Showing posts with label Travel Gide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel Gide. Show all posts
Monday, March 18, 2013
Paris
The city of lights, the city of love, a city of fashion—Paris draws millions of visitors every year with its unforgettable ambience. Of course, the divine cuisine and vast art collections deserve some of the credit as well. The gentle River Seine rambles through the city, flanked by stately museums, centuries-old churches, and blocks of Rococo- and Neo-classic-design architecture, further enhanced by charming trees and glowing streetlamps. Peppering the Seine's cobbled walks and graceful bridges are impossibly chic Parisians, probably on their way to the market, café or cinema.
Containing world-class museums, fashion, cuisine and an atmosphere all its own, Paris is also a city of "many splendors," as Ernest Hemingway recalled in his memoirs, A Moveable Feast. Visit the Centre Pompidou, enjoy gourmet pastries, shop couture on the Champs Élysées or boutiques in Les Halles, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or even daytrip to Versailles Palace. But don't miss out on the simple pleasure of meandering the marvelous arrondissements (districts).
Containing world-class museums, fashion, cuisine and an atmosphere all its own, Paris is also a city of "many splendors," as Ernest Hemingway recalled in his memoirs, A Moveable Feast. Visit the Centre Pompidou, enjoy gourmet pastries, shop couture on the Champs Élysées or boutiques in Les Halles, take in the view atop the Eiffel Tower, or even daytrip to Versailles Palace. But don't miss out on the simple pleasure of meandering the marvelous arrondissements (districts).
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Arc de Triomphe : You can climb to the top of this famous arch, located in the 8ème arrondissement (district), for a spectacular panorama of the city. |
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The River Seine : Tour boats known as Bateaux-Mouches are a great way to see some of Paris' most famous attractions. |
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Pont Alexandre III |
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Thinking Hard :Notre-Dame gargoyles are nearly as renowned as the church they guard over. For a small fee you can climb to the top of the church to see one up close -- along with much of Montmarte. |
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The Louvre Palace and Pyramid |
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The Infamous Eiffel |
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Versailles Gardens |
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Institut de France |
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Champs-Élysées |
Vancouver
Even by North American standards, Vancouver is a young city. But what it lacks in history it compensates for in scenery. Surrounded by mountains and beaches, Vancouver is both an urban and a natural playground: Its chic atmosphere, high-fashion boutiques and fondness for health-conscious eating have earned it the nickname "North Hollywood." Sitting about 1,300 miles north of its nickname namesake, Vancouver's breathtaking backdrop has been the setting for several popular television shows and major motion pictures, such as Battlestar Galactica and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, so don't be surprised if recognize landmarks from your favorite scenes.
But this mitten-shaped city on Canada's western edge draws in more than pop culture junkies. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, white-water rafting and skiing will beckon to your adventurous side. Looking for a little R&R? Then try lounging along the 11 miles of beaches or in one of the numerous parks. During the cold weather, you can duck inside one of top-notch museums, or swing your young kids by one of the family-friendly attractions. When you add excellent shopping, dining and nightlife scenes to the mix, you see why many praise Vancouver as a go-to getaway for the multi-faceted traveler.
But this mitten-shaped city on Canada's western edge draws in more than pop culture junkies. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, white-water rafting and skiing will beckon to your adventurous side. Looking for a little R&R? Then try lounging along the 11 miles of beaches or in one of the numerous parks. During the cold weather, you can duck inside one of top-notch museums, or swing your young kids by one of the family-friendly attractions. When you add excellent shopping, dining and nightlife scenes to the mix, you see why many praise Vancouver as a go-to getaway for the multi-faceted traveler.
