Planning A Trip To The Best Cities In Europe

Paris Comments Off
Aug 072011

Many travel agents and websites provide information about the best cities in Europe to visit, including suggestions about what time of year to take a trip, where to lodge during a stay, and which popular attractions guests should see. Those who are interested in planning a great trip to Europe may want to select cities with a rich historical past, several attractions for visitors of all ages, and noted cuisine.

One of the most visited European cities is London, England. Home to people from all over the world, London offers a view of many international cultures. Immigrants to the area often retain some of their cultural heritage, giving tourists a look at customs around the world.

American tourists can feel relatively comfortable navigating the local area, since most British citizens understand American English. The shopping districts offer both high-end luxury and bargain souvenirs and London’s historical past is seen in the famous works of architecture, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace.

Paris, France is also a popular city for European tourists to visit. Known as “The City of Lights”, Paris features many works from master artists in the famous Louvre Museum. Another tourist draw in Paris is the excellent cuisine, which includes baked goods such as croissants, crepes, as well as rich main courses and decadent desserts.

Guests who have time to see Paris on foot will enjoy a walking tour, since many of the attractions are located near each other. The Eiffel Tower and the Arc d’Triomphe should be high on any visitor’s list of landmarks to see.

Tourists who appreciate fine dining and history will love visiting another noted European city, Rome, Italy. Relics from Rome’s glorious past are seen everywhere, including the Appian Way, a landmark in infrastructure, and the famous Colosseum.

A hub of traditional Italian food, restaurants in Rome provide food for luxury seekers and budget travelers. Since many of Rome’s attractions are free, it is an inexpensive destination for visitors.

Read about the best cities in Europe, or focus in on France travel if you prefer … all at the Indie Travel Podcast.

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Paris Metro: Money Saving Tips For The City's Subway

Paris Comments Off
Jul 122011

The Paris subway, also known as Le Metro or Metropolitan, is a cost effective way to keep your bank account in the black while traveling in Paris. For tourists, Paris offers a tourist card called the Paris Visite Carte; though, as we found out the visitor’s card isn’t always the best budget option for tourists.

One of the easiest ways to start using Paris’ excellent Metro system is to buy the Paris Visite Carte from a ticket window or self-service machine; though, depending on when you arrive and your length of stay, a more budget friendly option maybe to purchase a weekly or monthly pass called Passe Navigo Decouverte. The pass can only be bought at RATP/SNCF ticket windows in Metro stations and train stations, and unlike the Paris Visite Card, which is active from the first time of use, the weekly and monthly passes take effect at the beginning of each week or month. Both passes are valid for the Metro, RER (regional express trains) and buses.

To help explain the price options for Paris’ Le Metro, I have included the subway’s fare charts below. Aside from Disneyland and Versailles, all of Paris’ most famous attractions and sights are inside Le Metro zones 1 and 2. All prices are in Euros.

Le Metro Individual Tickets:

One ticket 1.70

Book of 10 tickets 12.00

Single-use ticket purchased on a bus 1.80

Paris Visite Carte

Zones 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day

1-3 9.30 15.20 20.70

1-6 19.60 29.90 41.90

* A perk to the Paris Visite Card is that the tourist pass can be used for discounts for various sightseeing tours and attractions in the city, for example, 20-40% admission discounts to Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House and the Pantheon.

Le Metro Pass Navigo Decouverte

Zones Week Month

1 – 2 17.20 56.60

1 – 3 22.70 74.40

1 – 4 27.90 91.70

1 – 5 33.40 109.90

1 – 6 37.60 123.60

*It cost an additional one-time 5 euro fee to obtain the Paris’ Navigo Pass. In addition, A passport size photo, which you can supply or purchase from a photo booth near the ticket window for 4 euro , is also required for your Paris weekly or monthly Navigo Pass, which is transferable between your Paris’ Navigo Pass.

No matter which Le Metro Pass you choose, the Paris subway system is a great budget option for getting around the city.

