Chocolate Suitcase

10/05/2023

An hour from Paris…

19/03/2023

Male Cardinal

24/10/2022

One of the true marvels of France

19/10/2022

Just what the doctor ordered

A crème brûlée with a view of Notre Dame

19/10/2022

A crème brûlée with a view of Notre Dame

14/10/2022

14/10/2022

Market Day in Basque country. Compared to other markets in France you find an abundance of sweet/mild peppers « piments doux », Brebis (sheep) cheese, and Basque gateaux (cakes made with cherries). Along with insanely fresh fish and seafood here at this charming seaside town.

06/10/2022

ok I’ll take the bait

22/09/2022

As of Sept. 13, there are six Indigenous Americans represented in the House of Representatives, which now has Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Native Alaskan members.

01/09/2022

To do list.

Who's in?

excerpt from "Canoe", a poem in Cold Spring Hallelujah: https://bit.ly/2Cmmw3o

30/08/2022

Dumplings are a popular traditional dish in Slovenia. For most of us, this simple dish is tied with warm childhood memories of plates filled with various types of rolled dumplings. The original name of this amazing dish is ‘štruklji’. Before you twist your tongue, it simply translates to rolled dumplings. They have a form of a roulade, since we are rolling the dough in a log and slicing it once it is cooked.

Traditional štruklji are made with either homemade thicker soft dough or super thin filo pastry and they are filled with a filling of your choice - cheese, walnuts, poppy, chocolate, etc.

The interesting thing about štuklji is they can be served salty as a side dish next to the meat or as a dessert with sweet breadcrumbs or jam for the topping.
Dober tek! 😋

21/08/2022

In my efforts this week to organize the chaos in my garage lean-to, I opened an old trunk to see what was inside. It had been a long, dusty time since I opened it up and found forgotten photos from 30 years ago from my travels as a student and my first time in Europe. Beyond the wonderful memories that they conjured, I marveled at the horrible photo quality! Photographic advancements have come a long way since I was 19. Seeing the smiling faces of various travel companions from long-time friends to some I met on the road made me smile and I wondered where they are in the world. I wish them well.

01/08/2022

Piano raft on Lake Superior

13/04/2022

The first two Chocolate Suitcase tours in France were simply amazing!!! “Dijon to Lyon: Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte du Rhône wine tour” and then “ An Hour from Paris” with amazing people. What an amazing feeling to be in France again sharing what I love with others!!

16/02/2022

Join me virtually as I explore the Île de France in April! The dates are April 1-7 and there is just one planned live Zoom on Friday April 1st at 10:00am Central. The rest of the week will be daily on-demand videos and information about the amazing towns and castles that surround Paris.

Sign-up here: https://app.heymarvelous.com/chocolatesuitcase/buy/product/45354

16/02/2022

02/02/2022

BEST OF FORMER CZECHOSLOVAKIA 2022:
JUNE 19-28 - sign up
OR SEPT 11-20 - filling fast
This tour is a perfect combination of exciting history, medieval architecture, natural beauty and picture perfect landscape, folklore traditions, local music, major sites as well as off the beaten path places and unique experiences.

All that and much more in a small group of travelers with an experienced and knowledgeable local guides.
https://chocolatesuitcase.com/former-czechoslovakia

02/02/2022

Provins is one of the most beautiful medieval towns near Paris, complete with its original medieval ramparts and 22 towers that date from the 9-13th centuries. Come walk with us! A few spots are still available! https://chocolatesuitcase.com/an-hour-from-paris

01/02/2022

Senlis, France
One of the gems we will explore on our walking tour in the Île de France (the island of France- easily accessible from Paris and yet having escaped the effects of mass tourism. We have just 2 or 3 spots left on this small group tour in April!

https://chocolatesuitcase.com/an-hour-from-paris

31/01/2022

Thank you Patrick Vidal for visiting Laurent in Chinon, France!
Such a treat to enjoy his exquisite homemade jam from Chinon, France https://milletuneconfitures.fr/index.php

YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/yXn-mLE_4w4

https://milletuneconfitures.fr/index.phpExquisite homemade jam in Chinon, France

24/01/2022

Anyone ready to hit the French cobblestones in full stride in April? We are offering a super special small tour in Paris in April with Chris- not focused on the traditional sites in the beautiful City of Lights itself- but exploring the gems in the île de France- the "Island of France" the countryside surrounding Paris which is chock-full of castles, medieval walls and buildings and delicious food and wine non-Parisian prices!

I know it is a bit short notice, but if you are seriously interested in taking public transportation to explore these hidden places, walking a lot, eating amazing food and tasting great wines you should join me. Limited to 8 people. Check out the website where you can sign-up:

because travel is delicious

14/01/2022

Virtual Tour through the Loire with Patrick starts tomorrow! Check website https://chocolatesuitcase.com/loire-valley-with-patrick!

22/12/2021

A year ago I began working with my friends in Europe on the first of several a virtual tour projects- the first one was a journey along a pilgrimage route to Mont St Michel. It is now available on demand here: https://chocolatesuitcase.com/pilgrimage-mont-st-michel
The others in Liguria-Tuscany, Madrid, Slovenia, Croatia, Prague, South of France and the Former Czechoslovakia will be made available very soon!

19/12/2021

Virtual Travel in the Loire Valley with Patrick Vidal - starts January 15, 2022! Join Patrick & Chris on this fun experience to wet your travel appetite and get in your miles prepared to hit those European cobblestones next year with ease!

Check it out!
https://chocolatesuitcase.com/loire-valley-with-patrick

08/12/2021

Love this!

The Rue des Canettes located in the 6th arrondissement has turned into the Rue des Bulles for the month of December. 🥂 The balloons suspended above the street are representing delightful Champagne bubbles. The end of the year is sparkling in Paris! 🍾✨

📸 .tenenbaum

07/12/2021

An Hour From Paris (have you read the book?): Thinking of a week stay in Paris this spring exploring mainly outside of Paris in the Ile de France- enjoying walks through the villages, exploring waterways, fortified towns (like Provins photograph here), castles, cooking class, wine tastings and country museums. Looking for 6-8 interested to join Chris, we will stay in one hotel for the week, use public transport (RER train) and private transport combo. Interested in joining us? Dates March 31-April 7, 2022. Drop me a line!

16/11/2021

Jana & Jana are looking forward to sharing their countries with you on the Former Czechoslovakia tour starting this Friday! https://chocolatesuitcase.com/former-czechoslovakia-v