Archive for the ‘France’ Category

How to do Paris in 48 hours

Monday, March 15th, 2010

There’s no need to worry that you will miss the best Paris has to offer when this guide shows you how to see it all in only 48 hours.

Paris is a city of many faces, the narrow streets contain hidden jewels of patisseries, bars and Parisian cafe culture that have attracted visitors for centuries.

09:00
One of the best places to begin your day is at the Arc De Triomphe, the largest roundabout in France’s capital and one of the most hazardous in the world. No insurance company will cover a vehicle travelling around it, as twelve roads feed into the circle with no clear road markings an and even less clear is who has right of way.

Thankfully there is an underpass to get across safely. The view from the arch down the 1.3km stretch of the Champs Elys’e ends at the Place de la Concorde and a smaller version of the triumphant arch that stands in the Jardin Tuileries beyond, the Arc De Triomphe du Carousel. The arch itself offers a fine panoramic view of Paris from the top, as well as a good glimpse of that most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower.

09:30
The walk to the tower first brings you to the Palace Challiot, a complex of four museums dedicated to French movies, Naval history, a museum of mankind and one for French Monuments. The pathway between leads down to the gardens of the Trocadero but the most striking feature is of course the tower just beyond.

10:00
The Eiffel Tower was built as a showpiece of the 1889 world Expo, advertising the quality of French steel, incorporating 10,100 tonnes of iron. Gustave Eiffel felt his creation was a fine example of French engineering. His view sadly was not shared by everyone. Several attempts were made to take it down but its role as a radio antenna in WWI was what eventually saved it.

Today it is one of the best known Parisian landmarks, attracting thousands of tourists to the top every year. The length of the queues depends on the time of year and time of day. There are two points of entry for the lifts, or there is the alternative of climbing the stairs, all 1,710 of them. A great work out for the hips and thighs.

If the lines are short it may be wise to take the chance now to make your attempt to reach the top. If you are lucky enough to reach the third level you may wish to spend 1-2 hours to experience it. There are museum rooms to view with details on the tower’s construction and history. Otherwise it pays to arrive early.

12:00
Beneath the tower lies the Champ de Mars, a landscaped green area that leads to the Ecole Militaire. Further on to the left of the military school is the Hotel Des Invalides, the site once used as an armoury that supplied the gun wielding revolutionaries in 1789.

Follow the riverside along Quay D’Orsay down towards Pont Alexander III. Cross the bridge an walk towards the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais down Avenue Winston Churchill. Both palaces are now art galleries devoted to modern and ancient artworks, permanent displays as well as new artists. Straight ahead you rejoin the Champs Elys’e that will take you down to Place de la Concorde.

13:00
The Place de la Concorde is the finishing point for the cycle race the Tour de France as well as the historical site of the French Revolution. The square is worth a few moments to remember it was originally called Place du Revolution, and home to “Madame Guillotine”.

The Obelisk gifted by Mohammed Ali in 1831 came from Luxor and marks the spot where many French nobles met their end during the French Revolution. The square would have been filled with peasants eager to see their former employers going for the chop in 1789 and during the reign of terror that followed.

You can leave the traffic behind for a bit now as you enter the Jardin des Tuileries. The fountains and pathways were once part of Palace Tuileries but it burnt down during some violent revolutionary riots.

In the gardens you will find statues and artworks on display, including one of Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who led an army against the English in the 15th Century, and later burned at the stake as a heretic.

The end of the gardens is marked by Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe du Carousel, another little present to himself glorifying his achievements. The horses, or Quadriga, on top are copies of the ones sitting above the door of Basilica San Marco in Venice which he was made to give back.

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Explore Paris with Eyes Wide Open

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Politics aside, it’s generally agreed upon that Paris is one of the most charming and culturally rich places to visit anywhere in the world. Its constant presence in literature and song, its popular fashions, and the fact that it serves as the backdrop to so many movies, works of art, and closely-held personal memories cannot be overshadowed by a few international disagreements and spats that go so far as to involve the nomenclature of fried potatoes. Paris grabs everyone’s attention at some point, so if it hasn’t drawn you in yet, expect to feel its pull soon enough.

