This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe

Bateaux Parisiens is a cruise company that conducts sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Seine, along with operating a river-boat shuttle called Batobus.

I opted for an evening sightseeing cruise, and for an hour we cruised the Seine while the hostess pointed out a number of attractions.  The commentary was pleasant and informative, and not filled with the typical puns and drivel that you so often get on tours.

Schedules vary, but details and information can easily be found in the city.  At the time I was there the sightseeing cruise operated every half hour until 10 pm, and cost €11.  It was easy to walk up and get a seat.  Reservations required, however, for lunch and dinner cruises.

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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Post from: The Paris Traveler

There are so many parts of Paris that are sort of alluded to in guidebooks, but as a first time visitor, there just isn’t time to hit everything.  Being overwhelmed by all there is to see and do is understandable and expected.  The little journey I am going to send you on isn’t out of the way–it’s something that you might not know to do but can easily fit into your day.  The above photo is taken from Place de la Concorde looking down Rue Royale towards Place de la Madeleine which is where you might want to go today.

 La Madeleine’s history has created the sense of it being a bit of a lost soul, by what a beautiful one it is.  Initially built under the reign of Louis XV, it was meant to be a church modeled after a Roman temple.  Clearly, that is what one is reminded of as they come upon this massive structure, surrounded as it is by 52 Corinthian columns.  Throughout it’s life, La Madeleine was slated to become a bank, parliament building, theatre, stock exchange and just one more symbol of Napoleon’s conquests, but at the end of the day, it is still a church.  A massive square surrounds it which is equally fun to visit as it has become a shopping mecca with Fauchon and Hediard competing for your tastebud’s attention right across the street from one another, while Ralph Lauren, Cerruti, Eres and other designers tempt you with their fashion offerings.  It can be a heady day, to say the least.  Underground at Metro Madeleine, you’ll find Darty which is the equivilent of Best Buy in the states.  It was weird  buying my DVD player at a metro station, underground and then haul it back home, but such is life in Paris. 

Not to take away from this beautiful building, you first need to pay homage to it’s beauty and history and then participate in all the fun shopping surrounding La Madeleine.   A stone’s throw from Place de la Concorde, you really won’t be going too far out of your way!

Photo credit:  tim mcmlv@flickr, Wikipedia

Post from: The Paris Traveler

Awhile back, I wrote a post about a gem of a website, The Little Bookroom, which features beautiful volumes devoted to travel, food, wine, shopping and equally beautiful journals that easily inspire one to jot down thoughts that could be a future title on this charming site.

  Previously, I mentioned a book by Gilles Pudlowski, Pudlo Paris, a guide to all that is yummy in Paris–restaurants, bars, cafés and gourmet shops.  A foodie’s Paris bible if there ever was one.

Now, Mr. Pudlowski has taken his show on the road.  Pudlo France,  just out last month, is a comprehensive journey through the entire country, listing places to lay one’s head and fill one’s tummy all across France.  The size of a brick, this book will not fit in your back pocket. But it will provide you with a well thought out listing of the good, better and best restaurants and hotels to fit most budgets, arranged in alphabetical order according to town,  highlighted on glossy maps that take trip planning from headache to pure pleasure.

In my very humble experience, I would have to say that getting someplace and throwing one’s suitcase on a saggy mattress that saw better days in the 60’s and metal folding chairs considered the equivalent of “comfy”, takes the joy out of travel.  Equally disappointing is taking stabs in the dark as to what restaurants to try as you spend as little time as possible in your hotel room.  I love food–I don’t want to make meal mistakes.  I want my mouth to dance with culinary delights that are awaiting me whether they be at a Guy Savoy establishment or a mom and pop café that feels like you have been invited to dinner at some-one’s home.  Mr. Pudlowski has been gracious enough to eat and sleep his way through France so we can eliminate our own personal travel catastrophes.

 I must say, the man is a genius–he did not suggest the hotel my daughter and I stayed in on our trip to Menton.  That alone is worth the price of the book.  Trust me.

Photo credit:  Little Bookroom

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 As you may or may not know, us bloggers have our wily ways of discovering certain things about our blogs:  readership for the day, popular posts, where in the world some of our readers come from and which bloggers have linked to one of our posts in order to make a point or add extra information to their post.  Tuesday, The Paris Traveler was linked to an article and I am going to send you right back there!

Alexander Lobrano is the European correspondent for Gourmet magazine–can you say “dream job”??? Oh my goodness.  Eating my way through Europe and then writing about it would be……there are no words.  Beyond amazing.  Anyway, he has just come out with a book, Hungry for Paris: The Ultimate Guide To The City’s 102 Best Restaurants. This particular article on Budget Travel, gives readers some insight into eating in Paris without breaking the bank.  Not the easiest thing to do with the exchange rate hovering at $1.57.  

