It dawned on me that although this was my fifth visit to Paris in my travels through the years, I had only experienced the magnificence of this city in the cool, brisk air of late October, or most often, the pre-winter chill of late November when festive lights and holiday decorations were just starting to appear. No matter the gloves and scarves, Paris always reigned supreme as one of my favorite cities. It was, however, a particular treat for my partner and I to recently spend four nights discovering Paris in the spring - and how glorious it was, taking on a whole other dimension for us we had not seen before, with flowers in bloom, lush greenery in the parks and a vibrant energy of the crowds which made our favorite pastime of people-watching all the more exciting. After a first day of weather in the 70’s, we continued to enjoy the splendor of 60 degree temperatures as we took to the streets rediscovering the charms of the neighborhoods such as the artist-infused Montmartre area, and our favorite, le Marais. Other highlights this visit included our first trip to the Opera House – the “Phantom” famed Opera National de Palais Garnier, which completely took my breath away in its architectural grandeur. We took a guided tour of the interior (highly recommended) as there were regretfully no performances taking place the time frame we were there. From the brilliant marble Grand Staircase, to the multiple Foyers and the spectacular auditorium itself, I left there so wanting to see a live performance. Hopefully a future visit. The legend of The Phantom of the Opera lives on at Opera Garnier, as Box No. 5 is reserved for the masked man himself to this day.
Of particular interest with my obsessive affection for all things Louis Vuitton, is the exhibition taking place now through September 16, 2012 at Les Arts Decoratifs museum, behind the Louvre. It was a thrill to see the Marc Jacobs-Louis Vuitton collaboration being displayed in an exquisite multi-dimensional history depicting the origins of Mr. Vuitton’s innovations dating back to 1854 all the way through the influence of Mr. Jacob’s taking over the LV helm from 1997 to the present. If you are Paris bound between now and September, this exhibit is not to be missed.
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A fabulous day was had in the Champagne region, just 90-minutes drive from Paris city center. We booked into a small group tour, of which there were 7 of us champagne loving enthusiasts, on a mini-bus outing to Verzenay and Reim for a delightful and insightful look into the art of champagne making. Not only did we visit such major champagne houses as Pommery and Taittenger, to see their amazing and vast underground cellars, we visited the vineyards of Dom Perignon, Cliquot and others, learning about the grape varieties and about the pruning in winter and ripening and harvesting in autumn. While we thought the large brand names would be what it was all about, we were excited to experience a popular local champagne maker’s outfit in visiting Jean-Claude Mouzon. This family run business sells locally in the region and the champagne is actually created and processed in their home in the village of Verzenay. A sight to behold with all the equipment throughout their house, as they offer a wonderful variety of champagnes. Of course this tour offered tastings and opportunities to purchase, which we did, bringing home unforgettable memories of our tastings and day’s outing. We even enjoyed one of the bottles relaxing in Tuileries Garden. What could be a finer moment in Paris than sipping champagne in a park with the vistas of the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe surrounding you, watching the most stylish people on the planet go about their day. Voila!
