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Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures is excited to have as a guest, world- wide Paris expert, Thirza Vallois. Thirza is the author of the three volumes of “Around and About Paris”, and another excellent book,” Romantic Paris”.

Thirza has lived in Paris for the past 40 years and holds several post-graduate degrees from La Sorbonne. She contributes to television and radio and has appeared on PBS, BBC, The Travel Channel, Discovery, CNN, The French Cultural Channel, among others. She also writes for The Financial Times, United Airlines’ Hemispheres, Condé Nast Traveller, among others.

She is the author of Three Perfect Days in Paris, aired as a film on all United Airlines international flights and on television throughout the world. The article has won her the first award of NATJA (the North American Travel Journalists’ Association).

Thirza has also contributed the Paris entry of the latest edition of The Encarta Encyclopaedia.

Thirza is also an expert on the Aveyron area in southern France. During the past several years she has devoted much of her time to exploring and studying this region of France. She is now completing a new book on this last hidden region of France, to be published in 2006.

Thirza has also informed me that she has been travelling extensively in the USA, especially to California, about which she has written a couple of articles, with more to follow

Today, Thirza will be discussing with us why Paris is so romantic?

Good day Thirza and thank you for accepting to be interviewed by sketchandtravel.com and bookpleasures.com.

Norm:

Thirza, could you tell us something about yourself, how you started as a travel author and writer, how many travel books have your written, and why have you chosen to write about Paris?

Thirza:

A long time ago, when I was still a child, and travelling was still the privilege of the “happy enlightened few”, I happened to be blessed with an exceptional mother who believed that the best school was life itself and that the best way to embrace life was by travelling.

My exposure therefore started at a very young age, as did my love for writing, through which I expressed myself the way one does through painting, singing, playing an instrument, dancing…. I never intended to become a writer, it was just part of me. And I never chose to write about Paris. It just happened, and for two specific reasons looking back with hindsight.

Being a savvy traveller, it upset me to see how most visitors to Paris (and any other place), do it the wrong way, using directory-like guidebooks that make them go through all the endless lists of touristy “musts”, rather than point them to the “real” place, which is the city itself. It is only through an in-depth exploration and the understanding of a place that one can make the most of one’s visit, and that’s what my books “Around and About Paris” are all about.

Like all forms of self-expression, there is always an element of therapy behind the motivation, and I certainly needed to do my own therapy regarding Paris when the idea of writing about Paris began to gestate in my mind, back in the 1980s. Paris has changed dramatically since, but in those days it was an exasperating place, inhabited by very difficult people, to say the least, and my feelings for it were far from the phony “I love Paris in the spring time” picture postcard cultivated by Hollywood. It was really a love and hate passion, and I needed to understand my own heart, which could only happen through understanding the city.

It is the combination of the above that gave birth to my 3-volume series, “Around and About Paris”. As for “Romantic Paris”, it was their natural extension in a way. Once I provided my reader with all the meaty stuff, it was time to relax, enjoy and feast, and who does it better than lovers? It was a book written for lovers, past, present, and future, for whom Paris, more than any other city I can think of, has been designed by the gods. This also answers your other question. I have so far written four books on Paris. I have actually written a fifth book on Paris, targeting children, but have never pursued its publication (to my regret), having embarked on my new project, my book on the Aveyron which is now more than two thirds done.

Norm:

Can you explain to our audience why Paris is among the top romantic
venues in the world?

Thirza:

Everyone asks me this same question, on every interview. The answer I give is always the same, and best resumed in the introduction to “Romantic Paris”. Rather than paraphrase, let me quote directly from my book:

“For decades I tried to figure out why Paris is shrouded in such mystique. Granted, walks at night along the Seine are enchanting, but that alone cannot explain why the very mention of Paris had always conjured up tales of romance, well before it was blessed with gas or electricity, well before its exquisitely lit street-corners were replicated the world over in black-and-white print. After all, medieval Paris was a dark den of filth, reeking with nauseous stench, and the two sinister prison fortresses that jutted out of its skyline could hardly have been conducive to romance. Not to mention the 32 rotting corpses dangling in the offing when the royal gallows was used to full capacity. Yet the myth has been perpetuated for a good thousand years.

I racked my brains, I dug into the past, I travelled into my own psyche looking for an answer, but I came back empty-handed. There simply is no answer. There lies the beauty of the enigma. Paris is poetry, Paris is mystery, Paris is beauty-an exasperating decoy that never quite delivers, all the more compelling for its imperfection, the archetypal reservoir of all our passions….”

Norm:

If you had to choose six unique romantic venues in Paris, where would they be and why?

Thirza:

Very tough question, and it sometimes depends on the season or time of day or night, because “romantic” implies seclusion.

*Definitely the two western tips of the two central islands, Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis, but down the steps, at water level, and in the case of Ile Saint-Louis, preferably after dark.

*The tiny place de Frstemberg, near the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés: it is a rare jewel after dark, but is also quite heavenly in the morning, when one can meanwhile take in the delightful little Delacroix Museum.

