Christmas

CHRISTMAS

Every year, on December 25, millions around the globe celebrate Christmas by remembering the birth of Christ, decorating trees and houses with colourful lights, singing Christmas carols and exchanging gifts. Looking deeper into the Christmas celebrations you'll find some things that we all can learn from.

FAMILY TRADITIONSAND GATHERINGS

Family reunions are somethings we all need more of often the price we pay for leading such busy lives is rarely getting together with all our family members. Christmas celebrations remind us the importance of parents, children, uncles, aunts, cousins and everyone else getting together and keeping family traditions from dying out. Enjoy each other's company and celebrate the age old family traditions, be it telling ghost stories or playing a certain game while your entire family meets up for dinner. Give your grand mother a chance to make her special dish that has been passed down through generations.

WORKPLACE PARTIES

Christmas parties at the office are a common part of the celebrations. Joining all your colleagues and your boss for a dinner party is a great way to enhance work. Place relations and get over those work related misunderstandings everyone is familar with. Moreover, it's a chance for the boss to appreciate and get to know their employees better. For a change, have some non- work conversations with the people you work with everyday, relax and forget about the workload. These office get togethers or dinners will definitely build stronger team spirit.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

A Christmas carol (also called a noël) is a carol (song or hymn) whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas, and which is traditionally sung on Christmas itself or during the surrounding holiday season. Christmas carols may be regarded as a subset of the broader category of Christmas music.

Santa Claus is Coming to town

      

Santa claus is comming to town, you better wach out You better not cry Better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to townHe's making a list He's checking it twice; He's gonna find out Who's naughty and nice Santa Claus is coming to townHe sees you when you're sleeping He knows when you're awake He knows when you've been bad or good So be good for goodness sake!You better watch out! You better not cry You better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town Santa Claus is coming to townYou better watch out! You better not cry You better not pout I'm telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town Santa Claus is coming to townHe's making a listAnd checking it twice;He's gonna find outWho's naughty and niceSanta Claus is coming to townHe sees you when you're sleepingHe knows when you're awakeHe knows when you've been bad or goodSo be good for goodness sake!You better watch out!You better not cryYou better not poutI'm telling you whySanta Claus is coming to townSanta Claus is coming to town"So it's sad time of the yearWheh you let all your problems goAnd you know, it's just..."Shake it, shake it, baby!Shake it, shake it, baby!Ooooh... Shake it, shake it, baby!Shake it, shake it, baby!Ooooh...He sees you when you're sleepingHe knows when you're awakeHe knows when you've been bad or goodSo be good for goodness sake!You better watch out!You better not cryYou better not poutI'm telling you whySanta Claus is coming to townSanta Claus is coming to townHe's making a listAnd checking it twice;He's gonna find outWho's naughty and niceSanta Claus is comingSanta Claus is comingSanta Claus is coming to townSanta Claus is coming to town

Christmas is a time for Families, Fun, and Festivities!  A time for Santa, stars, and singing carolers. Christmas is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for coming together with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages.Popular Christmas Vectors include Christmas gifts, decorating Christmas trees, Christmas Frame, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

Apple Pecan Christmas Cake

       

Ingredients

3 cups of flour3 large eggs2 tsp cinnamon2 tsp vanilla1 tsp baking soda3 cups cubed & pared apples1/2 cups butter - melted1 1/2 cups pecan halves1 cup golden raisins2 cups packed brown sugar1/2 tsp salt1 cup oil

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10" tube pan. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together. Beat oil, butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl.Stir in dry ingredients. Batter should be very thick.Fold in apples, pecans and raisins.Bake 1 1/4 hours. Cool in pan.

Christmas Knicknacks

Christmas is just around the corner, and most of us have already completed the major shopping for all our loved ones. However, there are always a few items on the last minute shopping list, and this year will be no different. After all, what's Christmas without a few stockings full of knickknacks. Some of star lifestyles Christmas ideas

   

CREATIVE TOYS

If you are tired of watching children obsess over ipad's throughout the day, and are looking for some interesting toys of them without breaking the bank, go back to basics. The best toys for children are the ones which encourage their imaginations . Surjomukhi Handicrafts sells colourful stuffed animals, finger puppets, masks, costumes and other quirky toys perfect for creative play. You can go Aarong market

LIGHT UP

Canddles are one of our favourite knick-knacks for Christmas, but not just any candle will do. With such a wide array of candles available in the market, it's a shame to settle for mediocre. For candles in all shapes and sizes, visit Bangladesh Aarong market.

Beauty tips

Beauty Tips

• How to Get Rid Of Bags Under Eyes

  The delicate skin below the eyes is prone to sagging and bagginess and is caused by lifestyle, diet and hereditary factors. There are many natural home remedies as well as medical therapies that manage the eye bag problem and improve facial appearance.
  

• Aloe Vera Gel for Hair

  Caring for natural hair can be a daunting task for anyone. Learn how to use aloe vera gel to make your hair (or your child's natural hair), clean, easy to manage and beautiful!
  

• Egg for Hair

  Raw egg provides essential proteins and vitamins for hair. It prevents hair loss and improves growth. When mixed with other natural products, it provides home made solutions to hair problems. Apply the right amount for the best results.
  

• What does a Skin Toner Do to Your Face?

  What does a skin toner do? Skin toner is used to maintain the proper pH balance of the skin and remove irritants and dead skin. Finding a skin toner that is proper for your skin type is very important.
  

• Hair Removal Cream

  Hair removal cream can help you eliminate unwanted body hair that is uncomfortable or embarrassing. However, hair removal creams can contain harsh ingredients that may cause irritation. Understanding how these products work can help you determine if they are right for you.
  

• Broken Capillaries

  Broken capillaries are usually found in the face, thighs, and legs. They are caused by various factors such as hormonal changes or skin damage, and may be treated medically or with simple home remedies.
  

• Moisturizer for Oily Skin

  Taking care of oily skin can be particularly troublesome. Take heart because there are commercial and homemade products that can act as a moisturizer for oily skin.
  

• How to Get Rid of Blackheads

  Blackheads can lead to embarrassment and a lower self-confidence. If blackheads are not effectively treated, they can lead to full blow acne. How to get rid of blackheads? Try these natural and effective methods of blackhead removal.
  

