Here is the update itinerary for our Spring trip to Germany:
Meeting the group in Zuerich on April 10th
Spend the first night in Zuerich exploring this wonderful city
Heading towards Germany the next day, we will spend 2-3 days in the Southern German area between the Blackforest and the River, where delicous food and Pinot rules. We'll have an opportunity to "spaaaahhh" in the town of Badenweiler with it's incredible thermal baths.
Off to Alscace-Lorraine, where German and French culinary culture create the most memorable experiences, including a spectacular flower festival.
The last few days we will spend in Freiburg, on the German Riviera, for hikes shopping and more great food and wine, before heading back to Zuerich to depart on April 20th .
Brigitte, your personal guide was born and raised in Freiburg , Germany and will show you places and points of interest that are not available through guidebook or travel agents. This is a personalized tour and the itinerary may be changed slightly to accommodate group preferences.
This is a small and personalized tour with a maximum of 8 participants, so book early.
Cost is $2,200 per person in a double room, $2,500 in a single room
included: transportation starting and ending at Zuerich hotel, mostly by train or private coach
10 nights in comfortable hotels/bed and breakfast inns
daily breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
daily guide for shopping touring, etc.
not included: personal expenses, additonal meals, shopping, insurance, flight to and from Zuerich.
Deposit of $500.00 due by February 5, 2011, balance due March 15, 2011
Brigitte will assist with planning additional intineraries or other ports of entry.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
TIPPING
A pet peeve of mine...tipping. Restaurant servers are now tipped between 15-20 percent of the bill. In a good restaurant servers make more money than a trained chef. Although most do a good job of taking care of guests, rarely do any servers have professional training and pick up information along the way. In the hospitality industry many others who serve and take care of guests are forgotten. We know, gratuity is exactly that... a gracious gesture of a guest to a service person. Some guests are not are aware or unsure of whom to tip, so I am taking the liberty to remind everyone, that if you have received service and care beyond the basic and you want to show your gratitude, remember the following service people:
Housekeepers/Maids - they make your bed, empty your trash, clean your toilet and pick up your socks, they make between $8 - $10 per hour, you don't see them, they take care of your needs in a very unglamorous way. Why don't they get $15%???
Front Desk personnel - they take care of your forgotten toothbrush, your dinner reservation, your limo or cab ride and recommend the locals favorite places to go, they earn between $8-$15 per hour.
Kitchen staff/Chef - if your dinner was exeptionally delicious, the chef and the kitchen staff is to be credited, so tip your server, but don't forget to leave a tip (or a beer) for the chef and his crew. Kitchen staff make between $8 - $14 per hour, chefs about $20-$25 after expensive culinary training and years of experience.
Breakfast included in your room rate? The person bringing breakfast to you and refilling your juice and coffee is a server too, so c'mon leave a few dollars, they make minimum wage!
Massage therapists - although they make between $40-$60 per hour, they too have to have expensive training and licenses, insurance.. and hey they have to work on your naked body and get out all the kinks...that's almost charity work!
Your tour guide driving you to wineries and other places, this person gives you all the inside info and personal care, although these trips are not cheap, insurance alone is a killer.
Owners of a small businesses - if they perform regular staff duties, any above, they do it to give you a special experience and these small inns/restaurant don't make enough money where the owner just wlks around and shakes hands. They are doing the job, let them know with a nice tip that you appreciate them too!
So you wonder why small hospitality businesses pay so little? Well there aren't any small business owners who are wealthy, we make it work as best as we can, especially in areas with (still) high priced real estate...it's the banks who collect and profit.
Small business owners love what they do and love the interaction with their guests and customers, they are what America is all about, remember?? SUpport them, show them your appreciation.
Thank you! Brigitte
Housekeepers/Maids - they make your bed, empty your trash, clean your toilet and pick up your socks, they make between $8 - $10 per hour, you don't see them, they take care of your needs in a very unglamorous way. Why don't they get $15%???
Front Desk personnel - they take care of your forgotten toothbrush, your dinner reservation, your limo or cab ride and recommend the locals favorite places to go, they earn between $8-$15 per hour.
