London Vacation

London By.Com: Hotels in London. Accommodation, lodgings, bed and breakfast, apartments, townhouse suites London hotels, Bed and Brea kf ast, Apartments. Direct booking access for your vacations. Easy and secure online reservation. airports, trains etc. tourist offices, post offices, banks, markets etc. museums, galleries, exhibitions etc. music, theatre, film, congresses, fairs, festivals, sport etc. in and outside London, parks, gardens etc. choose by area weather forecast. TRAVEL ASSISTANT We'll help you to choose the perfect accommodation for your travel, with a unique and customized advice Click here! ADD YOUR PROPERTY For Free on London By.Com, read all the details: it is risk-free! Click here! OTHER DESTINATIONS Plan your vacations with World By.Com : selected accommodations in Europe. Click here! LONDON BY.COM - Hotels and Apartments in London Selected Hotels & Resorts for the Informed Traveller EXPRESS BOOKING - CHECK AVAILABILITY Check-In Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 05 06 07 08 09 No.Guests 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 No.Rooms 1 2 3 4 5 Check-Out Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 05 06 07 08 09 Budget Any Low Low-Medium Medium Medium-High High COMPLETE CATALOGUE BY TYPE LONDON ACCOMMODATION 5 Star Hotels 4 Star Hotels 3 Star Hotels 2 Star Hotels Bed & Breakfasts Apartments Residences Town House Suites COMPLETE CATALOGUE BY AREA LONDON HOTELS E16 Docklands EC1 Barbican EC1 Clerkenwell EC1 Farringdon EC1 Old St. N1 Barnsbury N1 Canonbury N1 Islington NW1 Baker St. NW1 Camden Town NW1 Marylebone NW1 Regents Park NW3 Belsize Park NW3 Hampstead NW3 Primrose Hill NW3 Swiss Cottage SE1 Borough SE1 Southbank SE1 Waterloo SE1 Westminster SW1 Belgravia SW1 B'ham Palace SW1 Hyde Pk. Corn. SW1 Pimlico SW1 Victoria SW10 W Brompton SW3 Chelsea SW5 Cromwell Rd. SW5 Earl's Court SW6 Fulham SW6 Parsons Green SW7 Gloucester Rd. SW7 Knightsbridge SW7 S Kensington W1 Fitzrovia W1 Marble Arch W1 Mayfair W1 Oxford St. W1 Piccadilly Circus W1 Regent St. W1 Soho W11 Holland Park W11 Notting Hill W14 Barons Court W14 Brook Green W14 W Kensington W2 Bayswater W2 Hyde Park W2 Paddington W8 Kensington W9 Maida Hill W9 Maida Vale WC1 Bloomsbury WC1 King's Cross WC1 Russell Sq. WC2 Charing Cross WC2 Covent Garden WC2 Holborn WC2 Leicester Sq. WC2 Trafalgar Sq. LONDON ACCOMMODATIONS LONDON HOTELS : Full Listing LONDON HOTELS : Matrix Search ADVANCED SEARCH SEARCH HOTELS & RESORTS Location ( Flexible) Any E16 - Docklands EC1 - Barbican EC1 - Clerkenwell EC1 - Farringdon EC1 - Old Street N1 - Barnsbury N1 - Canonbury N1 - Islington NW1 - Baker Street NW1 - Camden Town NW1 - Marylebone NW1 - Regents Park NW3 - Belsize Park NW3 - Hampstead NW3 - Primrose Hill NW3 - Swiss Cottage W1 - Fitzrovia W1 - Marble Arch W1 - Mayfair W1 - Oxford Street W1 - Piccadilly Circus W1 - Regent Street W1 - Soho W2 - Bayswater W2 - Hyde Park W2 - Paddington W8 - Kensington W9 - Maida Hill W9 - Maida Vale W11 - Holland Park W11 - Notting Hill W14 - Barons Court W14 - Brook Green W14 - West Kensington WC1 - Bloomsbury WC1 - King's Cross WC1 - Russell Square WC2 - Charing Cross WC2 - Covent Garden WC2 - Holborn WC2 - Leicester Square WC2 - Trafalgar Square SE1 - Borough SE1 - Southbank SE1 - Waterloo SE1 - Westminster SW1 - Belgravia SW1 - Buckingham Palace SW1 - Hyde Park Corner SW1 - Pimlico SW1 - Victoria SW3 - Chelsea SW5 - Cromwell Road SW5 - Earl's Court SW6 - Fulham SW6 - Parsons Green SW7 - Gloucester Road SW7 - Knightsbridge SW7 - South Kensington SW10 - West Brompton Type ( Flexible) Any 5 Star Hotel 4 Star Hotel 3 Star Hotel 2 Star Hotel Bed & Breakfast Apartment - Residence Town House Suite Budget Low Medium High Features ( Flexible) Parking Fitness Facilities Swimming Pool Restaurant Disabled Facilities Pets Welcome Non Smoking Rooms Air Conditioning Short Periods Guided Tours Banquets Child Friendly Spa Groups Allowed Home Produce Congresses / Meetings Cooking Courses Tennis Court FEATURED PROPERTIES Hotel Blue Bells Hotel Blue Bells is situated in fashionable Notting Hill area of Central London, and only minutes from Royal Kensington Palace & Gardens. This boutique hotel offers fully refurbished modern hotel rooms whilst retaining its 'Old World' charm, all at very reasonable rates. Providing a high quality of service and ... Click here to visit the Hotel San Domenico House Newly extended and redesigned, the San Domenico House enjoys a reputation for being one of the finest small Luxury Hotels in London. Located in the heart of the fashionable Chelsea, the San Domenico House, offers privacy and a personalised service for any guest wishing to enjoy comfort, relaxation and peace of ... Click here to visit the Hotel Astons Apartments Astons Apartments is a haven of recently refurbished studio apartments, nestled in a quiet residential street in South Kensington. Best Value in London says Frommers International Travel Guide. These stylish self-catering studio apartments