April 8th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
No country embodies the grandeur of European travel quite like France. From the international artistic reputation of Cannes to the luxurious leisure of the Riviera, France has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to overcome a tumultuous history by enriching the quality of life with those experiences. The diversity of the country will leave you stimulated, satiated and asking for more when you finally treat yourself and travel to France!
Throughout European history, France has been the undisputed pioneer of social revolution and cultural renaissance. An enlightened society with classic charm, France will guide your journey seamlessly through centuries of power and progress, defeats and suffering, all of which possess an essence of timelessness. Travel France in July and witness Bastille Day, a commemoration of the destruction of the prison that King Louis XVI and his predecessors used to quiet social disruption and censor or torture public irritants. The day is symbolic of the value of social freedoms and democratic governance to the French people. The main celebration takes place in Paris at the former site of the Bastille.
Go further back in time and explore the French countryside, which is rich with Roman Ruins dating up until the 5th Century. Groux-les-Bains, in the south of France, is known not only for its hot springs but also for the ruins of Roman bath tubs and swimming pools that depended on these springs as a source for hot water. Aix-en-Provence is a well known town central to France’s wine and art culture, but also shares a Roman past as an ancient city with two aqueducts demonstrating the technological prowess of the Roman people.
For a more unique experience, travel to the Loire Valley, a bastion of medieval castles, and have yourself a true Chteaux experience. Many of the ancient and classical castles have rooms available for rent, mainly during the summer season. There is no better way to be immersed in French history; plus, the castles often offer the best of the surrounding wine region.
French Travel: More Than a History Lesson
Not only is France a gateway into Europe’s enchanting history, the country that is world renowned for its irresistible food, fabulous wines and sophisticated lifestyle does live up to its reputation. Visit Nice to enjoy the coveted Riviera way of life while avoiding the throngs of tourists that swarm to St. Tropez just up the coast. While in Paris, make sure to enjoy a quiche lorraine in a local caf somewhere on the outskirts of town in addition to scaling the Eiffel Tower or getting lost in the Louvre. However you choose to travel, there is no way to miss the robust culture and resilient history of France.
For more information on travel to France and other regions in Europe, and discount airfare to France, visit www.cfares.com.
March 29th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Nice is in the south of France. The Queen of the French Riviera, which the French call ” la Cote d’Azur” (AzureCoast or Blue Coast). It is a wonderful city with lots of charm and character; a mixture of French and Italian cultures where the people are easy-going and friendly even if you don’t speak French.
Although you might think it is a summer resort, you can visit Nice at any time of the year and still have a good time. If you happen to go in the winter, you will be surprised to see flowers in their numerous parks and gardens. Nice has a Mediterranean winter, so the temperature stays around 40 to 50 degrees during the coldest months but if you like skiing, ski resorts such as Valberg and Isola 2000 can be reached by car in one or two hours. If you go in the summer, get ready to share the city with lots of tourists. The popular streets where most restaurants and cafes are, can get crowded, but they can be a lot of fun if you enjoy people watching; and since most of the streets are closed to traffic, it is not hard to just walk around and enjoy the upbeat atmosphere.
Nice has a major airport and its close location to the city makes getting there a cinch.
Finding a hotel should be easy, since there are plenty of accommodations for all kinds of budgets. The author is a frequent guest of the Meridien Hotel, a 4 star hotel located on the Promenade des Anglais, facing the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges).
-Things to see in Nice:
-Promenade des Anglais. The Victorian English residents of the 1800’s provided the funds to build the beautiful boulevard, hence its name. It is a wide avenue that follows the bay’s coast line and it’s lined with beautiful palm trees and flowers.
-Hotel Negresco. Beautiful and glamorous, it is located at 37 Promenade des Anglais and if you are not rich enough to stay there, you must go and see it.
-Old Nice. Winding narrow streets with Italianate buildings painted in earthly colors, describes this old part of the city. You will enjoy strolling. people watching and quaint little shops full of charming provencal crafts.
-Marche aux Fleurs. Located on the Cours Saleya, the flower market is Open Tuesday through Sunday, 7am-5pm, but if you decide to go, check with your hotel for the hours of operation. You can also have lunch or dinner there, where a large variety of restaurants set up tables and chairs outside where you can dine in a pleasant and fun atmosphere.