With its arrondissements, quartiers, and rues, Paris makes the simple act of looking at a map feel like a romantic adventure. It’s true that getting around might be a challenge; but luckily becoming lost along a cobblestone street lined with cafes that serve the finest coffee and pastries you’ve ever had isn’t likely to irk you too much. In fact, go ahead and venture out with no particular itinerary in mind for the quickest way to immerse yourself in the dynamic atmosphere of this delightful city. After this one-of-a-kind getting to know you session, you’ll be ready to see the famous sites in a more traditional way (saving room for more impromptu explorations in between, of course).

There is so much to take note of in Paris; hopefully you’ve stolen enough time away from work to properly fit everything in without having to rush around like a mad person. The museums alone could take years to allow every painting, sculpture, and trinket to be admired for all they are worth. From the Musee d’Orsay, where the impressionist masterpieces dwell, to the Louvre, where the Mona Lisa and a few other familiar faces will welcome you to the City of Light, you will achieve the odd sensation of replacing a dim representation of something with the brilliance of the real thing. This goose bump-inducing feeling is what separates pleasant vacations from marvelous ones.

Let the thrilling chills continue to rise up your spine as you seek out the Eiffel Tower, L’Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, and all the other places you’ll know more intimately from now on. In addition to the attention-grabbing major players, there are also countless Parisian gems that may end up edging out the others as your favorite sights. Take the stairs of Montmartre for example, or the Palais Garnier. If these don’t sound familiar, it’s best to check them out on your own once you’ve unpacked your bags.

Even fashion neophytes know that Paris is a heaven for designers and purchasers of clothing, jewelry, handbags, and shoes. From haute couture to bargain racks, you’ll find what it is you’re looking for in the major shopping districts and sprinkled among the banks and patisseries, so be prepared to spend some time gazing into shop windows at all the awe-inspiring wares. Whether you bring home silly souvenirs, up-to-the-minute fineries, or more likely, a little of both, you’ll find Paris to be highly satisfactory when it comes to delivering the goods.

If you must, you can boil it down to neo-classical architecture, red wine, and a deeply entrenched cultural heritage, but Paris is so much more. It deserves to be explored with eyes wide open and every other sense acting on highest alert. You’ll taste amazing foods, hear the pleasing lilt of the French language, and smell the aromas of fresh baguettes, flower filled jardins, and the fruits of some of the finest vineyards in the world. Paris deserves some time and attention, so come with the willingness to learn and the energy to wander. You won’t be disappointed by your efforts to become acquainted with one of the world’s most intriguing regions, and you’ll likely return home feeling a bit more understanding and content with the knowledge that you’ve expanded your world view significantly.

To truly embrace this rendezvous with the city of romance, you’ll want to make your lodging experience just so. Paris is filled with hotels that range from modest hostels to luxurious suites, but don’t overlook the possibility of living like a local and reserving an elegant apartment or studio. Especially if you decide to stay for a while in order to truly get a feel for this European jewel, you’ll enjoy the experience of settling into a home-like residence outfitted with conveniences like a cute kitchen and special touches like a d’cor truly worthy of the adjective chic. Each property is different, so spend a little time picking out the one that best suits your needs, and more importantly, that holds the potential for the most divine enchantments.

No matter how you define the details, your trip to Paris is sure to be a treat. Study the guidebooks, recall the advice you’ve been given from Francophiles, and go online to select one of the many Paris Apartments that will likely speak to your adventurous soul. Everything seems to be coming together for a wondrous trip, so as they say, bon voyage.

Five European Cities You Must Visit

Monday, March 8th, 2010

The only difficulty you face when planning a visit to Europe is deciding where to go. There is so much to see, so many beautiful cities and so little time that you are spoilt for choice. In no particular order, these are five cities that you should see. There are many, many more such as Barcelona, Madrid, Budapest, Prague ?

London. When you tire of London you tire of life as someone once said, and it is still true even now. London is dirty, noisy, crowded and the public transport isn?t the best in the world but there is something about London that has to be experienced. Hyde park, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, a walk along the Thames, Harrods, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Soho. You can go on and on.

