Atlanta – Apr 04 2018

Greetings everyone;

Please join us for our April Eurocircle gathering which this month will take place at Orpheus Brewery located just down the street of Piedmont Park. This venue has a great outside area which is reserved for us so hopefully the weather will cooperate. Should it not, we will have access to the entire inside area of the brewery. Complimentary appetizers will be organized and water and soft drinks will be for sale for those who do not consume alcohol. No wine or hard spirits on hand but we will have the entire beer menu available as well as their sour beer which is comparable to wine for those of you who prefer this over the classic beer taste.
Please be sure to invite all your international & like-minded friends and I hope to see everyone next week for our Spring Eurocircle mixer.

Salutations,
David
Atlanta Eurocircle

Houston – Mar 28 2018

Join us to toast to spring at this cool and sophisticated wine bar…The Drexel House Eatery & Wine Bar. Enjoy flawless dishes paired with a world class wine list.

Feel free to invite your globally minded friends and enjoy an evening with a diverse crowd.

Don’t forget to RSVP. Cheers

Shahla, Michelle & Venere

TRIP TO JORDAN, LEBANON & EGYPT IN SEPTEMBER 2018 WITH SHERRY

Interested? Read more HERE

Philadelphia – Apr 03 2018

EuroCircle’s Mixology Night

Join my co-hostess Valeria Khmelnitsky and me for a casual mixer at the newly opened Gin & Pop. Owner, Tom Kwiatkowski, formerly of the Capital Grille, Del Frisco’s and Union Trust will teach us how to make a couple of basic cocktails everyone should know how to mix.

He will show us how to make a proper old-fashioned, as well as a classic whiskey sour. We will go over technique as well as what ingredients you’ll need to stock in your home bar.

Drink specials, Eurotini drink special, cash bar.

Gin & Pop, 1839 Poplar Street, Philadelphia PA 19130   (No Parking)

 

Austin – Mar 22 2018

Spanish Night at El Chipirón with EuroCircle

 El Chipirón –  Diana and Pablo are welcoming their fellow Europeans to enjoy their tapas bar and Spanish restaurant.
Owner and chef Pablo Gomez set out to bring a truly Spanish experience from his home country Spain to Texas.
Pablo defines their menu as classic Spanish food, but presented in a modern way.  What does it mean”
Pinchos like gilda, a simple bite with an anchovy, green olive, and pepper,  many different tapas, and larger entrees and desserts like wine-poached pears and takes on rice pudding.
They’ll reserve the front section of the restaurant including the bar for us.

Happy Hour customized menu for us:

Glass of wine red/white $7 
Sangria $7
Premium imported Beer $4
Estrella damm beer $3
Gin Tonic  $10 each
Pinchos $6 each:
  • Patatas bravas
  • Pan con tomate and serrano
  • Pimientos de padrón 
  • Aceitunas y tomate
  • Gambas a la plancha

Denver – Mar 17 2018

EuroCircle Denver Spring Break at the Art Hotel

Our Spring Event is coming up at EuroCircle’s all time favorite: The Art Hotel!!!

We are looking forward to seeing you all there, including all the new faces that joined us lately!
Cheers!

Nassim

New York – Mar 29 2018

Join EuroCircle for our Spring Soiree at this brand new hotspot the Lately/Bluelight for a fun night out!

DJ Chris Bachmann will be spinning the hottest tunes and there will be drink specials throughout the night, so put on your dancing shoes and just us as we celebrate the start of spring.

Network with other members by bringing your business cards.  You never know where your next deal or partnership could come from.

The 3,400-square-foot venue serves a delicious food and a range of cocktails, including “timeless offerings” like martinis and Manhattans and more “unrecognizable” beverages like frozen Negronis and coconut avocado margaritas. A collaboration by the teams behind Scarpetta and the Garret.

Feel free to invite friends, the more the merrier!

Featured Host: Ilona Lee, Poland

Ilona encourages business owners to join, network, exchange advice, get support, build partnerships, find help and more!

Ilona is the Founder & CEO of European American Center.
EAC has been the preferred Business Development partner for European businesses & talents in U.S.
For more info visit: http://europeanamericancenter.com/

We look forward to seeing you on the 29th!

Best,

Alexandra and the EuroCircle New York Team

Orange County – Mar 07 2018

When: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Watson’s Soda Fountain & Café
116 E Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866

“Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain has been premier drug store and soda fountain shop for over 100 years!

This establishment has been around since 1899 and is located in Old Town Orange at the Historic Plaza. It is a landmark and noted as CALIFORNIA’S ORIGINAL SODA FOUNTAIN and is a tradition not to be missed.”