Learn more about Visiting Iceland . Stop by Randy Kalp’s site, BeersandBeans.com, where you can find out about camping in Paris and other European budget travel tricks.

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The Best Cities In Europe

Paris Comments Off
Jul 112011

What a person considers to be the best cities in Europe is debatable. It depends on several factors that include what type of atmosphere a person is looking for and how long they are going to be staying. For example, if an individual plans to stay for 1 or 2 weeks, places to go include Sofia, Paris, London, Florence, and Rome. If an individual is staying for less than a week, some great places to go include Amsterdam, Vienna, Venice, Goteborg, or Cambridge.

London, England is considered a favorite because it offers something for everyone. There are a number of museums, along with Big Ben, the London Eye, and the popular Tower of London. The London Eye gives a beautiful sky view of London.

Paris, France has been named the most romantic place to visit. About 42 million tourists flock to Paris every year, making it the world’s most visited city. Paris has around 3,700 monuments, and beautiful spring, summer, fall, and winter weather. Even in the winter, the temperature during the days usually stays above freezing.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is one of the most important cultural places in all of the world, because of the 75 festivals held there each year. They also have historical monuments, a beautiful canal belt, and famous museums. Each district around the centre has its own personality. There are some with modern architecture, and others that take a person back in time, making the city perfect for anyone.

Goteborg, Sweden, is a beautiful little town located in South West Sweden. They have large, beautiful gardens with interesting plants. Goteborg has low fares and cheap accommodations. It is also home of Scandinavia’s biggest amusement park, making it perfect for families.

As stated before, the best cities in Europe to travel to should be based on how long a person is staying and what they are wanting to visit. There are beautiful and unique places that have something for everyone.

Read about the Best Cities in Europe on the award-winning Indie Travel Podcast. There’s plenty of Europe travel planning information there.

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A Few Top European Cities To Visit

Paris Comments Off
Jun 072011

There are plenty of European cities worth visiting. The culture is rich with a good blend of modern living. They provide an opportunity to see the wealth of a continent that has had such a tremendous effect that is felt around the entire world. The following are the most popular European cities to visit.

London is an example of a multi-ethnic city that meets all expectations. For hundreds of years, it has serves as a meeting-point for many influential people from all nations. Its culture is rich with a diversity of historic buildings, great monuments, theaters and galleries. This is the one-stop shop for the rest of the world.

Paris is lively and filled with the best things of life. It is known for its style and fashion all over the world. This is the city for anyone desiring a full romantic experience. Paris has a lot of places that can be visited. One can never be satisfied with just a visit. There is always a tendency to repeat the experience several times over.

Rome is yet one more city that should be visited. It has a strong ability of conveying its visitors to ancient times. Every one of its guests is pleased with the level of preservation of its landmarks and cultural monuments. There are numerous displays of very old buildings and statues. One can’t help but appreciate all that the city has to offer.

Barcelona is an attractive place with a wonderful weather that is sited on the Mediterranean coast. It offers an interesting mix of cultural diversity. Its great history is still very evident in the preserved ruins that are available for tourists to see. This is the city for lovers of the game of soccer being the home of one of world’s best teams.

One of the European cities to visit is Venice. Its popularity is due to its beauty. It is exclusively different. There exist no other place like Venice in any part of the world. A high number of people visit the city every year. It is a blend of many small islands in the northern part of Italy. Transportation is by boat on or by foot.

The award-winning Indie Travel Podcast has more Europe travel advice, including European cities to visit this year.

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Why I Love Provence in the Springtime

Aix-en-Provence, Antibes, Avignon, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Cannes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, Saint Paul de Vence, Saint Tropez Comments Off
Mar 112011

With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, you are practically guaranteed some sunshine when holidaying in Provence.

Combine that with a go to in the spring time and you will come across that the beaches on the French Riviera are practically empty, the sun is warm and the welcome is friendly.

