le Nouvel An!

Bonjour tout le monde,
Et un joyeux Jour de l'An.  New Year's Eve is big in Paris.  Michael and I were able to experience the evening about 4 years ago.  We were part of a group of teachers who normally are out of the country with students and chaperones.  However, this time, it was just adults, which made things so much easier (no need to count heads, for one).
Dinner was at the traditional and fun Bouillon-Chartier restaurant.  Normally you have to wait in line to be seated, but we had a reservation.  SO much food, great service, and fun friends made it even better.  Then it was off to "une boite de nuit", a nightclub, where we wore those really funny glasses, counted down to the new year, and kissed our favorite people.  The next morning, seeing as how there are no American football games, the city of Paris was quite quiet and subdued as most folks weren't up yet. While in Paris this summer,we can definitely have a meal at this wonderfully awesome very French restaurant - prices are quite reasonable, aussi!
This time of year in France, as in many European countries, is magical.  The streets are  lined with twinkling lights, the streets are full of families strolling through the still open Christmas markets, and the wonderful odors of chestnuts roasting on kettle drums everywhere you go.
Paris is fun anytime of year, almost like the song "I Love Paris".  Thanks to my travels, I have had the chance to experience the City of Lights in all four seasons.  I think that the fall is pretty good, followed by winter (because I love to wear coats), then the spring and summer in a tie.
Here is a link to an article about all the cool things that are going on in France in 2016.  If you wish to take advantage of some of these suggestions, come with me in June 2016 to Paris and Barcelona.  We will miss the soccer frenzy, but might be able to stroll through the soon to reopen Ritz Hotel.  Then we will go on to Barcelona to enjoy all things Gaudi, experience the Ramblas, taste the sangria and devour all sorts of tapas.

Why visit France in 2016: http://www.thelocal.fr/20151229/why-you-should-visit-france-in-2016
Restaurant Bouillon-Chartier: http://www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/
youtube video - "I Love Paris' sung by Ella Fitzgerald and with beautiful shots of Paris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGIDwVUbFy4
Information on Paris and Barcelona 2016: http://jackiwilliams-jones.grouptoursite.com/

Guess who, Paris , Dec 2012

 Yes, those are the glasses!  The following photo is of a statue of the infamous head butt of Zenadine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup.  The statue was over the top huge, see how small people are.  The statue was in front of the Pompidou Modern Art museum.  Last photo is the Champs-Elysees.

Just in case you haven't gotten that perfect Christmas present!

Black Friday Special to Paris and Barcelona, and a chance to win your tour for FREE!

Bonjour tout le monde,
Thinking of coming with me to Paris and Barcelona in June of 2016?  Here are some incentives that will have you getting ready to pack your bags.  However, enroll on the tour this weekend and take advantage of money off the price of your tour, up to $75 off an excursion of your choice, and the chance to win your tour for FREE!!!!!

A note from the New York Times

Bonjour tout le monde
Gertrude Stein once said, "America is my country, and Paris is my hometown."  Imagine my thoughts during the events on Friday in Paris.  I am slated to travel to Paris twice in 2016, once with a school and another time with adults.  Naturally, people have questions, and here is a thoughtful answer from the New York Times.
With the title of "What Travelers Can Expect in Paris", this is a thoughtful and useful article on traveling now, and maybe later.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/16/travel/traveling-to-paris.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0

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.