Christmas in Paris

"K2T Wisata"

With November almost ended, lots of us have started thinking about the upcoming Christmas holidays. Every year the same question: who are you going to spend Christmas with? And where do you want to spend Christmas?

We cannot help you figure out who to spend Christmas with, although we advise to always stay with the ones you love the most: your family, your friends or your partner.

As for where to spend Christmas, if you are thinking of going somewhere special this year, we have a variety of ideas on possible destinations you would like.

Christmas in Paris

Known as the “city of lights” or the “city of love” Paris is a very magical and romantic destination. A trip to Paris for spending Christmas holidays in Paris can be a very special event for you and your loved ones. Would you like to give it a try?

Christmas in Paris means a time to enjoy tourism in Paris. Of course, Christmas and Paris are a popular combination, but since many spend Christmas at their place, it is a time of the year when museums and landmarks are less crowded, you do not have to wait in long lines and can have a good time sight-seeing and enjoying tours in Paris. Check availability, prices and BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS TOUR IN PARIS.

PARIS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR – LIDO DINNER SHOW – MOULIN ROUGE DINNER SHOW

Also at this time of the year, hotels in Paris and flights to Paris offer special prices and budget-friendly packages. That is the case especially if you book in advance, but last minute specials should be around soon.

Christmas in Paris offers a combination of sightseeing, a romantic environment, cold but pleasant weather, specially incorporated Christmas lights all over the city, shopping and holiday markets.

The lights of Paris – PARIS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR

From this Wednesday, December 1st, and until mid-January, the city of Paris will enjoy lots of Christmas lights illuminating all over 125+ of its districts, located in squares and roads.

Paris Illumine Paris –in English: Paris lights up Paris- is the project behind all this lights. Organized by the Mairie de Paris (town hall) and the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Paris, it involved many Traders Associations, 200 tree technicians, 200.000 meters of illuminated garlands and 200 kilometers of illuminated streets and pathways.

Here is a list of some of the illuminated areas for Christmas in Paris:

• Rue de Richelieu, Paris 1st
• Rue Montorgueil, passage des Panoramas, Paris 2nd
• Rues Vieille du Temple and Bretagne, Paris 3th
• Rue de Saint-Paul and Rambuteau, Paris 4th
• Rue Mouffetard, place de l’Eglise Saint-Médard and place de la Contrescarpe, Paris 5th
• Boulevard and place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris 6th
• Rue de Grenelle and boulevard Raspail, Paris 7th
• Rues Caumartin and Vignon, Paris 9th
• Marché Saint-Quentin and rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, Paris 10th
• Rue Oberkampf, Paris 11th
• Rue de Charenton and Viaduc des Arts, Paris 12th
• Avenues des Gobelins and d’Italie, Paris 13th
• Rues d’Alesia and Daguerre, Paris 14th
• Rues Lecourbe and Cambronne, Paris 15th
• Rues Duret, Pergolèse, des Belles Feuilles and de Passy, Paris 16th
• Rue de Courcelles, de Levis, Poncelet and avenue des Ternes, Paris 17th
• Place and rue des Abbesses, rue Lepic and Haut Montmartre, Paris 18th
• Rue Secretan, Paris 19th
• Rue de Belleville, du Jourdain and des Pyrénées, Paris 20th

Also since November 15th, the Bercy Village in the district of Tolbiac / Bois de Vincennes / Bercy has the “Constellation” Christmas lights, for which the Cour Saint-Emilion, has been decorated inspired in Miro’s creations, with luminous globes and layered structures to project a magical starry sky with all the planets.

In the Forum des Halles, in the Marais district, Christmas lights were installed on November 22nd and will remain until the 7th of January. This year they chose to use pop colors in acid tones: fluorescent green, electric blue, bright orange and flashy pink; together with a six meters tall rainbow Christmas tree.

