Serge the Concierge

Ferris Wheel on Sunny Day, Toulouse Plages 'Grande Roue' as Seen from Across Garonne

Ferris Wheel on Sunny Day

Toulouse Plages 'Grande Roue' as I saw it from across the Garonne late August 2012.

Balzac's House to Museum of Romantics, 14 City of Paris Museums under 1 Web Roof, in English

Planning a trip can be time consuming even in our internet age if you need to look at each point of interest via their individual website.

Heading for Paris and hungry for a cultural fill, you will find all 14 City of Paris museums under one roof, Paris Musees....

History buffs will want to check The Catacombs while literary minded can delve into Balzac's House, and classical music fans could check cast of Chopin's hand at Museum of Romantics which is currently under renovation and offers free access to permanent collection (only partly accessible because of renovations).

Paris Musees web portal landed on my radar thanks to Elodie's Paris

(* Oasis of peace above is photo of garden of Museum of Romantics from their Facebook page)

Wine from Vienna, WienWein, Like Slightly Skunky Wiener Gemischter Satz

Few large cities around the world count vineyards within their vicinity.

Vienna is one of them.

Most famous of their offerings is Wiener Gemischter Satz included in Slow Food 'Ark of Taste', slightly skunky according to Alice Feiring.

Austrian National Tourist Office notes:

"Many are surprised to learn that urban Vienna is also a wine region. But within the city limits, 320 winemakers tend 1,680 acres of grapes – mostly in the river-flanking areas of Nussberg, Kahlenberg, Bisamberg and Mauer." 

5 wineries from Vienna banded together and formed WienWein to share their offerings with the world.

Amongst them Weingut Cobenzl whose wines illustrate this piece.

Tuscany Walking Festival, 6 Natural Parks, Hundreds of Events, April 13 to November 3

Opening day for Tuscany Walking Festival is April 13, 2013.

The event's introduction turns walking into poetry.

"Amidst the nature protected by Parks, in sign of conviviality, the Walking Festival multiplies 6 Natural Parks in hundreds of events, obtaining as a result a feast ideally capable of eliminating the sea that divides the Coast from the Islands, a sequence of steps that follow one another leading to the discovery of extraordinary places, a meeting between the desire of knowledge and the necessity of sharing ones emotions and experiences."

One of the 6 parks is National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago, considered largest marine park in Mediterranean. It includes 7 main islands of archipelago located between Corsica and Tuscany. They are "small Gorgona, the splendid Capraia, the vast Elba, the white Pianosa, the unreachable Montecristo, the aromatic Giglio with it's jewel Giannutri." 

Tuscany Walking Festival 2013 'runs' from April 13 to November 3.

(* Photo from Tuscany Walking Festival website)

Where to Kiss in Paris from Musee Jardin Albert Khan to Butte Bergeyre

If you have not been kissed before in Paris, here are a few places where it might happen according to Ou s'embrasser a Paris (Where to kiss in Paris, in French only) by Laurianne Barbier (Rédaction Voyages-sncf.com).

She starts with Fontaine Medicis in Jardin du Luxembourg.

She then offers a number of other sites including lesser known Musee et Jardin Albert Khan in Boulogne-Billancourt with its multiple gardens (English garden, Japanese garden, French garden) and mini forests (Blue forest, Golden forest, Foret Vosgiennes) and Butte Bergeyre (19eme arrondissement).

If your lover or better half does not like climbing steep hills, don't take them to Butte Bergeyre (pictured above).

Besides romantic advice, SNCF is also currently having 2 for 1 offer, Offre Duo (French page) for Spring travel on TGV and Intercites trains to and from Paris, Marseille, Brest, Clermont Ferrand, Toulouse, Bourges.

Book your trip by April 23 for travel between April 12 and May 13, 2013.

In France They Kiss on Main Street

(Photo of Butte Bergeyre from Butte Bergeyre piece on Peter's Paris- June 9, 2010)

Organic Grappa, Vino Santo and Olive Oil from Cavalierino near Montepulciano

Midway between Montelpulciano and Pienzo, one can find Cavalierino, a producer of organic grappa and Vino Santo and organic olive oil.

If you happen to visit the area, Cavalierino also offers to host you with a number of appartments available for rent.

Booking is available online.

Green olives and green wine for Green Day # 248

Previously: CCSW, in plain English, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing, Another Label?

NY-Nairobi RT for $1031, Houston-Johannesburg RT for $805, Africa's Calling with KLM Spring Fares

With a stop in Amsterdam on the way, KLM puts Africa on map of Spring getaways for U.S travelers.

I would be delighted to put Kiss a Girafe, Hop on a Matatu, 10 do's and don'ts of Nairobi by Mark Kaigwa which we published in February 2011 to the test with best round trip fares from New York to Nairobi around $1030.

Houston to Johannesburg is even cheaper at $805 round trip (best price).

Doing a test on KLM website, only flights listed from New York to Nairobi were from JFK even though I found similarly priced flights to Nairobi from Newark by KLM for similar prices on Google Flights...

Fares are publicized by KLM USA for purchase by April 10, 2013. Travel must include a Sunday stay and be completed by May 16, 2013.

(* Illustration above is Nairobi's fixture a Matatu by Kenyan photographer Mutua Matheka from Nairobi's 10 do's and don'ts )

Vegan Faux Leather Mustache Like Luggage Tags Add Distinction to Your Travel

Even men who don't sport a goatee, moustache or beard will be pleased with Mustache Like Luggage Tags brought to us by Kikkerland Design.

