"Paris, the 'City of Lights' is one of the most beautiful cities in the world"

FRANCE

I first visited Paris and France in 1969 and have been back many times and have discovered much of France.
             
Paris has it all. It has beauty, architecture, museums, churches, ballet, opera, theater, music, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, food markets, antique markets, and wonderful French clothing. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and have a drink or dinner while viewing the city. The tower is 300 meters tall and was built for the 1889 World's Fair. One of my favorite museums in the world is Musee d'Orsey. The museum's building was originally a train station that was converted into the museum in 1986. The museum looks like a Palais des Beaux-Arts.

The d'Orsey has a wonderful collection of French impressionist painters. You can spend days in the Louvre. The Louvre was originally a medieval fort then a royal palace before becoming a museum. The glass pyamid entrance was designed by Pei . Walk down the
Champs-Elyses and go into the wonderful stores or sit at a sidewalk café and sip a glass of wine or have a coffee. Watch the people go by.  The Champs- Elyses is the finish line for the Tour de France. I went to the ballet at the Opera Garnier. What a fabulous evening! Not only was the ballet wonderful but sitting in the Garnier is quite a breath taking experience. If you can not see a performance at the Garnier, at least take a tour.

I always walk extensively wherever I am. I feel it is the only way to see a city and you never know what you will discover. I walked several miles to the Pere Lachaise Cemetary. Chopin, Proust, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison to name a few are buried here. This is a sobering, but educational and interesting experience. You will not be the only ones visiting the cemetery. Paris is truly a sensual experience.
             
In addition to Paris , there is so much to see and do in the rest of France . Recently, I visited the Dordogne/Lot region. I stayed in the most charming inns, hotels and chateaus and discovered the quaintest villages. Roccamadour was one of my favorite villages.

It is a medieval village set high on a vertical cliff overlooking a ravine. As the sun sets, a magical feel comes over the village, I also visited pre-historic caves. These caves are subterranean wonders and are all quite different. Visit Provence , the land of Cezanne and Matisse. The villages sit among lavender and huge sunflower fields. See the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct, and the spectacular Roman ampitheater in Arles and watch a bullfight. This is different from a Spanish bullfight. The bull and the bullfighter are both winners.
There are wonderful food and antique markets in Provence . I have skied in France . What fun and what a treat! Even on the slopes, the food is delicious. I have only touched on a few highlights of France . There are so many wonderful places to visit. The food is c'est delicieux as the French say and the cheeses and wines are out of this world.

Contact Anne our Europe specialist at:

888 333 7071 (toll free) or 808 573 3332

"The heart and soul of Italy is in the countryside"

ITALY

The first time I went was in 1978 and the more I return and have new adventures, the more I fall in love with Italy and want to return. Rome, the Eternal City, is the capital of Italy and was once the capital of the Roman Empire . When visiting the Roman and Imperial Forums and the Colosseum, you can actually imagine yourself living in Rome during the Roman Empire . It is quite incredible to walk down the paths and see the ruins. Vatican City is amazing whatever your religious background. Michelangelo designed most of St. Peter's Basilica and painted the ceilings of the Sistine chapel.

These frescoes are considered one of the greatest achievements in Western art. Before leaving Rome , you must throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. This supposedly ensures your returning to Italy . Afterwards, go for a refreshing gelato and enjoy the wonderful assortment of flavors.

Florence is a beautiful picturesque city with russet rooftops and imposing domes. You have to go to the Accademia and see the original Statue of David. The other great museum is the Uffizi with western paintings and sculptures. For most, the jewelry stores on the Ponte Vecchio are a must. Florence is also great for leather shopping.

Venice is built on one hundred and seventeen small islands and has one hundred and fifty canals, connected by four hundred and nine bridges of which only three cross the main canal. The Piazza of San Marco is considered the center of Venice . It is great to just walk and walk and see all the out of the way nooks and crannies of Venice . The second time I went to Venice , I was there for Carnival in February. The costumes were colorful, amazing and truly works of art. The city had a festive atmosphere and was really a lot of fun during this time.
     
However, Italy is not just these three cities. There are other cities to visit. I also feel the heart and soul of Italy is in the countryside. Tuscany is one of my all time favorites with towns like Siena, Pisa and Lucca . Then there are the small fortressed hill towns like Volterra, San Gimignano and Montepulciano. The islands off of Tuscany are also wonderful to visit. I took the ferry to Elba and enjoyed a relaxing few days. Napolean lived on Elba for nine months. In Tuscany , you can rent a private villa or stay in a charming hotel. Tuscany is a gourmet heaven for food and wine. There are culinary courses to be taken where you cook and visit wineries. Cycling and walking are also great in Tuscany . I am partial to Tuscany but there is also Umbria , Puglia , Sicily and northern Italy with the Alps and lakes. There is hiking and skiing in the Alps . Wherever you want to go in Italy , I can help you plan a special and unique vacation.