Bastille antique and brocante market in Paris.

One of the largest antique markets in France opened this week near the Place de la Bastille in Paris.   The Salon d'Antiquites Brocante Place de la Bastille takes place twice each year, in the spring and fall.  More than 350 dealers exhibit under a big tent and in booths on both sides of the Arsenal basin. 

This is the 57th Bastille antique fair, and the theme for this one is basketry, so you’ll find lots of antique wicker furniture, fishing creels, and straw crafts, in addition to a vast assortment of paintings, jewelry, decorative objects, furniture, and more.  

Save almost 50% on 4-star Santa Monica Beach hotel.

Santa Monica Beach is a fantastic place to unwind, and there are several fabulous hotels that overlook the Pacific.  But as a rule, they’re very expensive, and ocean-view rooms are even more so. 

But if you act fast, you can enjoy the sand, the surf, and the glamorous nightlife for a lot less at the Hotel Shangri-La.

Built in 1939, it recently reopened following a $30 million renovation, and today, it combines the best of old and new.  The sleek, Art Deco interior was designed by Marc Smith and rooms have ocean views.  There’s a fabulous roof bar, private cabanas at the pool, and a fitness center.

Transatlantic cruises in high demand after volcanic interruption.

The New York Times reported this morning that as far as the disruption caused by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano was concerned, the airlines’ loss was the cruise lines’ gain.  Well, one ship in particular – the Queen Mary 2, which is the only cruise ship that still makes regular transatlantic crossings.

There were more than 1,000 passengers on the waiting list for today’s crossing.