I think that everyone has a favourite landmark in Paris and ours happens to be Notre Dame. The imposing gothic cathedral stands regally on the banks of the Seine. The front facade may be the popular spot for photographers, but this view from the other side of the river is our favourite view.

A different angle of Notre Dame in Paris, France

We were walking though the district of Montemartre in Paris with our friends from Paris Movie Walks when I snapped this photograph of a wall of paintings for sale.  I feel that this photograph captures the essence of Montemartre’s energy.  Montemartre is a lively district near the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur and is one of the most colourful areas of Paris. The bohemian feel reminds of the artists of Renoir,Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso who lived in here in the late 19th century. And we look forward to going back to spend a summer in Paris to explore her lovely streets in depth one day especially the area of Montemartre.

See more photos of the day now!

Everyone loves Paris. The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, these are iconic landmarks that we all know so well. You can’t go to the city of lights without visiting her star attractions, but once you’ve had your fill of standing in long lines, pushing through crowds of tourists and eating at the same prix fixe menu restaurant as everyone else visiting te city it is time to see the new Paris. Sonia Gil found a vibrant part of the Paris and shares her experience with us from her original web series Sonia’s Travels. So if you haven’t been, hop on one of the many flights to Paris and see the sights. If you have visited the romance capital of the world, visit again and check out the New Paris for yourself.

The New Paris – An African Market

Forget the old Paris and leave your preconceptions at the door. There is a new Paris bubbling to the surface and it’s fast, chaotic, vibrant and most of all impossible to ignore. People, languages and cultures are all exploding here and I couldn’t wait to capture it all on film. 

Thirty years ago you wouldn’t dare speak English to a Parisian taxi driver. Not only would he ignore you but he’d be pretty aggravated by the whole situation. Yet what was the first thing I encountered in this “Next Paris”? An African driver who was both friendly and fluent in English. 

Shocking me even more, he humbly explained that he actually learned how to speak English from a little language book that he keeps right next to him in his taxi. Knowing just how tough learning a language is, I felt inspired by his eagerness to learn from cultures that are foreign to him.

On this particular day, I was headed to the often overlooked African Market, or the Marché Barbès as it’s called in France. I wanted to experience life as a local, take my time, and really learn about what makes this city so unique. 

I was interested in exploring this particular market because I had a feeling that it just might be the ideal spot to learn about a new and fascinating culture right in my own backyard. 

Arriving early in the morning, the place was already buzzing with life. Bright colored traditional clothes, textiles, spices and fruits common in Northern Africa hit me in every direction. There was a magnetic energy spreading through the market at every turn and this contagious culture immediately resonated with me.

Although I spoke to the vendors in French, many people there actually communicate in Arabic, as that’s the common language in their country. Hearing an unfamiliar language allowed me to better immerse myself in a different culture for a few minutes. 

The Marché Barbès is located in the 18th Arrondissement near le Sacre Coeur. If taking the train, lines 2 or 4 will get you pretty close. Hop off at the Barbès-Rochechouart stop and walk until you hit the market.

Bio: Sonia Gil hosts a weekly original web travel series called Sonia’s Travels with episodes shot in Mexico, Italy, Berlin and Paris. Each trip turns into a series of shows in which Sonia offers a small idea or tip about a place and the people who live there. New Episodes Premiere Every Thursday at 12 noon (9:00 am Pacific).

The renowned, charming, and multi-faceted “City of Lights” has a lot to show off. Making its worldly presence felt in photographs, cuisine, literature, and films, most notably Woody Allen’s latest, Paris radiates enchantment and seduces dreamers of all kinds. Home to some of the most familiar landmarks in the world, it’s a city which creates different kinds of expectations for its visitors, one of the most common being the way it can snub your wallet.

First-timers are quite right to be wary of the city’s pricy-ness. Accommodation can be quite expensive, so you’d do well to compare Paris hotel deals.

At cheaphotels.org you will find available budget hotels in Paris. If you know where to look and when to go, you can indulge in some of the finest cultural sites, museums, food, and art, all for free!