*Place Dauphine, on the western side of Ile de la Cité, also preferably after dark.

*Buttes Chaumont, which has all the ingredients of a Brahms symphony that would have appealed to the likes of Lord Byron: a grotto, a dramatic waterfall, a lake with weeping willows, sheer cliffs topped by a Temple de l’Amour-what better place for a lovers’ kiss with eastern Paris spread like a carpet at your feet!

* Palais Royal (the home of writer Colette and Jean Cocteau), in early morning, before the arrival of the crowds, or at night time, after they have departed.

* Montmartre, especially on the little frequented side streets, again in the early hours of the morning, or after dark.

Norm:

Could you describe to our audience six unique wedding venues in Paris to celebrate a marriage, and explain why you would consider these venues to be most unique?

Thirza:

Once more the choice is tough, so I am trying to be as eclectic as I can, to match people’s different tastes.

*Without any shadow of doubt, my first choice would go to a cruise boat on the river Seine. These come in different categories and different price ranges, my favourite fleet being “Les Yachts de Paris”. Nothing equals in terms of urban beauty and glamour the city’s river views, even more so when seen from the water. Try to prolong your festivities into the night so as to enjoy the splendour of the floodlighting.

Les Yachts de Paris
10, quai Henri IV, 75004
Tel: 01 44 54 14 70

*At a price, every monument of Paris is for hire, even the Chteau of Versailles. If I were to hire one of them (or just part of one) for my wedding, I would probably go for the Jacquemart-André Museum, because as the one-time home of the famous art collectors Edouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, it has a private feel,to a certain extent, despite its palatial glamour, which makes it an ideal venue for a wedding occasion. The couple’s fabulous art collection is on permanent display on the magnificent premises of the museum.

Musée Jacquemart-André
158, Boulevard Haussmann, 75008

*Countrified weddings are always appealing, and the Bois de Boulogne is as countrified as you can get within the boundaries of Paris. Le Pré Catelan offers luxury and refinement amidst beautiful green surroundings, combined with the the renowned Le Ntre’s top-quality catering.

Le Pré Catelan
Bois de Boulogne
Route de Suresnes, 75016
Tel 01 44 14 41 14

*If you wish to have it countrified while staying in central Paris, you can opt for the discreet magnificence of the peach-coloured Laurent, in the lower gardens of the Champs-Elysées, and still enjoy the leafy surroundings of one of the city’s most prestigious neighbourhoods (the presidential residence is across the street). Make sure to hire a dining room that comes with a terrace.

Le Laurent
41, avenue Gabriel, 75008
Tel: 01 42 25 00 39

*There was once an excellent film by Chabrol, Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie. That kind of charm, which was first and foremost that of the old aristocracy, was beautifully captured by Marcel Proust. It still lingers on Faubourg Saint Germain in the 7th arrondissement, notably in the 18th century townhouse, now the home of the celebrated Ecole Polytechnique alumni, where many of the nation’s creme de la creme elite were trained.

La Maison des Polytechniciens
12, rue de Poitiers
75007 Paris
Tél: 01 49 54 74 74

*The avenue d’Iéna, in the plush neighbourhood of the 16th arrondissement, is home to a magnificent town mansion from the late 19th century, decorated in traditional, period French style and overlooking a beautiful garden. Ideal for a wedding in grand style.

La Maison des Arts et Métiers
9bis avenue d’Iéna
75116 Paris
Tel: 01 40 69 27 00

Norm:

If you are planning to have a destination wedding in Paris, how far in advance should you prepare for the wedding, and where would you go to find out about the legal requirements?

Thirza:

There is a strict separation between state and church in France (see the recent headlines about the Islamic veil…..). This is important to understand because only civil marriage is recognised by French law. It is celebrated by the Mayor of the arrondissement where one of the spouses resides, and the ceremony takes place in the Salle de Marriage of the Mairie of that same arrondissement. There is a legal procedure to go by and you will need to seek legal advice for that. If you are considering a civil marriage in France, a lawyer is the person to consult, obviously (although I do know how it works, this is not the right forum to expand on administrative issues). You may also require the service of a notaire, should you be dealing with property issues. Your lawyer can refer you to a notaire. On the other hand, you don’t need to be a French resident for the celebration of your religious or non-religious ceremony, nor do you need any legal advice for that. However, you should definitely prepare for it as early as possible because, as they say, “the early bird catches the prey”. Certainly months ahead, if not a year, should you plan your wedding to take place in spring or early summer.

Norm:

If you had to choose three of the most romantic restaurants in Paris, which ones would you choose and why?

Thirza:

* If by romantic we imply secluded cosiness which is what lovers usually seek, and since I haven’t yet focused on winter, the Coupe Chou comes first to my mind, located in an ancient medieval house in the Latin Quarter, a few steps away from the Sorbonne. It’s all dark nooks and crannies, which are graced with glowing log fires. If only it could snow more often in Paris than it does these days! It would then be altogether fit for a fairy tale. As an extra bonus, this is a medium-range restaurant pricewise.

