Learn why Monet created colorful gardens at his house near Paris from an artist who helped restore them. Hear how renovating a house on an island off the coast of Brittany can feed your wild side. Three Americans explain the expectations of being married to an Italian (and living next to the in-laws). And an adventure cyclist shares the story of a timely romantic surprise.

• Elizabeth Murray, author of "Monet's Passion in Full Bloom" (Pomegranate)
• Don Wallace, author of "The French House" (Sourcebooks)
• Ann Long, tour guide from Sorrento, Italy
• Lisa Anderson, tour guide from Lake Como, Italy
• Karen Kibby, tour guide from Livorno, Italy

• Elizabeth Murray's website includes a blog and a gallery of her photography and paintings.  
• The Giverny Gardens are usually open between April 1 and November 1 each year.
• The Orangerie in Paris was designed for Monet to display his famous "Water Lilies" paintings.
• Don Wallace includes a nice quote from Meryl Streep about his book, "The French House," on his website.
• Don Wallace wrote about the summer of 1994 on Belle Île for the New York Times.
• Advice from the French-English publication The Connexion on restoring a house in Brittany in the traditional Breton style.
• Willie Weir include tales of his bicycle travels on his website.