are set amongst a charming and elegant haven of restaurants, museums and ... Click here to visit the Apartments Kensington International Inn Just over 100 years ago there used to be farming land where the Kensington International Hotel now stands. In 1877 these magnificent Victorian residences were built for the aristocrats and noblemen of the day. The hotel has recently been refurbished in a chic, contemporary style to create a unique concept in hotel ... Click here to visit the Hotel The Portobello Hotel For the past three decades The Portobello Hotel has been a true original in a world of overwhelmingly bland hotels. The original eccentric outsider, it kick-started the current trend for small, offbeat hotels where the interior design is cutting-edge, staff are attentive but discreet and lobby and rooms alike are ... Click here to visit the Hotel Pavilion Hotel The Pavilion is a groovy 30 room hotel in central London targeted at a discerning, artistically minded clientele. Rooms are themed to project a funky and glamorous image. "Honky Tonky Afro" is a tribute to the 1970's while "Casablanca Nights" is a deco inspired Moorish fantasy.Located near Oxford street and ... Click here to visit the Hotel LONDON HOTELS: COMPLETE LISTING Visit Also Italy By.Com Rome By.Com Florence By.Com Venice By.Com Tuscany.Net Paris By.Com Amsterdam By.Com Riviera By.Com Ireland By.Com Scotland By.Com Barcelona By.Com Spain By.Com France By.Com Prague By.Com Vienna By.Com Budapest By.Com

Asia Travel

CAMBODIA - ASIA TRAVEL HOTELS RESORTS TRAVEL TOURS RESERVATION Cambodia Travel Information Map of Cambodia Siem Reap Phnom Penh Banlung (Rattanakiri) Kampong Som (Sihanoukville) Check out the other Mekong regions Airport pick up Click here for Alphabetical Listing of Cambodia Hotels & Resorts Please Click Hotel Name ------- Siem Reap -------- Angkor Century Angkor Diamond Angkor Hotel Angkor Sapphire Angkor Village Bopha Angkor City Angkor Grand Hotel D'Angkor Golden Angkor Hotel De La Paix Neak Pean Hotel Nokor Phnom Pansea Angkor Hotel Princess Angkor Prum Bayon Royal Sofitel Angkor Shinta Mani Ta Prohm -------- Phnom Penh --------- Holiday International Hotel Hotel Le Royal Intercontinental Hotel Micasa Hotel Star Royal Hotel Sunway Hotel Cambodiana Hotel Juliana Hotel Regent Park Hotel Bayon Phnom Hotel Princess Phnom Penh ------- Kampong Som ------- Holiday Palace Resort Seaside Resort Golden Sea Hotel Claude's Bungalow ------- Banlung -------- Banlung Guesthouse Bangkok Office Hours (GMT + 07:00) Monday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday 09:00 - 13:00 CLOSE ON SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Cambodia Package with Accommodation!! Click here to reserve hotels with up to 70% Discount (Prepayment Basis) Room Rate at US$ 20 and above Koh Kong International Resort Room rate at US$ 40 and above Nokor Phnom Hotel Room rate at US$ 50 and above Bopha Angkor Hotel Room rate at US$ 60 and above Ta Prohm Hotel Angkor Hotel Room rate at US$ 80 and above City Angkor Hotel Room rate at US$ 100 and above Angkor Village Hotel Angkor Village Resort Grand Hotel D'Angkor Hotel De La Paix new!! Pansea Hotel Royal Sofitel Angkor Shinta Mani Click here to send electronic birthday cards... Asia Travel

family vacation to world-class

Beaches Caribbean Family Resorts - All-Inclusive Family Vacation The Ultra All-Inclusive Package For Families Personal Butler Service Fine Dining Nightly Entertainment Luxurious Accommodations Red Lane Spas Scuba Diving & Watersports Golf & Land Sports Weddings & Honeymoons Beaches Boscobel Beaches Negril Beaches Turks & Caicos Beaches Sandy Bay Destination Jamaica Destination Turks & Caicos Rates & Availability Specials Balance Payment Online Reservations Brochure Awards News Gift Shop Specials Family All-Inclusive Resorts Beaches all-inclusive resorts includes all the fun, adventure, and luxury that families want most, elevating the family vacation to world-class standards on the Caribbean's best beaches. And now kids can share their vacation with Elmo and friends with Beaches' exclusive Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street . BeachesPhotos BeachesVideo The All-Inclusive Vacation The Resorts Weddings and Honeymoons Red Lane Spas Groups of more than 10 Rooms Sandals Guest Loyalty Program Quick Links Visit our Gift Shop Online Download Beaches Screen Saver Hurricane Guarantee Local Adventure Tours & Sightseeing Introducing Sandals SnapShots Find a Travel Agent Meet a Beaches Specialist Near You $ 465 No other all inclusive in the world includes the same rare combination of quality, choices, and service as our resorts. In fact, we had to create a name just to describe these incomparable standards. We call it "Ultra All-Inclusive." You'll simply call it a dream come true. All meals, anytime snacks Fine dining Scuba diving Variery of watersports Land sports Unlimited premium drinks Golf in Jamaica Luxurious rooms & suites Hotel Taxes Airport transfers Exchange privileges Hurricane Guarantee Basic Wedding Package Tips & gratuities Ultra Savings View all Specials Plan Your Wedding Download Beaches Sweepstakes Win 3 nights at Beaches ENTER YOUR EMAIL HERE TO RECEIVE OUR LATEST OFFERS Home | The Inclusions | The Resorts | The Locations | The Spas SSG Members | For Travel Agents | Employment | Groups | Affiliates | FAQ's | Contact Us Site Map | Terms of Usage | Privacy Policy

