City Breaks in Paris – Getting There, Where to Stay, What to Do - Comments Off
Known as the most romantic city in the world, Paris receives over 30 million visitors each year, drawn to see the great sights and experience the unique atmosphere of the city. Whether you travel by Eurostar or plane, for a quick weekend break or a longer stay, Paris is an immensely rewarding destination to visit.
Getting There
The Eurostar now departs from King’s Cross St Pancras and arrives at Paris Gare du Nord in the centre of the city. For most incoming international flights, Charles De Gaulle (located 25km to the north of the city) is the main airport in Paris. Shuttle transfers, taxis, train or bus are your main options for getting to the city centre once you’ve arrived, with all of them taking approximately 60 minutes. If you arrive at Orly or Beauvais, the other two Paris airports, shuttles and taxis will take about 30 and 90 minutes respectively.
If you are on a weekend break, you are likely to want as little hassle and as much leisure as possible during your trip to Paris; an airport shuttle is the most convenient way of getting from the airport to your hotel in Paris, and shuttle services, unlike the bus or train, will drop you off directly at your hotel.
Where to Stay
Paris has a great range of hotels. Luxury accommodation is provided by hotels such as the Plaza Athenee, which has hosted the rich and famous for almost a century, and the Four Seasons. The city also has numerous good mid range hotels (Hotel St Jaques and the Lindburgh Hotel are especially recommended) along with cheap and friendly youth hostels, such as St Christopher Inns and Calincourt Square. Whatever your budget, you should be able to find a hotel or hostel to suit your needs. All of them have one crucial thing in common – they are extremely busy, and booking far in advance is strongly advised. During weekends and holiday periods, booking is essential!
If you want to try something a little different, the independent English language bookshop Shakespeare and Company lets visitors (or “tumbleweeds” as they are affectionately known) stay for free in return for a few hours work a day.
What to Do
Once you’ve arrived at your hotel in Paris (by shuttle, taxi, bus or train), it’s time to see the sights. The “Big Three” sights to see are the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Eiffel Tower, built in 1889, remains the most famous sight in Paris, and a trip to the top (if you have the stomach for it!) provides unforgettable views out over the city. The Arc de Triomphe, built by Napolean, is a central landmark, and Notre Dame de Paris is a spectacular 12th century Gothic cathedral. Equally famous is the Louvre Art Gallery, home to the Mona Lisa and other masterworks by Leonardo da Vinci and numerous other artists.
Elsewhere, the handsome hilltop district of Montmatre has long been a Mecca for artists, with Picasso and Dali both living here at the start of the 20th century, and wandering the streets and cafes is a great way to pass an idle afternoon. The Left Bank around Montparnasse is another beautiful area with plenty of history; for late night drinking here, try Le Select, favoured drinking house of 1920s expats like Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald.
There’s plenty to see and do in Paris itself, and the surrounding area offers attractions such as the Palace at Versailles, Fontainebleu Forest and Disneyland Paris. Whatever you want from your visit to Paris, you’re sure to find something to keep yourself entertained!
Bruno Calzaverini is the Managing Director of Shuttle Direct. Providing pre-booked Paris airport shuttle services, as well as airport transfers to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don
How to Arrange a Trip to Jamaica - Comments Off
Are you interested in traveling to Jamaica? If this is your first time doing so, the process may seem overwhelming. The good news is that it is very easy to make your Jamaica travel plans. In fact, you can do so in 9 easy steps.
1 – Obtain a Valid Passport
If you do not have a valid passport this is the first step you will want to take. A passport is required for admittance into Jamaica from the United States. You should allow up to two months for your passport to arrive.
2 – Decide on a Destination
Although you have already selected Jamaica as your vacation destination, where on the island would you like to visit? Negril, Montego Bay, Runaway Bay, and Ocho Rios, are a few popular choices.
When deciding on a Jamaica vacation destination, look for nearby activities and attractions. Should you venture outside of your resort, have many options. Speaking of resorts, popular destinations, such as the four mentioned above, should have more resorts to choose from.
3 – Decide on a Date of Travel
Your date of travel is important, as it will impact your travel arrangements. Most recommend visiting Jamaica for at least five to seven days. When choosing your travel dates, keep in mind Jamaica’s rainy season, between the months of May and June and September and October.
Your dates of travel can also save you money on your Jamaica vacation. Typically, it is cheaper to fly in the middle of the week, as opposed to on holidays or weekends.
4 – Make Your Airline Reservations
You should have a number of options when traveling to Jamaica. For that reason, be sure to compare them all. Look for airlines with the shortest layovers, especially if you are coming from the Northern United States. Most importantly, price compare to find the best deals.
5 – Examine and Compare Jamaica Resorts
On the island, you have multiple Jamaica resorts to choose from. Instead of opting for the first resort you come across, examine and compare your options. In terms of overnight accommodations, it shouldn’t be about getting the cheapest price, but getting the better value.
To get the most out of your vacation, examine all-inclusive Jamaica resorts. They are a great deal and convenient to book, as most of your vacation is included in their costs. This should include food, drinks, tips, and some entertainment.
It is also recommended that you examine the purpose of your vacation, as it can help you find the perfect Jamaica resort. In additional to traditional resorts, there are Jamaica family resorts, couples resorts, singles resorts, and adult only resorts.
6 – Make Jamaica Resorts Reservations
When making reservations for a Jamaica resort, use a trusted online website or go directly to the source. This is important with all-inclusive Jamaica resorts, as you don’t want any strings attached.
Make sure the dates for your resort and airline reservations match.
7 – Research Area Attractions
Having a good time is an important part of planning a trip to Jamaica. Before you leave, use the internet or request free travel guides to familiarize yourself with local attractions. Guided tours come highly rated and recommended. If concerned with safety, inquire at your resort as to which areas of Jamaica are the safest to visit.
In addition to researching area attractions, closely examine your Jamaica resort. Many have a number of amenities, services, and facilities available for you to use. Beachfront resorts should allow free access to the beach. Upscale resorts may have an onsite golf course or fitness center. Family resorts are likely to have scheduled events, a playground, and game room.
8 – Arrange Transportation
If you intend to spend most of your Jamaica vacation at your resort, transportation may not be an issue, but how will you get to the resort from the airport? Inquire about airport transfers and their costs, as it may be cheaper than taking public transportation.
9- Set Aside Spending Money
Even if you opt for a Jamaica all-inclusive travel package, where the cost of your food, drinks, tips, and entertainment is included, extra spending money is recommended. Whether you want to purchase souvenirs or visit attractions with admission fees, access to at least a hundred dollars is advised. Since many credit and bank cards are accepted, this does not all necessarily need to be in cash.
SuperClubs.com can help you plan your all-inclusive Jamaica vacation. Examine and compare their all-inclusive beach resorts to find the best value for your money.