Explore one of the world’s finest collections

Dying to see the Mona Lisa first-hand? On every first Sunday of the month, entrance to the Louvre, a historic monument as well as the most visited museum in the world, is free for all visitors. The entrance fee is also waived on any day if you are under 18, or if you are under 26 and a resident of the EU.

If you still haven’t had your fill of art after navigating the endless collection at the Louvre, check out the Musée D’Orsay, which is also free on Sundays and for under 18’s, and which houses the greatest works of impressionism by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir.

Interior, Musee D'orsay

In the mood for something more modern? The Musée de l’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris exhibits works from the 20th and 21st centuries in a free permanent collection right across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, including art from movements such as surrealism, Dadaism, abstractionism, and cubism.

Snap a shot of splendid views

Put on some comfortable shoes, and take a camera with you. Along the River Seine, the scene of inspiration of many artists, you can zig-zag back and forth across some of the 37 wood, stone, and metal bridges which span the river within Paris alone, including the Pont Neuf, which dates back to 1607.

Views of Pont Neuf Bridge, River Seine

You can also see the city from above at the Promenade Plantée, a linear 4.7 km parkway which was once an elevated railway viaduct leading east from the Bastille, and which houses gardens, small parks, and public art on exhibition.

At the heart of the city, the most famous masterpiece of French Gothic Architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral, is free to enter, and on every first Sunday, you can climb the North Tower’s 387 steps free of charge to get a magnificent glimpse of the city from above. 

Get a taste of world-class gastronomy

If you happen to be in Paris in late November, then you’re in luck. The city’s annual food- and wine-tasting events are held at this time, and most of them are free. And on the second week of October, you can also enjoy wine tasting, fireworks, and other festivities at the Harvest Festival of Montmartre to celebrate this distinct Parisian neighborhood.

Paris also has a thing for free couscous. At the popular neighborhood joint Les Trois Frères, you can snack on complimentary couscous on Thursday nights, as well as at La Chôpe du Château Rouge in the heart of Montmartre, on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Wind your way through old cemeteries

Gravestone at Cimetiere Pere Lachaise

It sounds a bit morbid, but Paris is actually home to some very interesting cemeteries that are worth seeing, as they are resting place of many celebrity writers, philosophers, artists. On an ethereal walk through the Montmartre cemetery, which dates back to 1798, you can find the graves of Edward Degas, Hector Berlioz, and Heinrich Heine. The Montparnasse cemetery houses the graves of such renowned writers and thinkers as Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Charles Baudelaire, and Julio Cortázar.

Catch some free tunes

If you enjoy classical, baroque, or contemporary jazz music, Paris’s most prestigious music conservatory, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse, offers over 300 student concerts a year, most of which are free.

Also check out some of the 180 free concerts which Radio France gives a year, mostly orchestral and chamber music, in the Museum of Fine Arts, where tickets are handed out 30 minutes beforehand.

So don’t be afraid of the high costs in Paris, there are plenty of things that you can do for absolutely free. For more ideas check out more money savings posts on Paris.
Visit Paris on a Budget
Three Days in Paris

When it comes to a romantic city break, Paris and Rome are always top contenders for places to go to sweep your partner off their feet in a romantic, exciting and culture filled few days. With both cities offering many similar advantages, when it comes to making the decision you have to ask yourself – are you a Roman or a Parisian?

The Colosseum or the Eiffel Tower?

Two world renowned landmarks – it’s hard to tell which one is more famous! Both are incredibly magical places to visit in their own right, and are an important part of European history. So which to choose? A trip back in time to 82 AD, a visit to a mighty Roman ruin where men either ‘made history or were history’? Or perhaps you would prefer to see the incredible Parisian structure which dominates Paris’ skyline – the beauty of the Eiffel Tower is that no matter where you are in the city you can almost always spot the tip of the tower peaking over the rooftops! Imagine being able to watch the Eiffel tower sparkling at night from the comfort of your very own Paris apartment in the city centre with All-Paris-Apartments.com? Oh la la!

The Vatican City or the Notre Dame?