We look forward to seeing you there!
Happy Mixing & Mingling!

Host: Friederike Fink and Martina Tewes (GermanMixer)

EuroCircle Travels to Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt – Sep 2018

Join other EuroCircle members on Sherry’s 8th Annual International Adventure.

This year you will explore 3 countries of the Middle East. The main itinerary consists of 8 days in Jordan and Lebanon. Travelers can opt to extend the trip to Egypt (priced separately). This trip is open to prior EuroCircle travelers in good standing, members of all EuroCircle chapters, and approved guests.

Tour Organizer:
Sherry Kumar
Sherry hosts this trip for her fellow EuroCircle members.
She will be your main point of contact prior to departure. If you have never travelled with Sherry before, please email her to schedule an informational call.

This is required for all new travelers, no exceptions.

Prices: (Subject to change)

Jordan and Lebanon Only: $1989* per person double occupancy. Single room supplement 320 additional.
Optional Egypt Extension (priced separately): $597* per person double occupancy. Single room supplement: 189 additional.
Non-RefundableDeposits are:

$800 for Lebanon and Jordan only.

The additional deposit for the optional Egypt extension is $140. Please make sure that when you place your deposits, you pay both for the main trip and the extension.

Sample Itinerary (Subject to change)

Day 1: Sept 12
Landing Day- Meet and assist upon arrival at Amman airport (Airport code: AMM) by our representative who will assist the group through customs and immigration. Transfer to the hotel in Amman and check in for overnight.

Day 2: Sept 13
Breakfast at the hotel and drive to visit the Greco- Roman city of Jerash which is the largest and best preserved Roman city outside of Rome. Afterwards return to Amman for a city tour of the capital with visits to the Amman Citadel and Roman Amphitheater. Then return to the hotel, to freshen up and dinner at Kan Zamaan Restaurant in Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Sept 14
After breakfast in hotel, drive to visit the World Wonder, Petra. This is Jordan’s Crown Jewel of Archaeological heritage. The city was built by the Nabateans as their capital over 2000 years ago along the routes controlling the trade between the Arab Peninsula, Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean basin, making it a great success and allowed the city to prosper. After the visit, return to the hotel, and time to rest until dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Sept 15
After breakfast in hotel, drive to visit Oldest mosaic map of the region in Madaba’s St. George Church. From there continue to Mount Nebo and visit Moses’ Shrine overlooking the Jordan Valley. Then to Amman Airport for departure flight to Beirut.
Upon arrival in Beirut, Meet and Assist upon arrival and transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Day 5: Sept 16
Breakfast at the hotel and start with a city tour of Beirut to explore the city, different neighborhoods, and history of the great coastal city. Continue to visit the Jeitta Grotto with its great monumental natural creations, then to visit Harissa with Majestic views over the city. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 6: Sept 17
Breakfast at the hotel and start with a visit to the Beqaa Valley with its great Roman Temples ruins. Then continue to Ksara, a region that is very fertile and famed for its great wines. Then continue to Baalback, Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure, can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. Then continue to Anjar to visit the Umayyad era ruins. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 7: Sept 18
Breakfast at the hotel, and departure to visit The Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab) is a cultural landscape encompassing one of the most important early Christian monastic settlements in the world. Then continue to visit the ancient coastal city of Byblos which is believed to have been inhabited around 8000B.C. Then return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 8: Sept 19

Last day of main itinerary. Flights back to USA or optionally continue to Egypt.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Beirut Airport for departure flight to Cairo (or USA if you opt for the main itinerary only).
Upon arrival in Cairo, Meet and assist at airport, and transfer to the hotel for check in. Start with a tour to Khan El Khalili bazaar for the afternoon with a great selection of shops, crafts, traditional cafes, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Then return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 9: Sept 20
Breakfast at the hotel and take a full day tour to the most significant sites, starting with the Pyramids in Giza, the best known monuments of Egyptian Antiquity. Then continue to visit Memphis and Sakkara with more Pyramids and Royal tombs. Afterwards return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 10: Sept 21
Breakfast at the hotel and start the day with a visit to the Cairo Museum. This is one of the most treasured and rich museums of the world with artifacts and treasures collected from the Pyramids, tombs, and other monuments. A must see for any traveler. Then continue to the One of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel which houses a number of museums, ancient mosques and other sites, located on a spur of limestone that had been detached from its parent Moqattam Hills by quarrying.
Afterwards, return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 11: Sept 22
Breakfast at the hotel, and transfer to Cairo Airport for departure flight back home.
Jordan & Lebanon Price Inclusions:
• Meet and assist upon arrival with visa
• Transportation in a private A/C vehicle with and English speaking driver
• Services of a professional English speaking guide throughout
• Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
• Dinner at Kan Zamaan restaurant
• Accommodation with breakfast at the 4* hotels