Le Coupe-Chou
9, rue de Lanneau, 75005
Tel: 01 46 33 68 69

* Le Beauvilliers in Montmartre, on the other hand, is a pricy place, but as good as it comes and cheaper than others that fall into that category. Here you step into the romantic splendour of the Second Empire in the heart of real Montmartre, just a few minutes’walk from the differently (yet equally) romantic and cottagy Lapin Agile cabaret, where I would head after dinner, for a night filled with old French songs, sketches and hearty laughter.

Le Beauvilliers
52, rue Lamarck, 75018
Tel: 01 42 54 54 42

* Lapérouse, a pricy place too, cannot be overlooked either, its scintillating setting having been the rendezvous of Venus’s protegés. There is even a private boudoir-lounge where the two of you can dine alone undisturbed. It comes with elaborate, dainty decorations and is named La Belle Otero after the famous, fiery courtesan. If you are worried for your good reputation, note that France’s most honoured members of literati also dined here regularly, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, George Sand among them. Remember that the French have a sophisticated, unpuritanical approach to love.

Lapérouse,
51, quai des Grands-Augustins, 75006
Tel: 01 43 26 68 04

Norm:

If a couple were planning to honeymoon in Paris, and were not sure which area to stay in, which three areas of the city would you choose and why?

Thirza:

Saint-Germain-des-Prés/Luxembourg area, Paris at its most sophisticated, colourful and arty, lined with extraordinary boutiques that will be hard to resist. It boasts a greater number of “htels de charme” than any other part of the city, which speaks for itself, and that’s exactly the kind of hotel a honeymooning couple would choose to stay at, short of choosing one of the city’s luxury hotels.

The Marais is similar in spirit but is less spacious, and doesn’t have a park. It also has several “htels de charme”, though not quite so many as Saint-Germain.

Ile Saint-Louis because it is a self-contained miniature of romance, lined with boutiques and eating places of all sorts, and conveniently located for every part of Paris. It has four “htels de charme” to choose among and is within a few minutes’ walk from both the Marais, on the Right Bank, and the Latin Quarter on the Left Bank.

Norm:

Is Paris a safe city to visit?

Thirza:

No city and no place on earth is fullproof. As I am writing this interview South East Asia is subjected to a deluvian tragedy, all the way to the eastern shores of Africa. Paris is as safe as a big city can be, but one should always use one’s common sense and avoid carrying cash and other valuables when going out. Pickpocketing is rife, and I have been victim to it many a time myself- A brief moment of distraction and your wallet is gone. Leave all your valuables in your safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport rather than the original document. Watch out even at the airport and hold on to your handbag in all public places (including your taxi: some delinquents may open the door and snatch your bag at a traffic light or in a traffic jam. They often operate on motorcycles and that has happened to me too). Be sensible but not paranoid.

Norm:

When is the best time to visit Paris from the point of view of climate, crowds, travel deals, etc?

Obviously spring time is unique. Good weather is never guaranteed though, no matter what time of year, but should the gods be with you, then spring, by definition, is the season of romance, and an early feel of spring can even be detected as early as on Valentine’s.

I personally have a distaste for July and August, especially from the middle of July on. Most Parisians are replaced by tourists, often in organised crowds, and it just isn’t it. This can also happen at weekends during spring because Europeans nowadays are very fond of weekend city breaks. Fall is a beautiful time of year, often accompanied by a lingering Indian summer, which the golden beauty of the trees contribute to enhance.

Strange as it may seem, I find Paris particularly romantic in winter, when the leafless trees allow you to enjoy the architecture of its buildings. After dark the city is altogether magical,as its street lamps don it with an amber light. It can be cold, but all you have to do is dress accordingly and make the most of the fact that you are likely to be alone out there and the entire city will belong to you and your sweetheart, as you stroll through the streets or by the river into the late hours of the night. At Christmas time you will also enjoy the festive decorations, which, it being Paris, tend to be exquisitely elegant and tasteful.
As for travel deals, they are the same all over the world. Prices shoot up in the summer and plummet in the low season.

Norm:

How easy or difficult is it to get around Paris?

Thirza:

It is extremely easy to get around Paris. Public transportation (buses, métro and RER express trains) is very efficient and many lines run beyond midnight. Taxis are easily available except on weekend nights. They also get grabbed into thin air as soon as it starts raining. However, Paris is regularly disrupted by protest and other demonstrations (the French thrive on them), which can paralyse the city, usually from 2:00 pm on, often with no forewarning. It is therefore good to stay in central Paris so that you can make your way back to your hotel on foot, should you experience one of those typically French “happenings”.

Norm:

Is there anything else that you wish to add about Romantic Paris that we have not discussed?