Kitchen staff/Chef - if your dinner was exeptionally delicious, the chef and the kitchen staff is to be credited, so tip your server, but don't forget to leave a tip (or a beer) for the chef and his crew. Kitchen staff make between $8 - $14 per hour, chefs about $20-$25 after expensive culinary training and years of experience.
Breakfast included in your room rate? The person bringing breakfast to you and refilling your juice and coffee is a server too, so c'mon leave a few dollars, they make minimum wage!
Massage therapists - although they make between $40-$60 per hour, they too have to have expensive training and licenses, insurance.. and hey they have to work on your naked body and get out all the kinks...that's almost charity work!
Your tour guide driving you to wineries and other places, this person gives you all the inside info and personal care, although these trips are not cheap, insurance alone is a killer.
Owners of a small businesses - if they perform regular staff duties, any above, they do it to give you a special experience and these small inns/restaurant don't make enough money where the owner just wlks around and shakes hands. They are doing the job, let them know with a nice tip that you appreciate them too!
So you wonder why small hospitality businesses pay so little? Well there aren't any small business owners who are wealthy, we make it work as best as we can, especially in areas with (still) high priced real estate...it's the banks who collect and profit.
Small business owners love what they do and love the interaction with their guests and customers, they are what America is all about, remember?? SUpport them, show them your appreciation.
Thank you! Brigitte
Monday, December 6, 2010
European Spring
Spring in central Europe means cherry blossoms, flowers blooming everywhere and plenty of good food and wine. We are meeting in Zuerich, Switzerland on April 10th to spend our first night as a group. The next day will take us to Lake Luzerne on the footsteps of Wilhelm Tell, a famous Swiss hero. You will learn about history and delicious Swiss food and wine and some of Switzerlands most beautiful scenery by train. Continuing our journey we will spend 3 days in Alsace - Lorraine exploring the "Route du Vin" and beautiful villages such as Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Colmar and the Narcsissus Festival in Gerardmer. Next stop is Freiburg in southwest Germany, conveniently located between the Blackforest and the Rhine River, a mecca of amazing food, wine, culture and shopping. This region is known as the "Riviera of Germany" and you will experience why. In addition, Freiburg boasts a gothic cathedral known as the "most beautiful in Christanity" and an incredible daily Farmer's Market surrounding the cathedral. We will visit a small village in the Blackforest and delight in the delicacies offered. Along our journey, there is plenty of opportunity for walking, relaxtion, and personal private time.
Our groups are small (10 people max.) and personalized. For 10 days, your guide Brigitte will take you to places you will not find through guidebooks or travel agents. You will return with fond memories, new friends and culinary and cultural experiencex you will cherish.
Trip details:
meet in Zuerich Airport, Switzerland on April 10th, 2011, depart from Zuerich, Airport on April 20th. Optional is arrival or departure from other European cities, such as Frankfurt, Germany.
Included in cost of $2,200 per person in a double room or $2,500 per person in a single room:
Transportion from designated Zuerich hotel on April 10th to Zuerich airport on April 20th as a group. Overnight stay in bed and breakfast inns April 10th through April 19th, including daily breakfast and 2 group dinners (exluding alcohol). Transportation will be mostly by train or bus.
Daily guided tours and personal attention by Brigitte. Participants may choose to add time at the beginning or end of the trip with personlized suggestions and recommendations on where to go and what to do by Brigitte.
Your responsibility:
Airline/train transportation to and from designated Zuerich hotel.
Additional add on trip expenses.
Travel insurance
Personal expenses, lunch and dinner outside of above inclusions.
Non refundable deposit 0f $500.00 per person and signed contract due by January 15th, 2011 to guarantee your spot. 5% discount to participants signing up by December 31, 2010.
Balance due March 9th, 2011.
Thank you for your trust in me!
Brigitte
Our groups are small (10 people max.) and personalized. For 10 days, your guide Brigitte will take you to places you will not find through guidebooks or travel agents. You will return with fond memories, new friends and culinary and cultural experiencex you will cherish.
Trip details:
meet in Zuerich Airport, Switzerland on April 10th, 2011, depart from Zuerich, Airport on April 20th. Optional is arrival or departure from other European cities, such as Frankfurt, Germany.
