If you are going on a short holiday on Amsterdam, or you just do not have the patience to deal with the long queues to enter the Van Gogh Museum there are smaller museums which are worth visiting to give you another perspective on Amsterdam:

Tanssenmuseum

Holland has a good chunk of great local talents that produce great works from fashion, photography and architecture. The name of the museum literally translates to Handbag Museum. The pieces here all started as ideas and were carefully crafted that anyone will think that these bags are pieces of art themselves. The Tannsenmuseum is actually a reflection of the city and how it pays attention to details keeping life beautiful for everyone enjoying its comforts.

Houseboat Museum

The people of Amsterdam traces their roots around the water near which the city has sprung to life. You can see this colorful history at the Houseboat Museum. It is a floating houseboat similar to what the city dwellers live in. It looks very authentic that it is like going inside a home with the owners just gone to get something from the store. You will not be able to see famous works of arts here but it gives you a glimpse of how a lot of locals live their lives on the waters around Amsterdam.

Ons? Lieve Heer op Solder Museum

During the period of Reformation in Holland, Catholics were not allowed to practice their faith openly and were discriminated in society. So secret churches were established, people went underground to practice their beliefs. One of the secret churches was preserved and turned into this museum. The name literally translates to Our Lord in the Attic. The structure is a typical home in the area with the the top floor converted to a church, so practically you will be able to appreciate the architecture and the contents of the home.

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BUZZ Monsieur Le Prince, Coffee Time, Paris Seize, Coq Rico and More

By Margaret Kemp

Monsieur Le Prince team. Photo by M. Kemp.

Monsieur Le Prince, Paris 6th

Someday my prince will come, and, while awaiting his arrival, I discovered Monsieur Le Prince, which ticks all the boxes for a fussy princess.

?Behind the immeuble,? said the aimable princess in the newspaper kiosque outside Métro: Odéon. What a lovely lady, she’s a vocal map: as I left, another enquiry came from a Russian lady . . . it must be like that all day. I turned on my heels and bought a Figaro newspaper, just by way of thank you.

So, right at ?Women’s Secret,? then right again and you’re on rue Monsieur Le Prince, a long windy street with a lot of history, something to do with the Duc de Condé, who owned these parts at some point. So thinks Romain, owner of “MLeP” for about a year.

He explained that this space has been a restaurant since 1947, so he kept lots of the original pieces, such as the beautiful silver zinc bar and overhead lights. He’s decorated with flea market finds and interesting photos and paintings, many with with an American theme. The loo, reached by a spiral staircase (darling, take off the Jimmy Choos before ascending the stairway to heaven) is like a library. Books chosen by Romain, reflect his love of travel, psychology, Tennessee Williams, America, the world.

Back downstairs the tables are set with brown paper, the type Picasso loved to doodle on in bistros, and, on which poverty-stricken artists drew pictures instead of paying la note. I left a message from BP, bien sûr.

In the kitchen, Benjamin Patrier, ex- La Tupina, Bordeaux; Tour d’Argent and Lapérouse. He has a light artistic touch, the food brought to table by Lou, who as an impoverished artist could paint and then take out for dinner.

Tarte fine aux légumes. Photo by M. Kemp.

From five starters and a daily special, begin with Tarte fine aux légumes or Carpaccio de daurade.

Then a thick cut of Maigre (a lean fish with no translation?unless you know one, dear reader. If so, please post your response below) is roasted and served with raviolis de chanterelles. Epic, although chef says his signature dish is Côte de boeuf & son vrai gratin dauphinois. Poire pochée aux épices & cornet praline to finish, Pain perdu or perfectly-chosen cheeses from Marie-Anne Cantin.

Now that I’ve gotten to know Monsieur Le Prince, I don’t even think it’s worth waiting for another, he might turn out to be a right frog!

Monsieur Le Prince

Tél: 01 43 54 74 59

12, rue Monsieur Le Prince, Paris 6th

Métro: Odeon

Shut Sunday & Monday lunch

3-course Menu du Prince 32?

Plat du Jour 14?

Daily Market menu Starter + Main or Main + Dessert 17?

3 courses at lunch 21?

Le Paris Seize, Paris 16th

There are lots of reasons to go to Le Paris Seize (AKA Le Paris 16), an addy Parisians call ?confidentiel.?

You won’t see tourists, just chic BCBG (bon chic bon genre) locals. You’ll get a good idea of ?le look,” which at the moment is 7 for All Mankind® Jeans, Moncler jackets, cashmere and Ugg boots. For spring it’s much the same, version light, minus the Moncler, all the better to enjoy the terrace in front of Le Paris 16.

