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Guest Post: From Monique Marriage
Please enjoy our guest post from Madame Monique
Marriage...Posted on French Wedding Style! And look at the
post as it was originally published
Elope to Paris
French Wedding Style Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Bliss Travels
Wendy shares with us one of her real life elopement stories: “Michelle and Jack called me less than three months before their wedding date to ask if I could create a Paris elopement for them…Running off to the City of Lights to get married. Just the two of them. In the end, his father, and her mother, and their best friends also traveled with them. During the weeks that followed, our celebrant spent time speaking with Michelle and Jack about their lives, their love and the ceremony ahead so that he could craft the perfect moment for them.
Once in Paris, we arranged to meet for the first time in an historic art deco building on the Left Bank. Sharing Laduree pastries and some Champagne, we talked about the weekend ahead. We arranged for a ceremony in the Tuileries Gardens, by the lily pool, off to the side, under a beautiful tree. When we arrived, there was a painter, in full white, paint splattered smock, with easel, working on an oil painting. We couldn’t resist the setting and held the ceremony with the painter as our background. Along side the painter were some enthusiastic teens. Everyone was onboard with the romance of the marriage –and the teens threw rose petals at the bride and groom at the perfect moment, while the painter provided the most Parisian backdrop possible for this impromptu garden ceremony. After the ceremony, the couple was doused with a shower of rose petals and applause by family, friends, and locals…Everyone wanted to celebrate.
After the ceremony we took the couple, and the photographer, by limousine through Paris for photos at all of the fabulous sites. In between stops they enjoyed gourmet treats, champagne and a miniature wedding cake –little treats before they joined their friends and family for the more formal Wedding dinner. This wedding was romantic, casual elegance at its best.”There is something just so romantic about eloping especially to the capital of romance Paris. After all the big wedding celebrations have finished it is still two people making a commitment to each other and starting their life together – just with a few less guests if you elope. Thanks to Bliss Travels for opening the doors on the details behind couples who elope to Paris.As a discussion point, for all those couples who did elope did you tell your family before the big day or after?Happy elopement planning.Monique x x
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!
A Blissful Valentine's Day in Paris!
Bliss Travels...to Paris for Valentine's Day. What's up in the city of romance, on the most romantic day of the year! Well, lots! Two of our clients were interviewed by French television and featured on TV, as they enjoyed the things we gave them (a bottle of Champagne, some treats, and a lock for the Pont des Arts). All of our clients enjoyed privately arranged, top, tasting menus special to Valentine's Day. Meals of a lifetime! And, love was everywhere!This wall is an example of living art in Paris. It says I love you in 250 languages!
as are the shops...
and the Parisian fountains...(even the empty ones)
and the shop windows...
And, bien sur, the weddings themselves! Don't forget those! You can always elope to Paris!
Finally, to pay homage to the romantic tradition that resulted in Bliss Travels clients ending up on French television, here's one of Anthony Bianciella's amazing photographs of the very bridge on which it occurred!We hope you can capture a moment with us to travel to France this spring or summer!
4 Reasons A Guidebook Won't Suffice for Real Foodies!
First, a guidebook or review only gives you old news. First the place is reviewed, or worse, someone collects third party reviews Then the review is edited. Then published. Then read by you. Then, eventually used!Second, you have no idea who the reviewers were in most cases. Readers? Diners asked for their opinion? What kind of taste do they have and what is their level of experience? How do you know what they call charming isn't an awful place that microwaves their food? How do you know that what they call nice, isn't pretentious? The simple answer is, since you don't get to interact with them and ask questions about their recommendations, you don't know their point of view about these things.Third, it's written and then done. It doesn't revisit or speak to people or update itself for your trip...Fourth, what if you have a problem, change your mind, or something doesn't go according to plan? The guidebook is useless.Here is a recent true experience that highlights all four of these points:I had been reading about a great little restaurant, with a "brilliant" young chef for a while. The place was teeny, tiny. The location was good. And I thought, this will be great either for a private dinner for a small group of my clients, or simply to recommend to my clients for a night out in a charming, authentic and well priced, casual gourmet bistro meal. But, and here's the big "but". I never recommend a place