Included in cost of $2,200 per person in a double room or $2,500 per person in a single room:
Transportion from designated Zuerich hotel on April 10th to Zuerich airport on April 20th as a group. Overnight stay in bed and breakfast inns April 10th through April 19th, including daily breakfast and 2 group dinners (exluding alcohol). Transportation will be mostly by train or bus.
Daily guided tours and personal attention by Brigitte. Participants may choose to add time at the beginning or end of the trip with personlized suggestions and recommendations on where to go and what to do by Brigitte.
Your responsibility:
Airline/train transportation to and from designated Zuerich hotel.
Additional add on trip expenses.
Travel insurance
Personal expenses, lunch and dinner outside of above inclusions.
Non refundable deposit 0f $500.00 per person and signed contract due by January 15th, 2011 to guarantee your spot. 5% discount to participants signing up by December 31, 2010.
Balance due March 9th, 2011.
Thank you for your trust in me!
Brigitte
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Christmas Market Tour
Exceitement is building! We have 3 spots left in our small, fun group travelling to Southern Germany in December, returning just before Christmas, laden with wonderful memories, magical Holiday spirit and probably some very unique gifts for our loved ones. Please read below what some of the participants from last years trip have to say about their experience:
Traveling to Germany with Brigitte Guehr is truly a once in a life time experience. Brigitte is an incredible culinary and wine expert. Her attention to every detail and personal knowledge of the area made it possible to visit sites and experience delicious foods and wines mostly unknown to the guide books. I fondly remember hiking the hills round the village Todtnauberg to find the best Blackforest Cake in the region. I can not image visiting Germany without Brigitte. Thank you Brigitte for great memories.Janet Kelleway
"Brigitte made our trip to Germany a spectacular one. With her rich background in the culture and history of the country and her expertise in food and wine, she led us through not only the sights of Germany, but also through a wealth of adventures that made me fall in love with this beautiful country and its people."
Gale Caswell
For details please visit http://www.bacchusca.com/
Brigitte
Traveling to Germany with Brigitte Guehr is truly a once in a life time experience. Brigitte is an incredible culinary and wine expert. Her attention to every detail and personal knowledge of the area made it possible to visit sites and experience delicious foods and wines mostly unknown to the guide books. I fondly remember hiking the hills round the village Todtnauberg to find the best Blackforest Cake in the region. I can not image visiting Germany without Brigitte. Thank you Brigitte for great memories.Janet Kelleway
"Brigitte made our trip to Germany a spectacular one. With her rich background in the culture and history of the country and her expertise in food and wine, she led us through not only the sights of Germany, but also through a wealth of adventures that made me fall in love with this beautiful country and its people."
Gale Caswell
For details please visit http://www.bacchusca.com/
Brigitte
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Holiday Trip 2010
We are getting close...our Holiday Trip to Germany is planned for December 8 -18/2010.
"Village Christmas Markets" is the theme and there will be lots of Holiday spirit, delicious local foods, wine , yes...and beer!
Brigitte will meet all participants in Munich and introduce everyone to some the fabulous Markets as well as some off the beaten path local attractions. We then head to Tyrolia, Austria to partake in Seefeld's holiday traditions and maybe try out the local cross country ski trails for a couple of days. From there we head west to Freiburg and the Blackforest area and experience local culinary adventures, culture, and scenery. From Freiburg we hop across the border to the Alsace Lorraine area and visit some of the small villages along the "Route du Vin". There will be plenty of opportunity to shop and relax!
Please visit www.bacchusca.com for more info and to sign up. Only 8 spaces available, we keep our tours small and personalized. So hurry!
"Village Christmas Markets" is the theme and there will be lots of Holiday spirit, delicious local foods, wine , yes...and beer!
Brigitte will meet all participants in Munich and introduce everyone to some the fabulous Markets as well as some off the beaten path local attractions. We then head to Tyrolia, Austria to partake in Seefeld's holiday traditions and maybe try out the local cross country ski trails for a couple of days. From there we head west to Freiburg and the Blackforest area and experience local culinary adventures, culture, and scenery. From Freiburg we hop across the border to the Alsace Lorraine area and visit some of the small villages along the "Route du Vin". There will be plenty of opportunity to shop and relax!
