5 Tips for Getting Lowest Airfares: Great Airfare Sales for the Holidays

5 Tips: How do you find the best airfares? 

Here are some tips to share:1. Kayak.com --This is a great search engine if you know how to use it. Input your  area airports (not just the single specific airport) and then use flexible dates. A matrix will appear and you can see exactly what your options are. For example, if you are leaving from New York City and going to Paris -make sure to input "New York -all airports". You may not want to go to Newark or JKF, but if the fare is $300 lower, you just might find you feel differently.2. Search nearby departure airports. In the NY area, we are not far from Philadelphia. That means that for minimal trouble you can fly from Philadelphia too. Sometimes the smaller (relatively speaking) airports cost  significantly less. Almost all the flights from Philadelphia to Paris were $1000 roundtrip and they were NONSTOP!3. Search nearby destination airports the same way. If you are going to Paris, why not fly into Orly? It's small. Customs takes 5 minutes (really) and it's closer to Paris than Charles de Gaulle, so transport is cheaper. When I did this search I found a $900 flight from Newark to Orly. For $900 you can arrive in Paris Christmas morning and stay until the 30th --and the flight was a nonstop!4. Expand your definition of "nearby". European destinations are often very very close together... a train ride away. For example, I just searched Newark to Brussels. Why? Because a train ride of a little more than an hour is all that separates those two cities (and Brussels is quite beautiful over the holidays). The fare was $850 roundtrip for a nonstop. That is amazing.  I do this for a living, and I haven't seen this fare level in several years!5. Keep track of sales. When you see one airline go on sale, that means the others are likely to follow suit, maybe not that day....but soon.On this point, it's important to remember the immortal words of Bogart...

"If you don't get on that plane, you're gonna regret it...maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life." 

So, take that trip! Wherever you decide to go! "We'll always have Paris...."

The flight sale prices we saw to London, Paris and Brussels were all in the $850-$1,100 price range, and were roundtrip, included taxes and fees and are sold directly by the airlines. Contact us if we can be of assistance. These are great deals. The best we've seen in a while, so if you want to go to Europe, don't delay!

Tour Paris over the Holidays: 9 Special Things To Do!

TOUR PARIS OVER THE HOLIDAYS

9 SPECIAL THINGS TO DO AND SEE!

(and 1 extra!)

1. Tour Paris to see the decorations and trees. Each Arrondissement (neighborhood) puts up specially decorated trees in strategic locations. Get an idea of which arrondissement and which trees you'd like to see and go on a hunt for your favorites!2, Oysters and champagne by the riverbank. Every holiday season, on the lower level embankment of the Seine River, by the Eiffel Tower, there are Champagne and Oyster vendors...check them out. What an experience to sip Champagne by the riverside, feast on oysters (or some other gourmet treat) and to do so all in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Even better --wait til it's glittering at night!3. Pastry and hot chocolate tastings. Take an afternoon stroll and taste the famously rich hot chocolate of various famous and lesser known hot chocolate vendors. Angelina's is of course the most well known --They are famous for having both white and dark hot chocolate. I think this pairs just perfectly with their famous Mont Blanc pastry. That chestnut and meringue confection is not too rich to pair with their thick hot chocolate --yet it holds its own. Or, if you have the chance, purchase the "mix" offered by Pierre Herme to take home to make. What a treat! 4. Christmas markets. Visit the Christmas markets. Each of them are different. Some have more foods/wines. Some have more gifts and some specialize in art or antiques. All have warm spiced wine and gourmet goodies and gifts. We like to find the special artisan vendors who have come to Paris from the countryside. They carry high quality and unique products. Hint: Many vendors in street markets, the Christmas ones included, will occupy the same space year after year --so once you find someone you love, you are likely to find them easily the next time!5. Skating in Paris...in front of City Hall (where Rodin sculpted) or even in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower. Need we say more?6. Notre Dame for Christmas mass. Even if you are not Catholic, this is certainly an interesting experience.7. Christmas dinner --Culinary treats abound in Paris over the holidays.  Whether your tastes run to casual cafes and a glass of red wine, or something more whimsical or even something traditionally formal.....The gastronomic treats are endless. Truffles, scallops, roast pheasant, veal and duck, special cheeses infused with truffle or aged for many months until tiny bits of crystal appear --adding texture and punch --bouches de Noel, and other traditional desserts--in fact, there are 13 traditional desserts for Christmas. Our last few Christmas lunches and dinners in Paris included Champagne, foie gras, oysters, scallops, truffles, roast leg of lamb, truffle stuffed chicken breast, specialty breads, homemade desserts and fabulous wines from Burgundy and Chateauneuf du Pape...I'm stuffed just writing about these feasts. Make sure you don't miss out on any of these wonderful treats!The gastronomic treats are endless. Truffles, scallops, roast pheasant, veal and duck, special cheeses infused with truffle or aged for many months until tiny bits of crystal appear --adding texture and punch --bouches de Noel, and other traditional desserts--in fact, there are 13 traditional desserts for Christmas. Our last few Christmas lunches and dinners in Paris included Champagne, foie gras, oysters, scallops, truffles, roast leg of lamb, truffle stuffed chicken breast, specialty breads, homemade desserts and fabulous wines from Burgundy and Chateauneuf du Pape...Remember, this is red wine season --if such a season exists. Too hot for many reds in the summer, and white's just won't warm you up or stand up to that hearty winter fare! So, your best reds will be now!I'm stuffed just writing about these feasts. Make sure you don't miss out on any of these wonderful treats! 8. Concerts. Whether it's Gregorian chants, or classical concerts, there are wonderful concerts held in the area churches and museums. Imagine listening to chanting in a Medieval building, or a choral group in a 1000 year old church.  Check into it!9. Museums....That's right. Visit the museums. What a great time of year to walk the city and come in to warm up (though last year it was about 55 degrees in mid December) while looking at world class art. We specifically take our clients through several of the smaller museums. Spending the day weaving in and out of these museums, mixed with the Christmas lights, and the early sunset, really makes for a magical adventure. If you have any ideas of your own to share, or if we can answer any questions, contact us at wendy@blisstravels.com

