Wednesday, December 12, 2012

France Through Eyes of Faith over Easter...

If you are searching for an unusual gift for an 'enspirited' friend or person you love, consider our intimately scaled France Through Eyes of Faith tour starting on Good Friday in Paris, 2013.

This excellent experience is guided by Sally Peabody and her husband, the Rev. Dr. Rand Peabody, of Your Great Days in Paris and Turkish Journeys.  We are joined by an expert medievalist in Paris and Chartres, and, an expert guide in Angers who reveals the beauties and secrets of the astonishing 14th century 'Apocalypse Tapestries' and the luminous 20th century Chant du Monde Tapestries.

Our last day we visit Reims to tour the lovely gothic Notre Dame de Reims and the pre-gothic St. Remy Basilica. We toast our time together in France with a more contemporary spirit, after touring one of the grand Champagne caves such as Taittinger or Pommery.

Email sally at s.peabody@verizon.net for more details or look at the tour description on www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com

Take A Holiday Stroll Down a Great Boulevard....

The Champs Elysées is hardly off the beaten path in Paris. But, at Christmas time, this bustling boulevard is picture perfect for sparkling, romantic Christmas lights, a Marché du Noel, Christmas trees and more pretty, festive, seasonal delights.   The Arc de Triomphe and the Grande Roue are both lit and serve as 'anchors' to one of the world's most impressive streetscapes.

Start from the top and meander downhill. At Rond Point, bright blue and white 
lights at all the corners are impressive indeed. From that point, the annual Christmas Market begins, running along both sides and the entire length of the Champs-Elysées, all the way down to the Place de la Concorde, which is home to a huge Christmas tree.
The Christmas market features artisans selling a large variety of intriguing gifts.
Paris being Paris, of course there are food and drink vendors selling everything from sausages to chocolates to hot spiced wine.
There are tables and outdoor heaters set up for comfort. Don't want to shop or eat? Have kids in tow?
There's a skating rink and a giant slide.  There's a giant mailbox for letters to Santa and kids will surely love the Petit Train du Pére Noel.
The market is open daily until January 6th.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 11p.m.  Weekends, the market is open until midnight.  


And if the Champs Elysées isn't enough, head over to see the dramatic lights and decorations at the Galleries Lafayette and Printemps along Haussmann.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Best Gift... Paris For the Holidays

Check out my new article, just posted, titled 'The Best Gift: Paris For the Holidays' on Bonjour Paris.

This magical city ramps up the festivity and its innate beauty in late December... enjoy!

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/best-gift-paris-holidays/