Itinerary for European Honeymoon

LONDON

FOOD

No longer the worst place to find a meal, London has become one of the world's most cosmopolitan eating centers offering every kind of cuisine from fish and chips to New Californian cooking

HOTELS

We offer a superb range of Boutique Hotels right in the center of sightseeing and shopping. OR since you are staying over a week, why not rent an apartment right in the center. This gives you the option of shopping at Harrods fabulous food halls and eat one meal in if you so desire.

OTHER POSSIBLE ITINERARIES TO PLAN…..

Depending on your interests: antique markets, Portobello Road near Notting Hill Gate, the eclectic and surprising Sir John Soane's Museum, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Hyde Park, Kensington Park, a day of beauty and relaxation at a day SPA, the secret gardens of London. There are many specialty "London Walks" for every interest and background. The list is staggering so if you will let me know what you want to do I can lay out a program for you.

EXCURSIONS FROM LONDON

Oxford and Cambridge (the 3* Michelin restaurant and Inn "Le Manoir aux Quate Saisons" in Oxford offers superlative cuisine in a restored Manor House). Canterbury Village and Cathedral - there is much to do here. Palaces, Castles and Shakespearean Villages.

Here is a sample of our London Tour - but we can modify it to your heart's content. London has something for everyone. We can make this expensive city affordable through a selection of high quality Bed and Breakfasts, moderate boutique hotels and apartment rentals. On the other hand if it is luxury you are seeking, look no further.

Day 1 - DEPARTURE

Depart for your overseas flight to London. Take taxi or underground to get to downtown London.

Day 2 - ARRIVE LONDON - ORIENTATION -

Time to freshen up after which you can take an orientation walk around or hop of the city center or we can organize an orientation tour of the city.

WEST END - CITY OF LONDON - WESTMINSTER ABBEY - BUCKINGHAM PALACE - TOWER OF LONDON

Settle into your hotel and then your private guide can take you through the highlights of London are Westminster Abbey a medieval masterpiece, the Tower of London and its incredible jewel collection and Trafalgar Square.

Check in early to get some rest for the next days…….

DAY 3

SELECT FROM OPTIONS BELOW or we can create a CUSTOM ITINERARY for EACH DAY

BRITISH MUSEUM

One of the finest museums in the world with a collection of the finest relics of mankind such as the Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Magna Carta and Ur Treasure. This is a huge museum so expect to spend a minimum of half a day there. Guides can be provided as an optional service. The famous Ebyptian mummis are on the upstairs galleries as well as other archeological treasures.

After why not stop to enjoy a traditional High Tea?

AFTERNOON TEA, THE GREAT BRITISH TRADITION

Some of our favorites:

Most original Victorian - BROWN'S HOTEL - Dover Street off Piccadilly.
Ritziest - The RITZ - everything you ever expected from a grand hotel and more - must reserve. Piccadilly
The Savoy - a bastion of British elegance and tradition.
Fortnum and Mason's Fountain Restaurant and Upstairs Restaurant - another favorite. 181 Piccadilly. Great British Breakfasts all day long.
Richoux - less formal, serving breakfast, lunch and light dinners, and midday snacks, always handy to catch a light meal or a good British breakfast. Piccadilly and across from Harrods in Knightsbridge.

OTHER FAVORITE MUSEUMS

Explore the incredibly vast collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum or the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. If shopping is on your itinerary there are markets, the hot new area around Notting Hill Road, and Kings Road to visit. Both museums offer great restaurants for a snack or light and eclectic meal.

The V & A as it is affectionately called is perhaps the favorite museum of the city. An incredibly vast collection of everything can be found here from Paintings (very fine Constables), sculpture, medieval artifacts, furnishings including reconstruction of entire rooms from various palaces, Islamic art and carpets, Indian collections, Renaissance works, and its famous Costume Gallery. The restaurant serves a Jazz Brunch on Sunday.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION

The Wallace Collection is one of London's secret treasures housed in the former mansion of the 4th Marquess of Hertford; a passionate art collector. Sumptuous it is, with room after room displaying priceless furnishings, paintings, and Sevres porcelain. Walls are hung with Van Dykes, Rembrants and Rubens. Afterwards, the nearby Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets filled with shops and department stores are yours to explore at your own pace. Bond Street is the prime luxury shopping area of London, lined with boutiques bearing the names of top fashion designers

SHOPPING

BOND STREET, OXFORD STREET, KINGS ROAD, NOTTING HILL ROAD and KENSINGTON HIGH STREET along with KNIGHTSBRIDGE and SLOANE AVENUE are the top shopping areas of London.

