd birthday.
Their trip started with a lovely long layover at London Heathrow. They used the opportunity to visit Fortnum & Mason to enjoy rosé bubbles and avocado toast, an old tradition. Ellison even ran into her very favorite waiter, Elyson, who pronounces his name just like hers! The little jaunt to Fortnum's felt like a trip down memory lane and was a wonderful way to reacquaint herself with the feeling of international travel.
After their few hours in London, they flew off to Marseille, where they picked up their rental car and hit the road. The group first ventured to a dear friend’s house in the Luberon, where they spent four glorious days catching up in their fabulous surroundings. They spent plenty of time cooking and relaxing by the pool as a family. They visited the charming town of Lourmarin, shopped in the local market, and stopped at their favorite café for a drink and people-watching.
For Tina’s birthday, they celebrated in style with a visit to Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. This stunner of a hotel has long-since been a favorite of the Poe Travel team and is in Antibes on the glamorous French Riviera. Ellison and family headed here for a fabulously fun blow-out birthday lunch to celebrate their matriarch. The team at the hotel went above and beyond, and everyone even sang to sweet Tina on her special day!
They spent the latter half of the trip at the Château Saint-Martin in Vence. This is the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc's sister hotel and is every bit as wonderful. In fact, Ellison described the Château Saint-Martin as “nirvana.” She especially loved the hotel’s four large and fluffy pet bunnies who hop around the gardens.
They also enjoyed a magical lunch at La Colombe d’Or in St. Paul de Vence, which they followed up with a visit to the Fondation Maeght, France’s first independent art foundation. The foundation's current exhibition, which is on until November, is called “The Giacometti: A Family of Creators.” It celebrates the family of artists from the Swiss village of Stampa, and Ellison said it was “incredible.”
She was also so impressed by how seriously all the establishments in France, including the museum, took their COVID regulations. They were required to show their vaccination cards to enter any museums, cafés, hotels, restaurants, etc. Ellison found it incredibly comforting to know that things were being handled so well. Similarly, she found the checks for negative COVID tests as they boarded flights to be very reassuring and found that things moved quite smoothly.
On their last day, the group came together to relax with a long, long lunch by the pool at the Château Saint-Martin. They spent the afternoon enjoying incredible food and the sun for which the South of France is so well-known. They stayed so long that they ended up simply sitting and watching the moon, listening to the crickets, and reflecting on their first family trip in what felt like forever. And what a triumph it was!
Ellison called this trip a boost to her soul, and when asked for any pearls of wisdom for anyone looking to travel during the time of COVID, she said, “Just don’t get hung up on the PCR test requirements. The reward is well worth the thirty or so seconds it takes to get tested!”
Hotel Spotlight: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Photo courtesy of the Oetker Collection
The gorgeous Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc made an unforgettable setting for Tina’s 83rd birthday lunch. The team at Poe Travel has loved this hotel for a long time, and it’s easy to see why. It is the perfect place from which to discover the captivating beauty of the Côte d’Azur, a region rich in art and culture. Their private bay and parkland give the hotel a secluded feel, and their 118 gorgeous guestrooms are designed with what they refer to as “French panache.” They also have three elegantly appointed private villas which are enshrouded by trees for a more exclusive experience. Plus, the dining on offer is the stuff of legend, and Ellison had only fabulous things to say about it. Eric Frechon, Chef Consultant at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Le Bristol’s three-Michelin-starred chef, along with Arnaud Poette, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc's Executive Chef, joined hands to develop a contemporary approach to Mediterranean and Provençal cuisine for Grill Eden-Roc, Eden-Roc Restaurant, and Louroc Restaurant, which was recently awarded with a Michelin star.
Hotel Spotlight: Château Saint-Martin & Spa
Photo courtesy of the Oetker Collection
And now onto Cap-Eden-Roc's sister hotel, the Château Saint-Martin, which Ellison called “nirvana.” The Château captures the sexy and refreshing feel of the French Riviera. It captures all the natural beauty of the region while enhancing it with a little French elegance. You’ll find it hard to take your eyes away from the pool, which is set against the impossibly blue horizon, but there truly isn’t a bad view to be had. Each guestroom features lovely light interiors and astounding panoramic views of the Côte d’Azur, from Nice to Cannes. Should you choose one of their private villas, you will be truly speechless at the view and at the sense of comfort and privacy. You can choose between refined or rustic dining at their two restaurants, but each offers—you guessed it—more incredible views. Le Saint-Martin features a panoramic terrace and has been awarded a Michelin star. Alternatively, savor the flavors of the Mediterranean at L’Oliveraie, set in the shade of an olive grove.
If you would like to Get Away to the South of France, simply contact us. Ellison can make some recommendations from her recent trip, and the Poe Travel team is on-hand to design a customized itinerary just for you. We will check rates and availability and make sure the red carpet is rolled out for you to set you on your way.