• Dry Shampoo

  Dry shampoo is a mixture of ingredients that will absorb the excess oil and dirt on the hair when you do not have time to wash it. Either commercial or natural dry shampoo is introduced here.
  

• Skin Elasticity

  Skin loses elasticity mainly due to the aging process. However, there are other factors that contribute to the loss of skin elasticity. Understanding these factors and taking care of skin with proper nutrition and lifestyle changes can ensure better skin health.
  

• Water Retention

  Water retention can be swelling either in the whole body or just in particular areas. There are several remedies for you to reduce or eliminate water retention. If the swelling is persistent or chronic, you can go and seek medical help.
  

• Coconut Oil for Face

  Coconut oil has anti-wrinkle, antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help to make the skin look better than ever. Why don't learn several homemade recipes to properly apply coconut oil for face to improve the overall look?
  

• How to Get Rid of Acne

  Many are eager to know how to get rid of acne. Most people do not require medical intervention and acne resolves spontaneously. However, in refractory cases, a number of medical and cosmetic options are available in order to get rid of acne.
  

• Is Nail Polish Bad for Your Nails?

  Is nail polish bad for your nails? Nail polish, particularly older brands, contains toxic chemicals that can cause dangerous side effects. Nail polish can also contain chemicals that can be damaging to the environment. So it's better to choose environmentally friendly nail polish alternative
  

• How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

  Even with the best skin care, acne does develop and acne scars can be the result. Fortunately, there are home remedies and commercially available products that can help get rid of acne scars.
  

• Petroleum Jelly for Skin

  Petroleum jelly can help the skin retain its natural moisture. This can help protect your skin from damage or make it easier for your body to repair damage that the skin has experienced. You can also use petroleum jelly for other skin care or beauty.
  

• Pore Strips

  Pore strips are used to remove blackheads and unclog pores on the face. However, these strips can be harsh on the skin. Homemade pore strips can be less harsh on the skin and provide lasting results.
  

• Vitamin C for Skin

  Vitamin C is a vital nutrient required by the body, which has many benefits for the skin, including anti-aging and whitening. Knowing some of the benefits and sources of vitamin C can be extremely beneficial in keeping the skin healthy.
  

• Avocado Face Mask

  Avocado is a fruit that is packed with nutrients. You can use these nutrients in the form of avocado face masks for keeping your skin healthy, young and delay the signs of aging.
  

• How Often Should I Exfoliate?

  How often should I exfoliate? Exfoliating is used to help remove dead skin cells stuck to the skin's surface. Finding the balance between exfoliating often and irritating the skin with this constant abrasion is the key to keeping your skin healthy.
  

• How to Even Skin Tone

  How to even skin tone? To achieve even and smooth skin, there are many remedies available for you. Here explores the possibilities of skincare for the woman who wants to achieve radiant skin and an even skin tone.
  

• Home Remedies for Whiter Teeth

  Everyone wants sparkling teeth and a bright white smile, but we can't all afford expensive dental treatments to remove stains and hide discoloration. Yellowing of the teeth is a natural part of aging, but you can slow the process with home remedies for whiter teeth.
  

• How to Make Egg White Facial Masks

  Egg white is long known to enhance the overall internal and physical health. Egg white facial are known to improve the appearance of skin pores, wrinkles and fine lines. Learn how to make and apply egg white facial.
  

• Home Remedies for Wrinkles

  Wrinkle is a normal part of the aging process. However, there are many home remedies for wrinkles and ways to prevent their premature formation, including dietary and lifestyle changes as well facial products.
  

• How Do Tattoos Work?

  Read more about how tattoos work, and find out how to have them done and care for them afterwards. Creating tattoos may carry some risks but they are low as long as sanitation and sterilization procedures are followed.
  

• Natural Hair Mask

  Regardless of the type of problem you have with your hair, whether it is dry, oily, or frizzy, there is a natural hair mask that can combat the problem and result in shiny healthy hair.
  

• Antiperspirants

  Antiperspirants are commonly used to get rid of wetness or odors caused by bacteria in the armpits. Knowing the facts, myth and alternative options about antiperspirants are necessary and helpful before buying one.
  

• Home Remedies for Oily Face

  Home remedies for oily face can improve the condition of the skin. Use products that absorb excessive oil, avoid moisturizers and added oils, use facial scrubs and masks or make a home recipe.
  

• Vitamin E for Skin

  There are many benefits of vitamin E for skin, including encouraging natural skin repair, helping you to remove unsightly skin marks and promoting healing. You can take vitamin E as a supplement or apply it topically to improve your skin.
  

• Best Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin

  Acne prone skin needs hydration. Choosing a moisturizer that will help to promote healthy skin while reducing the ill effects that can lead to breakouts is essential to keeping oily skin looking soft and healthy.
  

• Bags Under Eyes

  Bags under eyes cause the area to look puffy and swollen. This is typically part of the aging process, but these can be caused by temporary discomfort as well. Medical treatments and home remedies are available to minimize the appearance of eye bags.
  

• Underarm Waxing

  Waxing can be an effective way to remove hair in many areas of the body, including armpit. Taking proper steps and tips when you are doing underarm waxing can help minimize your discomfort so you get the best results after your waxing.
  

• Olive Oil on Face

  Olive oil on your face can be used as a cleanser, mask, exfoliation aid and especially as a moisturizer. Read on to learn more about what olive oil can do for your skin.
  

• How to Wash Your Face

  Many people wash the face using harsh products or improper technique that leads to additional irritation and wonder how to wash face. Choosing the right facial products and following the proper steps will help give your skin a healthy glow.
  

• Bikini Wax

  A bikini wax can give you a smooth and cleaner bikini area to show-off your body. If you are new to bikini waxing, knowing the types of bikini wax, its preparation methods, and the risks and benefits can be beneficial in helping you make up your mind about a bikini wax.
  

• Vitamin E Oil for Face

  Vitamin E oil is safe and natural so you can give it a try. Read on to learn benefits and uses of vitamin E oil for face and enjoy these benefits by testing it out yourself.It's a fact of life that we all learn some of our best beauty tips through word of mouth and let’s face it – some of the most random conversations with friends – because everyone loves to dish. But sometimes, it’s easier to skip the middle man and just ask the experts themselves for their best beauty tips, considering we’re hooked-in to the pros in the industry. Most people don’t have an on-demand arsenal of pampering geniuses at their disposal, but we just happen to have a few beautiful friends in our Rolodex, so we tapped them for some of their best fall beauty tips.
• 

  1) Make a bold lip work with the rest of your look.