The fairly hill town of Bormes-Les-Mimosa typifies what is just so best about France in the spring. The Mimosa trees are in full bloom with a ideal yellow blossom. The pavement cafes are open and you can take a seat and get pleasure from a view out across the hills to the Mediterranean sea in the distance. Browsing around the village shops you’ll discover jewellery stores, stores selling limoncello (a local drink made from lemons), fresh olives, olive oil flavoured with basilic and cushions filled with fragrant lavender.

At this time of year not only are the road and beaches empty but the restaurant owners are pleased to see you and have a lot of time to serve you and make your time there enjoyable.

Even the renowned St Tropez wakes up quiet and sleepy on a spring morning and you can uncover a waterfront seat in 1 of the cafes overlooking the harbour. If you get there early sufficient you can browse the designer shops in the little backstreets just before enjoying your croissant or petit pain with a hot chocolate or coffee in 1 of the a large number of pavement cafes.

If you have kids, they’ll relish the opportunity to dig alone in the clean sand whilst you lie back and appreciate the sight of the sun glittering on the sea.

With little competition you can also take pleasure in the delicacies produced by the local bakeries, in specific the gateau and confectioneries that are frequently snapped up rapidly throughout the summer months.

With the arrival of Easter, the French are on vacation but there is still a lot of room for everybody. You have time to go to the shores of La Lavandou, the wide beaches at La Cavaliere, the delightful shops at Le Rayol.

With access from Nice Airport direct on to the autoroute (motorway) you can be at your holiday destination within an hour or two of landing on the runway.

Vacation Rentals are frequently cheaper than their counterparts in the U.K. and combined with the very cheap airfares now obtainable to all European locations, you could treat your self to a week in the warm French sun for about the exact same as a week in Padstow in the drizzle.

Out of season, villas are pretty reasonable, but if you are on a spending budget then renting an apartment can be very well priced.

Of course, you’ll also be the envy of all your buddies and work colleagues when you return looking slightly bronzed and very relaxed from your holiday in the Cote d’Azur!

For further details on picking your holiday property, go to Provence Villas

This article was submitted by Jen Carter, she is owner of the Toujours Provence web page.

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Some Special Places to Visit in Provence in the South of France

Aix-en-Provence, Antibes, Avignon, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Cannes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, Saint Paul de Vence, Saint Tropez Comments Off
Feb 262011

We have found a unique component of Provence, in the South of France, near the foothills of the French Alps. This region lies within the area roughly bounded by the villages of Gigondas, Grignan, Nyons and Buis de Baronnies. The area is in the northeastern component of Provence and consists of parts of the districts of Drome and Vaucluse.

It is a lovely component of Southern France, with a wide selection of issues to do and see. Views take in rich lavender fields, grapevines, and the soft gray of the olive groves. Nyons, one of the finest of the larger villages in Provence, is the gateway to the French Alps. Nyons has a incredibly lively marketplace every single Thursday throughout the year, as well as a number of restaurants and old stone architecture dating back to times of Roman influence.

There are too countless wineries to count in the region, nevertheless the wines from the villages of Gigondas and Vinsobres are rated as among the very best in the area. Apart from wine there are a large number of other delicacies to sample, Nyons is the olive capital of France and a go to to la Nyonsaise is a need to to taste the olives, oils and other stunning produce. La Vinsobraise (at the beginning of the road to Vinsobres) houses all the Vinsobres wines which have one of the most beneficial reputations for red wine in France. Nyons also has it\’s own lavender distillery with a shop next door to buy all those stunning lavender items.

Vaison la Romaine also lies in this area (with a great marketplace every single Tuesday) and is a need to to go to with its well preserved ancient section of the village and recently found Roman ruins that are well preserved, as well as a Roman ampitheatre, which is presently being restored. The ancient Castle of the Counts of Toulouse is well worth the climb, as well as the ancient old village on the hill over the old bridge.

