Search results for 'france'

Israel is one of my most favorite destinations and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to live in Jerusalem for a few years.  Israel was never on my list of countries to visit.  Isn’t that one of the greatest lessons we learn as we approach our golden years?  That sense of discovery of a new destination that never before captured our imagination?  To visit a land from where all of Civilization emerged?  A land so rich in history and culture, upon your first venture into its history, you are overwhelmed by its magnitude.  However the net has been cast - your spirit, your soul captured in its embrace, never to be the same again.  Come as I share with you my adventures into discovery of one’s own destiny and reflective purpose.

Seven dream locations to enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner in San Francisco,CA; Stockbridge, MA; Paris,France; Chicago,IL; Washington,DC; Dana Point,CA; and New Orleans, LA.

Nostradamus slept here! Bet you don't hear that very often when checking into a hotel. Well, in this case, not only Nostradamus, but Noblemen and Royalty have rested their heads at the Domaine Des Escaunes in the Provence region of France. Located in the small French village of Sernhac, you will find yourself surrounded by Vineyards and Olive trees. In fact, the 23 rooms here are each named for a different variety of grape. In addition, you are only 45 minutes from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the most famous of the Cotes du Rhone wines.

Three luxurious locations for wonderful chocolate for the holidays - or anytime during the year!

I love history - mostly European and English I confess. The grandeur, the splendor, the architecture, the "location," are all modern marvels. Except some of the greatest examples of extraordinary vision, architecture, paintings, design, landscape gardens were created centuries ago.  How did they do it then without design apps and computer programs? Without villages of people sitting around sewing, stitching, creating tapestries that tell vivid stories. How did...? There really is no answer, so, when you've spent a few days in Paris, had your fill of city-life, hop aboard a TGV train and speed away to the Loire Valley.  And the magic will engulf you.

No, this is not a typo, the accommodation I bring to your attention is actually called, “A Room in Paris” because that's what you get and it's in a private residence! The city itself is charming, so why not stay in a place that makes you feel like Paris is your home.

One of Susie’s doggie buddies out west told her about a giant Beagle wandering around in Idaho. You can’t help but wonder if Paul Bunyan and Babe are also nearby. We decided to check it out and discovered the Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho where you can stay and relax comfortably in the doghouse – a bed and breakfast built as a giant wood Beagle. Susie’s daddy calls it the “Trojan Beagle.”

Chef Mavro was born in Marseilles, the capital of Provence. The moment he arrived over 20 years ago in Hawaii, he knew this was home for him. It was that feeling, the experience he felt immediately. As I researched about this chef, my favorite photo of him is the fruit tree one. It says a lot about him.

This fabulous chef-owner Daniel has several award winning restaurants. This is one I have been lucky enough to dine at quite a few times. It is set right in the center of Palm Beach, steps away from the ocean and the famous shopping street Worth Ave.The Brazilian Court Hotel is the perfect place to stay in Palm Beach and then you can enjoy this 5 star restaurant each and every day!

From bustling Paris to charming Provence, enjoy a fun-filled adventure that explores French culture, cuisine and music.

Generally, I write about hotels that stand still, however, this time, you get to take your hotel with you! If you can drive a car, you can captain a boat on a canal. After a short demonstration and briefing, you get the keys to your own floating Villa. You don’t ever have to worry about getting seasick, because these boats are so stable, you won’t spill your morning coffee. 

It’s been said that the number one leisure activity for the baby boom generation is travel, and, being a boomer, I can attest to the allure that travel holds.  Journeying is invigorating, fun, relaxing, and romantic and it can bring history alive in a way nothing else does.

Raise your hand if you love, wine, great food and truffles. Well, then this is the place for you. Le Moulin du Roc is a unique property overlooking the Dronne River in the Perigord region of southwest France. It is just northwest of Bordeaux between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees – go ahead and look it up on Google maps – we have a link to the maps at the bottom of the homepage. This area is well known for its truffles – in fact, there is even a Truffle Museum, so you really must check it out.

