- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore French Palace Airelles Gordes, La Bastide in Gordes, France
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler A little awkward here because I was standing cliffside in Gordes, France! This was just the tip of the beauty iceberg as we enjoyed a very chic lunch at Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, a Provençal Palace in the heart of Luberon. Ironically (or not), I was wearing an interior matching dress made in India and the whole palace was dripping in luxury, a lot from other countries because back then collecting exotic items and materials – literally the wallpaper was fabric – was seen as the ultimate status symbol. Mere peasants could only dream of traveling! Every plate a true French masterpiece while…
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Explore 24 Hours in the Beautiful French Provençal Town of Lourmarin, France
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler After our amazing experience in Cotignac, France, our press trip group was whisked away by our amazing driver Sophie to experience the charming small town of Lourmarin, France. It is located in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in Southeastern France. The people who live there are called Lourmarinois, which is très (very) difficult to pronounce. Part of the Luberon region, it is composed of three mountain ranges: Lesser Luberon, Greater Luberon and Eastern Luberon. There’s a whole lot of Lou’s happening here and it can be very confusing – especially when you’re not driving and following maps. Just try to…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore One of the Most Magical Villages in France, Cotignac
Story, photos and videos by Cassie Hepler I have these “feelings” if you will, that tell me about places, people and things. It is a blessing and curse honestly! Call it pattern recognition, my grandmother’s ancestry, witchcraft or whatever you want, I knew I would want to stay at the next stop for more than just a day visit before we even arrived. Something was literally pulling me there and upon leaving, was tugging at my heart strings to return. Cotignac, labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France is almost accurate. I will take it up a notch and say it is one of the most magical!…
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Explore an Artists Commune La Maison de la Chapelle in Carcès, France
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Waking up to breakfast delivered to my patio at Villa Cosy in Saint Tropez, showering and then shoving everything back into my two pieces of luggage to meet our amazing driver Sophie out front by 8:30 a.m. is pretty typical of a press trip. I was finally well rested again and ready to rock and roll! We were given our itinerary a few days prior to the trip however I wasn’t stressed as Atout France is very professional and wouldn’t leave us hanging. So I would look at it in the van each morning and ask questions along the way. The gals were…
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Unique Things to Do in Saint Tropez, France
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Places to Eat in Saint Tropez After checking into Villa Cosy Hotel and Spa and exploring with some tours and wine time, we walked down to have dinner at family owned Marcellino to enjoy Italian and Mediterranean food, located right on the Saint Tropez harbor. After all you are there for the views and what views they are! At this point, your eyes are also hungry to enjoy the views, sights, smells and sound of South of France. We were served family style for this meal paired with rose, which seems to be the go-to when in a group setting in Côte d’Azur.…
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Enjoy a Low Key Vibe at Villa Cosy Hotel and Spa in Saint Tropez, France
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I went back to the airport in Nice, France to meet the rest of the press trip crew before this Côte d’Azur adventure officially kicked off! With some rest (and exploring Nice) under my belt already, I felt ready and refreshed for once since I flew in that Friday. I arrived early as usual from the Novotel Nice Arénas Airport hotel shuttle. While I thought maybe I booked too many nights ahead of time, it turned out to be just right as Spring Cassie would have needed a day or two max to recover but Fall Cassie is much more jacked up on…
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Explore Nice, France in the Calmer Shoulder Season of October
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler It’s been almost a year since I’ve been on French soil in the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten which was like doing a wine tasting, just dipping my tongue back into the delicious culture of France. So when the Atout France (Explore France) tourism board reached out for a media mixer earlier this year at the Arizona Biltmore, I was all in. We kept in touch through all the many debacles I’ve had this summer (I will fondly remember 2025 as the summer from hell) and went ahead and booked this press trip for October, right before Halloween week. Originally, I was going…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Marriott Irvine Spectrum Offers Restful, Upscale Hotel to Explore Orange County, California
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I’ve been a Marriott Bonvoy member since I was a teenager. Starting at Penn State University at 17 years old because my birthday is in September, it’s been a no brainer to rack up points with a brand I can rely on for this extra picky back – and now neck. So I don’t have to stress out over is the bed good? Will I be in more pain? Those issues don’t exist when booking with Marriott. I already know and that’s what keeps me coming back. So when Destination Irvine reached out, it was easy breezy and my first press trip…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party
Iconic, indeed! Loews Hotel Philadelphia’s 33rd floor really made for some exquisite panoramic views at the fireworks’ watch party. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “I’ve learned through the years that it’s not where you live, it’s the people who surround you that make you feel at home.” – J.B. McGee “You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn’t depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” ― Trenton Lee Stewart Not to put too fine a point on it, but it’s…
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Radisson Lackawanna Train Station Hotel in Scranton, Pennsylvania is Hauntingly Majestic
Story, videos by Cassie Hepler After I booked a flight to Central Pennsylvania to visit my family, a long-lost Philly friend and photographer reached out randomly to say hello. We decided to meet up on one of the hottest, record-breaking days in June over 100 degrees with humidity which is pure, sweaty Betty hell outside. The best bet place to meet halfway was Scranton, Pennsylvania and I asked him to find somewhere good to go and that he did! I was not expecting such an amazing, dreamy location existed but here we are – and it’s haunted to boot. And yes, Scranton is the inspiration city where The Office was…