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While hotel visits are always on the highest order of my travels, for business and personal interest, this Paris trip took me back to some gems I had not seen in many years and others I had not yet visited. Dorchester Collection’s grande dame’s Le Meurice and Plaza Athenee, are in equally splendid shape, as I got to view a couple of available rooms and suites at both before dining at their equally wonderful restaurants. Plaza Athenee’s “Chef de Reception” Peter Komma, has enjoyed an incredible tenure with this landmark hotel on fashionable Avenue Montaigne, and it was great fun to hear stories of the past legends who have stayed there as we viewed a stunning suite favored by legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock (located on the first floor, as we learned he had a fear of fire and wanted to remain close to the street level). Dining at the hotel’s Le Relais Plaza restaurant made for a highly memorable evening of delectable wines, sumptuous cuisine and exemplary service within an attractive bistro-chic setting that clearly had a happening vibe and energy going. Over at the opulent and grandiose Le Meurice, where you feel like you have been transported to an 18th century palace, its breathtaking Belle Etoille Suite, high above the rooftops of Paris, with over 2,600 square feet of panoramic 360 degree private terrace views, literally took my breath away. If you are fortunate enough (or shall I say have the fortune) to stay in this palatial mansion of a suite accommodation, you surely will never want to leave it. The 3-star Michelin chef Yannick Alleno is the culinary king in residence and the location opposite Tuileries Garden remains at the top of the heap in Paris. The uber-charming 4-star Castille Hotel on Rue Cambon, famed as the original landmark of Coco Chanel (Chanel boutique is still next door), is just off Rue Saint Honore and its abundance of see-and-be-seen designer stores. The Parisian and Italian infused decorum of this wonderfully cozy boutique hotel evokes a warmth and intimacy among the larger hotels in the area. Having just completed a renovation to several rooms, it’s definitely a hotel you can call home for a frequenter of Paris. The inner courtyard provides al fresco dining at L'Assaggio Restaurant, earning rave reviews for its eclectic Italian menu, while garnering a “local” following (which means it’s good!) We enjoyed a marvelous meal on a picture perfect evening aside the Roman fountain.
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Ah, but where my partner and I stayed on this trip was the highlight. Paris is infused with a new energy of high-end hotels that have opened in just the last couple of years. Great 5-star hotels that might have been showing some wear are now being renovated or re-conceived in order to keep up with these new kids on the Parisian block. I had the great pleasure of experiencing the spectacular new Shangri-La Hotel Paris on my last visit (you can read about it in a previous blog report) just 6 months ago, and this recent stay brought us 4-nights at the amazing Mandarin Oriental Hotel Paris. This winner has it ALL – style, location, location, location (so much of where you want to go is within walking distance – Tuileries Gardens, The Louvre, Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde, Palais Garnier Opera House, to name a few), outstanding personal service and some of the largest, most alluring rooms and suites you’ll find in the city. In addition to having 138 guestrooms, in many of the hotel’s 39 suites you’ll find terraces or balconies. A brand new build on the most fashionable street in town – Rue Saint Honore, 1st Arrondesmont, Mandarin evokes a sexy, contemporary, happening fusion of Asian chic and French sophistication. In its comfort and convenience they have thought of everything a guest would seek out and being a new build enabled the architect and design team to create many elements other hotels do not have, such as special soundproof windows which also allow for light to come into the room without generating heat from the sun. Cutting-edge technology abounds in every angle, but to me, where the Mandarin succeeds in its greatest form is in the service provided by a fantastic team, helmed by General Manager extraordinaire, Philippe LeBoeuf. The evening dining and bar scene is just that – a scene – with the hotel’s Bar 8 a perfect ambience of indoor glamour with Lalique crystals shimmering throughout the environs, as well as being a popular spot for its outdoor garden setting on the elegant terrace. Bar 8 was a staple hangout of our 4-nights and the bartending team couldn’t have been more friendly and welcoming. Celebrated chef Thierry Marx is Culinary Director providing an extraordinary dining experience at the newly awarded Two-Michelin Star restaurant, Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, bringing guests on an exemplary gourmet and sensory journey with each course. The hotel’s oasis of serenity, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental in its very unique design, has multiple treatment opportunities and even a 50’ foot long pool. The buzz has been sublime for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Paris since opening its doors end of June 2011. Even with everything I had heard and read, the hotel exceeded every expectation and then some.
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Please note that exclusive hotel amenities, including complimentary breakfast for two, are available at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Paris, Hotel Castille Paris, Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athenee, when booking your stay through my office, Leaders In Travel. For more information please contact me.