There is no denying that the Vatican City is the holy capital of the world and also home to the biggest and greatest church – St Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican is lavishly decorated from its marble floor to its expertly painted ceilings, and even if you’re not a Catholic, you will no doubt still be able to appreciate and admire the grandness of the church. You could say the Notre Dame is quaint in comparison to the Vatican, but when it comes to romance, perhaps visiting a less ostentatious building may be more your cup of tea. Often referred to Europe’s finest example of Gothic architecture, the Notre Dame de Paris is certainly an impressive cathedral worthy of a visit.

Pizza or Frog’s legs?

Personally when it comes to cuisine I don’t believe there’s any competition – for me Italian wins hands down every time. Pasta, pizza… you can never go wrong! A great idea whilst on holiday in Italy is to explore your local supermarket and try out the local Italian delights firsthand – even better is if you decide to rent an apartment in Rome with Oh-Rome.com, so you retreat back to your cosy flat at the end of a hard day’s sightseeing and look forward to a lovely home cooked romantic dinner.

However, having said that, you do have to give the French some credit. In terms of dining locations, Paris is a prime romantic dining city, with its infinite number of quaint bars, bistros and cafés. I also have to admit there is a lot more to French food than frog’s legs – coq au vin, beef bourguignon and fondue are all fantastic meals, and that’s without even sampling the wine, cheese and of course ‘la baguette’!

Overall, both cities are bursting with fantastic things to see, do and discover. Whether you decide to live ‘la vie parisienne’ for a few days or you want a taste of Rome, you’ll be guaranteed to leave either city with beautiful memories.

Guest writer: Francesca is a French and Spanish student at the University of Bath, UK, currently living and working in Barcelona. She spent last summer in Paris and travels to Rome frequently to visit her grandmother. She loves travelling and Italian food!  

Photos of Vatican, Colosseum Pizza and Frog legs from Wikipedia

There aren’t a lot of countries that we go back to again and again. Actually Dave and I were talking the other day and realized that we have only re-visited 3 countries again and again. We may have had a stop over in others or popped into one while in the neighbourhood, but Mexico, Thailand and France keep calling us back.

Out of 56 countries visited and counting, a place must have something special to entice us to keep coming back and all of the above have it. We have come to the conclusion that we love these countries not only for their culture, scenery and people, but because they each hold a special memory for us. It was in these countries that we enjoyed many firsts in travel and they always remind us what made us fall in love with being perpetual wanderers.

Mexico

What is so enticing about Mexico? Could it be its proximity to Canada, it’s diverse landcape and rich Mayan culture? Of course it is!

Tulum, Mexico

When we land at the airport in Mexico, everything feels good. We love that warm burst of air that hits our faces as we step off the plane after a long cold winter in Canada. We have fond memories of our time in Mexico. It was in 2003 when we went on our first diving trip with our dive club from Barrie. We spent a week on Cozumel doing nothing but two dives per day exploring the pristine Palancar Reef. We saw everything you could ever hope for in the underwater world. Palancar reef boasts incredible coral gardens with an abundance of marine life. We saw eagle rays, nurse sharks, barraccudas, eels and a blanket of star fish lining the sea ocean floor. We even saw a sea horse which someone told us is very rare. (we later saw many in Honduras, but it was exciting to see our first one in Mexico)

We’d dance every night to the Mariachi bands as we sipped Coronas from an icy bucket of beer.

Mexico is a massive land and it will take years to explore it. Our few trips have barely scratched the surface and yet we’ve been at the far southern reaches of the Guatemala and Belize borders to the northern towns of Tecate and Tijuana near the United States. We’ve walked its sandy beaches, paddled its rivers, hiked is jungles and explored its ancient Mayan ruins. And yet there is still so much more to see and do.

Maybe we’ll have to take advantage of  Thomas Cook Canada’s Massive Facebook Travel Sale. They’re hosting an online extravaganza offering incredible deals to Mexico. If you want to go to one of our favourite countries for cheap, join us and Thomas Cook On December 7th from 7-9 on their facebook page for special discounts.

Give Thomas Cook a like today so you don’t miss a thing! Thomas Cook on Facebook

Thailand

When people ask us if there is one place in the world that we think we could settle down in and live outside of Canada,Thailand always springs to mind.