Travel Insurance? Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance, Trip Insurance, Cruise Insurance Member BBB OnLine Reliability Program Smile of Satisfaction 364 Testimonials-18 Pages Home Site Map Get Side-By-Side Quotes Skip The Details - Order Safely Online Common Questions What's Covered? Or Not? Rental Car Insurance Flight Insurance How To Make A Claim Contact Us - Located in USA About Trip Insurance Store You Can Trust These Companies: Get all the details & prices: CSA Travel Protection HTH Worldwide Travelex Travel Guard Travel Insured TravelSafe - Cancel For Any Reason Coverage Instant Message / Chat If the icon's colored, we're available right now for free chat/instant messaging. If not, leave us a message. How Have We Done? Customers' Websites Link To Us Free Gifts Get A 2 Month Website Hosting Free Trial TripInsuranceStore.com is a Member in Good Standing of These Organizations: What Is Travel Insurance? Travel Insurance (Trip Insurance) is insurance that covers you for problems associated with traveling . Travel insurance protects you if you're forced to cancel or interrupt your trip because of unforeseen events : family emergencies, bad weather , lost luggage, terrorism and other events . Plus emergency medical treatment. Why Should You Get Your Travel Insurance From TripInsuranceStore.com? • Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed Thoroughly examine your policy for 10 days. Wear the smile of satisfaction, or it's no sale. Can you ask more! • 364 Testimonials from Satisfied Customers Unless you're a returning client, you don't know anything about us. Nor have you experienced first hand our great service. Read what others have said. • You Get Personal Service (a rarity when you're online) Call Steve (the President), Denise, Tara, Teresa, Mary or Terry toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854 for advice & recommendations. When was the last time a website (or any business) encouraged, wanted or begged you to call? And we answer live! • Selected, Pre-Screened Trustworthy Travel Insurance Companies You can browse or study plans from the only 6 travel insurance companies we trust . They are CSA , HTH , Travelex , Travel Guard , Travel Insured and TravelSafe . • You Get Side-By-Side Comparisons Not awkward top to bottom tables. Click here for your free quotes . • You Can Order Safely Online All orders are processed with 128-bit Military Grade Encryption Algorithms. Do you know which plan you want? If so, skip the details - click here for the secure purchase link . • You Will Enjoy Ongoing Service You can count on us to be here for you after the sale. We even call you a few days before you leave to make sure you have your insurance information. You can always call or contact us here . Over 100 different travel insurance policies are sold online. That's the bad news. The good news is that you don't have to wade through them all. You owe it to yourself to only work with reputable providers . See how these plans compare in an easy to read side-by-side comparison. You can email your quote to yourself, too. Click here to recommend this page to a friend. Your trip cancellation benefits start the day after you buy your travel insurance plan. Your trip interruption benefits begin when you leave home for your trip. You choose which travel insurance plan is right for you. Get your instant travel insurance comparison quote to easily compare the different plans, benefits and prices. You can safely order your travel insurance plan online, too. You'll find plans from the leading travel insurance providers: CSA Travel Protection , HTH , Travelex , Travel Guard , Travel Insured and TravelSafe . These links take you to our detailed description pages. Or skip the details, going straight to the Fastrack Online Purchase Links . Protect yourself if you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for a pre-existing medical condition . Keep these three important rules in mind: • You have to insure your trip's full prepaid, non-refundable cost (you can't round it down) and • The person (including non-traveling family members) with the medical condition has to be medically stable when you get your insurance and • You must get your travel insurance in the first 10, 14 or 21 days after your first trip payment date When your first trip payment date is more than 10, 14 or 21 days in the past and you're concerned about pre-existing medical conditions, click here . On the other hand, the Lookback Period doesn't apply to you when there aren't any pre-existing conditions. Discover how to protect