-Marc Chagall Museum. If you like modern art, you can catch a glimpse of the painter’s most important collection. The hours of operation vary depending on the season so check with your hotel clerk before you go.
Nice is so well located that you can take half-day and full-day trips either by car or by public transportation.
Easily reached towns by car or public transportation are: Monaco, Eze, Grasse, St Paul de Vence, Cannes and St Tropez.
-Monaco- A symbol of glamour and elegance, Monaco sits on a beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean coast. Its most famous town Monte Carlo, has much to offer with its casinos, boutiques and exotic gardens. Don’t forget to visit the village of Monaco, located high on “the rock” as it is affectionally called by the locals. It is a charming town with shops and cafes and a wonderful view of the sea.
-Eze- This small medieval village perched on a hill is a must see. Both tourists and artists flock to Eze during the summer months because of its picturesque setting and magnificent vues. If you are staying in Nice, you can make it a half-day trip or just stop there for lunch and continue to Monaco for a full-day trip. If you are feeling rich, have lunch at the Chevre d’Or. The restaurant offers fine cuisine and breathtaking panoramas. The restaurant is only open for lunch.
-Grasse- Considered the perfume capital of France Grasse is a small hilly town with beautiful parks and panoramic views. I you go to Grasse, you must visit the perfume factories. The biggest is Parfumerie Fragonard. An English speaking guide will show you the process of extracting the perfume from hundreds of pounds of flower petals.
-St Paul de Vence- A picture perfect medieval town, sitting on top of a hill, St Paul de Vence has been painted by many artists and photographed by thousands of tourists. It is located 19 miles from Nice. Enjoy a meal at the famous Colombe d’Or Restaurant or sip a beer at an outdoor cafe while watching a local game of petanque.
-Cannes- Cannes sits on the shores of La Napoule bay, sorrounded by a backdrop of Mediterranean hills. While Nice has the Promenade des Anglais, Cannes has la Croisette Boulevard, an elegant promenade, lined with palm trees and and gardens. Cannes hosts the famous Cannes Film Festival every year and it is most favored by celebrities. So if you go, make sure to do a lot of people watching, because you never know…
-St Tropez- Once a small fishing village, St Tropez is now a summer place for the jet set. Its setting on the southern shore of France, made it attractive to turn-of-the-century artists who were then followed by writers, poets and eventually movie stars and their fans. It is now internationally famous.
So get your tickets, book your hotel and go to the south of France. I promise you will have an unforgettable experience.
March 23rd 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and has a well-deserved reputation to be a cultural icon of Europe. Getting around in Paris is easy, but driving is not the recommended way to see this beautiful city. For the tourist, walking may be one of the best ways to see the city because youll have the opportunity to really savor the full ambience of Parisian streets, shops, neighborhoods and magnificent historical buildings and museums. Public transportation is readily available. For instance, there is the metro, busses, and commuter trains. There are passes available to make this an affordable and convenient option. Paris also has a fleet of taxis, riverboats, and bicycle and roller blade rentals.
Another thing to keep in mind about Paris, as a tourist, is that Paris is divided into districts called Arrondissement; there are twenty in total. This is significant because directions, guides and general tourist information will use these district identifiers for directions. For instance The Louvre is in the first district closest to the center of the city. Every district has characteristics that are distinct and represent the diversity and variety that this famous city provides. In addition The Seine also serves as a geographical division as well, with everything to the north of the river being The Right bank and the to the south; the Left Bank. The two regions also have distinct flavor and features.
One of the most wonderful aspects of Paris is the cornucopia of museums. For example, the Louvre that was opened in 1793 has over 300,000 exhibits and is located at 99 Rue de Rivolli. Also located on Rue de Rivoli is the Musee des Arts Decoratifs. Another interesting and lovely museum is The Musee Marmottan, which is rarely crowded and features masterful works of art, this gem is located 2 rue Louis Boilly. Paris is also home of some of the most significant historical buildings in the world including Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Sainte-Chapelle. Other great points of interest include the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, and Sacre-Cour, a Parisian Landmark since the 19th century.