Tour France: Visit Paris with 60 Minutes & David McCullough

Tour France

Visit Paris with 60 Minutes & David McCullough 

People often forget the tremendous bond between America and France. Much is made of short term petty disagreements, and not enough is made of the historical ties and lasting bond between the two countries.Americans have a long time love affair with France for so many reasons. The French helped us gain our freedom. The French gave us the Statue of Liberty. (Did you know there are two replicas in Paris...one in the Luxembourg Gardens and the other in the Seine river, near the Eiffel Tower.)  The French have a culture rich in beauty that many of our founding fathers mined in order to build our own nation. (Did you know that Benjamin Franklin lived in Paris or that he modeled much of Philadelphia, including its city hall, after the city of Paris?)Did you know that Thomas Jefferson also lived in Paris, and there is a statue of him along one of the bridges crossing the Seine river?Watch David McCullough's interview on 60 Minutes to learn more about how Americans have viewed and learned from Paris over the years.There is truly much to learn about the connections between our two countries. The writers who were inspired by their time in Paris...Hemingway among them. The publishers and book sellers who made literary history, like Sylvia Beech (a Princeton ex pat who first published James Joyce) and artists from all over the US who have found their inspiration in the beauty of Paris and Provence.Whether you go on your own, or with us, we know you will be inspired and thrilled by your visit to France.If a trip to Paris over the holidays is of interest to you, please look at the below photos and contact us so we can answer your questions.We have 3 rooms left and flexible dates. We do only private events and sightseeing, such as our guided walk through the Christmas markets or our private Champagne and chocolate tasting --or our visits to the market streets. No more than 8 people doing or seeing things at the same time. Below are some photos of typical lodging and meals.

Tour France: 5 Tips for the Holidays in Paris, revisited!

5 Tips on How to Have it All: The Best of Being Home for the Holidays & Getting Away!

Reblogging last year's tips for holiday travel

blisstravelsnews

The big debate is whether to stay home for the holidays or whether to get away. You might want a homey “white Christmas” with your special dinner, relaxation, and family, friends and gifts. You may also want to get away and just take a break from it all –you know, a vacation! So, how can you have it all?1. Go Away just before the holidays or between Christmas and New Year's, and return home a couple days before your “family” celebration! Why not? You can get away, relax, shop in a new and exciting environment (buying truly unique gifts for your loved ones.) You can pamper yourself a bit before the (joyful) work of hosting your family, cooking the meals and cleaning up the holiday messes.2. Bring your favorite aspects of your “at home” celebration with you when you go abroad for the holidays.That’s right. Bring some of your gifts or that homemade special treat. Or plan that favorite meal. Why not bring your empty stockings and have them filled while you’re away on your relaxing vacation! In other words, bring a little bit of “home” with you –just don’t bring the oven or the dishes!3. Seek out some of your holiday favorites in your new destination. Do you love love love Chestnuts at Christmas time? Fine. Enjoy them locally prepared while you’re away. Do you always have hot chocolate on Christmas morning, or roast goose or 7 fishes or a special dessert on your holiday? Great! See how the locals prepare it. (I can only speak to France, but the French do all of these things extremely well. So no worries for us!)4. Enrich your memories and experiences. Do you always take a walk? Sleep in? Go to mass? Do it somewhere else. You’ll forever say “remember that year we went to Christmas mass or took our walk…in that special vacation destination. Trust me. In the years to come, you won’t be saying –”gosh, I wish we hadn’t taken that Christmas morning walk along the Seine in 2011. Our neighborhood is so nice.” Nor will you say, “I’m so sorry we missed our local mass. Notre Dame wasn’t really all it’s cracked up to be.” You’ll be reminiscing about how lovely it was back then, and those memories will bring a smile to your face!5. Develop new traditions while you’re abroad that you can incorporate into your future holiday celebrations. We all love our favorites. Grandma’s cookies. The roast beef or turkey dinner. But, sometimes it puts a little zing in the holidays to add something new to the mix. Maybe, while you’re away, you’ll find something new you love to do, eat, drink, see….(I sure hope so). Then, next year, you can engage in that activity at home. I have a friend who brought me some very special tea and cakes from Europe  one year. Now, we make or buy those same items each year around the holidays. Not only is it a good memory, it’s a new and special treat.6. Enjoy the company of others. Go with a group and/or bring a loved one, or a friend, or two. It doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. You can get cozy and share a room (since you probably won’t spend much time in it anyway, or you can live it up and do something super luxe.) You can enjoy your time with the people you travel with (even kids, who everyone worries won’t travel well, do, in fact, enjoy new locations. They’re interested and entertained and just as happy as you are. I know. Really. We do it all the time.) You can even travel alone and make new friends. Our experience from our small group trips is that people truly enjoy each other’s company and often remain friends and keep in touch.

Paris for the Holidays: Tips & Travel Bargains

Tour France: Paris for the Holidays: Tips & Travel Bargains

Paris sparkles over the holidays. In so many ways. We find it pure Bliss and the best way to celebrate. Below are tips for bargains and beating the mad holiday travel rush.