yourself for pennies on the dollar. Look at these real life examples of a $3,000 trip (up to 30 days) for a 70 year young or a 35 year old traveler: -- Your Age: CSA Silver HTH TP HTH TP Pf'd Travelex Lite Travelex Plus TG Protect Assist Travel Insured Travel Safe Age 70 $174 (6%) $194 (6.5%) $255 (8.5%) $168 (5.5%) $257 (8.5%) $251 (8%) $185 (6%) $254 (8.5%) Age 35 $124 (4%) $139 (4.5%) $186 (6%) $129 (4%) $199 (6.5%) $145 (5%) $111 (4%) $101 (7%) Note: these plans have different coverages and benefit levels - Don't be influenced by price alone. Click here to see a detailed side-by-side plan benefit comparison . Medicare doesn't cover you outside the USA. You can get travel insurance as late as the day you leave home. Travel Supplier Waiver Plans are surprisingly different from travel insurance. Our Privacy Policy is in full FTC compliance. Your benefits are paid in Tax-Free US Dollars. Not vouchers. Not "trip credits". You get fast, not-in-a-hurry, unbiased advice. Steve, Denise, Tara, Teresa, Mary & Terry do not work on commission. You get personal service - a rarity when you're online. You're not limited to one choice or confused by too many choices. You'll find plans that are uniquely different from each other. You get the travel insurance plan that's best for your trip and your family's needs. We may recommend one plan for one trip and a different plan for another trip. There's no hidden agenda to steer you to one company over another. We don't charge you extra fees. You can read what others say about TripInsuranceStore.com Safely, easily online from CSA Travel Protection , HTH , Travelex , Travel Guard , Travel Insured or TravelSafe (these links take you to our detailed description pages) Over the telephone: Call Steve, Denise, Tara, Teresa, Mary or Terry toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854. - You get to talk to a live person. - We're happy to answer all your questions. - We can even complete your application over the phone. - Everything you tell us is confidential. Our Privacy Pledge . Through the mail: We'll fax or send you a brochure . Call the insurance providers directly: If you do this, please give them our agent or ID number. Here's what you need if you call. You get email or postal sevice confirmation of your policy, too. CSA Travel Protection has three plans: Silver, Comfort and Luxe. All plans include at least $50,000 emergency medical, $250,000 emergency medical evacuation and 150% Trip Interruption. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US and Canadian residents only. View Details HTH Worldwide two plans: HTH Trip Protector and Trip Protector Preferred. Both HTH plans have at least $500,000 emergency medical evacuation. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US and Canadian residents only. HTH TripProtector has $100,000 emergency medical and all the standard coverages. HTH TripProtector Preferred includes $250,000 emergency medical, 150% trip interruption and other higher coverages. View Details Travelex offers both $50,000 and $500,000 emergency medical / medical evacuation with 150% Trip Interruption. Children under 16 are covered at no charge when accompanied by a covered adult. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US residents only. View Details Travel Guard is America's #1 travel insurance provider online insuring more than 6 million travelers each year. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to both US and Canadian residents. View Details Travel Insured gives you $50,000 emergency medical, $250,000 emergency medical evacuation and 150% Trip Interruption. Twenty-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to US residents only. View Details TravelSafe gives you $50,000 emergency medical, $250,000 emergency medical evacuation and 150% Trip Interruption. Cancel For Any Reason upgrade is available. Ten-day money back satisfaction guarantee. Available to both US and Canadian residents. View Details Do you want 'customized' travel insurance recommendations? Or do you have any questions? If so, call Steve, Denise, Tara, Teresa or Mary toll free at 1-888-407-3854 (US & Canada) or 507-214-3854. Links Town and Country, Ski, Frommers.com, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, Reader's Digest, IHT, etc. Read 'em. to use , provides answers, and is backed up by the toll free phone line. You make shopping for a complicated product easier. Thanks! - Cynthia C., Portland, OR Are You Interested In? Pre-existing Conditions What's Covered? Instant Quotes Group Travel Insurance FAQ's Ordering Brochures Rental Car Insurance Top 10 Information Pages 1. Pre-existing conditions 2. What's Covered? 3. Common Exclusions 4. How To Make A Claim 5. Traveling companions 6. What is your trip's cost? 7. Site Map 8. FAQ's 9. Primary - Secondary 10. Travel Supplier Plans "Go directly to the source - a broker, where you can get competitive bids," says Bob Hunter, director of insurance services at the Consumer Federation of America.

