Hiking Tips

Simple tips for simple hikes Nov. 17, 2007

D'chez eux, Restaurant in Paris

It's hard to believe, but this classic French bistrot in Paris is not mentioned frequently in travel guides and reviews. However, if you have not had a chance to visit this restaurant, do yourself a favor - you will not regret it - go there! Nov. 17, 2007

Calories Do Count

The latest study conducted by National Center for Health Statistics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) found that U.S. women increased their daily calorie consumption 22 percent between 1971 and 2000, from 1542 calories per day to 1877 calories. During the same period the calorie intake for men increased 7 percent from 2450 calories per day to 2618 calories. It means that calories count even more now. Here are some facts that will help you undestand better calories Nov. 17, 2007

Planning Your Travels with Relais & Chateaux

Relais & Châteaux is an association with headquarters in Paris, France of more than 450 hotels and restaurants throughout the world. Its main goal is to promote and provide various services its members. So, it seems like Relais & Châteaux is catering primarily to their needs - where do we, travelers, fit into this picture?

Nov. 6, 2007

Les Chalets de Philippe

Les Chalets de Philippe is a cluster (a hamlet) of seven dwellings located in Chamonix, a small town and commune in Eastern France, in Haute-Savoie département, at the foot of Mont Blanc. And, as the name implies, these chalets are owned and operated by Philippe (Philippe Courtines, to be precise). But to say just this, is to say nothing about this unique and extraordinary place. I wanted to find a word or phrase that would explain vividly the essence of this place instead of giving you a dry account of room sizes, sleeping capacity and services available at Les Chalets de Philippe. Oct. 19, 2007

Best Payment Options for Travelers

Once very popular, travellers cheques lost their appeal in favor of credit (or debit) cards. In fact, there are fewer and fewer places where you can make payments with cheques whereas "plastic" cards are accepted almost universally nowadays. All these changes are not accidental - credit and debit cards, if chosen and used wisely, provide convenience not attainable with any other method of payment for your expenses. This article focuses on useful tips and some important considerations while using credit and debit cards abroad. Oct. 12, 2007

Service-Compris - Individual Catering Service in Chamonix Valley (France)

When you are traveling and staying in big cities in hotels, your options for getting food are usually limited to restaurants, cafes and similar places. It is fast and convenient; it is possible to find places offering food in different prices ranges and offering different cuisines. Often, restaurant experiences are part of your traveling adventures and often are a source of great enjoyment (or disappointment). But we forget that there are alternatives - one of them is an individual catering service, and it can be as exciting as any great restaurant. Oct. 1, 2007

Ritz Paris - Another side of the Hotel

Ritz Paris hotel is often considered as one of the best hotels in Paris. That's what you can find in Frommer's traveler guide about this hotel: "The Ritz is Europe's greatest hotel, an enduring symbol of elegance on one of Paris's most beautiful and historic squares." A bit below, the guide continues saying that "each guest room is uniquely decorated, most with Louis XIV or XV reproductions; all have fine rugs, marble fireplaces, tapestries, brass beds, and more." Well, our recent experience showed that this is not entirely true. Sept. 28, 2007

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