Piccadilly Circus is another must see as is the vast China Town and Covent Garden. The area is an exciting shopping and eating center and wonderful to discover on foot.

LEGAL LONDON

Don’t miss a visit to the TEMPLE – the entry to the City which is the heart of the legal world of London. The 17th century timeber-frame houses are a stark contrast to the rest of the city. Visit the OLD BAILEY and the Central Criminal Courts and the GUIDLHALL, BANK OF ENGLAND and St. PAUL’s CATHEDRAL. The The Guildhall is absolutely fascinating and definitely worth a visit to see the amazing hall with coats of arms and banners. The Old Bailey is the present Criminal Court and is part of Dicken’s London. If you keep walking in this direction you will end up at the TOWER OF LONDON

GUIDED WALKS!!

You can meet a guide for just about any special GUIDED WALK under any subject in London. Duration of 2 hours.

Groups meet at a particular place and then travel by underground to the various location and a guide walks through the various parts of the city or museum lecturing on the sites. Examples: Shakespeare’s & Dickens’ London, Westminster and the West End, The Old Chelsea Village Pub walk, Jack the Ripper Haunts, The National Gallery Walk, Ancient London, Old Westminster, Little Venice and DOZENS more.

OUT OF THE CITY EXCURSIONS with BUS AND GUIDE

WINDSOR CASTLE (possible excursion)

The town of Windsor is easily accessible from London and is a nice day trip. The Castle of course is the greatest attraction and enjoys a panoramic position above the Thames and is visible from the surrounding region.

The town is a maze of narrow streets filled with shops and old buildings but the castle is quite a site.

The highlights will be the Henry VIII gateway, the St. George’s Chapel, the Throne Room and the Waterloo Chamber and Collection of Master drawings including works by da Vinci and Holbein. The State apartements were totally burned down and are now completely renovated and open once again.

CANTEBURY and LEEDS - FULL DAY TRIP

CANTEBURY is in the beautiful Kent Coutryside on the River Stour and is one of the finest pearls of the Southern region of England. Highlights not to be missed are:

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL – the heart of the city and built in 1096, it is one of the finest Norman cathedrals in the World. Beckets was buried here – Thomas à Becket was the bishop of Cantebury. Visit the CLOISTERS and the TRINITY CHAPEL.

LONGMARKET is the shopping area and visit the CANTEBURY TALES exhibition which dramatizes 14th century English life.

Finally the CANTEBURY HERITAGE MUSEUM, the WESTGATE MUSEUM and the MEDIVAL city walls and 12th century EASTBRIDGE HOSPITAL which used to lodge the poorer pilgrims that came to Cantebury.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE EXCURSION

This morning is dedicated to Hampton Court Palace and gardens - a 25 minute train ride from downtown London. Built by Cardinal Wolsey and confiscated by an envious King Henry the VIII, it is a staggering monument reflecting the royal pomp and wealth of the British Crown. Six years of restoration after a devastating fire have brought the Kings Apartments back to their magnificent splendor. Inside this architectural masterpiece are works by Caravaggio, Brughel, and Mantegna. Stroll through some of the finest gardens in the country, they are replanted each season. After returning to the city you may want to explore Covent Garden Market, one of London's liveliest areas filled with restaurants and unique boutiques selling every type of goods imaginable.

Want to know the best pastry shops, intimate museums, unique services and insider information to make a trip that you will never forget? Always wanted to spend a day at one of the city's temples of beauty? What about a cooking course at the renowned Ritz Cooking school? Let our staff propose various ideas plus walking itineraries of the city's quarters, the hottest new shopping and best nightlife activities.

PARIS

DAY 4 - EN ROUTE TO PARIS

Leave London and take the Eurostar from downtown arriving in downtown Paris in 3 hours. Take a taxi to your hote. And settle in.

ORIENTATION - ILE DE LA CITE' - ST. LOUIS - NOTRE-DAME - CONCIERGERIE - MARCHE' AUX FLEURS

This afternoon visit the Cité and its surroundings, where 2000 years ago the Parisii founded the colony that in later centuries grew to be the city of Paris. This is an excellent way to get oriented.