Thirza:

Most of the recommendations in this interview are on the pricy side, because we are speaking here of a special event and moment in your life. My book “Romantic Paris” has pages and pages of tips and recommendations of things to be done and enjoyed on all budgets, including low budgets. Paris can truly be enjoyed romantically on a shoestring. The best of Paris is strolling through its streets, and that costs little or nothing. I have designed several romantic walks for you in “Romantic Paris”. That’s over and above the scores of walks woven into “Around and About Paris”. Put on your most comfortable footgear and venture into the city, including in the heart of winter. Soak it all up. And try, just once, to stay up all night, so that you can enjoy a sunrise either from the river, or from the foot of the Sacré Coeur.

Thanks once again and best of luck on all of your future endeavours including your future book on Aveyron.

Norm Goldman is Editor of the travel site, http://www.sketchandtravel.com and the book reviewing site, http://www.bookpleasures.com.

Norm and his artist wife Lily are a unique husband and wife team in that them meld words with art focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.

You can read Norm’s book reviews on Bookpleasures.com and you can read his travel articles together with his wife Lily’s art work on Sketchandtravel.com.

Norm and Lily are always open to invitations to visit romantic and wedding destinations in the New England states, Florida, New York, and possibly elsewhere.

In a nation like the United States, where icons like McDonald’s and Wal-Mart have spoiled us into thinking we can go anywhere we like and still get a quarter pounder with cheese - or find people wearing blue smocks - it can be easy to think that the world is all the same. Even the car rental game seems the same, because we can get off at any airport and choose between compact, mid-size, or full-size, and generally get what we want and expect. While we may not want to admit it, the rest of the world just does not operate according to our way of thinking.

Getting a car rental in Spain, for instance, may not be difficult, but it certainly is not the same as securing one in Cleveland. There are some subtle differences between a car rental agency in Europe and one in America. If you plan on traveling abroad, don’t expect everything to be exactly the same.

So what can I expect when I want a car rental in Spain?

For one thing, don’t expect a great selection of vehicles with automatic transmissions or air conditioning. A car rental place in Spain, or elsewhere in Europe, will usually have only a limited selection of vehicles with these customary American options. Plus, while a car rental place in the United States will charge you an insane fee for not filling the fuel tank before returning, this pales by comparison to what may happen in Europe. Not only will you pay a steeper price for returning to the car rental company on “E”, but you will have to pay for gas by the liter - and the cost could break the bank for you.

In fact, because of the steep gasoline prices in Europe, you may want to ask the car rental agency for a diesel-powered car, as this will be easier on your budget. This may not measure up the exotic dreams you had for your time in Europe, but your wallet will thank you for making the more conservative choice at the car rental agency.

Will I have problems actually renting a car?

That depends on what you mean. Some nations require an international driving license, and the car rental agencies in these countries are required to ask this of anyone renting a car. To be on the safe side, you might want to go to a place like the American Automobile Association to avoid an embarrassing scene at the car rental place in Spain. It’s up to you, of course, but “better safe than sorry” is a good way to go here.

Now, because Europe is such a popular tourist destination in the summer, you might be very disappointed when the car rental agent in Spain shakes her head and tells you that nothing is available. It is best to reserve your vehicle as far in advance as possible, especially if you hope to have any luck at the car rental places during the peak periods.

What else should I know?

While not necessary, you may want to opt for the insurance at the car rental place. The reason? Europeans are known to be more aggressive drivers than their American counterparts. This is not to say that they are worse drivers, but their aggressive maneuvers may take you off guard. And you don’t want to return to the car rental agency and have them charge your insurance company for your European driving lesson, do you? I didn’t think so.

So take these guidelines into account when securing a car rental in Europe, and they will provide for a much more enjoyable and hassle-free experience. And when you get there, say “Hi” to the Eiffel Tower for me.

Maybe until now you wouldn’t know that I make part of my living by writing about the city of Rome, its people, passions, food, sport, history and culture. In fact, I own a web site called Lets-Travel-Rome.com, which kinda happened by happy accident after I visited this great city with my Wife - one anniversary, some time ago.

This is a city where some of the best times can be found by just getting out there, and exploring for yourself. It can be great fun to just wander the streets of the Eternal City, but I also recommend that visitors try some Rome guided tours to add something special and memorable to any visit.

For starters, now it’s possible to take in the Art, History and Religion of Rome in one day! A trip to Rome is incomplete without visiting the Vatican Museum and learning about Christian Rome. Marvel at the magnificent beauty of the Sistine Chapel before venturing out to explore the ancient catacombs. You have the option to end your tour with a step back in time to become a part of Roman history in the amazing Time Line Tour.

Can you imagine a beautiful evening tour that takes you from the floodlit ruins of ancient and imperial Rome (The Pantheon and the Colosseum) to the magnificent piazzas and fountains designed by the artists Bernini and Michelangelo, to the home of the Catholic Church, St Peters. At the Trevi Fountain, throw your coin into the water to ensure your return.

Or how about this.. Experience the wonder of the Vatican on this fascinating walking tour and explore its history and beauty. Your native English-speaking guide will share with you the best of the Vatican, including the lesser known spots and you will gain a broad understanding of this unique place.

