Choice Travel Spots » France

Mont Saint Michel: Visiting Everyone’s Favorite Monastery

admin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:18:05 +0000

Here is a great article I found on CNN about visiting Mont Saint Michel in France, a couple of hours from Paris. Rick Steves describes the best way to visit Mont Saint Michel, the isolated monastery-on-the-rock in France. We went there a few years ago, and it was one of the more memorable trips we have ever taken (from the dramatic castle and rock landscapes to the creperies hidden inside).

Finding a Hotel in Paris.

admin — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:17:20 +0000

Finding a reasonably priced hotel in this city can seem impossible (especially now with the exchange rate to the Euro). If you don’t mind paying $$$$$$ per night, some great options exist, such as the Hilton (on avenue Sufren), the Westin (on rue de Rivoli), The Mariott on the Champs deElysees ($$$$). You can’t go wrong with any of these, but my favorite is the Hilton on avenue Sufren. You have a great view of the Eifel Tower from many of the rooms (even with a small balcony), it is a 5 minute walk to the metro (Bir Hakeim) and it is usually a little less expensive than some of the others due to the older style and need for renovation. Don’t expect super luxury, but the location is great.

For less expensive options we found some great (and many not so great choices). There is a Hotel Mercure next door to the Hilton mentioned above, and you can usually get a rate that is about 40% less expensive. Mercure is in the same great location, but it can seem a little corporate. Finding a quaint boutique style hotel can be tough, and we have tried several with little success. We have had a range of problems from noisy rooms, rooms the size of a broom closet, poor insulation, no insulation, no hot water, no cold water, literally above a noisy metro that shakes when a train goes by (I am not kidding) doesn’t get quite until after 1:00am, unaccommodating staff (even rude – not entirely uncommon in Paris), no wireless internet, blah, blah, blah. In fact, if you find a great quaint hotel, please post it here. I am not convinced that these actually exist, and I believe that this is only propaganda being spread by the French Tourism Board. We have given up looking. Our favorite reasonably priced hotel is actually a Best Western (not a big fan of this chain) on Avenue Foch. This was a true surprise and was an extremely pleasant surprise. WE LOVED IT! The staff was great, the rooms were
French Quaint, beautifully decorated (from four post beds to antique furniture) and it is a short walk to the Arc de Triumphe. Trust us, you will not be disappointed if you stay here!

Here is a picture from our room at the Hilton (5 minute walk to Eifel Tower)

One Night in Paris

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:54:37 +0000

Here is a great night landscape shot of Paris (the original city of lights)!

Click ‘read more’ to see it:

The Bird Man of Paris

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:43:38 +0000

Ever wonder why people choose what they do with their time everyday? I cannot help but wonder why The Bird Man, as we cleverly called him, packs his little bag full of sugar coated bread and shuffles to the tourist infested Notre Dame plaza in the heart of Paris (it took us a while to figure out the secret as to why all the birds went to him instead of us – SUGAR). He does not have to endure the crowds, the walk and the large amount of bird poop. I, like all the people before and after me, inched my way through the crowd to get a lesson on how to have birds land on me. If you go to Paris you will seem him there in the summer. He is always there!

As I look at the photos I remember that it was fun, different and it made me laugh almost like a child would. Everyone that has encountered this frail man has to have smiled and had some joy in their heart. That must be why! He has accomplished with one small, very simple act what some people will not do in a lifetime.

Do the French really understand English?

admin — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:17:14 +0000

When you are in France, it definitely helps to understand a bit of the language. It will make your travel easier and more enjoyable, but do you ever wonder if the French really understand what you are saying? Well, watch this and form your own opinion.

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Paris city tour

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:40:09 +0000

If you are contemplating a romantic trip to Paris, check out the video showing some of the best and most recognized sites in the world, including the Arc de Triumphe, Place de Concorde, Versailles, and the famous Eiffel Tower. It is always one of our favorite places to visit, and we are drawn back by it’s beauty.

You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

The best sweets in Paris

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:32:13 +0000

If you want to impress your travel date in Paris, your first stop for lunch should be Angelina on rue de Rivoli. DO NOT MISS THIS! It is a sandwich and tea room with great food, but that is not why you go there. They serve a special imported chocolate from North Africa (they won’t tell you exactly where it comes from due it being a closely guarded secret), but it is INCREDIBLE, and I don’t even like chocolate. All girls like chocolate, so go here if you are trying to impress. Make sure you try a real hot chocolate there, which is made with melted chocolate from this secret location and hot milk that you mix yourself at the table. Unreal experience, but the piece de resistance is the Mont Blanc. This is the best desert you will ever try in your life!!!!!!! It is made with their secret recipe chocolate, with meringue and Chantilly (whipped cream). It may not sound that great, but I have never tried anything even close to this tasty anywhere in the world. The only danger is that if this is your first stop, you may be reluctant to try other places as you will want to go back every day. Go there immediately in Paris, do not pass GO, and at least order the hot chocolate and MONT BLANC, then come back and post here how truly great this is. I should get something for plug, but I don’t. It is truly that good. Angelina, if you are reading this, please feel free to ship us some Mont Blanc.

Art: The Amazing Eiffel Tower Blueprint & Construction

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:09:41 +0000

Ever seen the blueprints of Eiffel Tower in Paris? Check out these blue prints and also the construction of this amazing tower in France

Disneyland Paris Adventure!

admin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:38:05 +0000

The other day my four-year old son asked if we could go back to Paris? Why how proud I was he must be remembering the fine art, beautiful architecture the lovely picnics with baguettes, brie and milk. Well, someday we may but why? I want to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride. Do you remember the one with the guns? So, my moment of dreaming of my sophisticated son wandering the museum pondering the meaning of life melted away with the Buzz Lightyear laser.

Who could blame him? My husband and I had already been there two times before having kids, we are huge space mountain junkies at the Paris location. I love the beginning when they stop the rocket and you have the open air and then….blastoff. We even did the pass off where I took a ride and then I took the children while my husband took a turn.

Do not expect the happiest place on earth, I mean it is Paris. It appears that employees at Disneyland Paris are not required to attend “Smile School” like the other Disney parks. If you have not been there, here is a quick exercise so you will know exactly what to expect, as an American in Paris. When the U.S. Presidential campaign rallies come through your town, attend the Hillary Clinton rally wearing a George W t-shirt. See the looks that you are getting from the other people there, now you know.

If you can look past this, you will have a blast here (with or without kids) – we did.

http://www.disneylandparis.com/

Who doesn’t love Paris?

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 04:31:01 +0000

The first time I went to Paris, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. That’s what happens when you set your expectations too high. After going with the right person however, you come to see the city in a new and wonderful light. The main sites were great (as expected), but the best part of visiting Paris came from exploring and discovering the many hidden secrets and areas that have become some of our favorite places to go in the world. Visiting Paris will probably be a wonderful experience for anyone that goes, but with a few tips and locations to some hidden treasures, I am sure it will for you also become the most memorable and romantic city on the face of the planet. That’s where we come in! Hopefully we can give you some new ideas if you are planning a trip there, but even if you do not intend to visit anytime soon I am sure you will enjoy the pictures and stories from the greatest city in the world. It doesn’t matter where you plan to go next, SOMEDAY PARIS!

CHOICE HOTEL: Westin Rue de Rivoli ($$$), Hotel Plaza Athenee ($$$$)
CHOICE FOOD SPOT: Coste at Plave Vendome