The renowned Avenue des Champs Elysees, also decorated since November 22nd will keep its lights until January 10th, from place de la Concorde to place de l’Etoile. The 400 trees on these two kilometers of the avenue have over a million lights on. They used energy efficient lighting to make this event more sustainable.

Christmas lights are also present in Avenue Montaigne (Paris 8th) since November 23rd, in place Vendôme (Paris 1st), rues de la Paix (Paris 2nd), Castiglione and Saint-Honoré (Paris 1st) from November 25th to January 14th, 2011 and also since today, November 30th, there will be lighting in the Belleville-Pyrénées-Jourdain district (Paris 20th).

Led lights were used in all the mentioned locations in order to reduce the energy consumption up to 50%, but without changing the visual effect of the lights.

Christmas at the department stores of Paris

Not only the streets, roads and trees have been illuminated, also the big department stores that offer the best shopping in Paris are incorporating special displays in their windows for this holiday season in Paris. They have also planned a great variety of events to make their clients’ Christmas shopping much more enjoyable.

The Galeries Lafayette has chosen musicals as their main theme for this year’s celebrations, changing their windows already on November 4th. From the 50s until nowadays, they go through musicals like “Hairspray”, “The Rockettes”, “Mamma Mia” and “The Pink Soldier”. There will be free small concerts by musical groups, “Mamma Mia” taking place 5.30pm on December 3rd, and “Footloose” performing December 3 and 4 at 1, 4 and 7pm, and December 5 at 12, 2 and 6pm.

Not satisfied with that, Lafayette will also have a 20-meters-high Christmas tree in violet, turquoise and gold colors, and will give free workshops on Christmas tree decorations the 4, 11 and 18 of December at 2, 3.30 and 5pm, and on December 16th at 4, 5.30 and 7pm

In Printemps, a “Chateau Christmas” or Christmas in a castle is the main theme of the windows since November 10th. They revisit all traditions and customs of the past, with the huge banquet table, enormous fireplace and never ending portrait gallery, all specially designed for the occasion.

In the Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV), Christmas window decorations are displayed since November 17th and only until December 31st. This time they chose the Universe of the Circus. Sponsored by singer Olivia Ruiz, they display a 30-meter circus ring full of tightrope walkers and acrobats.

Ruiz’s exhibition on “Tightrope walker dreams” will be on until Christmas Eve in BHV, presenting young artists, photo sessions and circus entertainment. There will be special opening days the first three Sundays of December, in order to give those who work a lot during the week plenty of time to do their Christmas shopping in a convenient day.

Enjoy the decorated windows, stores, roads, streets and trees of Christmas in Paris. Hope to see you there soon! For further travel news of other tourist destinations, check our Tourism Blog.

6 favorite museum gift shops (with cheapo tips)

"K2T Wisata"

By Theadora Brack in Paris—

Theadora’s the name and shopping’s my game. For your high browsing pleasure, I’ve put together a list of my favorite museum shops in Paris.

Not in France? Fret not. This week I’m leaving no Francophile or Shopaholic behind! In SELLabration of “Cyber Monday,” most of the shops listed below have online boutiques and offer international shipping. La vie est belle!

Smooth sailing at the Musée de la Marine. Photos: Theadora Brack

Cheaps Ahoy!
Musée national de la Marine
17 place du Trocadéro
Metro: Trocadéro; 16th Arron.
Librairie-Boutique

The Musée de la Marine’s shop is a charmer. Long and narrow like a romantically lit ship’s salon, you’ll think you’re hearing waves softly lapping against the hull as you browse. Here you’ll find ocean liner posters, postcards, books, toy sailors, model ships, and striped shirts by designer Jean Paul Gaultier. Mais oui, so pinch yourself, Matey! Even the shopping bags are suited in stripes. Now that’s an outfit!

Recent scores: A beautifully illustrated “Les Marins Font La Mode” catalog for €2, discounted from €6!