If you want something more contemporary, ride the time machine and discover the amazing 2750 year history of Rome. Take a trip back in time into ancient Roman history up to present day. This tour includes a one hour show with high-tech virtual projections of the most famous Roman monuments. Rome will never look the same !

Maybe you would prefer to discover Rome and its famous landmarks aboard a deluxe two hour dinner cruise, which includes outstanding Italian cuisine. Witness the breathtaking Eternal City by sailing down the River Tiber… a spectacular way to see Rome or celebrate a special occasion. The romantic strains of music begin the moment the boats casts off.

Or how about meeting a local dignitary during your Rome guided tour. During one unusual visit you can be in the presence of Beatrice Cenci, Donna Olimpia, Count Cagliostro’s wife and the beautiful Costanza De Cupis. A fascinating walk in Ponte quarter where it is possible to learn strange and mysterious histories of ancient Rome with an evocative atmosphere. This walking tour will take you through Navona Square, Via del Governo Vecchio, Ponte Sant’ Angelo and Piazza Farnese.

Why book ahead for our Rome guided tours?.. Well, here are my thoughts:

* These popular tours sell out well in advance! Don’t be disappointed!

* Reduce stress! Don’t waste time haggling with the hotel concierge.

* Lock in your price! Currency dips & price hikes won’t effect you.

* Save vacation time! Plan & book now, not when you’re there.

* Balance your vacation budget! Charge tours on this month’s credit card bill.

You can even save time and money and book your airport transfer services before you go! You can use a shuttle service that will take you from Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport to your Rome Hotel, without the hassle of picking up a rental car, negotiating unfamiliar traffic and maps. Take the easy way - and book this efficient service online now and save time at your destination. And while you’re there, check out the other Rome guided tours mentioned above.

I hope you’ll agree that these special Rome guided tours offer real value, and I know that you’ll return home with some special memories of your stay in the Eternal City.

As an extra resource for readers, I have posted this article onto my website, and provided quick links to these, and many other, great tours. Lets-Travel-Rome.com/GuidedCityTours

Best wishes for a great trip,

Les Sheppard

Les Sheppard’s website gives essential information about planning your trip to Rome, including flight deals, Rome accommodation tips, Apartment and Villa rentals,tour planning and tips on all the top Rome attractions: Lets-Travel-Rome.com.
You can also grab our free hotel guide and newsletter from the homepage, and keep up to date at our Travel Rome Blog:
Lets-Travel-Rome.Blogspot

1. Read up about your destination. You can do this from a guide book or using the internet. It’s worth reading up about the place you are due to stay, even if you’re going there on business. You can find out about leisure activities while you’re there, a list of ‘must do’ or ‘must see’ items. If you are travelling outside America or Europe, it is also worth checking out any local customs so that you make sure you don’t accidentally offend anyone in your destination country.

2. If you are travelling abroad, check whether or not the country you are visiting needs you to get a travel visa before you can enter the country.

3. Take two photocopies of the page of your passport that has your photo and other personal details. Leave one copy with a trusted person at home and carry the other one separately from your passport so that if you lose your passport you can quickly get the necessary information.

4. Keep details of all your credit and debit cards together with their contact phone numbers (if you are going abroad, make sure that you can actually dial the number from abroad as some phone numbers only work in your home country).

5. If at all possible, take more than one credit card on your trip. Credit card companies are getting increasingly worried about fraud and if they see an unusual pattern of purchases on your card they may ’stop’ it just to be on the safe side. If you expect to be making an unusual pattern of purchases it may be worth calling your credit card company so that they are aware of the situation.

6. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. If you are flying, don’t make jokes with the check-in staff about drugs, bombs or any other security issue. They have to take all such comments seriously, which could delay your flight or even prevent you from travelling.

7. Some US states and some countries have strict rules about carrying fruit and vegetables in. Make sure that you are aware of these rules - even a seemingly innocent apple or banana in your lunch box could break these rules!

8. Double check your packing! Whilst you’ll almost certainly be able to buy replacement items such as toothpaste or a toothbrush, it’s not the best thing to be doing when you arrive at your destination. Some people find it handy to type up a list on their computer and use this as an extra memory aid.

9. If you use any prescription medicines that you must take, bring two sets and pack them in different locations in case one bag gets lost. Also bring a copy of your written prescriptions, including those for glasses and contact lenses.

10. Bring a small carry-on bag with an extra set of clothes. If the worst should happen and your bag is lost, you will have a change of clothes until your bag finally arrives. If you must take daily medication, bring a two-day supply with you in the carry-on bag.

With brand new hi-tech improvements which comprises of digital Telly, High-Definition TV, Freesat and home cinema systems, if you’re existing telly set is greater than 5 years old, then this moment is a wonderful time to acquire a new television. Nevertheless, as equipment improves nearly day by day, obtaining a new TV machine may be particularly complex and perplexing.

This TV guide attempts to help to explain all the up-to-the-minute improvements that will promise to take your telly enjoyment to a completely new level. John Lewis sells Cheap Televisions from well-known brands such as Sony and Panasonic.

