Archive for November, 2011

After our exquisite lunch experience, our Trafalgar Tours Travel Director, Jonathan, suggested that the best way to digest the food that we had just consumed would be to wander around and the best place to do it would be in Avignon.  We began our Provencal journey in the village center at the Palais des Papes, or Pope’s Palace.  It is one of the largest and most historical medieval Gothic buildings throughout all of Europe.  Countless Popes over the centuries have called this magnificent place their home.

Depending on where you choose to marvel at this architectural wonder, it will change colors right in front of your eyes due to the sun’s reflection upon it.  I wish that I would have had time to further explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, however the stores in the “City of the Popes” were sweetly calling out my name.

One of the things that sets Trafalgar Tours apart from its competitors is that even though it is a guided vacation and the Travel Directors are passionate about sharing their insider secrets, it still highly encourages its clients to make discoveries on their own during the trip.  Thus, we all separated for a couple of hours.  Before I got lost in some retail therapy, however, I wanted to see more of what the quaint cobble-stoned streets had to offer.

The main square in Avignon, which is lined with cafes, boutiques, galleries, and of course a carousel, is Place de l`Horloge.   This is the throbbing heart of the city where business deals are done over glasses of champagne and young lovers steal kisses underneath the moonlight.

As I made my way back to the meeting spot, I caught sight of a couple of my colleagues refueling themselves at a bar and I had no choice but to join them.  Once we were properly satiated, we then headed to dinner, which was again nothing short of amazing.  “Life changing food” was quickly becoming the theme for the trip and I made peace with the fact that I would return to the United States five pounds heavier.

The final stop of the day was to our hotel, the Grand Hotel Mercure le Roi Rene, located right in the middle of Aix-en-Provence.  Sleep came easily and so did dreams of the adventures we would be having the following day!

Sometimes I wonder: Why is New York so cool anyway?  I must admit, I have never been to New York, but I adore the city nonetheless and I am extremely familiar with it.  If you are not American, like in my case, most of the interactions you may have had with the United States and New York in particular, have probably come from the films and the TV series that are shot there.  That is why people call the city “a huge movie set.”   And the honest truth is that it absolutely is.  I have the feeling that I know the ins and the outs of the city thanks to Seinfeld, Friends, Sex in the City, and Elf.

However, the most impressive season in New York, no doubt, is this one.  According to all Christmas movies in history, Thanksgiving day has set off the countdown to Christmas time.  At this time of the year, as far as Hollywood has taught me, this city is perfectly decorated, lit, and snowed upon.   Let us not forget about the huge, marvelous, Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center that is so magnificent that I seriously doubt it exists!

Also, I have realized, again due to my Hollywood education, that all apartments in New York are amazing, as every single of them is in Manhattan and have astonishing views.  Everyone is in a good mood because it is Christmas and they are handing out Christmas cards — usually handmade — to their friends and family.  Well, I should say in general, because lately there is a trend, which is much more Indie, of people staying in New York and spending their holidays far from their family, with friends instead, in their awesome New York apartments and volunteering on New Year’s Eve (this is more How I Met Your Mother or Wes Anderson’s style).

In all seriousness, I would love to go to The Big Apple and a good friend of mine named Pere, who is living there, claims I would truly love it.  So, I hope to see you soon buddy!

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

It was clear, upon arrival into Avignon, that we were now in the South of France, as there was hardly a cloud in the sun-filled sky.  Provence would be our home for the next two days of our customized Trafalgar Tours guided vacation.  We were experiencing an abbreviated version of the “At Leisure: Paris & Provence” itinerary.

Besides the glorious weather, the other main reason why people journey to this part of the country is due to the cuisine.  There are many incredibly talented chefs in the area, each specializing in something different.  Thus, our first stop was to visit one of the most celebrated gastronomes, Daniel Hebet, at his world renown restaurant, Les Jardins du Quai, located in the village of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

While this restaurant is well known by foodies, it is still off the beaten track, and you feel as though you have stumbled across a hidden treasure when you pass through its gates.  The setting is a tranquil garden haven with indoor and outdoor seating.  Even though I was eager to taste the special dishes that had been created on our behalf, I was also eager to explore the enchanting grounds.

We dined inside, which was just as lovely as the outside, as it was decorated with vintage flea market finds.

