David Landis, just back from Europe where I met with my Public Relations Global Network (www.prgn.com) colleagues at our semi-annual meeting in Paris.  PRGN, by the way, is a network of 38 leading independent public relations agencies now spanning six continents across the globe.

So, what’s the news from Europe?  (In not any particular order). . .

·         PRGN has new agencies in Singapore (Mileage Communications, www.mileagecommunications.com), India (Aspire Communications, www.aspirepr.in) and The Netherlands (Evident PR, www.publicrelations.nl). 

·         PRGN’s new President is Irish-born and bred Frank Cullen of Cullen Communications (www.cullencommunications.ie) .  Top of the morning to ya, Frank!

·         The word at our conference heard around the world:  the slowing of the economy – except, that is, in Brazil, China, India, Russia and Poland. 

·         Bring a TANKLOAD of money.  A normal T-shirt was 30 euros (i.e., about $51).  Breakfast in hotels (a croissant and coffee) was 25 euros (about  $42).  Oy vey. . .

OK, in honor of Europe, here’s my Buzzworthy list from the Loire Valley, Paris and Barcelona:

·          Hotel Le Manoir Les Minimes bed and breakfast in Amboise, France – a great, gay-owned bed and breakfast on the banks of the Loire.  Charming, delightful, clean – ask for the corner room upstairs with a view of the river.

·         Domaine des Hauts de Loire – great Relais & Chateau property in Onzain – go for the ten course dinner tasting menu, but you’ll have to forego your kid’s college tuition.  It’s worth it.

·          The chateau at Chenonceau stretches across the River Cher – divine!  Have lunch at their L’Orangerie, but order the local wine to save money.

·         Priorat – the hot new Spanish wine – and you can get one delicious varietal at Bev Mo on sale for $13.99!

·         All the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, but especially Casa Battllo

·         The Axel Hotel in Barcelona – gay owned and operated and their motto is “hetero-friendly”

·         Flauta in Barcelona – great tapas

·         The Joan Miro Foundation in Barcelona – beautiful collection, gorgeous building and breathtaking views from the grounds

·         La Maison – great neighborhood restaurant near Notre Dame in Paris and the restaurateur is a hoot!

·         Being back in San Francisco where $1 buys you something. . .

Adios and Au Revoir for now!