  Remember those bold lips that ruled the runways at Fashion Week? Romy Soleimani, Beauty Director at Large at Beauty.com, sure does. And since it’s all about making a statement with color this season, she wants to make sure you have fun making them all your own. “The idea of a bold lip may seem intimidating at first, but anyone can pull it off with some simple tips. [First], make sure your lips are hydrated and flake free. [Then] balance the rest of your makeup by concealing redness, keeping skin fresh, and using a subtle color on cheeks and an eye-opening mascara.” Simple, right?

  2) Oil isn’t the enemy; it’s actually pretty awesome.

  A lot of us think oil in any form is bad for our skin and can cause clogged pores and a greasy finish, but TheBeautyBean.com founder Alexis Wolfer says it actually comes in pretty handy when you’re looking to take off your makeup for the day. In the fall, especially, coconut oil can give your skin the extra boost it needs: “Remove your eye makeup with coconut oil – it will not only remove even the most stubborn waterproof mascara, it will also keep your precious peepers moisturized as the weather changes.”

  3) Get your beauty on overnight! 

  Sarah Chue, manicurist with Exclusive Artists Management, knows how dry skin on feet can definitely put a damper on your fall shoe game. But it doesn’t have to thanks to one of her go-to tricks! “If you have dry skin under your feet, especially during the cold season, applying Vaseline before you go to bed is amazing,” Chue says. “After applying it under your feet, wear a sock over it and off to sleep you go. Do this every day until you see results!”

  4) You don’t have to accept post-summer dry hair. 

  Summer was a blast, but all that time in the sun isn’t exactly kind to our hair. Cortney Peck, hairstylist at Boston’s Jeffrey Lyle Salon, has just the trick for banishing fried summer strands.”After a fun sun-filled summer at the beach, dry hair (especially on your ends) is a major issue. To replenish the moisture the sun has stripped from your locks, multitasking formulas are key! Seek out a finishing product that will both polish your styled hair and give it some major TLC at the same time.”

  5) Give your skin some TLC with loads of moisture. 

  When summer’s bronzed, dewy makeup looks give way to fresh skin, it’s time to get serious about your skin care routine and reveal healthy skin, says Victoria Tsai, the founder and CEO of Tatcha. “Skin can get dehydrated in the summer, so replenish the skin’s moisture reservoir with a hydrating mask. Sheet masks form an occlusive layer on the skin and allow the serum to penetrate more deeply,” she says.

  6) Learn how to make matte work for you.  

  Glowing skin is great for summer, but a more muted matte look is definitely trending for fall, says Blondie, makeup artist with Exclusive Artists Management: “The latest trend this fall is natural looking skin with a matte finish. For those who love the ‘no makeup’ look, but still want to look after their skin, seek out a foundation with skin-nourishing benefits. For best results, apply using a Beauty Blender.”

  7) Be flexible with your routine as the weather changes.

  Sometimes you have to switch up your routine and the color palette you’re going for when a new season arrives. McKenzie Westmore, creator of Westmore Beauty, is a big fan of doing just that: “With the weather changing and becoming more dry, I always use a little oil around my cuticles and nails just before going to bed. With both my nail polish color and makeup palette, I [also] like to switch from light sun-kissed tones to warmer deeper tones – be it polish, eyeshadow or lip color.”

   

  
  

Travel

A Hike in Bhutan, Kingdom of the Hills

THIN AIR, an upset stomach, aching feet—these are a few of my least favorite things. My wife had pitched my two daughters and me on an “afternoon hike” in the Himalayas. By her telling, it was something any Girl Scout worth her weight in Thin Mints could handle.

Little did we know that we’d be trekking to an altitude of 13,000 feet and camping out in a snowstorm.

My wife, designer Cynthia Rowley, likes to book a family adventure for every spring break. We feel it’s important to open the minds of our daughters—Kit, 15, and Gigi, 9—to the wonders of the world before we lose the girls entirely to the wonders of technology. Over the years we’ve traveled to 35 countries, including France, Brazil, Japan, Peru and India. Last year we went on safari in Kenya and Tanzania. This year we opted for 10 days in the Kingdom of Bhutan. We were trying to top our African adventure, but Cynthia also wanted our kids to witness a culture that hasn’t changed substantially in 1,000 years.

We were based at the Uma by Como, Paro, a 29-room luxury resort with a cool, contemporary aesthetic. It is located on a 38-acre site atop a gently sloping, tree-clad hill, overlooking the rich Paro Valley—one of the main cultural centers of Bhutan, near its western border.

We spent most of our time there visiting local dzongs—the region’s distinctive fortress-cum-monasteries—and practicing archery, locally called kit, on the resort’s groomed lawn. Encouraging the whole family to participate somehow felt very “Hunger Games,” but hey—it’s Bhutan’s national sport, its only Olympic event and a common pastime. But after two days of architectural touring and arrow aiming, we decided to mix things up with an overnight camping trip.

The hotel drove us up a nearby mountain via a winding dirt road that delivered incredible Himalayan vistas. We connected with our base team—a couple of guides and a cook, who were waiting with pack donkeys, tents and other supplies. The plan was to hike for two hours, break for lunch, then continue for another 2½ hours to the peak.

It all started very jovially, as we traversed a well-worn path through the trees and underbrush. Our walk, I thought to myself, felt like a mix between the finale of “The Sound of Music” where the family escapes across green mountains and the scenic, mirthful start of “The Blair Witch Project.” Unfortunately, the rest of the latter movie soon became relevant, too—I realized fairly quickly that I might be in over my head.

One of our guides had offered me a walking stick before we set out, and initially it felt rather decorative. Twenty minutes into the trek, I was using the stick as a crutch, and deeply regretting my decision to wear Converse sneakers to hike in poorly-packed snow. I’d taken a Diamox, which prevents altitude sickness, “just in case” but hadn’t actually expected the trip to be taxing—mostly because my grasp of the metric system is fuzzy. I later discovered that 4,000 meters, which hadn’t struck me as an especially challenging altitude, was 13,000 feet. When the guides told us afterward that they’d never had a 9-year-old at the top before, I understood the trepidation I’d spotted in their eyes earlier; they were no doubt questioning whether Gigi had the goods to go the distance.