Being a vegetarian, my main course consisted of a mixture of fresh vegetables and potatoes.  I do not recall what sauce was used for seasoning, but it was sensational.  However, for me, the best part of the dining experience was the dessert; a new take on the traditional macaron.  Just look at how beautifully it was presented!

After lunch, Daniel honored us by demonstrating how to make the macarons — only it was not just any macaron — it was his top secret recipe that is coveted by many!

And guess what?  He shared his recipe with us, so if you would like to have it as well, get in contact with me and I would be delighted to share it with you. . .

I awoke at dawn with an abundance of excitement, as my favorite mode of transportation is riding the train and not only was I about to board the TGV (France’s high speed rail service), but my final destination was Provence!  I cannot recall when my love affair with train travel began, since the United States lacks an efficient rail system.  However, whenever I do happen to find myself on a train I always go into a meditative, peaceful state insuring that I arrive at my stop in the perfect mindset for my next adventure.

My number one goal once I arrived at Gare de Lyon station was to find a coffee, as it was still quite early in the morning and my jetlag had not worn off yet.  However, caffeine quickly became insignificant upon arrival into the spectacular Art Nouveau decorated building.  Jonathan, our Trafalgar Tours Travel Director, recommended that I head straight to the station’s restaurant, Le Train Bleu for photographs and an espresso.

Le Train Bleu is one of those places that I hope everyone gets to experience once in their lifetime.  The history, the ambiance, the artwork all combine to create a legendary establishment.  The forty one brightly colored paintings on the wall all deserve to be featured in a major museum.

As I sipped my espresso, I imagined that I was sitting in the exact same spot that Coco Chanel had once sat sketching her new collection or where Salvador Dali had once sat dreaming of his next painting (and possibly flirting with the waiters).  There was inspiration all around me, all I had to do was breathe it in.

I could have sat there all day, alas the clock reminded me that I had a train to catch!

Which track your train will be on is not announced until twenty minutes before departure, so I waited on the main platform until the announcement — admiring the giant clocks that stood watch over all of the travelers passing through.

When you travel with Trafalgar Tours it is nothing but the ultimate in luxury.  As I settled into my first class seat, I felt the familiar wave of tranquility wash over me; I was about to be whisked away, in less than three hours to Avignon, the heart of Provence. . .

Madrid is synonymous with fun, art, gastronomy, and many other things.  In this introduction to the city, I have detailed how you can spend a Sunday (or any day of the week that you have off) in this extraordinary capitol.  I have created three proposals depending on your interests if you should find yourself in one of the apartments in Madrid and do not know what to do.

Plan 1: For The Daylight Lovers

Wake up “early,” about 10AM, and after a shower head to the Malasaña district, where there are a lot of terraces in the 2 de Mayo square.  My favorite is Café de Mahon.  For breakfast, you can have the typical Madrileño breakfast (churros or porras with hot chocolate or coffee), the Catalan breakfast (bread with tomato, salt, and olive oil and with coffee) or there are many other options to try.  Shops are normally open on Sunday in the city center.  If you want to see really bizarre shops go into the Chueca district (next to Malasaña).

From there you can take a one-hour walk until the Huertas district.  Have some cañas and tapas for lunch and after a coffee in the beautiful Plaza Santa Ana, go to the Café Populart to listen to some live jazz or to the Boca del Lobo, where there will be live music too.

Plan 2: For The Fun Loving People

On Mondays there is the Rastro (flee market) in the La Latina district.  Unless you want to buy ancient, strange, odd, freaky, and totally unexpected items, you do not need to get up too early.  It is fine if you arrive around 12 or 1pm, of course this is assuming you have already had your breakfast in your Madrid apartments.  In my opinion, the best thing about about the Rastro is the atmosphere; it is full of young people in the bars surrounding and along it.  You can go from bar to bar having a free tapa each time you order a drink and can stay there until 4 or 5pm.  In the late afternoon and not far from there is the underground station “Embajadores,” which houses La Casa Encendida — the cultural center where there are always cool exhibitions or concerts.

Plan 3: For The Party Lovers

If this is your case, you will probably have  a hangover and will not be able to wake up early.  Thus, take it easy and once you have succeeded in leaving your apartment head to a bar near your accommodation and have breakfast.  In Madrid, almost any place is good for having breakfast.  Then you can go to the Retiro park, as some fresh air will do you good.  Then you will need even more nourishment.  I recommend having some typical but comforting Iberian ham with tomato, bread, cheese, and broken eggs.  After, return to your apartment, so that you can enjoy the night again.  The city is surprisingly vivid on a Sunday night.  I suggest seeing a monologue at La Chocita del Loro and if you still feel like partying the Sala Sol is a secure bet.

