Stunning Chateau, Stunning Chocolates

The beautiful chateau and gardens of Vaux le Vicomte are always worth a visit. This chateau 'that inspired Versailles' is magnificently designed and decorated. On November 10 and 11 the Chateau is hosting an event called 'Le Palais du Chocolat' running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Master chocolatiers will be offering tastings of their craft and showing elaborate chocolate design creations. Sounds like fun! And remember, if you will be in Paris during the holidays, Vaux le Vicomte is famed for its 'illuminations' where the chateau is shown off in all its decorated glory and lit by candlelight. Children visiting during this time can dress in period costumes... The chateau is about an hour and a quarter south east of Paris. Call or email me if you would like a driver to take you there for a memorable day.

Stunning new Islamic Collections Wing at the Louvre

On September 22, 2012, The Louvre in Paris unveiled its new wing and galleries dedicated to the arts of Islam, marking the museum's greatest development since the iconic glass pyramid constructed twenty years ago. To house the new wing, architects Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti created a new glass structure with a unique undulating roof, sitting in the Louvre's Visconti courtyard. The contemporary wing, spanning over 30,000 square feet, thus does not detract from the museum's historical 17-century facades, but offers a new dimension to the famous museum. The new Department of Islamic Art will exhibit a large portion of The Louvre's collection of 18,000 works, showcasing some pieces to the public for the first time. This colleciton of art from the Islamic world spans from the 7th to the 19th century, including a particularly impressive collection of textile works such as fabrics, rugs and carpets. For more information: http://www.louvre.fr/

AirFrance Europe Fares Sale until 10.25

Air France is running a sale on fares to various European Destinations through October 25. Check their website. Boston to Paris was approx. $950 which is good, not astonishing but a savings, bien sur. And I saw a Chicago to Istanbul flight for $744! Talk with me about holidays in Paris or in Istanbul. And good luck with the fare sale. Sally

And here's the link!

I omitted the link for the Old South Church Reporter online pdf of my article on 'Enspirited Travel' in France and in Turkey in my post this morning. Apologies. If you would like to read the piece insert this link in your browser http://www.oldsouth.org/photos-and-media/publications And open up the pdf file listed under the Old South Reporter header. I think you will enjoy this article and the images add a great deal to the content as well.

France (and Turkey) With Eyes of Faith

Enjoy my article on my 'enspirited' tours in France and Turkey just published in the Old South Reporter. This is the e-magazine of my church in Boston, the venerable but wonderfully and progressively up to date church where my husband and I are members. Two sermons on Mary and on the Book of Revelation prompted me to move beyond my normal culinary/cultural tour framework into offering intimate immersions of several remarkable 'spiritual sites' in and around Paris. The tour is wonderful and I am offering it again in March, 2013 and can always offer one for a small group that would like to experience this tour for any congregation. We work with two excellent medievalist guides in France and the total experience is excellent. Here is the link. There are nice images too!

Getting Your Most From Paris

Bonjour Paris just published my article "Getting Your Best From Paris." Here is the link. And if you are interested in my small group tours in Paris, in Turkey and Andalucia in 2013 be in touch. Or, take a look at www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com or www.turkishjourneys.com We are planning a new culinary & cultural tour in Andalucia, a photo expedition led by two expert, professional photographers to Turkey, our intimate 'France Through Eyes of Faith' tour, Eat.Shop.Taste Paris, our Pays Basque Food and Wine tour and other excellent tours in Turkey. All good. http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/getting-your-best-paris/