Paris. If you are planning a visit to Europe, how could you not spend at least a few days in Paris? It is probably the most chic city in the world, with its beautiful architecture, cafes, churches, monuments, art galleries and more. Walk along the Seine or take a bateau mouche to see the city from the river, climb the Eiffel tower, visit Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, eat, drink and be merry.

Rome. Like London Rome is noisy, crowded and amazing. It has great food and great wine combined with thousands of years of history. Visit the roman forum, Vatican City, the Coliseum., the Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon. As with all these cities, the only hard decision is what to miss out if you only have a limited time. You could live in Rome for a month and only scratch the surface.

Venice. Simply, the most beautiful city in the world. It has to be seem to be believed. After visiting St Mark?s Square and the main tourist sites, I would suggest leaving the normal tourist areas and wandering through the back streets to see something of the real Venice. Even during the long tourist season these are relatively empty, and you will stumble across many hidden gems, not only architecturally but also gastronomically.

Berlin. In common with the other cities, there is a lot of interesting history attached although Berlin is different in that much of it is more recent. You can follow the track marking out the Berlin wall, see the last remaining bits of wall (now preserved), Checkpoint Charlie, the last remaining watch tower and so on. There are also an astonishing number of museums and beer halls within easy reach, and of course the Berlin State Opera.

Finally, a little bit of language helps. English is widely spoken, especially in the tourist areas, but people appreciate it if you make an effort in their language. This doesn’t have to be more than hello, goodbye but it usually gets a good response. You will also find that in places where you might expect an understanding of English, such as the metro in Paris, it can surprisingly be absent.

Bouillon Tourist Information

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

General summary of city:
Bouillon is a city that is situated in the province of Luxembourg, in the western section of Belgium. A small city and part of the Neufchateau district, Bouillon has a relatively small population numbering just over 5,000 individuals. Yet, the small population of the city can be somewhat deceiving, Bouillon is a city that offers plenty of things to do see and enjoy.

Bouillon is located very near the French border and is surrounded by Ardennes. Filled with incredible castle structures, and many historical sites to see, the city of Bouillon draws thousands of tourists each year. The city of Bouillon is also the location where Godfrey of Bouillon first left for the Crusades in 1095. Further, the city of Bouillon was, at one time, under the rulership of the French?specifically King Louis XIV in 1676. Later, the city would become part of Belgium in the eighteen century.

Castles, museums, beer breweries, and recreational activities are all easily accessible to guests in Bouillon. In fact, if guests visit Bouillon at the right time of year, they can take in all of the recreational activities that are offered on an annual basis in Bouillon. The city of Bouillon offers a carnival every March, a Trout Festival every April; Falconry demonstrations between the months of April and August; a Medieval Weekend during the month of August; a Craft Fair in September; and a mountain biking expedition in September.

Places of interest:
Bouillon houses a number of sites of historical interest. The Archeoscope is filled to the brim with edifying exhibits: exhibits that will reveal the true history of Bouillon, from its early beginnings to the present day. Further, within the Archeoscope, travellers can view scale models of the existing fortifications within the city of Bouillon and neighbouring France. The Archeoscope is often the first site visited by travellers?the historical education provided by the location readies the traveller for other site seeing adventures within the city.

Alternatively, travellers may also want to see the Ducal Museum, housing exhibits pertaining to the First Crusade to the present. English speaking, guided tours are offered at the Ducal Museum, and guests can take in the breath-taking sixteenth and seventeenth century architecture that this museum is famous for. Ultimately, the Ducal Museums is a source of historical exploration that the entire family can easily enjoy.

Of course, travellers seldom leave Belgium before sampling its world famous beer or visiting one of its breweries. While staying in Bouillon, travellers can tour the Le March? de Nathalie, the city?s single brewery; a brewery that brews well over 300 varieties of Belgium beer. Travellers are given the opportunity to sample some of Belgium?s finest brews at the Le March? de Nathalie.