Located on rue des Belles Feuilles, in the beating heart of the posh 16^tharrondissement, a wonderful rue with two superb butchers, a pâtisserie, boulangerie, shoe repair shop, Monoprix, Marrionaud, two high-end greengrocers, fast-food bars and Androuet, the epic cheese emporium where the blinds come down at lunchtime. So, while waiting for Androuet to open, pop opposite to Le Paris 16.

You’ll be elbow to elbow with the regulars, a smiley lot for Parisians who all look happy to be there. Probably something to do with the welcome of the flirty, sexy Frédéric Prud’homme AKA Freddy, who dashes around recommending his wines, serving his bières à la pression.

Le Paris Seize burrata salad. Photo by M. Kemp.

The food is French tradi and Italian, big accents on, say, Antipasti du Paris Seize. Linguini carbonara aux truffes ou saumon, crustacés, truffes noir. La poutargue (dried tuna or mullet roe, a seasonal speciality… poor man’s caviar, darling), Rigatoni Amatriciana or with cream and parmesan. Generous portions sent out in copper pans. Delightful. Decor’s masculine: action sport paintings, just like you see in those Jean-Paul Belmondo films. That could be a young version of Belmondo in the corner, beneath the neon that declares TOILETTES & TELEPHONES.

From behind the handsome zinc bar Frédéric recommends the red Chianti Classico Il Grigio 2007 at 40? or the white Parusso Blanc 32?.

Starters change daily…ask Fred. Last Wednesday there was fresh burrata, served with a bright roquette, olive and herb salad, drizzled with olive oil (see photo above). Aubergines alla parmigiana: Bresaola et artichauts, Scarmozza al’ forno. The main of the day was grilled sea bass, but there was also a choice of 11 dishes including: Tartare Italien classico, Escalope Milanaise, Saltimbocca alla Romana. Ice cream is homemade or try a slab of gorgonzola, then you won’t need to wait for Androuet to open!

Le Paris Seize (no website)

18, rue des Belles Feuilles, Paris 16th

Métro: Victor Hugo

T: 01 47 04 56 33

Average Spend : 3 courses 32? + wine

Shut Sunday

By the same owner: Pizzeria d’Auteuil

Tél: 01 42 88 00 86

81, rue Jean de la Fontaine, Paris 16th

No reservations ? unless your name is Bruni or Sarkozy!

Le ?Coffee? Time de l’Hôtel Vendôme, Paris 1st

Want to impress a visitor to Paris? It’s certain you’ll be showing them Place Vendôme and doing a bit of retail therapy at Colette on rue Saint-Honoré.

“Coffee Time” at L’Hôtel de Vendôme. Publicity photo.

Pop into the discreet and elegant Hôtel de Vendôme, be the first to do ?Coffee Time.? Sink into the club armchairs or sofas, let their answer to Jeeves do you proud. From the silver pastry trolley nibble a Carupano macaron, spoon with a mousse croquante, or cigare fumé Baiano….or choux lacté Divo Tannea or tiny pots of Crème Concerto.

The pâtissier behind all this is Luc Debove (MOF), who’s speciality is ice-carving. He’s on the right in the photo wearing his MOF collar.

“It keeps me in shape,? he says.

Also find Debove at the swish Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat, part of the same group.

Coffees change weekly and are by Coutume Cafe and chocolate used is by Chocolaterie de l’Opera.

Le ?Coffee? Time de l’Hôtel Vendôme

1, Place Vendôme, Paris 1st

Open daily from 3-7pm  23?Métro: Concorde, Tuileries or Opéra

Need to know: Le Coq Rico opens in Montmartre

If you love chicken, head to Antoine Westermann‘s Le Coq Rico bistro in Montmartre. It opened this week.

Thierry Lébé‘s wearin’ the whites; and it’s going to start a new trend doin’ the funky AOC chicken/pigeon/pintade. You’re going to love la planchette de béatilles?watch this space.

98, rue Lepic, Paris 18th

Tél: 01 4259 8289

Don’t delay: book Valentine’s Day at Hôtel de Crillon now

Book now for special Valentine’s Day dinners at Hôtel de Crillon.

In fact, why not stay the night during their Valentine offer available February 1-29: stay in a Superior room, take advantage of a welcome bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, and sweet surprises from chef pâtissier Jérôme Chaucesse, fitness center access, WIFI and American-style breakfast served in-room with international newspapers. 695?

