The search for the perfect Greek isle
I am prospecting in Greece for a future tour – an adventure considering that I don’t speak the language. After much research, found the ideal island tucked away in the Cyclades, far less obvious than the three most visited (Mykonos, Santorini, Ios), but every bit the paradise. There are literally thousands of islands to choose from, but since I was searching for an island with the typical white-washed villages, I chose among the Cyclades. The island of Sifnos offers picturesque white villages of varying sorts – a quaint harbor, charming perched village above the sea,...
Read MoreExclusive dinner in Parisian home with a French chef
The icing on the cake, so to speak, the grand finale on my Paris tour is a private dinner party in the home of native Parisians with a French chef preparing our dinner. Our hostess, born and raised in the neighborhood of Saint Germain des Près, opens her door to welcome us into her chic home in the elegant 7th arrondissement. She shares with us her talent for table decoration and provides insight into the Parisian lifestyle. Our hostess Véronique in her home with guests Carolyn and Fran Pat, Dana, and Cindy ~ life-long friends create beautiful memories in Paris Chef Laurent dressing the...
Read MorePrivately guided tour at the Impressionist Museum, Musée d’Orsay
In addition to my emphasis on food, I also weave in cultural outings based on a central theme. My current theme for Paris is the Impressionists; we thus not only enjoy a day trip to Monet’s House & Gardens in Giverny, we also delight in a privately guided tour with Paris Walks at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Our guide, British lecturer James, shares perspective on the influences leading to the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. James discusses The Floor Scrapers by Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894) Caillebotte, from an upper-class Parisian family, is known for painting in a...
Read MoreMy favorite chocolate in Paris?
Want to know my favorite chocolatier in Paris? That’s a loaded question, and a difficult one for me to answer, since I like several and they sometimes change. But I can easily tell you about my favorite Chocolate Tour & Tasting which we do with my group each year when visiting Paris. Chocolate connoisseur and certified guide Iris from Paris Walks guides us on a 2-hour walking tour ~ a journey of historical anecdotes centered around chocolate peppered with architectural marvels, including an enchanting “covered passage” in Paris (les passages couverts are the stylish covered...
Read MoreThe quest for Paris’ perfect Mont Blanc
I used to be known for my sweet tooth, and though I eat far less sweets than in the past, I have my favorites in Paris: chocolate, macarons, and mont blanc. My friend Véronique and I make it a point to get over to Angelina tea salon at least once during my stay, we order the mont blanc to take out, and enjoy it in the park. Mont blanc is crème de marrons (chestnut cream) with chantilly (whipped cream) and meringue. So far, I have sampled three different ones ~ Restaurant La Fontaine de Mars near the Eiffel Tower (very good, even had bits of marron glacé, candied chestnuts, in the chestnut...
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