Things to do:
The annual Falconry Demonstration that is offered between the months of April and August is called the Ballet de Rapaces. Offered three times daily, the Falconry Demonstration is a perk of visiting the Castle in Bouillon. The times for the Falconry Demonstration are set at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm respectively. Each show lasts approximately ? hour, just a short time for travellers to see the beautiful falcons and their abilities.

Alternatively, many tourists find that they are drawn to the medieval architecture of Bouillon and such travellers may enjoy seeing the Chateau Fort. The Chateau Fort was established in the late 900?s and was formerly owned by Godfrey of Bouillon. The Chateau Fort houses long, vast corridors, and dark dank dungeons for traveller exploration and the medieval charm of the Fort is truly unforgettable. Adults and children find the Chateau Fort incredibly interesting, and the guided tours?especially the nocturnal tours where guides walk tourist through the castle with lighted torch in hand?serve as an incredibly memorable experience. The Chateau Fort is accessible from 10 am to 6:00 pm and the cost of admission is nominal: 5.20 Euro and 3.50 Euro for children and adults respectively.

Food & Drink:
Travellers can enjoy a fine dining experience at the La Vieille Ardenne on Grand Rue, a caf? and restaurant that proudly offers catering facilities to the residents of Bouillon. The La Vieille Ardenne has an outdoor veranda and travellers can sit on the terrace while sampling one of Belgium?s famous beers. Alternatively, the Auberge du Panaroma situated at Au dessus de la Ville 23 serves a fine selection of French cuisine, and is open every day except Monday and Tuesday.

Those travellers looking for fantastic Italian entrees can please their palate at La Rocca; located at rue du Petit 19 in Bouillon. La Rocca is open every day except for Monday and offers its guest live entertainment while they dine. Children?s menus are available at La Rocca and the dining facility is handicapped accessible.

Meanwhile, travellers looking for a taste of Belgian cuisine will find precisely what they desire at La Baratin, located at Rue des Augustins 12. Open everyday of the week, except for Mondays and Tuesdays, La Baratin offers the best in Belgian dining. Popular entrees among travellers include frites, Flemish cabbage, Flemish Stew, mussels and chips, and a dessert consisting of Belgium?s famous chocolates can finish off any meal. Again, beer, including the fruity, flavored variety is available in many cafes and restaurants throughout Belgium.

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How to Shop Smartly for Fashion in Paris

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Going to Paris for a shopping spree needs not put your household finances down for the next two years. It simply requires a little planning, and being let in on little-known shops offering bargain basement deals.

Paris is a shopping mosaic
Those of you who visited Paris already know that from a shopper’s perspective, the city is divided in broad sections where stores of the same trade tend to congregate. A mosaic of many colors, tastes, and price ranges.

Take Saint-Germain-des-Pr’s, for instance. The highest part of the famed area, situated closest to Boulevard St Germain, is home to designer clothing stores, sidewalk caf’s and restaurants. Dive in, and your footsteps will lead you to Rue de Seine where the art galleries have drawn together.

From Saint-Germain, walk up the Rue de Rennes, towards the Montparnasse area. You’ll be crossing the Rue Du Four where even more expensive clothiers line up the facades. But continue on to the Saint Sulpice metro station, around which many clothing stores offer cheaper garments and accessories.

Sales season in Paris
In another area of the city, not too far from the old Opera house, the Boulevard Haussmann became the homestead of the department stores over a century ago. The Printemps store was built there in 1865, followed closely by the Galeries Lafayette, in 1893. Department stores are not unlike Ali Baba’s treasure cave: clothes, shoes, jewelry, watches, accessories, perfumes spread on a five-story high, gigantic floor space.

Their selection is great, but you have to visit Paris during the official sale seasons to find true bargains there. And there are only two sales seasons in France: winter, and summer. Their respective starting dates in a given year are set by administrative decree, and they each last 6 weeks. In Paris the winter sale season usually starts in the second week of January. The summer sales season starts toward end-June.

Designer depot bargains
For off-season bargains look somewhere else. The gems are often to be found in small shops in God-forsaken streets, or in hard-to-find first-floor apartments. This is especially the case of designer depots.

