Rick Steves, Local Legend and France: Homestyle supporter

Rick Steves relaxing on a barge in Burgundy

If you are a faithful NPR listener as most of us northwesterners are, then you have undoubtedly heard Rick Steves' mild-mannered voice on Saturday afternoons, guiding you into the mysterious troglodytic gorges of central Turkey, or across the bucolic sheep fields of Wales. Since 1976, when Rick founded his company Europe Through the Back Door, this Washington native has been educating people in the art of culturally sensitive travel. Not only does he advocate for heightened awareness abroad, he is also deeply connected to his hometown roots and has boosted the local economy immeasurably through his thriving business in Edmonds.

We are proud to have been featured every year since 2010 in Rick's France, Paris and Provence guidebooks, curated by Steve Smith and the expert staff at Europe Through the Back Door. Visit their comprehensive website and online travel forum if you have a burning question about European travel; you will most certainly find the answer!

Independent travel versus group travel

A tour or a rental? What will you choose? Safety is important and there is safety in numbers. It is reassuring to know the group will be shepherded at all times. Being surrounded by fellow travelers with the same background, speaking the same language, visiting the same places is comforting. It’s easy to make friends similar to ourselves and relaxing to have all decisions made for us in advance.



Less pleasant are the constraints. You don’t choose your co-travelers; you may soon get tired of them. Willy-nilly, rain or shine, time to get up, to join the group. Your opinion as to what to see, eat, linger on does not count. You have only so much free time away from the group: the bus is waiting. When you rent your own place, you are free.

It goes with a certain amount of risk. By choosing a rental you have opted for adventure. The trip is unpredictable and fun. You create your own memories. You are not sure what the French person at the train station is trying to say. If driving, you don’t know at what exact time you will reach your destination. You wonder what metro line to this tourist sight is the quickest. There is no right and wrong. Each of us is different. When planning a vacation, follow your instinct. You picked the country you want to see according to your personality, experience, desires.  Do the same to choose between a rental and a tour.

Supposing some serious, unexpected event worried you -illness at home or in your party, lost luggage, stolen passport- France: Homestyle will be there for you. We’ll know what to do. We know about emergencies: canceled flights, medical conditions, locked out renters, erupting volcanoes, broken boilers and water leaks. 

 

By renting with France: Homestyle, you combine two ways of traveling, at their best. You, our guests, are independent, allowed to be yourselves, in the driver’s seat. Yet you are safe. Our teams of good people in France and in Seattle are a phone call away. An added benefit is making friends with people who on the surface are not like you. Meeting locals is a pleasure mentioned repeatedly by returning guests.

Choosing to rent is a good decision. You will be on your own but you will always manage and this achievement brings great pleasure. Try renting once. Like so many of our returning guests you will do it again and again. Good luck choosing!


 

 

 

 

La Chandeleur

À la Chandeleur, l'hiver se meurt ou prend vigueur ~ French Proverb

 

La Chandeleur is the French equivalent to America's Groundhog's Day, February 2nd. Originally a pagan holiday, La Chandeleur refers to candlelight ("la chandelle" = "candle"), and may be interpreted as a celebration of the lengthening of days....or perhaps more accurately as a welcome moment of warmth and light in the dark depths of winter.

Like all festive traditions in France, La Chandeleur revolves around cooking and sharing a meal: in this case, crêpes. Making crêpes together is fun and delicious. Freshly made crêpes are piled high on a plate, toppings are set out, apple cider poured, and everyone fixes their favorite: a squeeze of fresh lemon and sugar, nutella with bananas, confiture, chestnut purée...c'est à chacun à se faire plaisir!

Herewith, a basic recipe (and French translation) for your Chandeleur party, otherwise known as Superbowl Sunday this year...GO HAWKS!

    Crêpes

(makes 12 using a medium pan)

3/4 cups flour

3 eggs

1 cup milk

1 pinch salt

4 T butter

*optional French touches: a splash of Cognac, orange blossom water, vanilla sugar

 

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time, whisking together. Add the milk and 3T of melted butter, stirring until batter is smooth. Let stand in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Over medium heat, grease pan using remaining tablespoon of butter. Pour 1 ladle of batter into pan and spread it around the pan, coating surface with batter to form a thin even layer. As the edges begin to turn golden, turn the crêpe over using a spatula and let it cook on the other side. Serve immediately, or stack crêpes together and keep warm in the oven on low heat.

Crêpes de Froment
(Pour 12 crêpes de 20cm de diameter)
150g de farine de froment
3 oeufs
25cl de lait
1 pincée de sel
60g de beurre

Versez la farine en fontaine dans un petit saladier: incorporez les oeufs un par un en fouettant, puis le lait, le sel et 50g de beurre fondu sans cesser de remuer jusqu'a obtention d'une pâte lisse.
Laissez reposer 2 heures.
Graissez la poêle avec le reste du beurre: mettez sur feu moyen, versez la pâte avec une louche en l'étalant rapidement, lorque les bords commencent à dorer, retourner la crêpe à l'aide d'une spatule et laissez cuire l'autre côté. Servez immédiatement ou gardez les crêpes au chaud à four doux.


 

 

Bring your children to Paris

It may come as a surprise, but Paris is one of the most child-friendly cities to visit. France is a family-oriented country, the most fertile in Europe, and you'll discover a wealth of interesting activities and outings that you and your kids will both enjoy. Herewith, some of our favorites:

Les Berges de Seine Spanning 2.3km of the left bank, on the quais between the Musée d'Orsay and the Pont de l'Alma, this project was officially unveiled last June as an elaboration of the famous beloved "Paris Plages". Here on the banks of the Seine you'll find a most delightful array of activities, including but not limited to ping pong, food trucks, fitness classes, a climbing wall, enormous hopscotch, and a massive chalkboard wall.



Ping Pong tables are a common fixture in Paris' public parks!

La Cité des Sciences Paris' futuristic science center is well worth a trip to the fabulous Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement.

La Grande Galérie de l'Evolution Paris' natural history museum located in the lovely Jardin des Plantes features a magnificent collection of animal specimens under an impressive glass roof.