Journal on your Journey

We all travel for many different reasons. One of the main reasons we travel is for the experience. Every trip I have taken has special memories. Often some of my memories are triggered by something someone has said, a photo or a Facebook or Twitter post.  I cannot tell you how many times I wished I had written down the name of that Parisian cafe that had the best Kir Royale or the excitement I felt when we were the first people to enter Versailles for the day!  There is no specific way to journal. A travel journal is the ultimate souvenir. You can add photos, ticket stubs, draw or doodle, you are only limited by your own imagination. You can also write the good and the bad, places you would like to revisit or recommend. In the world today, everyone wants review or a recommendation. Your travel journal will help to not only keep memories alive, but help to plan to future trips.

Now you ask.. where do I begin. For the techie, there are many travel journal apps available for android and Apple operating systems. Some are free and some cost a few dollars. Since this is a personal record, I would chose one that can be exported and saved on a hard drive. I like the idea of having a journal on my phone as I almost ALWAYS have it with me. Some are even voice activated!

Another option is the hand written journal. As I stated previously, this is the ultimate souvenir. Travel journals are not expensive and there are many to choose from. Memories abound in these hand written gems. Sometimes seeing a loved ones writings will evoke even more memories. It is also nice to sometimes touch that ticket stub from the "Les Miserables" production you saw in Paris, bringing back the anticipation and excitement. Calling you to return to the City of Light :)

When writing or typing your recollections, remember not to feel overwhelmed.. just write (or type).
There are many places to purchase journals. Barnes and Noble, Etsy, Amazon and even your local drug store. For all the techies, check your app store for travel journal apps. Please feel free to ask any questions, we love to hear from our followers!

Look for our future Twitter promotion to win a Paris themed travel journal!

Macaroon or Macaron?

Confusion sometimes abounds between these two cookies. Macarons (pronounced mah-kah-ROHN) and Macaroons (pronounced mah-kah-ROON) are not the same at all though they share some of the same ingredients. Let's start with the Macaron.

Dainty and elegant the Macaron is the beloved cookie of France. Very trendy in Paris. A sandwich cookie made with a light meringue and filled with delightful fillings. One must almost be a french pastry chef to pull off a perfect Macaron.

Now let's move on to the Macaroon. I will admit, these cookies evoke some fond memories for me. My mom would make these cookies typically around Easter. They were easy to make and delicious to eat. In France, the coconut macaroon is known as the "congolais". Another name for the coconut macaroon is "le rocher à la noix de coco". The almond flour version is simply called "le macaron" in French.

Macaroons are made with egg whites, sweetened condensed milk, sugar and, coconut! Easy to prepare and dropped on a baking sheet. Not one french pastry chef class required!

There are recipes galore found all over the internet for both the Macaron and the Macaroon. Below are a few links for both. If trying Macaron recipe, make sure you have enough time to make these delicate cookies and do not be disappointed if they are not perfect the first time. Keep trying! If time is of the essence, whip up a batch of Macaroons for the family.

Macaron Recipe-http://www.marthastewart.com/318387/french-macaroons
Macaroon Recipe- http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/coconut-macaroons-recipe3.html

The Arc De Triomphe

The Arc De Triomphe is the most recognizable Paris landmark after the Eiffel Tower!The Arc De Triomphe was built by Napoleon and is visited by millions. The Arc De Triomphe is the most illustrious symbol of French history. It was built to honor the military triumphs of Napoleon's  armies. Work began in 1809, but was not completed until 27 years later ( the foundation took 2 years!) Napoleon never saw the completion of his project. However, all 128 major battles and the 660 Generals that took part in the battles have been carved on the sides of the Arc De Triomphe. The entire structure is adorned with sculptures depicting battle scenes and allegories. Victory parades flowed through it in 1919 and Victor Hugo lay in state beneath it in 1885. Access for visitors is via an underpass. The roof of the Arc is accessible by a narrow staircase or small lift. The view from the top, out over Paris, is simply glorious!

Le Panthéon

Inspired by Rome's Pantheon and originally intended to become a church. A neoclassical architect, Jacques-Germain Soufflot finished the Pantheon just before the revolution. Of course, the revolutionaries had no use for another church, and thus designated it as a resting place for the "Founders of Liberty" a rival to the royal mausoleum at St. Denis. After the Revolution, the Panthéon yo-yoed between a church, a necropolis and, church headquarters until in 1885 it became a lay temple and tomb. The interior is shaped like a Greek cross with and iron framed dome in the center. The illustrious dead are entombed in the Pantheons lower level. It is one of the worlds most exclusive clubs. To take up residence, you must meet certain requirements. One must be a high achiever, french, dead. All but 2 of the 73 entombed here are men. Marie Curie a pioneer in the field of radiation and Sophie Berthelot who only got in because of her husband, chemist Marcellin Berthelot.
Other famous French that take up residence at the Panthéon include, Voltaire, Rousseau, Hugo, Zola, a president, Sadi Carnot. Some residents took longer than anticipated to be interred in the Panthéon.
Alexander Dumas joined in 2002 with his coffin draped in blue velvet and the Three Musketeers motto "One for All, and All for One" embroidered on it. It also took the buildings architect,Jacques-Germain Soufflot, 59 years after his death to be granted residence here. The Panthéon is located in the Latin Quarter, in the 5th Addrondissement.