Grignan with it\’s fantastic castle, which was the centre of power for the area until the French Revolution, is 20 minutes to the west of Nyons. Chateau Grignan is a gorgeous Chateau with a perched village at the base. You can see it for miles as you pass through Valreas. A number of gorgeous boutiques and artisan shops for that unique gift will be discovered here. The Chateau is well worth a tour if you have time, as well as the church. Lunch at one of the several cafes and restaurants at the base of the castle is a beautiful way to pass away the afternoon.

North and east from Nyons are the scenic gorges and then the beginning of the lovely French Alps with superb skiing in winter, hiking in summer and breathtaking scenery.

An hours drive to the southwest of Nyons is Avignon, well recognized as the residence of the Catholic Church for the reign of six Popes from 1377 onwards, and also the Pont St Benezet – from the song ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon’. The bridge only goes half way across the Rhone – the rest having been swept away by floods a couple of hundred years ago. The Palais des Papes provides an vital insight into the influence on southern France of the relocation of the Catholic Church from Rome to Avignon.

Marseilles and the Cote d’Azur are about and hour and a half drive south from Nyons on the Motorway.

In Summer the markets in the area can get especially busy, so it is a excellent thought to get there just before 10 as they close at 12. A assortment of the ideal markets in the area:

Tuesday- Vaison la Romaine – a beautiful assortment of food, crafts, clothing and plants. Excellent in winter too!

Thursday- Nyons – our favorite marketplace. Several every thing and beautiful cafes to have lunch at. Wander down to the old bridge through old town.

Friday- Carpentras – a lot of assortment.

Saturday-

  • St Cecile de la Vigne – A little but stunning provencal marketplace – well worth a go to!
  • Uzes – Quite a few food stalls with local specialities. Worth combining with a trip to the Pont du Gard.

Sunday-
  • Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – The largest antique marketplace outside Paris plus all the usual food and craft stalls. Well worth a half day go to.
  • Carpentras – Flea marketplace – you’ll never know what you will locate here!

This is only a taste of the beautiful issues we have discovered in this component of Provence and we strongly suggest a go to. Access to this component of Provence is easiest through the TGV stations at Avignon or Montelimar which are about 2 hours and 30 minutes travelling on the main line south from Paris or Charles De Gaulle airport. Lyon, which has the third largest airport in France, is 56 minutes by TGV north of Montelimar.

Graeme and Karen Hubbert and quite a few other Australian pals have “found” this beautiful area and now split their time between Australia and the South of France. Vacation rentals are offered at houses owned by this group of Australians in the stunning perched villages of Vinsobres, 8 kms west of Nyons, http://www.houseinfrance.net.au and Sablet, 10 minutes southwest of Vaison la Romaine. http://www.houseinprovence.net

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Holidays in Creuse, Limousin, Massif Central, France

Limousin Comments Off
Feb 202011

The department of Creuse is located in the centre of France, correct among the impressive mountains of the Massif Central, and named after the river that runs via the region. There are few big town and cities in a region that is dominated by its rivers and mountains, though the smaller historic town of Aubusson has an crucial place in the history of French and European art.


Aubusson


The town of Aubusson is well-known throughout Europe for the tapestries that have been made there by means of the centuries, several of which now hang in palaces and museums in main cities. The town itself has its roots in Roman times and there are still quite a few historical buildings and churches to take pleasure in although wandering the streets. Naturally, there is a museum dedicated to the art of tapestry in Aubusson, which features examples of the art from the last few hundred years as well as authentic conventional equipment and frequently holds demonstrations of how tapestries are made.


Lake Vassiviere


If you’re a fan of water sports, hiking or just relaxing on the beach, then you shouldn’t miss a trip to Lake Vassiviere, 1 of France’s largest lakes at just over 1000 hectares in area. There are 3 locations for organised boat trips around the edge of the lake or you can hire your own boat from Auphelle. There are six sandy beaches around the lake’s coastline. Some with children’s playing areas, which all get quite busy in summer, when bathing is supervised. Families can also appreciate a range of sports nearby or just take a walk in the woods and villages surrounding Lake Vassiviere. If you’re feeling far more active you can try out water-skiing on the lake or take out a pedal boat to swim had been the water is quieter.


