Black Paris Divas International - a partnership between Kattrax Tours, and Café de la Soul * Your Black Paris Portal - are pleased to announce that reservations are now being accepted for their signature tours: La Vie en Noire, March 28 - April 4, 2008; and Culture, Cuisine and Josephine, March 31 - April 8, 2008.
La Vie en Noire tour focuses primarily on the City of Light, where the trio known as Black Paris Divas (Kat St. Thomas, Robin Bates and Robin Mitchell) guide tour participants through a series of enlightening Black Paris tours, bountiful shopping excursions and palate-pleasing dining experiences from France and the African Diaspora.
Culture, Cuisine and Josephine, on the other hand, begins in Paris and then whisks participants off to the Dordogne (by train, first class of course), arriving in a charming medieval town straight out of a fairytale. Once there, the next two days are spent sampling the best wines, foie gras and local specialties the region has to offer. The full Culture, Cuisine & Josephine tour experience then culminates in a private guided tour of Josephine Baker's former home, Chateau des Milandes, where participants are guided through halls of rare photographs, original costumes, medals and furniture that once belonged to la Baker.
Reviewing each itinerary, it becomes clear that La Vie en Noire and Culture, Cuisine & Josephine are not your ordinary tours of France. Even clearer is the fact that the excursions are unlike (and in many ways, far exceeds) other Black Paris vacation packages on the market today. Just what makes Black Paris Divas tours so special? When participants were posed this question, they replied:
"These sisters speak French, know their history, and can navigate through Paris like nobody's business."
"Where do I start? The food? Fabulous. The tours? Unforgettable. The chateau? Awe inspiring. The icing on the cake: a tour of Paris at night by stretch limo, which ended with us sipping champagne in front of a sparkling Eiffel Tower. It was a truly unforgettable experience!"
"Everything was so well planned and organized. All I had to do was show up in the lobby and follow our guides!"
"I was continually amazed by the professionalism of Black Paris Divas. Not only are they knowledgeable but they are down-to-earth and very respectful of the tour participants and of each other. They make a great team!"
"The attention! Never once did I feel forgotten or unattended to. I overheard another tour participant ask if we could add an additional stop to our itinerary, the reply was "Of course! This is your tour! It's all about you.' At that moment, I was impressed."
"It is clear that great care has gone into planning the itinerary, from the hotel selections, to the restaurants and group excursions. 100% class, from day one."
This may be the first time you've read about this dynamic group, but Black Paris Divas are in no way newcomers on the Black Paris scene. In fact, some would say that they are not only pioneers, but experts in their field. Kat St. Thomas - tour guide extraordinaire - has been conducting group tours to Europe and the Caribbean for the past 24 years, and first began bringing groups of African Americans to Paris in 1983. Robin Bates - former Paris resident and founder of Café de la Soul - has been traveling to France since 1989 and 1998 launched Café de la Soul, the first website ever to focus on the African American community and their history in Paris. The newest diva is Robin Mitchell, a former Paris resident and PhD candidate in French History from UC Berkeley. Individually, these brilliant and accomplished women stand on their own; together they are Black Paris Divas.
And by the way, don't let the name fool you. Black Paris Divas welcomes participants of all ages, sexes and colors. All you need to experience France the Black Paris Divas way is an open mind and a positive attitude.
For more information please visit their website at www.blackparisdivas.com