Stop in Notre Dame Cathedral and the haunting Conciergerie where prisoners were kept during the Revolution before being taken to the guillotine.

DAY 5, 6

SELECT FROM OPTIONS BELOW

JACQUEMART ANDRE' MUSEUM - CHAMPS-ELYSEES - ARC DE TRIOMPHE - HOTEL DES INVALIDES.

The recently restored Jacquemart-Andre' mansion houses an extraordinary collection of 19th century art and furnishings which was acclaimed even in its own day. The museum hosts a lovely tea room with wonderful pastries.

Your morning walk continues with the nearby Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the beautiful Alexander Bridge, passed the Petit and Grand Palace. The last stop is at Napoleon's imposing tomb under the golden dome of the church of Invalides. After lunch check our suggestions, the afternoon is at your disposal to visit the golden triangle of fashion at the avenue Montaigne and rue Francois 1er and stop at the intoxicating Maison du Chocolat to order a cup of the best hot chocolate in Paris.

ORSAY MUSEUM - COOKING COURSE

The Orsay museum with its Impressionist collection is one of the highlights of your trip. The structure itself re-designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti merits a visit and displays objects d'art, furnishings and sculpture. After you may choose to walk to the nearby Left bank boutiques selling fashion, home accessories and antiques. In the afternoon if you opt for this activity we could arrange for a cooking course and tasting (optional). Your instructor will guide you through the steps of classical French cuisine (for those who prefer a wine course we provide that option.

CHOCOLATE!! and MORE

There is nothing as intoxicating as the smell of a Parisian chocolate shop. The major problem is deciding what to have… our top 3 chocolate meccas are:

The MAISON DU CHOCOLATE - where Mr. Linxe reigns supreme buying and importing his own cocoa beans and mixing them himself. The largest chocolate boutique in his roster is the one on rue Francois Ier #52 off the Champs Elysees. There is space to sit down and order a superb cup of hot chocolate (choose from an entire menu!) and buy a nice box of his exquisite hand made chocolates. We particularly recommend his Romeo's with an arabica coffee interior and the Rigoletto's with caramel filling.
DEBAUVE & GALLAIS - dating from the 1800's as a pharmacy it now has been restored to its original splendor. Around the corner from the Blvd. St. Germain on 30 rue des Saint-Peres.
MICHEL CHAUDUN - 149 rue de l'Universite' also near the Blvd. St. Germain. We recommend the pure bittersweet tablettes….. they linger in your mouth for a long, long time.

For a step into the past and a cup of some of the best hot chocolate don't miss ANGELINA's on the rue de Rivoli, their mont-blanc (chestnut and meringue concoction) isn't bad either.

RUE MONTORGEUIL MARKET - PALAIS ROYALE - OPERA' - MADELEINE - FREE AFTERNOON - DINNER CRUISE

Head for the Rue Montorgeuil market where food is displayed as in a still art painting by Cezanne. The surroundings are dotted with cookware and gourmet shops for those wishing to add to their kitchen collection. The market sells everything from cheeses to bread and pastries and is an excellent way of observing local life. If the sight of all this food is too much for you to bear, and making you hungry, stop at Stohrer open since 1730 for a flaky cream-filled puff pastry creation called pithiviere.

Continue with the nearby Palais Royale gardens encircled by unusual boutiques and restaurants, plus the Place des Victoires. Always on gourmet themes, you can admire the windows of Fouchon the city's temple of gastronomy.

LOUVRE - PLACE de la CONCORDE - TUILERIES GARDENS

The Louvre is the world's undisputed greatest museum, even greater now after the renovations and embellishments that reorganised the various collections and made room for many more works of art that previously had been left in storage. Walk through the marvellous works of art housed under the new construction of I.M.Pei, a city within a city. In the afternoon is your beauty treatment (optional).

Tonight is your dinner cruise. At least once in a lifetime you should float down the Seine at night admiring the brightly lit monuments while dining on fine French cuisine and wine.

