Barcelona & Costa Brava, Spain

Places visited: Barcelona, Tamariu, the Girona countryside

Best B&B:

Mas Martorell near Girona (lovely rooms, hosts, pool and an extraordinary breakfast with everything home made)

Top restaurant:

Irati (Basque tapas) in Barcelona (not the best food, but fun concept, atmosphere and worth the money as you pay for each toothpick)

Provence, France

Places visited: Le Thor, Isle Sur la Sorgue, Avignon, Gordes, Rousillon, Seguret, Buis le Baronnes, Gigondas, Mollas sur Ouveze, Les Baux, Mont Ventoux, St. Julien Bridge, Chateau de la Canorgue Winery, Vaison la Romaine, Uzes, and Pont du Gard.

Favorite B&B (and restaurant):

Les Carmes close to Le Thor (with Michelin star chef and CHEAP gourmet dinners every night except Sundays plus wonderful hosts and guests)

Favorite towns:

Isle Sur la Sorgue (huge Sunday market, smaller Thursday market)
Gigondas (excellent wine tasting and restaurants)

(honorable mentions: Gordes, Rousillon and Vaison la Romaine)

Best sight:

Cathedrale d'Images

Restaurants:

Best Restaurant EVER:
Les Carmes near Le Thor (see above)

Worth going to if the weather is nice:
La Girocedre in Puymeras near Vaison la Romaine (beautiful back yard and hearty French food)

Nice not-so-heavy French food:
Terroirs in Uzes (try their delish tartines)