Hi-Def Television: Probably one of the most significant development to the world of the TV ever since colour technology, Hi-Definition (HD) television presents detail, clarity & colour, with images frequently 4xs as sharp as various traditional TV devices. To witness the benefit from Hi-Def telly programmes you will need to own a High Def Ready television. Sky and Freesat have already started to provide high-def television so you can now take pleasure in a choice of your much-loved programmes, films and sporting occasions with remarkable realistic images.

Built In Digital Tuner: A telly with built-in digital tuner (more often than not referred to as idTV) permits you to get hold of all free to air digital stations, for example: E4, BBC3, Sky News & to name a few without the demand for a separate set top box.

Freesat: A new digital satellite TV service offered via a partnership between the BBC & ITV, providing you free Hi-Definition TV programmes at no additional price. Freesat has no contract, no membership fee, but instead just one single payment for the television, satellite dish and installation. Also because Freesat is transmitted via satellite, it is available to more or less every household in the United Kingdom. Freesat television is at this moment in time only accessible through Panasonic tellies.

LCD or Plasma Televisions: Although LCD and Plasma televisions operate in completely different ways, the gains of both are very similar. Even so, it is very important to bear in mind that when opting between a Plasma or LCD telly it is if truth be hold merely a question of size. LCD is at its best performance up to and including 32 inches, while Plasma televisions deliver greatest performance at 37 inches & higher. Hence, if you are needing to purchase a smaller flat panel television, then (which stands for Liquid Crystal Display) gives the far better performance, while on the other hand if you call for1 a bigger panel size, then Plasma is certainly the greatest option.

In conclusion, its critical to bear in mind when selecting the most suitable television for you, to consider your funds, your viewing distance, the appearance you desire & if it’s to be an LCD or Plasma TV.

Disneyland is one of the world’s most popular attractions, often compared to the likes of the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore and other popular American attractions. The Disneyland park is located in Anaheim, CA and opened on July 17, 1955. Since it opened in 1955 the park has attracted over 500 million visitors.

Walter Disney and his younger brother Roy, were already heads of one of the most successful Hollywood studios, before they created Disneyland. The original concept came from Walt Disney, because he realized the lack of parks that would be appealing to both parents and children. So he thought of the idea of a family fun park similar to a carnival except unlike a carnival, his park would never leave town. The idea of a themed park, that would feature many of the famous Disney characters came after many Disney fans wrote letters to Walt asking him to allow them to meet some of their favorite Disney characters at the studio lot. Walt was going to initially open a small park near his Burbank studios called “Mickey Mouse Park” to accommodate the people that wanted to see and take pictures of Disney Characters.

His theme park idea snowballed from a small idea into a huge idea that would eventually become Disneyland. The idea for the park was also inspired by other notable theme parks of the time, such as the Children’s Fairlyland in Oakland, CA, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.

After Walt came up with the idea for a full fledged theme park, he came to the realization that he needed funds to make his dream a reality. So he decided to get the idea of Disneyland into American homes by creating a show called Disneyland which was broadcast on ABC, in return ABC decided to help finance the new Disneyland park. Walt Disney purchased 160 acres land in Anaheim, CA to build Disneyland on. Construction for the park began on July 18, 1954 and it cost an estimated $17 million to build. The I-5 freeway was under construction at the same time as Disneyland to get ready for the traffic expected from the Disneyland park.

Besides being funded by ABC, Disney also had other investors like Western publishing company, which was already a longtime licensee of Disney. As the opening of Disneyland grew closer, special events were held such as a “International Press Preview” which was opened only to the media and invitees. The event which was thought to run smoothly turned into a huge disaster when thousand of people counterfeited tickets. The opening day of Disneyland was also a disaster, with all major roads nearby being congested, a plumber’s strike which left the water fountains in the park not working in 110 degree weather and wet asphalt , which was just laid the day before, it caused many women’s heels to sink into the asphalt. A gas leak at Fantasyland, caused other sections of the park to be closed and food vendors ran out of food.

Despite a disastrous opening day, Disneyland quickly bounced back and became a thriving American landmark, which is still visited by millions of people today. The popularity of Disneyland also caused other parks to be constructed such as Disneyworld in Orlando, FL and Disneyland in Japan, China and France.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Theme Parks

As you pour the first glass of your favorite Chianti or Chardonnay and settle into an intimate Friday evening, you wonder about the wine’s origins. Look no further for the answer to your fleeting Friday night queries-Italy, land of romantics, heroic epics and passionately-written plays. In the countryside and cities where the Renaissance began it seems fitting to find a hedonistic exploration of the richest vineyards in the world to suit even the pickiest travelers. Best known for its world-renowned wines paired with decadent cuisine and intertwined with the rich culture of the people who produce it, it’s not just another spot on the globe- it’s a destination filled with memories to last a lifetime.