PASTRIES, CROISSANTS AND CAKES
Voted the best millefuille in Paris, stop in FOUCHON's patisserie on Place de la Madeleine.
LADUREE is our favorite tea room and their croissants and macarons the best in Paris. Located off the Place de la Madeleine. They serve Mariage Freres teas, while the café' au lait is possibly the finest in the city.
LENOTRE - the king of pastry chefs, you will find shops all over the city. His chocolates are tops and we recommend his breads, cakes, ice creams…basically everything!
PATISSERIE MILLET - to taste Tradition: madeleines, the butter and almond financiers and almond croissants. There is a small tea salon to sample whatever strikes your fancy. The pain au chocolate is packed with bittersweet chocolate bars.
DOLLOYAU - all over the city. Offering everything including light lunches. Feel free to indulge in their mogador a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and a layer of raspberry jam.

THE MARAIS - CARNEVALET MUSEUM - PLACE des VOSGES - VICTOR HUGO'S HOME - BASTILLE

This fascinating Quartier used to be a marsh (Marais means marsh in French) which King Charles V had drained in the 14th century. Later, Henry IV in the 17th century turned it into prime real estate and the area soon became the city's most fashionable address. Today many of the mansions have been carefully restored and turned into museums.

The Musee Carnevalet dedicated to the history of Paris, is our first stop. This wonderfully intimate museum used to be Madame Sevigne's home and is filled with an amazing variety of items including a recreation of rooms such as Prousts' bedroom and the splendid gilt ballroom of the hotel Wendel. Your walking itinerary continues to the Place des Vosges, Paris' most perfect square built by Henry the IV, Victor Hugo's home and the eclectic Bastille neighbourhood. After lunch the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this fascinating area. For lunch try some of the restaurants under the arches of the Place des Vosges such as La Guirlande de Julie.

OPTIONAL

FONTAINEBLEAU CASTLE and BARBIZON EXCURSION- (half day in the afternoon)

Fontainebleau Chateau and the village of Barbizon are this afternoon's destination, please be in your hotel lobby by 1:15 p.m. to be picked up by mini-bus and guide. Francois I, during the Renaissance originally built it to be a hunting lodge. Successive additions and embellishments by King Henry II, Louis the XIV and lastly Napoleon, have resulted in one of the finest chateaux's in France. The gardens laid out by royal gardener Le Notre, the throne room and magnificent ballroom are some of the high points of the excursion.

RESTAURANTS

Note that all restaurants have fixed price menus for lunch and sometimes even for dinner.

RESTAURANTS

1. ARRONDISSEMENT

L’ARDOISE- 28 rue du Mont-Thabor – Tel. 01 42962818. Closed Mon. Menu a’ la carte starting at € 26, about $ 24 USD . Interesting wine-cellar

CARRE’ DES FEUILLANTS – 14 rue de Castiglione – Tel 01 42868282. Cl. Sat for lunch and Sun. and 3 weeks in August. € 84-122, about $ 77-112 USD. Typical cuisine. Try the exquisite bœuf de Chalosse, les haricots tarbais, le foie gras, l’agneau de lait des Pyrenees. Very good barbecue cooking. With wine-cellar.

LES CARTES POSTALES – 7 RUE Gomboust – Tel. 01 42610293. Cl. Sat for lunch and Sun. € 21–53, about $ 20-49 USD. Little minimalist room. Delicate mix of French-Japanese cuisine. Warm and efficient service

LE GRAND VEFOUR – 17 rue de Beaujolais – Tel. 01 42965627. Cl. Sat., Sun and August. € 107-137, about $ 98-126 USD. Classic but also alternative new dishes and superb desserts. by the renowned cooks of restaurant Le Grand Vefour.

IL CORTILE – 37 rue Cambon – Tel. 01 44584567. Cl. Sat & Sun. € 31-48, about $ 29-44 USD.Italian restaurant. Very good risotto aux morilles and pannacotta with vanilla and lemon flavor . Tasty olive oil and wide range of wines.

LESCURE -7 rue de Mondovi - Tel 01 42601891. Cl. Sat , Sun., 1-24 August and 24 Dec- 2 Jan. € 23-27, approx $ 21-25 USD. Family running. Since 1919 people stop here for lunch or dinner before a stroll at the Tuileries. Very good pot-au-feu, pate’ en croûte, fraise de veau ravigote.

MACEO – 15 rue des Petits-Champs – Tel. 01 42975385. Cl. Sun. € 27-34, approx. $ 25-31 USD. Delicate touches of exoticism in the dishes offered by this restaurant. Terrine de foie gras au chutney de mangue et papaye, subtils éminces de porc a la thaïlandaise with spices. Wide range of wines from all over the world.