They add distinction to your travel and will make your luggage easy to spot on the airport baggage carousel.

Being vegan and faux leather will be a plus for vegetarians and vegans alike.

Its $8 price tag makes it a great small gift.

I originally discovered it via ModCloth who also sells it, for $9.99.

Key West is Not Alcohol The Theme Park, Enjoy Mornings Too, Justin and Norman Van Aken '10 Do's and Don'ts' of Key West

Reading My Key West Kitchen (Kyle Books, 2012) by father and son team, Norman Van Aken and Justin Van Aken, you cannot help but feel their passion for the place.

With that in mind, it was only natural that I would ask them to share their personal recommendations on the place. Some of you might even be there for Spring Break.

Justin sticks to advice on enjoying the real Key West while Norman covers mostly food places, bars and history.

Here's Justin and Norman Van Aken 10 do's and don'ts of Key West.

Justin

DON'T Bother with any chain restaurants or bars. Can't anybody buy that garbage off any interstate in America?

DO Support our local businesses, please. We have many establishments around town serving great local fare unique to our little island. Sure, you've heard of Conch Chowder, but, a Mollete? 

DON'T Forget that you're in one of the oldest cities in the country, not Alcohol: The Theme Park.

DO Take in some culture! Museums, cabarets, various tours, rides, or walks; water-based un like snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing; or just hang out and drink Buchis with the Bubbas! (You might have to visit to find out what that means!) 

DON'T Stay out for the late nights and sleep until noon each day, even if you're on vacation!

DO Get out and enjoy some of the mornings, too. The gentle sunlight, idyllic pace, and perfect temperatures of most mornings in Key West create the perfect setting for a long easy stroll around before the midday heat sets in, requiring (possibly sudsy) liquid refreshment -- and plenty of it.

Norman on eating out and getting around

Dress Code: Shorts are fine everywhere. 

More Casual: 

Hogfish Bar and Grill: It is not on Key West but on Stock Island. Hard to find place but it is like the original classic joints of Key West back in the day. Their “specials” are a good bet.

5 Brothers Grocery: 930 Southard Street. Food to Go. Breakfast on the bench outside. Bollos. 

Sandy’s Café: Food to go at a laundromat. 1026 White St. Midnight Sandwich. Café con Leche.

Blue Heaven: Petronia and Thomas Streets. Drinks or Breakfast is my preference. Crowds. 

Bad Boy Burrito: Chris Otten’s little spot on Simonton. Fish is fresh and local. 

The Half Shell Raw Bar: New owner is said to be bringing back the old FUNK. 

La Crêperie: Charming place run by 2 French women. (Across from Blue Heaven). Go.

Pepé’s: 806 Caroline St. Tiny and laid back local hangout. 

El Siboney: 900 Catherine. Cuban family place with authentic fare. Breakfast/Lunch.

The Banana Café: On the “upper end” of Duval. Breakfast. Charming ambience. 

The Elk’s Club. Barbeque on the sidewalk each Saturday around Noon. 1107 Whitehead St.

A Bit More Upscale (for KW):

Café Marquesa: Simonton and Fleming Sts. Chef Susan Ferry, (Great small/historic Hotel). 

Azur: Has some promise. In the Eden House Hotel. 

Antonia’s on Duval, (It has an Italian/American style and has been there 20 years). 

Louie’s Backyard: 700 Waddell. Afternoons on The Afterdeck Bar for a Cocktail.

Bars:

The Green Parrot Bar: 601 Whitehead Street. Our Favorite Bar. Great live music scene.

Little Room Jazz Bar. 800 block of Duval. New. Live Music every night at 8.

Vinos: Small wine bar at 810 Duval. Good vibe. 

If you’re into Craft Beers try “The Porch” across from The Bull off Duval. Up the stairs. 

Tourist Attractions I recommend:

The Conch Train: History and a great sense of the layout of the town. 

The Lighthouse on Whitehead: What a view!

The Hemingway House 

Sharon Wells of Island City Strolls, (305) 294-8380, publishes the free "Walking and Biking Guide to Historic Key West" and gives personalized walking and biking tours of the island's gardens, architecture, history, or whatever you're interested in.

The Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board, (305) 292-6718, publishes a free pamphlet and map to several historic walking tours and leads tours of the cemetery Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30.

Writers' Walk is a one-hour guided tour on weekends of the residences of prominent Key West authors, including Hemingway, Frost, and Williams. It's sponsored by the Key West Literary Seminar, (305) 293-9291).

The Old Island Restoration Foundation publishes Pelican Path a free walking guide to Old Town's history and architecture.

Thanks to Norman and Justin Van Aken for sharing their slice of heaven.

Previously:

Climb 550 Steps To Fourviere Basilica, Don't Visit on Monday, Lucy's 10 Dos and Don’t’s of Lyon

Too Late for SXSW, Virgin America L.A to Austin Flights in June or September from 89 Dollars One Way

Too Late for SXSW, Virgin America offers L.A to Austin and/or Austin to L.A Flights in June or September from 89 Dollars One Way.

The $89 fare is good on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flying on Mondays or Thursdays will cost you $109

This is part of their Book by February 27, 2013 (Midnight), fly later Special.

On Austin- Los Angeles route, it means from May 21 Through June 29 and September 3 Through September 30, 2013.

From the East Coast, a flight to Palm Springs late March sounds appealing for a holiday in the sun.

(* Image of red uniformed Virgin America personel from their Flyer Feed blog)