Paris Coaching Holidays

Paris is one of Europe's greatest cities. This is the city of romance, culture and cuisine. A coaching holiday makes a great way to view the city, taking in all of the most famous sights.

View European locations receive as much attention as Paris. The French capital has spectacular architecture and some of the most famous buildings in Europe. It is also, of course, known as one of the world's fashion capitals.

Those planning a trip to Paris often find it difficult to select a hotel at the right budget and to decide on an itinerary for their stay. With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to know which sights to concentrate your attention on, particularly if this is your first visit to the city.

Coaching holidays offer an excellent means of visiting the city. The general format of such touring holidays generally arrives you being picked up from a location close to your home and then being driven to Paris, making use of a ferry or the train.

For those that wish to travel by Eurostar, there's often the option for you to take the train from London and then join the tour once you reach Paris.

You can expect your holiday to include accommodation at a Parisian hotel in a central location. Tour operators have often been operated these types of holidays for a number of years, allowing them to gain good experience in the relative quality of the local hotels.

Most coaching holidays will include a daily breakfast as part of your package, with some also include evening meals at your hotel. If an evening meal is not provided, or you choose to opt out of the evening meal, then you'll find that there are plenty of great places to eat in Paris.

One of the most important advantages of a coaching holiday is that you will have access to a tour guide. Having a guide who has a good working knowledge of the city can be a real bonus, allowing you to find out more about Paris than would usually be the case.

With coaching tour itineraries built to include visits to all of the main sights in the city, you can also relax into your holiday, knowing that you won't be missing out on the major attractions.

There will also be a number of optional tours built into the trip. These often involve visits to locations outside of the city, such as the Palace of Versailles or Euro Disney.

For those that choose not to take part in the optional excursions, there is then the opportunity to explore Paris at your own pace.

A coaching holiday is an excellent way of seeing the finest sights of this beautiful city.

Exploring Paris

As good a place to start your exploitation of the city is from the Cathedral of Notre Dame. This is not because it is a magnificent cathedral, a gothic masterpiece with a superb 13th century façade described in all the tour guides but because this is where it all began. This is where on and island in the middle of the Seine, a convenient bridging point, the Celtic tribe called the Parisii had settled and survived the later Roman invasion by accepting their rule and prospering under the opportunities to trade. The Ile de La Cite and the left bank is where the Romans settled and to this day is considered to be intellectual heart of Paris. It is also known as the Latin Quarter, probably so named because the students here spoke Latin until the revolution. The area still boast medieval streets and Roman remains. A walk along the left bank up to the Eiffel tower takes you passed the book sellers stalls that hark back to the intellectual past.

It is however all to easy to get distracted and go to the Right Bank, the original business, district across the Pont Neuf bridge standing since 1607. Proceeded by numerous other bridges, since pre Roman Times, mostly wooden bridges collapsing under the weight of buildings being placed on top, being hit by boats, weather or in the case of Pont St-Louise in 1634 the weight of a religious procession.

The Right Bank expanded rapidly when the monarchs decided to move form the Ile de la Cite to spacious new accommodation. The first fort was build by Philippe-Auguste between 1204 and 1223 over which was later built the building for which the area is justifiably famous. The Louvre and the, at the time, controversial glass pyramid built in the front and has now become the main entrance to the public. Over time the various monarchs turned the Louvre into the largest royal palaces in the world and is now considered to be one of the best art galleries. In total there are over 18 miles or 32 km of corridors. Not something to all be attempted in a single day.

The view of Paris today, of wide open tree lined boulevards and geometrical city lines came at, as some would say, the clearance of centuries of history. Other would claim - A grand slum clearance. In 1853 Louis-Napoleon appointed Georges-Eugene Haussmann Prefect of Paris with a remit to rebuild the city. Prior to this on 26 March 1852 a law had been passed permitting the 'Ville de Paris' to compulsory purchase land and property standing in the way of the project. It took the next seventeen years to re-build the city, at the end of which the city had a sound sanitation system, better water supplies, street lighting, better access to the railways and a vast array of new buildings making it, as many would claim, the most beautiful city in Europe.

Over the years Paris has continued to build outstanding examples of architecture and nowhere more impressive than at La Defense named after the stand against the Prussians in 1870. The concept was to preserve the city centre from over development and allow a thriving business community. Although to many the glass fronted tower blocks may look soulless the way the reflect each other, the light and the sky it offers a modern grandeur reflecting the scale of the boulevards. With the Grande Arche de La Defense inaugurated in 1989 to celebrate the bicentennial of the revolution, a modern day version of Napleon's 1806 Arc de Triomphe.