PALAIS-ROYAL – 110 Galerie de Valois in front of 4 rue de Beaujolais – Tel. 01 40200027. Cl. Sat. at lunch, Sun. and 21 Dec-4 Jan. € 30-50, approx.$ 28-46 USD. A terrace under the Palais-Royal arcades. Fondant de tourteau, and millefeuille aux fruits rouges.

CHEZ GEORGES – 1 rue du Mail – Tel 01 42600711. Cl. Sun and 1 April-21 August. € 30-53, approx. $ 28-49 USD. Few steps from place des Victoires. Excellent tarte Tatin, rognons de veau grilles, saucisson, terrine de foies de volaille.

GALLOPIN – 40 rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires – Tel. 01 42364538 - Cl. Sat. (July-August) and Sun. € 30-46, approx. $ 28-42 USD. Nice decorations well preserved since 1900. Cuisine: cote de bœuf a la moelle, andouillette, foie gras and choucroute de la mer.

4. ARRONDISSEMENT

LE DOME DU MARAIS – 53 bis rue des Francs-Bourgeois – Tel. 01 42745417. Cl. Sun. and 15-30 August. € 28-38, approx. $ 26-35 USD. Restored room of the ancient Mont de Piete which recalls the atmosphere of theatre a l’italienne. Refined menu a la carte. Superb thon mi-cuit en brochettes with vierge de fenouil and legumes d’ete’. Good desserts: dacquoise de fruits rouges a la pistache, croustillants de banane au curry.

5. ARRONDISSEMENT

L’ATLAS – 12 bd saint-Germain – Tel. 01 44072366. Cl. Mon. € 28-50, approx. $ 26-46 USD. African cuisine (Maghreb). Near River Seine and Ile Saint-Louis. Beautiful decoration with mosaics and wood Large variety of couscous (lamb, pigeon, 3 fishes and quail) and tangine.

LE BISTROT D’A’ COTE’- Tel. 01 43545910. Cl. Sat. At lunch and Sun. € 29, approx. $ 27 USD. Dishes suggested: Feuillete de reblochon au lard, salade de gésiers, cote de bœuf and souffle’ au chocolat.

6. ARRONDISSEMENT

ALCAZAR – 62 rue Mazarine – Tel. 01 53101999. € 28-52, approx. $ 26-48 USD. Located in the ancient cabaret de la rue Mazarine. Chic brasserie. Crostinis de Legumes a la provençale with vinaigrette, poulet fermier des Landes, fraises with spiced sirop.

LES BOOKINISTES – 53 quai des Grands-Augustins – Tel. 01 43254594. € 31-31, approx $ 29-32 USD. Near River Seine. Refined and harmonic ambience. Walls decorated with colored stones. Exotic flavors blended with tartare de bar and daurade au gingembre, fricassee de sot-l’y-laisse and sable pommes-rhubarbe.

L’EPI DUPIN – 11 rue Dupin – Tel. 01 42226456. Cl. Sat., Sun and 1-25 August. € 25, approx. $ 23 USD. Better to reserve few days in advance, the little room is constantly full. One of the best restaurants considering relation quality-price.Petit flan-pate de cepes with crème de persil, caille rôtie a l’ail and aux girolles, pêche rôtie avec une tender glace a la lavande.

YUGARAJ – 14 rue Dauphine – Tel. 01 43264491. Cl. Mon. € 27-41, approx. $ 25-38 USD. Indian cuisine. Central position in a central borough. Try the murghi shorba (chicken soup with carrots and celery) and the beghen ghost ( leg of lamb with aubergines, onions and tomatoes). Selection of Bordeaux and cotes-du-rhone.

7. ARRONDISSEMENT

L’AFFRIOLE’ – 17 rue Malar – Tel 01 44183133. Cl. Sun and Mon. € 38-56, approx. $ 35-52 USD. Renewed salon. It offers: croustillant a l’andouille de Bretagne, blanc de lieu with chorizo, cuisse de canard rôtie aux olives, baked reine-des-reinettes and mousse au chocolat in cappuccino.

AU BON ACCUEIL – 14 rue de Monttessuy – Tel. 01 47054611. € 43-59, approx. $ 40-54 USD. Bistrot. Interesting wine carte. Supreme de volaille du Cros de la Geline aux petit pois, rognon de veau roti.