With La Dolce Vita the sky is the limit for destinations and experiences. They’ve thought of everything- from famous vineyards to elegant accommodations. The names are all familiar: Sicily, Tuscany, Venice, Verona-but these places are more than just a name on a fine bottle or a magical place in a Shakespearean play. With La Dolce Vita the countryside and cities become real as you taste “the good life” firsthand.

A relaxing walking tour of the Amalfi Coast in south Naples, home of outstanding wines from ancient Greek grapes, such as Aglianico, Greco di Tufo, and Fiano di Avellino, is just one amazing tour. Enjoy hillsides covered in lemon trees and umbrella pines, fresh seafood and the breathtaking sea that gave it life as Mt. Vesuvius rises behind you in majestic and ancient grace. If wheels and pedals are more to your liking you can coast through the countryside of Chianti Classico in Tuscany and see the dense forests and medieval castles that gave birth to wine of the same name. Enjoy authentic pasta fagioli prepared with handmade pasta and porcini mushrooms. A full glass of Chianti in your hand you watch the sun sets across the winding vineyards below you.

These tours are made for lovers and groups alike, as well as offering customized tours and additional single accommodations. Designed to dazzle the most inexperienced, as well as most elegant wine connoisseur, tours run May to November and are generally booked for five day and six nights stays.

Amy’s passion is writing about the good things in life: food, wine, fashion, and travel. Writings include topics such as Luxury and Travel

Two days ago I took our European visitors on a little driving tour of the Niagara Peninsula, specifically to explore some of the 50 something wineries. My brother is a chef and very interested in exploring the authentic tastes and flavours of Canada. So far my visitors have been very impressed with the quality of the Canadian vegetables, meats, spices, and even the various types of beers that they have tried from different microbreweries.

We got going around 9:30 am to avoid the brunt of rush hour traffic and made our way west on the QEW highway on another day of perfect weather. We drove through the industrial outskirts of Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton, where they were particularly fascinated by the huge industrial complexes of Ontario’s steel industry. Just about 20 minutes south of Hamilton we turned off the highway onto local Highway Number 8, Ontario’s wine route, which follows the outline of the NIagara Escarpment.

Our first stop on our wine tour was Peninsula Ridge Estates, a very impressive winery built around a Victorian farmhouse with several modern buildings that have been added to faciliate a wine tasting facility and gift shop. The wine testing area is housed in a beautiful barn-like structure with lots of wood and high ceilings, and all the wines and gifts are presented in a very attractive way. My European wine conoisseurs tasted 4 varieties of white wine and admitted that they were duly impressed. They commented that some of the wines had a more distinct flavour than what they are used to back home and indicated their surprise at the quality of wines from Ontario. Of course my brother also examined the menu of the dining room and confirmed that the establishment was indeed an upscale gourmet restaurant, featuring finely crafted cuisine.

We had a beautiful day with absolutely no humidity, so we had a clear view of downtown Toronto’s skyscrapers from the Peninsula Estates winery. After a little photo tour of the premises we made our way to the next stop: Eastdell Estates, winery located high on top of the escarpment with a perfect lookout point. The restaurant, called the “Bench Bistro” offers simple, yet innovative dishes that pay homage to the area’s bountiful harvests and local producers. Reasonably priced, two can dine, with a bottle of wine, for about $80 (CDN).

Our next stop was a relatively new winery called Angel’s Gate Estates, with a beautiful main building that included a wine boutique as well as an indoor and outdoor dining area overlooking Lake Ontario. We did not taste any wines here, but definitely enjoyed the view. Again, the facilities and surroundings hosting the wine tasting were impressive.

Then we headed further south to Vineland Estates Winery situated on the slopes of the Niagara Escarpment with Lake Ontario in the distance. This winery has sometimes been referred to as “Ontario’s Most Picturesque Winery” and we certainly enjoyed the location. It is another winery that features a restaurant as well as a wine boutique, located in an 1877 historic barn. The boutique features wines, fine glassware and local preserves, and my European travellers embarked on their second tasting of the day, this time enjoying both red and white varieties. The winery offered various types of crackers and cheese, combined with grape jellies, providing a little snack to a group of hungry pilgrims on Ontario’s wine trail. We also noted that the staff in the various wineries was extremely welcoming and friendly, an impression that got reinforced throughout the day.

Our lunch stop was at Rockway Glen Golf Course and Estate Winery, a rather unusual combination offering delights for golfing and wine enthusiasts. We had a reasonably priced lunch of gourmet sandwiches on the patio, and appropriately strenghtened continued on our way along the wine route towards our next destination: Niagara Falls.

After arriving in one of the most popular destinations in Ontario, not to be missed for any traveller to Toronto, we parked our car on the main parking lot, at $18.00 a little overpriced, although it offered unlimited parking until midnight. As we approached the falls from the south, my guests were astounded at the width of the river and the quantities of water that were about to drop down the steep precipice. We stopped for a while at a spot right where the water starts to hurl down the rocks. The amount and force of the water is awe-inspiring, and the thundering sound of the falling water provides an appropriate backdrop to this natural wonder.