I haven't tried. So, I went.I was told I could only eat at 7 or 7:30pm, though I booked well in advance. Okay. I arrived at 7:30pm. The place was adorable. The waitress was lovely. The kitchen was open and the chef was visible and quietly working. All good signs. After about 40 minutes, I had not been shown the blackboard menu, and my order had not been taken. For a solo diner, that's really inexcusable. Seeing that there were still 6 people ahead of me who had to order (a little less than 1/2 the restaurant) and making some calculations given there was one chef and one waitress, I decided to invent a polite excuse so I could leave. I said I had a 9pm appointment and as it was a little after 8pm, I was certain I'd never finish in time, and was very sorry, but could I pay for my glass of wine. I'd have to come back another time, I said (and meant). The chef was a bit brusque, and said, why? There would be no problem serving me and getting me out before 9pm as they had another seating at 9pm. Now, here's where someone with experience clicks in....Immediately, that brought three major problems to mind:1. They planned to serve me 3 courses (first, main and dessert) along with a check within 45 minutes? That meant they'd be able to prepare 2 of the 3 (assuming dessert was pre made) within 10 minutes. That meant it had to be microwaved Or precooked and microwaved...You can't cook a duck breast in only 5 minutes etc. Not a good sign. Plus given the tables needing to order, and the one chef, it meant nothing whatsoever was made on the spot, not a pot on the stove.2. That then made me wonder how fast I was going to have to eat....If it took them 5 minutes to prepare each microwaved, or cold plate, then that gave me about 7 minutes per course before their next seating. That sounded like a lot of stress!!!3. There were NO SMELLS in the restaurant. There were two very friendly diners next to me, eating a braised lamb concoction (that truly did need to be made well in advance --and was better prepared like that) but there was no smell of food in the restaurant. Also, the couple on my other side ordered dessert, which had to have come directly from the fridge --as it arrived in less than 30 seconds. Not a great sign.So instead of deciding to return, I've decided that the reviews and the hype were inaccurate and Bliss Travels clients will not be going to this restaurant...Pas de tout!Bliss Travels will be eating things like the below 70% cocoa chocolate tart with caramel (as they did yesterday):
Or the below pistachio cake with grapefruit, and "grapefruit paper". Gone in a flash!
French Cheeses, A Preview of our tasting event!
Yesterday began our scouring of the French markets for cheeses!Among our discoveries were 36 month and 48 month aged Comtes. Some of the best we've tried.
Bertrand, the shops owner, agreed to do our Parisian tastings himself, either at his shop or personally delivering to our venue! I'm very excited by this because the quality of his products was superior, even for a French cheesemonger.Among the other choices was a truffle stuffed Camembert
After visiting 4 cheese shops in search of specific artisan products, I determined this was the best, by far!We provided clients some late afternoon fortification against the Paris cold! See you soon!
REMEMBER TO contact us if you want to take advantage of our early booking coupon OR if you are attending our wine and cheese tasting in Paris!A Bientôt,Wendywendy@blisstravels.comwww.blisstravels.com
Burgundy Wine Trip Updates
We are planning our twice annual, super exclusive, insider, trip to Burgundy for April and September. What could be better than Spring and Harvest? We note that Burgundy wines are red hot right now, flying off the shelves. So, if you like Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, this is the region for you!Here's a taste of Bliss in Burgundy:Below is the private lounge we use for our breakfasts, and an afternoon aperitif. There are only 4 rooms in this stunning private property.
Below is the living area for one of the 4 rooms (2 of which are suites)
One of the baths:
And one of the 2 non suite rooms. Notice the original antiques and art!
After you've relaxed, we visit vineyards and taste wines. The tastings are private and custom.Visit the centuries old cellars of a winemaker for a private barrel tasting.
Have a private wine tasting of premier cru and grand cru Burgundy wines by candle light
Visit the famous villages, markets and winemaker's of the region.
Then, finish in Paris, the City of Lights for fine dining, custom menus and special experiences
Contact us now to be part of this very small, special trip. wendy@blisstravels.comA Bientôt,Wendy JaegerOwner, Bliss Travels609 462 6213
Time for Truffles! 3 Favorites to Eat in Paris in February!
Winter in France. What's for dinner? Truffles.Best to get the most of your truffle, since they are so expensive. First, make sure you're using the best truffles. Not the nasty flavorless things that sometimes show up in place of the real: Tuber melanosporum, available in France (found in Perigord and Provence) between November and March.
3. Our already famously sought after Truffle pizza....It's pure Bliss!www.blisstravels.com
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.
