Jet Setter

Romantic Paris - Restaurant Laperouse and the Velvet Bar

Nothing is quite as romantic as walking through the streets of Paris on a winter day. Paris is a city of grey light. Everything looks grey. It's often cloudy and grey. Wintry and grey. But the architecture, the river Seine, the Eiffel Tower...all of iconic Paris make the city so moody, so romantic, so beautiful.

And on a cozy corner in on the banks of the Seine, you'll find Laperouse (51 quai des Grands Augustins), one of the top romantic restaurants in the city. It was founded in 1766 in a private mansion and is known for it's traditional French fare. This Valentine's Day, they have a menu which includes foie gras, scallops, quail, truffles and lots of chocolate.

It also has the swanky Velvet Bar decorated with antiques, velvet armchairs, a bookcase and a fireplace. They serve tapas and have a pianist on Friday and Saturday nights.

Here's a rose stand from Au Nom De La Rose taken in Paris by blogger Angela Murrills. If you're in Paris, it's a must. When you buy flowers from them, they line the shopping bags with rose petals. So "ravishingly" beautiful.

Happy Valentine's

-Denise

Websites

For more ideas on Paris' top romantic restaurants - Check out Context Travel's "Romantique Parisian Valentine's."

Restaurant Laperouse

The Africa Cafe - Cape Town, South Africa

With the World Cup just around the corner, the whole world will descend on tiny Cape Town in June. It's funny because before I visited Cape Town, I thought it was this cosmopolitan metropolis.  I guess as it's South Africa's most celebrated city, Cape Town has a larger than life aura but take my word, it's a small beach town under a beautiful African sky.

I spent 10 days hanging out in this town and doing pretty much all the touristy things you could think of. It didn't take long - 5 days and I was done. Hiked up Table Mountain. Visited Robben Island - Nelson Mandela's old prison. Took a day trip to the wine country.  Drove down the coastal highway to the Cape of Good Hope (absolutely gorgeous!!). Took a safari from Cape Town, which I really wouldn't recommend. I've lived in Africa and so the safari thing wasn't a big deal. But if you haven't been on a safari ever, head up north to Kruger or fly to Victoria Falls or Botswana. Also, not to be missed there's the Rhodes Memorial and the V&A Waterfront.

Prices for hotels during the World Cup are astronomical. But I stayed at An African Villa, a small boutique hotel, in the heart of Cape Town, which I loved. Decor is modern African chic and the owners are great. And it was while I was milling about at the African Villa that I heard about the Africa Cafe and decided to head over there with a friend.

Boston Weekend Getaway

 

I would expect Boston to be covered in snow right now - a veritable winter wonderland. It's not. Nature has an ironic sense of humor I think. I traveled to Boston for the first time over Thanksgiving weekend and was quite mesmerized with how beautiful a city it is. Thankfully, when I was there it didn't snow. Was beautiful and sunny for two days and rainy for two days. Got the best and worst. 

Much of America's "young" history began here, and I love it when history comes alive. I spent my weekend hanging out with a bunch of internationals for the most American of holidays. Here's our itinerary.

A Stopover at Sublim Eiffel, Paris

So any time I read Garance Dore's fashion blog,it makes me immediately want to head back to Paris. I'm staying put though, as it's way too cold for me.  I'll take a Texas winter anyday. Here's a great boutique hotel getting rave reviews called Sublim Eiffel that I'm dying to check out. 

The concept behind the hotel is the City of Lights - Paris. It has 19 rooms, located in the 15th arrondissement, right by Metro station, Sevres Lecourbe. It's funky (carpet designs are maps of the 13th and 15th arrondissements), modern (fiber optic lighting in the shower) and has a spa area. What more could a girl ask for?

- Denise

  

Websites

Hotel Sublim Eiffel

Trip Advisor 

Hot Toddies; Holiday Giving; New Year's Eve Ideas; Turning Fat into Fuel

They have some great tips for any list minute shoppers like me. Lol.
- Denise

A Stopover at La Mamounia, Marrakesh, Morocco

Several weeks ago, I "discovered" Moroccan cuisine at Dallas' Cafe Marrakesh. Stepping inside Cafe Marrakesh is like transporting yourself to Morocco. It's the colors that send me into sensory overload -the deep reds and gold, sumptuous fabrics. My travel writer friend Karen told me that now through March is the best time to travel to Morocco. Morocco is also a popular vacation spot with the French. Be prepared to parlez francais.