Traveling over the holidays can be exciting --and a great deal. As the New York Times points out, holiday travel bargains can be found by checking flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and keeping your schedule flexible. In addition, they point out that purchasing 8 weeks in advance is ideal for airline bargains.Trusted traveler programs also help make your trip easy and pleasant. Global Entry (apply through the US Government sites) can help you bypass long customs and immigration lines. While others may wait hours, you can proceed to a kiosk where you are allowed to use the automated system. This typically takes less than 5 minutes.There are also "trusted traveler programs". If you qualify, these can help you navigate airport security so much quicker!The same sort of "ease" is true for vacations and hotels if you book early. Booking early can get you great deals and save you time and trouble later in the event that your favorite activities book up. If you book trips where transfers and activities are included, you will often save money and always save "hassle" and time.Visit the big things: Notre Dame for Christmas mass --just for the experience. And the Christmas markets for hot spiced wine, delicacies, crafts, gifts and little trinkets. But, don't forget the less obvious, less touristic things. The holidays are a food and wine lover's paradise. Champagne, oysters, scallops, foie gras, roast meats, truffles and chocolates...all winter fare. Don't miss out! Try the French hot chocolate, thicker and less sweet that what Americans typically have. Try the homemade chocolates and seasonal pastries (we always do a private tasting and wine pairing over the holidays. Yum.)And of course, non chocolate desserts!And truffled pizza, mais oui! The best ever! This is really Bliss --in our opinion! Let us know if we can help make your holidays special.  Contact us now for great travel deals during or after Christmas. 

Tour Provence: Lavender in Provence

Tour Provence: Lavender SeasonWhat's your favorite color? Well, in summer, my favorite color is lavender. And, right now, it's in full bloom...From the hills of the Luberon to the valleys, the color lavender is everywhere. It's Bliss!Contemplating photos....

Tour France: Best Summer Festivals in Provence (with schedule)

Tour France: Best Summer Festivals in Provence and Festival Schedule.Schedule:Cherry Festivals in mid and late JuneMelon Festival in JulyLavender festivals in late July and AugustBastille Day --July 14Tour de France --July 14 in ProvenceWine and art festivals...July etc.Fete Votives: late June, July and August.Summer is festival season. Provence is full of a huge variety of festivals.There are themed festivals. There is a honey festival, several wine festivals, art festivals, a melon festival, a cherry festival...and pretty much a celebration of any food product you can think of. Below are some photos of past festivals.

Being inducted into the "royal order of the melon". Really.A special melon dish. Lobster or prawns are baked in this one of a kind "plat". We have been privileged to do this with the chef several times.The meal following the festival celebrating the town's release from the dragon.

Walking around the Lavender festival last August.

There are "fetes votives" in each village. Those include things like dancing in the town square to live music, Champagne "stands", carnival games and perhaps even a special market. I love these local festivals. They bring such romance to a Provencal night.The cafes take advantage of the closed roads to set up table everywhere. Bands play on the side walk --trumpets and all!Evening fireworks over a Mediterranean village.There is Bastille Day. This brings a weekend full of festivities. In Paris, it is dominated by parades andfireworks over the Eiffel Tower. In Provence, it is marked by celebratory town wide meals (Pistous and Aiolis), dancing and fireworks in the town centers and huge, luscious markets full of tantalizing treats and products.

7 Photo Categories (contest): Spring/Summer in Provence

"Bliss - Full" photos of Spring and Summer in Provence, the LuberonPlease give us caption suggestions --either in comments or via email. We will post our favorites and  give you credit --and link to your blog if you are chosen!A Bientôt,Wendy1. Sunflowers!

2. Painted buildings --from colors mined in Provence.

3. Color co ordinated flower boxes!4. Happy couples  -dare we say "blissful"?

5. Lavender cakes --yes, you heard right. These are absolutely wonderful --and only found here!6. The amazing cliffs, and the unbelievable, otherworldly blue of the water.

6. The fabulous chefs we get to watch, work with, and whose specialties we adore!

7. Wines, and where they come from!

5 Reasons Why July 10-20 Are the Best Summer Weeks in Provence!

The best time to go to Provence. People always ask me that. The answer --well, apart from "anytime" --might not surprise you. For summer time, the best time is July 10-20. And here are my  top reasons:1. Bastille Day in Provence! Paris is Paris. And Bastille Day is quite an event. But, in Provence, in certain towns and small cities, they have the running of the bulls through the streets. Imagine sitting at a cafe, having a rose, or coffee, and watching the French cowboys herd bulls through the Medieval streets. The boys and young men jump the barrier and chase the bull trying to hold onto his tail. And there are bull fights (the kind where the bull is not hurt.)

2. Fireworks over a castle or ancient fort. When the night sky lights up a castle and then the fireworks pop up over that, that might even be better than the Eiffel Tower. (This is a hard choice to make!)

3. It's prime festival season. There are wine festivals, village fetes and all manner of special celebrations. Even a melon festival! That means there are parades, special markets, special tastings and lit up village squares where you dance the night away!

4. The best beach weather! The Mediterranean is great in July. The weather is great. The excitement level is wonderful. The sky is blue. And there are street shows to watch almost every evening -as you have your dinner outside looking at the sparkling sea.5. Lavender. Need I say more? You are assured of lavender all July --and first half of August (depending upon the weather that season. And you are assured of lavender related festivals and special events!

Of course, we love Provence almost all year round! It's Bliss!

Wedding Story Contest: Bliss & France!

 Romantic France!

Contest

Tell Us About your Fantasy French Wedding/Vow Renewal, Romance or Honeymoon

WIN Your Choice of a free 2 hour photography session in Paris or a 2 hour privately guided custom tour in Paris!

To Enter

1. DESCRIBE: your idea of the most “Bliss”ful French wedding, elopement or honeymoon. Include how both France (whether Paris, Provence, or other locale) and the concept of “bliss” fit into you and your fiancés personal romantic story.

2. Friend Bliss Travels on Facebook

The contest is open to any engaged or soon to be engaged person 21 years of age or older. It is also open to people renewing their vows in the next 12 months. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Must sign rules/entry form.

Winners

Entries will be judged on creativity, how close they adhere to the theme of their upcoming wedding, “bliss”, and how well connected the event is to some area in France.

The winning story will be featured on our blog, and the couple will be our “couple of the month” and featured on our website. The winners will receive their choice of a free 2 hour photography session in Paris (and a dvd of images) OR a custom designed 2 hour private walking tour of the Paris sites. 