I Love Touring Paris - The Twentieth Arrondissement

The 20th arrondissement of northeastern Paris is located on the Right Bank of the Seine River. Its land area is 2.3 square miles or a sliver less than six square kilometers. The population is over one hundred eighty thousand and the district is home to about fifty five thousand jobs. The arrondissement contains two special neighborhoods, Ménilmontant and Belleville discussed below but we'll start with the Twentieth's number one tourist attraction, the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, the largest cemetery is Paris and frankly one of the best-known cemeteries in the world. This slice of Paris attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. While there are several metro stations serving Père-Lachaise many tourists prefer the Gambetta station right near the tomb of Oscar Wilde and from there its downhill in more ways than one. This property occupies almost 120 acres (almost 50 hectares) and includes several war memorials.

This unusual tourist attraction is named for Père François de la Chaise, confessor to Louis XIV, who lived on the property some three hundred years ago. Cemeteries were banned in Paris as of 1786 for health reasons. When Père-Lachaise Cemetery was established by Napoleon in 1804 it was far from the city. To drum up business the remains of La Fontaine and Molière were transferred there the same year. Then in 1817 the supposed remains of the famous couple Abélard and Heloïse were reinterred on the property. Within a few years its population went from a few dozen to well over thirty thousand. Today over three hundred thousand have been buried without counting those who were cremated. Among the famous who repose here are the French writer Honoré de Balzac, the French actress Sarah Bernhardt, the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, the American dancer Isadora Duncan, the American singer and songwriter Jim Morrison whose grave has a full-time security guard, perhaps the French Resistance leader Jean Moulin, the French singer Édith Piaf, and the Irish writer Oscar Wilde.

The Mur des Fédérés (Communards' Wall) is also located in the Père-Lachaise Cemetery. This marks the spot where 147 Communards, the last defenders of the Belleville workers' district, were shot in May 1871 effectively ending the Paris Commune. The cemetery and in particular the wall are a short of shrine for French left-wingers and many of their leaders are buried in the vicinity.

Belleville which means beautiful town is a Parisian working-class neighborhood situated mostly in the 20th and 19th arrondissements with a bit of overflow into the 10th and 11th. It was once an independent village and distinguished itself during the fight for the Second Republic in 1848 and the Paris commune from 1870 to 1871. It's a colorful area and home to a large Chinese community. Tuesdays and Fridays you'll find farmers from the region selling their wares in an outdoor market on Belleville Boulevard. Many artists now live and work in this district. Legend has it that the incomparable singer Édith Piaf was born under a lamppost on the Rue de Belleville. This part of Paris was featured in many films including the 1951 Casque d'or (Gold Cap), the 2003 Triplets of Belleville, and the 2007 biography of Piaf, La Vie en Rose (Life Through Rose-Colored Glasses), the name of one of her signature songs.

Of course you don't want to be in Paris without sampling fine French wine and food. In my article I Love French Wine and Food - A Burgundy Chablis I reviewed such a wine and suggested a sample menu: Start with Escargots de Bourgogne (Snails in Parsley Butter). For your second course savor Fondue Bourguignonne (Beef Fondue). And as dessert indulge yourself with Poires pochées au vin de Bourgogne (Pears poached in Burgundy Wine). Your Parisian sommelier (wine steward) will be happy to suggest appropriate wines to accompany each course.

We have now finished this take on Paris's twenty arrondissements. Of course there is no such thing as finishing with Paris. We are going to do a different type of series regrouping several districts in short articles that give you a taste of an area such as central Paris or the Latin Quarter. But Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé (the Beaujolais Nouveau wine has arrived) and we are going to taste a couple offerings and write reviews real soon. Then we will continue with our French travel articles but extend our visits outside of Paris. Bon Voyage.

Paris Travel Guide - A Romantic Break for Couples

From the sweeping boulevards of the elegant 5th arrondissement to a moonlight cruise on the Seine, Paris is undeniably the most romantic city in the world. Picnic under the Eiffel tower, discover the abundant treasures of the Louvre or simply sit in a typical Montmartre café and watch the world go by. In this dreamy city which has inspired artists over the centuries, all that is romantic, prevails. When the sun goes down, this city really comes to life. Whether you indulge in a cabaret dinner at the Moulin Rouge or frequent the typically Parisian bars among locals in the Quartier Latin, Paris' colourful nightlife offers something for everyone.

