About those locks of love...

Bonjour tout le monde,
As I wrote a while ago, the Pont des Arts has been ravaged by tourists 'locking their love' with real locks on the bridge.  Eighteen months ago, one of the panels on the bridge, weighed down by tons of locks, fell into the Seine.  As it turns out, love is quite heavy.  Tons of locks were cut off before the wire panels were removed.
Now the Pont des Arts has panels that are decorated by local street artists.  However that has not deterred determined lovers, who put locks almost everywhere in the City of Lights.  The Pont l'Eveque is currently threatened by the weight of love.
This article is about what is happening to the passenger bridge.  How would you like to see this bridge, and others, in person?  Come with me to Paris and Barcelona, June 26 - July 4, 2016.  We will visit these two awesome cities, walk the Champs Elysees and the Rambla in Barcelona, feast on some great cuisine, and even taste Spanish cava on one of the excursions.  Time and space are running out, only $300 is needed right now to guarantee that you are not shut out.

The NY Times' article http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/travel/love-locks-paris-vancouver.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region&region=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region

Information on Paris and Barcelona 2016: http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com

The Perfect Paris Bistro - who wants to try it?

Bonjour tout le monde,
Paris has many places to eat, You can find almost anything you want in the City of Lights. Many famous chefs have places in Paris; depending on your budget, the world is your oyster (so to speak). One of my favorite "traditional" French restaurants is the Bouillon-Chartier, located in the 9th arrondissement, there are no reservations at this place. Patrons stand in line, give the number in their parties to the host, who walks the line just for that purpose.  Tables are filled, there are no empty spots; you might find yourself sharing!  The food is ordered 'a la carte' - no prix fixe menu here.  However, you don't need one, because the prices are very reasonable.  Michael and I try to make it to this place every time we are in Paris, because it is such fun.  The locals love it - in fact, our local guide recommended it to us when we asked him about his favorite place to eat.
le Bouillon Chartier 7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France

Waiting in line to be seated.  

Interior - notice the overhead structure that hold your bags.

Dinner - yum!

If you want something else, you can try one of the newest French Bistros.  Benoit, located in the Marais, has gotten rave reviews.  Here is the link to the review that makes me want to book a trip to Paris tomorrow.  

http://www.francetoday.com/articles/2015/10/09/old-fashioned_french_bistro_cuisine_at_benoit_paris.html

The cool thing?  We can try these restaurants and others while we are in Paris in June, 2016.  Remember, there are only a few spots left, and you don't want to be left out of a very fun voyage.  A $300 deposit is all you need to hold your spot; payments can be made over time.  

http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com/

Park Güell in Barcelona, Ahead of its Time

Bonjour tout le monde!

When visiting Barcelona, Spain, one of the “must-see” sites is Park Güell.  Conceived and created by the Spanish architect, Anton Gaudi, Park Güell was intended to be one of the first luxury housing subdivisions in the city. Gaudi, along with Eusebi Güell, a noble entrepreneur, envisioned an organized complex of high-quality homes built with all the latest advancements of the early 20^th century.  This was designed to ensure maximum comfort with a Gaudi flare.  There were to be houses, a park, and even an open air market for those rich and lucky enough to live in the park.  Living away from the center of the city, away from smoky factories, and with beautiful views of Barcelona and its harbor.

The subdivision had sixty triangular lots for the luxury houses.  Count Güell moved into one of the only two houses that were constructed, and neither was designed by Gaudi.  Gaud bought the second house with savings, and moved into it with his family.  The idea of the wealthy folks in Barcelona living away from the hustle, bustle, smells and bad air was a good one, but, unfortunately ahead of its time.  People thought that the park was too far away from the center of the city, and it was never developed beyond the two homes.

Gaudi designed the roadways that run around the park as structures jutting out from the hillside or running on viaducts, which minimized their intrusion into the peace and calm of the area.  The focal of the park is the main terrace, which is surrounded by a long, serpentine bench and made of beautiful mosaic tiles.  Underneath the gallery is the lower court, intended to be the marketplace.  It supports the central terrace with Doric columns, which are hollow and collect rainwater.

On our trip to Paris and Barcelona, please make sure not to miss this wonderful and whimsical spot that was meant for the well to do of the era.  The views of Barcelona, and the central terrace are more than worth the special trip.  There is even an excursion that will make this possible!

Email jacki.williamsjones@gmail.com if you have any questions, then go to http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com to reserve your spot for only $300 deposit. 

The center terrace, surrounded by the mosaic bench

a close up view of the beautiful bench that surrounds the terrace

Barcelona, as seen from the terrace - in the foreground,  the "guard"house to the community

A covered walkway

a detail of the marketplace under the terrace

taking a photo with the salamander fountain - the marketplace is in the backbround.

The central terrace above, the marketplace below.

