Trip Tip a Day

A report issued two days ago links the French and German E. coli (STEC) 0104:H4 outbreaks to fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt. The trace of the seeds from Egypt to container ship to distribution at garden centers is fascinating.  For a full read, see the link below. "The comparison of the back tracing information from the French and German outbreaks leads to the conclusion that lot # 48088 of fenugreek seeds imported by the Importer, from Egypt, is the most likely common link, although it cannot be excluded that other lots may be implicated. Given the possible severe health impact of exposure to a small quantity of contaminated material, and, in the absence of information regarding the source and means of contamination and possible cross-contamination, it seems appropriate to consider all lots of fenugreek from the identified exporter as suspect. In this regard, the thus far negative test results from the microbiological tests carried out on seeds cannot be interpreted as proof...

Tip of the day:  Enjoy some Cailler Swiss Milk Chocolate     One day, a now 17 year old daughter returned from her exchange experience in France.  She came home to the U.S. with a large bar of chocolate in her suitcase.  A few months later, on Labor Day weekend, the family brought out the chocolate bar and reminisced about the daughter's trip to Switzerland with her Uncle.  With a Swiss Uncle, the family has grown accustomed to the sweet melting smoothness of Swiss chocolate.  Another savored bar of chocolate, a mind travelling to many joys.  Thank you. Milk chocolate . http://www.cailler.ch/en/Products/Tablets.aspx Imported from Switzerland Each square amazingly smooth

Tip of the day:  Try the delicious and eye appealing flower shaped gelato cone at Amorino The special Amorino flower shaped shaped cone or "cornet" Gelato in a cone or in a cup Amorino Gelato Italiano in France http://www.amorino.com/fr/ The flavors http://www.amorino.com/fr/les-parfums The locations 36 shops in 6 European countries http://www.amorino.com/fr/les-boutiques/toutes-nos-boutiques L'atmosphere http://www.amorino.com/fr/les-boutiques/l-atmosphere gelato craving....huge!

Tip of the day: Try the chocolate at Jeff de Bruges While walking up the rue Vavin in Paris, on our way to an Yves Delorme shop, we happened by the lovely Jeff de Bruges shop and stepped inside. It's a beautiful and pricey shop. Since it's my habit to bring chocolate home for tasting, I purchased a few different dark chocolate 100 g bars. http://www.jeff-de-bruges.com/rubrique/Chocolat/2.html Recently I broke into the bars, starting with the 43% Cacao which uses Criollo and Trinitario Cocoa beans from Venezuela. Venezuela It was good, but not at my preferred dark chocolate Cacao percentage. So, I had to move on to the next level - the 64% Cacao bar using Criollo and Trinitario beans from Peru. Ahh, dark chocolate bliss - the dry crack of the chocolate as it breaks, the slow melt in the mouth, the bitter delicious taste, the aroma. That's my favorite. I love how it crumbles a little in your mouth before melting - it's an exquisite sensation. Next up - 85%....

Tip of the day: Visit the Chanel shop at 31, rue Cambon, Paris My daughter had some very kind help picking out the perfect Chanel lip color and making her purchase at 31, rue Cambon. We visited this location to see the original Chanel property and view the famous staircase. We could view the staircase from the foyer - but NO photos allowed! Window displays July 2009 Watch Vogue's video "Inside Coco Chanel's Private Apartment": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpinr4Uts-8 Some Coco apt.photographs including the mirrored staircase at: http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/09/chanel_finale.php

Tip of the day: Consider a leisurely bike ride wherever you go Here is the Avignon site for bicycle rental - Velopop! http://www.velopop.fr/

Tip of the day: To see Paris by bicycle, get a credit card with a chip I had heard about the Paris Velib bicycle system on a radio show and was eager to try it out. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14429468 . This bicycle system was attributed with making Paris more friendly. The Velib bikes stood out and could not be missed - long racks of bicycles near the great tourist destinations, Parisians picking up bikes, dropping them off at the racks, tourists and citizens riding around the city. At this point I was ready give my feet a rest and cover some ground on a bike. We looked bewilderedly at the rental kiosk at the rack we happened upon. Then a kind citizen gave a half hour explanation (in French) to Kurt -our Swiss travel companion, guide, friend, and linguist. Kurt said "she tells me you need to have a chip in your credit card to place the deposit on the bicycle." Air rushes out leaving me deflated like a balloon smashed empty on the sidewalk. B...

Tip of the day: Enjoy a fresh perspective Travel - always brings out my fresh perspective. Like these petals on flowers that look nothing like any other flower petal I've ever seen before. Fresh. Gotta love that.

Tip of the day: Have a sandwich I was surprised to see pre-made delicious looking sandwiches on crusty yummy looking bread in Italy and France. Can you picture any beautiful display of pre-made sandwiches in America? Hmmm......I can't. Enjoy the European sandwich if you need a snack or lunch.

Tip of the day: Find the Medici Fountain at the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris The Jardin du Luxembourg is very large and very beautiful. Within it, you may find the Medici Fountain. It will feel a bit like a scavenger hunt, but a challenge is always fun. There's lots of history - but I'll leave that to you to discover!

Tip of the day: Celebrate the 120th birthday of the Eiffel Tower http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/ There are some fun views of Paris on the Eiffel Tower website. This view of the Tower is from the Trocadero.

Tip of the day: Find some nutella and taste it - while in Europe. Follow up tip: Bring some home. Breakfast at the Pensione (family owned guesthouse) outside Florence includes nutella . www.nutella.it This chocolate hazelnut spread is delicious on crusty European bread, by the spoonful, or on fruit. I picked up 2-26.5 oz (750g) jars at Costco here in the States w h e r e t h e N u t e l l a i s m a d e i n C a n a d a . Now, Nutella connosisseurs will tell you that European nutella tastes better than American/Canadian nutella . AND, if you check with someone from Switzerland, they may tell you that Italian nutella is much better than French, German or Swiss nutella . So, it you are in Italy - be sure to try Italian nutella. American staple - peanut butter. European staple - Nutella . How nice.