The Valentine dinners are served in Les Ambassadeurs (250? + wine, coupe de champagne offered). And L’Obé, the brasserie chic at Le Crillon, 120? with a glass of champagne, but wines not included. Or they’ll probably do it in-room if you insist!

Hôtel de Crillon

Tél: 01 44 71 15 01

10, Place de la Concorde, Paris 8th

À la semaine prochaine!

Margaret Kemp is a Cordon Bleu graduate who spent a year traveling the world, working and watching in the kitchens of top chefs from Sydney, Australia via Bangkok, Hong Kong, California, New York and France. She reports for BonjourParis on the latest European trends, restaurants and hot spots. Please click on her name to see her weekly stories dating back to 2003 . . . et merci, Margaret.

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By Margaret Kemp

Mini Palais dining room. Publicity photo.

When Eric Frechon was asked to create and become Chef Conseil at the Mini Palais he didn’t hesitate. Located just behind the Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais, Mini Palais has incredible décor by ex-Christian Liagre disciples Gilles et Boissier under the watchful eye of Alain-Charles Perrot, architecte en chef des monuments historiques de la Ville de Paris; it’s now one of the most beautiful buzzing restaurant spaces in Paris.

Look up at the metallic ceiling, admire the neo-medieval patchwork wall-covering by Gilles Cenazandooti and smile at the plaster reproductions of plaster of Paris museum pieces and broken relics on the shelves. Then look outside at the wide terrace with elegant Greek columns and majestic orange trees. Are you ready to order?

Eric Frechon (3-star Michelin at Le Bristol) seized the challenge to create a luxury product but without the eye-watering prices.

?I’m a simple lad at heart and I’ve created dishes that I’d like to eat in this setting,? he said last week.

?Also, this gives me the opportunity to showcase my favorite artisans.?

So he gathered Jean-Yves Bordier for his exceptional Beurre Bordier butter; Philippe Camdeborde for traditional homemade charcuterie that Lady Gaga would love to wear; Frédéric Lalos for his incredible variety of breads at Le Quartier du Pain, served in hessian sacks; mareyeur (fishmonger) Claude Raffin for his line-caught fish; and he also tapped into the resources of Mr Good Fish to ensure that no endangered fish are used in the bright new kitchens.

Stéphane d’Aboville, who says he’s 30 but looks much younger, is in charge of the kitchens. He was at Le Bristol as second and premier responsable du Restaurant Gastronomique to Frechon for eight years.

?And I love him, and he loves me,? grins Frechon. ?He’s a good boy.?

Before Le Bristol this boy from Tarbais (where the beans come from) learned his craft at L’Ambroisie, Tarbes (1-star) then Bayonne, then Drouant with the legendary Louis Grondard. In 2002 he joined la brigade d’Eric Frechon.

Drink, say, a white Chablis Le Finage de Chablienne 2007 (42?) or a well-structured Beaujolais Morgan, Domaine Marcel Lapierre 2009 (38?).

Bar at Mini Palais. Publicity photo.

After visiting Grand Palais or shopping on the Golden Triangle why not pop in for a snack: Sardines à l’huile, Bordier beurre aux algues (16?); Planche de Charcuterie ?Lady Gaga? (14?), Planche de fromages affinés (8?), Club Sandwich de langouste (35), Tartare de boeuf taillé au couteau cru ou poêle (19?).

The menu is seasonal and market driven. Freebie gougères (feather-light cheese puffs) served as mini-soufflés are the perfect intro to discover a talented cutting-edge chef.

Delicious choices include:

• Slightly smoked Corrèze ceps batter pudding
• Pil-Pil squids
• Snails in cherry tomatoes, browned with almond butter
• Yellow wine, cheese-crusted sweetbreads
• Pearly cod, with coriander and citronella perfumed stock
• Tandoori pork pluma, candied onion, straw potatoes
• Giant rum baba, light vanilla cream for two.
• Chouquettes and expresso ice cream, hot chocolate fudge

Chefs Frechon and d’Aboville are bien in their baskets.

Take a half a minute to get the vibe via video by Jason Fist:

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Mini Palais

Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8th

at the Grand Palais by Pont Alexandre III

Métro: Champs Elysées-Clemenceau,

Tél: 01 4256 4242

Lunch Formula 28? -

Average Spend 45? + wine

Glass of wine 7?