As we ascended above the tree line toward the peak, I had to stop chatting so I could conserve my energy for walking. I wore a lightweight jacket, as did the kids, and I began to wonder if they were dressed adequately for the conditions.

About an hour into the climb, we began to see meditation caves dotting the hillside. Our guide explained that, in Bhutan, monks are sponsored, much the way professional athletes are in the West. What the monks do may be even tougher than making it in the major leagues, though—they meditate for extended periods, sometimes remaining in caves for five to 10 years. (The sponsors pay to have basic supplies delivered once a month.) It was hard for my children to wrap their heads around that level of sacrifice and commitment. It was hard for me, too.

The staff on these kinds of trips can be intimidating. The man who followed us up the trail effortlessly carried a 50-pound satchel of food and supplies, including a fire starter and a carton of eggs for our breakfast the next morning. He hadn’t broken a sweat by the time we stopped for our lunch of salad and yak burgers. At that point we had started to ascend into the clouds, and yet caught a cool glimpse of a commercial airliner landing at Paro Airport.

We set off for the last leg of our journey up the rugged mountain side, spotting colorful prayer flags hung here and there; we could hear our donkeys catching up to us on an adjoining trail. The last hour of hiking was less vertical—the trail cut across the mountain tops, where forest gave way to rocky meadows because there wasn’t enough oxygen for trees. The guide who was carrying the eggs said he’d once seen a tiger there in the summer months (a tidbit I didn’t share with my daughters until we’d all returned home safely the next day).

An advance team had preceded us up the mountain to erect our tents. By the time we arrived, exhausted, tea and cookies had been set out. As we nibbled, we marveled at the expanse of the Himalayas before and below us; our guide asked Gigi how she felt being the youngest visitor they’d ever had there. She smiled and then vomited, probably due to the altitude.

We watched the cook prepare dinner in a yak-hair tent, which, we were told, is preferable to nylon because it allows smoke and steam to escape, but becomes watertight in rain. After dining on soup, salad and traditional Bhutanese dishes, we made a big bonfire. We were each given a hot water bottle to cozy up to in our sleeping bags, ensuring we would stay warm through the chilly night.

We awoke around 6 a.m. to find that 4 inches of snow had fallen. My sneakers had undeniably been a rookie move. The plan was to descend via a different trail, which would take us to Taktsang Lhakhang, or the Tiger’s Nest, perhaps the most scenic of Bhutan’s temples, built into the wall of a cliff, some 2,900 feet above the Paro Valley.

For the first hour we slogged through snow. Eventually the trail got muddy, but the weather mercifully warmer. Gigi tossed her cookies again, and we took turns carrying her down the slippery path until she insisted on walking on her own. As we neared Tiger’s Nest, we passed other campers who had bunked down at lower altitudes.

We were worn out from the trek, but knowing it was almost over gave us an extra kick of energy. Being able to see the iconic temple, a multilevel white structure with pagoda-like roofs, also provided a boost. As we hiked back down to our van below, we passed a steady stream of tourists en route to see the Tiger’s Nest. The path they were on entails two hours of steep hiking, and their faces pleadingly asked us if they were near their destination. I looked at my girls, proud they’d made the trek in one piece, albeit with plenty of nausea along the way.

“Just a few steps farther!” we told them. Soon we were driving back home—and by home, I mean an extended massage.

GETTING THERE: Bhutan has only one airport, located in Paro. The national airline, Drukair, offers flights from Kolkata; New Delhi; Katmandu, Nepal; and Bangkok. The government requires visitors to book their trips through a registered tour operator, and visas are required for U.S. citizens. Plan at least a few months in advance.

STAYING THERE: The Uma by Como, Paro, has 29 rooms and suites featuring local woodwork and other artisanal touches (from $450 a night, comohotels.com). Rooms have sweeping views of the Paro Valley and Mo Chu River; amenities include a spa offering Asian-inspired holistic therapies and an indoor pool.

EATING THERE: Bukhari, the hotel’s restaurant, serves Bhutanese-Indian and Western cuisine. It offers enough variety that you could eat there repeatedly and still enjoy every meal.

TREKKING THERE: This hike was arranged by the hotel and was included in the nightly rate.

A Thanksgiving inspired by the Biltmore

The Bilmore Estate/MCT The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

In the bustling, modern kitchen of a farm near Asheville, preparations for Thanksgiving dinner are in full swing, providing a perfect snapshot of a farm-to-table movement taking root in western North Carolina.

The 25-pound Bronze turkey simmering in a water bath on the stove, to be later roasted in a wood-fired oven, came from the farm’s poultry yards. So did the eggs being hard-boiled and grated for the bird’s corn bread dressing. The on-site dairy produced the milk, butter and cream from the farm’s Golden Lad Jersey cows. The Queen sweet potatoes, White Plume celery, parsnips, onions and pumpkins getting peeled, chopped, boiled, roasted or pureed were grown in fields below the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. Spinach and lettuce were pulled from the property’s glass-roofed greenhouses.

Or so I imagine. This Thanksgiving dinner, in my mind’s eye, takes place not in 2014 but in 1902. The farm is Biltmore, a 125,000-acre estate, and the house a 250-room French Renaissance chateau. “Many novel dishes were set before the guests, the ingredients for which came from the good things raised on the estate farms and which were the original product of Biltmore’s astute chef,” the Asheville Citizen reported about that day.

Today, Biltmore — on much less land — is considered one of the nation’s premier examples of Gilded Age architecture. The home, still the largest privately owned residence in the country, is also Asheville’s biggest tourist attraction. What I didn’t realize until I investigated, though, was just how visionary its owner, George Washington Vanderbilt II, was. His goal that the house be self-sufficient, like the European manors he much admired, made it an early example of a back-to-the-land focus that we now take for granted. Vanderbilt’s influence, in fact, changed Asheville’s landscape and even provided the backdrop for its current culinary boom.

When I toured Biltmore in July, my guide noted how seriously the Vanderbilts took special occasions and mentioned that George’s favorite meal was roast turkey and corn bread dressing. That set my wheels in motion. I decided that as Biltmore approaches the 120th anniversary of the house’s completion, I’d develop a Thanksgiving menu as a tribute.