The previous author of The Paris Traveler, Lynn, wrote a post about a certain spot in Paris, that I would agree should not be missed as I spend time there when I can, and Mr. Lobrano refers to it in this article.  I’m not going to spill the beans.  You are going to have to head over there and see for yourself what I’m referring to.  Hint:  It’s in item number 1.  This, my friends, is Link Love.  

Additional information:  Budget Travel, Barnes and Noble

Photo credit:  Barnes and Noble 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 For those of you who are foodies and find yourself in the Latin Quarter area, a visit to Rue Mouffetard would and should be the call of the day.  Located in the 5th, this street is a remnant of a Roman road that lead south to Italy and the origin of its outdoor market can be traced back to 1350.  Typical of the middle ages, people still venture here for their daily food shopping which, ahem, I do believe surpasses the other famous foodie street, Rue Cler.  I’m sure that will get a rise out of some people.

The fruits and vegetables brought in by farmers who set up shop in the open air market are spectacular.  Blood oranges and mangoes and figs are more like candy than fruit, that’s how sweet and succulent they are.  Buy an incredible wedge of cheese at any one of the several cheese shops, a baguette, find a quite corner in the tiny garden at Saint Médard, the church at the southern end of the street and be mindful that life does not get much better!!

Over the years, shops have given way to less than spectacular tourist traps, selling things you really don’t need.  Once the market shuts down, restaurants along the street open their doors and you can find typically rustic French fare or burgers and fries depending on how adventuresome you are.  A great place to unwind, although a bit trendy is Café Delmas, the old café where Hemingway is said to have frequented, which has been cleaned and scrubbed up and he probably would hate it now.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here and the menu will fit the bill for all kinds of eaters.  

This particular area has some wonderful sites to visit that aren’t on a typical tourist path but I would highly recommend.  The Jardin des Plantes is a beautiful garden, nature museum and home to France’s oldest public zoo which is a delight on a beautiful day.  La Mosquée de Paris is exactly that, a mosque given to Paris’ French Arab community in 1926. It is home to a wonderful tea salon, serving some of the best mint tea in all the land and flaky, rich Moroccan pastries.  

I do believe you should go forth and explore this very lively part of town and get yourself some of those blood oranges.   You won’t be sorry!

Additional information:   Paris Eiffel Tower News

Photo credit: Rita Crane@flickr, wikipedia 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

  I don’t write much about cooking even though it is one of my most favorite things in the world to do.  It isn’t every-one’s passion so I stay away.  The last time I did write a post about cooking was to give a recipe for the perfect French vinegrette.  I guarantee that if you add that to your repertoire of things you do well, you will amaze and impress all those you want to amaze and impress  

Another recipe that you might want to commit to memory is buerre blanc sauce:  a butter sauce made with a few simple ingredients that once combined create magic.  It works well with seafood (scallops are my favorite) and can be poured over vegetables (asparagus coming to mind) and you just might convince some that you’ve spent time at Le Cordon Bleu!  

Here’s a couple things to get you started:  Pan Seared Scallops with Beurre Blanc  

Photo credit:  petele@flickr 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 Today we are off to share a yummy goodie and cup of tea at this super adorable venue, Thé Cool.  What is not to love about how fabulous the interior of this tea salon is?    You can spend a delightful afternoon sitting with a good book, a wonderful cup of tea and just be in the moment as they say.  

 The menu offers light meals and sweets all lovingly prepared by Michèle, the owner, and a list of teas from around the world.  Their specialty dessert, “Starlight” has been on the menu since 1985 and continues to be a favorite.  

The good news is that there are several “Thé Cools” to take advantage of throughout Paris. If you are visiting Paris for the first time and find yourself in Saint Germain, which of course you will, you can visit their salon at 13, rue de Médicis (metro: Odeon) or for the more adventurous, only in terms of not being a typical tourist area, head to Passy in the 16th, at 10, rue Jean Bologne (metro:  Muette or Passy).

Guys, you can come along as long as there is no whining. 

Photo credit:  Thé Cool 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

Oscar Wilde 

I am a bigger fan of Oscar Wilde than I thought.  Doing some research into his literary career, I discovered that I have read half of his works without even putting any effort into it.  When I am in the library or at the bookstore, I’ve just gravitated to his titles and would have to pass along to you that I have enjoyed every single one of them.

He spent his last years in Paris, living and dying at Hotel d’Alsace, a dingy and cheap spot in the 6th leaving behind an unpaid bill at his death.  Mr. Wilde must be laughing in his grave over at Père Lachaise Cemetary where he is buried at the thought of the legacy he left behind.  His former residence, that down and out hotel is currently one of  ”the” places to rest one’s weary head while in Paris.