Open 7/7 10am-midnight

Valet Parking

Margaret Kemp is a Cordon Bleu graduate who spent a year traveling the world, working and watching in the kitchens of top chefs from Sydney, Australia via Bangkok, Hong Kong, California, New York and France. She reports for BonjourParis on the latest European trends, restaurants and hot spots. Please click on her name to see her weekly on-the-scene reports dating back to 2003 . . . et merci, Margaret.

You are reading an excerpt from PREMIUM CONTENT sent first to Premium Members who read our Sunday BUZZ column for the latest top chef news, restaurant openings, trends and happenings in Paris, London, Nice, Cannes, New York and other international destinations. If you’re a culinary traveler, please consider an annual Premium Membership with exclusive content and members-only benefits.

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Ice Skating Rinks at Hôtel de Ville and Tour Montparnasse (weather permitting)

12-10pm Mondays through Fridays and 9am-10pm Saturdays and Sundays (rental skates available).

Scheduled to continue through March 4, weather permitting.

City of Science & Industry Museum & Children’s Museum?Cité des Sciences et de l?Industrie

Costume & Theater Set Design Museum?Centre National du Costume de Scène

Decorative Arts Museum?Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Eugene Delacroix Museum?Musée national de Eugène Delacroix

European House of Photography?La Maison Européenne de la Photographie (AKA “MEP”)

• Eloge du Vertige, through March 25
• Youssef Nabil, through March 25
• Dominique Issermass, Laetitia Casta, through March 25
• William Ropp, Le Sculpteur d?Ombres, through March 25
• Götz Göppet, Les Quatre Saisons, through March 25

Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson

Giverny Impressionism Museum  (by Monet’s gardens) — Giverny Impressionists Museum

Grand Palace Museum, Palace of Discovery?Grand Palais/Palais de la Découverte

• Gaston Fébus (1331-1391), through March 5 (exhibition also at the Cluny Museum)
• Le Cheveu, through August, 2012
• Préhistoires, through June 17
• Le Cheveux, through August 26

Grand Palace National Gallery?Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais

• Permanent collection
• Musique de Chambre au Musée Gustave Moreau par les musiciens de l’Orchestre de Paris, February 14

Holocaust Memorial Museum?Mémorial de la Shoah

• Cinema and the Shoah, through February 20
• Des JO de Berlin aux JO de Londres (1936-1948), through March 18

Hôtel de Ville?see Paris City Hall below

Jacquemart-André Museum?Musée Jacquemart André

Japan Cultural Center?Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris

Jeu de Paume

Jewish Art & History Museum?Musée d?Art et d?Histoire du Judaïsme

Legion of Honor Museum?Musée National de la Légion d?Honneur

• Museum section closed until February 14 (please check before going in case delayed)
• La berline de Napoléon (Napoleon’s coaches), March 7 through July 8

Louvre Museum  — Musée du Louvre

Luxembourg Garden Museum?Musée du Luxembourg

Luxembourg Garden Street Exhibitions?Art posted on the gates by Lé Senat

MacVal?Musée d’Art Contemporain du Val-de-Marne

Maillol Museum; Dina Vierny Foundation?Musée Maillol

Maison de Balzac

• Closed for renovations through April

*First exhibition for new museum established in 2009 by President Sarkozy opens in le Marais in 2015. Until then, wandering exhibitions.

Malmaison?Musée national des Châteaux de Malmaison et Bois Préau

Maritime Museum at Palais de Tokyo?Musée Nationale de la Marine

• Closed for renovations until March 7
• Phares (Lighthouses) opens March 7

Modern Art Museum of Paris?Musée d?Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris

• Eko Nugroho, Témoin Hybride (murals), through June 24

• Giorgio de Chirico, Don Peter Doig, Donation et don Bernard Buffet, through June 10
  

Mona Bismarck Foundation  & American Cultural Center/Gallery

• The Wyeths, Three Generations of American Art, through February 12

Montparnasse Museum?Le Musée du Montparnasse

National Library of France?Bibliothèque nationale de France (François Mitterand Library)

Natural History Museum — Muséum National d?Histoire Naturelle at Le Jardin des Plantes

Nissim de Camondo Museum

Orangerie Museum?Musée de l?Orangerie

• Salon featuring Monet’s Nymphéas will be closed until noon on February 1
• Debussy, Music and the Arts, February 21 through June 11

Orsay Museum?Musée d?Orsay

• Closed through at least April 11, 2012 for renovations (please check before going in case of extension)

Palais Garnier

Paris City Hall Gallery?Hôtel de Ville

Petit Palais Fine Arts Museum of Paris?Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris

Pinacothèque Art Museum of Paris — Pinacothèque

• Les masques de Jade (The Jade Masks), through June 10
  

Pompidou Modern Art Museum?Centre Georges Pompidou

Red House Foundation (Albert de Galbert Foundation)? La Maison Rouge

Rodin Museum?Musée Rodin

NOTE: Exceptional closing of the permanent collection through March 2012 for repairs.

