Pampered Journeys

20/03/2023

Some of the best learning is outside of four walls

26/08/2022

Happy Friday!

What are you doing this weekend for fun?

22/08/2022

How do you prefer your olives? In the Martini, perhaps?

Olives are synonymous with Greece, and it is no wonder the oldest Olive Tree in the world is found in Crete, in the village of Ano Vouves.

Although it remains debatable, The Olive tree of Vouves is estimated to be approximately 3000 years old.

Amazingly, this ancient tree still produces Olives to this day!
This tree was declared protected in 1997, and in October 2009, its museum was inaugurated in a 19th -century house located nearby.

Winners of the 2004 and 2008 Olympics received a wreath that was weaved from branches of this precious tree.

Let us hope the winners have preserved their wreaths well!

Want to take advantage of these amazing olives?

Reach out to Pampered Journeys!

22/08/2022

What does UNESCO Stand for?

World Heritage sites that are of outstanding value to cultural heritage are designated by the United Nations Educations, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Greece has 18 UNESCO heritage sites and offers spectacular destinations for visitors to Greece.
The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae was first added to the list in 1986, followed by the Archeological sites of Delphi and Acropolis.

Meteora, Archeological site of Mystras, Mount Athos, Medieval City of Rhodes and Old Town of Corfu, Daphni Monasteries, and Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus are also sites of immense culture.

Phillipi is the most recently added site to the UNESCO list.
Other Archeological sites on the list include Aigai, Delos, Mycenae, Tiryns, and Olympia.

Contact Pampered Journeys to see this World Heritage site.

22/08/2022

How do you like to drink your coffee?

Café, or kafenion, in Greece, is so much a way of life that you are likely to find one on every street corner, whether in the main cities or on a more remote island.

The oldest coffee shop in Greece, on Pelio mountain, is believed to date back to 1785.

With so many to choose from, one can seek the most whimsical spot to enjoy a pre-dinner drink or a morning coffee, no matter which location of Greece you find yourself in.
Originally, cafes were a meeting place for men, with women only joining in a few decades ago.

You may notice older kafenions in more remote locations are still frequented by men today.

The most traditional cafés serve not only traditional Greek coffee but serve delicious breakfasts or light lunches too, which often include a range of Greek wines
Planning a trip to Greece? Reach out to Pampered Journeys

15/08/2022

If You Could PIck Your Dream Vacation Which One Would It Be?

# Antarctica

10/08/2022

If money was not a barrier and you could vacation anywhere you wanted, where would it be

10/08/2022

Planning to Travel?

If you are planning an international trip the first thing you should do is check your passport. Your passport must be valid for another 6 months from your travel departure from the U.S. Some countries require less, but if you stay within this guideline it should work with any country.

09/08/2022

09/08/2022

Have You Been To Paris? If so what was your favorite memory?

planning

01/08/2022

Sustainable Travel- We can all do our part by following some of these examples. Let's travel smart so that future generations can also travel . Are you doing your part?

26/07/2022

The Arc de Triomphe Paris, the most monumental of all triumphal arches, was built between 1806 and 1836.

The Arch still retains the essence of the original concept, which was a powerful, unified ensemble.

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the "Place de l'Étoile.” It’s located at the western end of the Champs-Élysées.

The triumphal arch is in honor of those who fought for France, in particular, those who fought during the Napoleonic Wars.

Engraved on the inside and at the top of the arch are all of the names of the generals and wars fought.

This is a very historical site you wouldn't want to miss!

Contact us to learn more

25/07/2022

Paris, the capital of France, is often called La Ville Lumière (meaning ‘The City of Light’), however, beneath this bustling European city of 12 million people, lies a dark subterranean world holding the remains of 6 million of its former inhabitants.

However, only around one mile of this area is open for public exploration. The rest is deemed to be unsafe, and hence, is illegal to visit.

Visitors are first greeted with a sign at the entrance of the ossuary, which reads 'Stop. This is the empire of death.
'
Want to know more about the catacombs? Reach out to Pampered Journeys

25/07/2022

Cupcakes have been the dessert trend for the past few years, but finally, for the sake of our waistline, macarons are now the new trend. Macarons are dainty cream-filled sandwich cookies.

Although not necessarily “healthy,” they are certainly lighter and contain fewer calories than cupcakes.

One macaron has from 70-100 calories, while one cupcake has close to 400 calories. One and done!

Macarons are not to be confused with their similar-name-sister-cookie, macaroons, which are coconut clusters with a crisp exterior and chewy texture.

Give yourself a sumptuous treat in Paris!

23/07/2022

Interesting Fun Facts About the Seine

The name “Seine” comes from the Latin Sequana, the Gallo-Roman goddess of the river.
The Seine River is the second-longest river flowing completely in France.
The Seine is a 777 kilometers (483-miles) long river and is an important commercial waterway.
The source of River Seine is a village named Source-Seine, 30-kilometres (19-miles) northwest of Dijon in northeastern France.
Dams and locks normally keep the water level consistent, particularly in the Paris region, where the Seine’s traffic is especially heavy, in part because of tourists and other recreational vessels.
The Seine is known for its romantic sightseeing boats, called “bateaux mouches,” that drift up and down the river in Paris.

23/07/2022

Are you working to live or are you living to work?Time is the one thing we can't get back.

23/07/2022

The Artist Along the River

Paris and its infamous river have long been the treasured subject of many a painter.

Though not much has changed, artists still set up their easels on the Seine’s banks.

The river has been the subject of many famous impressionist paintings, including Monet’s Bathers at La Grenouillere and Renoir’s Seine River at Asnieres.

