A very warm late September weekend in New York. Last night was the first time I was aware of the change of seasons, having to turn on the lights shortly after six-thirty. The weather man predicted rain and thunderstorms and a temperature in the mid- to low-sixties for the weekend. Instead we got some raindrops, mainly sunshine, some clouds and a very muggy temperature in the upper 70s.

Reflections on our trip to France. People have asked how we were able to have the privileged access to the fabulous Kraemer collection of 18th century antiques on the rue de Monceau and the astounding apartment of the Count and Countess d’Ornano on the Left Bank. Answer in a word (or two): Pamela Darling.

Mrs. Darling is an American, born and bred in Connecticut, and a resident of France for more than 25 years. We were introduced by Marilyn White the New York public relations woman who handles a lot of clients in the art and design businesses.

Pamela Darling specializes in creating and organizing exclusive, custom-designed events and cultural travel programs for travellers, connoisseurs, corporations and museums. Many of these events which she organizes take place in the most eminent and celebrated cultural sites both public and private, with the participation of leaders, officials and experts in the Arts, gastronomy, fashion, sports, government and industry.

There’s no end to the variety of events. Think:

A 4-day program of special events for the executives of a Fortune 500 corporation and its top clients during the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, including private visits of the paddocks with the pilots, yachting on the French Riviera, wine-tasting and luncheon in the home of a world renowned art collector, private concert and dinner gala in a magnificent museum and gardens overlooking the Riviera.

Pamela Darling

Or: a private recital at the great cathedral in Chartres. Or a prestigious wine-tasting ceremony and reception in a magnificent private chateau. Or a visit to the Louvre Pyramid with architect I. M. Pei, an exclusive privately held dinner for 75 guests in one of France’ 3-star restaurants, Joel Robuchon, a private, live fashion show and reception at Yves Saint Laurent.

It’s amazing what she can do, providing privileged, unequaled access to government and private institutions, coveted privately owned town residences and chateaux of private collectors, and officials, internationally renowned Champagne and wine estates, luxury institutions, and exclusive private clubs. Innovation, quality, and taste are the hallmarks of her programs which can last from one to seven days, organized in a leisurely or highly sophisticated program, depending on the needs of her clients.

Besides our visit to the House of Kraemer and the exquisite d’Ornano residence, we missed out on, due to lack of time, to several other amazing private residences including the oldest hotel particulier in the Marais.

Her tours, from our experience anyway, are seamless, relaxed, with very small groups (there were only eight of us on ours, including some people from San Francisco and a couple from Louisville).  Because of her long association with France, and her even longer association with the US, her tours and events are fascinating, informative and, as the French would say, “comme il faut.”

Pamela Huntington Darling & Associates

Exclusive Travel Programs and Distinguished Event Management

3, rue du Général Lambert – 75007 Paris, France

Tel + 33 (0)1 45 67 62 81 – Email: pdarling@eventsofprestige.com

Tonight in New York there are all kinds of wonderful things going on including the opening of the season at the Metropolitan Opera with a performance of “Madame Butterfly” to a sold-out crowd.

Fete de Swifty 2005

But meanwhile, over on East 73rd Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, we’re staging the 3rd annual Fete de Swifty, which is, hands down, the chicest block party Manhattan has seen since ... well, since last year’s Fete de Swifty. Inspired by the once-upon-a-time Fete de Famille, which the late restaurateur Glenn Birnbaum staged to raise money for AIDS Care back in the 1980s, this Fete is named after his pet pug (who was named after Irving “Swifty” Lazar, the Hollywood agent) and the restaurant of the same name which is just around the corner from the party.

Liz Smith came up with the idea for the Fete after her 80th birthday when she asked friends and admirers to donate something to the Mayor’s Fund instead of giving her a birthday present. The Mayor’s Fund received more than $200,000 thanks to Liz’s suggestion and she was so impressed she wanted to find away to continue raising money for the cause. The first year we took in the low six figures. The second year we went over a half-million and maybe this year if we’re lucky we’ll exceed that, all for the benefit of the Family Justice Initiative of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.

Meanwhile, it’s turned into one of the best charity benefit parties in New York during the autumn season. There’s lots and lots of food and booze (so you can plan on dining there), as well as silent and live auctions. Nicole Kidman and Joe Torre head the list of honorary chairs. Mayor Bloomberg will make an appearance naturally, as will an awful lot of the faces you see on the New York Social Diary and elsewhere around town. There are acrobats, jugglers, stilt-walkers, live music and disco other clever amusements that you rarely find in New York. If you haven’t bought a ticket, you can get them at the door. From 6 to 9 at 73rd Street and Lexington Avenue. Come one, come all.