Supercalifrugalistic!
Musée du Louvre
Metro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre; 1st Arron.
Boutique en ligne

The Louvre’s shop not only discounts catalogs from its previous expositions by up to 60% off their original cost, but also carries current and back issues of “albums de l’exposition.” Published by Beaux Arts Magazine, Connaissance des Arts, Le Figaro, or the Louvre itself, these slim gems are usually prominently displayed, lightweight and affordable, costing just €2 to €10.

Books and catalogs are located on the first floor, and textiles, decorative arts and paper works are showcased on the second level. Keep your eyes peeled for the Marie Antoinette section! Take heed: alluring and glittery souvenirs beckon on both levels. (Do keep your head.) Also, gift-wrapping with miles of ribbon is free, no matter the price or size of your purchase. You just have to ask for it. Your cat and cat sitter will thank you!

Recent scores: Hand-blown Egyptian glasses in teal, green and cobalt blue for €7 a pop.

The shop vitrine at Musée des Les Arts Décoratifs

À la mode!
Musée des Arts Décoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli
Metro: Palais Royale – Musée du Louvre; 1st Arron.
La Boutique

After shopping at the Louvre’s boutique, saunter on over to the nearby shop at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Designed by Bruno Moinard, this super glam shop boasts extensive and well-organized shelves of books, jewelry, and stationary. You’ll also be wooed by modern and funky table linens, candle holders, vases, dinnerware, stemware, flatware, and things to wear! Groovy entertaining just got easier!

Recent scores: A set of 100% cotton Napkins by Les Arts Decoratifs sets for €4!

Bustling Pompidou Centre

Pipe dreams!
Centre Pompidou
Metro: Rambuteau; 4th Arron.
La Boutique du Centre Pompidou

Easy access is just one of the reasons I fancy the Pompidou’s Librairie Flammarion Centre! Nestled on the right hand side of the spacious forum, it’s Bee-line-able. Like the Louvre, the shop frequently discounts its deep inventory of books and catalogs. Lofty ceilings, wide aisles and indirect lighting make for easy browsing. Here you’ll also find films, stationery, calendars, and notebooks stacked on enormous tables as high as the eye of Napoleon’s plaster elephant!

If you need a little mod design to-gos, cross the vast lobby to the mezzanine level on the left, where the Boutique Printemps Design will dazzle you with a range of designer knick-knacks.

Recent scores: A skinny “C’est à ne pas oublier” notebook in cherry red for €5 and exposition catalog Dreamlands: Des parcs d’attractions aux cités du future for €8!

Sybarite Dollie at the Musée de la Poupée

All dolled up!
Musée de la Poupée
Impasse Berthaud
Metro: Rambuteau; 3rd Arron.
Boutique Poupée

After shopping at the Centre Pompidou, pop by the shop at the nearby Musée de la Poupée (Doll Museum). Here, stylish Sybarite dolls coolly hold court at the entrance to a shop stocked with hundreds of other poupées du monde! Created by Charles Fegen and Desmond Lingard for the museum, the Sybarites were inspired by the 17th-century French fashion dolls called the Pandores. Before catalogs and websites, the Parisian fashion industry used articulated dolls to market their creations, targeting and attracting an international clientele for the first time. Even Henri IV sent “jointed babies” to his fiancé Marie de Medici in Italy so that she would arrive at court in Paris wearing only au courant garb!

The Musée de la Poupée’s shop also carries books, catalogs, postcards, and exquisite miniature clothing ensembles. Contact the super helpful Claire Favot Conand with questions about sizes, brands or names.

A Rodin snow globe. Photo: Musée Rodin

Just a kiss!
Musée Rodin
77 rue de Varenne
Metro: Varenne or Invalides; 7th Arron.
Boutique

Passionately curated and stocked by Alberto Brusamolino, there’s beacoup to appreciate about the Musée Rodin’s shop. After visiting Rodin’s muscular marvels, I often find myself lingering in the shop in order to prolong the delightfully amorous feeling that all that bronze and marble just induced. Truth be told, it does the trick for me every time.