Of course no Paris travel guide would be complete without mention of Gustav Eiffel's ubiquitous Eiffel Tower. This 325 metre high structure is more than just an icon for the city and arguably for the whole of France, but a breathtaking attraction giving sublime views across the city. Whether mounted by the energetic up 386 steps to the highest platform of the structure or in one of the lifts, this ultimate attraction should not be missed on a trip to the city.

For those seeking a breath of fresh air and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the city Paris boasts a wide range of parks and green spaces which can be enjoyed at any time of the year. The Jardin de Luxembourg, located in the 6th arrondissement, is at its finest in the autumn months when the park transforms into a splendid palate of russet and crimson. Further out of the city you can marvel at the splendor of The Sun King (Louis XIV)'s ostentatious Palace of Versailles with the famous and recently restored gallery of mirrors and extensive formal gardens. These gardens are some of the most extensive in the world and in spite of the millions of visitors which the chateaus receives every year it is surprisingly easy to find a quiet corner to yourselves, to sit back and take in the exuberant setting. During the summer months there are regular classical music concerts and musical fountain displays which coordinate well-known classical music of the period to the movement of the great water features of Versailles.

For a spot of luxury and unrivaled elegance, stroll down the Champs Elysées to the La Durée tea room, a regular haunt of the refined of Paris since the 19th century where you should sample a range of brightly coloured macaroons: the house specialty. Alternatively, for a taste of Brittany head for la rue Montparnasse (between boulevard de Montparnasse and rue Edgar Quinet) which is brimming with cosy creperies. Whether visiting Paris on a honeymoon or on a romantic mini-break, every Paris travel guide would agree that it is the ideal destination for couples at any time of the year.

The Guggenheim Museum: The Jewel in New York's Artistic Crown

The image of New York in art and popular culture has long been cemented as one of timeless universality. In the world of painting and photography, among a host of other art forms, New York has been one of the central muses of the art world: from the controversy over Diego Rivera's Man at the Crossroads mural in the Rockerfeller Center in 1936, to Jonathan Hyman's post-9/11 photography exhibitions, art has been an important component of the shaping of New York. Amidst its host of world-renowned galleries are the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), The Metropolitan Museum and, perhaps most interestingly, the Guggenheim Museum.

In terms of both its art and architecture, the Guggenheim is one of New York's most interesting landmarks; as such, it's an essential stop-off point for any culture vulture in the city. Originally established in 1937 as "The Museum of Non-Objective Painting" the Guggenheim was established with the primary aim of showcasing the work of early modernists; to this day the museum continues to maintain ongoing exhibits of the art of Wassily Kandinsky and Jackson Pollock. Its more recent exhibitions have included eclectic collections: Robert Mapplethorpe and the Classical Traditions, the work of Iraqi-born artists Zaha Hadid and an exhibition of photos showing sculptor David Smith at work.

This wide-ranging selection of exhibits simply proves that while the Guggenheim still adheres to its primary principle of showcasing early modernist art, it also goes a long way in championing post-modern art. Moreover, the Guggenheim has also played host to a distinct selection of commercial art by including seasons of motorcycle exhibitions, as well as a display of Giorgio Armani suits.

Have a Blast Visiting Central Park, New York

When going on a tourist trip to New York, the sheer amount of things to tick off the list seems staggering, especially in terms of places to go. The Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, perhaps taking a visit to watch stockbrokers yelling at each other on the trading floors of the New York Stock Exchange - it all adds up. So why not take a break by visiting Central Park to recharge your batteries?

The mere concept of Central Park is quite amazing - a landscaped park area, measuring 843 acres (twice as large as Monaco and eight times as big as Vatican city), the park lies slap-bang in the centre of the borough of Manhattan - one of the most expensive property areas in the world, second only to central Tokyo. The value of the land Central Park occupies is estimated at nearly $529 billion, making it by far the most expensive area of parkland in the world.

Whilst much of the area looks like natural wooded grassland, the entire park is in fact painstakingly and exquisitely landscaped. The park contains many attractions, including several natural lakes with fondly-given nicknames, many walking trails, a wildlife sanctuary, a large open area devoted to sporting pursuits, two ice-skating rinks and many playgrounds for children. Additionally, the area is hugely popular with native New York joggers, being the only open area for miles across the Manhattan borough.

Many professional races are run in and through the park, including sections of the New York Marathon. This finishes inside Central Park next to Tavern on the Green, an extremely famous restaurant that's featured in such films as Wall Street and Ghostbusters.