France Travel

FRANCE Geography History Politics Culture Transportation Lodging Restaurants Museums and Monuments Nightlife Currency 1. Geography France is bordered by the English Channel to the North; Belgium and Luxembourg to the Northeast; Germany, Switzerland and Italy tothe East; the Mediterranean Sea to the South; Spain and Andorra to the Southwest; and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. It includes theisland of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea to the Southeast of the mainland. The country's 210,026 squre miles offer vastly diverse scenery. It is comprised of the Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges, the valleys of the Loire, Rhone, and Dordogne rivers, and the fertile flat lands and cliffs of Normandy and the Atlantic coast. France is bordered by 1800 miles of coastline. 2. History France was originally inhabited by Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon peoples. After the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, it was settled by Gauls - a Celtic people. In the 8th century, Charlemagne established his Frankish empire stretching from the Pyrenees to the Baltic. Over the next several centuries the feudal lords of Paris consolidated power over various regions, creating for the first time a French nation. The reign of Louis VI from 1108-1137 represented the first time that royal authority came to fruition in certain areas of France. There remained however powerful rulers who served as Louis VI's vassals in name only, such as the Dukes of Normandy. During the FrenchRenaissance, Francois I helped develop the chateaux in the Loire Valley. These luxuries reached their peak during the reign of the SunKing Louis XIV (1643-1715) in which the power of the French state was further centralized and France became the major Europeanpower. Louis XV's reign (1715-1774) saw a time of prosperity as well as a growing gap between rich and power. During this period, the nobility and clergy were exempt from the payment of taxes. These disparities culminated in the French Revolution of 1789 which overthrew Louis XVI and sought equality of the individual before the law. Rising army commander Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the weak and unpopular governemnts of the end of the 18th century in 1799.Five years later he was declared Emperor and attempted to establish a French empire in Europe. In 1812 Napoleon's good fortune wasreversed after his failed invasion of Russia. He was exiled and his army dismantled but escaped and returned to France for a briefHundered Days until he was defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington. The 19th century saw France waver from republic to monarchy to republic to empire, and finally back to republic. It faced an emerging Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871and again as the network of treaties and alliances collapsed in 1914 with the assassination of the Austrian Grand Duke Ferdinand in Serbia. In the interbellum period, after the Versailles Treaty, France recovered the Alsace-Lorraine region originally lost in the Franco-PrussianWar, and established a new electoral system based on proportional representation. With the advances of Nazi Germany into Poland in1939, France once again declared war on Germany and entered WWII. However, it was swiftly occupied by the Nazis who establishedthe Vichy Regime from 1940-1944. The Fourth Republic was established after the war but could not resist the pressures induced by the Algerian Conflict. General deGaulle, former Resistance leader of the exiled anti-Nazi government during WWII, established the Fifth Republic. 1968 saw the adventof student and industrial workers riots threatening to overthrow the fledgling Republic. Throughout the 1970s, conservative presidents and centre-right majorities governed in France. The Socialist party experienced its firstvictory in 1981 with the election of Francois Mitterand who remained in office until 1995. Jacques Chirac, the former mayor of Paris and Prime Minister in cohabitation with Mitterand was narrowly elected President in 1995. Edouard Balladur was first appointed PrimeMinister but was succeeded by Alain Juppe who was committed to streamlining the public sector. Having called for an early election, Chirac is now governing in cohabitation with the Socialist Lionel Jospin, his competitor in the 1995 election. 