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Cable Car at Grouse Mountain: Cable Cars travel up and down one of Vancouver's favorite skiing and hiking spots. According to travelers, the view from the summit is not to be missed. |
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Science World at Night : This interactive science museum is a favorite among families. |
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Gardens : This was the first full-size Chinese garden to be constructed outside of China. |
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Olympic Rings in Vancouver : Vancouver proudly hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. |
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Burrard Bridge in Downtown Vancouver |
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Harry Winston Jerome Statue : Harry Winston Jerome was a famous Canadian track and field runner from Vancouver. You'll find this statue in Stanley Park. |
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Stroll on the Capilano Suspension Bridge : This 450-foot long bridge hovers 230 feet above the Capilano River. |
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Inukshuk at English Bay : The Inukshuk statue -- an Inuit symbol -- was the icon for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. |
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Vancouver Rowing Club |
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Night on Kitsilano Beach |
Amsterdam
Don't believe everything you hear about Amsterdam. Yes, this Netherlands city takes a lax look at women beckoning business in the Red Light District and "coffeeshops" selling an unorthodox type of herb to a toking clientele, but these descriptions only scratch the surface. At some point, during an excellent Indonesian meal, a twilight canal-side rambling or a shopping excursion through the boutiques of Nine Streets, you'll realize -- as many travelers have before you -- that there's much more to Amsterdam than you might've thought.
And although the city's loose laws on vice seem to attract a college-age, male-dominant crowd, Amsterdam is also ideal as a romantic getaway for two or an educational excursion with the kids. With attractions that range from biking or meandering a maze of canals to remembering the Holocaust through the eyes of Anne Frank; from exploring the swirling Expressionism of Van Gogh to lazing in the expansive Vondelpark, Amsterdam suits a variety of traveler tastes.
And although the city's loose laws on vice seem to attract a college-age, male-dominant crowd, Amsterdam is also ideal as a romantic getaway for two or an educational excursion with the kids. With attractions that range from biking or meandering a maze of canals to remembering the Holocaust through the eyes of Anne Frank; from exploring the swirling Expressionism of Van Gogh to lazing in the expansive Vondelpark, Amsterdam suits a variety of traveler tastes.
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Rijksmuseum |
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Light up the Night |
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Nightfall in Amsterdam |
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Idyllic Amsterdam |
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Canal Homes |
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Canal-side Spring Day |
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Night Falling Over Houseboats |
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Brouwersgracht in Amsterdam |
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Zandvoort |
Ideas For Spring Break Vacations
Spring is less than a week away ! With brilliant colored flowers popping up and a slight warmth in the air, it's time to start thinking about getting outdoors to enjoy it all.
School's out for the week, and spring break is a great time for family-bonding. Whether you're looking for a blast of sunlight to recharge your soul until summer or outdoor winter fun, here are some places to pick for an unforgettable spring break.
School's out for the week, and spring break is a great time for family-bonding. Whether you're looking for a blast of sunlight to recharge your soul until summer or outdoor winter fun, here are some places to pick for an unforgettable spring break.
U.S.Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands is "America's Caribbean Paradise" -- the place to see moko jumbies dance at a Carnival parade, hear the lilting patois of a Creole dialect, or smell the spices in a saltfish pate (all without losing cell phone reception). You could visit either St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix, but better yet, spend a little time on all three islands. That way you'll get plenty of pampering, undisturbed nature and colonial history jammed into one vacation. And bonus: you can pay for everything with U.S. dollars.
Each island offers something different. Called "Rock City" for its hilly, craggy horizon, St. Thomas is better known for its luxury -- from the mega-yachts moored in the harbor to the Gucci, Nicole Miller and Tiffany & Co. storefronts along Main Street. Located a short ferry-ride east, St. John intoxicates honeymooners and nature lovers with more than 7,000 acres of dedicated parkland plus its pristine beaches. Way down south in the Caribbean Sea, less-visited St. Croix has sugar cane plantations and rum distilleries that offer a glimpse into both the past and the present of the Virgin Islands.