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Combine Paris, the world’s most popular city destination, with the infectiously creative energy of twenty-five talented journalists and, well, you have the exact recipe for amazingness.  As I stood amongst my colleagues during our Welcome Reception at the Marriott Courtyard Paris Neuilly, I made certain to take a minute from my jetlag haze to really appreciate my surroundings.  Our tour director for the French portion of the trip, Jonathan, instantly won my heart over with his humor and charm.  He spoke the language perfectly and had been living in Paris for years, thus I knew that he would be sharing some exclusive “insider secrets” with us.

Before dinner, in one of Jonathan’s favorite restaurant’s, we set off on a short evening tour of the glittering capital.  Seeing Paris at night is quite a vision to behold, as it is breathtakingly illuminated and it quickly becomes clear as to why it is called the “City of Light.”

Our first stop was at one of the most iconic sight’s: the magnificent Notre Dame.

Trafalgar Tours prides itself in being a guided vacation, rather than a tour, and if Jonathan was any indication of what their guides are like, let me be as succinct as possible: your trip could not be in better hands.

After wandering around the Latin Quarter for a while, we departed for the first of many unforgettable meals at A La Petite Chaise (36, rue de Grenelle).

This atmospheric Parisian restaurant claims to be the oldest in the city, with its origins dating back to 1680.  The iron gate on the facade of the building is its original — making this establishment a historical monument in its own right.

Over champagne, I befriended a table of Aussies and in the midst of an engaging conversation about the effects of the Kardashians on American culture, we all gasped when the waiters placed the most delicious looking gratinated onion soup in front of each of us.  They could have served us caviar next, but it would not have mattered, as anything else would have been insignificant compared to this culinary delight.

It was the perfect beginning to my trip of a lifetime!  Even though I was exhausted, I found it difficult to fall asleep knowing that in just a few hours I would be headed to a new part of the world for me: the South of France.

My first thought when I was invited to travel with Trafalgar Tours throughout France and Italy for a week was: what a trip of a lifetime!  I had been to both countries before, however it had been years and I was definitely ready to return.  The customized trip that I would embark upon was designed to showcase their innovative and brand new At Leisure and First Class programs amongst the backdrop of two of the most gorgeous countries.  Along the journey, I would be sampling the authentic local cuisines and immersing myself in the rich cultures through the exclusive Be My Guest and Hidden Treasures experiences.  And if that was not extraordinary enough, I would be joined by twenty-five of the most celebrated journalists from around the world.  I told you — trip of a lifetime.

I hesitate to call the trip a tour, as Trafalgar Tours has been working tirelessly to revolutionize their company, so that guests no longer feel as though they are on a traditional tour, rather they feel like they are an “insider.”  Considering that I have an aversion for tours, they had the potential to change my view on organized travel.

My European adventure began in Paris, France.  I was not meeting the others until later in the evening, thus as soon as I arrived at my lovey hotel, the Marriott Courtyard Paris Neuilly, I dropped off my luggage and headed straight back out the door.  Not a single second was to be wasted, since I only had half a day in the beloved capitol.

My first stop was to meet a fellow blogger, Lindsey of Lost in Cheeseland, at a café.  She and I had been e-friends for what seems like years and if I only had time for one thing in Paris it was going to be meeting her.  As is the case for all enjoyable encounters, our hour together went by way too quickly and I was left wishing that I had more days in Paris to spend with her.

After we bid adieu, I decided that the best way to spend the next couple of hours was to just get lost.  I had absolutely no idea what arrondissement I was in and that is exactly how I wanted it to be.

There was only one thing that I was determined to photograph and that was a carrousel.  On my previous trip to Paris I had become enchanted with them, as they transported me back in time to an era that I would have loved to have lived in: la Belle Époque.  Of course, it was not too long before I wandered into one!

I sat and watched a myriad of joyful children ride round-and-round and after a while realized that dusk was fast approaching and I wanted to watch the sun set over the River Seine, so I sett off again to find it.

While I think Paris is undeniably romantic and indescribably beautiful, it had never captivated my heart like it had for so many others.  That is, until I watched the pink sky melt into the river and cast a dazzling glow upon the entire city.  It was a magical moment that had me contemplating never leaving the spot that I was in.

