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 Holiday Treats You Can Bring Back from Paris for Family & Friends!

It's all just too good! Right? That's what you're thinking as you take another bite of something wonderful or walk by another specialty shop or Christmas market chalet...Too much to try and too little time!And what about your sister, best friend, mother, boss, neighbor....Wouldn't it be great if they could just taste this? Maybe then they'd believe you that it really and truly is better in Paris!So for those of you who are traveling to France over the holidays (you lucky guys and girls), even if you aren't traveling with Bliss Travels, here are some treats you can safely bring back to the US to share and extend that fabulous holiday experience (video)!1. That fabulous bottle or bottles of wine. Pick a bottle that gives you a great memory, or a small growth French wine you can't get in the US. Someone keeps spreading rumors that there's a two bottle limit. Not so. You can bring as much as you can carry yourself. You cannot ship wine into the US without a license (US regulations prohibit that), but you can carry it in your suitcase. You must check it though because it's a liquid over 3 to 4 ounces. Wrap the wine in your clothing and put it in the center of your suitcase. Have your case marked fragile.2. Fabulous Artisan walnut bread or fig bread. Buy it the day of departure. Wrap it in wax or brown paper, and then wrap in plastic. Reheat gently in an oven when you return (it will make it feel and taste fresh) or freeze for another day! Serve it with goat cheeses or foie gras or just plain with butter.3. Cognac soaked candied chestnuts. Amazing amazing treat. If you can manage not to eat them all on the flight home, whoever you give these too will  love you forever.4. A tin of pure goose foie gras (sold in the duty free). Chill before serving. Serve with a fig or cherry compote, brioche, Poilane bread (or the bread above), and coarse sea salt --And of course, one of those fabulous bottles of wine you brought home with you!5. For those of you who don't cook, pick up a tin of Pierre Herme Hot Chocolate "mix". It's decadent and worth the price --unless you know how to make real hot chocolate yourself. Then, of course, just bring back fine chocolate tablets and great spices!Of course, you could simply come with us. We provide all of that and have a few (dozen) more treats up our sleeves for our guests!

Black Friday Travel to Paris for Christmas Sale!!!

dFor Black Friday only, Bliss Travels is offering any of it's Paris trips for sale at 10% off the retail price, if a deposit is made by the end of  Black Friday (anytime between now and the morning of Saturday November 26, 2011). The Ultimate Gift...Paris over Christmas at almost $1,000 off for two people!

That means $460 off for Paris over Christmas, per person! Must make deposit via paypal from the website by November 26th. Contact wendy@blisstravels.com  with questions.Marketing never looked so good! Stroll with us, wine in hand. Enjoy the holiday in a new way!Discover Bliss Travels - a personal, small group experience.