I had the wonderful opportunity of touring Azamara Club Cruises' Azamara Journey on her recent visit as she docked in New York harbor sandwiched between a charter celebrating the 100th anniversary of Titanic and a transatlantic voyage kicking off the start of the European season of cruising. I had heard wonderful things about Azamara as the buzz and feedback from clients and travel media has been positive - make that downright raves - ever since cruise industry legend Larry Pimental took over the reins a few years back. The thing to know about Azamara, with just 694-guests in an intimate boutique hotel atmosphere, is that travelers will be experiencing a destination-immersive vacation ... more so than the average joe cruise will provide. Nearly 50% of the port stops feature an overnight or late night stays so its guests will actually be staying longer, living the destination longer, then returning home with better stories to tell because of it. In my short visit, where I got to see a handful of suites and staterooms, along with the public areas and a wonderful luncheon (the food was terrific), I could easily tell how warm and intimate the experience of sailing with Azamara would be. It's all about the service that separates this boutique cruise line from the rest. Premium cruising at its best, the pricing doesn't break the bank and you'll get to explore destinations you won't be able to on the mega sized ships. Leaders In Travel has special rates and opportunities if you would like to discover what Azamara is all about.
It was an evening of champagne & chefs last night as Alan and I were guests at Relais & Chateaux's glorious benefit "Dinner of the Grand Chefs" at Gotham Hall.45 of the tops international chefs of Relais & Chateaux hotels and restaurants flew in to create a dazzling multi-course feast with champagne and wine pairings sponsored by Pommery.Fittingly, we had just visited Pommery in Reim, the Champagne region of France, on our Paris trip just a couple of weeks ago.Chefs were divided into teams of three, each preparing varied menus of cold lobster as a first course, sea bass or scallops as second course and veal or lamb as third course.Our table, 22, enjoyed the delicacies of Emmanuel Stroobant from Saint Pierre, Singapore; Jean-George Klein from L'Arnsbourg, Hotel K, France and Joseph Lenn from Blackberry Farm, Tennessee. Also in this illustrious group of culinary masters were Daniel Boulud and Jean-George Vongerichten, both with famed NY restaurants.What a thrill for me to be photographed with the ambassadress of Domaine Pommery, Madame Nathalie Vranken.And how fun to see Elizabeth Olsen up close and personal, looking beautiful in Valentino.
I am excited and honored to be an Advisory Board member of the new ULTRA Luxury Travel Exchange debuting 2013 ... discovering and defining the travel trends of tomorrow.
I love cruising - ocean cruising that is on ships of all sizes from megas to yachts, but I admit I was somewhat skeptical about what the experience would be for my partner and me to partake on a river boat cruise for a week. We had been talking about it for a few years now as the river cruise industry is booming with more people going and more new luxury vessels being built than ever before. We knew this is a great way to explore towns and villages up-close-and-personal. Being wine lovers and seeking to explore more of France, we chose an extraordinary itinerary with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, taking us from the charming Provencal town of Arles (between Marseilles and Avignon) up the Rhone River into the Burgundy region village of Chalon sur Saone, the furthest point north a cruise can navigate the river. Uniworld includes complimentary wines with dinner and many of our excursions would include wine tastings and visits to wineries. We knew we would be enthralled with the destinations - how can you not be in the countryside of France, but would a River Cruise onboard experience be to our liking? We love nightlife and lots of things going on. Would we be bored? Would we be - dare I say - among the youngest, even in our 40's and 50's? Would be the token gay couple?
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Suffice to say we LOVED this cruise and had an amazing time. Yes, we were among the younger set of the 113 guests (the boat holds 132), but not the youngest by any means, or the youngest at heart, as it was a diverse group of fun loving, spirited travelers, many of whom have chosen the river boat as their preferred method of vacation after years exploring the world on larger ships. We were surprisingly the only gay couple onboard, which was a jar for us initially, but for most guests we were also the life of the party. Like Mame and Vera, it's the time for making merry and boy did we make merry. In addition to the ship's nightly entertainment of a piano lounge singer/pianist and local guest musicians - it was seven nights of bringing our own theatricality to the River Royale with song and dance, disco and Broadway choreography, all with a wonderful interaction with the guests. Comments I received such as "thank you for dancing with my wife - she hasn't lived like this for 30 years", just warmed my heart.