Here you’ll find replica sculptures, books, catalogs, stationary, jewelry, tote bags, and textiles. Do check out the online boutique. It’s striking, super-organized and almost as fun as “being there!” Questions? Contact Mr. Brusamolino! PDF catalog is also available.

Cheapos, do you have a favorite museum gift shop in Paris? Do shop and tell!

Spaghetti

"K2T Wisata"

If you have read my site for long you know that I love quick and easy recipes. I love to cook and spend all day in the kitchen, but the reality is that my day to day recipes need to be quick and easy.

When Laura at Organizing Junkie had one pot spaghetti on her menu plan a few months ago, I was intrigued with the idea, but I knew it needed to be adapted to fit my family’s likes and tastes.

I took the basic idea, and changed quite a few things. The original recipe had you using tomato paste and water, this would work, but I thought I would get much better flavor from using a jar of spaghetti sauce. I don’t usually like jarred sauces, but in this case it works really well.

I also changed it and used fresh mushrooms instead of canned, you can leave the mushrooms out all together if you don’t like them.

I tweaked a few other things and with all those changes my version is really nothing like the recipe Laura linked to, but we really enjoyed it and it was so easy to make. This is a perfect meal for a busy night.

Thanks for the idea of One Pot Spaghetti Laura.

One Pot Spaghetti

• 1 lb ground beef or sausage
• 8 ounce fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 14 ounce can chicken broth ( or homemade)
• 1 – 26 ounce (or so) jar of spaghetti sauce
• ½ cup water
• 8 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into pieces
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a large saucepan cook meat and onion until onion is tender and meat is browned.
2. Drain any fat off and return to pan.
3. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook until mushrooms are tender.
4. Add broth, spaghetti sauce, and water and bring to a boil.
5. Add noodles and reduce heat.
6. Cover and cook 17-20 minutes or until noodles are tender. You will need to stir this occasionally and add more water if necessary.
7. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
8. Serve and enjoy!

This post linked to $5 Dinner Challenge.

Mahatma

"K2T Wisata"

Ethnic restaurants are a vital part of the the Paris restaurant scene and we like to to intersperse them with French restaurants in our column. Our friend Rosemary Flannery, who also joined us this time, lives near the Madeleine and turned us on to the well known, popular Indian restaurant Mahatma in the area.

The carved wooden entrance doors were so striking, they could be a Door of the Month. Inside, the restaurant was dark and decadent with warm orange lighting and the table was lavishly set with brass plates and fanned cloth napkins. We all chose the simple 3-course formule for 16 euros. The selection of dishes was slim in each category, and the plat offered was either chicken or vegetable curry. For starters there was either raita-yogurt with spices, or vegetable, meat, or potato samosas. I thought it was odd that the potato samosas were the only ones served with Naan bread. They were warm and satisfying and the Nann was crisp and oozing with melted butter. The meat was tender in the chicken curry and the curry not overpowering but just enough to give it a zing. The spiced rice was fluffy and steaming hot. Dessert was a simple warm semoule cake and was the right balance for spicy menu before. Service was pleasant enough but a bit slow in between the appetizers and plats. Seating in the banquets was very comfortable which made it easy to have a long lunch.

Sometimes it's the small touches that make a big difference. The carafe of tap water, which is usually tepid in most restaurants, was nicely chilled, which is helpful when you are having spicy food.

Lynn and I give Mahatma two curried thumbs up and we will be back there again soon.

Mahatma
23 rue Vignon, 8th arr.
Metro: Madeleine
Tel 01 47 42 69 14

Potato samosas

Raita

Chicken curry

Ohalo College of Katzrin Opens Department of Sustainable Development

"K2T Wisata"

Ohalo College of Katzrin brings sustainable development studies into the ivory tower.