Chill Out


The town of Evaux-les Bains is Creuse’s quite own spa town and has been for generations. Not only is it the only spa town in the department of Creuse but it the only 1 in the entire Limousin region! It has a history dating back 2,000 years to the Celts and even Roman visitors. The baths these days are really modern and hygienic and enable those with conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis, as well as those who have just spent a lengthy day walking in the Creuse countryside, to relax. The spa is open between March and October every single year.


The Author writes for Holiday Property Rentals who have a selection of Villas in Creuse and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.


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Holidays in Correze, Limousin, France

Limousin Comments Off
Jan 312011

Click Here for Holidays in Correze, Limousin, France

Correze is a department in the region of Limousin in central France. The area is extremely rural, with several historic medieval villages, stunning scenery and plenty of outdoor activities for sporty visitors, particularly on the River Dordogne with flows via part of Correze. There are few main cities in Correze, so the region is somewhere you can very escape from modern life.


Medieval Villages


The Correze area is well-known for its gorgeous medieval villages, several of which are on the pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Lots of of the villages in the Correze region have even been named as “France’s Most Gorgeous”, an award given to communities, which have preserved their authentic way of life. Curemonte could only be a tiny village on a rocky outcrop above the river, but it is residence to 3 castles and 3 churches. The walls and ramparts are still standing in lots of parts of the village and there are numerous aristocratic homes to be discovered in the narrow cobbled streets.


In a region where so numerous historic communities have managed to survive, it is no surprise to uncover plenty of castles too! The 11th century Tours de Merle could now be ruined, but the remains of the buildings, farm and walls are still worth a visit, if only for the view across the Maronne River. The 18th century Pompadour castle is extra of a comfortable country house, where visitors can marvel at the art collected by residents over the generations. The castle is also now property to a stud farm, which any fans of horse riding will obtain fascinating. Guided tours are out there by prior arrangement.


Get Outdoors


The major attraction of the Correze area is its natural beauty and range of outdoor activities. There are a number of rivers flowing by way of the area, which is fantastic news for canoeists and fishermen. It\’s also great news for those who appreciate a riverside stroll, regardless of whether via the gorges on the Dordogne, with their spectacular viewpoints or along the a lot smaller Prade River to the website of the impressive Cascades de Gimel. This incredible waterfall is truly in 3 parts, falling from a height of over 100 metres in total.


There are a number of equestrian centres permitting you to explore the countryside on horseback, although real adventurers will appreciate the activity centres at Aubazine and Chateau de Val. Both websites feature a high zip wire, and other climbing activities in the treetops, some aimed at kids although other people are strictly for the huge youngsters.


The Author writes for Holiday Residence Rentals who have a selection of Villas in Correze and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.


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Holidays in Grasse, Provence, France

Aix-en-Provence, Antibes, Avignon, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Cannes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur, Saint Paul de Vence, Saint Tropez Comments Off
Jan 262011

Grasse is located in the Provence hills about 15 km from the Cote d’Azur. The town has lengthy been recognized as a centre for manufacturing perfume thanks to the ideal conditions for growing a wide selection of flowers. Grasse itself is a historic town surrounded by gorgeous countryside that is best for exploring on foot or bicycle. The well-known towns of the French Riviera are close by if you want to make Provence your base for travelling throughout the region with out staying in a busy seaside resort.

Historic Grasse

The old town dates from the 17th and 18th centuries and is full of winding streets, carved archways and hidden squares. At the top of the actions and paths is the Location Aux Aires with a fountain in the centre and an arcade of boutique craft shops. The cathedral in Grasse is well worth a go to. The building features a substantial 18th century clock tower and even has many paintings by the artist Reubens. The local Tourism Office has put together a 90-minute walking tour of the town that can be downloaded from the Net or picked up from the office. The leaflet guides you round the old town and consists of fascinating facts about the history of Grasse.