Romantic Era Museum?Musée de la Vie Romantique

Skilled Arts & Crafts Museum — Musée des Arts et Métiers

Versailles Palace? Château de Versailles

Zadkine (sculpture) Museum & Garden?Musée Zadkine

• Closed through February for maintenance

MUSIC VENUES (POP, ROCK, R&B, JAZZ, CLASSICAL)

Autour du Piano

Series of intimate recitals and concerts at several locations, including the Jacquemart-André Museum, Salle Gaveau, Salle Cortot, and the Foundation Dosne-Thiers. Please click name for schedule.

Bercy

8, 9 Music Bank ? K-Pop Festival

14 GiedRé

Châtelet Theater Grand Foyer Concerts? Grand Foyer du Châtelet

10 Soirée Classique: Autour de Piano

Cigale Theater?La Cigale

3 Sniper

7 through March 4   The Best of Des Chevaliers du Fiel

Olympia Concert Hall? L?Olympia

1 Letz Zep

2 Dropkick Murphy?s

3 The Artic Monkeys

4 Justice

5 Fiesta Gipsy

6 Cowboys Fringants

8-12 Anthony Kavanagh

15 Louis Bertignac

16 Alan Stivell

17 Richard Anthony

18 La Compangnie Creole

19 Georges Chelon

25 Le Bal

26 Genesis: The Musical Box

27, 28 Rodrigo Y Gabriella

29 LMFAO

Le Palais des Congrès de Paris

5 Swan Lake

11 Zazie

Palais des Sports

Adam and Eve, a new musical, through March 6

Salle Pleyel (Classical, Jazz & World Music)

1, 2, 15, 16, 22, 29 Orchestre de Paris

3, 10 Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

4 Eva-Maria Westbroek

6, 7 New York Philharmonic

14 Pollini Perspectives

16 Le Roi David

17 Académie de l?Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France et Conservatoire

18 Orchestre Pasdeloup

18 Orchestre de l?Opera de Paris

22 Prélude

25 Ensemble Constantinople

26 Natalie Dessay

28 Cycle Schubert 2: Matthias Goerne

Stade de France

Dark in February

Zénith Concert Hall?Le Zénith

1, 2 Indochine

3 Dream Theater

4 Arctic Monkeys

5 David d?Or

9-19 Holiday on Ice

JAZZ CLUBS (see each site for nightly shows)

Baiser Salé

Caveau de la Huchette

Caveau des Oubliettes

Duc des Lombards

Méridien Étoile

New Morning

12 Nick Lowe and Band

Le Petit Journal Montparnasse

14 Catia Werneck

Sunside/Sunset

Swan Bar

AUTHORS, BOOK-SIGNINGS & LITERARY EVENTS

American Library in Paris

1 Evenings with an Author: Fernanda Eberstadt presents her latest novel Rat.

7 Evenings with an Author: Monique Wells will discuss the common threads found among various foods and methods of food preparation in Africa and its Diaspora and their cultural significance among African Diaspora peoples.

8 Evenings with an Author: Pamela Cruckerman explores the secret behind France’s astonishingly well-behaved children in Bringing Up Bébé.

15 Evenings with an Author: Robert Camuto, Noella Marcellino and Denyse Beaulieu – Passion Panel about Wine, Cheese and Perfume

25 Evenings with an Author: John Morris, who has been called “the world’s most influential photography editor,” will talk about his legendary career.

Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore

No events announced as of publication date

Shakespeare and Co.

6 John Baxter, The Most Beautiful Walk in the World

8 Fred Leebron, writing workshop

16 Celine Curiol, Brandon Ross ? words and music

20 Louise Doughty, Whatever You Love

Village Voice Bookshop

No author events announced as of publication date

W.H. Smith

No events announced as of publication date

OPERA, BALLET & THEATRE PERFORMANCES

Opéra Garnier [Palais Garnier]

• Orphée et Eurydice, February 4?16
• La Cerisaie, through February 13

Opéra Bastille

• La Dame de Pique, through February 6
• Manon, through February 13
• Rigoletto, through February 23
• Pelléas et Mélisande, February 28 through March 16

Royal Opera House of Versailles

• Le Roi et le Fermier, February 4 and 5
• Rameau Dardanus, February 16

Lisa Buros-Hutchins is the BonjourParis calendar editor and owner of Your Paris Experience, a private travel consultancy. Please click on her name to read her profile.

