Asia Travel

LAOS HOTELS LAOS RESORTS - ASIA TRAVEL Laos Travel And Country Information Vientiane Luang Prabang Lao Pako Phonsavanh Pakse Khong Savannakhet Saravan Huay Xai Check out the other Mekong regions Airpot Pick up Click here for Alphabetical Listing of Laos Hotels & Resorts Please Click Hotel Name Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort (Payment direct to hotel) Douang Deuan (Prepaid) Lane Xang (Prepaid) Lao Hotel (Prepaid) Lao Plaza (Prepaid) Novotel (Prepaid) Royal Dokmaideng (Prepaid) Settha Palace (Prepaid) Settha Palace (Payment direct to hotel) Tai Pan Hotel (Prepaid) Vansana Hotel (Prepaid) Bangkok Office Hours (GMT + 07:00) Monday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday 09:00 - 13:00 CLOSE ON SUNDAYS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Laos Tour Packages with Accommodation Click here to reserve hotels with up to 70% Discount (Prepayment Basis) Preview below for hotels with up to 60% discount (payment direct to hotel upon check-in) Room Rates at US$20 and above Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort Settha Palace Preview below for hotels with up to 75% discount (prepayment before check-in) Room Rates at US$ 20 and above Douang Deuan Room Rate at US$ 30 and above Lao Hotel Lane Xang Hotel Vansana Hotel Room Rate at US$ 50 and above Novotel Royal Dokmaideng Tai Pan Hotel Room Rate at US$ 70 and above Lao Plaza Settha Palace Prepayment Requirement : Above hotel rates are in US Dollars, inclusive of tax and service charge.All bookings made for the above hotels have to be paid in advance before the check-in date. Payment can be made by credit card (Only Visa, Master, JCB and AMEX) . Guest to check-in with passport. A check-in voucher showing booking details will also be faxed or emailed to guest for easy reference. No charge for children under 12 years old sharing room with parents with no extra bed. Cancellation for peak season (15 December - 15 January) is required at least 15 working days (not including Sat., Sun & Public Holidays ) prior to check-in date. Scenic Destinations and Places of Interest in Laos Browse or send an electronic postcard to your friends Click here to send electronic birthday cards... Asia Travel