Though it has become a brand name in North America, a designer depot is in fact a form of commerce. People like you and me bring in clothes we don’t want to wear anymore, and get a little money from the shop owner who will resell our garments for a little more money to other people.

I can hear your blas comments: “Tcha! Consignment stores! Thrift shops!…” Well, in Paris, designer depots aren’t exactly your regular Salvation Army-type stores. Not at all.

Though not all equal before God, Parisian designer depots are often owned and managed by women with a background in the fashion industry. Women with flair and a sharp eye for what to wear and how. Women who can readily tell you why you would look better in this dress than in that one.

In ‘designer depot”, there is the magic word ‘designer’. Parisian designer depots offer designer and couture clothes at deep, deep, deep discounts. And mind you, clothes in quasi perfect condition. Clothes worn only once. Well, maybe twice.

If you come to them with your regular hoodies, or your last season tennis shoes, or your mall-shopped polo shirt for that matter, do not expect to be welcomed. Expect rejection with a disapproving stare instead.

So, where do they hide?
Then again, not all designer depots were created equal, and where you go shopping for practically-perfect-in-every-way designer clothes is the true measure of your inside knowledge of the city.

I would like to recommend you three ‘petites adresses’ [the French for 'best-kept-secret places'] I selected amongst a host of others.

For those of you, ladies, who like the classic look, ‘Priscilla’ is the shop for you. Priscilla is lady who owns the place. She reveres such signature names as Yves Saint Laurent, Max Mara, Kenzo, Chistian Dior, and Sonya Rykiel. Her prices range from $60 for a skirt, to $75 for a jacket, to $130 for a lady’s suit. Priscilla advises you to rummage around, and come to her place with an open mind. The shop is located at 4 rue Mouton- Duvernet, in the 14 th district. The nearest metro station is Mouton-Duvernet. Its opening hours are between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Monday, and between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm from Tuesday to Saturday with a one-hour break at 1:30 pm.

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A Leader In Luxury RV Manufacturing Is Monaco

Monday, December 28th, 2009

If you are looking for a luxury motorhome look at a Monaco. They use the highest quality materials available, and are crafted with the highest level of care. Monaco not only insists on supplying the best customer care but the best motorhome.

To be able to build the repeat business that Monaco has is unbelievable. Monaco has done this by building and satisfying their customers for years. They listen to the need of their customers. This is how they are able to release a new model every year. They keep all the information they receive and create a new model.

There are so many events to go to that you can get additional information on RVing as well as the up and coming RV. It is suggested that if you are making Rving your lifestyle that you attend these functions. This is also a way to get your opinion out there. Your choices are roadside clubs, magazines, rallies, conventions.

You can get both Class A and Class C made by Monaco. The eight (8) Class A models are the Knight, Cayman, Diplomat, Camelot, Windsor, Executive, Signature, the Dynasty which is the newest. The Class C is a mini motorhome named the Esquire. The two (2) Monaco gas models are the Lapalma and the Monarch SE.

Monaco also works with Good Year and Cummins. Their products Good Year tires and the Cummins engine are in all of the RVs that they manufacture. The “Road Master Custom Chassis,” is another branch of the corporation. Chassis is (pronounces cha-see) is the frame that supports the RV. Road Master Custom Chassis only supplies Monaco with their Chassis.

All the RVs are completely described on their official website. You can get detailed information on your current RV or a new one.
Monaco selects certain dealers that have to meet their standards in order to sell their motorhomes. Monaco expects the dealers to know their product and is trained in depth about them. Monaco stands for excellence, reliable, and great customer service and treats everyone like family. Rving is a investment as well as a lifestyle.

The official website for Monaco it has everything you would want to know about a Monaco motorhome. There is information about all the different models, styles, floor plans, interior design, exterior design, color, as well as the way they built it. This is where you can get a brochure for the exact model you are interested in. They also offer videos, photos of the motorhome, and the top ten reasons to purchase a motorhome. Monaco high level of customer service as well as service is the hard to find in today’s society.

