The Eiffel Tower at dusk

LUXURY AT THE HOTEL NAPOLEON IN PARIS

Opening the French doors of our suite, the warm fragrant scent of the city drifted in. High above the racing traffic on Avenue de Friedland I leaned out and could see the Arc de Triomph close-by, gleaming golden in the night.

The hotel’s 101 rooms including 47 suites provide extraordinary luxury and comfort for guests. Decorated in the Empire style favoured in Napoleon’s time, colours are rich and gilding plentiful. The Youssoupov suite, our home for two nights, was a dream setting fit for an emperor. A leopard skin print carpet was an exotic addition.

Named in honour of Prince Felix Youssoupov, the suite’s wall décor included photographs of the prince and his wife Princess Irina Alexandovna. Prince Felix, as those au fait with Russian history would know, had seen it his duty to Russia to rid the country of Tsaritsa Alexandra’s favourite holy man Rasputin. When lacing wine and chocolate cake with potassium cyanide failed to fell the “Mad Monk” as he was called, Prince Felix resorted to shooting him.

Photo copyright Anne Gordon

Article posted on Sunday 17th June, 2012

View from the Napoleon Hotel in Paris

THE NAPOLEON IN PARIS; A HOTEL FIT FOR AN EMPEROR

Some wedding present! In 1928 when he married, wealthy Russian émigré and hotel owner Alexanae Pavlovitch Kleaguine bestowed upon the love of his life the Hotel Napoleon. And yes, as time revealed, that young and very beautiful Parisian art student was indeed the love of his life. The romantic pair married, raised their family and lived out their lives in the hotel’s grand surroundings. To this day the Napoleanis a family-run operation.

Looking across the rooftops of Paris through a mist of red geraniums, I was enchanted by the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Nightly, 20,000 flash bulbs decorating Paris’s tallest structure ignite, lighting the darkness with scintillating brilliance.

 

Photos copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Sunday 17th June, 2012

Tilbury Lodge

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 
BED AND BREAKFAST
TILBURY LODGE IN OXFORD
Tilbury Lodge, a great little Bed and Breakfast in Oxford England is a popular place for travellers. We stayed for five nights and throughout a 'No Vacancy' sign was a permanent fixture on the front door - so book early.

Modern, clean and bright, Tilbury Lodge is located in a country lane on the outskirts of Oxford.  Wonderful as Oxford is - one of the greatest and most fascinating University cities in the world - we were grateful for quiet nights away from the rigours of downtown when every night for students is party night.

The Radcliffe Camera

 Step out of the door and you are just minutes from a bus stop.  Buses run every 10 minutes or so - about 3 dollars per journey.  Tilbury Lodge is also close to shops, pub, hairdressing salon and the Co-op grocery outlet.   We rented a car for two days during our stay and the Enterprise Car Rental was also minutes away.  The staff were very helpful and they do have GPS for rent which makes life a lot easier when  venturing out of the city.  Weary after a day in town, relax on a comfy sofa in the conservatory or sit in the garden. 

Stefan, Mel and the twins

Stefan Wynne Jones our genial host was a fund of knowledge and a great cook.  Believe me, fried piesang (banana), a South African speciality with egg and bacon, tomato etc. is delicious and Stefan's fresh baked banana muffins are scrumptious.  For those who don't know how to tackle grenadillas, cut them in half and scoop the delicious innards from the shell with a spoon - another South African speciality.

For information about Oxford and its fascinating surroundings check out www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com or e mail info@visitoxforshire.org.
Photos copyright Anne Gordon
Posted by Anne Gordon on 10th June, 2012.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

See the Olympic Torch as it passes through Scotland between 8-14 June, and if you’re in Glasgow don’t miss the chance to see world-class sport and culture as the city hosts the Olympic Football Tournament (25 July - 3 Aug) and the world premiere of Dance GB (19 Jun - 23 Jun), which will see the UK’s national ballet companies collaborate for the first time as part of the cultural Olympiad.

Find out what’s on in Scotland during the Olympics Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday 8th June 2012

I have just entered a photo contest on the Fine Art America site.  I need 250 votes before any of my three photos can be seen by a juried audience.  To see my pictures and to vote click on the following link http://fineartamerica.com/contests/national-tv-photo-contest.html then click on Image and my photos - Summertime in the Muskokas, Warrior of Old and Dublin - to vote.  Thank you.

Photo copyright Anne Gordon

Posted on Tuesday, 29th May, 2012.

Trafalgar Square, London

ENGLAND HERE I COME
Will be leaving for England on Tuesday.  Watch this blog for images of London in the run-up to the Olympics.

Image copyright Anne Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Saturday, 5th May, 2012

Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival
June 15 to 17
The 24th annual Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival is expected to attract more than 100,000 people and approximately 180 dragon boat teams from around the globe, all converging on the waters of downtown Vancouver’s False Creek. Beginning on Friday night with the colourful Eye Dotting Ceremony, the festival continues throughout the weekend with non-stop entertainment, fabulous food, shopping and, of course, dragon boat racing of the highest calibre. Admission is free. www.dragonboatbc.ca

Photo copyright Tourism Vancouver

Posted by Anne Gordon on Thursday 3rd May, 2012