The Ice Rink is Back: A Touch of Magic in Paris at the Hotel Plaza Athenee

The Plaza Athénée, the chic Parisian palace on the avenue Montaigne, has opened its ice rink for the season. Guests can hit up the private rink, built in La Cour Jardin and surrounded by twinkling fir trees, until January 31, 2009. Shop the soldes in Paris (the winter sales start on January 6, 2010), then take a spin around the courtyard ice rink. Warm up inside with a decadent hot chocolate or Cosmopolitan cocktail. (After all, the Plaza Athénée was featured prominently in the last TV episode of Sex and the City!) Don't miss the gorgeous treats crafted by Christophe Michalak, World Pastrycook Champion.

PS. Staying in Paris over New Year's? The Plaza Athénée is throwing a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bash for the kids, aged 3-11 years. Pint-sized guests can play pirate for the night, enjoying a pirate meal from Captain Ducasse's special menu, tricks from the ship's magician, pirate make-up, and fishing classes to survive aboard the Plaza ship...