“Most of my treasured memories of travel are recollections of sitting.”
Robert Thomas Allen

FROM PARIS: Warm summer days in Paris, who can complain about a working visit to the City of Light? A few years since my last stay, the cobblestone streets are familiar, the gorgeous architecture and skyline never change; unlike New York or San Francisco, where glassy green high rise buildings compete with each other for a sliver of space. Baron Haussmann, the supreme civic planner under Napoleon, ravaged and rebuilt Paris for years perfecting the wide avenues, planting thousands of trees, creating an unrivaled beautiful city. The exchange rate has bounced dramatically, but for all the glamour, elegance, divine restaurants, marvelous museums, what other city compares with Paris?

Ultimately, what matters the most, is what you do once you reach your destination.

I sat in cafes, walked for hours, rested and observed the VV (very very) chic locals in the petite parks, nibbled on yummy desserts (heavenly macaroons!) at Ladurée, sipped très cher cappuccinos in the lovely bar at Le Crillion, and The Ritz Garden.

A museum list would fill pages. If Opera Garnier is available during your visit, it is not to be missed; the building alone, instigated by Emperor Napoleon III, is an opulent, ornate statement, a monument to French style, capped by it’s Marc Chagall painted ceiling. Enjoyed a very late night supper in Le Dali restaurant–at Le Meurice. Philippe Starck unleashed himself in a grand Dali-esque fashion transposing the captivating room with gold & ochre, whimsical Dali interpretations abound. Exquisite scene: a jazz trio playing softly in the background, elegant guests indulging in irresistible French cuisine.

The bright red awnings at Plaza Athenee are an invitation to glamour and sheer over the top luxury, as only the French provide – attention to detail is of paramount importance at the Plaza Athenee and it is evident everywhere: with fine décor “à la parisienne,” quiet unassuming service, lovely Art Deco or authentic high French Louis XVI or Regency style rooms, maids in proper black heels. Departing for a dawn walk, I encountered a uniformed staff member in the stairwell holding a clear bowl of burning amber, ‘scenting the public spaces with the unique fragrance,’ his daily task of creating perfect ambience; restaurant Alain Ducasse is still a dazzling star, the room drips in 10,000 dangling Swarovski crystal pendants, a magical scene for dinner or an elegant late breakfast! At the Athenee, the pleasure of luxury is celebrated, cultivated and expressed in each venue. Le bar du Plaza is trendy & hip, just beginning to fill with life around 9.30 p.m.

An unrivaled sense of well-being is pervasive in Paris.

My Parisian experts assure stunning private tours: a short description of exquisite tours,history-based adventures to Normandy or Versailles.

o FASHION – Enjoy the privilege of being exclusively received at renowned luxury product and fashion houses.
o WINE – Bordeaux vineyard tours half day or weekend away.
o VERSAILLES – Visit the apartments of Marie-Antoinette, accompanied by the Chateau’s expert guide, and a guard who will unlock these historic, and glorious rooms, that are not open to the public.
o SEINE YACHTING – Embark on an evening cruise on one of the most handsome yachts in Paris, sip cocktails and enjoy a extraordinary multi-course gourmet dinner prepared by a team that has been awarded two Michelin stars.
o WINE CELLAR GEORGE V – Private cocktails in the cellar, rarely open to the public.

Accommodations range from five star luxury palaces, hip hotels, and chic apartments with a view of the Seine – stay for a week or longer and assimilate into all that is Paris!

My friend, Diane, a respected author and editor, has suggested some of her Paris favorites: beloved bookshop: Gallignani on the rue de Rivoli. It is the oldest bookshop in Europe, and has lots of English books. Her suggested Paris route for an afternoon of delight: from the Left Bank, walk across the Seine on the Pont des Arts, then on through the Louvre courtyard, down rue de Rivoli, and then past the Hotel de Crillon to rue du Faubourg St Honore…as far as Hermes. After buying perfume or a scarf, walk back along rue du Faubourg St Honore, look in at Lanvin, and stop at the corner of the rue Royale for tea at Ladurée, (sit downstairs only). If it is full, buy a box of macaroons, but we love to go to Ladurée around 4 p.m. for tea and sandwiches. Walking back down to the Palais Royale and view the handsome garden, the elegant colonnade, and take in the peace and quite of this historic setting.

Happy visit!