LE CLOS DES GOURMETS – 16 av Rapp – Tel. 01 45517561. Cl. Sun at lunch, Mon. and 1-20 August. € 27, about $ 25 USD. Very good roustic dishes and provençal dishes like the poulette fermiere du Gers but also innovative dishes like the dessert fenouil confit au sorbet citron-basilic.

8. ARRONDISSEMENT

AL AJAMI – 58 rue Francois-Ier – Tel. 01 42253844 - € 26-38, about $ 24- 35 USD. Middle East cuisine. Founded in 1920 in Beirut this sign is present in numerous capitals all over the world. Lebanon cuisine is very good and respects traditions, hommos, mezzes vegetarians, chawarma, karabige accompanied by Keffraya or Ksara red or rose. Nice oriental decorations.

L’ETOILE MAROCAINE – 56 rue Galilee – Tel. 01 47204443. € 27-44, approx. $ 25- 41 USD. African cuisine (Maghreb). One of the most renowned restaurants of Moroccan cuisine. The Zaalouk of aubergines, tagine de poulet fermier and mechoui are superb.

TAILLEVENT – 15 rue Lamennais – Tel 01 44951501. Cl. Sat., Sun. and 24 July-24 August. € 91 – 137, about $ 84- 127 USD. Atmosphere of classicism. Dishes are little works of art: fricassee de homard Breton aux chataignes, carre de veau en rognonnade, poulette-de-bresse en cocotte lutée, andouillette de pied de porc aux truffes. Exceptional wine cellar. Unique prices for a restaurant of this level.

9. ARRONDISSEMENT

BISTROT DE GALA – 45 rue du Fg-Montmartre – Tel 01 40229050. Cl. Sat at lunch, Sun and 3 weeks in August. € 26, about $ 24 USD. Bistrot. Very good dishes and a pleasant savoir-faire. Oeufs brouilles aux tourteaux, saint-pierre with embeurree de choux vert, terrine au pain d’épice are among the suggested options. Wine carte affordable.

LE SANTAL OPERA – 8 rue Halevy pl de l’Opera – Tel. 01 47422469. Cl. Sun. € 30 –38, about $ 28 – 35 USD. Eastern cuisine. Temple of Vietnamese gastronomy. Typical dishes: salade aux fruits de mer, soups and tempura de fruits et legumes.

11. ARRONDISSEMENT

ASTIER – 44 rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud – Tel. 01 43571635. € 18-21, approx. $ 16-19 USD. It is a sort of institution at 11. Arrondissement. Panache de Bulots ultra fresh with aioli subtil and magret de canard with ratatouille fondante. The wine carte looks like a who’s who of the best wine producers.

14. ARRONDISSEMENT

LA COUPOLE – 102 bd du Montparnasse – Tel. 01 43201420. € 23-53, about $ 21-49. Cocteau, Hemingway, Sartre and Kessel have been here. The delicious bloc de foie gras with gelée au Riesling, fruits de mer, sole meuniere and curry d’agneau are always available.

16. ARRONDISSEMENT

ALAIN DUCASSE ****– RESTAURANT PLAZA ATHENEE – Hotel Plaza Athénée 25 avenue Montaigne – Tel (0)1 53676500. € 152-229, about $ 140-211 USD. The chef is the top all over Paris. He has given his mark to modern cuisine trends. Mediterranean cuisine. If perfection exists, then you can find it here. Wine cellar with the best wines from all over the world. Some dishes to try: foie gras de canard des Landes, homard Breton, bar de ligne, agneau de lait des Pyrenees, boeuf and petits pois are just few suggestions. Le menu changes according to season.

JAMIN – 32 rue de Longchamp – Tel. 01 45530007. Cl. Sat, Sun. 1-29 August. € 76-107, about $ 70-99 USD. Crème de laitue a la muscade, royale d’oignons nouveaux, fricassee de langoustines with ravioles and petits legumes parfumes au laurier.

CAFÉ'S are another great way of getting a quick bite and being able to people watch - you will find them everywhere.

The above are just a start, we suggest you arm yourselves with a good guide and a spirit of culinary adventure. New places open up all the time. If you wish for additional information, our staff is at your disposal.