Each island offers something different. Called "Rock City" for its hilly, craggy horizon, St. Thomas is better known for its luxury -- from the mega-yachts moored in the harbor to the Gucci, Nicole Miller and Tiffany & Co. storefronts along Main Street. Located a short ferry-ride east, St. John intoxicates honeymooners and nature lovers with more than 7,000 acres of dedicated parkland plus its pristine beaches. Way down south in the Caribbean Sea, less-visited St. Croix has sugar cane plantations and rum distilleries that offer a glimpse into both the past and the present of the Virgin Islands.
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Buck Island
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99 Steps : Climb these stone steps in downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas for a nice harbor view. |
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Buck Island National Monument |
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Charlotte Amalie |
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Coki Point |
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Coral World Ocean Park : St. Thomas' most visited tourist attraction is an indoor-outdoor aquarium filled with turtles, stingrays and touch starfish. |
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Estate Whim Plantation : St. Croix's Estate Whim Plantation chronicles the 18th-century life of Cruzans, especially those involved in the production of sugar cane. |
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Mahogany Run Golf Course : This par-70 course on the St. Thomas' northeast side is also the home of a few iguanas. |
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Magens Bay in northern St. Thomas is one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean. |
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| Hurricane Hole : In the past, boaters found refuge from storms in this northeast section of St. John. |
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St. John Harbor |
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Paradise Point Tramway : One of the best views of St. Thomas' harbor, Water Island and Puerto Rico awaits you atop Paradise Point. |
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St. Thomas at Night |
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Virgin Islands National Park : The Virgin Islands National Park takes up 7,000 acres on the island of St. John. |
Monday, February 4, 2013
Vacation, The Caribbean island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin
If you’re thinking Caribbean this year, don’t want to book a cruise, can’t afford a yacht, and don’t know where to begin, think St-Martin/Sint Maarten.
Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is 33-square-mile an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico. The main cities are Philipsburg (Dutch side) and Marigot (French side).St. Martin's Dutch side is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, exotic drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and plentiful casinos.
The island's French side is known for its nude beaches, clothes, shopping (including outdoor markets), and rich French and Indian Caribbean cuisine.The island is home to accommodations including hotels, villas, and timeshares, many of which are privately available for rent or sale.Because the island is located along the inter tropical convergence zone, it is occasionally menaced by tropical storm activity in the late summer and early fall.
Shopping on St Maarten and Saint Martin offers duty-free goods in numerous boutiques. Popular goods include local crafts & arts, exotic foods, jewelry, liquor, tobacco, leather goods, as well as most designer goods. Most often the designer goods are offered at significant discounts, often up to 40% lower than US retail prices.Saint Martin uses the euro as its currency, the exchange rate is favorable: one euro = one dollar in many restaurants and stores.
On the half-French, half-Dutch island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin, . There's plenty to do, from world-class water sports on the Dutch side to world-class dining on the French side, and there's also plenty of nonstop airline service. Consider renting a villa.
Because the island’s so small, you can set yourself up anywhere. Taxi costs will add up, but local car-rental agencies offer cars for about US$35 a day.
Lonely Planet author Brandon Presser’s favorite spot, calling it easily one of the best deals in all the Caribbean, is Les Balcons d’Oyster Pond, a collection of hillside villas with bay views at Oyster Pond. Prices start at 100 euro in high season – dropping by up to 35% after April 15.
Simpson Bay on the Dutch side has many good-value accommodations, perfect if you can handle the sounds of nearby Juliana airport – many guests swear they don’t notice. One popular option is the Horny Toad Guesthouse.
Coral Beach Club is offering seven nights for the price of five until December 15 and a 20% discount from January 5 through April 15. Book through Sint Maarten/St. Martin villa specialist Marilyn Pulito of Villas in Paradise, who has access to 15% discounts on additional villas starting in January.Classic island experiences.
For starters, beaches. Friar’s Bay, just north of Marigot on the French side, is a popular local swimming spot with beach bars and full-moon parties. Quieter is nearby Happy Bay, a powdery bare stretch of beach reached by a dirt path that twists over a bumpy headland.