Bliss Travels www.blisstravels.com 609-462-6213 wendy@blisstravels.com 

HOW TO ENTER. GO TO BLISS TRAVELS WEBSITE. WWW.BLISSTRAVELS.COM AND CLICK ON THE LINK!

Sign the below entry form and the rules pages, submitting the signed documents electronically with your essay and photos. Submissions without this will not be reviewed. (contact us for your copy of the form or see below)

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES (“Rules”)

 

Qualified Participants: The contest is open to anyone 21 years of age or older, who is a resident of a state in which contests are legal, and who is planning a wedding, elopement or vow renewal before 1/1 2014. This contest is void where prohibited by law.

 

Background: Bliss Travels is looking for people who embody the spirit of our Blissful Weddings in France to become our couple of the month!

 

Sponsors: The Contest is sponsored by Bliss Travels Destination Weddings of Princeton, New Jersey

 

Contest Eligibility Requirements: Qualified Participants are allowed to submit an original 500 word (or less) essay on the contest theme and photo(s). All submissions become the property of Bliss Travels. All photos become the property of Bliss Travels. The contestants agree to allow the publication of all essays and photos (without contestant names, unless they wish to be identified) at the discretion of bliss travels. Any and all participants must assent to the republication, reproduction, or any other use of the submissions and the likenesses, personas, and voices contained therein by Bliss Travels and hereby agree to submit all applicable releases (see “Clearances” below). Qualified Participants are not limited to one entry, but will only be eligible to win one prize.

 

Steps to Enter: Qualified Participants must:1. Read and agree to the contest Rules. To do so, you may find the contest Entry Form and a copy of the contest Rules Contest Entry Form signed by all participants .

 

2. Create an original essay of up to 500 words on the your idea of a Blissful wedding/elopement/vow renewal in France and how holding that event in France is connected in some way to your personal romantic story.

 

3. Submit your essay and photo, along with entry form and signed release. 

 

Contest Description: 1. Selection of finalists will be based on originality, creativity, adherence to the theme, and overall quality.

.Contest Prizes: The monthly winning story will be featured on our blog, and the couple will be our “couple of the month” and featured on our website. The winners will receive one of the items above.

Privacy: Any and all names, contact information, and related should be submitted only on the entry form and other required forms. Names, contact information, or any other personally identifiable information should not be included within the essay S

ubmitted Essays: All  submissions must be the original work of the participants. Participants must not have granted any other person or entity prior right to use the work.Submitted entries will not be accepted or eligible if they include – in the sole judgment of Bliss Travels— any content that contains or appears to contain:

1. Profane, obscene, or inappropriate material;
2. Endorses, encourages, glorifies, or condones drug use, underage drinking, alcohol abuse or any

other illegal activity;

1. Nudity, profanity or gratuitous violence.
2. Inappropriate language;
3. Any express or implied commercial endorsement;
4. Any derogatory characterization of any person or group based on age, race, color, gender,

gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, mental or physical disability, citizenship, creed, national origin, physical appearance, political affiliation, union membership, or other unethical or unlawful factors;

1. Depictions of any conduct, language or other context deemed inappropriate.
2. Any actual or apparent copying or other infringement of another's intellectual property rights.

Clearances: Each participant is solely responsible for obtaining from all applicable individuals or entities any and all required rights, releases, consents, clearances, licenses, and other authorizations necessary to exploit and otherwise use their submitted video in any and all media. Clearances required include, for example:

1. Location releases;
2. Releases from any person whose name, voice, likeness or persona is referenced, shown, or

otherwise used in the submitted video;3. If any individual depicted is under the age of majority, participants must obtain the signature of the individual’s parent or guardian on the applicable clearance(s).4. By submitting entries, participants warrant that the contents of the submission do not infringe on any copyright owned by another, and/or that the content of the video is within the bounds ofthe fair use doctrine. Participants also confirm that to the best of their knowledge, any statements made in the submitted video are true and do not violate or infringe on the rights of third parties. All necessary clearances must be obtained and provided to Bliss Travels prior to selecting the video as a finalist or winning video. The sponsor may disqualify any submitted video at any time if the participant has not obtained all necessary clearances. Conditions of Participation: 1. By entering, participants agree to defend and indemnify sponsor(s) and sponsor's principles, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the contest as a result of receiving participants’ submissions and/or misuse of any prize.2. Each participant agrees that the sponsor(s) may retain a copy of the submitted video and releases the sponsor from liability for any loss or damage thereto. Each participant, by submitting the video, also consents, approves and authorizes the sponsor the right to use, broadcast, webcast, podcast, link to or from, syndicate, or otherwise exhibit or display the submitted video in its original or an altered form or format.3. Each participant grants the sponsor(s) the unqualified, unrestricted, worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual and royalty-free right to use his or her name, logo, marks, submission entries, and other distinctive identification in connection with promoting or marketing the contest or its theme, and future contests, materials or as the sponsor(s) determine.

1. The rights described in these official rules begin immediately upon submission of the video.
2. The sponsor has no obligation to post or display any submitted video and may at its discretion

remove any submitted videos at any time.

1. The participant releases the sponsor from any and all claims by third parties or the participant
2. in connection with the submitted materials.

.General Conditions: 1. This contest is governed by the laws of the state of New Jersey and participants consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal district courts located within and of the state of New Jersey for any causes or controversies arising therefrom.2. The sponsor reserves the right to void entries it deems associated with electronic or non- electronic tampering.3. Should technical or other difficulties arise that compromise the integrity of the contest the sponsor may cancel, modify or suspend the contest without notice. In that case, the sponsor reserves the right to award the prizes from eligible entries received before the cancellation.4. The sponsor is not responsible for any technical malfunction or service outage related to the contest.Questions? Please contact wendy@blisstravels.com or Anthony@anthonybphotos.com Sign and include with your submission.