Paris is packed with interesting and stimulating places. It has for years been like a magnet to artisans, writers and great thinkers. There are boutiques, bakeries and picturesque cafes; this is the destination of lovers of art and culture. There is something to do every moment of your trip, but be sure to relax and enjoy the ambience of this historical and charming city.
March 23rd 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Wining and Dining in Paris
How to Choose your Wining and Dining Arenas in Paris:
When you want to plan a night on the town, it is wise to make sure that you spend the night right. Therefore, check into the best wine and dine areas by visiting your local Travel Agent. Perhaps you can go online to find a wide array of fine wine and dine areas in Paris as well. There are many nice ways to spend your evening while you are in Paris.
If you enjoy cancan dancing, then you will love the wine and dine adventures at the lovely Moulin Rouge Paris. The Temple of French cancans has been taking place in Paris for 100 years now. As the lights deem and the curtain goes up, you will enjoy the show while feeling the magic in the atmosphere. Over 60 women in this show help you to enjoy the cancan dance. If you are not careful, you will be misplaced in the Doriss Girls and her Dancers beauty. While watching the show you will enjoy the 3-course dinner that is served with wine. Do not worry, since you will have a ride back to your hotel. Paris transport will pick you up and take you to the destination. Therefore, you can enjoy Pariss fine wine without stressing. Remember this is a jacket and tie dinner so that means no casual cloths. This show will last about five hours. What a night!
For those of you who do not like cancan dancers, you may want to enjoy a meal and educational areas around Paris. The dinner is served at the Eiffel Tower. You will enjoy fine dining at Altitude in one of the 95 restaurants in Paris. On the first floor of the restaurant, the name 95 arrived due to the towering meter that is above sea level.
In this restaurant, you will be able to look out the big bay windows at the wonderful lights around Paris. This is not recommended for a romantic dinner, since you will be seated and dinning with the other entire tourist. This restaurant seats 200 people. The restaurant does not give you menus. Rather the staff serves what the menu as for the night offers. You can bring your children at this event.
If you are planning a romantic night on the town, you may want to consider the Seine Cruise, where you will enjoy a selection of entertainment, meals, wine and more. On the cruise you will enjoy find meals over the Champs-Elysees.
How to dress for your cruise in Paris:
This dinner is a formal meal, so you have to be dressed in formal wear. This means no casual wear. The cruise lasts about four hours or so. Here you will enjoy sailing under all the famous bridges that Paris has to offer you. This cruise does not offer drop off and pick ups at the hotel, so take it easy on the wine unless you are taking a taxi home.
Still one the cruise you will have a time of your life. Make it a romantic cruise for two and enjoy the wide array of fun and entertainment. To find out more about dinner outings while in Paris you can check with your local travel agent or go on the Internet for more information. Have fun.
A friendly word of advice:
At present travel agents online are offering up to 75% off cruises through Paris. The package includes hotel, cruise and more. To learn more about the packages visit the Internet and locate Vacation packages to Paris.
March 15th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
For a holiday you will always treasure, be sure to visit France. With so much to offer within one country, France hosts the most tourists than any other country in the world. From romantic, cultural Paris to the heights of the snowcapped French Alps to the southern sizzling beaches. France hotels can add to the splendor of your trip with an amazing selection that can be found with ease on the internet.
Paris: fashion capital of Europe
Surrounded by style and romance you just cant help fall in love with Paris. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, street cafs and fashion boulevards, a boat trip on the River Seine there is so much to see and experience.
Transport: how to get there and around:
The main airport which greets most visitors to Paris is Charles de Gaulle. Paris can also be reached with ease by train from surrounding countries and many destinations within France. If traveling from the UK the ferry is also an option.
Getting around Paris is best on foot, its a great place for walking and sightseeing. If your not feeling so energetic there is a metro system.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Paris.
Weather
Paris is fortunate to be situated in a basin so has little rain compared with the rest of the country. Generally the weather in the capital is temperate.
Attractions & Events
Parisians love to celebrate, here are just a few events you should look out for.
* The glamorous Paris Fashion Week showcases the latest designer spring collections in March.
