Postcards from Lyon  . . . staff members Elena & Peter welcome us aboard the AmaDagio  . . .  with a glass of Veuve Clicquot French champagne for each passenger . . . and a red rose for each lady . . . a nice touch!

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Lyon  . . . when I say river boat  . . . I am NOT talking about a Mark Twain Mississippi paddlewheeler  . . . I am referring to sleek modern vessels  . . . that offer all the creature comforts  . . . as you glide through the countryside on a river cruise . . . stopping at local towns & villages along the way.

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris . . . today we transfer to the Lyon Train Station for a fast trip south . . .

If you arrived extra early, consider having a quick drink  . . .in Le Train Bleu  . . . the Belle Epoque style restaurant within the Gare de Lyon . . .

The high-speed TGV train to Lyon takes only 2 hours . . . as opposed to 5 hours by car . . . sit back as someone else does the driving . . . and enjoy the view of the French countryside . . . we’ll be there soon!

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris  . . . after a superb three-course dinner at L’Ardoise with a lovely Languedoc vin rouge, I was looking for something a little sweet  . . . oh la la . . . so many bon bon choices.

Possibly feeling a little guilty about enjoying your trip? . . . note all the DELICIOUS SOUVENIRS . . . including those delectable Parisian macaroons (see left) . . . you can bring back for your family and friends . . . maybe even co-workers . . . or for yourself to ease the vacation withdrawal!

I’ll take one of each, s’il vous plait. Merci.

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris . . .  new discoveries await down a narrow little street . . . several recommended French restaurants to choose from for dinner . . .
Q: What does the name of this cozy place, L’Ardoise, mean?  . . .
hints: where the daily specials are posted, see upper right corner

A: L’Ardoise translates as “slate” or “chalkboard”  . . . referring to where the daily specials are posted in cafes, bistros, brasseries & restaurants.
Meanwhile the “specialite de la maison” at this restaurant is obvious from its name.

Some eateries, such as L’Ardoise, offer a prix fixe multi course dinner . . . Ferdi is unusual as it offers an a la carte menu  . . . it’s not unusual to see extensive wine lists in such intimate places . . . by the bottle, not the glass.
Q: What is food without wine?
A: lonely!

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Video Postcard from Paris  . . .  street musicians . . .  playing in front of Musee d’Orsay  . . . caught one jazzy number . . . before the rain ended the show.
I made a contribution but didn’t take note (pun) of their name. Anyone know who they are?
http://youtu.be/bxg3UbTE-FA
For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris  . . .  the Notre Dame Cathedral  . . . is a fine example of French Gothic architecture  . . . famous for it’s magnificent stained glass, sculptures and flying buttresses . . . visited by more tourists & worshippers than the Eiffel Tower.

Q: Do you know what flying buttresses are?

A: arched exterior supports

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris  . . .  the Arc de Triomphe  . . . built in 1806 to commemmorate French Emperor Napoleon’s victories  . . . designed after Rome’s Arch of Titus
Q: What famous street is it located on?

A: At the end of the Champs-Elysées, in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle. DO NOT attempt to cross this busy square, take the underpass
Did you know there is a viewing platform on one tower? If you are prepared to walk up 234 steps!

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris . . . the Pyramid at the Louvre, the national museum of France . . .  housing more than 35,000 objects . . .  including the Venus de Milo . . .  and the Mona Lisa . . . so much to see, so little time . . .  avoid the long lines with advance tickets!
Do you know what lies on the lower level under the pyramid?

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597

Postcards from Paris: Cafe Angelina . . . is right next door to Le Meurice . . . in fact, it shares a wall . . . so conveniently close . . . do you know what it is known for?

This is pastry heaven . . . a place where you can experience death by chocolate or attempt suicide by sweets  . . . just inside the front door.

If you can resist & manage to walk past the pastries & desserts, the “salon de the” in the rear serves . . . the most decadent hot chocolate . . . like  a melted bar of dark chocolate  . .  . as  if that were not enough, it comes with a sinful side of fresh whipped cream.

By the way  . . . did I mention that ALL these delights are available to go? Until they are sold out, of course. Go early in the day.
Jacintha
culinary escape arist

For more delicious details, contact:
Jacintha Perera, culinary escape artist
Gourmet Getaways, a division of
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
916.897.9597