SHOPPING

If shopping is on your mind the Right bank is the golden triangle. Starting from the Madeleine you can begin to explore the exclusive boutiques of the rue St. Honore' and Capucine and the department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printiemps. During your free time you may want to take a break at Laduree the most elegant tearoom in the area, their croissants and chocolate macaroons are the best in the city and a perfect match to a cup of Mariage Freres' famed teas.

LEFT BANK - SHOPPING

Start with the Blvd. St. Germain and then weave into the many side streets such as Rue de St. Peres, Rue St. Dominque, Rue Dragon, Rue du Seine (great market) and others. The Left Bank's department store is Au Bon Marche' very large with an excellent supermarket to shop for every sort of French delicacy to bring home.

MARAIS, BASTILLE and the 16th ARRONDISSMENT

The Marias and Bastille are the best places to head for cutting edge and unusual designers. The eclectic and creative is to be found here. Each boutique is different and the Bastille area is where some of the hottest evening action can be found. The 16th arrondissment is lined with exclusive shops, this is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Paris so the shopping reflects its surroundings.

ROME

DAY 7 - ARRIVE IN ROME - ORIENTATION

Arrive by high speed train to Rome and take a cab to your hotel.

Check in and relax and freshen up, then head for an orientation walk of Rome; your location will be central to all sights. If you are hungry get a bite at one of the restaurant locations below.

Walk around the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo and Fountain of Trevi and the many streets around this bustling historic area. This is the very heart of historic Rome and wherever you walk, you are sure to find a famous monument, palace or museum. Everything is within a 1 mile walking radius making sightseeing easy.

RESTAURANTS

Le Grotte and Da Mario right off the Spanish Steps on Via della Vite - have your concierge reserve for Da Mario. Le Grotte serves excellent pizza and has a top antipasto table. Via della Vite #55. Reserve @ Tel. 678 38 18. Cl. Sundays for Mario, Mondays for Grotte (sorry, no number)

Da Giggetto al Portico d'Ottavia or Il Pompiere - concierge can reserve. Il Pompiere - Via S. M. Dei Calderari 38. Tel. 686 83 77. Cl. Sun.

Otello alla Concordia - Via della Croce off Spanish Steps. Your concierge can make reservations.

Fortunato al Pantheon right near the Pantheon. Superb antipasto table and genuine food at good prices. A meal here should be about $40 if you want soup to nuts and drink the house wine. You can eat for less.

Da Lucia(near the Tiber as you cross over towards the Tiberina Island - cheap, Vicolo del Mattonato. Tel. 580 36 01. Very traditional simple fare, no frills.

For the BEST PIZZA IN ROME - Da Ivo- Via di San Francesco a Ripa ask concierge - there is usually a line outside….

OTHER RESTAURANTS: - cheap and good

PIZZERIA - one of the best - Da Baffetti (Volpetti) Via del Governo Vecchio 114.

PIZZERIA near Piazza di Spagna - La Capricciosa- Largo dei Lombardi 8

BEST COFFEE IN ALL OF ROME - just steps from the Pantheon - Tazza D'Oro

CAFÉ'S - BREAK

Around the Spanish Steps on the number one shopping street in Rome - Via Condotti is the Antico Caffe' Greco - over 200 years old. This is where Lord Byron, Goethe and Liszt would stop to have a pastry and coffee or drinks. It is expensive. Otherwise head for the next parallel street - Via Frattina and take a seat at one of the 2 main café's - this is where Rome comes strolling by.

DAY 8 - VATICAN - ROMAN FORUM

AM:

Morning tour of the VATICAN, ST. PETERS, and SISTINE CHAPEL with private guide. You can meet your guide at the hotel and take the metro direct to the Vatican or a taxi.

LUNCH - I suggest you take a cab with guide to CAMPO DEI FIORI MARKET and eat at LA CARBONARA right on the square. This is Rome's most colorful and lively outdoor market. Around you are picturesque streets, squares and ancient buildings.

Continue with the ROMAN FORUM, COLISEUM, and CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS. The Capitoline Museums house some very important Roman sculptures and the Capitoline Hill itself was designed largely by Michelangelo (few know he was an excellent architect). There is plenty of walking here. The view over the Roman Forum is wonderful at sunset.

Nearby is the Roman Ghetto a very old part of Rome where the Jews still live. If time allows your guide can take you there also. There are excellent restaurants serving authentic Roman cuisine among the old ruins of Rome.

