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Saturday, January 31, 2009

Restaurants in France



France is known for its cuisine. It would be a shame not to indulge yourself while there. There are many restaurants and cafes to choose from. They differ from authentic regional dishes, to international foods. There is something to please anyone's appetite.

Les Deux Magots which is located in Paris is one of the most famous cafes in the city. Sartre, de Beauvoir and Hemingway all wrote at the caf. It was one of Hemmingway's favorites. The cafe was also featured in the 1955 version of Sabrina which starred Richard Gere. It is a great spot to have a lunch and watch the people pass by. You will be able to get a taste of France, and its people at the same time.

Beautiful views is what you will see when you have a meal at Altitude 95. It is located in the Eiffel Tower. The restaurant offers fast and friendly service. It is very kid-friendly considering many other restaurants in the city do not even have highchairs for children. They have a many delicious options to choose from, including a kid's meal. This would be a great spot after taking a tour of the Eiffel Tower. It will make your visit of the famous landmark even more memorable.

Chez Clement is a great restaurant to try out while in Paris. It is a chain of restaurants so they can be found in different locations throughout the area. Prices for meals in the city can get expensive. Chez Clement offers meals in big portions, and for less cost. Their menu consists of many Rotisserie items. The meats are cooked differently, somewhat like a barbeque. There is also a kid menu available. Many tourists visit this chain of restaurants and enjoy their quick and simple meals.

Angelina is a popular coffee house in Paris. Bring your sweet tooth because they serve a variety of sweets. Their most talked about item is the "famous" chocolat africain. It is a thick hot chocolate drink that is has a generous amount of whip cream on top. Many people who have tried it insist that it is the best hot chocolate they have ever had. The caf also offers a few lunch items. This is mainly for sweets. You do not even have to stay in the caf; you can order the pastries and take them to go if you wish. It is a must stop for many tourists in Paris.

Chartier is the place to eat if you want to be amongst the locals. It is a huge restaurant that can seat several hundreds of guests. The food is authentic and low in price. It is a great stop for the experience and feel. You will not find the fanciest of foods, but you will feel like you are a part of the city.

Everywhere you look; there are restaurants to choose from in Paris. The prices range, as well as the menus. There is something to please everyone. It may be difficult to understand what the menus say if you're French is not up to key, but usually the restaurant staff knows at least a small amount of English to help you get a taste of France.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

French Wine Tours



No visit to France would be complete without enjoying wine. France offers many wine tours to choose from throughout the country. You will be able to taste wine at France's best and most exclusive estates. Widening your wine knowledge will be in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. There are many wine tours to choose from which may include a delicious meal. You will want to find the perfect tour for yourself before going to France so you will get an idea of what to expect.

The city of Bordeaux offers a few different wine tours to choose from. This is an once in a lifetime opportunity to taste wine at some of the world's most famous chateaux which may include Chateaux Margaux, and Latour. These estates are not opened to the public. You will be a guest for VIP tours and tastings. You will be offered to be one of the first people to try the latest vintage barrel, and sample other fine vintages. You will also be able to enjoy first class accommodations along with delicious meals created by some of the most famous chefs in the area. The tour also offers luxury lodgings at the Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron. These tours book fast, so it is important to book ahead of time so you will not miss out on this amazing time.

If you are looking for old world charm a wine tour in Alsace would be perfect. Alsace is located in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, offering not only amazing wine, but beautiful scenery. Some of the most finely white wines that are made here include Reislings, Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminers. Your tour will consist of visiting the top wineries of the area, and discovering the beautiful countryside and the other cities of Colmar and Strasbourg. This is an unforgettable vacation spot, not just in the summer, but also for the holidays.

You will be able to see some of the most beautiful vineyards in France when taking a tour in The Rhone Valley and Provence. Vines that never seem to end cover the landscape. You will be able to enjoy the local wines while viewing the amazing scenery. In Northern Rhone where Syrah and Viognier are found, you will be able to try famous wines created there such as Cte Rtie, Hermitage and Condrieu. You will be able to have an amazing meal near the Rhone River, or take an adventure through Vienne that has Roman ruins.

A 1 1/2 hour trip out of Paris will get you to a Champagne Wine Tour. During your tour in Champagne you will visit the top producers that are in large houses such as Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart or Moet et Chandon. You will discover old cellars that may date back to the Roman times. You will also be able to meet with the wine makers and learn how they process making the champagnes.

When visiting France, it is a must to at least try the wine that the country has to offer. It is a part of the history of the country and prized by many who live there. Wine tours will help you gain more knowledge and add more memorable moments to your time in France.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Culinary Traditions of the Caribbean Islands



Authentic Caribbean cuisine is truly an excellent representation of all the cultural influences the Caribbean Islands have experienced since Christopher Columbus' landing in the late 1400's. With a fine mixture of French Island and African recipes, Caribbean cuisine is widely prepared and enjoyed by people of all nationalities, in many areas of the United States and the world.