How to send calendar notices:

Please send an email with your notice, links and photos attached by the 15th of the month prior to the event to:  Lisa @ yourparisexperience . com (omit spaces, please). JPEG image files must have a resolution of 72dpi or higher and JPEG files sized at 500 pixels wide to allow cropping. There is no cost for a listing and all submissions are subject to editorial approval.

To request press coverage or advance promotion:

Our Paris reporters and photographers can cover event previews and performances with advance notice. Please send requests and promotion requests to this email address: bparticles @ gmail.com (omit spaces).

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Readers’ Favorites: Top 100 Books, imports & more at our Amazon store

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American recently decided to revamp its check-in lobby at LAX, and the result is going to be the blueprint for all of American’s hubs. American invited me to come on up and take a look last week. The highlight? The Flagship check-in service for the fancy pants travelers. I also got an update on a [...]

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While last year saw very little in the way of big airlines failing, this year is already off to a quick start with both Spanair and Malev abruptly halting flights. Malev is a particularly interesting case study, because it showcases why flag carriers simply aren’t necessary for many countries anymore. There’s always someone else to [...]

Source: http://feeds.crankyflier.com/~r/CrankyFlier/~3/DkWcUwfUCTU/

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As per the Bhavishyottara Purana, the holy sage Bhrigu once visited to three chief divinities ? Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva ? to solve the problem of bewildered rishis. The rishis, in fact, wanted know who the supreme power among the three chief powers is. First of all, Bhriguji went to Brahmaloka where he was completely ignored by the Lord Brahma. Then the holy sage visited to shiva, but ignored once again by the lord Shiva who was engulfed with Parvatiji. Finally, enraged Bhrigu went to Vaikuntha, and saw Vishnuji resting with Luxmiji. When Vishniji too didn?t pay attention to him, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. However, Vishnu did not get angry and inquired Bhrigu if he was hurt.

But Luxmiji, after watching the entire episode, got furious and left away from Vaikuntha. Vishnuji now was felling loneliness, and he too decided to leave. He stayed inside an anthill at the bank of Swamipushkarni, and later married to Padmavati who is said to be the incarnation of Luxmiji. Since Luxmiji had left him, Vishnu had to borrow from Kubera for his marriage. That?s why devotees who donate at Tirumala are believed to help Lord Vishnu to repay his debt.
According to Brahma Purana, Tirupati is the place Lord Vishnu selects as an alternate to the Vaikuntha. So, visit to Tirupati has equal importance as going to Vaikuntha. Similary, there are some more stories which present the religious significance of Tirupati darshan. If you too wish to dig in to the spiritual charm of this holy city, buy a suitable Tirupati package from a reputed tour company and do enjoy your Tirupati tour.

Tags: Holiday Deals, Holiday Packages, Tourism, Tourist Destinations, Vacation Packages // Add Comment »

Source: http://blogs.hungrybags.com/2011/12/10/legends-and-mythos-behind-tirupati-temple/

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A couple years ago, before attending a powerhouse travel conference ? complete with PowerPoint, flowcharts, the whole deal ? I made a t-shirt. A plain blue tee, with white block letters that read ?TRAVEL IS FUN.? I wore it as a gentle reminder. Yes, travel may transform and educate and benefit places we go (and make people money, of course). But that?s not really why we do it. We travel, mostly, just because it?s fun. Because it makes us happy.

Of course there are no guarantees. In Happy, Lonely Planet?s new book on smile-inducing customs from cultures around the world, Maureen Wheeler writes, ?Traveling to find happiness is probably always doomed to failure.? It comes when you forget yourself and immerse yourself wherever you go.

I agree. Yet, I couldn?t help but try to steer people into the path of oncoming happiness with a few tips I?ve learned over the years:

1. Say ?yes? as much as you can.

Always delay a plan, or skip a museum entirely, to take up a local invite. It?s almost always better. I?ve had tons of offers inconvenient to my schedule that ended up delivering more memorable experiences. A day with a beekeeper in Siberia, a pick-up soccer game with kids outside the Hue citadel in Vietnam, a homestay during Diwali in the Punjab, a ?potato on a stick? demo in rural Oklahoma, coffee with the former Prime Minister of Bulgaria at a Dunkin? Donuts.