Impressionist painters Auguste Renoir and Nicolas-Jean-Baptiste are, to name a few.

All artists, old and new, impressionist and realist, are interested in the different nuances of light that Paris offers.

If you want a memorable souvenir, I recommend coming here to have your portrait done by an artist.

Contact us to learn more about these famous painters.

22/07/2022

The History of French Toast - Fun Fact

A croissant is a delicious French pastry, known by its crescent shape. (Croissant means crescent in French).

The original croissant was called Kipfel and originated in Austria in 1683.

It was created in honor of the Austrian victory over the Turks and modeled after the crescent on the Turkish flag.

(Some historians say the croissant originated in Hungary) August Zang, an Austrian artillery officer, is credited with bringing the croissant to France when he opened his own Viennese bakery in Paris.

(Some say it was Marie Antoinette who brought the croissant to France. The Croissant became the French national product in 1920. Your trip won't be complete without croissants!

22/07/2022

Fun Facts About Croissants

A croissant is a delicious French pastry, known by its crescent shape. (Croissant means crescent in French).

The original croissant was called Kipfel and originated in Austria in 1683.

It was created in honor of the Austrian victory over the Turks and modeled after the crescent on the Turkish flag.

(Some historians say the croissant originated in Hungary) August Zang, an Austrian artillery officer, is credited with bringing the croissant to France when he opened his own Viennese bakery in Paris.

(Some say it was Marie Antoinette who brought the croissant to France. The Croissant became the French national product in 1920. Your trip won't be complete without croissants!

Lets get you ready for best bakeries in France for croissants

21/07/2022

Fresh Food in France

The origins of French toast are not entirely clear, but long before this sweet snack was called “French toast," similar recipes were being whipped up all around the world.

One of the earliest versions of French toast has been traced back to the Roman Empire.

The name “French toast" was first used in 17th-century England. The recipe and name were brought to America by early settlers.

In France, the dish is called “pain perdu," meaning “lost bread."

Why lost bread? Originally, people made French toast from stale bread in order to make use of bread that would otherwise have been thrown away.

Ready for some fresh French bread?

21/07/2022

Proactive -vs- Reactive - One reduces stress and the other increases it.

21/07/2022

Viewing the Eiffel Towel from the Trocadero

All roads seem to lead to the Trocadero for a view of the Eiffel Tower's light show.

As soon as the first twinkle starts, you’ll hear the crowd gasp and cheer while pulling out their phones and cameras to capture the magical moment.

It’s free, always open, and accessible to everyone.

To warm up frozen fingers and toes afterward, head to Carette for hot chocolate and macarons.

From the Trocadero place, you get an unobstructed view of the Tower and can play with perspective.

Some even have fun holding the Eiffel tower in their hands.

There is a large place with a great floor. This is where many of the famous romantic shots are taken.

A few details you need to know before you go to Trocadero:
Price: Free access

How to get there by Metro: Metro 6 & 9 - Stop Trocadero
Walking times: 1km - 10min from Eiffel Tower, 2km - 24 min from Arc de Triomphe
Closest Parking: Kleber-Longchamps - 65 Avenue Kléber

Contact us to help you answer any questions about the Eiffel Towel or Paris .

20/07/2022

Some are just for pedestrians or trains, most carry motor traffic, and two bridges carry all three.

Thirty-seven bridges cross the Seine river within the city boundaries

Some are just for pedestrians or trains, most carry motor-traffic, and two bridges carry all three.

Bridges have spanned the Seine since well before 100 BCE. Three existing bridges were erected in the 1600s, and the newest was opened just ten years ago.

The Pont des Arts - is probably considered the most romantic bridge in Paris. Linking the right bank, near the Louvre, and the left bank a few meters away from the Pont Neuf. Lovers used to have a tradition:

you had to lock a padlock with your name and your lover’s name on it on the bridge to make your love last forever.
Sounds romantic.

20/07/2022

The City of Romance No Matter How Young or Old Your Are

Paris and romance, they go together like champagne and oysters, café and croissants, jambon and beurre, which is why loved up couples make a pilgrimage to the French capital every year on Valentine's Day.

But why exactly is Paris the "city of love" and does it really deserve the title?

Aside from the beauty, food, and people, historically, France was the center of ideas, art, poetry, and revolutionary politics in the Western world.

And the Left Bank “intellectuals quarter” retains a sense of romanticism for couples. You just got to come and experience the City of Romance for yourself!

19/07/2022

So why is French wine just so good?

One of the factors may be the winemakers' skills, inherited from a centuries-old tradition.

Another important aspect is the terroir which means a set of natural factors, in the case of France, the terroir makes the country's regions excellent for wine production as to produce the best in the world.

The climate is also a big influence. Whether you are a fan of wine or not, you definitely have to try out the French wine!

Ready to do a wine tour in France? Contact Pampered Journeys to plan the best wine tour ever.

19/07/2022

Do you love museums? Paris is perfect for you

The challenge is choosing which museums to see and how much time to spend in museums, since there is so much else to see and do in this beautifThe challenge is choosing which museums to see and how much time to spend in museums, since there is so much else to see and do in this beautif city.

There are around 130 museums in Paris, France, within city limits.

There are historical museums, personal art museums, free museums, museums for the city of Paris, museums of international culture, science museums, museums for kids, museums that are monuments, modern art museums, special focus museums, church-based museums, decorative arts, alphabetical list of museums, and special exhibitions.

Pampered Journeys can help you find the best museums for you.