5 Highlights of our Christmas Day in Paris…
- The Day starts with a stroll along the Seine (mais oui) to…
- Lunch. But, you must ask, what does one have for lunch on Christmas Day in Paris? Well, a mon avie (in my opinion), this is a meal meant for comfort and relaxation –not “white table cloth” fine dining. Just friends enjoying a great time….Now, don’t be confused. I don’t mean that the food should be “average”. It should be superb –just not “stuffy”. So, my recommendation (and our menu) consisted of Oysters or Salmon or Foie Gras… followed by Roast Leg of Lamb or Duck stuffed with Dried Fruits, or Scallops.
You get the idea, I’m sure. Dessert was a made to order Buche de Noel of Chocolate, Chestnut, Clementine. And, I for one, have to say, YUM. It ranked as one of my favorite meals of the season.
- A stroll to see the City Hall of Paris --location of Robert Doisneau’s famous “kiss” photgraph, and site of Rodin sculptures –and iceskaters!
- Then, it might be nice to stroll the Ile St Louis? It has such an aura. Of course, Bertillon is a requirement if you stop there! As is the Felini-esque show performed, as is usual, in the most interesting way possible, along a bridge on the Seine river.
- Finally –an evening stroll along St Andre des Arts and a stop at St Michel –and perhaps a wine and cheese somewhere (nod to Brooke!!).
Now, that’s a Christmas Day!
Christmas in Paris: It Must be Time for Something…
Christmas in Paris: It Must be Time for Something…
You know --that moment after you've had lunch, and walked, and seen "everything"...there must be something else to do or have or see....cause this is so much fun!
So, how do you spend a day in Paris over Christmas week? Well, first you…
1.Find an out of the way, top of the top, Bistrot, with a star chef
2.You walk a mile and take the metro –to get there (and stimulate appetite
3.You order: Oysters Tartare with Cream of Lettuce or some other unfathomable but superb combination of ingredients
4.You walk the Christmas markets all afternoon
buying presents and drinking hot spiced wine!
- Enjoy the sights!
Stay tuned for DAY TWO!
6 Holiday Shopping Tips: How to shop in France
Shopping, that "all American sport" is one of those cultural obsessions we share with the French. Paris is one of the shopping meccas of the world
And, although it's done differently, it's something, especially at this time of year that both the French and the Americans do with gusto! Holiday Shopping. Whether you visit the Christmas markets, the shops, Paris or Provence, here are some great tips for how to pick up the best gift and also make the experience one to remember.
Here are some tips to make the most of your experience.1. The French are more formal than Americans in their commercial encounters. Begin each transaction --indeed, each entry into an establishment, with a formal "bonjour". Always say "merci" and "au revoir" as well. We Americans like to pop in and out of stores and, if we aren't seriously considering a purchase we don't like to "bother" the staff. The French see it differently. Whereas we might find it rude to 'interrupt', they find it rude not to say hello and goodbye.
2. Comment on the items for sale. Talk about them. Ask questions. Find out where they're from, or how they're made, or how to wear them etc. There's a lot of merchant pride and there are a lot of small artisans and producers who take great pride in their work, and they will likely show you even more special things, once they see that you care about their craft. Plus, you'll learn a little something and connect with someone. (Bliss always makes it a point to introduce people to at least one artisan producer or craftsperson on our trips so people can learn about the product but more so, connect with a different person and culture --the raison d'être for travel!)
3. When you make a purchase in the United States, you hand the money to the merchant and they put the change back in your hands. In France, the money goes on the little tray in front of the register and the change gets put there as well for you to pick up. Rarely do you see a "hand to hand" transaction.4. More than likely, if you buy something, you will be asked if it's "a gift". If it is, it will be charmingly and uniquely wrapped for you. It's so great to return home and give a gift that not only is unique, but looks unique. So, if it's a gift, by all means say so!5. Remember to visit some of the smaller shops and boutiques, as well as window shopping (or as the French phrase translates --licking the windows!) the big named designer shops. So you can get a taste of the region and culture instead of the world popular market.
