Big Circle France 2026 Trip, stops in Reim and Last stop Paris, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Rich and I took at trip to France, April 27 - May 27. We flew to Paris from Seattle and rented a car from Charles de Gaulle. Our first stop was the fishing Viking village Honfleur for two days, then we drove to Normandy beaches to see Omaha and Utah Beach, the American Cemetery Normandy, the Utah Beach Museum, and then stayed in Roche Torin close to Mont. Saint. Michele three nights seeing the abbey on the island across the water and landscape from our hotel where we admired the medieval Abbey and local farm sheep grazing and sleeping in the bucolic fields. We then drove to the Loire Valley staying at Auberge de la Caillere to visit chateaus: Blois, Chambord, Chenonceau, and Ambroise where Leonardo Di Vinci’s tomb lays in the church. Next stop, and our longest drive, to the Basque region of France, staying at the lovely seaside Saint-Jean-De-Luz and enjoyed fours days at Hotel Plage soaking up the sun, admiring the Pyrenees mountains, exploring half-timber house villages, and we took a a bus/train day trip to San Sebastian, Spain for a authentic tapas and pinxtos crawl. Next stop for two days staying at Mercure Carcassonne La Cité hotel, the medieval town of Carcassonne to see the castle and eat cassoulet. Delicious! Our next stop for five days, Boulbon, France, near the Rhone River in Provence. We loved the maison we stayed in Hotel Bastide, loved the village, danced to disco music with a local chef, and explored wonderful towns: Arles, Nimes, Les Baux-de-Provence, Gordes, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Aux-En-Provence, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Not enough time to see every town - another trip perhaps. From Boulbon, we drove to Lyon where we enjoyed three days staying at Le Phoenix eating to our hearts content at Les Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse, a bouchon, and more. For wine, oh yes, Rhone, Loire, and did I mention Burgundy - Oui! We stayed in the lovely grape growing village, Aloxe Corton - a piece of heaven, at Villa Louise explored, shopped and dined in Beaune - it was lovely! We toured the interesting historic Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune - a must see in Beaune. Two days is not enough time in Burgundy. We shall return to visit more villages and Dijon in the future. The last leg of our trip we spent two nights in the Champagne region, Reims, where we enjoyed seeing the gothic Reims Cathedral and sampling different champagnes, after two days we drove back to Charles de Gaulle Airport, dropped off the car, and took at taxi to Paris where were spent three HOT days (temps hovering 94 degrees in May), between the 4th and 11th Arrondissement’s. We rode the Paris Metro to see Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, Moulin Rouge area, the Eiffell Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, The Galeries Lafayette Dome, a sunset river cruise on the Seine River, and shop and eat in the Paris Marais district and Jewish quarter. FYI - if you want to eat well, visit Michelin Guide France to review restaurants in various languages and book reservations. BTW, Rich and I were also our own travel agent. We did all the research. Spent time on Goggle Maps exploring hotels, locations, and restaurants. This is one of eight blog posts about our France trip. Lots of beautiful, interesting, and fun photos to see. Images by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington, USA. Here we go!!! Seven - Reims and Paris!

Reims grand gothic Cathedral, Reims Notre Dame is very worth the stop by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Reims grand gothic Cathedral, Reims Notre Dame is very worth the stop by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Gargoyles at Reims grand gothic Cathedral, Reims Notre Dame is very worth the stop by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Architecture in Reims, art nouveau, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Black and white architecture street photography in Reims by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Art Deco and Art Nouveau is at the center of Reims architecture by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

This smiling couple was getting married. They let me take their photo in front of the Eiffell Tower by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

We heard a lot of Michael Jackson music in Paris and throughout France - wall mural photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, taken in Paris.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Morning clean up, a daily routine, Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Wall art painting near Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Pont Alexandre III seen from our Seine River cruise at sunset, Paris, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Taking a call in Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Notre Dame Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Mass at Notre Dame Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Daily clean-up, Moulin Rouge, Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Seine River cruise at sunset is fun! Photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Cafe life and a teddy bear, Paris, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Notre Dame Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Notre Dame Paris by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Parisian cafes in the spring by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Waiting for a friend in the Marais, Paris, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Art Nouveau dome at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann shopping photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Wall mural art Paris photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann magazine covers on a wall - photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann - Paris fashions photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Tired of shopping, check your phone, Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Art outside the Paris Opera, photo, Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

It’s really all about the wine, Paris, photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

The Eiffell Tower at sunset seen from a Seine River cruise - really fun stuff! Photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington, USA, T: 240-899-5295, E: info@jollysiendaphotography.com, W: www.jollysiendaphotography.com, Facebook and Instagram

Bella Bella Italy - We Enjoyed Our Visit So Much!

Italy. The food, the wine, ancient history surrounds you, photo opportunities at every corner. Go in early spring, fall or winter when less are less crowds and tourists and more time for you, your family and friends, and to enjoy!! Here are some photos from our May 2024 trip to Florence, Chianti, Siena, San Gimignano, Cortona, and the Veneto (Venice, Burano, Murano) and more!

Aerial shot of Florence, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Artistic Cypress Trees line a Tuscan hillside in Chianti by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Sunrise, a Tuscan vineyard, Cortona Italian villages, and the mountains by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Siena’s city hall at high noon where the Palio is an annual event by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Tuscan hill-town San Gimignano by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

San Marco, St. Marks Capenella and the Doges Palace in Venice, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Island of Burano and painted houses on the canal, near Venice, Italy, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Murano glass balls, Island of Murano near Venice, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Gondolier, a gondola, sails on the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Black and white gondola glides through a canal alongside Venetian buildings by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Sunset on the Arno River and some boating activity on the river by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Dancing in front of the San Marco Basilica, Venice, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

A gondolier in his gondola passes under the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Loading up colored bags onto boats on the Bridge of Sighs canal by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

International Hare Krishna dancers in Burano, outside of Venice, Italy, by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Wedding photos at San Marco Basilica, Venice, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington

Rich and Jolly taken after wine tasting in Chianti, Italy! Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington.

Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington, info@jollysiendaphotography.com, T: 240-899-5295, Facebook, Instagram, Jolly’s Website

Travels in the Mediterranean -- Featuring the Veneto by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Travel fills the soul and teaches us so much about other cultures and customs. This year, Rich and I traveled to several Mediterranean countries by airplane, train, van, and cruise ship. Welcome to the Veneto region of Italy!

Gondolas on the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Washington.

Arena in Verona, Italy, and a concert is being set up. Photo by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, Wa.

Dante marble sculptures and terra cotta buildings in Verona, Italy by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, WA.

Veneto Italy wine country where Prosecco grapes are grown by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio, Bremerton, WA.

Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio located in Bremerton, Washington offers a wide range of photography services: headshots, portraiture, branding photography, engagements and weddings, commercial photography, real estate photography, fine art photography, travel and photography instruction. Contact Jolly at www.jollysiendaphotography.com, 240-899-5295, info@jollysiendaphotography.com, Google, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Majestic Twin Peak Brothers Mountains of the Olympic Mountains by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Pacific Northwest landscapes capture the hearts and souls of residents of the Puget Sound, and I am lucky to have this view of the Olympic Mountains as often as they care to show off. Any of these images and more from my library can be made into treasured metal or acrylic fine art prints for your wall. Copy imagery by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio in Bremerton, Washington. Contact me through the website, T: 240-899-5295, E: info@jollysiendaphotography.com.

Brothers Mountain stands above the fog by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio in Bremerton, WA

Sunset Firestorm, Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

The Brothers Mountains and it’s water reflection on the Puget Sound by Jolly Sienda Photography

Full Moon and the Olympic Mountains over the Puget Sound at Dawn by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Full Moon and the Brothers Mountain by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Autumn landscape, the Brothers Mountain, and a cormorant on the Puget Sound by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio in Bremerton, WA.

Golden Halo Clouds over the Olympic Mountains by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Blanket of pink and blue cumulus clouds over the Olympic Mountains by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Brothers Mountain and its summer reflection on the Puget Sound by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Fogs slowly lifts off the Puget Sound up to the Olympic Mountains by Jolly Sienda Photography and Studio

Hot pink sunrise, full moon drops, and The Brothers Mountain with fog over the Puget Sound by Jolly Sienda Photography

Beach and Waterview Escapes by Jolly Sienda Photography

We woke up this morning, 4/18/20, to much needed rain in the Pacific Northwest to nourish our gardens and fresh plantings. Many of us will be inside today so to honor that let's spend a few minutes together and visit some beaches and waterfront views; near and far. I hope you are healthy and staying safe. We're in this together...Jolly. COVID19 go away! Photos on the Web by Jolly Sienda Photography. If you fall in love with an image, please let us know. Metal photography prints are available in many sizes from 11 x 14 to 24 x 36. https://www.jollysiendaphotography.com/fineart We can print anything from this blog post for you, or anything from our website, and the photo may not be posted on the Fine Art section of the website yet — so please ask us about it so we can order it for you. PAYPAL and credit cards are accepted. Please allow time for delivery, especially during the pandemic health crisis. Thank you.

Fog Lifting, Anacortes, WA., by Jolly Sienda Photography (Black and White).

Haystacks, Cannon Beach, OR., by Jolly Sienda Photography

Sailing Away, Puget Sound, Salish Sea, by Jolly Sienda Photography

Floating on a Pastel Bay, Tracyton, WA., by Jolly Sienda Photography

Jolly Sienda Photography is based in Bremerton, Washington. An award winning photographer, Jolly and her partner Richard travel around the world in search of beautiful imagery. Own a one-of-a-kind fine art photography print at https://www.jollysiendaphotography.com/fineart. Or contact us at info@jollysiendaphotography.com and at Tel: 240-899-5295. PAYPAL and credit cards accepted.

Abstract Photography is Soothing to the Soul and the Eye

Let’s get away to a quieter, more tranquil place where we feel at peace with ourselves and our surroundings. Looking at my abstract photography puts me in a better mood and takes me to a calm, happy place. The following images are part of the Jolly Sienda Photography abstract photography collection. They are available in metal or custom framed photo prints starting at size 11 x 17. Contact me today to learn more at info@jollysiendaphotography.com or Tel: 240-899-5295. Large custom sizes are available by special order.

Tranquil Pools of Water and Pebbles

Painted Rippled Sunset and Sailboat Masts

Single Seagull Drifts on a Cloud Painted Ocean.

Shades of Green Watercolor Paints on the Puget Sound.

Sunrise over Dyes Inlet and a Seagull.

Photography in Your Flower Garden

Whether you're a professional photographer or learning about photography a great way to learn and practice your skills is to go out into your yard and photograph the flowers in your garden. I love to experiment with wide angle and macro lens for this.

This is a great way to understand color, texture, depth of field, design, and to train your photography eyes. Don't get discouraged. Let the natural world pull you in and keep practicing with you camera. Over time, I know you will be thrilled with your results! When you are -- make up some prints of your flowers and display them on your wall as a fine art photography gallery! So pretty!!

See something you love! Please let me know! I'd love to hear from you. Fine art photography by Jolly Sienda Photography is available on this website or by contacting me.

Nature Scenes and the Feeling of Tranquility

Winter weather can surprise and delight me all at the same time...when it offers soft, tranquil, pastel-like colors.

The serene colors of nature's natural beauty puts me in a dreamy state of mind.