First, some background. Vanderbilt was the last of eight children born to William Henry Vanderbilt, whose father, Cornelius, had amassed a fortune in railroads and shipping. Upon William Henry’s death in 1885, George’s two eldest brothers ran the family’s business affairs, leaving George free to pursue pastoral interests.

On a trip to Asheville with his mother, Maria, in 1888, Vanderbilt, then 26, was captivated by the Blue Ridge Mountains and decided to build a country home there. Construction took six years, from 1889 to 1895. By the time Biltmore was finished, the locals, skeptical about a millionaire New Yorker turning wilderness into manna, had been won over.

“Vanderbilt the farmer,” wrote the Asheville News and Hotel Reporter in 1887, “has shown the Carolinians the productive capacities of their Virgin Soil . . . by the scientific drainage, the improved machinery, the importation of fine stock, the . . . lavish use of fertilizers, and the most up-to-date and scientific methods . . . .”

Vanderbilt employed the most talented people he could find, including experts in forestry, road building, horticulture, agriculture and general management. Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., who designed New York’s Central Park, was the landscape architect, but he was more than that.

“A land use planner, really,” says Ted Katsigianis, Biltmore’s vice president of agricultural and environmental sciences. “He convinced Vanderbilt that most of the land had to go back to forestry and managed sustainably like a crop, because everything else east of the Mississippi that was accessible had been logged.”

Pretty much everything was grown and raised at Biltmore: grain crops, forage crops, field crops, fruits, vegetables, poultry (hens, brooders, turkeys, ducks, game birds), Berkshire swine, lard hogs, Jersey cattle, sheep, goats, bees. What couldn’t be produced there was bought from Asheville vendors or brought in by rail from the Northeast. In turn, the estate was selling enough products to be commercially viable by the beginning of the 20th century.

Biltmore was cutting edge. Greenhouses (called forcing houses) supplied produce such as asparagus, melons, tomatoes and lettuce in the winter. The dairy, Vanderbilt’s pride and joy, was tiled in white enamel for easy cleaning and had cold storage, ice and electric plants. Its three cattle barns were temperature controlled in winter and turned into open-air sheds in the summer.

In 1898, Vanderbilt married Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, who was taken with Biltmore and involved herself in the lives of the farm families, says Leslie Klingner, Biltmore’s curator of interpretation. She advocated literacy, created Biltmore Industries so locals could earn money making furniture and handicrafts, and established a School of Domestic Science for African American women. She promoted agricultural reform and set up agricultural fairs and competitions.

Biltmore House was the apogee of modernity at the turn of the century. It had electricity, hot and cold running water, a bowling alley, a 70,000-gallon indoor swimming pool, a gym, freight and passenger elevators, dumbwaiters, forced-air heat, an in-house telephone system, a centrally controlled clock system, an icemaking plant and refrigeration that used compressed ammonia gas to chill brine water

What is striking about Biltmore’s basement-level kitchen, preserved in its original condition, is how brilliantly it was planned. With a bit of updating, you can easily picture a cadre of today’s chefs happily working there. It has a walk-in cooler and three reach-in refrigerators. The dry goods storage room was lined in steel to keep it rodent-free. The spacious main kitchen, with its batterie of gleaming copper pots and pans hanging over the work space, features a large coal-and-wood-fired stove and a wood-burning grill. Separate rooms house a fruit and vegetable pantry, a root cellar for preserved foods, a pastry kitchen and an enormous wood-fired rotisserie with an electrically operated spit for roasting meat.

All the better for producing a special dinner like Thanksgiving’s. Although we don’t know what the house served in 1902, we do know that the guests numbered 18, and many arrived in Vanderbilt’s lavish private rail car, the Swannanoa, just in time for the holiday. Some of the guests had been at Biltmore all month. The meal was served in the banquet hall, 70 feet long and 42 feet wide with a 70-foot vaulted ceiling, adorned with flags of the 13 original states, moose and big-game heads, 16th-century Flemish tapestries, a triple fireplace and a pipe organ loft.

Seating for the dinner was in the French style, with George and Edith facing each other at the center of the table and the guests of honor, noted architects Thomas Hastings and Charles McKim, at either head. The writer Edith Wharton, who frequented Biltmore, sat to George’s right. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., a successor to his father’s architectural firm, also attended. Olmsted Sr. died in 1903.

The oak dining table, 12 feet wide, could extend from 7 ¹/₂ feet to 40. It was always set, says Klingner, with a white damask tablecloth and napkins, all made by hand and most embroidered with the GWV monogram. The Vanderbilts’ burgundy-and-gold-bordered china was made in England by Minton and Spode Copeland. Silver flatware featured an engraved Old English pattern from Frances Higgins, London, 1894. The delicate, feather-light crystal was Baccarat.

Dinner was always served at 8 and was always formal dress. There were seven or eight courses, up to 10 for special occasions. Oysters on the half shell were a favored starter, followed by soup (often consommé), fish (bass and Spanish mackerel were popular choices), an entree (often an elaborate variety-meat dish), a relevé (a roasted meat joint or bird, plus multiple vegetable and starch side dishes), salad and black coffee, considered an aid to digestion.

I developed my Biltmore tribute dinner mostly from one historical gold mine: a diary describing 14 weeks of menus for luncheons and dinners served between Sept. 27 and Dec. 31, 1904. In addition to turkey, the Thanksgiving menu that year included oysters, consommé, broiled Spanish mackerel, calf’s brain cutlets and Virginia ham. Many of the menus contain notations and changes added by Vanderbilt or his wife, Edith.

You’ll notice one major difference between my tribute menu and those served at Biltmore: I trimmed mine to four courses, keeping in mind that you are unlikely to employ an English chef, a French assistant and 12 other cooks, as the Vanderbilts did. (The 12 cooks were women, 11 of them from Western North Carolina.)

The first course is something I’m calling Oysters Biltmore, bivalves on the half shell with bits of country ham and a lemony scallion Mornay sauce that broils into browned, bubbling, cheesy perfection.

The second is a Waldorf salad update from Asheville chef Katie Button, owner of Curate and Nightbell. A “salade” was always served before dessert at Biltmore dinners. The course was popular among wealthy people in the early 19th century because lettuce, being so perishable, was a delicacy. That the Vanderbilts served lettuce grown in their own greenhouses in the winter would have impressed guests.

The preparation George Vanderbilt liked most for roast turkey and dressing was that of Ellen Davis, a cook from Avery Creek, a few counties over, who came to work at Biltmore in 1899.

