Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts

Thursday, October 29, 2009

A Cheap Holiday Vacation To Montmartre, Paris


If you are looking for a special holiday location, you will find Montmartre in Paris a beautiful and historic place to visit and spend time. Montmartre is a small bohemian community of artists. The area is three hundred feet above the other areas and you can have a splendid view of the Eiffel Tower. You will see the artists at work, painting, selling and just talking to all the visitors. This is a vacationer’s delight. If you want a cheap holiday vacation, this is where to go, the food and the drinks are affordable since this little community tailors itself to the visitor.

Getting up to Montmartre is a plight all in its own. People line up at the trains for a ride to the top. If you plan your trip to this area, stay in one of the many villas, hotels or B&B’s they have to offer. Once you are at the top, you will not want to come back down. The area is filled with gardens and beautiful artwork that can keep you busy for days. You might even enjoy a stay at one of the lodges near the vineyards. You can take tours of the countryside and the vineyards to see how the wines of Paris are made.

The area is well known for its nightlife and the famous Basilica of the Sacre Coeur. Another famous attraction is the Saint Pierre de Montmartre. If you plan your cheap holiday vacation to Montmartre in Paris, you will hear about some of the famous artists who used the area to paint and become a household name. The names like Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet will be on your list of artists, you can see where they painted and learn a little more about the history of their beginnings.

You will find thirteen popular restaurants in Montmartre, which serve different types of cuisine. You will find over thirty hotels with affordable prices for your stay on the hilltop. Many people go to Montmartre to see the historic parts of Paris that no one ever talks about or sees. The area is a beautiful holiday vacation and if you want to see the Eiffel Tower from the top, this is the place to stay. You cannot find a better place to stay for restaurants, nightlife and culture than here. If you just visit for the day, you can take the stairs up, which offers more scenery, but it is quite a hike at three feet of stairs.

Anyone who plans a cheap holiday to Paris should stay on the hilltop and venture down to Paris below. You will find your stay enjoyable and very informative. Plan your stay for a week or a few days, but take in the nightlife on the hill. You will experience what the locals do for excitement. You will also get a better idea of how the artists get their creative juices flowing, so they can paint and live comfortable on top of hill. You will not regret a cheap holiday vacation like this. It is an experience of a lifetime.

A Cheap Holiday Vacation At Disneyland Paris

If you have ever enjoyed Walt Disney World or have heard about it, you will love a cheap holiday vacation at Disneyland Paris. Located just twenty miles from Paris the incredible creation is also known as Euro Disney. You will find shops, hotels and restaurants. You will find the two parks similar to Magic Kingdom and the Disney MGM Studios. The one park similar to Magic Kingdom has forty-two attractions while the Disney Studio has thrilling rides in a movie like setting. You will find you stay at Disneyland Paris an adventure of a different kind.

The Main Street USA is a walk you will not forget. The stream train is a ride that you will not forget. Disneyland Paris has some newer things than you will find in Disneyworld. The fireworks at dusk and the thrilling rides are just one part of Euro Disney. You can watch the fantasy parades and if you visit at Christmas, you are going to see a parade that you will remember forever. You will see the live shows and see all the holiday decorations that make Disneyland Paris a winter wonderland without the real snow. The beauty of the area can be seen from everywhere you look.

If you enjoy shopping, you will find the little shops are very nice to shop in for the passionate shopper. The nearby shopping center is one of the biggest in Europe. You will need to take the train or a taxi to the shopping center. You are going to find outlet stores and designer stores catering to the newest fashions. If you find yourself worn out after a day of shopping, you might want to try a restaurant for a bit of relaxation. There are many elegant restaurants as well as casual dining establishments.

Your cheap holiday vacation is going to be exciting in Paris, but with the different restaurants with some fine cuisine, you will taste some foods such as French, American and Italian cuisines. There are also has many fast food restaurants with a family atmosphere. If you want to enjoy a real down home cowboy cookout, the Cowboy Cookout in Fontierland will provide you with something only experienced in this part of Paris. Since you are enjoying the theme parks in Paris, you might want to see some other attractions in the area.

The hotels in the area are just as nice as you can find somewhere else. You will find many different theme hotels near Disneyland Paris and the surrounding area. You will find some luxury hotels as well as many family oriented hotels. You will find that many of the hotels are located near the theme parks and the other attractions. When you plan your cheap holiday vacation to Disneyland in Paris, you will wan to have a package deal that includes airfare, hotel and some passes for the theme parks. If you stay at a hotel that offers shuttle services from the airport to the hotel and back, you will also eliminate the need for transportation costs.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Luxury Catered Chalets – Enjoy A Ski Holiday In Style!

A ski holiday can be a fantastic experience, but we all have memories of low budget ski vacations, where the accommodations left much to be desired as far as amenities and comfort went. If you’d like to make your next trip to the snow the holiday of a lifetime, try renting a luxury catered ski chalet. Instead of sharing facilities, upmarket chalets offer en-suited rooms, sumptuous bedding including duck-down duvets, fluffy towels, exclusive toiletries, DVD and CD players, telephone and fax facilities, and broadband wireless internet. This all adds up to a ski holiday in style.