If you are looking for a luxury motorhome look at a Monaco. They use the highest quality materials available, and are crafted with the highest level of care. Monaco not only insists on supplying the best customer care but the best motorhome.
To be able to build the repeat business that Monaco has is unbelievable. Monaco has done this by building and satisfying their customers for years. They listen to the need of their customers. This is how they are able to release a new model every year. They keep all the information they receive and create a new model.
There are so many events to go to that you can get additional information on RVing as well as the up and coming RV. It is suggested that if you are making Rving your lifestyle that you attend these functions. This is also a way to get your opinion out there. Your choices are roadside clubs, magazines, rallies, conventions.
You can get both Class A and Class C made by Monaco. The eight (8) Class A models are the Knight, Cayman, Diplomat, Camelot, Windsor, Executive, Signature, the Dynasty which is the newest. The Class C is a mini motorhome named the Esquire. The two (2) Monaco gas models are the Lapalma and the Monarch SE.
Monaco also works with Good Year and Cummins. Their products Good Year tires and the Cummins engine are in all of the RVs that they manufacture. The “Road Master Custom Chassis,” is another branch of the corporation. Chassis is (pronounces cha-see) is the frame that supports the RV. Road Master Custom Chassis only supplies Monaco with their Chassis.
All the RVs are completely described on their official website. You can get detailed information on your current RV or a new one.
Monaco selects certain dealers that have to meet their standards in order to sell their motorhomes. Monaco expects the dealers to know their product and is trained in depth about them. Monaco stands for excellence, reliable, and great customer service and treats everyone like family. Rving is a investment as well as a lifestyle
The official website for Monaco www.monaco-online.com it has everything you would want to know about a Monaco motorhome. There is information about all the different models, styles, floor plans, interior design, exterior design, color, as well as the way they built it. This is where you can get a brochure for the exact model you are interested in. They also offer videos, photos of the motorhome, and the top ten reasons to purchase a motorhome. Monaco high level of customer service as well as service is the hard to find in today’s society.

Travel Beaches in France

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

France is surrounded by three major water bodies, namely the English Channel, Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean on is north, south and western side respectively. Because of an extensive coastline one can find a large number of beaches in this country. The France beaches serve as some of the major tourist attractions of the country.

The beaches lining the Mediterranean coast are the most popular beaches of the country. Most of the beaches in the southern part of the country are fond in the cities of Nice, Cannes, St. Tropez, Cote d’Azur and the island of Corsica. The beaches in this area re known for their white sand and blue waters. The temperature is much more warm over here and the sand is soft over here. These beaches are visited by a majority of the travelers especially the celebrities, and hence these beaches are a more expensive vacation area. The main beaches that are worth visiting over here include Bouillabaisse Beach, Graniers Beach, Jumeaux Beach, Pampellone Beach and Tahiti and the Monte Carlo beaches. In Corsica, one can take pay a visit to the Golfe di Sogno Beach, Palombaggia Beach, Santa Giulia Beach, Loto Beach and Saleccia Beach.

If you are panning to go o the western side of the country, then you can check out the beaches lining the Atlantic coast. The most popular beaches found in this area include Belle-île-en Mer, La Rochelle, La Baules, Ile de Porquerolles and Pléneuf-Val-André. One of the most famous beaches of the country, found in this part is La Baules. This is a crescent shaped beach and the longest one in the whole of Europe.

One can find both natural and nude beaches in France. The topless beaches make France pretty famous all across the world. Some of the famous topless or nude beaches that one can find over here include Cap d’Agde, Le Centre Hélio Montalivet, La Moutte, and Leucate Plage. These beaches are frequented by a large number of celebrities as well as commoners.

The beaches are a good place to go for family outings, picnics and camping. One can go for sun bathing over here or embark on a number of water-based activities like snorkeling, diving, swimming, yachting, surfing, sailing and others. There are a number of beach resorts over here, where one can choose to stay, when on a holiday to France. The beaches are filled with a large number of cafes and restaurants, where one can try out different kinds of delicacies and drinks.

The France beaches are one of the most regularly visited tourists spots of the country. They are a perfect place to relax and have fun.

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