As it turns out, her turkey recipe, sent to me by Klingner, results in a terrific bird. In a covered pan on top of the stove, Davis first simmered the bird in water covering its thighs, basting it regularly to keep the breast moist, then roasted it in the oven until golden brown. That method produces braised thigh meat that is tender and flavorful without overcooking the white meat: two hours for a 14-pound turkey. I added extra touches, including a two-day dry-brining and butter under the breast skin to eliminate the need to baste.

A pencil notation added in George Vanderbilt’s hand to a luncheon menu for Nov. 25, 1904, reads, “Give me puree of parsnip sometimes as a vegetable,” so I did, topping it with bruleed sweet potato disks as a riff on sweet potatoes with roasted marshmallows.

Fried hominy appears often in the 1904 menus, usually as an accompaniment for duck. I fashioned cakes from grits, hominy, spinach, bacon and Parmesan cheese and sauteed them to golden brown crunchiness.

Charlotte russe, a molded dessert of Bavarian cream surrounded by ladyfingers, was popular on the Vanderbilt table. My version is a showstopper: pumpkin Bavarian cream encased in strips of gingerbread and topped with caramelized pineapple, a fruit often served at the Vanderbilt table.

There’s another reason to pay tribute to Biltmore this Thanksgiving: This year is the 100th anniversary of George Vanderbilt’s death, after an emergency appendectomy. So raise a glass to him, and to his continuing influence.

Soon after her husband died, at age 51, Edith sold off 85,000 acres of land to the U.S. Forestry Service, ensuring that the land would be protected, as he had wished. In 1930, the Vanderbilts’ only child, Cornelia, and her husband, John Cecil, opened Biltmore to the public. After World War II, farms became more specialized and Biltmore concentrated on its dairy operation.

In the 1950s, the Cecils’ two sons took over the estate’s operations. George oversaw the dairy, his brother William the house. The present-day historic site of Biltmore, still owned by the Cecil family, includes 8,000 acres. The balance of the land was inherited over generations by members of the Vanderbilt and Cecil families.

When the dairy was sold off in 1982, William Cecil decided to return to his grandfather’s original vision of a varied, food-producing estate. In 1983, he replaced the dairy with a winery and hired Katsigianis, who has a PhD in animal breeding, to establish a beef cattle operation.

“We started with Angus, added sheep in the early ’90s, then a poultry program based on George Vanderbilt’s breeds and free-range pigs,” says Katsigianis. “Seven years ago we started experimenting with Wagyu genetics and now have a small herd of Angus-Wagyu crosses.”

The World Archipelago, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Only in Dubai. This vast engineering project sought to replicate the globe as a series of artificial islands. The thinking was that the islands would be bought for use as resorts and playgrounds for the rich. The lowering clouds of the global financial crisis put the brakes on construction, and the project has lost momentum, although reports that the islands were sinking back into the sea are apparently unfounded. From the air it's an impressive sight, albeit a wacky one. It's as if a Bond villain has turned his megalomania to more benign schemes.The World Archipelago, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Walt Disney World is the most-visited vacation resort in the world. Yet as magical as it is, it can also be extremely overwhelming for parents, grandparents, and even children themselves.

For over 20 years, Fodor’s Travel has helped families travel smarter to Disney with its annual Walt Disney World with Kids guidebook. The authors of the book, Kim Wright Wiley and Leigh C.W. Jenkins, are the ultimate Disney World Experts: they've been there over 100 times combined, and Leigh even worked there for three years. Here are their top 10 things not to do at Disney World.

SLEEP IN AND ARRIVE AT THE PARKS WHENEVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT

Ordinarily, one of the perks of going on vacation is getting to sleep in—but not at Disney! The number one mistake first-time guests make is thinking they can arrive at the parks at 11 a.m. and see everything in a couple of hours. The park is least crowded in the first hour after opening, so this is your best chance to get on the big-name rides without long waits. Later you can have an afternoon siesta.

EXPECT TO DO IT ALL

A fact to ponder: Walt Disney World is twice the size of Manhattan. With four theme parks, two water parks, and countless sporting, shopping, and dining options, it's impossible to see everything in the course of one vacation. (In fact, they designed it that way to make sure you'll come back.) Rather than treating the vacation like some military assault, consider the age, stamina, and risk tolerance of everyone in your party and prioritize accordingly. Reading up on the parks in advance will give you a good sense of which attractions are "must dos" for your family, which are nice if you have the time, and which are skippable. And you don't have to do everything together: strapping Grandma onto Space Mountain against her will or hoping a three-year-old sits still through The Hall of Presidents is a recipe for disaster.

MAKE THIS A TOTALLY PARENT-PLANNED TRIP

Parents often plan a vacation for their kids without consulting the very people they are trying to entertain. Besides helping the kids get excited about the trip, letting them in on the decision-making will prevent temper tantrums and fighting while you're on vacation. One strategy is to let each family member choose three must-see attractions in each park and then agree to honor those choices. (This can also help you create the basis of your FastPass+ list.)

“WING IT”

Thanks largely to FastPass+, the My Disney Experience app, and the ever-expanding size of the parks, gone are the days where Disney can be tackled without a plan. If you're thinking, "We'll just show up, get a map, and see what everybody feels like doing," you're likely to find yourself shut out of the best restaurants and most popular attractions by families who made advance reservations. This is especially true if you're traveling during summer or over a major holiday.

STAY ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF ORLANDO

There is a reason good deals can be found at hotels on the eastern side of Orlando (I-4, exits 80 and higher)—they're the farthest away from Disney. Staying in this area guarantees you'll be fighting Orlando rush-hour traffic every morning, on top of the traffic Disney itself draws. If you plan on spending most of your time in the parks and not on the highway, make sure to stay in hotels that are off exits 79 and below.

EAT NOTHING BUT FAST FOOD

Not many people associate Disney with culinary delights, but you should! Disney goes to great lengths to provide an array of dining choices to its guests, with both variety and quality increasing steadily every year. One of the best ways to find out where to go? Ask a cast member where their favorite place to eat is. No one knows the parks—and its food—better!

KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER 24/7

It may seem counterintuitive to split up—this is a family vacation, after all—but little breaks will make the time together better, so schedule time apart to explore or just to relax. Older kids can split off from the group to ride a favorite over and over, or one parent can take the younger kids to Fantasyland while the other tackles the coasters with the older ones. Babies, older family members, and anyone who has just plain had it can go back to the room while the teens stay in the parks. (Granted, this is easier if you're staying on-site at a Disney-owned hotel and can use their transportation system to come and go whenever you please.) Parents, look into in-room babysitters or the kidsitting programs provided at most hotels so you can enjoy an evening at one of Disney's upscale, adult-centric restaurants.

HAVE TUNNEL VISION

The Disney parks are full of wonderfully creative details. While walking down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, look up to the store windows to find the names of people who have influenced the Disney Company. In the Animal Kingdom, spend time studying the Tree of Life and its more than 300 animal carvings. Hollywood Studios has some of the best Streetmosphere performers—actors and actresses who walk around like they're in 1920s Hollywood, interacting with guests and putting on small shows. Epcot has shows going non-stop around the World Showcase in the afternoon and many, like the young acrobats in China, are especially fun for kids. And the number one thing to notice? The cast members! Many guests report that the highlight of their trip was getting to know the men and women who make Walt Disney World the magical place it is.

GIVE YOUR KIDS MICKEY-PHOBIA

Many toddlers and even a few older kids will find the experience of meeting Mickey Mouse and friends to be intimidating. If your kids seem overwhelmed when they get through the gates and find that the main mouse is actually five feet tall, start them off slowly by meeting the face characters—those like Aladdin or Cinderella who don’t wear a mask. And instead of forcing kids into the picture, allow them to watch the characters before approaching. Employees have been trained to be sensitive around nervous children and are good at slowly inviting them to participate on their own terms. If you schedule a character meal, save if for the last day. By then, even the most cautious kids usually will have warmed up.

ASSUME ALL RIDES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES

Sure, Disney is for families, but some of the attractions can pack quite a wallop. It’s easy to figure out that a ride called Tower of Terror might be terrifying, but keep in mind that Disney does scary atmospheres as well. The Haunted Mansion, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Stitch's Great Escape—all of these are tame rides with elements that might frighten some youngsters. When in doubt, let a parent ride first and come back with the verdict, or do a baby swap.

What to Do in Paris in the Winter

At this time of year, many of us find ourselves daydreaming about a holiday in the sun. There's another way to get through the winter months, though: embrace them. Escape for a short holiday without having to go long haul by exploring the winter wonderland that many European cities offer, not least Paris.
It's more affordable in winter, for starters; hotels offer their lowest room rates, and many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month in the low season. It's the time of year when "Paris is for Parisians", and it's a blessed relief not to deal with crowds everywhere you go. Below are some suggestions on how to make the most of a mid-winter stay, along with some hotel recommendations. We've highlighted three below that will place you close to the action.

 

1.The City of Lights

The greyness of winter vanishes as soon as it gets dark, as the City of Paris illuminates around 125 streets throughout the city, and from late November to early January over 200 trees on the Champs Élysées are festooned with lights stretching from the Place de l'Étoile and the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde. Walk down the avenue, admiring the lights as they change colour in turn, and end up at the large Christmas market, which has little chalets selling handmade gifts and specialties from all over France. The department stores on Boulevard Haussmann, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, are also lit up spectacularly, and have incredible window displays and indoor decorations.

2.The January Sales

London is famed for its January sales, but the Paris sales aren't exactly shabby. The winter sales last five weeks (from January 8 to February 11 in general this year) and include small boutiques as well as the larger department stores. It's a great time to get a designer item at a good price and again, there are far less crowds than during the June/July sales.

3.Ice-skating

 

The main space of the Grand Palais exhibition complex (above), with its Beaux-Arts iron, steel and glass barrel-vaulted roof, has been transformed into France's largest and most impressive rink, the Grand Palais des Glaces, running from December 13 to January 6. There's a special area for children and novices, and it's open until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with DJs playing dance music.
The most well-known ice-skating rink in Paris is outside the Hotel de Ville and runs from December 21 to March 17. It especially comes to life after dark - again, the lights! It's the perfect way to get some exercise, young or old.
Another, the Patinoire des Cinq Continents (or "The Five Continents"), is located right in the Christmas market on the Champs Élysées; a 60 metre long winding path leads you past over 300 animated animals and there's a special track for speed skaters. It runs from November 15 to January 5 this year.

Where to stay:

 

Hotel Mansart

Some rooms at the Hotel Mansart overlook the elegant Place Vendôme, which is lit up spectacularly in winter. You're located right behind the Ritz and a ten minute walk from the department stores on Boulevard Hausmann, as well as being close to the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre. Most of the rooms are spacious by Paris standards and are decorated in elegant, soothing neutrals. Breakfast includes bacon, eggs and sausages as well as fruit and cereals, perfect for filling up before hitting the wintry streets. Double room start at €145.

 

Hotel Cambon

The Tuileries Gardens are only 50 metres from the Hotel Cambon; perfect for a brisk walk after a heavy lunch (and even more magical if it is snowing while you visit). You're in the heart of a great shopping district, too - the very first Chanel boutique to open is on Rue Cambon. A couple of metro stops or a short taxi ride will get you to ice-skating at the Grand Palais. This hotel bills itself as an "art hotel", and the hotel has an extensive collection of sculptures and paintings on display, and rooms decorated in bright cheerful colours.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Beach lovers flock to the idyllic coasts of Punta Cana and Semana, but many of them make it a point to avoid the island’s bustling capital city of old Santo Domingo. It has a rep for having a gritty stretch or two, so I was surprised to find a breezy colonial town that’s chock full of old world charm (it's actually the oldest European city in the New World.) Tucked along the historic quarters of Zona Colonial are long leafy boulevards, grand European-style squares like the Parque Colon, elegant restaurants, churches dating back to the 1500s, and quaint little shops. It has a few boutique hotel options, too—go for the ideally located Hostal Nicolas de Ovando , which is housed in a former 16th-century Spanish estate. I felt as completely at home sitting around its pool overlooking the Caribbean as I did strolling around the city’s main streets—which were safe to walk even at night. —Lindsay Talbo

People visit ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights during a trial operation ahead of the 31st Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, January 4, 2015

World's Biggest St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

New York hosts the country’s and the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration, with more than two million people gathering for the city’s grand parade on March 17. The march up Fifth Avenue starts at 11 am on 44th Street and lasts about six hours, ending at 79th, with a stop at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral along the way. There are no floats or cars allowed in the parade, which features bands, bagpipes, and dancers, and typically between 150,000 to 250,000 participants. The tradition itself dates back to 1762, making the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade older than the U.S. itself.

