Postcards from Paris . . .  new discoveries await down a narrow little street . . . several recommended French restaurants to choose from for dinner . . .
Q: What does the name of this cozy place, L’Ardoise, mean?  . . .
hints: where the daily specials are posted, see upper right corner

A: L’Ardoise translates as “slate” or “chalkboard”  . . . referring to where the daily specials are posted in cafes, bistros, brasseries & restaurants.
Meanwhile the “specialite de la maison” at this restaurant is obvious from its name.

Some eateries, such as L’Ardoise, offer a prix fixe multi course dinner . . . Ferdi is unusual as it offers an a la carte menu  . . . it’s not unusual to see extensive wine lists in such intimate places . . . by the bottle, not the glass.
Q: What is food without wine?
A: lonely!

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Video Postcard from Paris  . . .  street musicians . . .  playing in front of Musee d’Orsay  . . . caught one jazzy number . . . before the rain ended the show.
I made a contribution but didn’t take note (pun) of their name. Anyone know who they are?
http://youtu.be/bxg3UbTE-FA
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris  . . .  the Notre Dame Cathedral  . . . is a fine example of French Gothic architecture  . . . famous for it’s magnificent stained glass, sculptures and flying buttresses . . . visited by more tourists & worshippers than the Eiffel Tower.

Q: Do you know what flying buttresses are?

A: arched exterior supports

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris  . . .  the Arc de Triomphe  . . . built in 1806 to commemmorate French Emperor Napoleon’s victories  . . . designed after Rome’s Arch of Titus
Q: What famous street is it located on?

A: At the end of the Champs-Elysées, in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle. DO NOT attempt to cross this busy square, take the underpass
Did you know there is a viewing platform on one tower? If you are prepared to walk up 234 steps!

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris . . . the Pyramid at the Louvre, the national museum of France . . .  housing more than 35,000 objects . . .  including the Venus de Milo . . .  and the Mona Lisa . . . so much to see, so little time . . .  avoid the long lines with advance tickets!
Do you know what lies on the lower level under the pyramid?

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris: Cafe Angelina . . . is right next door to Le Meurice . . . in fact, it shares a wall . . . so conveniently close . . . do you know what it is known for?

This is pastry heaven . . . a place where you can experience death by chocolate or attempt suicide by sweets  . . . just inside the front door.

If you can resist & manage to walk past the pastries & desserts, the “salon de the” in the rear serves . . . the most decadent hot chocolate . . . like  a melted bar of dark chocolate  . .  . as  if that were not enough, it comes with a sinful side of fresh whipped cream.

By the way  . . . did I mention that ALL these delights are available to go? Until they are sold out, of course. Go early in the day.
Jacintha
culinary escape arist

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris: there are many grand dames in Paris . . . famous hotels in prime locations . . . directly across from the Tuileries Gardens, down the street from the Louvre Museum . . . do you recognize this one?
Hint: it appeared in Woody Allen’s movie “Midnight in Paris”

The plush lobby of the Le Meurice Hotel welcomes you into the splendor that was Versailles. The “casual” Le Dali is open all day for drinks and meals , while the Michelin 3 Star Le Meurice Restaurant (not shown) accepts reservations 5 months in advance due to the popularity of Chef Yannick Alleno’s  Terroir Parisien gastronomy.

Le Dali Restaurant

Jacintha
culinary escape artist

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris . . .  the iconic Eiffel Tower beside the Seine River. . .
Enjoy lunch with a view. Did you know there are restautants on the 1st & 2nd stage?
For the bird’s eye view, take the elevator to the top!

Paris is an easy city to navigate in terms of major landmarks.

Jacintha
culinary escape artist

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Just returned from an AMAZING Gourmet Getaway in France, stay tuned for all the delicious details to follow . . .
Jacintha
culinary escape artist

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Portugal, Spain & France Wine Cruise
August 4 -13, 2012

The intimate & luxurious, all-inclusive, all-suite 380-passenger Silver Whisper sails from Lisbon to Southampton with port calls in Oporto, Portugal, Bilbao, Spain and Bordeaux, Saint-Malo and Honfleur in France. On this wine-themed cruise, discerning travellers with a passion for fine wines will enjoy sampling great vintages and learning about the tradition and art of winemaking in special tastings and lectures. Enjoy optional private tours to renowned vineyards and world-class wineries. On board, you’ll enjoy an extensive selection of fine red and white wine pairings with both lunch and dinner.

Your host, Richard Nurick, a retired London wine merchant, is a distinguished wine judge and lecturer who has taught wine appreciation courses at Newbury and Henley colleges in the UK. He is currently a full judge with the International Wine Challenge.

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, Master Cruise Counsellor
Jacintha@IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597