 This would be the Oscar Wilde suite at L’Hotel, the former flea bag spot turned high end and owned of all things, by a British company.  The room you see in this photo, is indeed the room that Mr. Wilde drew his last breath in and is decorated with framed letters he wrote in the sitting area.  This is just one of 20 suites that can be rented, each with its own unique, opulent decor.  

 L’Hotel has played host to celebrities galore and in March of 2008, its restaurant, aptly named Le Restaurant, was awarded its first Michelin star which happened with lightening speed as far as those kinds of things go.  Haven’t been but you can bet I am going to head over to dine and drink an Oscar Wilde cocktail or two.  

Additional information:  L’Hotel, Le Restaurant, Oscar Wilde, Père Lachaise

Photo credit:  jp moser 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 We’re not in Paris today and that is probably a good thing since the weather is not cooperating and being its crappy Parisian self.  Beautiful things sometimes think they can get away with that….being crappy and still be loved.  Not with me they can’t.  So, I decided we need to get out of town and spread our wings a bit.  We aren’t even in France anymore.  We, people,  are in Bologna, Italy and we’re going to make pigs of ourselves on one of my favorite foods, Nutella!!  And the photo that you see is a Nutelleria, a restaurant in Bologna devoted solely to Nutella goodness in all its forms.  

 For the uninitiated (shame on you, but that’s why I am here), Nutella is a creamy spread of chocolate and hazelnut paste.  Created in Italy in the 1940’s by Piero Ferraro, it was an attempt to extend the amount of chocolate that was available as it had been rationed during the war.  By adding hazelnuts which are plentiful in this region of Italy, it extended the supply and everyone was able to get their chocolate fix.  Originally called, “pasta gianduja” which means paste of a famous carnival character in the region of Bologna, it was later changed to “nut” for the obvious and “ella” to soften the sound.  If they had called it “super yumminess in a jar”, that too would work.  

Now that you know what it is, your own mind can work its personal weirdness and come up with millions of ways to enjoy this delicacy.  Folded into a wonderful piece of bread just out of the oven so it melts all over the place is a pretty good way to try it.  Tuck it between two shortbread cookies and you have an interesting dessert goodie.  Do you have a panini maker?  Bananas and Nutella on whole wheat or cranberry bread grilled to perfection is perfection.  Or, and this will blow you away I am sure–take a spoon dip it in the jar and enjoy.  That’s it.  Simple pleasures are usually the best, don’t you agree?

Ok-so go forth to your grocery store and get yourself some of this.  I find it in the peanut butter aisle–which reminds me.  After you dip your spoon in the Nutella jar, scoop up some peanut butter on the same spoon and you have something close to a peanut butter cup only sooo much better.  Have fun.

Additional information:  Epicurious 

Photo credit:  personal collection, left-over queen 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 I found this picture on a wine blog that I visit and had to post it as this is a fabulous example of what the French refer to as “terroir” which is the hard to translate, somewhat nebulous term used to describe all the physical elements that come together in creating a wine.  Think of it as a “sense of place” that is unique unto itself and will impact the final product.  

Terroir includes climate, soil, drainage, sunlight, macro-climates and topography.  Is the soil sandy, pebbly, chalky or clay-like?  What is the quality of drainage based on the type of soil and the angle of incline the vines are planted at?  How much daily sun hits the vines directly? What role does wind, temperature and bodies of water play?  I think that you could ask any number of people to define this difficult term and you would get any number of different answers.  Some experts believe it really does impact the final product while others are a bit more skeptical.

 The vines in the picture are in Côte Rôtie in the Rhône Valley located in south western France.  The area is tiny but mighty in its production of full bodied red wines.  The climate is hot and sunny, more constant than in other regions of France.  The soil, as you can see is stony and made of granite.  Grapes that you might have heard of  grown in this region are Grenache and Syrah (both reds) and a Viognier which is a wonderful white that I am able to find more and more in my neck of the woods.  

Last summer, I went through the first phase of becoming a sommelier and had to study all this crazy stuff in order to move on to level two.  I loved all of it and it continues to fascinate me. I wouldn’t call myself a wine snob but since we had to taste numerous types of whites, reds and champagnes, you can, indeed, identify not only countries that a wine might come from, but for those who are experts, pinpoint the region and in very rare instances the exact vineyard.  I haven’t had time to sign up for the next phase that would actually bestow upon me the title of “sommelier” but it is something that I want to continue to pursue.  Honestly, the class tastings alone are worth the effort.  And I hate spitting all that good product so I don’t.  It might be hard to pass the final exam with that much alcohol in me however.  As the French say, “C’est la vie!”.

Additional information:  La Route du Vin

Photo credit:  La Route du Vin, flickr, behind.camera 

Post from: The Paris Traveler