6. If you're in the countryside --Provence, for example, find out what the specialty of that town is, and then visit those shops. If you're in Sault, it's Lavender. If you're in other places it's pottery or paint pigments or cherries or a particular type of cheese or candied fruit...You get the idea. Local is extremely significant in France. And local means a very small area. (Let me tell you a story. One evening I was sitting at a friend's dinner table, in a small village in Provence. She had a fabulously delicious olive oil on the table. I complimented her on it and asked if it was local (almost rhetorically, because I assumed it would be). She said no. I was shocked and said, "really?" Her response was telling: "No, it's not local, it's from my grandfather's tree." Now, that's really local!!!Have a Blissful Holiday shopping experience! And write us if we can help!Wendy@blisstravels.com
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
How to Fall in Love in Paris: A True Story
Paris is the city of Love and Romance. Mais Oui! And never more so than over Christmas and Valentine's Day. This is a true story about finding love in Paris. One I like telling as I begin to plan for all the holidays.About this time, two years ago, Bliss Travels, was leading a group through France for a photo shoot of wedding gowns for Nicole Miller Philadelphia, when the first of three paralyzing snow storms hit the East Coast of the US. The photographer and I arrived in Provence for our destination wedding photo shoot, only to find that the model and all of the clothing were snowed in at home.Our intrepid photographer and I were sitting in a tiny village restaurant having a Christmas lunch with the town (yes, pretty much the entire town)
trying to decide how to photograph a destination wedding without a bride or bridal clothing when our waiter appeared-handsome, blue eyed and very photogenic. As we munched on pâté and warm toast, followed by a red wine soaked Provencal daube (for her) and a duck confit (for me) and the traditional 13 desserts (okay, it wasn't a hardship!) we hatched a plan with the town councilwoman whose hospitality we were enjoying.
For the next 36 hours as we received frantic updates from our 'bride' saying she (and our wedding dresses) were in transit, Julien continued to show up for photo shoots with a bow tie and a grin.Finally, on our last night in this little village, we invited Julien to dinner and told him that our "bride" would be waiting when he arrived. Secretly, Sarah and I joked that Julien could not possibly believe we really had a model on the way. There had been so many canceled meetings. As this became more and more comic, we plied Julien with pre dinner aperitifs and attempted to convince him -over his laughs and eye rolls -- that our "bride" did exist. At that moment, our "bride" , Mia Calona, sauntered in as if she was only "fashionably late" for a party. Julien took one look at her, smiled and said "oui, oui" (without asking if it was pretend).
However, like any 'marriage of convenience', theirs was over before it it began. Julien was off to see his family for the holidays and we left for Chateauneuf du Pape and Paris. We spent three more days of photography and then spent Christmas Day in Paris (which I highly recommend) together celebrating the success of our trip.The next morning, another paralyzing storm hit the East Coast, and Sarah found herself stuck in Charles de Gaulle airport for several hours, unable to leave France. So, she struck up a conversation with another delayed traveler (yes, part French) and, you guessed it, they hit it off. Within weeks, he had moved to Philadelphia. Within months they were engaged. And, now they are getting married! So, finding love in the City of Light and Love is always possible. Just ask Sarah!
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!
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.
French Olive Oils: Tips for How to Choose the Best
Olive oil is fabulous, and comes in a huge variety of flavors and prices. That seems to surprise people. To know the basics is important. What olives you use and the method of pressing them affects flavor. The way you store and use oils also affects flavor. Below are some tips for Olive Oil use that we teach at Bliss Travels when we do tastings in France.
1. Olive oil should be cold pressed. Why? Heat destroys the oil. The best quality oils are cold pressed, and will say so on the label. This brings up another point.2. Light and heat destroy Olive oil. So, store your oils in a cool place, in dark bottles or out of the sunlight.3. Olive oil has a low "smoking" point. This means it burns easily. So, if you cook with it, watch the temperature, and don't use an expensive oil for cooking.4. What are you using the oil for? A drizzle on veggies or fish? Pick a flavorful one --fruity or spicy depending upon the dish you are serving. Last year, we gave our clients this amazing meal in Provence, and the olive oil on this dish was from local trees, to complement the local produce!
A salad dressing? Pick one based on the other ingredients in the dressing. Using oil in your pan so food doesn't stick? Pick the least expensive, lightest flavored oil.In the below picnic we brought for clients on the TGV train to Provence, we have 3 oils being use. The first for the vinaigrette (notice the dark bottle), is mild, but fruity as it is mixed with vinegar, mustard, salt...and for the artichoke. The second is in the chicken presse, with zucchini --a strong spicy oil, to hold it's own with the ingredients. Last, there is a mild oil used in cooking the vegetable tians.
The best way to learn about the oils and to choose the ones you most like is to taste them plain or with a bit of bread. Visit an Olive Oil mill. (We do all the time on our trips) Plan different tastings --and then make spiced oils for breads. The more you try them, the more you'll figure out which oils work best for which of your dishes.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!
- 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.