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The “Travelers411” Radio Show is broadcasting live from the Columbus Hotel in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams says it is one of her favorite places in the world as it is a “trendy, modern, comfortable and a serene location in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the uniqueness that is Monte Carlo”. Florence Michel-Bouvier, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority, joins the show to discuss the principality.
The Monte Carlo Christmas Market opened Saturday December 5th. Its 2009 season will end January 3rd. The market is located in Port Hercule. Stephanie comments on the astounding beauty of the light decorations throughout the various stalls and alongside the promenade by the harbor.
Monaco and the South of France do not receive snowfall at the lower attitudes. Florence Michel-Bouvier comments that they have the sun and many opportunities and activities to take advantage of during the winter holidays. Stephanie comments on the market's food court which has stands of champagne and caviar. She says this is “So beautifully in keeping with ‘over the top' everything ”. Michel-Bouvier says that though you find special delicacies such as oysters and champagne at the market you will also find more traditional items like hot chocolates and hot wines.
Monaco has a mild climate, a never-ending series of cultural events and is within close proximity to the mountains and the sea. Michel-Bouvier states that the principality also boasts a “high quality of life”. Stephanie says it's a convenient location to base oneself for touring and traveling through parts of France and Italy. Visitors can ski in the mountains in the day and attend the opera or ballet at night. Michel-Bouvier says that the city has much to offer and recommends exploring it by foot in order discover the older buildings and gardens throughout the principality.
Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams has visited Monaco many times but it was not until her 5th or 6th trip that she visited the Monaco Cathedral where Grace Kelly is buried. Kelly was married to Rainer III, Prince of Monaco and acquired the title “Princess Grace”. Stephanie says there were exotic varieties of flowers placed on the iconic actress' grave.
Florence Michel-Bouvier states that Monaco is also a great destination for families and is a destination that is completely different from all others. Some notable tourist draws are the region's stamp museum, marine museum and the museum devoted to antique cars. On her most recent trip Stephanie visited the zoo. She said the whole time she smelled applesauce and finally discovered the smell came from the hippo area where a hippo was having his snack of applesauce.
For more information visit http://www.visitmonaco.com
Stephanie attended a champagne and foie gras reception once she arrived in Monaco. She was introduced to Gunter Albert, the Bailli Honoraire of Monaco and Member of International Board and Conseil Magistral, Paris, France. Albert is responsible for the creation of the Monaco Branch of Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. He headed the association within Monaco before switching to the International Board of Directors in Paris. His current title Bailli Honoraire is an equivalent of an organization's president.
The association is an international gastronomic society that includes ten restaurants within Monaco which represents a high level of quality properties. Gunter Albert says the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs “defends real gastronomic values all over the world”. The organization represents over one-hundred countries from all over the world. In Monaco there are all sorts of cuisine available and most, says Albert, are top of the line. Albert also states that Monaco has some of the absolute best to offer of Italian and French cuisine. He says the principality is an amalgamation of all the strengths shared by the two kitchens. There are white truffles from Italy, black truffles from France and staples from Paris, Florence and Tuscany. He comments “all the good things in the world you can have in Monaco” and, adds Stephanie, “you eat in style”.
Albert suggests looking at the organization's website to get a sense of how it operates. The organization represents a shared philosophy of all members which extends to the “culture of the table and the art of the cuisine”. The organization itself has a history dating back to 1248 in France. The French King Louis IX had incorporated several charters (grant of authority) for the trades and guilds to better organize. Among these groups were the “goose roasters”. Albert states these were one of only two trades who could keep their hat on in front of the king. In 1789 all members were killed in France. In the 1950's journalists revived the association and incorporated the original 13th century logo. The association includes the professional members (the chefs) and the amateur participants (the gourmets). It is a combination of the producers and consumers of fine-dining.
For more information visit http://www.chaine-des-rotisseurs.net
Travel Expert and “Travelers411” Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams is joined by Marcel Athimond, Owner of the Restaurant Le Saint Benoit, Monte Carlo, Monaco. Marcel Athimond started his culinary studies in the kitchen of restaurants in Paris. He visited Monaco for a week, fell in love with the area and decided to secure employment in a number of fine restaurants. He worked alongside local chefs where he refined his cooking skills. He later opened a restaurant in Monaco which was often visited by Prince Rainier. The prince told Marcel that he would love to see a restaurant in a particular spot overlooking Monaco and the Mediterranean Sea and that he wanted Marcel to open and run that restaurant. Marcel followed Prince Rainier's advice and opened Restaurant Le Saint Benoit soon after. It has now been open twenty four years. The focus of the menu is on fish.
For more information visit http://www.monte-carlo.mc/lesaintbenoit/presentation_en.html
Francis Poidevin, Restaurant Owner of the Quai des Artistes in Monte Carlo joins the “Travelers411” Radio Show. Quai des Artistes is located alongside Monaco's port. Poidevin originally owned a restaurant in Paris but wanted a change and to live by the sea so he settled in Monaco. The restaurant's location was ideal and Poidevin submitted a bid for his idea of a Parisian brasserie in order to secure the spot.