But sport is not the only activity for which Central Park is most cherished - entertainment is also very high up the list, with many famous music acts having performed concerts there throughout the years, including legendary performances from Simon and Garfunkel and Dave Matthews Band.

Central Park has it's own fair share of talent and celebrity too - local folk singer/songwriter David Ippolito, more often known by his usual moniker of "That Guitar Guy From Central Park", has been regularly performing every summer weekend in the park since 1992 and regularly draws crowds of up to 500 people, locals and tourists alike. In fact, such is his love for Central Park, it is the only place he ever performs.

Downtown New York City - Off The Beaten Track

When you think of New York City, what comes to mind immediately? Times Square? Broadway? Fifth Avenue? If you are in New York City for the first time, you have to see Times Square, where they drop that famous ball on New Year’s Eve while the legendary Dick Clark spins rock n’ roll, and a million revelers party until morning. Yes, you have to see a Broadway show or two, or even three if you can afford it. And of course, you need to take that walk down Fifth Avenue going north from 42nd Street, stopping at Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Tiffany’s, Gucci, Chanel and Bendel’s. Go a little bit north, past the entrance of Central Park, to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum. Lastly, go play in the park, have brunch at Tavern on the Green, and go to the Museum of Natural History, made famous by the recent hit film “Night at the Museum”. If this is your first time in New York City, and you are only there for a week, this will keep you busy, and exhausted. But to really see the history and taste New York’s flavor, you have to go off that “beaten track”!

And the good news is that you don’t have to go far, or spend a lot of money. First of, don’t hail a cab -- get down into the subway, the way the locals do. Yes the subway--it’s cleaner, safer, and more comfortable than ever. Just avoid the crush--- from 7 to 9:30 in the morning, and from 4:30 in the afternoon until 7 at night-- and you will most likely get a seat, and plenty of elbow room. Subway travel, which averts congestion and traffic lights, is the quickest way to get around. So equip yourself with a subway map and an unlimited one-week Metrocard pass (which is good on the buses too) and you are on your way to the real New York City. First, go to the West Fourth Street stop. When you get to street level, you will be in one of the most legendary sections of New York. Called Greenwich Village, this was the home of liberalism. In the early 1900s, the “Village” was the center of free thinking and progressive writing. It was here that the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911 spawned the workers rights movement. The centerpiece is New York University, and Washington Square Park with its famous arch. Many beatniks, hippies, and radicals formulated their protest plans or wrote their avant-garde manuscripts and manifestoes here by that arch. Walk east from here, and pass Astor Place, where Lincoln made a famous campaign speech and mobs rioted in the mid-1800s because an Englishman replaced an American actor in a play at the Astor Place Theater Keep going through famous St. Mark’s Place until you hit Bowery. It was here that the Ramones got their start at the now-defunct punk-music club, CBGB’s.

At the stop on Canal Street and Broadway, is Chinatown. Have tea and dim sum (appetizers), wheeled around on carts. Point to your choice and, when you are finished, your plates are counted to compute the bill. At Prince or Spring St, you are in SoHo, once an art district, now a place to shop designer labels, like Prada. If you have funkier tastes, just go south instead and you will be in the Lower East Side, around Delancey Street (as in the street Amy Irving crossed in the movie). Once the landing place of thousands of Jewish immigrants around the turn of the twentieth century, this is now a place for trendy boutiques and hip restaurants. West of here, down Mott and Mulberry, is Little Italy. Remember the scene in The Godfather when Michael meets with rival mobsters in a Little Italy restaurant, and stashes a gun in the bathroom? Well, don’t look for guns, but you will find cannoli, lasagna, gelato, and, in September, the world-famous Feast of San Gennaro. South of SoHo is Tribeca, home of the renowned film festival started by Robert Deniro. And further south from there, catch a glimpse of Ground Zero and the former site of the Twin Towers before construction of the Freedom Tower reminds us that life does indeed go on and on, and on. The world changes, so does New York City.

So don’t limit yourself to the tourist route. Hop that subway to the places where you can still see some history. Some of the tenements are still there, even if the “hudded masses” of yesteryear are now masses of hipsters. Sip an espresso in Little Italy or sniff the fresh fish in Chinatown. Sit under a tree in Washington Square Park, that could have inspired Jack Kerouac and his group of beat poets. Think about the 146 young immigrant girls who, a block away in 1911, died in the tragic fire, that inspired the formation of the garment workers unions. When you go off the beaten track in New York City, you feel so much history, culture and soul of the people who have lived, died, and dreamed there.