Paris Around

Posts Tagged ‘Visit’

These days, there are multiple ways to plan the perfect vacation. When it comes to finding exactly what you are looking for, including where you want to go and what you want to do, planning a vacation can sometimes be overwhelming. Unfortunately, with all of the options available, booking a trip can sometimes be difficult no matter where you want to visit. Therefore, finding an exotic location in paradise is an attainable feat with the help from a qualified travel agency. Investing in a travel agent to help plan your next trip will not only relieve you from unnecessary stress, but will also help ensure you that you are getting the best deals and prices available for all of your necessary travel accommodations. A professional travel agency will be able to help you out in many more ways than you might think.

First and foremost, a travel agency will be able to help you figure out which paradise location is perfect for you and your family or friends to visit. There are many exotic and must-see island locations which are excellent in terms of sun, sand, and beauty. Many of these islands of paradise can be hard to find on your own due to their locations. Planning a trip to one of these striking destinations can sometimes be tricky, and it is important for you to get all of the pertinent information to determine which destination is the best fit for your preferences. A travel agency can tell you which paradise is good for a single person searching for other singles, which place is best for a couple on their honeymoon, and which destination is perfect for that yearly family getaway.  A travel agency can also help you plan out unique excursions for you to partake in once you get there as well as all the best places to eat and visit.

There are many other reasons to use a travel agency when you are planning out a trip to paradise. A qualified travel agency can help you determine which locations are the safest areas for you to go to. A good travel agent will have an abundance of information when it comes to government travel restrictions and warnings as well as top news stories for that region. It is a very good idea to work with a travel agency so that you can figure out which of your desired travel locations will be the safest and most enjoyable for you and your party. While this is information that you might be able to find on your own, it might be difficult amongst all of the other pertinent details you need to remember to check. Therefore, it is always best to go with a travel agency due to the fact that they will be able to give you all of the information you are looking for.  Read more...

On Paris’ beautiful Ile de la Cité, nestled in the confines of the Palais de Justice complex and protected from the river Seine by the mighty and foreboding one-time prison of Marie Antoinette, the Conciergerie, lies the sublime church Sainte-Chapelle, a must-see for anyone visiting Paris for the first time, and for those of us who return to it each time we return to Paris, as a kind of sacred pilgrimage.

Sainte-Chapelle is a 13th century (consecrated 1248) structure begun under the auspices Louis IX, who would later become Saint Louis, to house various religious relics of the Passion of Christ, such as Jesus’ Crown of Thorns.

The first time I visited I purchased a combination discount ticket which also allowed me entrance to the Conciergerie. Before I was allowed to enter Sainte-Chapelle, my backpack was searched thoroughly, and this was long before 9/11. It was a rather warm early afternoon, and my Sainte-Chapelle experience was getting off to a poor start standing there in the sun.

I was finally let into the lower chapel, which was used by the parish, the commoner. This was all well and good, very . . . and very French, with lots of red, blue and gold around, and complex vaulted ceilings held up by ornate pillars, all very beautiful; still there had to be more to this place.

I mounted the stairs. These led to the upper chapel reserved for the French royalty of centuries before.

Having read about Sainte-Chapelle in several guide books, I had the sense that I knew fairly well what to expect. But when I entered the upper chapel, nothing had prepared me for what I saw there. On three sides soared spectacular stained glass looking more beautiful than any architectural feature I had ever seen in my relatively broad travels; and the magnificent rose window was behind me; above was a star-studded vaulted ceiling. The sight may leave you speechless, and you might just wish to assume the fetal position and die on the spot, because <B>now you have seen everything.</B>

I took a page from Rick Steves’ travel guidebook and stood near the stairs to watch the reactions of first-time visitors. Many of them stood there, their mouths agape in awe at the place. Do go and see it for yourself!

Metro: Cité. (There are other Metro choices, but I feel Cité gives you the most interesting stroll.)  Read more...

On Paris’ beautiful Ile de la Cité, nestled in the confines of the Palais de Justice complex and protected from the river Seine by the mighty and foreboding one-time prison of Marie Antoinette, the Conciergerie, lies the sublime church Sainte-Chapelle, a must-see for anyone visiting Paris for the first time, and for those of us who return to it each time we return to Paris, as a kind of sacred pilgrimage.

Sainte-Chapelle is a 13th century (consecrated 1248) structure begun under the auspices Louis IX, who would later become Saint Louis, to house various religious relics of the Passion of Christ, such as Jesus’ Crown of Thorns.

