Paris Vacations: Part 5 - Day Four: City of Paris - Right Bank

Museums are good if, as everything else, are taken in moderation. Indeed, we felt that after two days of immersion into French history and culture, it was the time to look at the city itself, its people and everyday life. How do you do this? You just walk, mix with crowds and watch. So, our next day we decided to explore the right bank (La Rive Droite in French) of the city. Sept. 14, 2007

Paris Vacations: Part 6 - Day Five: City of Paris - Left Bank

While visiting Notre Dame de Paris and La Conciergerie we already had a chance to see a small piece of the left bank. But that was just to wake up our appetite for more exploration. Our next day in Paris we devoted entirely to this area. Sept. 14, 2007

Paris Vacations: Part 4 - Day Three: Versailles and Musee d'Orsay

While planning your visit to the Château decide on how much time you want to spend there - this place is big, both literally and figuratively. It occupies 2,000 acres of grounds with 12 miles of roads and more than 200,000 trees. There are 50 fountains; the total area covered by roofs is 26 acres! The palace has more than 550,000 square feet with more than 700 rooms decorated with 22,500 paintings, drawing and engravings and 2,100 sculptures. Art collections at the Musée d'Orsay are extensive, but of course it's not as big as Louvre or Versailles. According to the official data, the museum has 680 paintings on its floor with the total of 5,026 art objects cataloged. Well, 680 paintings only - but what kind of paintings! Sept. 11, 2007

Paris Vacations: Part 3 - Day Two: Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris and La Conciergerie

As planned, the second day was devoted entirely to museums. The first on the list was Louvre - one of the oldest and largest art galleries and museums. And, of course, being in Paris without visiting Louvre was just not possible. La Conciergerie, as a place, is not that large - visitors enter the Conciergerie at the Hall of Men-at-Arms, a massive Gothic hall and remarkable 209 feet long, 90 feet wide and 28 feet high architectural structure. But mostly, La Conciergerie with its recreation of actual prison cells and other facilities remains a grim reminder of the darkest days in France's history. Sept. 2, 2007

Paris Vacations: One Week of Fulfilling Dreams

What can I possibly write about Paris? List of places to visit with brief description of each of them? Or, some blurb about restaurants and bistros that are allegedly better than others? Hardly, there is any motivation for doing this - so much reference material has been published - just choose from a variety of colorful guides the one that appeals to you more and buy it and find in one place enough information not for one trip to Paris but for a dozen. Read this account of a personal experience in planning and visiting Paris.

Part I - Coming to Paris
Part 2 - Our Hotel: First Steps
Part 3 - Day Two: Musée du Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris and La Conciergerie
Part 4 - Day Three: Versailles and Musée d'Orsay
Part 5 - Day Four: City of Paris - Right Bank
Part 6 - Day Five: City of Paris - Left Bank

Sept. 1, 2007

Paris Vacations: Part 2 - Our Hotel: First Steps

Part 2 of Paris Vacations article describing first steps in the city and most important Le Bristol, our hotel in Paris Sept. 1, 2007

Meet John Hardy - Jewelry Designer

If you go to the best stores in America looking for a necklace, or a ring, or bracelet, you would hardly miss displays carrying the name of John Hardy - a designer known worldwide for his luxury lines of intricate handmade jewelry. John Hardy's creations are based on traditional techniques developed throughout centuries by Balinese craftsmen and equally inspired by local arts and ornaments offering a unique combination of ancient mystique with timeless and at the same time modern design. Every piece of jewelry that carries his signature is made by hand. John Hardy's name today is known worldwide and his business is still expanding gaining new markets and even wider popularity. Aug. 25, 2007

Revive Your Digital Pictures with Light

Here is a brief tutorial on a technique that can help add a punch to your pictures and/or correct digital photos that have various problems like incorrect exposure or insufficient dynamic range. This is a method of post-processing photographs that is widely known to Photoshop professionals and that allows with minimum amount of time to make pictures better. It refers to the use of light (and appearance of lighting) to enhance visual effect produced by any kind of shot. Aug. 11, 2007