On my first day in the Middle East a decade ago, jet-lagged and without local currency, I headed straight from the Dubai airport to Muscat, Oman by bus. I was feeling a bit out of my element until I accepted an invite for a curry at a stop from a giant robed man with a gray beard and a Jedi vibe. I started to hesitate when he ordered ?Eat!,? he said with a wave you couldn?t refuse, then added Yoda-like, ?What name they call you?? And all was good.

2. Talk to be people, ask stuff.

You can do a lot more than you might think, and be interested in stuff you didn?t think you cared about. Just ask. I?ve stopped at grain elevators and gotten personal tours by asking, collaborated on a ?Chester Arthur sandwich? with an Armenian-American sandwich-maker, trained with Mounties, became a colonial reenactor, and found out why South Dakota highways are pink (the quartzite). Just by asking.

I?m not really into fossils. But once at a small roadside dinosaur museum in the Great Plains, I asked if the curator was around. Surprised by the request, he took me on a breezy tour of his favorite fossils, ones he had dug up himself. I won?t see fossils quite the same way again.

3. Try making lemonade out of delays.

Sometimes a bump in the road can be a good thing. To write this post I drafted a list of 100 happy travel moments, and more than a handful centered around a broken-down car or a delay ? like when I discovered the Montego Bay, Jamaica airport had one-cent video games during a 10-hour delay.

More recently, I drove a ?72 Moskvitch around Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It was wonderful hunting out isolated beaches and talking with amused locals at gas stations, but the best came after I destroyed the clutch between two villages. After a helpless hour, I got a push to a mechanic with matching pirate earrings. He rushed to buy me beer, drove to nearby Burgas for a part, fixed it for almost nothing and meanwhile let me ride an old Soviet motorcycle (straight into a bush). ?No steering ? bad bike,? he explained afterward. I drove away feeling better than I had the whole trip.

4. Get creative with views.

Wherever I go somewhere, I try to start with a view. I always climb the towers (I love the Monument, Christopher Wren?s Great Fire Memorial in London) or find lower vantage points (the wee ped walkway on New York City?s Pulaski Bridge between Queens and Brooklyn is underrated).

You can find them in surprising places too. Updating Lonely Planet?s USA book a decade ago, I learned that flatlands have mountain-top views without the altitude sickness. Kansas, for example, isn?t pancake flat (Florida is closer to pancake-flat actually), but rolls gently atop what once where prehistoric seafloors. The horizon out of one window on the interstate looked dozens of miles away, but just a mile or two out the other. I detoured towards it. And found myself on the crest of a swelling plain ? with huge views. And I was alone.

5. Stop.

Ever notice how you can?t find a parking place circling blocks in a car, but once watching from a sidewalk you find them open up ? and open up? That?s sort of my travel rule: slow travel (by bike or foot) is more rewarding than fast travel (by bus or car), and ?stop travel? ? just stopping and looking for a while ? is best. You?ll learn more about a place in 30 minutes of staring than in a museum.

My favorite ?stop? destination is Saigon, a city that thrives in sit-and-stare culture. It?s a messy non-stop place, best understood from a cafe stool ? particularly the jury-rigged one set up each day on a cracked sidewalk ? where you sit, sip ice coffee and stare at a weaving mania of street vendors and motorbikes passing by. I love Saigon.

Part of stopping means looking for a spot first. Once in Hanoi, I saw a dozen locals pointing on the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake, I went then managed to see the city?s elusive, mythical turtle surface. A local friend told me, ?I?ve lived here nearly 40 years and never saw it.?

I was happy for my luck. I just hope it brings luck.

????????????????-

See how 55 world customs and celebrations manage to get a smile out of life with Lonely Planet?s new book Happy.

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/blog/2012/01/17/get-happy-5-rules-for-travel-happiness/

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By Robert Niles: We’re down to the final five categories in the first round of the 2012 Theme Park Insider Tournament. One week from today, I’ll announce the brackets for the second round and beyond, when we move to head-to-head match-ups in four categories: Best Themed Ride, Best Live Show, Best Roller Coaster and Best Automated Show.