The goofiest beach experience – and a perfect dot to the exclamation point if you arrive for your departing flight early – is set just below the Juliana airport runway at Maho on the Dutch side. Revelers laze and drink, then rush to the sand to pose whenever arriving jets zoom by just beyond reach to pose for photos that look seriously faked. The jet-beach hub is the festive Sunset Beach Bar – a $6 taxi ride to/from the airport terminal.
Don’t leave the island without splurging on a meal at Grand Case on the French side, the self-dubbed ‘gourmet capital of the Caribbean.’ Its beachfront road is linked with open-air restaurants that emulate a Parisian experience, but with a sea breeze. If that’s too fussy, there are lolos, Creole barbecue shacks clustered by a seaside picnic area.
Saint Martin (French: Saint-Martin; Dutch: Sint Maarten) is 33-square-mile an island in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico. The main cities are Philipsburg (Dutch side) and Marigot (French side).St. Martin's Dutch side is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, exotic drinks made with native rum-based guavaberry liquors, and plentiful casinos.
The island's French side is known for its nude beaches, clothes, shopping (including outdoor markets), and rich French and Indian Caribbean cuisine.The island is home to accommodations including hotels, villas, and timeshares, many of which are privately available for rent or sale.Because the island is located along the inter tropical convergence zone, it is occasionally menaced by tropical storm activity in the late summer and early fall.
Shopping on St Maarten and Saint Martin offers duty-free goods in numerous boutiques. Popular goods include local crafts & arts, exotic foods, jewelry, liquor, tobacco, leather goods, as well as most designer goods. Most often the designer goods are offered at significant discounts, often up to 40% lower than US retail prices.Saint Martin uses the euro as its currency, the exchange rate is favorable: one euro = one dollar in many restaurants and stores.
On the half-French, half-Dutch island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin, . There's plenty to do, from world-class water sports on the Dutch side to world-class dining on the French side, and there's also plenty of nonstop airline service. Consider renting a villa.
Where to stay
Because the island’s so small, you can set yourself up anywhere. Taxi costs will add up, but local car-rental agencies offer cars for about US$35 a day.
Lonely Planet author Brandon Presser’s favorite spot, calling it easily one of the best deals in all the Caribbean, is Les Balcons d’Oyster Pond, a collection of hillside villas with bay views at Oyster Pond. Prices start at 100 euro in high season – dropping by up to 35% after April 15.
Simpson Bay on the Dutch side has many good-value accommodations, perfect if you can handle the sounds of nearby Juliana airport – many guests swear they don’t notice. One popular option is the Horny Toad Guesthouse.
Coral Beach Club is offering seven nights for the price of five until December 15 and a 20% discount from January 5 through April 15. Book through Sint Maarten/St. Martin villa specialist Marilyn Pulito of Villas in Paradise, who has access to 15% discounts on additional villas starting in January.Classic island experiences.
Classic island experiences
Good news: the bulk of day trip visitors coming by cruise cling to the souvenir/eating strips of Philipsburg and Marigot – leaving much of the island’s highlights to overnighter guests and locals.
For starters, beaches. Friar’s Bay, just north of Marigot on the French side, is a popular local swimming spot with beach bars and full-moon parties. Quieter is nearby Happy Bay, a powdery bare stretch of beach reached by a dirt path that twists over a bumpy headland.
The goofiest beach experience – and a perfect dot to the exclamation point if you arrive for your departing flight early – is set just below the Juliana airport runway at Maho on the Dutch side. Revelers laze and drink, then rush to the sand to pose whenever arriving jets zoom by just beyond reach to pose for photos that look seriously faked. The jet-beach hub is the festive Sunset Beach Bar – a $6 taxi ride to/from the airport terminal.
Don’t leave the island without splurging on a meal at Grand Case on the French side, the self-dubbed ‘gourmet capital of the Caribbean.’ Its beachfront road is linked with open-air restaurants that emulate a Parisian experience, but with a sea breeze. If that’s too fussy, there are lolos, Creole barbecue shacks clustered by a seaside picnic area.
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