It has some of the most spectacular beaches on earth, a strong cultural identity and it has all the amenities of home with massive, modern malls, movie theatres and fine dining. Mmm, when I think of Thai food, it makes my mouth water.

Thailand is special to us because it was our first extended independent travel. It was in this country that we first stepped out of the all inclusive vacation mode over a decade ago. We took local transport for the first time and hired local guides. We didn’t have anyone arrange one aspect of our trip for us and we travelled completely on our own for 5 weeks.

It is always special for us to land at the Bangkok airport. That feeling of excitement and wonder always comes back to us. We revisit what it was like to be in awe of a distant land and we are reminded of a time when travel to a new country felt completely foreign and almost frightening to us. We were terrified and excited all at once when we first arrived in Bangkok in 2000, and sense memory comes back to us with each visit. We are reminded why we started traveling in the first place.

Thailand has islands in the south, mega cities in the centre and jungles and hill tribes to the north. Throughout the entire country you’ll find culture and adventure. Visiting a pagoda or temple in Thailand is a cultural experience you will always remember. You can visit a monastery one minute, be on the beach or hiking in the jungle the next and be back in time for dinner and a movie to round off the night!

France

Who didn’t dream of visiting Paris as a child? I watched Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron dance through its streets in An American in Paris and I listened to my parents Frank Sinatra albums as he sang I love Paris in the Springtime. I didn’t know anything about Paris, but I knew very young that I loved it!

When Dave and I went to Paris, it was like a dream. Everything I had ever seen on TV was standing there before us. To this day, every time we are in Paris, we re-visit its historical monuments and wander the city with our mouths agape. It is the most beautiful city in the world and it was here that we rented our first car overseas and drove in a foreign land. France was a part of our first trip to Europe and it was the first time we ever visited a museum outside of our own country. It was the first time we witnessed a battlefield when we drove to Vimy Ridge and it was the first time we stepped foot in an actual castle.

Even when we went back to visit again last summer we had another first in Travel. It was in France that we saw the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. We have always seen movie stars and royalty use it as their playground and in 2010, we used it as ours.

We have climbed it’s rock faces, hiked through its forests, camped on its beaches and browsed its art and architecture. It also has a strong cultural identity and love it or hate it, France is very French.

Like Thailand and Mexico, France is another massive country that will take years to truly explore and we are happy to keep going back to discover more.

This post was brought to you by Thomas Cook Canada. We’re excited to be taking part in their exciting new campaign and share our love and knowledge for Mexico with all of you! Make sure to keep checking their facebook page all week and tune in on Dec. 7th from 7-9 for amazing deals!

It was our first time to the South of France.

We rented a car in Paris last summer and we made it our top priority to head south. Who doesn’t want to go the playground of the rich and famous.

The French Riviera conjures up images of million dollar yachts, outrageously beautiful people, celebrities and fine living. We were seeing it our little Nissan Micra. We may not be millionaires, celebrities,  outrageously beautiful or own a million dollar yacht but we could certainly enjoy the French Mediterranean to the fullest.

Our First stop was Marseilles.

We weaved our way through the traffic, getting lost and hitting dead ends, but we finally made it to the old port. We spent 2 days sightseeing and taking in the laid back pace of the city. We ate seafood on an outdoor cafe, drank wine on a terrace, walked along the waterfront and strolled through the streets hand in hand pretending we were rich and didn’t have a care in the world.

We took this photo of Marseilles from the Old Fort.

It is a magnificent scene of a port filled with sailboats, traffic, people and grand architecture framed by the French countryside and a perfect blue sky.

The perfect photo of France. The port of Marseilles!

Marseilles gets a bad rap in the travel world. People say it is dangerous and dirty. People say its a seedy port town and that you shouldn’t go. We disagree.

We witnessed relaxed and carefree people hanging out in the parks and strolling hand in hand. It is a city that is working to change its image and we like it. It has a cosmopolitan feel.

Like anywhere that you travel you stay smart, be aware of your surroundings and keep your wits about you. Marseilles is like any large city in the world, there is a chance for crime, but if you act as you would in any city, you will be fine. It would be a shame to miss out on such a beautiful town just because you heard a rumour about how the place used to be.