The world of academia and environmental activism do not always go hand in hand, and academics are notorious for their detachment from the real world.  But some universities and colleges are an exception to this generalization.  In fact, Tel Aviv University held a conference intended to bring together academic researchers and environmental policy makers just last month.  And green MBA degrees are popping up all over the place, instructing business students on how to integrate sustainable objectives in the business world.

The Ohalo College of Katzrin in Israel is rising to our global environmental challenge as well, by opening an entire department devoted to sustainable development and renewable energy. … [visit site to read more]

Female Whale Sharks Elude Marine Biologists

"K2T Wisata"

Something as big as a whale shark should be easy to track, but Dubai-based marine biologists learn they are actually quite elusive.

It’s so tempting to attribute anthropogenic qualities to fauna. Take the whale shark Rhincodon typus, sometimes referred to as gentle giants, the largest fish to plow through tropical seas with its wide mouth open. The heaviest on record weighed in at 36 tonnes – as much as a ring of six Barnum and Bailey circus elephants. And yet they are among the least known creatures.

They’re nomadic, but no one knows their favorite haunts, they’re huge, but a sighting can be as furtive as a wanton look, and the ladies are especially sneaky. To learn more about these extraordinary seafaring creatures, Sharkwatch Arabia plans to tag 25 whale sharks over the next five years, starting with two tags donated by Emirati organizations. … [visit site to read more]

Remaking the Future

"K2T Wisata"

November 30: Remaking the Future

“They sail these across the ocean.” Jim said as he eased his Precision 165 up to the dock. He didn’t say who ‘they’ were or how often they did it, but it seemed plausible so I took him at his word overlooking the fact that he was a sailor.

Later I ran a Google search for “micro-cruisers” and found that ‘they’ take even smaller boats all the way ‘round sometimes – real ‘they’s with names and occasionally blogs – I booked-marked the sites in my “adventure travel” folder.

A dozen years ago on a windy Saturday in Western Washington, I spent the morning on a sailboat that I was thinking of buying, A dream of travel and solitude had followed me for years and I was searching for direction. Later that afternoon I leaned forward and fell from a plane with a large Russian strapped to my back and the sailboat disappeared into laughter and joy and the first of more than a thousand skydives.

Within six months I had quit the best  paying job of my life and was joyfully living in a tent at a skydiving center in Arizona. In the years that followed I often thought about the afternoon when I made that first jump and the path I set out on when I decided to make the second – the events of the morning slipped away like fog burning off in the noonday sun.

Fog has a way of coming back though, comfortable and familiar. And sometimes when two paths diverge, they twist and tarry far, far away from each other only meet up again further down the line.

Sometimes, choices can be remade.

Today’s POTD is a 16.5 foot long sailboat. I’ve heard that people sail them across the ocean.

Puerto Varas City Tour

"K2T Wisata"

If your trip to Chile includes a visit to its southern region, there are many options on destinations and landscapes to visit. One possibility is to combine a city tour to Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, situated as south as the Argentinian city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Check for availability, prices and BOOK YOUR CITY TOUR TO PUERTO VARAS AND PUERTO MONTT.

Located in the Llanquihue province, Puerto Varas is part of the Los Lagos region. This city, also known as “ciudad de las rosas” –city of the roses- is widely known for its Germanic traditions, its special gastronomy, with a great variety of seafood –fish of all kinds, more than you can possibly imagine. It is also well known for its casino and great offer of four star hotels, which receive a lot of the tourism in Chile.

The Llanquihue lake, over which Puerto Varas is located, is one of the greatest natural lakes in South America. From there you can clearly see the snowcapped mountains of Calbuco and Tronador, as well as the Osorno volcanoe.

20 kilometers from Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt is also a place worth visiting. This port city and municipality of southern Chile is located in the northern edge of the Reloncavi Sound, as part of the Patagonia region of Chile. It is also an area that received a great German influence, with selective immigration in the middle of the 19th century.