*Bastille Day is a special day for the whole country. The French National Day is celebrated in Paris with style on the 14th July with parades, parties and fireworks.
*The International Photo Fair is also worth a visit and takes place in November.
Nice: treasure of the Cte dAzur
Nice has a special ambiance and charm that attracts a great number of visitors to walk through its old cobblestone streets. Nice offers history, culture as well as the modern delights of shopping and night life. Add to this the long stretch of beach and you have a great holiday combination.
The temperature in Nice makes the pebble beach a great spot to relax. The waters are warm, clear and inviting and are just a pebbles throw away from neighboring St Tropez and Cannes.
Transport: how to get there and around:
Traveling around France is easy using the impressive, fast rail system. You can get to Nice by train and bus or if traveling from further a field, the International Airport is just 6 kms from town. Ferries are also an option, they run to Corsica.
Getting around Nice is easy on foot, it is pleasant to walk around and explore the sights.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Nice hotels
Weather
Summertime in Nice can be scorching up to 40 C. Typical climate however can be described as Mild, averaging 15 C. Winter is also mild with lowest temperatures being around 5 C.
Attractions & Events
*Nice holds an annual carnival during the latter half of February. The lavish street parades end with a fabulous fireworks show.
*During June, the city hold religious processions and prayers for patron saints St John and St Peter.
*July is for music lovers as the worlds finest Jazz players meet in the city for the Nice Jazz Festival.
March 14th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
The Tour De France, The Worlds Biggest Road Bike Race.
The Tour de France is the BIG one; its the World cup and the Olympics all in one. It has it all, the high mountains, the wind swept northern planes and the heat of the south. It also has the worlds media, all the top teams and riders and millions of cycling mad fans watching. The other Grand Tours of Italy and Spain are as exciting, sometimes more so, but they dont have the thing the Tour has, that unique Tour ness, that unique French ness.
How it started.
It all started in 1903, when the French daily paper, LAuto wanted to sell more than its competitor, Le Vlo, who at that time was the only paper reporting on cycle racing. It was suggested to the papers director, Henri Desgrange that they should organise a bike race all round France. The first race was 2,428 kilometres split into six stages and was run off at 25.29 kilometres per hour and out of the 60 starters 21 finished and the race was lead from start to finish by Maurice Garin.
The Heroes.
Over the years there has been a lot of heroes in the Tour de France, you could say all the riders are heroes, to win the race once is hard, but to win it five times is phenomenal. Only five men have done this, and one of these has won it seven times. French rider Jacques Anquetil was the first to win the race five times, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and then Spaniard Miguel Indurain all equalled him. Then the American, Lance Armstrong started to win in 1999 and didnt stop until he had won it a record seven times in a row. This is all the more amazing as he is a cancer survivor and was given a 50/50 chance of life; he beat the cancer and went on to beat all comers in the Tour de France.
The course.
The race starts in a different town every year and every other year it starts outside France, the choice of stage towns is a combination of money and sporting considerations, the towns will pay for a start or a finish, but they need to be near a mountain or a cobbled road or be near other town who want to host the Tour. The Towns pay to be the centre of interest for a day, the Tour also brings in a lot of money in tourism and the Towns collect much more than they pay and the world will remember the name of the Town, for at least a day.
The riders.
All the best riders want to win the Tour de France, but they cant, from the 200 or so starters there is a possible five or six riders who can win, the rest are either helping their team leaders or sprint or mountain specialists who want to win stages or points or mountain jerseys, this keeps the race active and interesting from beginning to end.
The BIG Tour.
The Tour is the biggest, but that has its problems, some Towns are not big enough, hotels etc., the television needs more space, the journalists need more phone lines and computers, more and more people are following the race and the riders can be forgotten about in all the razzmatazz, but its still the biggest sporting event in the world, long may in run!
March 8th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
If you watched CNN or Fox News like I did a few evenings ago, you might have been impressed at the student demonstrations in France.
Both TV channels had us sold on the idea Paris was being mobbed by the angry multitude. Pictures of Mad Max-like police trucks hosing thousands of protesters. Scenes of massive gatherings around Bastille square. Interviews of malcontent students. Some pyrotechnics to boot!
Golly!
