Hotels in Paris: Don’t Miss Out

November 27, 2009 by Lost in Europe  
Filed under Hotels

Situated in northern France along the River Seine, is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. Paris is home to over 2 million people and with the culture and sights available to tourists it is no wonder why 30 million people a year choose to visit the city.

Paris is one of the leading business and cultural centres in the world and as such attracts a range of tourists from businessmen to holidaymakers. There are many traditional sights that tourists are advised to see such as the Arc de Triomphe, The Louvre, The Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame and of course, the Eiffel Tower.

The truth is the most famous landmarks are only the beginning of Paris’ offering to tourists. There are a wide range of hotels in Paris, with varying prices and quality. Hotels are spread around the city with the centrally located hotels offering easy access to the sights of the city (but you will have to pay more so weigh up the options).

Deciding on the area of your accommodation is important as there are a range of hotels available but transport in and around the city is very good with the Metro running regularly throughout the day.

Many people travel to Paris to get a feel for some French culture and cuisine. There are many restaurants where you will be able to eat some traditional French food and try some French wine. The cafes and restaurants are ideally located to enable you to soak up the atmosphere of the people as they go about their everyday life.

For those looking to experience the art of the city can visit one of the many museums on offer. The Louvre remains the most popular as it contains the Mona Lisa, but it also has many more paintings and collections from the some of the world’s most famous artists.

Sport is extremely popular in France, and Paris has many teams in various leagues. Football and Rugby remain the most popular with the French football team winning the world cup on home soil in 1998 and the French rugby team reaching the semi-finals of last years rugby world cup which was also held in France.

Remember to compare hotels prices before heading out as deals are constantly changing. With so much on offer in Paris you may find it hard to fit everything in after one visit but with low cost airlines flying regularly to and from Paris, you can always go back.

Customers are advised to compare hotels and all their deals to ensure they get the best available. With great hotels available there is plenty of choice for tourists to further enjoy their holiday so shop online for the best deals on hotels in Paris .

 

Touring Provence, France – Part 1

November 24, 2009 by Lost in Europe  
Filed under Hotels

Town or country?

Looking at a trip to France, we struggled with the question. We’re not big travelers, and we had saved four years for this excursion. Our sons are within spitting distance of going off to college, so we knew this would likely be our last big family vacation.

So: Town or country? As a restorative after a long Western New York winter, did we want the seductions of the big city or the good fresh air of the provinces? We decided to do both – a week in Paris, a week in Provence.

And the winner is – well, we’ll get to that shortly.

* * *

Careening down the highway to Paris in the hotel shuttle, we saw three stopped cars in quick succession, and their drivers – men – relieving themselves against the retaining wall. So our first impression of the world’s most cosmopolitan city was, uh, urological.

Our hotel was in the Bastille district, largely a garment district. There we saw: crazy drivers, lots of graffiti, lots of motorcycles, most everyone smoking and hardly anyone fat.

We also saw: Notre Dame, Saint-Chappelle, the Conciergerie, the Palais du Justice, the Sorbonne, the Musee de l’Armee, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Pont Neuf, the gardens of the Tuilleries, the Princess Diana memorial near the tunnel where she died, Napoleon’s tomb, the Picasso museum.

We ate: duck, croque-monsieur (a kind of inside-out grilled cheese sandwich), French pizza, lapin (after the waiter helpfully made bunny ears by way of explanation), and American-style food, including pathetic wings, at the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory, an earnest but ill-fated attempt to reproduce American culture. (At one point the waiters and waitresses stopped work and performed a line dance to some 50s “Grease”-style song. You wonder what the French think America is all about.)

We rode the excellent subway system continually and were reminded how public transportation can be the circulatory system of a great city.

We went to a Web cafe to send e-mail, and struggled with a keyboard whose letters were in unusual places. We bought some juggling clubs at a place called, humorously enough, Poupees Fantastiques. We saw the Eiffel Tower at night and marveled at its golden lace. The teenagers ogled slim stylish French girls; the parents pretended to be young lovers again.

We ducked occasional rain and huddled against temperatures in the 50s. April in Paris, we learned, is no sure thing.

You don’t know fear until you’ve

Bucharest: The Paris of the East

September 28, 2009 by Lost in Europe  
Filed under Nightlife

Bucharest is the capital of Romania as well as its industrial and commercial center. Established around 1459, it’s not a terribly old city in comparison to other European cities. However, that doesn’t stop Bucharest from being home to many fabulous tourist attractions.

Bucharest sits on the banks of the Dambovita River and contains many lakes, including the small, man-made lake called Lake Cismigiu at the center of the capital. Near the lake are the Cismigiu Gardens, which opened in 1847 and have been visited by many famous poets and authors. The gardens are the main recreational facility in the city’s center.

The Cismigiu Gardens aren’t the only green space within Bucharest. In fact, it is home to many gardens and parks, such as Herastrau Park and the Botanical Garden.

Bucharest is also home to an impressive cultural scene. Its cultural attractions include a wide Array of activities, like visual arts, performing arts, and nightlife. There’s really no defined style to Bucharest’s culture, so there’s something for everyone.