If you would like to travel to this region of Chile, we offer you guided visits to Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, with a duration of half a day, which allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular views of these towns and of the lake, next to which we will take part of our road.

Our trip will start with a tour by Puerto Varas, getting to know its origins from the foundation of the town by German immigrants. Then we will continue up to the Phillipi mountain, where we will enjoy our time in natural woodlands and a nice view over the town and the lake. From there, we will descend to the shore of the lake, where we will enjoy the area with its calm waters and a view of the Osorno volcano in the background.

Later, we tour Puerto Montt, where we will visit the area of the Pelluco beach and Chinquihue, in the Tenglo channel, just to end our visit with a tour by the picturesque and beautiful town of Angelmó – a small fishermen town and handcrafting community famous for its works in wool and wood.

The city tour by Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt takes place daily in the morning at 9.30 am and in the afternoon at 3.30 pm in English. Its duration is 3.5 hours. We offer hotel pick-up and drop-off in some cases, contact us and ask if you are interested. All transportation fees, the guide and the admission fees are included in the cost of the tour. For an additional fee you can also hire a private guided tour for yourself, your family or your travel group. BOOK YOUR CITY TOUR TO PUERTO VARAS AND PUERTO MONTT.

Day trip to Peulla, TOUR TO PEULLA.

"K2T Wisata"

If you are spending your holidays in the south of Chile and you have been touring the area of Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt and its surroundings for a few days, you might be interesting in visiting Peulla. Check availability, prices and BOOK YOUR TOUR TO PEULLA.

This small town got its name from a word in the language of the local mapuche natives. In English it means something like “spring sprouts”.

The Peulla town is located in the western shore of the All Saints’ Lake, in the municipality of Puerto Varas, which is part of the Region of the Lakes of Chile. It is located in an area that is not densely populated, having as the nearest town the one of Petrohue, in the opposite side of the All Saints’ Lake. 20 nautical miles away from one another, these two towns are only communicated through vessels that cross the lake, not having an inland road to join them.

Close to the border with Argentina, only 26 kilometers from the pass of Vuriloche and the international pass Perez Rosales, Peulla has a harbor and an aerodrome, together with many services and infrastructure for accommodation, gastronomy, police, customs and first aid. The rivers Peulla and Negro meet in Peulla, which might explain the rainy weather, with precipitations year round, but specially during the months of April to October.

Our excursion to Peulla is a day trip, that leaves from Puerto Montt on its way to Puerto Varas, allowing you to visit Peulla from your staying in any of these two cities. Once all passengers have been picked up, the tour to Peulla will take place through the southern shore of the Llanquihue Lake, offering attendees beautiful views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes.

We will then take a walk on the National Park Petrohue, where we will stop in the Petrohue waterfalls, in which the icy and greenish waters of the Emerald Lake – also known as the All Saints’ Lake – flow over a lip of volcanic rock.

From there, we will continue our excursion to Peulla in the All Saints’ Lake. From its pier we will take a catamaran to arrive in Peulla, a little town in the opposite shore of the lake. On the way, which takes about two hours, we will enjoy the beautiful views of the Osorno Volcano and the Puntiagudo and Tronador mounts.

Once in Peulla, we will have free time for lunch and for a short stroll, for example to the nearby waterfalls, by the shore of the lake, before arriving in catamaran to Petrohue, and from there we will take the bus back to Puerto Montt.

The day trip to Peulla takes place daily, departing 8am from Puerto Montt and with about 11 hours of total duration. The return is scheduled for 7.30 pm. We offer hotel pick-up and drop-off in some cases, contact us and ask if you are interested. Please bear in mind that, if you are staying in Puerto Montt, you will be picked up in your hotel before 8am. All transportation fees, the guide and the admission fees are included in the cost of the tour. Check availability, prices and BOOK YOUR TOUR TO PEULLA.