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About the cruise and why Uniworld does it so well: in a word - consistency. The crew - each and every one - delivers a uniform excellence in service. Being a small ship, it is a personal experience for the guests to interact with the staff and a large part of what we all remember about the cruise. The team onboard River Royale brought about a true friendliness and care for each guest, no pretensions, always there to solve any kind of problem and always looking to go the extra mile with a smile. Much of this is attributed to the dynamic team that I personally got to know and spend time with including the fabulous and oh-so- glamorous Emanuelle Bonneau, Cruise Manager; the hilarious, sardonic wit of Eric Christophe, a Hotel Manager who runs the tight ship; and the youngest, baby-faced Captain I have ever encountered at just 29 years old, Emmanuel Quendera. To this team and their crew - from the wonderful room stewards, to the pursers, wait staff, bartenders, chefs and all behind the scenes - hats off and thank you to everyone.
Many of the guests connect with each other through the dining experiences or on the daily excursions. Meals onboard were always a pleasurable experience, with again, one of the most consistent levels of quality and enjoyable selections to choose from than we have experienced on most ocean cruises. Breakfast buffets were bountiful, with an omelet station and a wide variety of cheeses, breads, fruit and traditional American and European breakfast selections. Lunch buffets were always something to look forward to, as after a morning excursion through the countryside or in a city, we were back at the ship by noonish, eager for a hearty meal. Dinner never disappointed with thematic multi-course dishes indicative of our locale, from Provencale to Bouchon Lyonnais and even a special Epicurean wine pairing meal, sampling various wines per course. Dessert options ranged from the decadent to more decadent in the homemade ice creams, parfaits, crème brulee, and chocolate marvels. Watching one's weight on a trip though France is pretty much unachievable. Dining each evening was casual elegance with two nights of dress attire slightly more formal - once for the Captain's Welcome Dinner (where Alan and I were graciously invited to the Captain's table) and again at the Captain's Farewell Dinner. With dinner an open seating policy, guests can dine with whom they like. There are only two tables of two, so meals are very much a communal experience. For three of the evenings our tablemates were a fun-loving dapper foursome from Southern California, Catherine, Gary, Juliane and Mike, who also helped make our after-dinner evenings the fabulous fun that it was on the dance floor and behind the mic.
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I was amazed at the mighty length of the River Royale - at 361 feet, walking the top deck and realizing all the open space ... and the new ships are being built much longer. With her width at just 37.5 feet, the ships can only be built in length due to the river's locks. Alan and I witnessed several of our locks crossings and saw Captain Emanuel navigate with just 1' between the wall and the ship's edge. Truly a sight to behold! The River Royale, built in 2006, is already undergoing the cruise line's policy of refurbishment every 6 years this winter. She is a lovely ship, draped in a French provincial motif, with staterooms averaging 160 square feet, the top deck of staterooms boasting French balconies. The other decks feature either panoramic window or port hole. Traveling during autumn in early November, we did not get to utilize our balcony much, but it was wonderful to have it nonetheless, for stepping out for fresh air and seeing the sights of passing under a bridge and viewing the magnificent colors of the fall foliage in the picturesque French landscapes. I can only imagine how superb the River Royale will be as it comes back to life in a few months with a fresh new "Red Carnation" makeover to match the rest of the Uniworld fleet. Voila! Voila!