Bucharest has been called “The Paris of the East” and “Little Paris” because its architecture was heavily influenced by the French. Its buildings include everything from traditional Romanian to those created in the French style.

Landmarks within Bucharest are varied. The most well known landmark is the Palace of the Parliament, built in the 1980s when the Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu ruled. It is the largest building in Europe and the second largest in the world. Today, the palace is home to the Romanian Parliament and the National Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Arcul de Triumf, or Triumphal Arc, is also located in Bucharest. It was built in 1935 and modeled along the lines of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

Bucharest hosts many festivals and cultural events throughout each year. Most of them are held in the summer months of June, July, and August. One popular event is the International Opera Festival, which is organized by the National Opera, and is held annually in May and June.

Because Bucharest is now home to a large Chinese population, the city has begun to embrace many Chinese cultural events. It hosts a Chinese New Year’s Eve Festival each year.

If you’re planning to visit Bucharest to see its many sites or attend its festivals, you’ll have no trouble finding a comfortable place to stay. Bucharest has many hotels and holiday apartments to accommodate its many visitors.

Examples of hotels in Bucharest, Romania are:

The Hotel Opera: This hotel is extremely stylish and designed with particular attention to detail. Pictures of Bucharest from the past adorn the rooms along with silver, china, porcelain, and brass. Rooms come complete with air conditioning, cable and satellite television, high speed Internet service, and a mini-bar.

Howard Johnson Hotel: Located in the city’s centre, this hotel offers exceptional views of the city. It is within a short walk of shopping, nightlife, superb dining, and many of Bucharest’s sights. There are 285 rooms in this 18 floor building. The rooms are designed with relaxation and convenience in mind.

NH Hotel Bucharest: This hotel is brand new and is located in the heart of the financial district. It is also close to museums, restaurants, and bars. There are 78 rooms decorated in a modern style. The hotel also has an onsite fitness room and sauna.

Examples of holiday apartments in Bucharest, Romania are:

Victoriei Apartment Bucharest: This beautifully decorated apartment is within seconds of Victoriei Square where you can see many of Bucharest’s sights. It’s also close to the nightlife and restaurants. It includes a fully-equipped kitchen, cable television, and a large bedroom that sleeps two.

Peoples Palace View Apartment Bucharest: This apartment is on the top floor of a building and overlooks the palace itself. It’s a one bedroom apartment that sleeps two. Includes a terrace, American-style kitchen, cable/satellite television, and Internet access.

Bucharest Commerce Chamber: This one-bedroom, two-person apartment is located in the same building as the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The apartment is decorated in welcoming warm colors and includes a balcony, Internet access, DVD player, and air conditioning.

Whether visiting Bucharest to sight see, to attend one of its many festivals, or a little bit of both, vacationers are sure to find the perfect place to stay to meet all their needs.

Hotels in France – Offers Comfortable Accommodation

August 31, 2009 by Lost in Europe  
Filed under Hotels

France is regarded amongst the most visited and popular destinations for taking a holiday or a trip in Europe. And looking at the huge influx of visitors each year proves this fact. Whether it is a leisure trip, a pleasant tour, an adventure holiday or even a romantic getaway, France has all the answers. Geographically the country is very small but each area of the country has it own unique features. France provides with so many opportunities for its visitors as it has such a variety of attractions and activities to explore. Whatever is one’s taste, you can find it here as the country is blessed with such diversity.

France has many faces waiting to be discovered. When you travel in the country, the many hidden secrets unfold one by one and it is certainly a unique experience. Most importantly, the country invokes that feeling of adventure in everyone. Check out the capital city and glamour city of Paris to the Alps and the lush and relaxing countryside, you will never be out of options. At one time, France was a destination for the rich upper class people from America and Great Britain, as travelling to France was linked with luxury. However, the things have changed and now it is now a destination for travelers on any kind of budget. One will find hotels in France, which cater to tourists on a lavish vacation or on a tight budget.

Tourists will find France truly a land of contrasts. The country has a range of landscapes, which the country takes, pride in. Almost 80% of France is countryside, spreading out in the all directions. The inviting countryside is rich and diverse, and each region welcoming the visitors with a warm welcome. The country will endow the tourists with a number of adventures right from a tour of the museums housing major works of art to historical monuments reminding of France’s history. You wish and the country has it for a memorable holiday. It is just not the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, but there are several other tourist attractions to experience. Of the many things about France, the French wines need a mention. It is the great national treasure rooted in history. With over half million vineyards in the country, French wine is renowned the world over.

A popular destination like France, it has a plethora of accommodation options though the hotels France remains the most accepted of the accommodation options. With thousands of hotels in the country, visitors would not come across accommodation problems but as is the case with all popular destinations, reservations made ahead of your arrival are advisable. A great choice of lodging options is available, catering to all kind of travelers too. The capital city Paris is the world center for fashion, art and style, making it the top destination for visitors with over 30 million travelers visiting it every year. A romantic and beautiful destination Paris has much to offer and the hotels in France Paris furnish the needs of its visitors. The number of hotels in Paris exceeds the total hotels in France. For the adventure enthusiasts the lodging in the campsites, ski resorts, and inns is quite appealing, and satisfying the adventure cravings. Hotels France are fantastic, not disappoint its guest’s with its superb facilities and services.