Fontainebleau Chateau

Just 55 kilometers from Paris is the French town of Fontainbleau, which is home to one of the largest and most famous chateaux in France. Fontainebleau was home to many French kings, including Louix VII, Francis I, and Henry's III and IV. It was also the birthplace to Philip IV, Henry III and Louis VIII. After the French Revolution, it was taken over by Napoleon Bonaparte. The palace's exterior is big and beautiful, like most French chateaux, but it's most impressive inside. The rooms are furnished and fully decorated in varying styles representing the rulers who lived there and redecorated rooms and wings to fit their own needs and the styles of the times. We highly recommend a trip to Fontainebleau to any travelers looking for a day trip from Paris.

Napoleon's original clothing are still intact! Check out his shoes, below!

Napoleon's actual hat!

Napoleon's bidet!

Napoleon's bed- notice how short it is!

Ornate walls decorated in the style of the Italian Rennaisance

Napoleon's Throne

Like most French chateaux, this one also boasts charming gardens and lakes. We came in November, so it was lovely with the leaves just turning gold and yellow.

 

 After visiting the chateau, we headed into town for a stroll and to have lunch.

  

We had to share one more meal of "choucroute", or saurkraut and meat, before we leave France!

A Beautiful Berkshires Wedding

Congratulations, Rebecca and Jeff!

October 15, 2011

How to Throw an Octoberfest Party...Robbins Style

On October 6th, I headed back to the USA to have some quality time with the Robbins family during our biennial Octoberfest at Piseco Lake. Since we had just been to Oktoberfest proper, in Munich, I brought some props.  It was a pleasure to have family all together from Austin and LA, Long Island, Connecticut, and upstate NY!

Here's how to throw an awesome Adirondack Octoberfest: Robbins Style!

Start with a night of homemade pizzas. Always use some Adirondack-inspired ingredients!

Add a nice, light dessert like German Chocolate Cake.

Breakfast should always be healthy. You need to get your energy levels up for the big Octoberfest party! Nanny's Shoefly Pie should do the trick.

When you are ready to kick-off your Octoberfest party, add a little German beer-stein to your beer bottles to make the party more festive!

Then, start the party off right with a Riesling taste-test! This bottle (#4) won. 

Where do you think it was from?

a) Germany

b) France

c) United States

d) Austria
 

If you have access to a traditional felt German hat, you must wear it. Don't forget to stare at the tartiflette while it cooks over the coals.

 You may be shunned from the family if you don't fill your plate up like this...

Set the table with a pretty homemade centerpiece!

 It's always fun to dress your family members up in funny, German outfits to get in the spirit!

Always share your warmest clothes with others when they get cold!

 If the weather holds, eat outside (if you can find a table for 17!) and enjoy the view!

And always take some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the party!

 The next day, you may feel full (and, let's face it, a little hungover). But that's no excuse to sit inside on a beautiful day! Go out for a light hike to see the fall foliage.

Even little Gaby was up for a hike!

And if you prefer biking, try that instead.

If you follow these steps, your next family Octoberfest is sure to be a good time!

 

And the winner was....

c) United States!

This bottle of riesling surprised us all. It's from a small vineyard in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York! The French wine came in second, followed by the Austrian and German wines.