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Village Saint-Paul Paris

Many a Paris traveler heads to the City of Light with the goal of shopping for antiques.  And most of those antique-lovers put a visit to the largest and most famous Paris Puces,  Saint-Ouen, at the top of their itinerary.  Some may even head to one of my favorites, the lesser-known Vanves Market.

But tucked away between the banks of the Seine and the Marais neighborhood is a little gem of a shopping area, just oozing with charm, called the Village Saint-Paul. Hidden behind a maze of interconnected courtyards and alleyways, this quaint little area looks like something from a fairytale, with its covered cobblestone walkways, and ivy-drenched buildings that house about 200 antique dealers and collectors.

Many of these shops are perfect for browsing, as well as buying unique one-of-a-kind items. You certainly won’t have the same selection that you would have at the Saint-Ouen, but it’s much less crowded, much more picturesque and not at all overwhelming.

Occasionally, you may get lucky enough to stumble onto one of the neighborhood yard sales and find tables spilling out onto the sidewalks.

This is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon, just wandering in and out of the nooks and crannies that surround the ancient buildings, shopping in peace and quiet, while visiting the little shops in search of a real Paris treasure.  Don’t miss a visit to the old medieval fortress wall and tower from the 11th and 12th century, and the Hotel de Sens.

The area isn’t limited to just antiques, either.  There are lots of art galleries, ateliers and artisan boutiques offering up decor and design items.

Dealers are open Monday – Saturday from 11am – 7pm.

If you are interested in a little virtual visit, watch the video.

Photos ©Nichole Robertson of Little Brown Pen

What is your favorite place to shop for antiques in Paris?  Tell us in the comments!

Traveling to Paris?  You might be interested in a cooking class or market tour.

Travel Tip Tuesday : Hotel vs. Apartment Rental

There has always been a big debate about whether it is best to stay in a hotel or rent an apartment when traveling. There are passionate and staunch supporters on both sides of the debate and I actually like and will use both options, depending on the circumstance.

Being a travel consultant, or at least a good one, involves trying to advise clients which option makes the most sense for their particular situation.

This Travel Tip Tuesday, I’ll try to explain who I feel might benefit more from a hotel vs. an apartment rental  and throw in a few things to consider when deciding which may be right for you.

Hotels may be a better fit for:

• Travelers who are only staying a short time.  Many apartment rentals have a minimum rental of a week or only make financial sense for long-term.
• Solo Travelers.  Footing the bill alone for an apartment can be prohibitive.
• Those who need the security of 24-hour service, a concierge to answer questions, or a point person right on the premises.
• Busy travelers who prefer to be touring all day and night and only use the room primarily for showering and sleeping.
• Those who don’t want to worry about little details like cleaning fees, if sheets are provided or sending a key through the mail, etc.
• Budget Travelers.  Generally you’ll find more selection of budget hotels than budget apartments.
• Those that don’t want to cook on vacation and enjoying eating out every night.
• Those who may get a bit weirded-out from staying in what may be someone elses home.

Apartments may be a better fit for:

• Families or those traveling in a group.  It’s a great way to get the space you need and can be very cost-effective.
• Long-term travelers planning to spend a week or more in the location.
• Those who plan to spend lots of time in the space and wish to have all the comforts of home.
• Travelers who prefer to immerse themselves in the culture by living like locals and among neighbors.
• Foodies who like to cook and want to prepare meals in. This can also save money on eating out.
• Folks that know people in the area they are traveling to and want to entertain or have a party.
• Independent travelers that don’t need assistance and are comfortable going it alone with no help .
• Those who want the convenience of doing laundry easily on their trip.