Europe travel, travel in

Europe travel, travel in europe, europe travel guide, europe travel stories and travel advice on Seniority.co.uk Main Directory Entertainment Fun & Games Health Home & Hobbies Money News & Tech Shopping Sport Travel Travel Africa \ Americas \ Asia \ Europe \ Other \ Money Conversion \ Advertise With Us Europe travel, travel in europe Europe travel guides to help you plan your travel in Europe: | View All Europe Travel Articles | Recommended Europe Travel Websites Previous Contributions: -- Select previous Contribution -- LATEST CONTRIBUTION ---------------------------------------- Places to Visit in Southeast Spain - Seb Jay PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS ---------------------------------------------- Stockholm A Great Destination That Is Kind To Your Budget - Marc A. De Jong Frankfurt Germany - 12 Insider Tips - Marcus Hochstadt Holiday in Portugal - Part 4 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 3 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 2 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 1 - Roy Stephens Roman Holiday - Lyndon Travellers Tales - Dorothy Wharton A short break in Lucerne - Grahame Stovold Monster of the Monastery - Liana Metal Trip to Norway, Part 1 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 2 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 3 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 4 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 5 - Roxanne Johnson Italian Lakes - Frank Brown Russia - a New Look, Part 1 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 2 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 3 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 4 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 5 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 6 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 7 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 8 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 9 - Harlan Hague My trips to London - Jean Ward Cruising - Sylvia Williams Exploring Medieval Towns - Arthur and Elisabeth Jordan From Vienna to Dublin - Christian Wolf Iceland - Land of Contrasts - Leiah St. Peter - John Burkholder Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 1 - Helene Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 2 - Helene Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 1 - Joy Robinson Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 2 - Joy Robinson Manchester - the Other City - Pat Farley The City of York - Liz Ross Bamberg - Hidden Jewel - Anne Holder Nuremberg - the Heart of Europe - Frances Evans Voyage of Discovery - James Carron Greek Islands - Jack Burgess Short Break in Amsterdam - James Carron Fairy Flags and the Isle of Skye - Marlene Graham Reflections on Malta - John Covington View List "Places to Visit in Southeast Spain" by Seb Jay Southeast Spain along the Costa de Almeria is an unspoilt paradise. A world away from the high-rise hotel blocks and apartments that are associated with some other coastal areas of Spain, this Costa is subdued and altogether much more inviting. Mile upon mile of sandy beach stretches out along the coastline, truncated ever so often by headlands that crash out into the sea. For discerning families looking for a quiet Spanish holiday getaway, the Costa Almeria is the place to go. Beyond the beaches There are a wide variety of places to visit that are within a short drive of the Costa de Almeria coastline. Here are some of the best… Tabernas - Home to the 'Westerns' of the 1960s and 1970s, Tabernas is formed of desert-like rocky outcrops and canyons that have played host to some of the most memorable movies of this era. Clint Eastwood's A Fist Full of Dollars, A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly were filmed here, as was The Magnificent Seven. The movie sets (there are three 'wild west' towns to visit) are now tourist attractions, with live wild west shows, stagecoach rides and working saloon bars to enjoy. Calar Alto Observatory - The province of Almeria lays claim to one of the sunniest spots in Europe. On average there are over 3100 hours of sunshine to be had in the area each year. Taking advantage of the exceptionally clear skies in this part of Spain is the Calar Alto Observatory - a collection of five giant telescopes, three of which are operated by the Max-Plank Institute in Germany. Although chiefly a scientific research establishment the white telescope domes are a spectacular sight at any time of the day or on a moonlit night. It is also possible to arrange visits to one or more of the domes by appointment in the Sierra de los Filabres. Sierra Nevada Mountains - When on the Costa de Almeria you cannot fail to notice the magnificent peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west of the province. Snow capped for some six months of the year, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range is an all-year-round paradise. During the summer and autumn, hiking is the #1 activity, the mountainside yielding a fine network of paths to explore. During the winter and spring the Sierra Nevada becomes Europe's most southerly ski resort. Granada - A short distance downslope from the Sierra Nevada mountains is the beautiful town of Granada and its most famous of attractions - the Alhambra. A palace residence of Moslem kings that dates back to the 9th century, the Alhambra is a fortress (alcazaba), palace (alcazar) and a city (medina) all rolled into one. Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park - On the south-easternmost tip of Almeria is the 29,000-hectare Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. Pristine beaches, jagged cliffs, salt flats and lagoons await all who explore this natural paradise. With eagles, peregrines, cormorants and razorbills on show, this is the place to come if you enjoy wildlife. Getting to Southeast Spain Travelers should opt to fly into Almeria City airport on the Costa de Almeria coast. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up from the airport upon your arrival. Visit http://www.your-carhire.com . About The Author Seb Jay is a professional writer specializing in the creation of original web content for http://www.your-carhire.com . Europe travel guides to help you plan your travel in Europe: | View All Europe Travel Articles Previous Contributions: -- Select previous Contribution -- LATEST CONTRIBUTION ---------------------------------------- Places to Visit in Southeast Spain - Seb Jay PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS ---------------------------------------------- Stockholm A Great Destination That Is Kind To Your Budget - Marc A. De Jong Frankfurt Germany - 12 Insider Tips - Marcus Hochstadt Holiday in Portugal - Part 4 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 3 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 2 - Roy Stephens Holiday in Portugal - Part 1 - Roy Stephens Roman Holiday - Lyndon Travellers Tales - Dorothy Wharton A short break in Lucerne - Grahame Stovold Monster of the Monastery - Liana Metal Trip to Norway, Part 1 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 2 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 3 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 4 - Roxanne Johnson Trip to Norway, Part 5 - Roxanne Johnson Italian Lakes - Frank Brown Russia - a New Look, Part 1 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 2 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 3 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 4 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 5 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 6 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 7 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 8 - Harlan Hague Russia - a New Look, Part 9 - Harlan Hague My trips to London - Jean Ward Cruising - Sylvia Williams Exploring Medieval Towns - Arthur and Elisabeth Jordan From Vienna to Dublin - Christian Wolf Iceland - Land of Contrasts - Leiah St. Peter - John Burkholder Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 1 - Helene Ballooning in Switzerland, Part 2 - Helene Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 1 - Joy Robinson Millennium Wedding and Holiday in France, Part 2 - Joy Robinson Manchester - the Other City - Pat Farley The City of York - Liz Ross Bamberg - Hidden Jewel - Anne Holder Nuremberg - the Heart of Europe - Frances Evans Voyage of Discovery - James Carron Greek Islands - Jack Burgess Short Break in Amsterdam - James Carron Fairy Flags and the Isle of Skye - Marlene Graham Reflections on Malta - John Covington View List Europe travel, travel in europe, europe travel guides on Seniority OVER 50s ADVERTISING | PRIVACY | Ts & Cs | SITEMAP | ADD YOUR URL | CONTACT Seniority.co.uk Ltd. The UK's favourite over 50s website. All rights reserved