Overall Run Falls - Virginia Highest Waterfall

Overall Run Falls is the highest waterfall in the Shenandoah National Park and in Virginia. It consists of two drops, where the upper one is 29 feet and the lower is 93 feet. Both are located near each other and can be accessed using the same trail. As all other waterfalls in Virginia, it can be best described as a cascading type; nevertheless, the lower drop and surrounding area with an overlook is very picturesque and worth visiting. Be prepared for rough terrain and steep hikes. Aug. 11, 2007

Mussels a la Serge

This is a wonderful recipe - when served it looks more like a mussel "soup" giving a rich experience where the taste of mussels is backed by the richness of cooked and spiced vegetables. It takes about two hours to prepare this dish - most of this time is needed to prepare a kind of creamy tomato and spinach soup which will be used to cook (and serve) mussels. Aug. 11, 2007

Great Falls Park and Great Falls of the Potomac River

Many people consider the Great Falls of the Potomac to be the most spectacular natural landmark in the Washington D.C. area. This dramatic scene makes Great Falls Park, located just fifteen miles from the Nation's Capital, a popular site with local residents and tourists from around the world who are visiting the Washington area. Aug. 11, 2007

Great Falls Park - Part 2: Great Falls Park Destinations

Great Falls Park can offer not only spectacular views, but also many trails variety of different experiences. This part of the article describes what to do at the park including the exploration of Difficult Run. Aug. 11, 2007

15 Things Men Want

What seems strange, unacceptable and surprising to a woman can be quite natural and normal for a man. Here is an unexpected submission we've got on this issue (written by a man) - 15 things men want. The author of these notes explained that the main motivation for this submission was his desire to improve communication between men and women. It's up to you to decide whether you like it or not. Aug. 11, 2007

Blini - Russian Version of Pancakes

Blini, Russian version of pancakes, are a traditional Slavic dish found not only in Russia, but also in other countries of Eastern Europe. To prepare perfect blini, a lot of effort and skills are required. However, non-stick pans (instead of old-fashion cast-iron frying pans) and products like Bisquick can significantly facilitate the cooking process. Do not expect the same quality with new approaches; still the final result is a good compromise that saves time and effort. Also, the purpose of this article is to illustrate some details of the preparation process that are equally important for both traditional recipes and the one offered here. Aug. 11, 2007

International Driving Permit (IDP)

There is a lot of discussions (sometimes very emotional and speculative) on whether you should have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Europe, and, in particular, in Italy. Requirements for having IDP differ from country to country but actual practice has proved that you may drive for years in European countries without IDP and without ever been asked to show IDP. However, this doesn't mean that it is legal to drive without one or that Italian police will never ask you to show IDP or driver's license translation if it stops you Aug. 11, 2007

Foreign Transaction Fees

With the proliferation of many financial products (also fueled by new technologies and the globalization of economies) many people switched while traveling abroad from the American Express "cheques" to credit card that with instant payment processing capabilities and using actual (currency markets) exchange rates offered considerable savings and convenience. However, credit card issuers quickly noticed that they could still make more money without losing this market by adding various charges to transactions made in foreign countries. The goal of this article is to increase your awareness of potential problems and costs with using credit and other cards abroad. Aug. 11, 2007

Costume and Fashion Jewelry

Costume jewelry is often defined as jewelry designed for wearing with current fashions and usually made of inexpensive materials. Nowadays, it seems like it is the design and function that distinguish costume jewelry from any "estate" type of jewels. There are many talented fashion jewelry designers offering all types of costume jewelry to select from. We want to introduce one of them, Amy Kahn Russell, a brilliant designer with her works featured in a number of fashion magazines. Her signature is on many stunning hand-made pieces like this stunning necklace. Aug. 11, 2007

Traditional Dining Places in Paris

Here is the list of several off the beaten track, mostly inexpensive restaurants with main courses prices from 10&ero; to 35€. The list is a result of a research based on personal experiences. Many of these places do not appear in travel guides. In fact, if they do, that would be a very strong factor for not including one or another restaurant into the list. We have tried to select places visited by locals.

Aug. 11, 2007