At the very centre—the heart, soul and jewel of France, we find Paris . . . Paris in all of its overwhelming magic and allure. Paris that, perhaps of all places around the globe, of all the islands and coasts, extraordinary mountains, cities, and countrysides, might just be the most dreamed about of them all. And is it with any wonder? Enveloping the experience of l'art de vivre is a rosy hue, a hue only seen while you are there [long remembered and forever held in the heart], swept up in the magic of the city of lights. Here, for hundreds of years, thousands and thousands of visitors near and far have traveled to visit, to live, [even if just for the day] amongst all that is Paris.
Here we find perfectly imperfect cobblestone streets, many offset by poetically tilted and beautifully aged architecture, and as we walk, we quietly take in the unabashed beauty and élan, as elegant & effortlessly stylish women pass by; an older man, pedaling along on his bicyclette, en route to the barber may bring on a smile—indeed, a postcard sight; ladies immersed in each other's company, tucked in bold red chairs at a quaint café, back and forth they speak, in reverent conversation; or peek into the windows of elegantly merchandised shop windows, seductively showcasing handmade merchandise, created with skills perfected centuries ago. A host of streets may call you to stroll, looking up as you go, at the decorated facades, noticing a tiny pot with a cheerful blossom tucked into the tiniest of nooks. Not so unlike Paris, where charm abounds—charm and quality, hand in hand—be it fine foods or perfumes, fundamental manners & etiquette, or tying a scarf with flair.
Perhaps it's passion? Perhaps it's Paris. A city unlike any other, Paris calls creatives to create, lovers in love, and explores to explore . . . for those with an appetite to discover and to learn may discover a convergence of past and present, and may lose themselves forever, never to be the same. And so, today we warmly invite you to join us as we visit some of the most memorable places, and share some of best kept secrets in our address book of Paris . . .
Love is in the air, as they say, particularly as we are approaching what is, arguably, the most romantic month of the entire year: February. But romance is certainly not limited to a single day, or month for that matter, as the very words, love and romance inspire hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of sonnets and ballads, songs, paintings, and notes and declarations at any given time.
For love is entirely a matter of the heart, apart from all that is grounded and tangible, and perhaps that is why great minds, for decades, have tried to capture its very essence.
And with the lifting of the winter's cold, afresh with the promise of Spring, we may welcome romance in all its forms, be it a quick expression of appreciation, written by hand, and left on the bedside table, or a dazzling bouquet of fragrant blossoms wrapped in tissue, or the simple joy of spending time walking, in the intimacy of fresh air, talking and dreaming together . . .
Perhaps the single most important of details before you depart for your trip, [besides your packing list!, of course], is taking care of the things you treasure most of all: your home and the loved ones in it, and the details of your life.
Many travel for business and/or vacation without giving much thought to possibility that something might happen to them while away, and though it is never favorable to think upon, it is important to take extra measures to ensure everything is in order, and so, today’s {take me away} column discusses some of the important details one must take care of beforehand, as well as a few other important things to take along on the voyage . . .
T H E · T R A V E L · IN F O R M A T I O N · L I S T
Each destination [as there could be multiple destinations planned for one trip] would have its own set of details [repeated for each destination] that should include the following information:
destination: be specific, i.e. London, UK method of travel: car rental company & contact information, train or flight details, airline and contact information, etc. destination accommodations: where you are staying, be it as a guest with family or friends, hotel, rental home, etc. along with name and address, website and/or telephone number
departure date: when you expect to arrive at the given destination date of return: day, month, year method of travel: which flight, with details; or car, train, etc. with details, if different from above expected arrival time: by estimation [vital to include]
It is important to leave your emergency contact information with whomever is staying at your home while you are away -- be it a neighbor, family member, or a trusted friend. Feel free to use this list as a starting point for your own. You may wish to customize some of the notations, especially if you have numerous pets, children at home, and/or additional people living within your home.
