Paris Travel Information

Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2011

When it comes to Paris, words fail. No description or superlative comes close to capturing the magic of the inimitable "City of Light." It's not just the culture…or the history…or the people, architecture, or food. It's all of those things-plus, so much more. Whether it's day, night, winter, summer, spring, or autumn, in Paris, the very air feels enchanted. Certainly, few places have as many recognizable icons: Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumph, Louvre. Whether you're shopping along the Champs-Élysées, cruising down the River Seine, taking in a cabaret show at the historic Moulin Rouge, strolling through the artist village of Montmartre, or simply basking in the city's je ne sais at a sidewalk café, Paris will make a lasting impression on you.

Quick Facts:

Population: 11 million
Language: French
Currency: The Euro 1€ =100 Cents
Time Zone: GMT +1

Weather: Paris is renowned to be most beautiful in the spring. All year round though the city is a delight with sizzling summers and coat wrapped winters.

Popular Sights:

Arc de Triomphe - Built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories, this impressive arch is a symbol of French pride. Eiffel Tower - The definitive symbol of Paris, and indeed France, the Eiffel tower dominates the city skyline. At night from atop its viewing decks Paris sparkles and earns its name as the ‘City of Lights’.
Champs Elysees - This is Paris’ grand boulevard and a great place to stroll and soak up the atmosphere of elegant stores, restaurants, theaters and hotels.
The Seine - The lifeline of the city, this river makes its way under numerous bridges - perfect for romantic moments. Take a boat trip down the Seine or just stroll along its banks and discover this great city.
The Louvre - Paris artistic soul may come from the artist quarter of Montemarte, but it is stored in The Louvre. Within The Louvre lies a myriad of paintings and sculptures. Not least the world’s most famous painting – the Mona Lisa.

Shopping:

From famous designer boutiques on the Champs Elysees to the charming antique dealers and art shops around the city, Paris has shopping options for every taste.

Enjoy looking for great buys such as perfume, silk scarves and wines in designer stores. Haggle over books at a flea – markets along the Seine and bargain for perfect pieces in antiques stores.

Cuisine:

Parisians take food very seriously and the City of Lights is world famous for its array of bistros, cafes and superior restaurants. Meals are sumptuous, creative and often have many courses, all washed down with great French wine.

Notable dishes are Beef bourguignon (beef stew with wine, herbs and vegetables) and bouillabaisse (fish stew). Be sure to indulge and enjoy the endless selection of freshly baked pastries like Croissant and Éclaire and taste the many fantastic French cheeses.

Monaco Travel Information

Posted on Monday, August 03, 2009

Monaco is a popular stop on several Mediterranean cruises, as well as tours of France & surrounding areas.

The currency is the Euro. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Monaco is the second smallest state in the world (after the Vatican City) and is surrounded by France on three sides with the Mediterranean Sea on the fourth. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a principality was established in 1338.

Monaco enjoys an almost perfect climate with mild winters and warm summers. There are more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Monaco has a dress code and appropriate clothing must be worn in public areas and jackets and ties should be worn by men in the casino.

Food and drink:  Classic French cuisine dominates along with certain regional specialties such as pissaladière (onion tart with anchovies and black olives), barbajuans (a savory pastry) and Langoustines à la Provençale (seafood). A variety of French wine is available as are imported liquors. Tap water is safe to drink.

Best Buys:  Luxury goods are widely available in Monaco’s large jewelers, art galleries and boutiques. The main shopping precinct is near the Place du Casino or for more reasonably priced items try Boulevard des Moulins.

France Travel Tips and Information

Posted on Wednesday, June 24, 2009

From the beautiful Dordogne to the Chateaux of the Loire, or the romance of Paris to the grandeur of the Alps, France is one of the worlds truly must-see-destinations. A country steeped in history, you will experience medieval castles, incredible food and wine and some of the best mountain scenery in Europe. A visit to France will fill amaze and delight in equal measure, and provide memories for a lifetime.

Weather:

Northern France enjoys a temperate summertime climate. In the Northeast, the Auvergne, Burgundy and Rhone Valley the climate is more ‘continental’, with warm summers and colder winters. The southern half of the country enjoys a Mediterranean climate all year round, with hot to very hot summers and mild winters. Very strong winds (such as the Mistral) can occur throughout the entire region. The Atlantic influences the climate of the western coastal areas from the Loire to the Basque region; the weather is temperate and relatively mild with rainfall distributed throughout the year. The French slopes of the Pyrenees are warm and sunny in the height of spring to late summer.

Best Time to Travel:

France is at its best time in spring and autumn, weather-wise. Peak season is July and August, when many French citizens go on holidays to beach resorts in France and the rest of Europe, businesses close, including museums and restaurants during this period. 

Additional Tips:

An adaptor is recommended...plus with 2 round pins are the most common @ 220 volts.

You can get around in France by taxi, bicycle, train, and it is a great city for walking.

Email is easily found in Paris in various internet cafes and shops. In smaller towns throughout France, each post office has a terminal available to the public.

Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle is located 14 miles northest of Paris. Because of traffic, a taxi to the ity center will take around 45 minutes, and will cost approximately 32 Euro.

Bordeaux Airport is located 7.5 miles from Bordeaux. Over 50 taxis are always available at the airport. The airport can also be reached via shuttle bus. Jet Bus operates a service from Bordeaux city center to the airport (about 40 minutes with stops).

The International dialing code for France is +33