 Paris in spring

Paris is beautiful to explore any season. But spring is the time to soak up that special ‘April in Paris’ charm that Sinatra sung about so well: chestnut groves blossom, city parks burst into flower, plane trees sprout foliage over boulevards, and cafe terraces buzz with new-found energy as Parisians head outdoors to enjoy spring’s soft warm days. Here are our top 10 things to do in Paris in spring.

Eiffel Tower

No Parisian landmark embraces springtime blue skies so enthusiastically as the Eiffel Tower – its spire is frequently half-lost in fog in winter. On clear spring days, the 324m-tall tower is striking from any angle. And with the new glass flooring on the 1st floor – peer down at Paris beneath your feet – views have never been sharper.For a panorama of the city from the tower, lunch at 58 Tour Eiffel or Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne. For ringside views of the icon and its webbed ironwork imprinted on blue sky, consider Les Ombres or the more casual Café BranlRomance oozes out of every historic nook and cranny of Île St-Louis and Île de la Cité, both perfect for a springtime stroll. These two islands on the Seine have quaint car-free streets full of old-world boutiques. Start on a high with the bestial rooftop of Cathédrale Notre Dame, then relax on a bench beneath pink cherry blossoms in the Seine-side garden of Square Jean XXIII.The stained glass windows inside Notre Dame and at nearby Sainte-Chapelle are dazzling at this time of year when the sunlight streams in. Cool down afterwards with une glace (an ice cream) from Paris’ most famous ice cream shop, Berthillon.

Jardin du Luxembourg

Lounging on a sage-green deckchair in this mythical city park is a Parisian spring essential. Chasing a vintage wooden sail boat around the park’s octagonal Grand Bassin pond is brilliant fun – kids have done this since the 1920s. This spring will also see the opening of a new puppet-show season at Théâtre du Luxembourg and a new art exhibition at Musée du Luxembourg, both in the park

Musée Rodin

Spring marries perfectly with the Musée Rodin, one of Paris’ loveliest art museums in the former studio and showroom of sculptor and painter Auguste Rodin. Sculptures inside the 18th-century mansion are world-class (don’t miss Rodin’s L’Eternel Printemps (Eternal Spring), a sculpture of two lovers embracing) but the museum gardens are most memorable. Roses mingle with The Kiss, The Thinker and other voluptuous Rodin sculptures, while wooden sun lounges demand peaceful contemplation between springtime blossoms.

Other art museums with gorgeous gardens are Musée du Quai Branly; the Musée de l’Orangerie in the fashionable Jardin des Tuileries; and the lesser-known Musée Marmottan-Monet, overlooking the delightfully local Jardins du Ranelagh.

Nuit des Musées

The annual Nuit des Musées (Museum Night; nuitdesmusees.culture.fr) in May is a prime opportunity to revel in Paris’ second-to-none portfolio of museums and monuments: sights stay open all night on 16 May 2015 and admission is free.

Cafe culture

Watch the world go by over un café (a coffee) or early evening apéro (pre-meal drink) on one of the city’s zillions of cafe pavement terraces – there is no finer time of year to indulge in Parisian cafe culture than spring as outdoor heaters are put away and tables multiply. Traditional neighbourhood cafes with sunny terraces and bistro chairs meticulously arranged in tight rows include Le Petit Fer à Cheval and Café Charlot in Le Marais neighbourhood; Le Progrès, loaded with ambience in Montmartre; Café Saint Régis, footsteps from Notre Dame; and Café La Palette where art dealers and fashionistas congregate on the Left Bank. At dusk place du Marché Ste-Catherine is a pretty cafe-laced square to sit beneath fairy lights and sip an apéro.Chez Prune is the cafe-bar that put Canal St-Martin on the map. Elegant Le Saut du Loup has a stunning terrace overlooking the Louvre and the green lawns of Jardin du Carrousel while homemade ginger lemonade and hibiscus flower cordial make L’Ebouillanté, footsteps from the Seine, an artsy favourite.

Canal St-Martin

The tranquil, 4.5km-long Canal St-Martin in northeastern Paris was surely created with sunny spring days in mind – reflections on the water are superbly photogenic and a stroll or cycle along the canal’s leafy towpaths or between trendy boutiques is like a scene straight out of a film. Watch canal boats pass through locks and beneath vintage swing bridges that pivot 90 degrees when boats approach.

Al fresco dining

Spring in Paris is about sitting outside and feasting on the city’s extraordinarily varied cuisine. Gastronomic restaurants rarely have outdoor seating, but budget and midrange places do.
Immediate hot spots near the Eiffel Tower – popular among the local office crowd for a brasserie lunch in the midday sun – are La Mascotte and Upper Crèmerie. In Le Marais, a trendsetting crowd lunches in the hidden courtyard of Derrière, while the terrace at Mini Palais is magnifique for soaking up the old-world atmosphere of art nouveau Paris. Beloved Left Bank addresses include casual Le Square and Yves Camdeborde’s raved-about gourmet bistro Le Comptoir du Relais. Chez Nathalie is a sweet spot in the 13th arrondissement to dine on modern French.
Paris’ open-air street markets, such as Marché Bastille, burst with fresh seasonal produce at this time of year and are a treat to explore and to pick up goods for a park picnic.

Château de Versailles

Late spring ushers in the start of Les Grandes Eaux Musicales (Musical Fountain Show) in the magnificent gardens of Château de Versailles, France’s most colossal castle is very much in a class of its own when it comes to over-the-top opulence. Its seasonal ‘dancing water’ fountain displays – set to music composed by baroque- and classical-era composers – are unique, magical and a highlight of any day trip from central Paris to Versailles.

Street entertainment

Spring raises the curtain on Paris’ fantastic gaggle of clowns, mime artists, living statues, acrobats, inline skaters, musicians and other street entertainers. Best spots to catch a fun, free show outside include Pont St-Louis near Cathédrale de Notre Dame, place du Tertre in Montmartre, place Georges Pompidou in front of the Centre Pompidou, and place Joachim du Bellay by the Fontaine des Innocents in the 1st arrondissement.