But, I did need to leave, as I had a special welcome dinner and evening tour of the city to attend. . .

Located within The Boardwalk Inn, at the Wild Dunes Resort, on Isle of Palms, South Carolina is a restaurant that will change your life — it is the Sea Island Grill & Lounge.

I had no idea what to expect when I sat down for my meal.  It is true that I had taken a sneak peak at the menu online and I already knew what I was going to order, but I had never heard one word about the restaurant before.  It is only time though, before it and the head chef become a household name.

The Sea Island Grill & Lounge is a perfect mixture of casual elegance.  When dining there you do not feel as though you must be dressed to the nines, however the locally inspired dishes are delectable enough to make you feel as though you are dining in one of the most expensive restaurant’s in the world.

For my starter, I ordered the classic Southern favorite: Lowcountry crab cake and fried green tomatoes.

For my entree, I ordered something that I will never forget and which I will compare to every meal I consume in the future: truffled popcorn scallops with sweet potato puree and steamed asparagus.

It was so good that it literally brought tears to me eyes.  My waitress, seeing how deeply affected I was by the food, brought out the chef to speak with me.  Chef Andres, who is originally from Colombia, is new to the restaurant.  When you talk with him it is easy to see that his soul has been captivated by the passion for creating masterpieces in the kitchen.  One night he was eating handmade popcorn in the kitchen, when a thought to combine popcorn and scallops came to him.  Now it is the most requested dish in the restaurant!

For my dessert, I was tempted by several choices, but decided that the “day’s special” of peach cobbler with buttermilk ice cream was a must.

The following evening I could have gone anywhere for dinner, but instead I chose to return to Sea Island Grill & Lounge to try some new dishes on the menu.  Chef Andres remembered that my husband had mentioned he was Argentine and was missing his country’s cuisine.  Thus, he created a unique starter of chorizo (my husband’s favorite Argentinean food) and sweet plantain bruschetta.  He also sent him home with a bag filled with chorizo.  Now it was my husband’s turn to cry!

Are you one of those hyperactive travelers who cannot imagine their every day life without a sport activity if it is not something extreme like a bungee jumping session?  I guess your dream vacation is not exactly a two week holiday laying on a sandy white beach in the Caribbean sipping your favorite cocktail and probably comfortable Barcelona apartments do not sound active enough for you as well.  If you do spend few days in the Catalan capital you cannot skip Gaudi’s masterpieces and we also recommend to have a dinner or two in one of its best restaurants.  However, we can also guarantee you that this city and its region have plenty to offer adventure lovers.

Considering that it lays on the sea and that the mountains are just a couple of hours driving distance, this can be an “all in one travel”: rich culture, delicious food, cool nightlife, as well as fantastic sports activities.  How about starting with kite surfing?  We recommend the plain sandy coast that spreads south from the city, Costa Dorada, or the wilder, rocky Costa Brava in the north, but for a kite-surfing amateurs the city’s beaches are good enough.  You can easily find clubs where you can hire the equipment and take some lessons.

Sailing lovers can hire a yacht with or without a skipper.  You can take a day to cruise along the Barcelona coast or a longer trip along the Costa Brava to discover its charming villages and hidden beaches.  Some charters can also take you to the Balearic Islands.

If you happen to be in Barcelona on Friday night, you may join Patinadors de Barcelona for a city tour on rollerblades.  Do you  need an adrenaline charged experience instead?  Then you should try rafting in the Pyrenees.  During the wintertime this area is also ideal for skiing.  The closest ski resort is La Molina, but you could also go for a slightly longer trip in either Vallnord or Grandvalira, both ski resorts in Andorra.  Besides skiing or snowboarding you can try dog sledding or riding a hot air balloon.

Back in the city you may just rest in one of the apartments in Barcelona or go for some more activities: a relaxing bike or walking tour on Montjüic.

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Wine tasting has spawned a travel industry all of its own, as culture vultures and wine lovers gather to join organized tours of world-famous wineries or take to their own routes to experience the nectar of the gods in its home environment.  Everyone has their own opinion about the vineyards and regions that comprise the top ten worldwide, but here are some of the undisputed hot contenders for this much-battled over honor.

La Rioja, Spain

La Rioja in Spain is one of the most beautiful regions in the North and a well established heavyweight in the wine industry; distributing its products to over one hundred countries.  There are plenty of small wineries, along with large industrial ones, both of which welcome visitors and are based close to the tourist friendly spots of Bilbao or San Sebastian.