The first time I visited I purchased a combination discount ticket which also allowed me entrance to the Conciergerie. Before I was allowed to enter Sainte-Chapelle, my backpack was searched thoroughly, and this was long before 9/11. It was a rather warm early afternoon, and my Sainte-Chapelle experience was getting off to a poor start standing there in the sun.

I was finally let into the lower chapel, which was used by the parish, the commoner. This was all well and good, very . . . and very French, with lots of red, blue and gold around, and complex vaulted ceilings held up by ornate pillars, all very beautiful; still there had to be more to this place.

I mounted the stairs. These led to the upper chapel reserved for the French royalty of centuries before.

Having read about Sainte-Chapelle in several guide books, I had the sense that I knew fairly well what to expect. But when I entered the upper chapel, nothing had prepared me for what I saw there. On three sides soared spectacular stained glass looking more beautiful than any architectural feature I had ever seen in my relatively broad travels; and the magnificent rose window was behind me; above was a star-studded vaulted ceiling. The sight may leave you speechless, and you might just wish to assume the fetal position and die on the spot, because <B>now you have seen everything.</B>

I took a page from Rick Steves’ travel guidebook and stood near the stairs to watch the reactions of first-time visitors. Many of them stood there, their mouths agape in awe at the place. Do go and see it for yourself!

Metro: Cité. (There are other Metro choices, but I feel Cité gives you the most interesting stroll.)  Read more...

There are many reasons why many people all over the world want to visit China. The country, being one of the oldest civilizations in the world, opens new windows for visitors who would like to experience unique landscapes, architecture, customs and delicacies. 

You may want to visit different parts of China for various reasons, but you may want to take note of some pointers that would help you to be prepared and have a more pleasant experience while exploring the country. Here are some China travel tips that will help you. 

What to pack 

Making preparations for your trip to China regarding what you should bring is essential for an enjoyable trip. A pair of good walking shoes is absolutely essential, especially if you visit the main attractions as there is a lot of walking involved. The Great Wall of China, for example, has many rough surfaces and lots of steps. 

You will also be exposed to the elements in open places like the Forbidden City, so an umbrella or raincoat is essential. Insect repellent is also helpful in keeping the pests away during hot summer months. Most importantly, you should dress according to the weather conditions that apply to the specific time and place of your visit. 

Shopping 

If you are visiting different cities or regions during your trip, it is recommended that you spread your buys out such that you can purchase the unique products of each place. For example, Xinjiang is famous for carpets while Suzhou is well-known for its silk. Do feel free to bargain to get the best prices for your goods, except in malls and department stores.

Dining 

China is a haven for food lovers with a taste for both the familiar and exotic. It is not uncommon to find dishes that make use of many different plant and animal parts, thus usually evoking a variety of reactions in foreigners. Every region has its own specialty dishes and different ways of cooking and preparing that will deliver a range of satisfying culinary experiences to the discerning gourmand. You are not required to tip, although a service charge may be included in some cases. 

Safety and security   Read more...

Just on the outskirts of northern Paris, in Saint-Denis, stands the Basilique de Saint-Denis, final resting place to most of the French royalty of long ago. Relative to other, better-known sites in Paris, not that many tourists visit this church &, I suspect, mostly for two reasons: they feel it too far away to visit (though it’s conveniently served by the Paris Metro) or they have just never heard of it. You shouldn’t be too surprised if you find you are the only one there.
 
Named for the second century-AD Bishop of Paris, Saint Denis, who is said to have been decapitated in Montmartre, & then wandered for a while with his head in his hands, & eventually died on the spot where now is located the Basilique de Saint-Denis.

Though there had been a church on the site for centuries, the 12th-century Abbott Suger began in 1122 the magnificent church we know today. The result was a fine Romanesque facade with three portals with carved arches above, & the rest of the church for the most part being what is considered to be the first Gothic structure of such a large scale anywhere. This was also the first church to feature a stained-glass rose window.

The three-story nave is beautifully vaulted and has stained glass at the top level. Along the outer aisles are many tombs for French kings & queens of the past, & these tombs are crowned with striking recumbent effigies of the royalty they memorialize, some of them actual Renaissance pieces, but many of them of more recent vintage. (You will want your camera for these.)

During the French Revolution, wild celebrating mobs opened the tombs & scattered the royal remains, which were finally collected & deposited in common burial pits. These were eventually exhumed & placed in an ossuary down in the crypt. (Take along a flashlight because this vault, upon which are all the many names of the royals to whom the remains belong, is poorly lit.) Thank goodness many of the tombs were recognized as works of art (by archaeologist Alexandre Lenoir) & preserved from further harm.

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