For more information visit http://www.quaidesartistes.com
Fun Facts:
Grace Kelly and her family had to provide Prince Rainier III with a dowry of $2,000,000 USD in order for the marriage between Kelly and Rainier to proceed.
After they married, Prince Rainier banned the screening of Grace Kelly's films in Monaco.
Guests Include:
Florence Michel-Bouvier, Director of Sales and Marketing, Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority.
www.visitmonaco.com
Gunter Albert, Member of International Board and Conseil Magistral, Paris, France.
Bailli Honoraire of Monaco.
www.chaine-des-rotisseurs.net
Marcel Athimond, Officer of the Order of Saint-Charles. Owner, Restaurant Le Saint Benoit, Monte Carlo, Monaco. President, Monte Carlo Restaurant Association.
http://www.monte-carlo.mc/lesaintbenoit/presentation_en.html
Francis Poidevin, Restaurant Owner, Quai des Artistes, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
www.quaidesartistes.com
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Travel Expert and “Travelers411” Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams says that vacationers often think first of a trip to the Caribbean when considering a getaway and overlook other unique destinations like Monaco. She says that December is the ideal time of year to visit the area as winter is the low-season for tourism in the principality. She says that during the summer you would be hard-pressed to get into a restaurant. Stephanie flew British Airways with a connection through Nice. Stephanie says she was pleasantly surprised to find it to be a small and manageable airport.
Francis Poidevin, Restaurant Owner of the Quai des Artistes, returns in the second hour of the show to share more about his restaurant. Poidevin said that when he moved to Monaco he knew he wanted to create a restaurant that compliments the culture and would represent the spirit of Paris. Quai des Artistes focuses on seafood and is a quintessential Parisian brasserie.
The restaurant has a large outdoor terrace that can accommodate two-hundred and fifty patrons. Inside there is room for one-hundred and twenty people. In winter the restaurant closes the terrace area and operates exclusively indoors. Stephanie says that the location is prime real-estate especially since the terrace offers a view of the road that the Grand Prix automobiles race through. Poidevin says that the restaurant has many celebrities and notable artists pass through the restaurant. Actor Roger Moore is a frequent customer.
Stephanie comments that a brasserie tends to have a menu that suits a range of appetites and pricing preferences. Poidevin comments that he sees his operation as a kind of family restaurant as it can service the needs of all kinds of people.
For more information visit http://www.quaidesartistes.com
Fredrik Aspegren, General Manager of the Columbus Hotel in Monte Carlo, joins the “Travelers411” radio show. Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams is recording the interview from Aspegren's office. She comments on the spectacular view which overlooks the Princess Grace Rose Garden and the sea further in the distance. The Le Tete du Chien (head of the dog) mountain is also in view.
Stephanie comments that though Monte Carle is a busy city the Columbus Hotel offers a kind of quiet respite from that. She says you don't feel you are in the middle or everything even though you are. Aspegren refers to it as the “discreet” part of Monaco as the area is a quiet neighborhood close to several celebrity homes.
Stephanie has been a guest of the Columbus Hotel before. She says that the bamboo ladder in her bathroom reminded her of how special the hotel is. The biggest reminder she says however was of dining at the hotel's restaurant. Stephanie had a butternut squash soup and an entree of scallops. She says “in addition to everything being delicious the presentation is exquisite”. The chef at the Columbus formerly worked at a Hyatt in Paris. Aspegren says that there are other fabulous restaurants just around the corner from the hotel.
The Columbus Hotel has one hundred and one guestrooms and suites. Aspegren says that when you walk in the hotel feels smaller than that, and more like a club. No luggage and laptops are found in the lobby. Your luggage is immediately taken from you upon arrival and is in your room after you check-in. Aspegren says you feel that you are at home the moment you arrive.
Aspegren says that the Monaco nightlife begins at the Hotel Columbus bar. After drinks and maybe dinner there he says you can explore the other side of Monaco. The hotel offers a peaceful environment to return to and recuperate after experiencing the day's events. Stephanie comments on the undeniable beauty of the property. Aspegren tells her that from her guestroom you can see Corsica, Italy. The Hotel Columbus offers a chance to create memories of an experience that will help you get through life during difficult periods. Aspegren adds to Stephanie's comment: “memories and magic”.
Aspegren adds that Monaco is very central though it's in a small corner of France. A traveler can use Monaco to explore the surrounding region. The Italian town of Ventimiglia is only twenty minutes from the hotel.
The Hotel Columbus opened in 2000. The current owner is British-born David Colthard who won thirteen Grand Prix, include two in Monaco.
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For more information visit http://www.columbushotels.com
Guests Include:
Francis Poidevin, Restaurant Owner, Quai des Artistes, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
www.quaidesartistes.com
Fredrik Aspegren, Genereral Manager, Columbus Hotel, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
www.columbushotels.com
