Travel Agent - February 4, 2008 - (Page 22)

DESTINATIONS LEFT: Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais in Marais distict BOTTOM: Its guest rooms have an Old World style An Insider’s Paris Dining: Paris has long been the world’s epicurean capital, and it continues to be a destination for foodies. The restaurants on offer run the gamut from simple bistros to Michelin-starred establishments. But the best-kept secret in Paris is that many of the swankiest restaurants serve a prix fixe lunch menu, where many of the dinner selections are available for a fraction of the price. For a sublime gourmet experience, suggest a lunch meal at Alain Ducasse’s restaurant at the Plaza Athénée (011-33-1-5367-6665, www.alain-ducasse.com) or Joël Robuchon’s L’Atelier (011-33-1-4222-5656, www.robuchon.com). Paris is famous for its cafes, like the Left Bank’s Deux Magots (011-33-1-45485525, www.lesdeuxmagots.fr) and Café de Flore (011-33-1-4548-5526, www. cafe-de-flore.com), where Hemingway and Sartre ruminated. A cup of thick hot chocolate at Cacao et Chocolat (www.cacaoetchocolat.com) is an absolute must. (They have three locations in the city: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Marais and on Île-Saint-Louis.) And there are specialty boutiques all over the city where croissants, cheeses, chocolates and wines can be purchased for picnics in the Tuileries or Luxemboug Gardens. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Shopping: The tangle of streets in the buzzing Marais neighborhood is beloved by savvy shoppers like Sofia Coppola for its elegant stores and vintage boutiques. Check out K. Jacques (16 Rue Pavée), specializing in leather sandals. Suggest Vanessa Bruno (100 Rue Vieille-du-Temple) for chic handbags. For prêt-à-porter fashions, recommend Biscote (45 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois). For the most upscale shopping for which Paris is famous, Rue du Faubourg St.-Honoré has it all. Sophisticated brands include Hermès, Colette, Chanel, Goyard, Chantal Thomas, Max Mara, Longchamp and Michel Perry. The Left Bank area of Saint-Germain is dotted with exclusive boutiques: Dior, Vuitton, Yves SaintLaurent, Prada, and Christian Lacroix. For children’s clothes, check out Bonpoint (8 Rue Tournon), Natalys (74 Rue de Seine), Baby Tuileries (326 Rue Saint-Honoré) and Petit Bateau (9 Rue du 29 Juillet). Marvelous items can also be found at the world-famous Grand Magasins, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette department stores. an exceptional location. With only 19 rooms, the small, family-run hotel is almost impossibly charming. Named for the playwright Pierre-Augustin Beaumarchais, who wrote The Marriage of Figaro just up the street, the hotel re-creates the ambiance of an 18th-century private townhouse. It is brimming with original antiques, engravings and colorful museum-quality pieces. The ceilings may retain their original wood beams, but this historical hideaway doesn’t skimp on the contemporary conveniences like WiFi, satellite televisions, LCD flat-screens and air conditioning. Alain Bigeard (hotel@carondebeaumarchais. com, 011-33-1-4272-3412), the manager and owner, is happy to assist with special requests, though keep in mind that the hotel—because of its size—does not pay travel agent commissions, so you would have to add your own fee for a client booking. I CONNECTING YOU Need another hotel? Read about the InterContinental Paris Le Grand at www.travelagentcentral.com/paris 22 | TravelAgent February 4, 2008 http://www.alain-ducasse.com http://www.robuchon.com http://www.lesdeuxmagots.fr http://www.cafe-de-flore.com http://www.cafe-de-flore.com http://www.cacaoetchocolat.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/paris

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - February 4, 2008

Travel Agent - February 4, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: Mid-Priced Hotels in Paris Europe Briefs Africa: Morocco’s Must-See Cities of Fez and Marrakech Africa News & Notes Pacific/Asia: What's New in Tokyo Pacific/Asia Briefs Hawaii: Lanai, Famous for its Pineapple Production, Repositions as “The Private Island” Oahu Hotels and Activities Las Vegas: New Nightclubs in Sin City California: San Francisco Keeps Pace with Demand Ski/Snowboard: The Ritz-Carlton Denver, Luxe Gateway to the Rockies Central & South America: North American Travelers are Discovering Brazil Latin America News & Notes Caribbean News & Notes Caribbean: Three Smaller U.S. Virgin Islands Resorts Cruises: Wave Season Rolls In Cover Story: Cayman Islands Transportation: Airline Issues Facing Agents Agent Profile: New Tzell VP Lisa Benzakein Aims to Pump Up the Agency’s Leisure Sales Technology: TRAMS Marketing Alliance Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar ASTA's Key Issues State of the Cruise Industry Caribbean Hotel News Australia Promotes Shorter Visits In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Victoria Clipper/Clipper Vacations Special Outsert

Travel Agent - February 4, 2008

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