How To Order Coffee in Paris

Just in case you're a coffee drinker and you're flying to Paris next month (or in the future), here is how to order coffee while in Paris:

Cafe - is an Expresso
Ellongee - a tall Expresso mixed with water
Cafe Creme - is a coffee with milk (not a Cafe au Lait)
Cafe Americain - American style coffee
Cafe Decafeine - Decaf coffee
Cafe Frappe - Iced coffee
Cafe Soluble - Instant coffee
Cafe Viennois - Coffee with whipped cream
Cafe Noir - Black coffee
Cappuccino - Cappuccino

Au revoir! (see ya...)

Amazing Shoes For Sore Feet - FitFlops

Not too long ago I posted a story about an amazing company that makes sandals for sore feet named FlipFlops. See attached link for a copy of the previous post.POSTCARDS FROM THE AIR: SHOES FOR TRAVEL - Comfy FitFlops


Well, I'm happy to report that this company which began production with just one pair of flip flops a couple of years ago, is now cranking out some pretty amazing winter shoes - beautiful tall leather boots, fur lined suede boots (like UGGS) and colorful clogs.


All of FitFlop's shoes are specially designed to align your body as you walk, relieve your aching feet when you wear their shoes and they're supposed to exercise your thighs and rear as you walk with them. Pretty miraculous claims, but if you read the testimonials on their official website at www.fitflop.com, you'll see that folks with chronic medical foot problems are singing them praises and begging for more.


So if you are like me (or like most flight attendants) and you suffer from chronic aching feet after years of miles of trekking across the globe, you may want to take a minute and inspect these shoes. They seem to be the perfect layover shoes, offering great support for your aching feet. I know the hot pink clogs have my number. See if any of their new winter models have yours.

Safe Travels and happy feet!

www.fitflop.com

Photos, courtesy of FitFlop's website.

The Sunday Lincoln Road Antique & Collectible Market

Now that it's October, and the climate in Miami Beach is at it's best for outdoor activities - temperatures are at low 80's, there's zero humidity and a there's a delicious cool ocean breeze blowing steady most of the day - it's the perfect time to visit the Lincoln Road Antiques Flea Market held on Lincoln Road on Sundays from October through May.



Lincoln Road is a blast! You can people watch all day and never get tired, you can hunt for cheap trinkets and lost treasures in the flea market, you can eat in trendy outdoor cafes or you can just walk around and take it all in.

If you go, you can start your day with a brunch at one of the many hip outdoor cafes on Lincoln Road. If you're not familiar with Lincoln Road, it's a beautifully designed pedestrian mall, five to six blocks long. It's lined up with a wonderful variety of modern boutiques and European styled outdoor cafes.


Some possible restaurant options for brunch on Lincoln Road are Balans UK, The Van Dyke Cafe, Segafredo's, The Ice Box Cafe or the Cafe at Books & Books. There's also the ubiquitous Starbucks Cafe and a Nespresso if all you want is some coffee and a pastry. Whatever your choice, take your time and just relax, because the flea market stalls wont be fully set up until noon and that's about the time the colorful beach characters start to show up.


Soon enough, there will be about 100 vendors ready to sell you anything in the flea market. Funky period furniture, antique sunglasses and jewelery, designer vintage wear, African masks, Indonesian Buddhas and all sorts of collectibles and colorful curiosities.


If this is not enough to keep your interest, visit the many boutiques along Lincoln Road. There is a MAC (computer store) and a MAC makeup store; There is an Anthropology store and Banana Republic, Bebe, BCBG, JCrew and many more. Tons to see, touch, try on sample, purchase, peruse, etc. If this still is not enough to keep your interest, there is a multi-screen, state of the art cinema in the corner of Alton and Lincoln Road. It usually offers a nice line up of foreign films and latest releases. What ever you decide to do, I'm sure you will really enjoy your day.

Lincoln Road is located between 16th and 17th Streets in South Beach and between Alton Road and Washington Avenue. Two blocks away from the beach and about 15 minutes from the Miami International Airport.

For more information about the Lincoln Road Flea Market, please click on the following link.

Lincoln Road Antique & Collectible Market Sunday Schedule

World "Luxe City Guides" for your iPhone

Wow, I just discovered (courtesy of Jeffries Blackerby from the Travel Section of the New York Times) that my favorite travel guides - The Luxe City Guides - are now available as applications for the iPhone. Hurray!

For those of you who are not familiar with these amazing travel guides, you can check my earlier post on the paper travel guide version via this link. POSTCARDS FROM THE AIR: TRAVEL GEAR - The Irreverently Hip "Luxe City Guides"



The folks at Luxe City Guides now have twenty city guides ready for downloading for your iPhone via iTunes for $5.99 each - half their usual price until February 2011!!!

I haven't purchased one yet, but right after posting this, I will do a quick search to see what cities they have published thus far. These guides promise to be "cheeky", "funny" and "irreverent". Plus, they now come loaded with handy GPS enabled maps, automatic downloads and the ability to build your own personalized itineraries based on your favorite selections.


Also, for you Balckberry users, I hear that the applications are on the works and being tested as we speak, so keep checking for availability. They're on the way!

Bercy Village Paris -Nice Shops and Restaurants

I just spent a very pleasant day at the Bercy Village in Paris. Far enough from the tourist path to feel more like an authentic French neighborhood. Bercy Village is a Pedestrian Mall that has been renovated and filled with lovely shops and restaurants. The area is surrounded by a small, but delightful park and flanked by a huge and modern movie complex on one side. If you go, you will definitely find something to entertain you, specially on a nice sunny day.




Some of the boutiques and restaurants that you will find there are Agnes B - an edgy clothing store; A Discovery Store that sells a wonderful variety of games, books, garden "ecoutrements" (stuff), world teas, etc; An Olive Oil Store that sells hand made pastas, ceramics from the South of France and delicious Olive Oils from around the world; Sephora, the popular make up store; A Monoprix, the Target of Paris; A Crepe restaurant, a Wine Sampling Bar, a Tea and desserts cafe and a couple of other reasonably priced restaurants with all inclusive, multi-course menu prices.


Check out the photos I've enclosed for a better idea of what I saw while I was there and if you decide to go, just take the metro to the Cour St. Emilion Stop in Bercy. About a 15 minute metro ride from our layover hotel.




I spent an amazing relaxing afternoon browsing leisurely from shop to shop. At the end of my shopping/browsing I went for a movie at the very modern cineplex that is attached to the pedestrian mall at one end. Movies are shown in this theatre in their "original language", which means the movie you select will not be dubbed in French like in other Parisian theatres.



Here's a map of the area, courtesy of Google so you have a better idea of where this place is located. Click the enclosed link to view it:
bercy village paris - Google Maps

"Be My Guest" - Apartment Rentals - Berlin & Amsterdam

This is a nice website to have handy if you're planning to visit Amsterdam or Berlin anytime soon. It lists reasonably priced apartments for rent in both of these cities. Just go to www.Be-My-Guest.com - They also provide helpful information on local guest houses and B&B's. Check it out, here's the link:
Berlin Holiday Apartments | Accommodation in Berlin & Amsterdam - Be My Guest

This story is courtesy of the Kayra Martinez (FRASW), a seasoned world traveler and a current resident of Berlin. Thank you Kayra for sharing all your travel discoveries and tidbits!

Photos, courtesy of Be My Guest website. (Love that red chandelier in that turquoise room)



Happy Trails!

Ps- Berlin is amazing!