Living vicariously: Oscar-inspired travel deals

Bistro cooking—simple, homey, and affordable—is one of my favorite things in Paris. However, it's not really the type of cooking for which the city is renowned. Haute cuisine, the kind that's prepared by an army of toque-wearing chefs, is what many imagine French food to be. In reality, it's something that very few tourists (and even fewer locals) can afford. If you've been dreaming about this sort of experience but can't imagine spending €500 on a meal, there's a solution—go for lunch. Some of the best restaurants in the city serve daytime menus for less than €100. That's still expensive, but it does put it more in line with a Broadway show than a transatlantic flight. For savvy gastronomes, going for lunch is a no-brainer. In addition to the cheaper menus, one usually spends a lot less on wine. Penny watchers can order a single glass or simply a bottle of sparkling water, and dessert seems less of an obligation. If you're curious and ready to take the plunge, consider these options, and be sure to reserve in advance. Guy Savoy One of the tasting menus at this incredible three-star restaurant is priced at €480 ($618).That's way out of reach for, well, almost everyone, but the little-known lunch special here is more accessible. Available only to those who book online, it allows you to choose a half appetizer, one main dish, and a half-dessert for €100 ($128). Wines by the glass start at €10. Although it's certainly at the high end of the price range, Guy Savoy is a good address for special occasions. 18 rue Troyon, 17th arrondissement, 011-33/8-26-10-13-07 L'Atelier and La Table de Joël Robuchon One of the country's most famous chefs came out of retirement a few years ago to open the left-bank L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (5 rue de Montalembert, 7th arrondissement, 011-33/8-26-10-12-19) and the right-bank La Table de Joël Robuchon (16 avenue Bugeaud, 16th arrondissement, 011-33/1-56-28-16-16). Neither is strictly haute, but both are undoubtedly hot. L'Atelier draws most of the attention, thanks to edgy design and open kitchen theatrics. La Table, however, boasts one of the best deals in town. You'll find many of the same dishes as at l'Atelier but for half the price at lunch. The €55 ($70) menu includes a glass of wine, hors d'œuvres and a main dish, plus cheese, dessert, coffee, and mignardises. As an added (and rare) bonus, both places are open every day of the year. Les Magnolias My best-ever Paris meal wasn't exactly in Paris, it was in a quiet suburb just outside of town. Locals all know that crossing the périphérique (freeways) will cut any dining bill in half, but travel guides rarely print recommendations for anything outside of central Paris. There's a reason for this: We don't want you getting lost. However, if you can handle taking a 20-minute train (RER-C) from Gare du Nord and then walking for 5 minutes, you'll be richly rewarded at les Magnolias. Chef Jean Chauvel offers a lunch menu for &eucro;58 ($75) that's composed of three playful, poetic, and extremely yummy courses. Two courses are even cheaper at €41 ($53). Choose only an appetizer and main dish, and you'll still be rewarded with plenty of sweet mignardises during coffee. It's a delightful experience and a great value for those who can negotiate a little public transport. 48 avenue de Bry, le Perreux-Sur-Marne, 011-33/1-48-72-47-43

Impress your sweetheart this Valentine's Day with new talk about "earthy legs" and "a fruity finish." The Willamette Valley Wineries is promoting itself this weekend with an I Love Oregon Wines event. Almost 40 wineries will be hosting tastings and open houses in the region, which is well known for its pinor noirs. Amity Vineyards, for example, has an event about pairing chocolate and pinot noir from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. At the Montinore Estate, you can take a free tango lesson before tasting a few wines. By the way, Oregon has plenty to toast in 2009—the state turns 150 on Valentine's Day, and there will be events going on all year. Tastings are usually around $5; that's often waived with a wine purchase. Get full location and event details here.

Packing the Right Credit Card…and also getting the right travel medical insurance. [New York Times] Top 10 Moments Caught on Google Maps Street View A shooting, a flashing, a house on fire. Tips on Santiago A "down and dirty guide to Chile's capital city." Travel agents lend a pro's perspective 10 questions to ask before deciding on a travel agent. [L.A. Times Travel] Tourists getting steep discounts at attractions Saving $$$ at the Georgia Aquarium, Walt Disney World, and Hersheypark. [AP via Yahoo News] 7 Awesome Solar Boats You Must See Slow but quiet. [treehugger.com] Why…are there ants on the ceiling of the Atlanta airport? [Design Public] Women-Only Hotels Heat Up One in NYC caters comes with extra-large bathtubs, a vanity kit, and yoga mats. [Forbes.com]

During these tough times, a few of my recently downsized friends have optimistically referred to their layoffs as extra vacation time. Karen Duncan, 53, had the same idea. She lost her job as an electrician in December and seized the opportunity to take her dream trip. "I've wanted to go to Thailand for a long time, but the flight is so long I don't want to go for a short time," says the New Jersey native. "It's not in our American culture to take really long vacations." Next week, she'll embark on a much-anticipated four-week tour of the country, with the help of a timely offer from Intrepid Travel. For bookings made through the end of June, the Australia-based outfitter is offering anyone who's been let go since last September a 15 percent discount on more than 400 of its tour packages. With the cheekily titled "Laid Off Take Off" deal, a 23-day Thai tour with lodging, 13 meals, and all local transportation starts at $1,533 per person (including a local payment of $437 but not including airfare). That comes out to about $67 per night. Duncan also looks forward to being thrifty while she's abroad. "It's about 35 Thai Baht to the dollar now," she says. "You can get a good dinner there for $5." For something a little closer to home, this discount would make a 14-day tour of the Western U.S. with plenty of guided hikes a manageable $1,485 per person, or about about $115 a night. Not as nice as a new job, but a good way to escape for a bit. Good news for solo travelers: Intrepid does not charge an additional single supplement to solo travelers. Instead, single travelers will be paired with roommates of the same sex. THE FINE PRINT Most trips require a local payment, and the 15 percent discount does not apply to that. Excludes some packages. Travel must depart by Dec. 31, 2009. You need to send in an e-mail or letter from your former employer to receive the discount. Use promo code 2653. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL U.S. and Canada Real Deals