The Royal Horticultural Society, one of the world’s leading horticultural organizations, has partnered with Collette to bring you a line of botanically themed tours. Discover the distinctive horticultural gems of France from Paris through the Loire Valley. Delight the senses at the 22nd annual International Garden Festival in Chaumont, a special highlight on tour. 

Start your engines and head to Indy! That’s Indianapolis for those who aren’t from the area. This is a city that has blossomed and grown to become a center for sports, shopping and entertainment and deserves a visit. While making the trek, check out one of the new kids on the block for hotels, The Alexander - I highly recommend it. This is a boutique style hotel with modern décor and millions of dollars of artwork displayed throughout the facility curated by the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

FLORENCE - MAJESTIC PLACE OF THE  BIRTH OF THE  ITALIAN RENAISSANCE. HOME TO THE MEDICIS - LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT and all those other famous men, and even CATHERINE de MEDICI, later to be Queen of France. It is where Machiavelli wrote his tale of political backstabbing and maneuvering  - THE PRINCE.  And where Michelangelo left lasting treasures in the streets, squares and museums of this medieval living Museum.

Have I got a surprise for you! Who says you have to go overseas to stay in a charming bed and breakfast that also gives you cooking classes? Don't get me wrong, going to Italy, France, Spain, etc. is amazing, but if you don't want to break the bank, go to Cincinnati! Yes, I said Cincinnati, as in Ohio.

Everyone should visit The Berkshires at least one time in their life. I have visited over 50 times and also had the luxury of living there. The historic downtown of Lenox is a beautiful start to experience the richness of the Berkshires. Tanglewood is very close by and that is a perfect place to enjoy the musical magic here.

When was the first time, or the last time you saw Paris? But all those wonderful songs go humming through your mind as you stroll on the Champs Elysee. Wherever you are in Paris, you're walking through History. Streets and Parks that were created for Kings, Palaces that are now Museums, art galleries that hold the finest examples of art from centuries ago to the latest art from the sidewalks of Paris.

An hour’s drive north of the wonderfully historic city of Barcelona you begin to climb into the foothills of the fiercely independent and stunningly beautiful region of Catalunya. Its northernmost coastal area, called the Costa Brava, boasts a rugged 40-mile stretch of sandy beaches that sweep from the Spanish capital up to the border with France. But, if you aren’t interested in the beaches, fear not, as here you will discover the world’s top-rated restaurant and the best golf course Spain has to offer.

I’m no an adrenalin junky, take me anywhere near a bungee jump and I’ll run a mile. But I do enjoy skiing and should you fancy a change from Colorado, and if maybe you’ve ticked off America’s five best resorts like Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Snowbird and Alta in Utah, then Europe has so much to offer.

A couple of years back, I headed for Switzerland, the beautiful, landlocked country boarding France and Italy formed from 26 regions known as cantons. My base for the week was the scenic, yet little-known mountain-top town of Nendaz in the Canton of Valais.

Nendaz lies at the heart of a popular ski region which markets itself as The Four Valleys, and from here you can access 95 lifts, over 100 pistes and two snow parks designed specifically for burgeoning snowboarders.  

What’s even better is that skiing from Nendaz, compared to the de rigueur neighbouring resorts of Verbier and Lausanne, will come in at a fraction of the cost.

MONTE CARLO - or, as Somerset Maugham famously said, "A sunny place for shady people!" Some of those crimes have made international headlines, especially the sad, sorry tale of the death of international banker/financier billionaire Edmond Safra. Let's talk about the happier times, and more fun crimes.

So much has been written about Paris, one can never do justice in describing this magnificent city! No matter if you pre-plan your itinerary or just show up, you will not be disappointed!

Everyone likes good neighbours and, in terms of skiing at least, the Rhone Alp ski centres of Les Deux Alpes and Alpes d’Huez in France are about as good as they come.

Though these two French ski resorts are barely six miles apart as the crow flies, they are, however, a little like chalk and cheese when it comes to comparison and therefore appeal to very different tourist markets. 

These resorts would also make for a great two centre ski break if you like a little après ski action to start your holiday followed by some R&R to end your stay before the journey home.