Il pleut dans mon coeur (it's raining in my heart)

Comme il pleut dans la ville (as it is raining in the city)
Because it is rainy in Paris right now. No matter what the weather, as Audrey Hepburn said, "Paris is always a good idea."
So, what is good to do in Paris when it rains?  Spend time in a museum.  Don't just choose one of the big ones, try a smaller museum, like the Cluny, which features medieval art housed in a small castle. Also in the Cluny?  Ruins of a Roman bath.
There is shopping in the Galeries Lafayette and spending some time in the cafeteria on the 6th floor of the main building.  Sit right next to the little ladies who have tea aroud 4 pm, and look out over the rainy rooftops from the windows.
Explore one of the many passages that are covered walkways.  There are shops that feature vintage, well, everything, and some cafes where you can still watch the people pass by.
Speaking of cafes - try one of the beautiful cafes that dot the city.  Want to be chic and have a cognac where the intellectuals spent time?  Try Aux Deux Magots in the 5th arrondissement.

Or, you could just put up your umbrella and take a walk in the rain.  Stroll through the Tuilerie Gardens, or maybe even the Luxembourg.  Listen to the drops on your umbrella, or enjoy just getting wet in the Parisian drizzle.
Whatever you choose remember - Paris is always a good idea.

If it's Tuesday...

It Must Be Belgium.  That is the name of a 1969 movie about an American travel group and its British tour director.  They are on a whirlwind tour of 8 countries in 9 days, which means that there isn’t a lot of time to experience a particular country. That tour group is an amalgam of single men, a few single women, a family, plus some couples.  There is, of course, an itinerary that some want to follow to the letter, “Aren’t we doing London by Night?  It’s in the brochure...”

Imagine yourself at the Eiffel Tower!

Although there are still group tours, the kind of people who take them are slightly different and the same all at once.  The first tour I took with adults included several couples celebrating milestone anniversaries; a three generation family with grandparents, parents and two children; a man who enjoys group travel along and relishes the company of his fellow passengers; plus two young cousins who were taking a trip before going back to university and graduate school.

“Imagine, we saw all of England in one day!” Thank goodness, the tour that we are going on next summer, Paris and Barcelona, isn’t that kind of expedition.  We don’t have to get up at 6 am every day, and there is plenty of free time if you wish.  There are a couple of things that we do as an entire group, plus some optional excursions that you can take if you desire.  If you’re like one of my friends, the best part of the tour is doing nothing.  City tours allow him to get up late, then meet us for lunch and the rest of our day.

Why not come along to Paris and Barcelona, June 26 – July 4, 2016.  There are only 15 spots left; in order to reserve your seat on the bus, all that it takes is a $300 deposit.  Then you can make payments up until the final one in April.  We will have a couple of parties before leaving to enjoy Spanish cava (sparkling wine), Iberian ham, French cheese and all sorts of their wine. 

Visit http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com to see the highlights of the tour, and then to put down your deposit!  If you would like, I can help you with the deposit process either in person or on the phone.

See you at the airport!

Commit yourself!

Bonjour tout le monde!
Commit to what?
To fun, family, and the adventure of a lifetime to the cities of Paris and Barcelona next June 26- July 4, 2016.
What you get for the price of $3819.00 (leaving from LAX; if you are flying out from another airport, the price can change):

• Round trip airfare from your airport of choice on a reputable airlines
• Pretty cool hotels in the cities of Paris and Barcelona
• A flight from Paris to Barcelona (no long day trips on the bus!)
• A full time tour director who takes care of our group and has great knowledge of both cities.
• An awesome trip with your friends and family, making tons of memories and stories to recount around the dinner table.

Commit by the end of August and get at least $50 off the price.  If you have traveled with EF or Go Ahead before, you can take off another $50!

Your committment to start this marvelous journey only costs $300/person.  Payments can be made over time, with the final payment due in April.

Please don't wait too long and get shut out.

Commit yourself to having a great vacation and adventure in 2016!

For more information, contact Jacki Williams-Jones  (jacki.williamsjones@gmail.com)

http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com

PS - the first person to commit with $300 deposit will receive a bottle of Spanish Cava.  Anyone who makes a deposit and commits before the end of  August will be treated to a glass of your favorite beverage one evening in Paris.

Find a hidden gem in Paris!

When you're in Paris, here is a "secret" park to visit.  And while you are thinking about it, enroll on my tour to Paris and Barcelona (june 26 - July 4, 2016).  If you reserve your spot with $300, not only will you get a glass of your favorite wine on me,  if you're the first one to enroll, you'll also win a bottle of champagne.  Everyone who enrolls by August 31 will get $50 off the tour price, just enough for one of the excursions! email me (jackiwjones@gmail.com) if you have questions!
https://bonjourparis.com/parks-and-gardens/secret-paris-parks-la-petite-ceinture-in-the-15th-arrondissement/