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VISIT THE SITES where
your favorite authors lived and wrote. |
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Travel
By-The-Book : Senior
Women's Travel : Favorite
Cities : Theatre
Tours |
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PROUST PLUS PARIS…
Our Proust in Paris Tour offers much more than an exploration of arguably the greatest novel ever written seen against the backdrop of the life of Marcel Proust, “his” Paris and the times in which he lived and wrote. Expect to be challenged and inspired by lively discussions and debate of IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME . SWT Tours total commitment is to offer you the best of all of Paris to enhance this unique literary experience. Long years of Paris visits (well over 100) have evolved a superb list of guides and activities. We stay at our favorite boutique hotel in the 6th arrondisement, nosh at some amazing food shops. Introduce you to a crop of interesting restaurants that may have never been on your radar. Paris’ leading English bookshops with lively author special events are part of the mix and we throw in a sprinkling of encounters with expats, all loving the life they live in Paris. Here are some Observations from my last trip to Paris… There’s a no smoking ban in restaurants and public places but that just means that everybody smokes on the street. It’s an epidemic and it’s mostly women doing the puffing.
Color has finally made it to Paris…no more exclusively black clothing. Women are wearing bright jackets, the best are belted. Too many jeans but colorful coats and scarves are a “must have”. Young men have adopted scruffy beards, think of a 3 day old growth and their hair is very spiked via mousse. The best looking are not wearing puffy jackets but sleek hip length black coats. And don’t forget,as soon as you sit down for a coffee or a meal, put your cell phone on the table. Learn to make an espresso last for hours. Meals…the brunch concept has arrived in Paris, full force. And lots of top chefs have followed Joel Robluchon and his concept of haut cuisine eating at a bar. His Atelier, with only bar seating, is a favorite.
Macarons in every color with a variety of fillings are the rage at Pierre Herme and Laduree. I even took a class in how to make macarons. Pretty complicated but I may give it a try. Desserts served in small glasses are another big trend. Called “verrines” they hit the food scene about six months ago. Think layers of flavors stacked in a glass, for example, passion fruit, cream cheese, bits of orange with a crumb topping and tiny cubes of sugar I continue to be amazed at the various Parisian food halls that rival Harrod’s in London. Bon Marche’s Grande Epicere and Galeries Lafayette are superb. I love the breakfast pastries at Bon Marche and the teeny tiny breads sold on a skewer. Had a serrano ham with manchego cheese sandwich at Galeries Lafayette and a delicious pasta lunch.
Spent most of a day at the Louvre looking at some of Proust favorite paintings. There are 31 mentioned in the novel. Using Eric Karpeles book, Paintings in Proust , adds immeasureably to viewing the paintings especially because the author gives the actual quotes from the novel referring to each picture. And wonder of wonders, I found an easy way to find the paintings without walking in circles. Join us for this unique homage to Proust with a splash of what’s new and happening in Paris…Much more to share. Mary Ann Zimmerman www.poshnosh.com maryann@poshnosh.com 917 880 6732 |