Chicago Vacation

Illinois, Chicago Vacation Rentals-1st Choice Vacation Rentals the #1 Online Vacation Rentals Website. Worldwide Vacation Rentals, Lodging Vacation Rentals, Homes Vacation Rentals, Cabins Vacation Rentals, Bed and Breakfast's, Hotels, Resorts, Inns, Villa Vacation Rentals, and Vacation Rental Properties United_States/Illinois/Chicago Home Search New Rentals List Your Rental About Us NotePad My 1stChoice Customer Login Destinations United States Mexico Caribbean Europe Australia Africa South Pacific New Zealand Asia South America Central America Canada Activities Open NotePad Close NotePad About NotePad Customer Service Press Help - FAQ Web Development News Letters My Destinations My Specials You are Here United States Illinois Chicago Chicago Properties >> Holiday Apartments, Great for Business Travelers a... In Chicagos Lincoln Park neighborhood, China Doll Country offers three complete self... Jim and Yanan Haring, China Doll, Inc. : (773) 525-4967 or Toll Free: (866) 361- Max Bdrms: 3 Price/nt: $150 - $250 Chicago Lincoln Park 1 Bedroom Condo, 2 Blocks fro... Come stay in this spacious Lincoln Park vacation condominium in a quiettree-lined r... KB-COMM and Associates, Inc : 312 409-1465 Max Bdrms: 1 Price/nt: $200 Price/week: $1000 - $1500 Chicago Lodging Alternative At Home Inn Chicago is a reservation service for a number of lovely bed and breakfast... Elizabeth Keeley, At Home Inn Chicago : 312-640-1050 or Toll Free: 800-375-7084 Max Bdrms: 20 Price/nt: $125 - $400 Price/week: $1000 - $2000 Corporate Apartments with Personal Comforts In Chicagos Lincoln Park neighborhood, China Doll offers three complete self-contain... Jim and Yanan Haring : (773) 525-4967 or Toll Free: (866) 361- Max Bdrms: 4 Price/nt: $150 - $300 Old Town Chicago Bed & Breakfast Inn at Chicago, I... Chicagos only Mobil 3-Star bed and breakfast, and recipient of the Pamela Lanier Tra... Mike and Elizabeth Serritella : 312-440-9268 Max Bdrms: 1 Price/nt: $125 - $250 Some advantages 1st Choice has to Offer You as a Vacation Rental Manager/Owner: Exposure to 20,000 visitors a day Self manageable property page with quality tools and design that is easy to use Top in search engine rankings... Only $11-$25/month for this kind of exposure... "The site has been up for two weeks and already 5 bookings and 237 hits already. Fantastic exposure! Thanks for a great site!!" Peter Regla, Pine Arbor Retreat Yosemite, CA Do you have a vacation rental property you want to list on the internet? You should consider advertising with 1st Choice Vacation Rentals. Add Your Vacation Rental 1st Choice Testimonials 1st Choice Features Advertising Opportunities Featured Property of the Month.. Most Exquisite Vacation Homes in Florida! 1st Choice Voted Best of the Web Pick by Forbes.com. Join our 1st Choice Vacation Rentals Newsletter and get information on what's new with 1st Choice. Sign-Up Now! In the News Seven Great Tips for Making Your Vacation Photos Memorable IN THE NEWS: Wall Street Journal Instant Messages Are Popping Up All Overby Daniel NasawAcknowledging that instant messaging isn't just for gossiping teenagers anymore, companies increasingly are using new IM tools to promote products, boost productivi...... Full Story IN THE NEWS: New York Times RENTING A HOUSE WITH A CLICK OF A MOUSEBy Bob TedeshiRandy McNamara spent last spring in a protracted spin cycle of Internet irritation. Mr. McNamara, a salesman for a printing company in Phoenix, was hunting for a vaca...... Full Story Since 1994 1st Choice Remains a Leader in the Vacation Rental Industry! A pioneer and leader the online vacation rental industry since 1994, 1st Choice Vacation Rentals continues to lead the way in cost effective online advertising, marketing, and value added features for our customers.Reinve...... Full Story Home | About 1st Choice | Customer Service | Pricing Information | Help Press | Testimonials | Privacy Policy | Legal Notices | Site Map | Link Exchange © 1994 - 2005 1stChoice Internet | All Rights Reserved | Powered by 1stChoice Internet

European Vacation Planning Map

Travel Gadgets for your European Vacation  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors Travel Gadgets for your European Vacation Europe for Visitors Blog « Europe Travel News from the Emerald Isle | Main | Europe Travel: Berlin and Bicycles » March 22, 2004 Travel Gadgets for your European Vacation I'm no gadget freak, but sometimes a new whatchamacallit comes online and tickles my fancy. ThinkGeek offers the James Bond Stealth Camera , a digital camera that records sound as well, all stuffed into a--are you ready for this?--cigarette lighter! And it sets you back less than $100. Then The Register tells us of the USB Swiss Army Knife . No, the USB doesn't help you gut that carp, it's a separate USB memory stick that swings out of the knife like the blades or scissors. Now you can keep your passwords next to your razor-sharp blades, except on the plane of course. Remember that if you're carting along one of those cool gadgets that needs to be plugged into household current, you may need to do some shopping for plug convertors or transformers because European voltage is twice what American sockets connect up to--and the number of cycles per second is different as well. Look at our Electricity in Europe directory for information you may really need before you plug in. Email a Friend Display Latest Headlines Read Archives Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

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