And a few things to consider if choosing to rent an apartment:

• Chose an apartment carefully, especially if the owners are not on site.  I feel it’s important to have contact information and someone nearby should something go wrong. Dealing with a clogged toilet for your entire week’s stay isn’t my idea of fun.
• Use a reputable site that has reviews like VRBO or HomeAway.  Be wary of sites like Craig’s List.
• Make sure you do the math.  You may in fact be able to get a great deal on an apartment, even as a single or couple. Alternatively, you can spend a fortune and 3-4 times more than what a hotel would cost.
• Check out the location.  Ask a local about the area.  Or a travel consultant.
• Check the fine print and what is included.  You don’t want to get hit with a surprise cleaning fee or utility bill.
• Be honest with yourself about whether you will actually shop and cook for yourself or if you’ll be too tired from touring and would rather just enjoy meals out and relax rather than working on your vacation.  Many start out being very ambitious, but end up eating out every night and never using the kitchen, which may blow your budget and defeat the purpose of the apartment in the first place.

Do you prefer a hotel or an apartment and why?  Share any tips, pros or cons that I missed in the comments.

Don’t forget to visit Cherrye for more travel tips.

• Need help finding a hotel or apartment for your trip to France or Italy?  Click here to see how I can help!

Ten Things I Love About Ravello

Photo Credit : Flickr

I dare anyone to find a town along the Amalfi Coast that isn’t worth a visit.  Each and every one of them has their own charm, hidden-gems and things that makes them special.

One of the loveliest and quiant towns, perched atop a cliff, high above the coast, is Ravello.  And here are ten of the things I love most about Ravello.

1.  The views. The fact that Ravello lies up in the hills above the coast, means it offers a fantastic vantage point from which to see both up and down the rocky coastline. No matter where you roam, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas and a different panorama at every turn.

2.  Villa Rufolo.  Named for the family who created it, the Villa Rufolo is an eclectic mix of  Arabic, Sicilian and Norman architecture.  Medieval towers, two-tiered Moorish cloisters and 19th century gardens combine in a beautiful setting.  Inspired by the gardens, composer Richard Wagner used them for the setting for his opera Parsifal.

3.  Villa Cimbrone. The stunning Italian and English-style gardens on the grounds of the Villa Cimbrone are the star of the show here.  There are many different landscaped areas, but the most noteworthy spot is the Infinity Terrace, which is lined with marble busts.  From this platform, you feel like your suspended in mid-air as you take in the views and feel swallowed up by the blue sea below and sky above.

4.  A meal at the Villa Maria.  The Villa Maria is a charming hotel in a prime location, situated at the end of a small cobbled pathway.  The restaurant’s food is fresh and top-notch, but enjoying lunch or dinner on the outside terrace is enchanting, especially if you score a table near the railing which overlooks the Dragone Valley and the coast.

5.  The Duomo.  Built in 1087, this simple church with the white facade has a wonderful set of bronze doors, that are made up of 54 different panels.  The interior boasts intricate white marble designs and busts, mosaics and medieval frescoes and pulpits. The lovely bell tower just adds to the charm.

6.  The lemons.  Lemons the color of sunshine itself and the size of softballs perfume the whole town as they dangle from graceful branches of lemon trees in gardens, terraces and hotel grounds all over town.  Trust me, you’ve never seen such large lemons!

7.  Limoncello. Even though lemons are used to make the addictive and refreshing smooth, yet tangy liqueur, I felt it really deserved its very own mention. Though other areas on the Amalfi Coast make limoncello, some of the best is made in Ravello.  Watch how to make it, and enjoy a nice tasting at the Limoncello Factory at Via Trinity, 37.

8.  Ceramics. I’m a sucker for colorful handmade Italian ceramics in vibrant colors like teal green, royal blue, and bright yellow.  Thankfully Ravello has no shortage of places to admire or purchase pottery.  The Ceramiche d’Art Pascal and Ceramiche Da Lena are two well-known options that have been staples for quite sometime.  I love to wander the streets looking for the colorful platters, in many patterns that hang precariously over the ceramic shop doorways while larger pieces spill out onto the streets.