Though I often travel to Paris, I live in Florida. So I had to wait until the following day before I could call relatives and friends in Paris. I got Vince first. Vince is always a reliable source, he’s got the local pulse. When I need to get the lowdown on all-things-Paris, I get it from him first.
“Hi Vince, it’s Phil. Gee, how is it today? Have you lived through the night?
“Hi man, what are you talking about?
“Well, I mean, the demonstrations and all. The mayhem.
“Oh yeah, so what about them?
“Well, I was on CNN yesterday, and they were showing all this mess with the police, and students, and cars burning!
“And?
“Come on, man, you can’t tell me nothing is happening there!
“Well, there was a demonstration, for sure. Students in the streets. But this was yesterday….
“You mean, it’s over?
“Sure, buddy. Guys didn’t like what the government handed over, guys got in the street, guys vented their anger, guys go home and watch TV, end of story.
“Oh. But about the cars torched? I mean, we saw it on TV!
“To hell with TV! You see a couple of cars burning, and you think it’s the war?
OK, that was Vince’s input. Kind of reassuring.
Let’s ring family. I wanted to talk to Lolo, my brother in law. Lolo was an army firefighter for 15 years, he’s cool-calm-collected, and he’s used to assessing disasters with a cold eye.
“Lolo? Hi, it’s Phil.
“Hi bro, whassup?
“Hey, I just wanted to hear it from you, you know, about the demonstrations, and the mess in Paris.
“Yeah, that was sporty.
“You mean, they wreaked havoc in the place?
“No, I mean it was sporty to get to work on my scooter. I mean, some of the streets near the Bastille Square were jam-packed.
“But what about the protests? I mean, they showed us the stuff on TV; it looked like mayhem with the cops and their trucks!
“That was towards the evening, not during the day. I was not far from the demonstrations when they were full on. The students sure were a loud crowd, but the hosing only started in the evening, and only lasted a couple hours.
“What about the cars burned?
“There were a few. Less than in November, during the events in the suburbs.
“Not many then. And how is it now?
“Quiet. Everybody’s home, like nothing happened.
“Do you mean the demonstrations are over?
“Sure. I rode in Paris today, and it was business as usual.
“Is it safe for Americans to come? You know I have this website, Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News.com, and I give travel advice to people. Is it safe for them, or should I just tell my visitors to postpone their travel plans to Paris?
“It’s just as quiet today as it was before the demonstrations. Come see yourself if you don’t believe me.”
Oh I sure believed Lolo, he having served 15 years as a firefighter in the army, and saved several lives. He used to serve in Paris too, so he knows the place like the back of his hand.
But I figured: I’m not gonna risk sending the visitors of my website to Destination Hell. I want proof. Solid proof that it’s all over, and there’s nothing bad happening now in Paris.
So I called Serge and Tony, two friends who are in the video business.
“Guys, could you do me a favor, and shoot a short video for my visitors, with the time and date on it? I wanna see Paris as it is today.
Serge and Tony are very cool guys, and they sure obliged.
This is the video they sent me: http://media.libsyn.com/media/hotels/ballade-high.wmv.
It was shot in Paris, between 1:00 and 2:00 PM on April 3, 2006, in various well-known places: under the Eiffel Tower, on the Alma Bridge, on the Champs Elysees Avenue, on Place de la Concorde, at St Germain des Pres, on St Michel Blvd, near the Cluny museum, at the Notre Dame Cathedral, on the Cite island, near the Louvre and Orsay museums, near the Opera house, and finally, right in the department store neighborhood.
What it shows is exactly how Paris is at this time. Business as usual.
So how come we have seen such a mess on TV, and there seems to be no trace of it today?
For one thing, student protests rarely last. They are put together quickly, and dissolve even quicker. What we saw on CNN and other news channels was a live-fast-die-fast occurrence.
What’s more, TV and the news media rarely report quiet endings. ‘News’ is drama, war, atrocities, and the like. Uneventful endings never make the news.
The student protests of March 28 were filmed until everybody just went back home after sunset. Then they became much less newsworthy. Or so think the big honchos at CNN, Fox News, and the like. Don’t forget folks, these guys think for y’all, the rabble. So shut up and watch.
