A weekend in Paris, to me, is a weekend in Heaven. Even though I am now up to 95 countries, Paris has never been de-throned as my favorite city. I doubt it ever will be.
Recently, I was back in the City of Lights for a brief visit and a stay at Le Bristol, a true 5 Star and service oriented hotel right on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Staying here is like staying at home. Traditional, without being stuffy, and comfortable, without being plain, Le Bristol delivers. I mentioned to the concierge I was off to the d'Orsay Museum for lunch and before I knew it, I had an advance ticket to bypass the lines, a map so I would not get lost and a umbrella so I would not get wet. No attitude here.
Le Bristol was where some of "Midnight in Paris" was filmed.
After a tasty lunch in the formal museum restaurant and some face time with the art, I was off walking the streets of Paris and enjoying the sights and sounds of this amazing city. A bagette, some French chocolate and dinner with wine in the Marais made for an exciting day and evening. How can Paris not be one of your best European vacations?
On the Sunday I left I had a special treat. I had ordered a private departure transfer to Charles De Gaulle Airport and the driver arrived right on time at 7:45 a.m. for an 11:00 a.m. flight. He explained we had time to see some of Paris before heading to the airport. Early Sunday there was not much traffic and we sailed through the Parisian streets easily and ended up at the top of Monmartre as the morning light was topping the hill. It was truly magic and even better as it was unexpected.
Paris is filled with excitement and experiences from museums to history to shopping. Planning a custom vacation package with us in advance as part of touring Europe can enhance your pleasure and save you time and money.
Give me a call. I would love to create your best vacation package possible for Paris and beyond.

I was back in Munich a few weeks ago to reconnect with a vibrant and exciting city different than any other city in
There's something magical about a rail journey. There's the sense of comfort of sitting back and enjoying the world go by, as you are moving to...somewhere. It's not like taking a flight or driving somewhere. There's a different sense of the journey, and of the arrival.
A solar eclipse is one of nature's magnificent events, and something well worth planning a trip around. So we wanted to get the word out about the Solar Eclipse Down Under. (No, it's not the latest wrestler coming into the ring, it's Mother Nature at her most splendid.) Imagine being in Australia's Daintree Rainforest, with front row seats to see a solar eclipse. Cruise the Daintree River to its mouth, for uninterrupted viewing. Then enjoy champagne breakfast and a wildlife tour.
As a travel planner specializing in
houses, cone-shaped limestone buildings constructed without mortar. This type of construction is considered to be prehistoric in design, but the present settlement dates from the 14th century. Some may claim this is a virtual tourist trap, but I beg to differ. The town, consisting almost entirely of trulli, is far too authentic and charming for that. The shops are fun, the streets bright and cheerful with the light bouncing off the white walls, and the food is very “pugliese.” Alberobello isn’t just “off the beaten track” in Italy; it is “off the beaten track” for just about anything!
I must also add a very important note to traveling in Apulia: the FOOD!!! This proves quite exceptional and a complete surprise. Many years ago I had my first introduction to southern Italian cuisine. Or so I thought. Spicy, garlicky, with a liberal dash of pepperoncini, I associated this cooking style with the entire south. However, I learned in Apulia that is the trademark only of Calabrese cuisine, that is, in Calabria, the “toe of the boot.” Ha, in Apulia, it is quite the opposite. The emphasis is on fresh vegetables and many of them, grilled, roasted or even raw. Orecchini, or little ears, is the traditional pasta of choice. You will find it everywhere and even drying on racks in the streets! And the cheeses, wow! If you think you know mozzarella – yeah, that boring ol’ pizza cheese you find in every supermarket in the USA?—well, think again! Wait until you eat still warm right out of the hot water it has been soaking in. Watch out for the wines. Some of them have an oh-so-slightly higher alcohol content than what we are accustomed to here in the USA, like about 14%. So plan your lunches accordingly.
I recently spent a wonderful 10 days visiting some very unique luxury lodges in Australia. Started at the Louise in the Barossa Valley. Presently, they have the number one rated restaurant in Australia. Did wonderful wine tasting where Shiraz is king. Next was Arkaba Station.....if you love Africa, you will love this experience. Luxury in the middle of the outback, with great wildlife viewing and hiking. My next stop was Southern Oceans Lodge on Kangaroo Island. Again, incredible wildlife in the midst of luxury. Had a spa treatment overlooking the Great Southern Ocean. Then from ocean to desert...to Ayres Rock for a taste of Aboriginal culture and view of Uluru from my tent at Longitude 131 (where Oprah stayed). My last taste of luxury was in the Blue Mountains at Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa...the ultimate in comfort and luxury with some albino kangaroos.
Once again, I am off to the land of “Danny Boy!” Just knowing that I am destined for Ireland assures a great time. The warm welcoming people, the bright green landscape, the brilliant blue sea, the beer…oh, and did I mention the beer?
job of bumping my nose on the darn thing. So I end up with a Blarney Bruise as a souvenir.
The Cliffs are a wonder as they plunge dramatically down into the ocean, a kind of Irish Big Sur. It is home to many sea birds and the site is set up for both long hikes or short strolls depending on your time and fancy. If the weather is clear, then you can see for miles along the coast.
As the new year begins, we take stock of where our travel experts have visited within the past year on their vacation packages and site inspection trips. It's fun to look back on all the places we've been! After all, our firsthand expertise is what provides so much of the value in working with clients at our travel agency. So here's a partial list of the highlights from our travels over the past year:
Who could resist the opportunity to see—and even hug—a panda bear? Not me. And so my husband and I agreed, (he didn’t really have a choice), to include Chengdu on our recent trip to China. We soon discovered, however, that there is more to this smaller Chinese city than those black and white cuties.

cross walk.
As the year comes to a close, many of us slow down a bit to enjoy the holidays, take stock of the year that's passed and what's ahead, and hopefully consider what vacation packages to plan. There are so many wonderful places to visit, and our bucket lists aren't getting any shorter. As we tick a destination off, there's usually a new one to add.
If you were lucky enough to visit Europe on a Contiki tour when in college, you probably recall how much fun it was traveling with like-minded people, making new friends, sharing free wheeling travel experiences, and perhaps forming long-term new friendships.