Please visit www.bacchusca.com for more info and to sign up. Only 8 spaces available, we keep our tours small and personalized. So hurry!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rock Shrimp and Stony Hill Riesling
Sorry, it's taken a while to tell you about another wonderful adventure in Napa Valley. I have been a long time fan of Stony Hill Wines, exquisite Chardonnay and Riesling they way Riesling should be made, crisp, fruity and a terrific acid balance, not easy to do in California.
Willinda at Stony Hill was so very gracious to invite me up to their home on top of the hill, surrounded by vineyards. Tasted a luscious Chardonnay and that great Riesling and chatted about food and what would taste great with it. I love shrimp, I love lemon, so Norbert was kind enough to create this recipe especially for Willinda, me and a great Riesling:
Rock Shrimp with two Garlics and crisp Ricotta Wafer:
Saute 6 oz fresh rock shrimp, 3 black and 3 white chopped garlic cloves in 1/2 oz olive oil and 1 oz butter, add 1/2 Meyer lemon juice and 1 oz Riesling. Thicken pan juices with 1oz butter.
Take 4 oz ricotta cheese, 1 oz Parmesan and 1 egg yolk, blend, flatten into 2 circles and saute until crisp, put shrimp on top, garnish with lemon zest and micro greens.
Bon Appetit! Brigitte
Willinda at Stony Hill was so very gracious to invite me up to their home on top of the hill, surrounded by vineyards. Tasted a luscious Chardonnay and that great Riesling and chatted about food and what would taste great with it. I love shrimp, I love lemon, so Norbert was kind enough to create this recipe especially for Willinda, me and a great Riesling:
Rock Shrimp with two Garlics and crisp Ricotta Wafer:
Saute 6 oz fresh rock shrimp, 3 black and 3 white chopped garlic cloves in 1/2 oz olive oil and 1 oz butter, add 1/2 Meyer lemon juice and 1 oz Riesling. Thicken pan juices with 1oz butter.
Take 4 oz ricotta cheese, 1 oz Parmesan and 1 egg yolk, blend, flatten into 2 circles and saute until crisp, put shrimp on top, garnish with lemon zest and micro greens.
Bon Appetit! Brigitte
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Back in Napa! Had a great meal at Terra last night the third time dining there it is still as good as ever. No crowds, no pretense, just exquisitely prepared, creative food, wonderful wines and impeccable serve in a sophisticated setting.
Stayed at the Cottage Grove Inn in Calistoga, wonderful, tranquil and beautifully furnished cottages where every detail has been lovingly thought of. Try the Indian Springs Spa across the street for a detoxifying mudbath and a dip in their warm mineral springs pool.
I recommend visiting/making appointments at some of the possibly lesser know wineries that have been producing quality wines for many years. My personal tour at Diamond Creek was the highlight of the week. I have a whole new appreciation of the care and skill that goes into winemaking after seeing the different terroirs there and the georfous mountain setting. Sipping that '89 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill will be a whole experience now! Yes, I have several cases of all three vineyards, including the above as well as Red Rock and Gravelly Meadow in several vintages! You too can experience them at Mirabelle Restaurant, you won't find them anywhere else, especially at those prices!
Other not to be missed - Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Paraduxx, Darioush, St. Clement.......oops, gotta go, they're having a sale today!
Stayed at the Cottage Grove Inn in Calistoga, wonderful, tranquil and beautifully furnished cottages where every detail has been lovingly thought of. Try the Indian Springs Spa across the street for a detoxifying mudbath and a dip in their warm mineral springs pool.
I recommend visiting/making appointments at some of the possibly lesser know wineries that have been producing quality wines for many years. My personal tour at Diamond Creek was the highlight of the week. I have a whole new appreciation of the care and skill that goes into winemaking after seeing the different terroirs there and the georfous mountain setting. Sipping that '89 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill will be a whole experience now! Yes, I have several cases of all three vineyards, including the above as well as Red Rock and Gravelly Meadow in several vintages! You too can experience them at Mirabelle Restaurant, you won't find them anywhere else, especially at those prices!
Other not to be missed - Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Paraduxx, Darioush, St. Clement.......oops, gotta go, they're having a sale today!
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