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As mentioned being in Burgundy and Provence, several of our excursion opportunities centered around wine. Uniworld includes a complimentary daily excursion in every port - generally a wonderful, insightful walking tour of the town or village. Additional excursions are optional, reasonably priced and not to be missed. Our week started with a walking tour in Arles, famed as the town Van Gogh called home for many of his masterpieces. We saw numerous sights which he painted including The Yellow House and Starry Night over the Rhone. We visited a working Olive Farm, in the countryside where we learned the art of making olive oil and were treated to samples of the olives, oils and tapenade. From the Olive Farm our private motorcoach brought us to the wonderful medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence and its fortress, high in the Alpilles Mountains. In the charming walled city of Avignon, where the ship docked overnight, our walking tour brought us to the Pope's Palace and an exploration of the city. Alan and I learned there was a happening nightlife in the town as we ventured to one of the clubs in the evening. An excursion to the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Roman era and a delectable wine tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape were next on our agenda. One of the standouts of our week's visits was to the unspoiled, undiscovered by tourists, utterly charming town of Viviers. A 5th century village located in a sheltered canyon, the breathtaking architecture of the houses and streets captured our imaginations and whimsy. It was here that we were guests at a thrilling organ recital in the town's 12th century St. Vincent's cathedral. A particular delight was learning that our favorite Uniworld guide, Francis, a hilariously dry-witted cross between Dame Maggie Smith and Rita Rudner, lives in Viviers and we got to see her home. Francis - one of the highlights of our entire trip - is a marvelously sharp expert guide specializing in the region of Provence, whose sense of humor and storytelling - and way with a zinger - enamored us as well as the entire River Royale group. Another superb guide led the way for us in Lyon - Christian. Smart, funny, friendly with an outstanding speaking voice of radio quality, Christian showed us the marvelous Basilica cathedral, les traboules - famous passageways hidden behind the doors of apartment dwellings of Renaissance facades and the highlights of the magnificent city. We loved Lyon! Additional wine tastings were had in the towns of Tournon/Tain l'Hermitage. Our most phenomenal day - probably our favorite of all the excursions - was saved for last as we visited Beanue, it's amazing Hospices de Beaune and its glorious open-air market (so glad we were there on a Saturday when this takes place), followed by a chateaux visit /meeting with the count who resides; and yet another wine tasting at a vineyard in southern Burgundy. All of this pretty fabulous, don't you think?
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We were thrilled to have made this trip in the fall, as the weather was divine for walking - not hot but not too cold - and a spotlight on the foliage with brilliant colors that extended through the hillsides of the region for miles.
We started out skeptics but river cruising won our hearts and with a new found respect for what it offers, we would eagerly explore other regions and additional adventures with Uniworld. Although a younger generation may be of the notion that river cruising is sedate and mostly for a retirement set, on the contrary, we found that it is not only a superior way to discover and experience magnificent destinations off the beaten path and not easily accessible, but you can make your own fun and a river cruise experience can be whatever you want it to be. One guest may be on a gentle walking tour, while another is on their own on a bicycle adventure through the hills and countryside. Same trip - totally different experience. And we'll throw in a little disco and Broadway if Gary and Alan are onboard!
It is with great anticipation and sheer excitement that my first night of this trip to France would be a stay at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris, the hotel company's first foray in Europe. I have been fortunate to have stayed in some of the city's premier addresses over the years including Le Bristol, Crillon and George V, but with a resurgence of luxury hotel openings coming about in the city of lights in recent times, much attention has been made to the Shangri-La Hotel Paris, which opened in 2010, and might I add that the hotel deservedly lives up to all the hype and acclaim and even exceeded all expectations. Built between 1892 and 1896, the building was in fact home of Prince Roland Bonaparte and the meeting place of Paris' aristocracy and bourgeoisie. 115 years later, lovingly restored by prominent architect Richard Martinet, nestled in the refined, residential 16th arrondissement between the Place des Etats-Unis, Place d'Iéna and the iconic Trocadero high on Chaillot Hill, the hotel is located directly across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, with jaw dropping views that cannot be beat. The area has one of the highest concentrations of museums in Europe. Just steps away, the renowned Guimet Museum offers Paris' most extensive permanent collection of Asian art and oriental exhibits. Art lovers will enjoy the treasures of the Palais Galliera, Palais de Tokyo, Museum of Man, Museum of Modern Art and the Marmottan Monet Museum, all within walking distance. We found the hotel very convenient in walking to other central attractions in the city as well.