Caribbean food and culture was forever changed when the European traders brought African slaves into the region. The slaves ate mostly the scrap leftovers of the slave owners, so not unlike the slaves in the United States they had to make do with what they had. This was the birth of the more contemporary Caribbean Cuisine. The African slaves blended the knowledge of spices and vegetables they had brought from their homeland and incorporated them with the precious fruits and vegetables of the Caribbean Islands, as well as other staples to be found in the area. This created many one-of-a-kind dishes, because many of the produce on the islands at the time was too fragile to make it through the exportation process. Fruits most often found in Caribbean cuisine include yams, yucca, mangos and papaya fruits. Among the produce that is too fragile to be exported is the tamarind fruit and plantains (a fruit grown on a tree that is similar to the banana).

Caribbean food, while spicy, is one of the healthier options among culinary traditions from different regions. As discussed, the lush Caribbean islands are chock full of vegetables and fruits for healthy living. In addition to that, America introduced beans, corn, chile peppers, potatoes and tomatoes to the islands, broadening their palate.

When slavery was abolished on the islands, slave owners had to look else where for help. Bringing in labor from India and China, different types of dishes using rice or curry were introduced and blended into mainstream Caribbean cuisine. This is how the Caribbean favorite curry goat was born.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Nightlife in Paris, France



If you are visiting Paris and do not have any children to tend to, perhaps indulging in the nightlife Paris has to offer will be fun. There are different clubs for choose from. Some differ in prices, so you should decide how much you would like to spend. A good idea is to plan ahead. If you already enjoy clubs where you live and you know you would like to visit a few while in France, why not read reviews about the clubs in whichever city you are going to be and determine if you would like to go to it.

A Paris club that is very famous is the Moulin Rouge. It is a club that was built in 1889 and has traditional cabaret shows. The main act is at night where there is a performance. There are both women and male dancers and often they will perform the famous can-can dance which is part of the country's cultural heritage. This is a popular tourist attraction, which means the prices for the dinner and performance can be pricey for some people. It should be known that this club is for adults since there may be some nudity. The area the club is found in is also somewhat risky. If you enjoy Las Vegas, this club may be good for you.

If clubs are not something you are into, why not take a stroll down the biggest and most popular street in Paris. Avenue des Champs Elysees is quite different during the evening with a whole different atmosphere. Couples find it very romantic to walk around this area. There any many lights including on all the monuments and landmarks. The avenue has many shops, and restaurants to visit. Imagine going for a walk in Paris with it beautifully lit, stopping for a coffee break at one of the cafes, then visiting the shops to find a special gift, and topping the night off with a romantic dinner. This would be a time perfect for just about anyone!

If you are in the mood for going out to have a drink or two, the Buddha Bar may be for you. It is a very hip place that is sophisticated. The atmosphere is dark and lit by candles. The Buddha Bar plays exclusive music that is made for them and sell the CDs. Enjoy the evening by having a meal and drink with a giant Buddha statue looking at you. The Buddha Bar has a great ambience is will not be forgettable. Keep in mind that the prices for drinks can be quite expensive. If that is not an issue, this place is a great stop while in Paris.

If you are on a budget, simply taking a walk around the city is enough. You can view the Eiffel Tower from any bridge. Other monuments and landmarks can easily be found by taking a walk. Viewing the nature and beauty of the city and its people will be enough to captivate you and make your time in France memorable. You do not have to go broke to have a great time. It is up to you on what you wish to do while you are there. There is something to keep everyone occupied and happy.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Last Minute Cruises: Are They the Best Deal?



The rule of thumb is that the earlier you pay for your cruise ship, the bigger the discount you will get. This is because cruise lines like to get money in advance. It lets them know that they have filled a spot on their cruise. So, if you're planning a vacation, and have the budget, it's best to pay for it in advance, ideally 2 months or more.

However, you're going to get the lowest pricing on cruises where a last minute cancellation takes place. What happens here is the cruise ship becomes desperate to fill up the remaining spots, and will do so just above a profit, or even breakeven. This is where you come in.

Last minute cruises offer a great discount for you, if you can seize them. However, it can be a bit risky. First of all, if you're planning on getting a last minute deal, it just might not happen. An opening may not become available.

Also, you may not be able to seize the opportunity when it comes, due to some other commitments. In order to get the best out of last minute cruises, you have to have a flexible schedule in order to seize the opportunity.

This is especially true if you have to fly to the location to take the cruise. Will you be able to get a ticket at the last minute? It can be very costly sometimes.

For this reason, last minute cruises are not always the financially best option available to you. In general, it is good practice to book in advance. You'll still get a heavy discount, you'll make sure that you're not paying extra for traveling fees to get to the cruise line, and you will guarantee a spot on the ship.

There you have it, the truth about last minute cruises.