Entries Tagged "france vacation"

Sunday, November 22, 2009

La Rochelle is an appealing, old town, a vibrant collection of the old and the new. Its ancient streets are centered on its harbor, the remarkably picturesque Vieux Port. Standing sentinel on either side of the harbor are the fortress-like 14th-century towers known as Tour St. Nicholas and Tour de la Chaine. One of the most handsome French ports, La Rochelle has long been a favorite with painters, who set up their easels along the water's edge to capture the lively bustle of the harbor in emulation of the Impressionists here before them.The town itself was once a major trading port though today it is dedicated to fishing and yachting. La Rochelle boasts the second largest boating harbor in Europe. There is much to see and do for the visitor from the daily fish auction to the ramparts, towers and walkways through lovely parks leading down to the beach. Every street around the vast harbor is full of history.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Paris is one of the world's most romantic cities and elegant capitals in Europe with a wide array of things to do.  Stroll along the Champs-Elysees, see the amazing collections at the Louvre, take a cruise down the Siene River, browse for antique books on the Left Bank, explore the City of Light's Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

One of Paris' highlights, is certainly the Eiffel Tower. Engineered by Gusatave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was built in 1887 as the entrance arch to the Exposition Universelle, the World's Fair. What was considered an eyesore for the Parisians at the time of its construction, is now a monument linked to many historical events, and a structure that represents France to people around the world. It is a "must see" for anyone going to Paris.

The tower has three stories, with the first two accessible by stairs and elevator, while the top floor is accessible solely by elevator. The view is not all the Eiffel Tower offers though, there is a skating rink on the first floor during winters and the facility is free to use. Apart from the rink, there is the Altitude 95 on the first floor, a restaurant able to cater to up to 200 people. The second floor has a reservations only restaurant, with a private elevator. In addition, a post office, a photo studio, souvenir shops and beautiful gardens. The view from the top, as expected, is phenomenal. You cannot miss the Eiffel Tower at night. The "metal lady" is illuminated by 352 projectors of 1000 watts and twinkles every 30 minutes in the evening with 20.000 bulbs and 800 fairy lights.

With the popularity of the monument, you can expect to face long lines, but the end view from the top of the tower is a worthwhile experience. If you travel with a tour operator, you can typically skip the lines as they get preferred access. Packages include hotel accommodations, breakfast daily and a half day city tour with prices starting at $599 pp for 5 nights. If you don't like the idea of being on a motorcoach the entire time, there are not "city stays" that allow flexibility, while still having the essentials taken care of. You can also combine stays with surrounding cities such as London or Nice, take a cooking class, visit a wine vineyard, stay in a luxury resort, or take a river cruise.

For more information on France tours, cruisses & vacation packages, visit www.escortedfrancetours.com