 

6 French Wine & Food Pairings

Friday night Bliss Travels had the pleasure to lead a food and wine pairing. So, off we went to Montclair, New Jersey to meet a great group of about a dozen people to share French wines, stories and photos (courtesy of our photography partner, Anthony Bianciella). We are leading a private one again today! Many of the same wines, but with cheeses this time.Below are some of our pairings and suggestions from these two events.We compared the Cotes du Rhone (Provencal wines from the area around Chateauneuf du Pape) and Burgundy. Our two favorites both to visit and to drink.1. Muscat. This is served all over the South of France as an apero. Usually, the accompanying food is salty --such as olives, tapenade, anchoiade. (For cheeses, we pair this with a Bleu, and serve this last, rather than first in in our tastings.)Mas Amiel, Muscat de Rivsaltes, 20082. Cotes du Rhone, white! A Fleur de Pampre, Cotes du Rhone Village, Visan, Domaine La Florane. Great bouquet. Floral. Light and slightly sweet. We paired with this with an aged goat cheese from the region, served on toasts, and topped with a fig confit brought back from Provence on one of Bliss Travels recent trips. For our cheese pairing we are taking orange and fennel pastry spoons, made by a world famous Parisian bakery (we brought them back from Paris on this last trip) and filling them with a fresh, mild goat cheese, a drizzle of lavender honey will complete this amuse bouche! (Want more recipes and food ideas? Contact us!)3. Burgundy, white. A 2008, Saint Veran, Tirage Precoce, Domaine Corsin. This was served with a smoked salmon. The full flavor of the Chardonnay pairs well with the full fatty flavor of the salmon. This Chardonnay also pairs well with Comte cheese.4. Roses from Provence. These are under appreciated in the US. Rose is drunk all over France, all summer long. With fish, meats, vegetables...We recommend the Roses from Provence very highly.. The Bandol's are wonderful (Mediterranean). The Tavels (Northern Provence) are a favorite. Every community will have it's own, and it will pair beautifully with the foods.We paired ours with an Aioli,made using Bliss Travels recipe. It's a dish we made last May in Provence --and will make again this May when we go with Anthony Bianciella to Provence for our custom spring trip through the region (his photos are here. If you'd like to see more, look at his website).It pairs equally well with our Soupe au Pistou. Click on the link for the recipe and to "see" the lesson.5. Burgundy, red. 2009 Savigny-Les-Beaune, Les Picotins, Domaine Jean-Luc Dubois. This pinot noir paired with sauteed mushrooms and a light ratatouille. It would have been wonderful with our lamb dish as well. We are pairing this with a hard cheese of Sheep's milk , and also with St Marcellin.Of course, the best pairings are food and wine, where they exist locally. Some of last September's group to Burgundy.6. Cotes du Rhone, Red. 2010 Mas de Libiun, Khayyaim. A full bodied Grenache. We served with with a herb encrusted rack of lamb. In Provence, we recommend lamb or even a strong local goat cheese to stand up to this full flavored wine. Coming full circle, this red can be paired with a strong, aged goat cheese, on a fig bread, with a fig confit....All of these items live, grow and are made in the same small towns.Thank you to our wonderful host (and very frequent traveler) Karen! Thank you to Chef Nikko for making dishes to pair with our wines!Want to know more about our trips or learn what our travelers have to say? Read our testimonials.  Or contact us at 609 462 6213 or wendy@blisstravels.com. Spring and Summer in France are spectacular!

Photo (re)Blog by Anthony Bianciella: May in Provence

We're reblogging a great description of one of our trips. Rick Sammon also blogged about Anthony's trips with us!

Photo Tours - An Insider is Key!

by Anthony Bianciella

Photography and travel go hand-in-hand. But camera or not, I love trips that are special and off-the-beaten track. No big bus tours!  Life is too short to shoot through the window as you drive by.

I love to be immersed in the location and really experience the culture. But you need a friend on the inside who can show you things only a local would know. And that way your photographs can be as unique as your “insider” experiences!

For example, last May, while in France, our insider gained us exclusive access to a 900-year-old Templar church. Normally closed to the public (with photography impossible) the curator himself gave us a private tour, allowing us to photograph everything including bell tower, crypts, painted ceiling, altar, and even the hidden entry and baptismal font used to secretly baptize people during the French religious wars of the1500’s.

For lunch, the owner and chef of a 400-year-old bakery, friends of our ”insider”, opened just for us and held a private wine tasting in the warmly lit wine “cave” followed by a multi course gourmet lunch beside the original bakery oven. We had plenty of time to enjoy the food, have a photography lesson on off-camera-flash and to take pictures. After dessert, the proprietor himself showed us a tiny path covered in vines where an acrostic puzzle of Roman origins (about 2,000 years old) was carved into a wall…all there for us to photograph and enjoy.

 

On our trips, we cover photography techniques and tips each day. We have specific time set aside for formal presentations and photo reviews. We‘ve had travelers who have been shooting for 30 years and travelers who purchased their camera two weeks before the trip. So we design the photography topics in a way that challenges photographers of all levels. And since we’re traveling together, there’s time enough to work individually with each person’s specific interests.

I also encourage people to travel with their partner/friend who might not be a “photographer”. These places hold treasures whether you choose to photograph them or simply enjoy just being there. Plus, there is so much more than photography to involve you –markets, wines, sightseeing, hikes, shopping, dining… that everyone seems to find more than enough to feed their interests.

I really love experiencing these places in such a meaningful way. We laugh, we drink, we eat, and we have a really great time. We come home with amazing photos and new friendships, after being immersed in a wonderfully personal experience.

Our next trip is May 15-21, 2012 to Provence and Paris,France. Other dates are also available later this year.PS. I'm really excited...Rick Sammon recently posted about these photo tours on his Google+ page (February 18, 2012).

Posted by Anthony Bianciella Photography

Give us your thoughts please!

