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Archive for April, 2013

A Little Street Music Apr 30

a Little Street Music
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?

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

Category: Europe, Food & Wine, France, General Travel, Gourmet Getaway  | Comments off
Pastry Heaven Apr 24

Pastry Heaven
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?

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

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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.

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

Category: Europe, Food & Wine, France, General Travel, Gourmet Getaway  | Tags:  | Comments off
From Paris with Love Apr 22

Postcards from Paris . . .  the iconic Eiffel Tower beside the Seine River. . .
Enjoy lunch with a view. Did you know there are restautants on the 1st & 2nd stage?
For the bird’s eye view, take the elevator to the top!

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

Category: Europe, Food & Wine, France, General Travel, Gourmet Getaway  | Tags:  | Comments off
Adventures in Alaska Apr 16

A more in depth look at soft adventure experiences in Alaska

Category: North America  | Tags:  | Comments off
The Castles of Canada Apr 15

The Castles of Canada
Discover the beauty of the majestic Canadian Rockies on the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer by day. Each evening you & your luggage are transferred to comfortable hotels. No cramped little sleeper compartments with bunk beds & a compact bathroom. GoldLeaf guests enjoy accommodations in the Fairmont Hotels, historic grand dames, such as the Chateau Lake Louise (pictured here) along the way.

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photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels

For more info, contact: Jacintha Perera
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Category: Canada, North America  | Tags:  | Comments off
Whistler Sea to Sky Climb Apr 12

Cheakamus Canyon, Whistler Sea to Sky Climb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Route #5 Whistler Sea to Sky Climb
This is a day trip with a 3 & 1/2 hour journey each way along the Sea to Sky Corridor between Vancouver & Whistler.
It can be combined with a stay in Whistler & is also suitable as an add-on to other rail routes.
photo of Cheakamus Canyon courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

For more info, contact: Jacintha Perera
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Category: Canada, North America  | Tags: ,  | Comments off
Coastal Passage Apr 11

 

Alaska #1 (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Route #4 The Coastal Passage
This route connects Seattle with Vancouver & then Banff or Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. It can be also be taken as a pre or post option with an Alaska cruise from Seattle.
photo courtesy of Holland America Line

For more info, contact: Jacintha Perera
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Rainforest to Gold Rush Apr 10

 

Fraser Canyon, BC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Route #3 Rainforest to Gold Rush
Enjoy diverse landscapes as you travel from Whistler to Jasper. This route transports you through BC’s coastal rainforest, the desert-like conditons of Fraser Canyon & pastoral ranchlands of the Cariboo Gold Rush region.
photo of Fraser River courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

For more info, contact: Jacintha Perera
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Category: Canada, North America  | Tags: ,  | Comments off
Off Road & Into Nature Apr 09

Off Road & Into Nature
The Rocky Mountaineer offers 5 rail routes in Western Canada that carry you through British Columbia & Alberta from Vancouver, Whistler & Seattle. These can be combined into 45 different itineraries ranging from 4 to 17 days. It’s complicated but no worries, I can advise you!

Route #1 First Passage to the West
One of the most popular routes, this is a one way journey, either eastbound or westbound. It begins in Vancouver, stops in quaint Kamloops & ends in beautiful Lake Louise, Banff or Calgary.

1st passage Castle Mountain Banff Alberta

photo of Castle Mountain, Banff, Alberta courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

Route #2 Journey through the Clouds
This journey also begins in vancouver but ends in Jasper, Alberta, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. Along the way, enjoy views of Mt Robson & Pyramid Falls.

Journey thru Clouds Mt Robson

photo of Mt Robson courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer

For more info, contact: Jacintha Perera
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Category: Canada, North America  | Tags: ,  | Comments off
Bon Appetit! Apr 08

Service with a Smile
Host Matt offers midmorning Canadian Caesars, a variation of the Bloody Mary. With or without “fuel”, it’s your choice. Tasty, either way.
There are hot & cold snacks and an open bar available throughout the day on the upper level.

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The two story GoldLeaf cars a private dining room with large picture windows downstairs.
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GoldLeaf Service includes a full culinary team that prepares & serves gourmet a la carte breakfasts & lunches in the private dining room on the lower level. They produce AMAZING meals within this very compact galley space on the lower level.

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Many travelers are surprised to find fine dining on the rails. No foraging for local nuts & berries required. There is a sophisticated & diverse menu designed by a team of chefs for GoldLeaf guests.

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Made to order brunch item – Sir Sanford Fleming Benedict.

For more info, contact: Jacintha Perera
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Category: Canada, North America  | Tags: ,  | Comments off