3. Politics The strong executive branch of the 5th Republic is directed by the President who is elected by direct popular vote for a 7-year term.The legislative branch is governed by a bicameral parliament comprised of a 577-member National Assembly which is elected for 5-yearterms, and the 321-member senate which is elected for 9-year terms with one-third of the seats up for reelection every 3 years. France's main foreign commitment is to the European Union. Its relations with Germany have been considered to be the pillar of the integration movement. France continues to be active in multifarious regions of the world as a means to assert its status as a worldpower. In opposition to American hegemony, France has come into conflict with the United States on a number of instances, most notably at the Uruguay Round of negotion on the 1993 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and with regards to the commandof armed forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. France has conducted several military interventions in Africa where it maintians a significant economic, military, and cultural presence inmany former colonies. In the Franc Zone, many francophone African countires have linked their currencies to the French franc. Frenchmilitary involvement also existed in French Polynesia in the 1995 when the Chiracien goverment conducted a series of nuclear tests atthe Mururoa atoll. Rioting broke out on Tahiti, the main island and severe international condemnation followed. French domestic politics are also rocky as Chirac and Jospin attempt to govern cohesively side-by-side. With an unemployment rate at arecord high of 12.8%, they are finding it difficult to streamline their country's economy to meet the strict criteria necessary for entry into the scheduled European Union economic and monetary union. 4. Culture The official language is French, but many regional dialects such as Basque and Breton exist. Many French speak basic English, but polite efforts to speak French are generally appreciated. 90% of the French population is Roman Catholic. There exists a Protestant minority, and representatives of almost every religion exist. The family is still relatively central to French life, as are long meals with excellent wine and gastronomical delights. The cuisine varies by region as does the wine. Most everything shuts down between noon and 2pm during the week and closes on Sundays. Major national holiday include January 1, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day (May 8), Whit Monday (May 19), Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption Day (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). In addition,much of the less touristic parts of France slow down the month of August when everyone is on holiday in the often crowded coastal towns. 5. Transportation Visas are not required of U.S., Canadian, New Zealand, or EU citizens. Visas are required however of South Africans and Australians. AIR : France's national airline is Air France(AF), domestically Air Inter(AI). RAIL : Societe Nationale de Chemins de Fer (SNCF) operates an extensive rail network. Timetables are well-organized and color-codedto coincide with peak hours. Tickets are not valid until punched in the orange machine at the entrance to the platforms at the trainstation (la gare). Seat reservations are recommended for international trips, and are mandatory on EuroCity (EC), InterCity (IC), and TGV (train a grande vitesse/ high-speed) trains. All 3 mandate a ticket supplement (between US$3-18) and a reservation fee (betweenUS$2-3). The French Railpass which must be purchased outside France permits 3 days of travel within one month (US$145) with up to 6 additional days available (US$30 each). BUS : usually well-priced and well-organized. The bus station (gare routiere) is usually near the train station. PARIS : AIR : Most transatlantic flights arrive at Aeroport Roissy- Charles de Gaulle, NE of Paris. To get to town, take Roissy Rail, a cheap combination bus-rail system. To get to Roissy Rail, take free shuttle bus to train station, ride RER train B3 to the city. Taxis will be extremely expensive. Air France also offers a clean and safe shuttle bus service to various points in Paris as well as to Orly Airport. Flights arriving at Aeroport d'Orly, S of Paris usually arrive from various points in Europe. To get to town, take free shuttle bus to Orly train station and take RER C2 to central Paris. Or Air France shuttle buses also service Orly. RAIL : Gare du Nord services northern France, Belgium, Britain, Netherlands, Scandinavia, and northern Germany. Gare de l'Est services eastern France, Luxembourg, northern Switzerland, southern Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Gare de Lyon services southeastern France, southern Switzerland, Italy, and Greece.Gare d'Austerlitz services the Loire Valley, southwestern France, Spain, and Portugal.Gare St. Lazare services Normandy. Gare de Montparnasse services Brittany and the TGV to southwestern France. Within Paris, the subway (Metropolitain, Metro, M) is efficient and quick. Lines are numbered but are referred to by their final destinations.Connections are called correspondances. Coupon Vert allows unlimited weekly travel.Carte Orange is an ID which accompanies the Coupon Vert. The Reseau ExpressRegional (RER) is a commuter train to the suburbs and an express subway in Paris. BUS : use same tickets as Metro which may be purchased from driver. NICE : AIR : Aeroport Nice-Cote d'Azur. Take Sunbus 23 "St. Laurent" from the train station. The airport bus runs from the bus station by pl Massena. RAIL : Gare SNCF Nice-Ville, avenue Thiers is in the center of town next to the tourist office. Trains run frequently to Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, and elsewhere in France, Italy, and Spain. In summer months, several trains connect with the TGV from Marseille to Paris. BUS : Gare Routiere, promenade du Paillon to Monaco, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, and Cannes. Sunbus to museums and youth hostels. Can buy 5 ticket booklets or weekly passes at agency or kiosk at sq. Leclerc. Bus 12 goes from train station to pl Massena and the beach. LYON : AIR : Aeroport Lyon-Satolas E of Lyon. Take bus from Perrache via Part-Dieu. RAIL : Part-Dieu and Perrache stations both have TGV trains to Paris. Perrache is more central. Part-Dieu is the business district on the east bankof the Rhone. The Metro operates with tickets good for 1hr in 1 direction withbus and trolley connections included. Can purchase 1 day unlimited travel at tourist and TAG offices, not in stations. Troleys operate from pl. St. Jean to St. Just and the top of Fourviere. BUS : Perrache train station to Annecy, Grenoble. Philbert handlesmany domestic routes. Eurolines runs throughout Europe. Iberbus goes to Spain. 6. Lodging HOTELS : Room and all meals (pension) are most often offered with a stay of 3 days or longer. Room, breakfast, and one meal (demi-pension) are often offered outside peak holiday periods. Hotels are generally not expensive but have strict standards. Hotels docharge extra for a third bed in a double room and will charge extra for extra occupants. Logis de France are small or medium sized inexpensive hotels with basic clean and comfortable accomodations. Hotels de Tourisme are graded into categories according to government quality regulations. CAMPING : 7000 campsites exist throughout France. Some have tents and/or caravans for rent. Prices vary but all graded campsitesprovide water, toilet, and washing facilities. YOUTH HOSTELS : Hundreds exist throughout France. Simple accomodation at very low prices. Stays are usually limited to certain agebrackets and to 3-4 nights a week. Most require membership in the National Youth Hostel Association. Some accomodations are privaterooms and others are bunk-beds in shared rooms. Some have curfews. Reservations are advised during peak-seasons. This is a great way to travel cheaply and meet interesting people. Further information may be obtained from national youth hostel organizations. PARIS : HOTELS : Hotels in Paris may be the most practical for most and maybe the most economical for large groups. Costs range, and cheaper rooms maynot come with private baths. You may pay extra for the key to the hall shower. Rooms disappera quickly after morning checkout, so reserve ahead. They usually require one night's deposit. HOTEL DE NEVERS : -53, rue de Malte, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 56 18 HENRI IV : -25 place Dauphine, 1e, tel: 01 43 54 44 53 HOTEL STE-MARIE: -6 rue de la Ville Neuve, tel: 01 42 33 21 61 YOUTH HOSTELS : Most Parisian hostels don't have many restrictionswhich may be found in other hostels. They do often have maximum stays. Theyusually include breakfast and showersin the price. Only 2 HI hostels exist in the city proper. The rest are private hostels or fosters. CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE PARIS (BVJ) : -Paris Louvre- 20, rue J.-J. Rousseau, 1er., tel: 01 42 36 88 18 -Paris Quartier Latin- 44, rue des Bernardins, 5e., tel: 01 43 29 34 80 AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE JULES FERRY (HI) : -Jules Ferry- 8 bd Jules Ferry, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 60 AUBERGE INTERNATIONALE DES JEUNES : -10, rue Trousseau, tel: 01 47 00 62 00 LYON : HOTELS : A financial center, Lyon has little lodging during the week,but many openings on the weekends so plan ahead. First try the hotels near Perrache, then near Pl. des Terreaux if they are full. CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE SEJOUR : -46 rue du Commandant Pegoud, tel: 04 78 01 23 45 RESIDENCE BENJAMIN DELESSERT : -145 av. Jean Jaures, tel: 04 78 61 41 41 HOTEL VAUBECOUR : -28 rue Vaubecour, tel: 04 78 37 44 91 YOUTH HOSTELS : AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : -51, rue Roger Salengro, Venissieux, tel: 04 78 76 39 23 NICE : HOTELS : Summer accomodations require advance reservation.Most affordable and clean hotels surround Notre-Dame rue d'Angleterre,rue de la Suisse, and rue de Russie. HOTEL BACCARAT : -39 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 35 73 HOTEL LES ALIZES : -10 ru de Suisse, tel: 04 93 88 85 08 HOTEL DES FLANDERS : -6 rue de Belgique, tel: 04 93 88 78 94 YOUTH HOSTELS : Very often full, especially summer months.Camping in front of the train station is a dangerous idea, even in groups. AUBERGE DE JEUNESSE (HI) : -rte. Forestiere du Mont-Alban, tel: 04 93 89 23 64 RELAIS INTERNL DE LA JEUNESSE CLAIRVALLON : -26 av Scuderi, tel: 04 93 81 27 63 RESIDENCE LES COLLINETTES (HI) : -Summer only! 3 av Robert Schumann, tel: 04 93 86 58 48 7. Restaurants LUNCH / DINNER : a complete meal includes an aperitif (pre-dinner drink), an entree (an appetizer), a plat (main course),salad, cheese, dessert, fruits, coffee, and a digestif (after-dinner drink). Wine is typically taken with meals. Boisson comprise means that you are entitled to a free drink, often wine, with your meal. In restaurants, fixed-price 3-course meals (menus) begin