5 Reasons Why Burgundy Once Again Surpasses Bordeaux!

Well, it's official. Burgundy, the Gold Coast wines of legendary quality, are once again the preferred wines of wine lovers and experts alike.

Need further proof of Burgundy's prominence in the world? Just look at the below results of the recent auctions, as reported by the Wine Spectator:Move Over Bordeaux: Burgundy Steals the Show at Asia Auctions

Recent sales lead top auctioneers to wonder if Bordeaux may be toppled as the premier blue-chip collectiblePeter D. Meltzer

Posted: November 29, 2011What’s top on the buyers' wish lists? ....all of which have achieved record prices in recent sales. Vintages in demand include 1985, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2005.As a category, the 102 Burgundy listings tracked by the Wine Spectator Auction Index rose 16.42 percent from the third quarter of 2010 to the third quarter of 2011....

There are many reasons behind Burgundy’s escalating popularity. Limited supply contributes to Burgundy’s appeal. “The quantities of great Burgundies on offer are so small that we never get much to sell,” noted Sotheby’s wine CEO Jamie Ritchie. “By value, in 2010, only 17 percent of the wines we auctioned were from Burgundy. The realization that these wines are extremely scarce has created a new-found appetite.”This is what we've been saying for years! That's why we go to Burgundy. On our most recent trip, we focused on 1999, 2005 and 2009 wines. Yep, that's right! And they were amazing! The 2007's and 2008's needed time and breathing space.

 Harvest in Burgundy. Our annual trip to discover the year's harvest and tastes wines as they are being made! It's unique to Bliss Travels !

Springtime in Provence, Paris, and Burgundy Too!

Some photos from last April and May. Our trips to Burgundy, Paris and Provence...A picture is worth 1000 words...or maybe more! I know it was Bliss!We visited a beautiful farm to pick herbs, have a cooking lesson (Provencal cuisine of course) and photograph everything that was in bloom!

Anthony Bianciella, our amazing photographer, makes the trip even more fun!

Except...luxurious  original appointments in our private Burgundy property. Only 4 rooms --and our 7 guests adored being spoiled, thoroughly!Murano chandeliers, original antiques...

and specially arranged private wine tours. This was a happy group!

No lines. No buses. We did it all custom and private!

A bientôt! See you all soon....And again! It was Bliss!

5 Reasons to Spend Valentine's Day in Paris (as if you needed even one!)

5 Reasons to spend VALENTINE’S DAY in Paris....As If You Needed One!1. It's the most romantic day of the year. And the most romantic city in the world. Where else would you be?2. Propose? Marry? Just escape from it all? Meet the person of your dreams? We’re doing our version of Romantic Bliss over Valentine’s weekend in Paris….You do not want to miss out!3. What could be better than a romantic hotel, breakfast in bed, private chocolate and wine pairing from a world class chocolatiere, a star studded (Michelin, that is) dining experience customized to the occasion, a saunter through the best that Paris has to offer, and that includes: foie gras, truffles, red wine and more chocolate :)4. To say "I do" with the Eiffel Tower sparkling behind you....or even better, on top of the Eiffel Tower!

5. To find love in the City of Lights!(If you missed our Blog about the wedding photographer who found love on our photo shoot, check it out now. True story!)Think of these images while you decide whether you want to experience true Bliss! Ask about our exclusive WEDDING IN PARIS and our Valentine's Getaways. Not on the website. Limited sale.Call us when you're ready.....wendy@blisstravels.com. 609 462 6213.

In Paris & Brussels, Tis The Season for Chocolate

Now that the weather outside is frosty (hear the tune in your head), it's time for chocolate! Real chocolate. Delicate chocolates. Chocolates that don't like too much heat because they are filled with real, fresh, flavored cream, or stamped and painted with gorgeous drawings, or melted and stirred into thick unctuous decadent drinks. Is your mouth watering yet?Each winter --in both December and February (Valentine's Day, anyone?) Bliss Travels visits the most magnificent chocolatiers and patissieres to see what new creations and exciting treats are available.  (And, we don't just visit, we taste, and taste...and then have a glass of Champagne --whoops, got distracted. Sorry!)This year is no different. Even if you can't come on our Christmas week trip (where we do this in Paris) or our Valentine's weekend or add on a visit to Brussels, you can still look at these amazing treats and learn what to find here. What could be better ?Smaller than American confections, and typically more delicate, with thinner shells, these treats also have significantly less sugar, making them (in the opinion of Bliss Travels) practically a health food! (Truth: they are less fattening, and less addictive, because there is less sugar and nothing that's chemical in them.) If you talk to an artisan in Brussels or Paris, they will tell you chocolate in proper "doses" is medicinal and very good for you.  I wouldn't argue with that if I were you. I sure don't!Some of the flavors below include lavender and a fresh cream of tiramisu!The chocolates in this photo are from Neuhaus. You can buy this brand in the US, but you cannot buy the fresh creams. They are too delicate to travel. The photo here depicts chocolates filled with a very light flavored whipped cream (this is not the cloying sweet gummy stuff we call "creams" in the box of assorted chocolates you get in the US). You must get these in BRUSSELS.So, what to do here. Look for small batch chocolates, make by artisans. Look for higher quality (and darker, more pure) chocolates. Avoid anything with a list of ingredients with things you personally wouldn't cook with. Look for smaller pieces, interesting flavors, freshest ingredients.Then there are other things you can do with chocolate...If you're in Paris or Brussels! Take a look at a typical, well done treat. (But, you have to know where to go!)What could be a better gift than Chocolate --well, taking that person tasting in Paris --but, if you can't do that, find the real thing here. It makes a difference.We wish you a truly sweet season....And hope you'll join us soon! It's BlissIf you want to know more, write me. I love to hear from people! Wendy@blisstravels.com