The waterfall produced the most amazing complete rainbow inside the gorge that I have ever seen, offering many scenic vistas of the Niagara River set against the appropriately named Rainbow Bridge which connects Ontario with New York State.Several Maid of the Mist sightseeing boats holding curious visitors dressed in blue plastic capes were floating dangerously close to the bottom of the waterfall, providing a great photo opportunity.

Naturally, after taking in all these sights we had to take in a refreshment and we rested a bit on a restaurant patio overlooking the falls. After our brief respite we drove along the scenic Niagara Parkway towards Niagara-on-the-Lake, stopping several times at various lookout points, such as the Aero Car tram crossing the gorge, and the immense power plants located on both sides of the river, generating clean hydro-electric energy.

The bucolic countryside along the Niagara River features a large number of wineries and orchards and the road is lined with fruit stands, featuring fresh Ontario produce. Finally, we parked our car next to a beautiful park, right where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. By this time, the Niagara River has turned from an angry and wild river with churning waters and rapids into a mild-mannered waterway, ready to merge with the waters of one of the Great Lakes.

We had a little stroll around this charming Victorian village, admiring the beautifully kept houses and gardens, and since it was getting late we headed back into the car to continue our drive back to Toronto. The last leg of our trip was a drive through St. Catharines’ beautiful little lakeside village, Port Dalhousie, which on this day featured a younger crowd than Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Filled with a multitude of impressions of this gorgeous day, we arrived back in Toronto, sharing our various impressions. My European visitors, who had never been to North America, were truly impressed with the Niagara Region and I was glad I was able to give them a little taste of Ontario’s wine country.

As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I’m hip. I like to think I am avant garde. I like to think I am on the cutting edge - despite what everyone else around thinks about me.

I read last year that the growth sector of the future is in healthcare and wellness. So, being the hip, avant garde, cutting edge kind of guy I think I am, I decided I would give very unique and personal healthcare birthday gifts.

For Aunt Marsha, I settled on a facelift. I was so excited, I just couldn’t wait to see her face. Either the old one or the new one would do.

“What’s this?”

“It’s an appointment for a facelift.”

“A facelift?

“Yes. Next week.”

“An appointment for a facelift? Next week?”

“That’s right.”

“This can mean one of only two things…”

“What two things, Aunt Marsha?”

“Either you think I am uglier than a bearded manatee with blow torch burns…”

“Oh no, Aunt Marsha. You are as beautiful as a graceful flamingo with blow torch burns.”

“…or you foresee me seeking shelter under the witness protection program. What is it you think I saw, and who do you think wants to do me in?”

“Well, when I was ten years old, you saw me scribble all over my brother’s baseball cards. I got in a whack of trouble, so I suppose I could be a suspect.”

“I somehow doubt I have anything to fear from you, except the threat of receiving another gift. Just what do you think you were thinking?”

“I know you don’t need a facelift yet, Aunt Marsha. But someday when you get all old and withered and crumbly and crinkly, a few months from now…BANG!”

When I came to, I remembered a frying pan lunging at me to plant a kiss on my lips.

For my buddy, I settled on a different gift, although still quite unique and personal.

“What?!?”

“Hey, these tickets are very hard to come by. You should be thrilled that I secured an appointment for you.”

“But I don’t need open heart surgery. My heart is ticking along just fine.”

“Sure it is - right now. But someday you might need open heart surgery, so you might as well take it now and get it over with. That way you’ll have it when you need it.”

“Open heart surgery isn’t something you just take and save for later. You can’t place it in a box or in a safe somewhere.”

“Whoa, Buddy. Cool your tonsils a moment. I considered getting you a lobotomy, but I worried about wasting my money…you know, in case they didn’t find anything. “

Never let it be said that this personal growth specialist doesn’t learn from his success. This year I read that the entertainment industry is the growth sector of the future. So, being the hip, avant garde, cutting edge kind of guy I think I am, I decided I would give hip, avant garde, cutting edge entertainment gifts.

I thought about some of my personal favorites. Unfortunately I could not find in the Yellow Pages any singing Gumby balloon-a-grams. I considered getting Aunt Marsha 1,000 self-destructing, ketchup-filled pink flamingo lawn ornaments with pirate hats, but I was not sure how to place them in the apartment corridor. Toenail clippers always bring me hours of entertainment, but I had no idea which of my family members have toe nails.

In the end, I settled on this column. Hey, it’s humor, it’s personal growth, it’s entertainment. And you have to admit that it is unique. I printed a copy out for each of them. And guess what? I think it was a success. Each one opened up their gift, looked at it, looked up at me, looked back at the gift, looked back up at me and said, “Very funny!”

If you don’t want to end up like me, why not get your relatives a dog gift or a horse-themed gift or an angel gift from Unique Gift Ideas at: http://www.unique-gift-ideas.ws . They do NOT sell facelifts. After all, people love unique gift ideas, but not quite that unique.

About The Author

The author is freelance writer David Leonhardt.

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