Egypt Price Includes:
• Meet and assist upon arrival
• Transportation in a private A/C vehicle with and English speaking driver
• Services of a professional English speaking guide throughout
• Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
• Dinner at local restaurant in Cairo
• Accommodation with breakfast at the 4* hotels
Not Included:
• Airfare (You will purchase both international airfare and middle-east airfare yourself. Flights between the 3 countries are not included, and will be priced separately and estimated below. You will pay for these short flights through our travel consortium).
• Visa Fee for Egypt
• Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as room service, internet charge, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
• Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.
• Excess Baggage Charges
• Travel insurance
Flights in the Middle East + Egypt airways Amman-Beirut – Cairo

These flighs and times are simply estimates. Prices are not guaranteed. You will purchase these flights through our travel consortium, so that you can travel with the group.
Flight Date From Dest Departs Arrives Terminal Flying Time

ME313 06-SEP-18 Amman- AMM Beirut- BEY 18:50 20:00 01:10h
MS710 10-SEP-18 Beirut- BEY Cairo- CAI 12:00 12:20 01:20h

Estimated Prices:
Middle east + Egypt airways Amman-Beirut – Cairo : USD 500*
Price subject to availability at time of booking
Prices are quoted Feb 2017 and are guaranteed to change by the time of booking.

How to prepare for your EuroCircle trip:
If you have not traveled with us before, you must schedule a call with the organizer Sherry Kumar. The purpose of the call is to get to know you and you to know her, inform you about other travelers, and see if we would make compatible travel companions, and inform you about how to prepare for the trip.
You will receive a copy of Group Rules, which all travelers must sign prior to making a deposit.
Deposits are Non-Refundable (no exceptions).

CONTACT:
Email Sherry Kumar here

The Special Hideaway – Home of Happiness

The things that make us happy in life are often rather simple: fresh food, peace, nature, good company. These simple ingredients form the core of the special hideaway on the sunny southwestern French countryside. The Happy Hamlet, a lifetime project of a French-Finnish/Czech couple with a multicultural background, offers an inspiring story to anyone with the same motto for life as they like to preach in the Hamlet:
Do what you love and love what you do.” 

When Suska Karjalainen and Nicolas Prevot were still living partly (her) in New York and (both) in Djibouti, life threw some unexpected elements in their way. It became necessary, on a short notice, to pack their belongings from a bit all over the world, as France was destined to become their new home country. After sharing an experience of renovating and running a Guest House in Djibouti, they had decided to not only do the same, but to expand from the offer of a typical B&B to experiences around different themes. Inspired by their own international network of professionals in many fields, they started the house hunt suitable for themed retreats in fall 2015.

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PLACE

The list of criteria for the property became rather long – and so did the search itself. It took several months, 25.000 kilometers on the road, and almost a 100 visited properties. But the hard work paid off, because the former goat cheese farm that centuries ago used to be a hamlet or a settlement of many families, became their new home the following spring.

Even if found partly in ruins, there was that special something that they knew would make a world of difference in their advantage when entering the very competitive market in the travel industry. The vast renovations were quicker than anyone would have imagined or believed, and so The Happy Hamlet (http://thehappyhamlet.com) opened its doors for the first guests in the summer 2017. The charm of the old white stones of the several buildings which together form the property, and the vast nature that stretches on over 30 acres of own land, provide an unbeatable combination to relax and unwind. “It is an outcome from sweat, blood and tears, for sure, but most of all it is love that one feels all around. Love from family, love from friends, love from the artisans who sometimes spent even their free time just to help us finish on time. The property may have a soul that dates back to 16th century, but it’s also all those people who’ve pitched in and whose presence and participation give the Hamlet its good vibes of today.”, says Suska visibly moved.

Today the Hamlet hosts retreats around various themes (http://thehappyhamlet.com/retreats2018): yoga, pilates, other well-being, fitness, arts, literature, food&wine, coaching and more, always instructed by top professionals in each field. Even if last summer was their opening season, the guest feedback has already been overwhelming. The word has spread and the Hamlet has been covered by several media, too, latest in the Finnair inflight magazine this January http://bluewings.finnair.com/lifestyle/29890/ and in the UK Living France magazine in December, featured as one of three Feel Good retreat spots in France: http://thehappyhamlet.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1711-Living-France.png.

