ROME - Sunday Flea Market at Porta Portesa

If you're ever in Rome on a Sunday, when most businesses are closed for the day, don't despair, take a cab from your hotel and head for the Porta Portese Flea Market in Trastevere.  Supposedly, this is the biggest flea market in Europe!

Take a city map with you. You will need it to find your way back to your hotel.  Be careful with your valuables. The market has a reputation for pick-pocketers. Take cash if you intend to shop. Wear a hat and bring some water.  It get's crowded and very hot in the summer months. Go early. There will be less people in the market.  Don't get discouraged by the junk at the start of the market. The best stuff will be further in.

Here are some photos of what I found:

By the way, a one way taxi to Porta Portesa in Trastevere from the area of The Spanish Steps and/Piazza Barberini will run you about 8 Euros.

Enjoy and don't forget the sunscreen!

Dress Like a Parisian and More!

I am digging this book, Parisian Chic, by Ines de la Fressange.  It's the ultimate insider guide for Paris and Parisian ways.  It has a number of fabulous suggestions for French boutiques, quaint restaurants and cozy hotels favored by locals.   Ines also offers easy to follow pointers on "how to dress like a Parisian" for those who wish to "fit in" and be chic.   Lots of entertainig and informstive stuff for your next trip to la belle Paris!

So who's Ines de la Fressange? She's a famous French ex-super-model who was asked by France, to be one of the faces of Mariane, the symbol of the French Republic. She was was also named the "chicest woman in France" by Le Figaro and was the face of L'Oreal for many years.  The lady oozes style and has much to say about it, so listen up!

The book is great fun to read and her tips and recommendations, amazingly easy to follow.  Who knows, after reading her book, you may enjoy dressing and shopping like a true Parisian! Oh, lah, lah!

If you're interested in purchasing her book (Parisian Chic) click on the enclosed link to Amazon Books.   Amazon.com: Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange (9782080200730): Ines de la Fressange, Sophie Gachet: Books

Let me know what you think of this recommendation and have a wonderful time in Paris.

Return to Paris! Summer 2012!!!

This June, we return to Paris!  To prepare for the upcoming adventure, here are two awesome internet sites with information in English on everything to do with Paris.

www.doitinparis.com
www.mylittleparis.com

I'm enclosing a link (at bottom of page) to the My Little Paris blog for a taste of what these publications offer. My little Paris also offers an iPhone application for easier internet access.

Here is an example of a My Little Paris article on Best Spots for Soup in Paris :

Our top soup spots in Paris

Les Cocottes, 135, rue Saint-Dominique, 7th. 
Pumpkin soup : 7 € 
tel : 01 45 50 10 31

Le Bar à Soupes, 33 rue de Charonne, 11th. 
Carrot-pineapple-ginger soup : 4,70 € 
tel : 01 43 57 53 79

Jadis, 40 Rue Notre-Dame de Lorette , 9th.
Pastry soup : 8 € 
tel : 01 48 74 94 31

Pho Bida Vietnam, 36 rue Nationale, 13th. 
Pho soup : 8 € 
tel : 01 53 79 01 61

Mémère Paulette, 5 rue Paul Lelong, 2nd. 
Sweet and sour gazpacho, in the menus and 16 € - 24 € 
tel : 01 42 36 26 08

Enjoy Paris this summer!!!

Bon voyage and Bon appetite!

Our top soup spots in Paris - Foodie Treats - My Little Paris

Zurich - Topolino Restaurant

Fresh of the press! Ivonne (ualsw) has just sent me a note that says the following about this restaurant :

"...Add restaurant TOPOLINO in Zurich! Our friends own it...Valerie and Pietro...So good to crew members! Amazing Pizza! Falkestrasse 26, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland..."

So there! give them a try and enjoy the lovely hospitality and memorable pizza that Ivonne swears by! Thanks Ivonne!!!! Keep em' coming!

Bon Voyage to all!

Application for iPhone, iPad, Android for Unimatic Access

Hey peeps, here's a great application for your iPad, iPhone or Android that will help you access Unimatic via Firefox - ALWAYSONPC. It works perfect! I just tried it. Highly recommended!!!

To get it, purchase it from your Application Store and pay a one time fee of $25 dollars. You can also Google it for additional information.

AlwaysOnPC gives you access to CHROME, JAVA, ADOBE, DROPBOX, FIREFOX and more. With Firefox, you can access Unimatic.

FYI, this does not work outside of the US and Europe, so forget South America and Africa. Still, it's a great way to access Unimatic while on European layovers and while in the United States with you iPad and iPhone.

Check them out at www.alwaysonpc.com

MOSCOW - A Great Tour Guide for Moscow!

Private (reasonably priced) Tour Guide in Moscow - NIKA SPASSKAYA. She's a professional trained Tour Guide for Moscow and she's able to set up private day time tours for crews.

Nika is very sweet and friendly and she speaks perfect English. (she learned it while attending university in Penn State for a year).

She has experience working with our crews, so give her a call to take you by the hand and show you around.

By the way, Nika also has access to a car (her boyfriend's), if one is necessary to visit sites away from the city center. Just give her some notice via email before you arrive to set this up.

To reach Nika, call her mobile - 8-903-259-7337 or drop her a note via email at spasnika@yandex.ru

Enjoy your guided visit! and let us know how it all went!

Nice Walk In Bahrain

I just returned from doing a quick turn to Bahrain this past week. During our four hour sit, I decided to venture out for a wonderful walk around the lagoon that sits behind the airport's Movenpick Hotel.

I began my walk by accessing the lagoon path from the right side of the Movenpick Hotel. Once on the path, I walked veered to the right. Remember, the temperature in the Middle East during the months of January, February, March is perfect for a walk - cool and breezy most of the day.

While walking, I came across a nice city park along the water that had a playground, a pretty water fountain, a couple of waterfront cafes and some fast food - popcorn, sodas, ice cream providers - street providers. Some of the shops were closed, maybe because it was late afternoon, but most of them were open for business. Who knew there were so many food options along the water?

Some of the options I found were a Coffee Shop, a Hamburger Shop along the water and a new small restaurant still under construction, also located on the water right after the Hamburger joint. This last place looked to be only a couple of weeks from opening to the public with furniture in place. All three options are nice alternatives for accessing food/snacks outside of our layover hotel and really, only a short walk away.

So there you have it, as I ventured out to get some fresh air and exercise in Bahrain, I discovered these new options for food near our layover hotel. I also walked the whole perimeter of the lagoon - a great exercise and really, very doable and safe for both, women and men while in Bahrain.

Next time you're you're scheduled to fly the Bahrain turn, with it's long four hour plus sit, remember this option. Head out to the lagoon, walk a bit, get some fresh air, relax and grab a bite to eat along the water.

For women, please just observe the local modesty norms for clothing and please wear something that is not too revealing. If in doubt, ask the concierge of your hotel before you head out for your walk, if your outfit is appropriate just to be on the safe side.

Enjoy your walk and happy trails!