5 Tips on how to find a GOOD restaurant in France

Everyone likes to eat well. But, just like not everyone knows how to cook, not everyone knows how to find a restaurant or pick a dish that  meets their expectations --especially when traveling to another country. Given that it's Thanksgiving weekend (gobble, gobble) and we are only 3 1/2 weeks away from our Christmas week in Paris, I thought a few pointers would be helpful. What I'm saying is particularly true in France --though in general, this could be applied in other countries.1. Get off the Beaten Track: While you may not be able to find the truly "off the beaten track" spots, you can, and should, avoid the huge boulevards in favor of smaller neighborhood streets. (Unless you've decided to eat in a very expensive world class gourmet restaurant, where the chef's reputation and the gastronomic offerings support that sort of "store front")  Why? Because the big tourist streets come with "big" rent. That means that to survive, the typical restaurant must make a number of culinary concessions just to pay their rent. They have to turn tables, buy bargain "product", and, in general, crank out enough business to keep the lights on. So, don't be seduced by the big, bright restaurant with the large dining room. Find a more intimate setting. You're likely to have a better (and better priced) meal.2. Read Menus: What is on the menu? Does it highlight a particular sort of cuisine? Do the dishes on the menu feature seasonal products? Do they have "blackboard" specials, or is everything special, every day? Other than the exceptional chef (who you are unlikely to "discover" as a tourist), most chefs have a particular cuisine that is their specialty, and a few signature dishes or techniques (cooking show video). I'm sure you've heard the expression, "Jack of all trades, master of none". Well, if the menu looks like it's a United Nations manifesto --you may be dealing with a master of nothing. Also, if the menu seems to be the same 12 months out of the year, providing the diner with the comfort of eating the very same things in December as they eat in June, then it probably relies on packaged, processed or frozen foods. Things simply aren't fresh year round! And fresh tastes better. Find a chef who knows what he likes to cook, is influenced and inspired by seasonal products and the food will be good. Look at the menu and see if you can identify the type of cuisine and that the products are seasonal.  For example, this Christmas in Paris, our menus will have things like scallops, chestnuts, foie gras, lamb, oysters, and chocolate (not on the same plate of course)!  Why? Because these things are winter specialties. In summer we see melon, tomato, peach, zucchini and similar produce dominate our meals.

3. Similarly, don't read "English" menus. If it's been translated, then they are telling you that tourism is their mainstay. You can have people cater to your "American" tastes when you're back at home, right? Why not try something that speaks to the French culture? Find a restaurant with a French menu, in French, that's market fresh, and ask them what their specialty is. Order the "prix fixe" (the set menu) even if you don't know what the dishes are. They will be the market fresh chef's specials of the day (not the left over meatloaf). Then, order the local wine to accompany the meal and sit back and relax.4. Look at the patrons. Walk around, especially if you're in Paris. If you're in the countryside, you will be able to tell who is dining where by talking to people as well as doing a bit of "sightseeing". As you stop and read the menus (all menus are posted outside the restaurant) look at and listen to the patrons. First, are there patrons? Second, are they local or tourists? What language are they speaking? If the answer is that the restaurant is full of people who look like a group you'd want to socialize with, and they are speaking French (for the most part), then it's a good bet that this restaurant has something wonderful to offer! However, it also might be full and require a reservation. The places we go require not just reservations, but relationships. They are popular local spots (or open for us) and they have creative chefs...And if you want that, then you may have to plan in advance (or come with us)!!! If you're on your own, you'll need to know whether "dropping by" is the best way to get a table (counting on last minute cancellations or snagging a late or early table) OR whether making a reservation for the next night or lunch is better. Some of this requires more information than you are likely to have as a tourist, but give it a try. If they're too full, ask if coming back later or making a reservation for a different date or meal is a better idea.5. Consider the Source! If you're choosing your restaurants based upon recommendations --in books, by reviews, or because "someone" recommended it  (friend, concierge, person you meet while traveling), then it's very important not just to listen to what they are telling you, but to listen to who they are so you know what they know! I don't know about you, but I would consider a recommendation from a friend who lived in the area, and who was a chef or in the "food" world much more seriously than I would from someone I met while standing in line for a movie! But when people travel, all of a sudden, literally everyone they meet and everyone they chat with, has the "it" spot that they "must" go to! People blindly follow internet reviews or tourist guides, as does everyone else who's traveling. Sometimes, I think that Air France should offer a shuttle directly from the plane to the restaurant being profiled by the "big guides" and save me the trouble of booking the same old thing for people! Again, if you're not talking about the top few world renown Michelin chefs, who, of course, everybody knows, then seriously consider the source of your recommendation.Nobody can guarantee a perfect meal, but find someone local, or in the food profession or with extensive travel experience in France  to recommend the dining experience that you crave. You're more likely to have a "blissful" experience, than if  just blindly follow your neighbors' brother's cousins' recommendation. Who knows what he considers "good"!And, then Bon Appetite! How apropos to discuss eating well on Thanksgiving weekend!

5 Tips for Eating and Drinking in France Like a Local

Eating and drinking are different in France. Why? Because the culture is different. If you are going to travel to France --or anywhere, for that matter --why not try it "their way". If nothing else, it should provide you with an interesting experience and a better understanding of the culture. So, here are some tips for how to do both like the locals. I bet you'll have a few "ah ha" moments when you realize you may have misinterpreted things in the past!1. How to order Coffee! Seems simple enough, doesn't it? Well, I don't know about you but I think it's complicated wherever you are. In the US Starbucks has turned ordering coffee into a multi lingual tongue twister. In France, it's very simple --as long as you follow the custom! Cafe au lait (or any coffee served with milk or cream) is a  breakfast drink, and not generally served after noon, or with meals. A "cafe normal" or "espresso" is just that --expresso in a small cup, served with a small cold glass of water. that's served during "coffee breaks", at cafes, and after meals. Can't take "expresso". Then order a "cafe Allonge" (literally "stretched out") or a "cafe Americaine" --both are watered down espressos --in other words, a typical strength coffee.2. Dessert comes Before Coffee. Not with. You can't have it with. The waiter will say yes, but if the place is any good --or even remotely authentic-- this won't happen. Don't worry. It's better after! You finish your meal, and get the nice "pick me up" of the cup of coffee. Need something sweet?  Never fear. Coffee comes with a little something sweet, always --a chocolate (in the basic cafes) or tiny pastries of some sort in the "nicer" restaurants.3. Sauces in France won't make you fat, and don't come 'on the side'. "Hmmm", you say, "how is that possible?" Glad you asked. Because the meals are balanced, the portions, including sauces, are smaller, the food is very fresh, and we don't snack endlessly on things between meals because the meal itself is completely satisfying. If you order sauces on the side, you will (a) either ruin your meal, or (b) consume more of the delicious sauce than you would have had you let the chef dress the dish with what was probably a teaspoon to a tablespoon of sauce (rather than the 1/4 cup they might bring you).