at 60f. A 15% gratuity is most often included in the price (service compris). BREAKFAST : continental breakfast usually includes your choice of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; and breads and pastries with jam. PARIS : Cafes : LA COUPOLE : -102 bd du Montparnasse, tel: 01 43 20 14 20 LA CLOSERIE DES LILAS : -171 bd du Montparnasse, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 70 50 LES DEUX MAGOTS : -6 pl St-Germain des Pres, 6e, tel:01 45 48 55 25 RESTAURANTS : AU TROU NORMAND : -9 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 80 23 LES FOUS DE L'ISLE : -33 rue des Deux-Ponts, tel: 01 43 25 76 67 CHEZ LES FONDUES : -17 rue des Trois Freres, 18e, tel: 01 42 55 22 65 CREMERIE RESTAURANT POLIDOR : -41 rue Monsieur-le Prince, 6e, tel: 01 43 26 95 34 TY BRIEZ : -52 bd de Vaugirard, 15e, tel: 01 43 20 83 72 LYON : RESTAURANTS : LE SUD : -11 pl Antonin Porcet, tel: 04 72 77 80 00 CHEZ MOUNIER : -3 rue des Marrioniers, tel: 04 78 37 79 26 CHAERT ET FILS : -11 rue des Marroniers, tel: 04 78 37 01 94 LA MERE VITTET : -26, cours de Verdun, tel: 04 78 37 20 17 CHEZ CARLO : -22 rue du Palais Grillet, tel: 04 78 42 05 79 NICE : RESTAURANTS : O MICHELANGELO : -28 cours Saleya, tel: 04 93 80 05 27 NISSA SOCCA : -5 rue Ste-Reparte, tel: 04 93 80 18 35 LE FAUBOURG MONTMARTRE : -39 rue Pertinax, tel: 04 93 62 55 03 RESTAURANT DE PARIS : -28 rue d'Angleterre, tel: 04 93 88 99 88 8. Museums and Monuments PARIS : MUSEUMS : LES CATACOMBS : -1 pl Denfert-Rochereau, 15e-5-6 million Parisians buried in former limestone mines CENTRE NATIONAL D'ART ET DE CULTURE GEORGES-POMPIDOU : -Palais Beaubourg, 4e.-Musee National d'Art Moderne, 20th century art MUSEE DES EGOUTS DE PARIS : -Quai D'Orsay and pl de la Resistance, 7e. -Sewer Museum MUSEE DU LOUVRE : -Palais-Royal, 1e-Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samotrace,David, Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People, MonaLisa MUSEE D'ORSAY : -1 rue de Bellechasse, 7e-1848-1914 Impressionism, etc. MUSEE PICASSO : -5 rue de Thorigny, 3e MONUMENTS : ILE DE LA CITE/ ILE ST-LOUIS : -Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris-Palais de Justice -Ste.-Chapelle LATIN QUARTER/ St-GERMAIN-des-Pres : -Pantheon-La Crypt-Le Jardin des Plantes-Boulevard et Place St-Michel-Jardin du Luxembourg FAUBOURG ST-GERMAIN : -Espanade des Invalides-Musee de l'Armee / Napoleon's tomb-Tour Eiffel LOUVRE/OPERA/MARAIS/BASTILLE : -Louvre-Jardin des Tuilleries-Place Vendome-Palais-Royal-Opera CHAMPS ELYSEES/ BOIS DE BOULOGNE/ LA DEFENSE : -Place de la Concorde-Obelisque de Louxor-Avenue des Champs-Elysees-Arc de Triomphe-Bois de Boulogne-La Defense MONTMARTRE / PERE-LACHAISE : -Basilique du Sacre-Coeur-Butte Montmartre-Cimetiere Pere-Lachaise, Jim Morrison's grave LYON : MUSEUMS : MUSEE GALLO-ROMAIN : -17 rue Cleberg-mosaics, helmets, swords, jewlery MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS : -Hotel de Ville-French, Spanish and Dutch painters-Italian Renaissance. MUSEE D'ART CONTEMPORAIN : -Quai Charles de Gaulle-Modern Art MONUMENTS :-Basilique Notre-Dame de la Fourviere-Vieux Lyon-Cathedrale St-Jean-Place Bellecour NICE : MUSEUMS : MUSEE DES BEAUX-ARTS : -33 av Baumettes-Fragonard, Monet, Sisley, Degas, sculptures MUSEE MATISSE : -164 av des Arenes de Cimiez MUSEE NATIONAL MARC CHAGALL : -av du Docteur Menard MUSEE D'ART MODERNE ET D'ART CONTEMPORAIN : -Av St-Jean Baptiste and Traverse Garibaldi MONUMENTS :-Promenade des Anglais-Jardin Albert 1er-Espace Massena-La Colle du Chateau-Cathedrale Orthodoxe Russe St-Nicolas-Monastere Cimiez 9. Nightlife PARIS : DANCE CLUBS : -Les Bains, 7 rue de Bourg l'Abbee, 3e, tel: 01 48 87 01 80-Le Balajo, 9 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 47 00 07 87-Le Palace, 8 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 9e, tel:01 42 46 10 87 BARS : -Le Bar Sans Nom, 49 rue de Lappe, 11e, tel: 01 48 05 59 36-Le Piano Vache, 8 rue Laplace, 5e, tel: 01 46 33 75 03-Cafe Charbon, 109 rue Oberkampf, 11e, tel: 01 43 57 55 13 LYON : DANCE CLUBS : Check out quai Romain Rolland,quai de Bondy, and quai Pierre Scize in the old city. BARS : -Albion, 12 rue Ste-Catherine-Le Verre a Soi, 25 rue des Capucins-Le Broadway, 9 rue Terraille NICE : DANCE CLUBS : -Chez Wayne, 15 rue de la Prefcture, tel: 04 93 13 46-Master Home, rue de la Prefecture, tel: 04 93 80 33 82-Le Studio, 29 rue Alphonse Karr, tel: 04 93 82 37 66-De Klomp, 6 rue Mascoinat, tel: 04 93 92 42 85-The Hole in the Wall, 3 rue de l'Abbaye, tel: 04 93 80 40 16 10. Currency The basic currency unit is the French franc (Ffr), which is issued in both coins and paper notes, and is subdivided in 100 centimes.Coins are in denominations of Ffr 10,5,2, and 1 + 50,20,10, and 5 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Ffr 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, and 10. Some first-class hotels exchange foreign currency. Also the Credit Mutuel, Credit Agricole exchange currency. Shops and hotelsare prohibited from accepting foreign currency. American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and Travellers checques are widely accepted. Also Visit These Travel Pages GO BACK TO HOMEPAGE