 

When I think of Morocco, of course Casablanca comes to mind as Casablanca has achieved Hollywood immortality.  But there's also Fez and Volubilis. Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest city in Morocco. Volubulis is home to extensive (about 40 hectares) of Roman ruins.

Marrakesh is a stunning imperial city. Marrakesh like the rest of Morocco is a mosaic of Arab and Berber cultures. Marrakesh's backdrop is Morocco whose magical setting includes  the "Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches, desert oases, mountain villages, traditional souks, fantastic food."

La Mamounia is a landmark hotel of the international jet set and was built in 1923. It's been closed for the last three years for $177 million in renovations and just reopened in September.  The hotel has 136 rooms, 71 suites and 3 riads (traditional courtyard houses). The designer Jacques Garcia paid homage to Morocco's artistic heritage. 

Working with local Moroccan artisans, the features of the hotel include all-marble bathrooms, hand-painted wood ceilings, Zillij mosaics to name a few. There are five bars and six restaurants. And of major consideration, a spa with 2 traditional Moroccan hammams. 

The service reports at least on Trip Advisor for 2009 have not been that encouraging unfortunately as people have had high expectations. I've found at least on a country level, Japan and Dubai with the high end hotels that have consistently the best service. Hopefully, La Mamounia will get this together.

It's a true work of art, because I'm so there.

- Denise

Websites

La Mamounia - www.mamounia.com

Trip Advisor - www.tripadvisor.com

Tours to Morocco - www.friendlyplanet.com 

Snapshots: Take a Whirl Thru Japan

Here's a quick and fun intro to Japan. Zaji Girls Akiko and Jessica hang out in the seaside village Ise, Japan. Also check out the slideshow featuring Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Zaji Girl Guides - The Sweet Life

We're excited to announce the launch of our Jet Setter travel guide series.  We've got 12 guides for 12 months that take you through the destinations we love - both international and US. 

The travel guides are short and sweet. Part travel journal highlighting some great cultural experiences. Part style guide for you fashionistas. We include a packing and shopping list. The itineraries are easy to follow in a fun, visual format. 

It makes trip-planning a piece of cake, as all the links and basic information you need are on one page.

The guides are available as a pdf download at Guide Gecko Travel Bookstore or in print at Guide Gecko and on Amazon. The print edition comes with a cd featuring interviews with special guests.

First up is Nice and the French Riviera. Stay tuned for Paris. And Cape Town will be out soon for all you guys headed for a little African adventure at the World Cup next year.

Cheers!

Denise

Websites

Guide Gecko Travel Bookstore - www.guidegecko.com

Amazon - www.amazon.com - Zaji Girl Guide

LA's Cocktail Cult - Varnish

Los Angeles' often missed attraction is its downtown. The City of Angels was just a few decades ago supposed to herald the "city of the future." And it has a mish-mash of architectural styles that only the forward-thinking could really appreciate.

And one of those century-old buildings with loads of character houses Cole's, "the originator of the French Dip." The French Dip is a roast beef sandwich on a French roll. Cole's has been around since 1908, but it's what lies behind the restaurant that's getting all the buzz.

A French Affaire - My Brush with Julia Child

We're chatting with French specialist Elizabeth New about her brush with Julia Child and her own love affair with France. A native Texan, Dr. New is founder of French Affaires, a company celebrating French travel, culture, language, and l'art de vivre. She is a self-confessed Francophile and has been making pilgrimages to France since 1983.

Paris and Provence count among her particular favorite travel destinations.  Her experience includes undergraduate and graduate teaching, presentations at national and international conferences, and organizing and leading trips to France. She is currently writing a travel book on France.

Listen here! Or check out our podcast on Itunes.

Websites

French Affaires - www.frenchaffaires.com