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In addition to its setting, what places Shangri-La Hotel Paris apart from the rest are the magnificent accomodations. The largest rooms and suites to be found in Paris - with an average size of over 500 square feet, a flawless attention to detail can be found in every corner. 40 per cent of the rooms and 60 per cent of the suites feature a breathtaking, direct view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine, while nearly half of the rooms and suites feature a private balcony. Our home at Shangri-La, the Duplex Suite, a stunning two-story jaw dropping Parisian experience, provided a welcoming head-on view of the Eiffel Tower with lush appointments and every creature comfort one can imagine. I had opportunity to do a site inspection of two additional suites - the hotel's grandiose 2,970 square feet Imperial Suite, the largest in the hotel and a palace unto itself. With its 16-foot high beamed ceilings, gilt work and decorative carvings, the suite itself was once the former private apartments of Prince Roland. If these walls could talk!
Suite Shangri-La, perched on the top floor of the hotel houses a more modern motif with French flair, complemented with Asian accents throughout. With a total of 2,365 square feet of living space, the real pice de resistance of a stay in this suite is the uber-dazzling 1,076 square foot terrace, providing pure panoramic bliss in its views of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and entire city. It's a sight to behold that you will find nowhere else but here at Shangri-La.
While the hotel is a museum unto itself, you'll never feel anything less than a friendly and welcoming atmosphere as General Manager extraordinaire, Alain Borgers and his team of experts in the art of customer service, tend to any and every need and request without hesitation.
Dining is an experience unto itself with three award winning restaurants - La Bauhinia,
L' Abeille and the newest, Shang Palace, just having opened in September as the first and only fine dining Chinese restaurant in France. It was a privilege to dine with Mr. Borgers in the gourmet French restaurant, L'Abeille, featuring Chef Phillippe Labbé's highly creative modern variations on classic French dishes. The courses were an endless feast of culinary delights, paired with exceptional wines. The wait staff were amazing - highly professional yet personable in describing all the dishes in detail. Breakfast was served in La Bauhinia - nothing less than wonderful as even my special request for a particular fruit was fulfilled without hesitation.
Did I love this hotel for a truly authentic Parisian "Wow" experience? Without a doubt it's the romance of Paris and a fond memory that will last with me for years to come.
From the opulence of the Shangri-La in the Right Bank, it was our desire to explore a neighborhood four-star boutique hotel in the more bohemian Left Bank for the next two nights of our Paris stay before heading on to our cruise. Esprit Saint Germain had been on my radar for quite some time as a popular favorite of clients and colleagues. It was time to discover this hotel myself and how thrilled I am to have had the opportunity. A gem in the heart of the upscale Saint Germain neighborhood, filled with chic boutiques and many good restaurants, this hotel is more like a private residence - your own apartment in Paris. With just 28 intimate rooms and suites, its discreet location on a small, but convenient side street is unassuming without the feel of checking in to a hotel. Immediately the small, family-like fantastic staff makes you feel at home.
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The hotel has created modern, comfortable living room areas -inviting places for guests to gather, relax with a newspaper, and particularly enjoy the benefits of their (almost) round the clock open bar. Literally anything you want from wine and champagne to a mixed drink is completely complimentary for the duration of your stay, as well as anything from the mini-bar in your room. What a fabulous perk as in a city as expensive as Paris, cocktails can add a hefty amount of Euro to your budget. We found the living room-bar area to be a very social area where in the evenings before or after dinner, the hotel's mostly American guests talk about their comings and goings and findings in Paris, comparing notes and stories. While there is no restaurant on premise (but so many to choose from in the area), continental and American breakfast is available as pastries and other delights are brought in from local neighborhood eateries.