Thirdly, the French are Mediterranean in character. An argument breaks, tempers flare quickly, bird names are exchanged, and suddenly it’s all drama…. Then things resume their regular course, everybody shares a glass of wine, and the argument is soon forgotten.
The French government tried to pass a law which students and unions consider as a danger to job security. When the latter felt this law was forced into their gullets with no negotiations, their temper flared, and in no time they were down in the street. But it ended just as quickly as it all started. A flash in the pan. Within a day, it was over.
There is only one regrettable fact in this: heavy-handed, scandal-happy, war-loving news reporting gives us all a false impression that France is “a dangerous place to travel to these days.”
Yet, had TV cameras continued rolling and spent just as much time showing Parisians had returned to their peaceful lives, such impression would have been quickly dispelled for what it really is: 100% false.
And so it is the privilege of regular Joes like me and other honest-to-God travelers to report the happy ending: everything is fine and dandy in Paris, folks. Live your lives as you plan them, and if you wish to travel to France, just don’t bother too much with the news.
PS– Paris is a big city. Demonstrations are mostly channeled along certain boulevards: Nation-to-Bastille, Nation-to-Italie, Bastille-to-Republique, and Bastille-to-Chatelet. Look them up on a map. Look at all the space around these spots. Well, that’s your own playground in case new demonstrations occur when you are in Paris. A fact the news media conveniently omit to tell you. It wouldn’t sell.
PPS– To see the short movie, click here: http://media.libsyn.com/media/hotels/ballade-high.wmv
March 7th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
How to Choose Attractions in Paris:
Tuileries Palace in Paris, France is the French regal residency, which neighbors the famous Louvre. In the early 1870s, the Tuileries burned. Tuileries was the original house for the commission of Frances famous Catherine de Mdicis. Once the establishment burnt, France set out to construct the building, making it Paris, Frances fabulous Tuileries Garden. The texture has changed since the mid 1660s, which France extended the walkways further past the garden. The walkway now extends to the countryside and onto the west hilltops of the Tuileries Palace. In its region is the famous Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc is the worlds largest arch. The masterpiece was structured on the Classicism of Romance. Paris visitors from around the world enjoy visiting this lavish gardens where many statues attract the eye. The Arc is positioned at the center western region of Charles Place de Gaulle. At the terminal near Champs-Elyes, the Palace attracts visitors around the world. The famous Jean-Franois-Thrse Chalgrin commenced this structure as requested by the historical Napoleon. The building was structured in the 1800s. The structure is a memorable of celebrations that took place for Napoleon and his military men who victoriously defeated the enemy. The area will take you back to WWI in the day that German warriors set the tenor.
Today the Jardin des Tuileries is popular, since it has many interesting statues around the area. If you intend to visit this lovely attraction in Paris, likely you want to choose a hotel in the area as well.
How to choose hotels near Tuileries Garden:
The Westin Paris Hotel is a Frances four-star establishment. The hotel is located in Pariss popular areas, which the Rue De Castiglione is in this vicinity. The Rue faces the lovely gardens. Staying at the Westin gives you the advantage of visiting the most beautiful gardens in Paris, as well as the convenient of visiting Pariss Louvre Museum. You are close to the Place Vendme as well. If you are visiting Paris for business or simply vacationing, you have a wide array of financial districts and shopping malls to choose from in the area as well.
The Westin has more than 400 rooms, including apartments. It is the chain of Starwood hotels, which houses a bar, garden, etc, as well as terraces. While staying at the hotel, you receive a continental breakfast to start you day. The breakfast buffet gives you an option. Gays and lesbians are treated with respect.
The hotel also has a fitness center. It is located near Pariss Central City, shopping centers, Panoramic views, museums, and so on. The train station and subway is near the hotel as well.
Dining at Westin:
At Westin, you have a taste of cuisines, modern dishes and more to choose from. Dining at the restaurants is nice, since Westin set up the environment to fit home living.