9.  The outdoor concerts. Ravello hosts an outdoor concert series every summer, courtesy of the Ravello Concert Society. Lovely classical music and piano concerts are held outdoors in the romantically lit gardens on the grounds of the Villa Rufolo.  As an added bonus, they serve limoncello at intermission. It makes for  a magical evening.

10.  The churches. Considering the tiny size of this sleepy town, it is surprising that it has so many churches.  Other than the Duomo, the town has seven other churches, all within easy walking distance.  They are all worth a visit, but some notable favorites are the Church of San Francesco, Santa Maria a Gradillo and the San Giovanni del Toro.

What is your favorite thing about Ravello?

• Planning a trip to Italy? Click here to see how I can help.

Travel Tip Tuesday : Five New Things in Rome

Any history lover knows to put Rome on the top of their Italy itinerary.  What with the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and all the glorious churches on offer.

Believe me, there are so many ancient wonders to discover – it would take you a lifetime just to see them all!

And just when you thought you’d be running out of things to keep you busy in the Eternal City, a few new ones get restored and reopen.  Recently, there have been quite a few – and this Travel Tip Tuesday, I thought I’d share five of them with you.

How exciting it would be to get a peek at these treasures for the very first time.

1.  The Colosseum Dungeons.  This past October, the lower lever of the Colosseum opened to visitors. For the first time,  visitors got to walk through the underground dungeons, which held caged animals, and experience the life of a gladiator.  These tours were temporary, but rumor had it that because of its populararity and how much was spent on the restoration – that the powers that be would likely make this a regular feature.  And I’m happy to report that it’s true.  Tours have just begun again, but you do need a reservation.

2.  The House of Vestal Virgins.  After 20 years of restoration, the Roman Forum opened about 7 acres of land, this past January.  This includes the elegant palace, the House of Vestal Virgins, garden and the Temple of Vesta.  Images and statues are part of the restoration as well as a new visitors route, called the Via Nova.  Since the house was exclusively for women and the priestesses and goddess Vesta were very important to ancient Rome - it’s a must see for women.

3.  Museo Missionario di Propaganda Fide. A new museum dedicated to Baroque art and architecture has opened a restored 17th century palazzo.  It seeks to highlight the history of over four centuries of Roman Catholic missionary work. Don’t miss the library designed for Bernini and the Chapel of the Maggi on the second floor.

4.  Made in Italy Museum.  Yep, that’s right, a new museum dedicated to products made in Italy will be coming to Rome.  Slated for a 2012 opening, the four-floor exhibition will be housed in Civiltà del Lavoro Palace, in EUR, a southern suburb of Rome.  Also in the works is an Aquarium which may open right across the street.

5.  Trevi Fountain Makeover. And though it certainly isn’t new, special props to the Trevi Fountain, which will go through a 1-million-euro make-over this year.  Statues will be cleaned, improved lighting will be added and the streets will be widened for pedestrian traffic.  Don’t forget to bring your three coins and your sunglasses – the glare from the shine just might blind you!

Which of these will you add to your Rome visit?

Traveling to Rome? Click here to see how I can help with your trip!

Travel Photo Friday : Monet’s Garden

This month’s Travel Photo Friday is a lovely shot in Monet’s garden submitted by reader Darlene Wade.  Darlene writes this about her photo:

“In September 2009, I went to Paris for the first time to fulfill my heart’s longing for over 15 years. On my 7th day, I went to Giverny.  It was a gorgeous September day with cornflower blue skies and flowers in bloom everywhere.

As I strolled the village of Giverny, walked through the rooms of Monet’s home, and then his gardens & lily pond, I had to pinch myself that I was walking in the exact places that this master artist walked and lived.

It is the exact same path with Monet’s house in the background as his painting The Garden at Vetheuil.  I couldn’t believe the garden was so full of bright colors at the end of September. I was in Monet heaven!”

–

Have a favorite travel photo you’d like featured for Travel Photo Friday?  Just send it along with a short description to mymelange (at) yahoo (dot) com.

See you on May 6th for our next edition!