Service here is exceptional. It's what the hotel strives for, achieves and undoubtedly why it has reached the level of success that it has with a high level of repeat guests. Marvelous owner Ms. Laurence Tafanel and her Director, Francesca La Mastra along with Front Office Manager Djenane Poidatz and the rest of the team fully interact with the guests, truly getting to know to their needs and handling any requests. There is no separate concierge or reception - the team does it all and knows it all. And they definitely are there to troubleshoot guest issues if a need arises. I was the recipient of their superior service when Air France went on strike cancelling my flight to the cruise just two days before departure, obviously leaving Alan and me in a most stressful situation. Thanks to Francesca and her team they immediately assisted working the phones and internet calling their contacts in rebooking my travel arrangements. All worked out thankfully - but I will always be grateful and remember the service level and TLC in what they did for me. They even followed up after my departing the hotel.
Rooms at Esprit Saint Germain are of a more intimate size, as all tend to be on the Left Bank, however, the comfort level is bar none, with generous appointments, luxe linens and comforters and in-room amenities including ipod/iphone docking stations, DVD & CD players and flat panel TV's. Our room allocation was one of the hotel's four Suites comprising a bedroom separated from the sitting area by a sliding door for privacy, 2 bathrooms with bathtub, shower and walk in closet - its size alone almost that of a room in a New York apartment! It was a glorious accommodation and a spacious 400+ square feet. We loved the star lights in the ceiling above the bed and the living room. It added a sparkle and added dimension to the room's stylish décor. We did get to see the hotel's Penthouse Suite with Private Terrace - with its view overlooking Saint-Sulpice Church and the rooftops of Paris- oh so divine.
Walkable to art galleries, museums, les Jardins du Luxembourg, Church of Saint Sulpice, the fabulous shops of Avenue Saint Germain, happening restaurants and bistros ... what a wonderful home away from home is the Esprit Saint Germain. We fell in love with being a guest in what felt like a friend's private home in one of the world's most fascinating cities.
December is my favorite time of the year when everything is aglow in holiday decorations and lights, but nowhere does Christmas shine brighter than in the European markets of Europe. With a chill in the air, you are sipping hot ciders, snacking on amazing waffles and perusing the endless kiosks filled with fabulous handmade crafts, ornaments, jewelry and more.
Came across this feature from CNN, which highlights the best of the best that a Christmas lover won't want to miss.
I was asked by the editors of Luxury Travel Advisor magazine to participate in a recent panel discussion about travel industry trends and travel to Austria in particular. It took place at the very cool Openhouse Gallery in Soho where a lively Austria PopUp exhibit took place. Check out the photo slideshow here:
http://gallery.austriatourism.com/austriaroundtable/
It dawned on me that although this was my fifth visit to Paris in my travels through the years, I had only experienced the magnificence of this city in the cool, brisk air of late October, or most often, the pre-winter chill of late November when festive lights and holiday decorations were just starting to appear. No matter the gloves and scarves, Paris always reigned supreme as one of my favorite cities. It was, however, a particular treat for my partner and I to recently spend four nights discovering Paris in the spring - and how glorious it was, taking on a whole other dimension for us we had not seen before, with flowers in bloom, lush greenery in the parks and a vibrant energy of the crowds which made our favorite pastime of people-watching all the more exciting. After a first day of weather in the 70’s, we continued to enjoy the splendor of 60 degree temperatures as we took to the streets rediscovering the charms of the neighborhoods such as the artist-infused Montmartre area, and our favorite, le Marais. Other highlights this visit included our first trip to the Opera House – the “Phantom” famed Opera National de Palais Garnier, which completely took my breath away in its architectural grandeur. We took a guided tour of the interior (highly recommended) as there were regretfully no performances taking place the time frame we were there. From the brilliant marble Grand Staircase, to the multiple Foyers and the spectacular auditorium itself, I left there so wanting to see a live performance. Hopefully a future visit. The legend of The Phantom of the Opera lives on at Opera Garnier, as Box No. 5 is reserved for the masked man himself to this day.
Shangri-La Hotel Paris
Esprit Saint Germain
