Posts Tagged ‘Visiting’

PostHeaderIcon Visiting France: Paris and Nice

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 café’s 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, it’s 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 Côte d’Azur

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 km’s 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.

PostHeaderIcon When Visiting Paris, Try Paris Hostels

For the budget-conscious traveler to France, it is worth looking into the wide variety of paris hostels that are available. Hostels in Paris are similar to hotels, in that you will make a reservation prior to your stay, but there are many variations depending at which Paris hostel you stay. Many Paris hostels also offer amenities as nice as more expensive hotels. You will find a range of prices per night for a stay at a hostel. Paris accommodations range anywhere from eighteen euros (approximately twenty-three US dollars) to one hundred fifty-two euros, or one hundred ninety-three dollars, per night. For a higher price, you are often getting more privacy, which might be important to some travelers for their comfort. Less expensive rates often mean that you receive a bed in a shared room, usually a dormitory-style arrangement with several beds for men in one room and several for women in another. If you can deal with the occasional snoring or other sounds that come with shared sleeping arrangements, you can save a great deal of money and sleep comfortably in Paris hostels. Bathrooms are almost always shared in hostels in Paris as well. If you prefer a private room, these are a bit more expensive, but often not a lot. You can find a private room in a Paris hostel starting around forty-six US dollars a night, which is very reasonable.Hostels in paris offer many different amenities that you will want to weigh according to your specific needs. It is helpful to have a safe place to store your luggage, as well as have lockers and secure boxes to store your valuables when you stay at a hostel. Paris hostelries often come with this important accommodation. Many also accept credit cards for payment, so you do not have to have several different kinds of currency on hand if you are traveling outside of France as well. Most Paris hostels offer heating, but not all have air conditioning, so if you are traveling in the summer you will want to ask about this. Most hostels in Paris also have available Internet and telephone service, so it is easy to stay in touch with friends and family back home. Cleanliness is something everyone wants in a hostel. Paris accommodations may have a lockout period, where guests are sent out for a few hours in order for cleaning and maintenance to take place. This is one way that Paris hostels can keep their prices down, and if you will be out sightseeing anyway, it is easy to deal with. A paris hostel offers a comfortable way to visit this wonderful city at a price that you can afford.

PostHeaderIcon Save Money Visiting Paris: Rent an Apartment

Paris is an amazing destination. Millions visit Paris every year, and it’s no wonder why; the city of lights features numerous memorable attractions, outstanding dining, and a traditional flair that is hard to find anywhere else on the planet. For all these reasons, Paris is also remarkably expensive to visit.
That’s where long term apartments can come in handy. There are literally thousands of short and long term apartments available throughout the city, and generally, the longer you plan on staying, the greater your savings.
There are a number of advantages to renting an apartment when visiting Paris. First, it’s a much more authentic experience. You are actually experiencing Paris like a Parisian, up close and personal. Generally, you’ll find yourself in a charming neighborhood surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and often, a museum or other tourist attraction.
And don’t worry, renting an apartment is almost as convenient as going to a hotel. In most cases, a friendly manager is waiting to greet you and show you to your apartment as soon as you arrive. In fact, they will often offer to arrange a taxi from the airport, just to make sure you arrive in comfort.
And while the comforts of most hotels are quite appealing, apartments are usually larger and have additional amenities such as kitchens, stereos and televisions, and larger bathrooms.
It is important to have a list of requirements before you begin looking for Paris accommodation. Every apartment is unique, and not every one will be ideally suited to your personality or requirements. Keep in mind how many bedrooms you require, what type of bed you are looking for, even whether you need or want a television in the room. There is great variety available, offering every combination you might be looking for.
Apartments are a viable option whether you are staying for a week, for several weeks, or for several months. Generally, hotels rates in Paris start at 150 euros per night. That can get quite expensive over a few weeks. Apartments on the other hand, can start as low as 50 euros a night, and usually you will receive a greater discount the longer you stay.
As for which neighborhood is the best, that’s really up to you. Generally, I try to arrange accommodation within districts 1 through 5, as these are the most convenient for accessing attractions, shopping, and outstanding dining.
There are hundreds of sites dedicated to showcasing Paris apartments for tourists. Most of these site provide pictures, descriptions, and maps to show you the apartment and surrounding area. When it comes time to pay, simply use your credit card, much as you would when booking a hotel.
I do recommend to anyone planning a visit to Paris to search through online forums relating to tourism in Paris or about visiting Paris. These forums can be a great resource for answering key questions about the city, the people, the attractions and transportation. Recommendations from other people will make your visit complete.
When you visit Paris as a tourist, you want be immersed in the history, the wonderful culture, and the amazing architecture. Regardless of how long you are thinking of staying, renting an apartment in Paris will save you a significant amount of money. This will ensure you spend your time enjoying your time in Paris, instead of wondering how you will pay for your accommodation.