The region offers red, rose, and white wines of great quality — check out the Gran Reserve and the Crianza, which are fermented in different ways and times, but taste exceptional.  Each small winery will offer a range of local and commercial wines for sampling and some will combine with local restaurants to pair their wines with the natural local flavors for more intense gastronomic experiences.

Baden, Germany

Baden in Germany offers unique tasting wines that are known for having low acidity and a strong flavor.  There are numerous grapes in this region and dominant amongst them is the Pinot Noir, which produces red wine’s ‘aristocrat’, much beloved by drinkers around the world.  Baden is Germany’s third biggest wine region and also a popular attraction for white wine lovers, as it also produces Muller Thurgau and Pinot Gris grapes in bountiful quantities.

Baden’s wine estates are known for welcoming visitors with great hospitality and are often linked to local small restaurants, that pair the local wines with excellent local food for the best taste combinations.  It is also a great part of the world for solo and independent travel and particularly worthwhile for visiting the Carl Schmidt-Wagner winery, because it is known for its Rieslings.

Alsace, France

Alsace in France has long been a popular city breaks destination drawing over eight million tourists a year, many of which head to the many local wineries across the sixty seven villages.  Great food is a given here and visitors will revel in fine wines based on seven grapes and delicious home prepared food in the most convivial of environments.

Maipo Valley, Chile

The Maipo Valley in Chile is renowned for its inexpensive and high quality red wines and is becoming a very popular spot for the vineyard tourist industry.  The Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are most commonly found here and can be fruity, light, or full-bodied, depending on whereabouts in Maipo Valley they are grown.  You will see meticulous wine making processes at the local vineyards and the best reds in South America are believed to be produced in Puente Alto the Concha y Toro facility.

South-Eastern Australia

South-Eastern Australia is another wine hotspot, thanks to its dessert and affordable dinner wines.  There are some great wineries located in this vast part of the world.  Penfolds Grange is award-winning and owns twelve hundred acres of vineyards and Sydney’s Pinot Noirs and the Yarra Valley sparkling wines are well worth experiencing.  Try some of the more obscure concoctions too, such as Kiwi wine!

Douro, Portugal

Try Douro in Portugal to discover the home of Port wine, with friendly and welcoming wineries and a great selection of wines to accompany the many vintage ports.  Quinta do Vesuvio is a popular spot on the tourist trail, as there are fifteen years of port production to learn about.  Many of the wineries also offer bed and breakfasts either on-site or nearby, linked with local restaurants.

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is one of the Europe’s most famous wine-producing areas and many upscale and every day whites and reds are produced from this area, including Chiantis (the epitome of Italian wine, for some) and scarce red wines such as Brunello di Montalcino.  It is very exciting for wine tourists as you will get to visit unnamed creations that would be impossible to find within a store.  If you stay in Florence, many buses are put on to transport tourists to local wineries.

Veneto, Italy

Veneto in Italy leads the way for Italian classified wine production.  The area is also great to visit for the city of Venice and the region offers lovely fruity and dry wines.  Recioto, Soave, and Valpolicella are perfect examples.  To the north of Venice, Cabernet and Merlot grapes produce spectacular reds and there are some great Chardonnays too.  Prosecco is also a favorite product of the area, much loved by British visitors, along with the sweet Toroclato.

Napa Valley, USA

Napa Valley in California is recognized as the best winery collection in the USA, bound with mountains at all sides and a thirty mile region of grapes.  There are over two hundred and twenty wine producers here, from big companies to family owned businesses and highlights include the Merlots, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs that can be sampled on wine-tasting tours.  Many of these combine fine restaurants, day spas, beaches, and other attractions for a memorable holiday.

Bordeaux, France

Finally, there is the crowning jewel; Bordeaux in France, synonymous with wine production.  It harbors one of the most renowned collections of vineyards in the world, with many hundreds of thousands of vineyards.

The wines produced here are known for their quality, flavors, and rich diverse compositions.  Popular wines include Malbec and Graves and there are plenty of locally organized tours to join, along with good and plentiful tourist accommodation and great restaurants.  Much of the region’s food and wine is enjoyed outdoors and much of the best quality can be sampled at the local markets.

New wine regions develop all the time and these new vineyards are attracting interest around the world so it is worth keeping your eye open for new leads and trends, particularly if you enjoy taking wine holidays and tours with like-minded people.