Why do people love the Hamlet? The “luxury” does not come from golden faucets or the trendiest decor, but it does offer a stay with a soul – and an ambiance that is intimate as if visiting a friend.
“We are literally in the middle of nowhere, but that’s exactly what we needed in order to create the atmosphere we envisioned”, says Suska and adds “Besides, being surrounded only by wild nature, sunflower fields and rolling hills and having the band of birds or the frogs down by the pond, or the owl at night as the only noise pollution.. I think life could be worse, definitely.“, she laughs.
There is a natural swimming pool (no chlorite nor other chemicals!) and a sauna in a barrel, and the guests can enjoy their meals made with fresh and clean produce from own garden or nearby producers. Surely no need to mention the wine – there are hundreds of vineyards, small and family-run, organic and little castles,… The stay might soon seem oh so very short for all there is to do and see, to learn and to enjoy the French “joie de vivre”.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Compared to many typical retreat spots the Hamlet goes beyond the “feeling like at home” idea. The group size is always very small, the neighbors stop by for a chat, the places visited, such as the vineyards, are actually those of friends, and the stays are always all inclusive in the true meaning of the term. On top of the instructions, meals and drinks, accommodation, and visits in the region, all the snacks, drinks or anything else one may desire, is always at hand and for no extra costs. “We think it is disturbing while traveling that there are situations where enjoying and relaxing becomes a budget thing. We wanted to host stays where the guests can forget their wallets and budgets and concentrate on the most important: themselves and their own well-being.” Suska explains and adds that this has already proven to be a well-appreciated approach. Guests seem to love even the fact that meals are served just like at home, no menus and thus no difficult choices to make!

As the Hamlet is in the beginning of its journey, its natural “home market” has been Finland.
This means, that in its first phase many of their retreats are in Finnish. The list of names of instructors is rather impressive for the Finnish market: Teresa Välimäki, one of the best known female chefs in Finland, popular author-writer Katja Kallio, musician and yogi Mariko Pajalahti, and many other Finnish celebrities. However, the offering expands more and more to the global market, too, and there are already retreats instructed in English next season: in July Yoga & Wine & Goodness (http://thehappyhamlet.com/retreats2018/marikovibes) and a Bodyfulness retreat in August (http://thehappyhamlet.com/retreats2018/bodyfulness). The whole month of April is reserved for a Creatives-in-Residence program (http://thehappyhamlet.com/creatives), and the Hamlet is also open for any private or business rentals or venue hire for events (http://thehappyhamlet.com/hideaway). “We are small and we like to be that way. It allows us to be flexible and open to any and all suggestions – that makes it more interesting for us, too!“, Suska says and runs away as the guardian dog has started to bark, meaning someone has popped in to say hi. Without notice, which is how it still works on the countryside.

USEFUL LINKS:

Happy Hamlet

– homepage: http://thehappyhamlet.com
– FB: http://facebook.com/thehappyhamlet

– All retreats: http://thehappyhamlet.com/retreats2018

– In English: Yoga&Wine (July 9-14)  http://thehappyhamlet.com/retreats2018/marikovibes

– In English: Embodied Sensuality & Heart’s Desire / Bodyfulness retreat (Aug 7-12) http://thehappyhamlet.com/retreats2018/bodyfulness

– Creatives-in-Residence: http://thehappyhamlet.com/creatives

– Rentals, Venue hire, Events: http://thehappyhamlet.com/hideaway
– Finnair Blue Wings: http://bluewings.finnair.com/lifestyle/29890/
– Other testimonials/feedback: http://thehappyhamlet.com/testimonials

Contact Suska Karjalainen:

Email Suska here

http://instagram.com/thehappyhamlet.

Atlanta – Mar 07 2018

EuroCircle March Mixer at Babalu

Please join us for our monthly Eurocircle get-together which will take place at BABALU located in the heart of Midtown.

We will meet inside to the left of the entrance where we will have our own private enclosed patio area as well as a cocktail and beer bar set up for quick service.
Babarita’s are their signature drink and I have arranged a discounted price. We will also enjoy complimentary appetizers and parking is free as long as you make sure to get the voucher
from the hostess stand on the way out for the parking lot to the left of the venue.
Please note this is also directly across from the Midtown MARTA station so easy access for those coming from the suburbs and don’t want to deal with Atlanta traffic.
Please be sure to RSVP and as always, feel free to invite all your international & like-minded friends.

Hope to see everyone on March 7th!!!

Salutations,
David
Atlanta Eurocircle