chereena

Favorite place in Paris: Pompidou Center. One of my visits I saw an amazing exhibit on Alfred Hitchock’s films. Oh how the French love American filmmakers!

I was in front of the American Embassy watching the evacuation when the second plane hit on 9/11. That was a moment in history.

My favorite place in the countryside is Moulin Bregeon, a little inn in a town called Linieres Bouton near Saumur (about 90 minutes by speed train from Paris). The owner Jonathan Robinson is an American artist and it’s a wonderful, hospitable sanctuary in the countryside with excellent French peasant food and lively conversation. www.moulinbregeon.com/
If you go – tell him Cherie sent you!

Venezia is magical. It’s like no place on earth. I can’t remember any place that I have felt so transported and it was that experience both visits.

My favorite place in Venice is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. It’s marvellous to be in this ancient crumbling city where every corner evokes another age and to walk into her villa and see late 20th century American modern art. The audio guide was the best at any museum I have ever been to—three different commentaries – one about the work from the curator, one about the artist, and one is quotes from Peggy herself, either talking about the work or her relationship with the artist.

The most amazing restaurant in Istanbul is Sabahattin, The Fisherman. It’s down on the water in the old city. I read about it before going and both the reviews and it’s reputation (you need reservations, no matter what day it is) were completely on track. We had to wait about an hour for this amazing 3-course 2 1/2 hour meal that cost $25, including a glass of wine.

They bring a large platter of the day’s catches to your table and allow you to pick which fish you want. The waiters are very friendly and professional, food was excellent, presentation was some of the best I saw in Turkey. Would definitely go back.

I took an 11 day cruise on a small boat (250) up through about 20 locks in rivers and lakes between Moscow and St. Petersburg. It was charming. Lots of opportunity to see very small towns and the two big metropoli. Wasn’t all that impressed with Moscow, but SP was like the Venice of Russia.

The yummiest meal I’ve had so far in Seattle.

What a fantastic way to get to know a city. My favorite thing was La Sagrada Familia and the twilight concert on top of the Casa Mila.