Resorts and chalets range from charming, picture-book alpine chalets to ultra-modern apartments with the latest media technology built in. The best chalets have a complimentary bar and ambiance is provided by roaring log fires. Your weekly tariff often includes delicious and hearty breakfasts that set you up for the day’s skiing, afternoon teas with fresh, homemade cakes and biscuits, and four-course gourmet dinners, prepared by a chef. You can round off the meal with a glass of Pinot and dessert. Dining options range from delicious home cooking to the fine haute cuisine, and all diets are catered for.

A well-stocked library of books and popular board games keep you entertained in the evenings. And separate TV rooms with satellite, video and DVD players and a stock of films are further entertainment alternatives. There are generally music systems that cater for most tastes and which connect to Mp3 players and dedicated internet computers, plus ethernet, WIFI and Bluetooth access for your own laptop.

An in-chalet boot and ski fitting service makes daily action on the slopes more comfortable, and the best luxury chalets have a ski and boot room, with a heated boot warmer. Weekly rates starting from around 850 Euros, although lift passes, ski rental and lessons are all extras that you should budget for.

The ski resort of Meribel, in the French Alps, is world renown for the quality of its chalet accommodation. Some of the more exceptional luxury self-catered chalets in Méribel include: Chalet Rousillon, a traditional, alpine-style chalet with great character and warmth, just five minutes’ walk from the piste. In the private Dou du Pont enclave, Chalet Chopine, with great views, has an outdoor hot tub that is perfect for après ski relaxation.

At Chalet Lamato, a five-star chalet in Méribel Village, it is usually possible to ski back to the chalet door, while the luxurious Chalet Kouneli has superb views and is just a 10-minute walk to and from the pistes. The enormous sitting room is beautifully furnished with antiques and all rooms have views. The Jacuzzi spa and sauna room is perfect at the end of a skiing day.

Whichever resort you choose for your ski holiday, book a luxury catered ski chalet and enjoy great service, sumptuous accommodation and fine cuisine to top off each memorable day.


Saturday, October 10, 2009

Learning Survival French Before Traveling To France

Will you be traveling to France in the near future? Are you ready to meet the locals? If you think you are not yet equipped the best way you should be before going on a leisure or business trip to France, at least bring French survival phrases with you. It won't be much but it will help you get through to the calm but fun personalities of the local French.

You may not know it yet, but traveling to France requires you more than just what you need to say during your stay. Most French locals do know how to speak English but there is really no point in making them especially if you are the tourist. They may speak English but only during moments they feel comfortable. Arm yourself with anything that could possibly come up during your trip by learning few phrases that are used mostly by tourists who doesn't speak French very well.

Phrases like Excuse moi, parlez-vous anglais? (Excuse me, do your speak English?), Merci Beucoup (Thank you very much), Sil vous plait (Please) are few of the phrases that will allow you to reach out to French locals. Most of the local people knows how to speak English so asking nicely should be your primary approach.

As a tourist and knowing that you don't know anything about the streets and bars, look comfortable but also dress elegant enough because it is how you should appear in a city like Paris. Hang out on bars and enjoy the food as you eat. If a local French person comes up to you and engages you in a conversation, don't be nervous. As a matter of fact, the more you become friendly with them regardless your inability to speak French, you will still get a warm and friendly smile.

There are so many things that you need to learn and get to know first before traveling to France. It isn't very important to learn all of the French words as it will not be useful at all times. Pack your things and only with the important French words that you will be using during your trip. Also, research more about the locale's way of living to learn how you can react better to emergency circumstances.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Learn Basic French Phrases – Before You Travel To France!

Before you think to travel to Paris, Switzerland, Bordeaux or Quebec, you absolutely need to learn basic French phrases. Without these common sentences and words, you will be lost and frustrated.

There are sentences and words that you will use every single day. Let's start to learn them, because life will be extremely hard if you chose to ignore this lesson and travel to a French speaking country.

We will start with the most common words because it's easier, and then, we will learn basic French phrases...

1. Most common words in French (and any other foreign language)

Note: I will write the English word first, and then, translate it in French.

1 - Yes = Oui
2 - No = Non
3 – Ok = D'accord (Note that French say OK as well!)
4 – Why = Pourquoi
5 – Where = Ou
6 – How = Comment
7 – Thanks = Merci
8 – How much = Combien
9 – Hotel = Hotel
10 – Room = Chambre

2. Three Must Know French Phrases

Note: I will write the English word first, and then, translate it in French.

These are four sentences that you will use every single day.

1 - Good Morning! How are you? = Bonjour! Comment allez – vous?

2 - I'm fine thank you = Je vais bien, merci.

3 – Do you speak French? = Parlez-vous Français?

4 – Where are you from? = De quel pays venez vous?

As you can see, these French words and sentences are essential if you want to travel to France or any other French speaking country. No need to say that you will not be able to live in France without those...