4. Be Patient. We really value prompt service in the US. But, that's not the case everywhere else in the world. It's neither bad nor good, it's just different. Don't expect a waiter to run to your table when you arrive. It's customary to allow people to "settle in" and relax before pressing them for their food orders. Also, don't expect the check to be delivered as soon as the dessert spoon (or coffee cup) drops from your hand. Unless you're at a sidewalk cafe (or the place knows you're American and is trying to accommodate you). It is the height of rudeness in France to plop a check down on the table unbidden. It is tantamount to telling the diner to leave. You are at the restaurant to enjoy yourself. You are meant to relax. Thus, nobody is going to bother you by asking you to pay or leave, until you are ready to do so. So many times I hear stories from clients who say that "the French do not like Americans." And their justification for that is that the "waiters ignored them". They were left to languish at the table with no service and couldn't get the check....Time to reinterpret that behavior. The peaceful enjoyment of your meal and the people that you are with is what the French dining experience is about. So, you will not be bothered to leave or pressed to order. Enjoy it for what it is. You'll be home soon enough!

5. Order from the Prix Fixe menus. The specials and the meals really are special. They are not "left overs". They are the market fresh items. Order the 3 or 4 courses. In most places the portion sizes in the prix fixe menus will be made small enough to make this an enjoyable tasting experience as opposed to an endurance contest. As a general rule, the larger the number of courses, the smaller the portion size of each course. The goal of these multi course menus is to give you a taste of what's best and leave you happy, not to overload you with food so you feel like you got supersized and not to make you feel you need a stretcher or a stomach pump.

Any ideas for customs you wish to explore, let me know. We'd love to discuss it!

Video of Provence, Mediterranean, Paris

Watch our Video:

Our October trip to Paris, Provence and the Mediterranean.

Just as the song in the video says: you can do anything. Why not follow your Bliss?

You only live once!

PLAY 

October, 2011 Video 

Anthony Bianciella (our traveling photographer) produced this video of our most recent trip. It includes shots from all over the Luberon,  the Mediterranean,  and Chateaufneuf du Pape.

Yours Truly, on a Bliss-ful trip

A Bientot,Wendy

5 Tips on How to Have it All: The Best of Being Home for the Holidays & Getting Away!

The big debate is whether to stay home for the holidays or whether to get away. You might want a homey "white Christmas" with your special dinner, relaxation, and family, friends and gifts. You may also want to get away and just take a break from it all --you know, a vacation! So, how can you have it all?1. Go Away just before the holidays, and return home a couple days before your "family" celebration! Why not? You can get away, relax, shop in a new and exciting environment (buying truly unique gifts for your loved ones.) You can pamper yourself a bit before the (joyful) work of hosting your family, cooking the meals and cleaning up the holiday messes.2. Bring your favorite aspects of your "at home" celebration with you when you go abroad for the holidays. That's right. Bring some of your gifts or that homemade special treat. Or plan that favorite meal. Why not bring your empty stockings and have them filled while you're away on your relaxing vacation! In other words, bring a little bit of "home" with you --just don't bring the oven or the dishes!3. Seek out some of your holiday favorites in your new destination. Do you love love love Chestnuts at Christmas time? Fine. Enjoy them locally prepared while you're away. Do you always have hot chocolate on Christmas morning, or roast goose or 7 fishes or a special dessert on your holiday? Great! See how the locals prepare it. (I can only speak to France, but the French do all of these things extremely well. So no worries for us!)4. Enrich your memories and experiences. Do you always take a walk? Sleep in? Go to mass? Do it somewhere else. You'll forever say "remember that year we went to Christmas mass or took our walk...in that special vacation destination. Trust me. In the years to come, you won't be saying --"gosh, I wish we hadn't taken that Christmas morning walk along the Seine in 2011. Our neighborhood is so nice." Nor will you say, "I'm so sorry we missed our local mass. Notre Dame wasn't really all it's cracked up to be." You'll be reminiscing about how lovely it was back then, and those memories will bring a smile to your face!5. Develop new traditions while you're abroad that you can incorporate into your future holiday celebrations. We all love our favorites. Grandma's cookies. The roast beef or turkey dinner. But, sometimes it puts a little zing in the holidays to add something new to the mix. Maybe, while you're away, you'll find something new you love to do, eat, drink, see....(I sure hope so). Then, next year, you can engage in that activity at home. I have a friend who brought me some very special tea and cakes from Europe  one year. Now, we make or buy those same items each year around the holidays. Not only is it a good memory, it's a new and special treat. 6. Enjoy the company of others. Go with a group and/or bring a loved one, or a friend, or two. It doesn't have to be as expensive as you think. You can get cozy and share a room (since you probably won't spend much time in it anyway, or you can live it up and do something super luxe.) You can enjoy your time with the people you travel with (even kids, who everyone worries won't travel well, do, in fact, enjoy new locations. They're interested and entertained and just as happy as you are. I know. Really. We do it all the time.) You can even travel alone and make new friends. Our experience from our small group trips is that people truly enjoy each other's company and often remain friends and keep in touch.