DAY 9 - BORGHESE GALLERY - DORIA PAMPHILI PALACE

AM:

BORGHESE GALLERY. Just re-opened after 15 years of restoration. This is Rome's finest collection and a small, intimate museum. The very best art can offer housed in what was one of the city's most elegant palaces, owned by the Borghese family surrounded by the vast park and gardens. It is near the Via Veneto. We will purchase tickets for you and you need to be at the museum at 8:45 a.m., give your reservation number and pick them up. Museum opens at 9:00 a.m.

After, stroll through the gardens towards the center of town and down Piazza del Popolo with its huge Obelisks and Fountains. If you didn't already, take a taxi-ride to CAMPO DEI FIORI - Rome's most colorful market shouldn't be missed. It is the very essence of Rome. Many wonderful trattorias and restaurants around there I can recommend. Other option is to walk down the Corso from Piazza del Popolo where there are several important churches and the main shopping hub.

DORIA PAMPHILI PALACE - Another sumptuous palace still owned by the Pamphili family. Make sure you take the tour of the private apartments which usually is every hour. This is located on the CORSO the long shopping street that starts at Piazza del Popolo and ends at the Monument to VICTOR EMMANUEL and PIAZZA VENEZIA - where Mussolini used to give his speeches. Address is Piazza del Collegio Romano 1/a open Mon; Tues; and Fri-Sunday (just off the Corso).

ICE CREAM STOP

Walk over to the PANTHEON, the area has some of the best Gelato/ice-cream in the country. GIOLITTI however has been the undisputed champion since my grandmother's time. From the Pantheon (closes @ 6:30 p.m.) walk over to the sprawling PIAZZA NAVONA and the surrounding side streets. The café Tre Scalini has the most intense chocolate truffle ice cream in Rome. Justifiably famous.

UKNOWN ROME: TRASTEVERE - TIBER ISLAND this area is known to be where "true Romans" are born and bred. Although it has undergone a re-birth after having been forgotten it still (at least for now) retains an authentic charm. The main piazza to look for is Santa Maria in Trastevere with its church and mosaics and streets leading into the heart of the quarter. This is where to have a pizza - and where to look for tiny boutiques along the way.

OTHER OPTIONS

CASTEL SANT'ANGELO - ROMAN WALKS

CASTEL SANT'ANGELO was the Pope's wartime fortress. An underground passageway connected the Vatican with the Castle. It is built on the ruins of Emperor Hadrian's tomb and very unusual in shape and content, used for over 1,000 years by Popes. A climb to the very top offers an unforgettable view of the city including St. Peter's dome, the Tiber River and the terracotta roof tiles of Rome. To access the castle you cross one of the more beautiful bridges of the city - Ponte Sant'Angelo. The great sculptor - Bernini, designed the angels lining the bridge. From here you can walk along the Tiber, crossing back over toward the heart of Rome and amble among the streets leading to Via dei Coronari - a charming street where all of the antique shops are located. Tiny piazzas, appear out of no-where.

UKNOWN ROME: TRASTEVERE - TIBER ISLAND this area is known to be where "true Romans" are born and bred. Although it has undergone a re-birth after having been forgotten it still (at least for now) retains an authentic charm. The main piazza to look for is Santa Maria in Trastevere with its church and mosaics and streets leading into the heart of the quarter. This is where to have a pizza - and where to look for tiny boutiques along the way.

EXCURSIONS (IN OUR OUTSIDE ROME)

There are excursions to the surrounding Roman Castles and Hills, the Tivoli and Villa D'Este, the Catacombs and more.

FREE TIME and GREAT CHURCHES

There are two other truly great Basilicas to visit in Rome. Santa Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni in Laterano - which is Rome's cathedral - not St. Peters.

Palazzo Colonna - this palace is open to the public once a week only on Saturday mornings. The Palace of the Quirinal is a steep walk upwards from the Fountain of Trevi (walk up with your back facing the fountain). The Quirinal is the highest of Rome's seven hills - it is the official residence of the nation's president.

DAY 10 - RETURN HOME

Pricing (Final prices will be confirmed based on hotel availability and time of year)

Based on charming 3 star boutique hotels with all amenities €4,995

Based on First Class, 4 star hotels €5,595

Based on Luxury 5 star hotels please inquire