To learn basic French phrases with a French native speaker is your best option. However, there is no harm to learn with a Canadian or even a English native if he is fluent.

Learning from home is another option, and after all, you can quickly learn these essential sentences before you decide to travel to Paris!

A List Of The Top Travel Destinations In Europe: Exploring The Top Attractions In Paris

More than 23.5 million visitors flock to Paris on a yearly basis to gaze upon the attractions scattered across the land. Throughout the city, there are literally hundreds of notable monuments and museums to take note of, but five of them seem to draw the most attention. Below are the top sights associated with the destination that many know as the ”City of Light.”

Eiffel Tower: It is quite hard to ignore the beauty of one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. In all of Europe, it is rather difficult to find another landmark that holds more clout. Whether you associate the sight as the Cruise and Holmes proposal spot or the main feature of countless Paris postcards, it is the breathtaking view from this monument that is the most talked about.

Arc de Triomphe: While it doesn’t compare to the height of the Eiffel Tower, it does however present some of the best views of the city. Each year, more than a million people come here to enjoy the city sights.

Louvre Museum: When it comes to exploring one of the most famous museums in the world, it is here where you will find the infamous Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, as well as thousands of additional pieces within an impressive collection of art that spans hundreds of great civilizations. With a history that dates back to 1793, the Louvre is one of the oldest museums located in Europe.

Centre Pompidou: Modern art enthusiasts should head for this building, which could stand as a work of art on its own. Here, an assortment of activities is offered, including film, concerts, and things for children to enjoy. Millions of tourists gather at this site on a yearly basis.

Cite des Sciences at de l’Industrie: If science is your cup of tea, this interactive museum has plenty of exhibits to help pass your time in the city. Many of the hands-on entertainment explore the depths of various branches of science and technology, such as biology to anatomy.

A Travel Guide To Paris

Paris is France’s capital city and is located in the north of the country on the River Seine. The city is known for its romantic charm and atmosphere with gorgeous outdoor cafés, the scent of freshly baked croissants filling the area and stunning residents that are clothed in the most stylish fashions. Paris has a great history that is felt when within the city. The city also possesses amazing architecture, style and atmosphere that make being there a pleasurable experience.

Travelling There
Paris has a couple of airports that make flying there an easy option. It is also linked with excellent road and rail services. Euroline buses run constantly to and from the city in all directions. Ferries cross over from the UK to nearby ports for those who are looking to take there own car.

Accommodation
As Paris is such a large and popular city there is every type of accommodation available to suit all budgets. The only problem with accommodation is that you must book well in advance as the city gets busy with visitors, especially during fashion shows.

Eating & drinking
All of France is renowned for its cuisine and wines. Paris is one of the best places in the country to go out to restaurants. Parisians take their food seriously and tend to eat two sit-down meals a day. Restaurants, cafés and bars are found just about everywhere in Paris so you will always find something for your taste.

History
The city of Paris dates back to more than 2,000 years ago when it was first built. It developed into a metropolis after it was overruled by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. The city is linked to the French Revolution that saw the killing of thousands of people. Although Paris has a somewhat violent history, these days the city is a charming place to visit where many people fall in love in its wonderful atmosphere.

Sights and Must Sees
Paris is known for its magnificent architecture layout. If th interests you be sure to visit Sacré Coeur Basilica. It is located on the butte of Montmartre and provides wonderful views of the city. Also visit the Arch de Triomphe and the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Saint Denis as these are also very impressive to look at.

The city has many art features that are worth a visit if that is your interest. There is also plenty to do in the ways of excursions within and away from the city as well as a relaxing cruise up the River Seine.

Shops
Paris is quite possibly the best place in the World to shop for top quality fashion. The Champs Elysee is the main shopping area. It has huge shopping malls, perfumeries and entertainment venues. It is possible to find almost any designer brand in Paris. The city has a number of flea markets that offer a nice alternative to the main high street shops.

Travel Tips to European Countries: France

About the city

The crowd is attracted to sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches of this beautiful country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there's much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is the best time to be here, and those interested in winter sports can drop at the Alps and Pyrenees with some polar gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must. Women, especially, should carry cocktail dresses as some of the restaurants ask for it. When visiting any religious site, refrain from wearing sleeveless shirt and shorts, as they are disliked at such places.

Culture

English is widely spoken here, although French is the official language. Handshaking is
customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed
as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear
and of course perfumes. Nudism is allowed on some beaches only. Social functions, fine
restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host
gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Site Seeing

Paris, the city of love, is a massive city with many attractions in reachable distance thanks to the
highly efficient public transport system. It boasts of more than 80 museums and 200 arts
galleries. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile.
The attractive tourists spots are the Arc de triomphe which spans over the tomb of an
unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque
Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the
Seine. Get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and
museums.

Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a humble tip won’t cost much. An extra dollar can be given as tip to the waiter. A tip of $2 can be left for the bus drivers.
Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.
Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Air France. Many low-cost airlines, too, provide services from UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ferry and cruise trips can be made from ports such as Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Havre.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

Food and agricultural products should be avoided.