Today’s category honors the five top-rated simulators that play in front of single screens. It does not include “motion-base” simulator vehicles that travel through a show building, such as Spider-Man and Indiana Jones. Those rides will have their own category next week. We’ve got two entries from international parks today, though one is the final installation of a now-closed attraction in the U.S.

Back to the Future – The Ride – at Universal Studios Japan

The Simpsons Ride – at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood

Soarin’ Over California – at Disney California Adventure and Epcot

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

StormRider – at Tokyo DisneySea

On Monday: We pick the best demonstration show.

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By Margaret Kemp

Mini Palais dining room. Publicity photo.

When Eric Frechon was asked to create and become Chef Conseil at the Mini Palais he didn’t hesitate. Located just behind the Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais, Mini Palais has incredible décor by ex-Christian Liagre disciples Gilles et Boissier under the watchful eye of Alain-Charles Perrot, architecte en chef des monuments historiques de la Ville de Paris; it’s now one of the most beautiful buzzing restaurant spaces in Paris.

Look up at the metallic ceiling, admire the neo-medieval patchwork wall-covering by Gilles Cenazandooti and smile at the plaster reproductions of plaster of Paris museum pieces and broken relics on the shelves. Then look outside at the wide terrace with elegant Greek columns and majestic orange trees. Are you ready to order?

Eric Frechon (3-star Michelin at Le Bristol) seized the challenge to create a luxury product but without the eye-watering prices.

?I’m a simple lad at heart and I’ve created dishes that I’d like to eat in this setting,? he said last week.

?Also, this gives me the opportunity to showcase my favorite artisans.?

So he gathered Jean-Yves Bordier for his exceptional Beurre Bordier butter; Philippe Camdeborde for traditional homemade charcuterie that Lady Gaga would love to wear; Frédéric Lalos for his incredible variety of breads at Le Quartier du Pain, served in hessian sacks; mareyeur (fishmonger) Claude Raffin for his line-caught fish; and he also tapped into the resources of Mr Good Fish to ensure that no endangered fish are used in the bright new kitchens.

Stéphane d’Aboville, who says he’s 30 but looks much younger, is in charge of the kitchens. He was at Le Bristol as second and premier responsable du Restaurant Gastronomique to Frechon for eight years.

?And I love him, and he loves me,? grins Frechon. ?He’s a good boy.?

Before Le Bristol this boy from Tarbais (where the beans come from) learned his craft at L’Ambroisie, Tarbes (1-star) then Bayonne, then Drouant with the legendary Louis Grondard. In 2002 he joined la brigade d’Eric Frechon.

Drink, say, a white Chablis Le Finage de Chablienne 2007 (42?) or a well-structured Beaujolais Morgan, Domaine Marcel Lapierre 2009 (38?).

Bar at Mini Palais. Publicity photo.

After visiting Grand Palais or shopping on the Golden Triangle why not pop in for a snack: Sardines à l’huile, Bordier beurre aux algues (16?); Planche de Charcuterie ?Lady Gaga? (14?), Planche de fromages affinés (8?), Club Sandwich de langouste (35), Tartare de boeuf taillé au couteau cru ou poêle (19?).

The menu is seasonal and market driven. Freebie gougères (feather-light cheese puffs) served as mini-soufflés are the perfect intro to discover a talented cutting-edge chef.

Delicious choices include:

• Slightly smoked Corrèze ceps batter pudding
• Pil-Pil squids
• Snails in cherry tomatoes, browned with almond butter
• Yellow wine, cheese-crusted sweetbreads
• Pearly cod, with coriander and citronella perfumed stock
• Tandoori pork pluma, candied onion, straw potatoes
• Giant rum baba, light vanilla cream for two.
• Chouquettes and expresso ice cream, hot chocolate fudge

Chefs Frechon and d’Aboville are bien in their baskets.

Take a half a minute to get the vibe via video by Jason Fist:

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

Mini Palais

Avenue Winston Churchill, Paris 8th

at the Grand Palais by Pont Alexandre III

Métro: Champs Elysées-Clemenceau,

Tél: 01 4256 4242

Lunch Formula 28? -

Average Spend 45? + wine

Glass of wine 7?

Open 7/7 10am-midnight

Valet Parking

Margaret Kemp is a Cordon Bleu graduate who spent a year traveling the world, working and watching in the kitchens of top chefs from Sydney, Australia via Bangkok, Hong Kong, California, New York and France. She reports for BonjourParis on the latest European trends, restaurants and hot spots. Please click on her name to see her weekly on-the-scene reports dating back to 2003 . . . et merci, Margaret.

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