Perfume

The perfume business in Grasse began in the 16th century and is still going strong right now. Nowadays most of the industrial production in fact takes Location outside of the town. There are 3 principal perfumeries, which still have headquarters in Grasse itself. It is achievable to go to every of them, Fragonard, Galimard and Molinard, and take a guided tour of the factory. Every provides a tour in English at least once a day and will tell you about the history of the business and how perfume was traditionally made in Provence as well as offering you the chance to purchase some of the local produce. Also located in Grasse is the Musee International de la Parfumerie with historical items from the perfume business.

Provence Countryside

There are quite a few hiking routes that depart from Grasse and explore many parts of the Provence hills, such as the Gorges du Loup and the Plateau de Caussols, which is also house to an observatory. Only 4km north of Grasse you can locate many caves in the limestone hills. Several are for experienced cavers only but there are numerous that you can walk into, as lengthy as you have sensible shoes and an experienced guide. The Grotte de la Cascade de St. Sauveur has a number of kilometres of tunnels to explore, which go down to a depth of 150m.

The Author writes for Holiday House Rentals who have a variety of Villas in Grasse and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.

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Holidays in Haute-Vienne, Limousin, France

Limousin Comments Off
Jan 242011

Click Here for Holidays in Haute-Vienne, Limousin, France

Haute-Vienne is a department in the central French region of Limousin. Named after the River Vienne that runs via the area, the Haute-Vienne is a rural region with numerous historic towns and with the ancient town of Limoges as its capital.


Limoges


The historic town of Limoges is now well-known as a centre for porcelain production, a procedure that began in the 18th century and still continues these days. There is even a museum dedicated to the art in the town, with examples of porcelain produced over the generations as well as an explanation of how it is developed. On weekends, they occasionally hold porcelain-painting sessions, so the artists in your family can have a go at creating a masterpiece. The rest of the town boasts several gorgeous buildings, such as the Gothic cathedral of St Etienne with its octagonal bell tower. You can also go to the remains of a 10th century crypt and a Roman amphitheatre.


Outdoor Pursuits


The countryside in the Haute-Vienne region is perfect for walking and horseback riding and has over 2,000 kilometres for marked paths to take pleasure in. There are also mountain bike trails by way of the woods at Chateauneuf-la-Foret and Vaulry. In an area that is dominated by its rivers there are plenty of canoeing centres, which run organised day trips on the water. Far more active water sports, like water skiing, are offered at the lakes of Vassiviere and Bujaleuf, where there are also sandy beaches for those who prefer to relax.


Abbeys and Castles


There are a number of historic abbeys and castles, dotted throughout the Haute-Vienne countryside. 1 of the most well-known, and most well-known with visitors, is the abbey at Solignac. There has been an abbey on this web site since 652, though the present building dates only from the 12th century, with Additional added in the last few hundred years. It\’s a main stopping point on the pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela and is an impressive building filled with religious artwork and artefacts. The Rochechouart castle is located on a high rocky promontory, overlooking two rivers and giving a terrific view of the Haute-Vienne countryside. It\’s an fascinating combination of the medieval – complete with working drawbridge – and the Renaissance, also featuring a museum dedicated to contemporary art.


The ruined village of Oradur-sur-Glane may well not sound like significantly of a tourist attraction, but is a deeply moving place to go to. The village was destroyed by German forces at the end of World War II who murdered the 600 residents as they withdrew from the region. The village has never been rebuilt and stands as a permanent memorial. There is a visitor’s centre nearby which not only details the events leading up to the massacre but the presence of Nazi forces throughout France as a entire.


The Author writes for Holiday Property Rentals who have a selection of Villas in Haute-Vienne and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.


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