If you are not sure about Westin, perhaps you may want to stay at Hotel Lotti, which is another of Pariss four-star hotels. The hotel is situated amidst the beautiful gardens. Along the pathways are the most extravagant jewelry shops. Place Vendme is also near the hotel. The hotel only has a little over 100 rooms; therefore, you may want to make reservations if you intend to stay at the Lotti. The chain of Jolly establishments offers you a place to park, yet you must pay a fee. You can bring you pet. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, safety deposit box, and more. The subway is near the hotel; as well, you are close to the Center City of Paris.
March 4th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
That may be a presumptuous statement to make but after reading this article thoroughly, theres a good chance that youd agree to make that statement as well.
But first, lets get down to the basics.
Cebu, as mentioned, is in the Philippines. Now, when you mention the Philippines, its either Manila or Boracay — those are the first places to come to your mind. But we assure you that Cebu is as good as both those places. Better yet, theres no need to pass through other cities in the Philippines just to get to Cebu. As one of the major ports of the country, Cebu is even directly accessible from other countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong, China.
Since Cebu is highly urbanized, tourists have no need to worry about where to purchase toiletries and other necessities because there are department stores and 24-hour convenience stores strategically located all over the city.
But enough about that and lets get directly to the good stuff.
The Olango Wildlife Sanctuary should always figure prominently in a tourists travel plan to Cebu, Philippines. In this sanctuary, tourists would able to catch a glimpse of different species of migrating birds coming from places as far as China and Siberia. Based on studies made of this natural phenomenon, these birds choose Olango as a wintering ground and a way to increase their fat reserves before they resume flight.
Cebus Fort San Pedro is the oldest tri-bastion fort in the Philippines. Built in 1565, its 8-foot thick walls and 30-foot tall tower bore witness to several wars, not the least would be World War II, in which it served as barracks for American soldiers.
Casa Gorordo Museum is also one of the well-loved destinations of tourists once they arrive in Cebu. Taking a tour of this well-kept museum is like stepping into another time and era, thanks to the lovely antique furniture on display and the conservation of residential features from the old days such as the magnificent courtyard.
And speaking of Gorordo, make sure that you visit 415 Gorordo Avenue in Lahug, Cebu City because that is the address of the Sala Piano Museum. In this museum, youd be able to a see a collection of about hundreds of pianos of different shapes and sizes.
Lastly, theres the Kawasan Falls in Matutinao, Badian. The sight of this majestic waterfall would no doubt make you think how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful world.
February 28th 2011 · Read More · No Comments
Peru is located on the upper west coast of South America. If you are considering Peru as a travel destination, following is an overview of the country.
Overview of Peru for Travelers
Historically, Peru was the location of the dominant early cultures in South America. The city of Caral has pyramid remains dated to between 2000 and 2600 BC, which may make it the oldest city in the world. Peru is also the home of the Nazca Lines, the football field size drawings in the ground that are only apparent from the air.
The Incas are a mysterious civilization, but one that was clearly dominant during its time. The Incas were based in modern day Peru. Although it was not a major city, Machu Picchu is the best known archeological remains of the Incas. It was discovered in 1911.
The Spanish defeated the Inca Empire in 1533, who remained in control for nearly 300 years. In 1821, Peru declared independence, but wasnt able to defeat the Spanish until 1824. In fact, Peru was the last Spanish colony in South America.
Peru has seen periods of relative stability and near civil war since gaining its independence. In the late 20th century, conflicts with the Shining Path and Tupac Amaru rebel groups resulted in as many as 70,000 people being killed. Peru has moved beyond such conflicts and is experiencing a period of strong stability and economic growth. In a stunning development for patriarchal South America, Peru elected Beatriz Merino as the first female prime minister on the continent in 2003.
Peru is an interesting climatic country because it contains stunning mountains, flat plains and over 1,500 miles of beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Figuring out what to take is entirely dependent on the part of the country you will visit. Travel to Lake Titicaca, one of the highest lakes in the world, and you will need to dress for warmth. Visit the dry desert in the east of the country, and you will be dressing just the opposite.
Modern Peru has a total population of 28 million people. Roman Catholic is the dominant language. The literacy rate is roughly 88 percent. After years of conflict, the country has suffered economically to the point that over 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. With stability returning, this situation is expected to improve.
Peru is one of the hottest travel destinations in South America. With the end of armed conflict, the chance to see Inca ruins should not be missed.