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Canadians love Hallowe’en

We have had friends from Europe tell us that they have never seen people celebrate it with so much gumption.  While we may celebrate Halloween in full force, there are a lot of places around the world that I would love to spend the night for a good scare.

The ones listed below have our vote.

Catacombs of Paris 

Nothing spells death like the sight of bones piled atop on another. Housing 6 million bones from the 1700′s it certainly has an eerie feel. Graveyards were over run in the 18th century Paris and bodies had to be moved to old quarries to protect the city’s inhabitants from the plague. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you can look past the bones, you’ll be amazed with the artistry.

Cimetiere Pere la Chaise 

Everyone loves a good cemetery on Hallowe’en and this is one of the most famous. Housing the remains of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Moliere and Edith Piaf. Its giant mausoleums, decrepit graves and ornate statues make for an extraordinary if not creepy experience.

Romania

When I think of Hallowe’en I always think of Dracula and what better place than to visit Dracula’s Castle in Transalvania. The Bran Castle, near the city of Brassov is Romania’s national monument. It may be one of many castles linked to Dracula, but it is definitely the most famous. How did the legend of Dracula begin? Well, ruler Vlad Tepes was known for his brutality where he impaled, skinned and boiled those who were against him. He became known as Vlad the impaler. When you kill upwards of 100,000 people this way, well a gruesome legend is bound to follow.

Tower of London

Beheadings, executions, prisoners and royal intrigue. If it’s a bloody past that makes a scary Hallowe’en haunt, the Tower of London fits the bill. Queen Elizabeth was imprisoned here but had a better fate than the martyr Anne Askew who was burned at the stake. Poet Sir Walter Raleigh was beheaded here but nothing sounds worse than Sir Everard Digby who was hung, drawn and quartered. Ew, what does that mean?

Cuchi Tunnels

If thought of close spaces give you a fright, consider the Cuchi Tunnels in Vietnam. We were there in the middle of December, but it gave me a fright as we crawled through the original caves. I don’t know how the VietCong survived in this 200 km tunnel system for so many years. It is scary without a war going on, imagine how people felt during the Vietnam War. The original entrance is tiny and the crawling is tinier if this doesn’t scream horror movie, nothing will!

Chateau d’If

There was little hope for prisoners of Chateau D’If once they were sent into exile of the coast of southern France. All they could do was look longingly;that is if they were lucky enough to have a view at the beautiful port city of Marseilles. Torture and suffering went on year after year. Made famous by Alexander Dumas in the Count of Monte Cristo, when you visit Chateau d’If, you will be treated to showings of the Count of Monte Cristo

Mexico

In Central America Hallowe’en is already in full force. According to Stephanie Yoder of 20 Something Travel, they are going crazy in Columbia!  In Mexico, The two days following Halloween are a big event known as the Day of the Dead – Da de los Muertos. It is in connection with the Catholic holiday All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are in recognition of those who have passed on before them. Now that’s the place to be for Halloween lovers out there!

New Orleans 

Decorating the Tombs in the 1800s for All Saints Day

Joanna Haugan reminded us of New Orleans when thinking of Halloween. Filled with haunted hotels and stories of ghosts in the French Quarter, legends of vampires and oh yes, the scary cemeteries. St. Louis Cemetery calls for a visit to the tomb of the voodoo Queen Laveau. If anyone can come back from the dead, she can! It’s only open until 3:00 pm, but that’s ok, you can visit the cemetery by day and hit the Endless Night Vampires Ball voted the number 1 ball in the world!

Niagara Falls

Clifton Hill, the famous street in Niagara Falls, Canada filled with wax museums, haunted houses and restaurants is filled with kitsch but is oh so much fun. It is here that you will find Nightmares and is a must for anyone that loves a good scare. It is scary alright, legend has it that it was built on the site of an old coffin factory. The proprietor was killed in a prank gone bad and has haunted the halls ever since. If you become too scared inside the maze of nightmares you can chicken out. Don’t feel bad if you do, over 112,000 people have chickened out over the years.

Ottawa

The Ottawa Jail – Want a real fright night? Try staying over in a jail cell. When the Ottawa Jail closed in 1972 due to its inhumane conditions. Hostelling International purchased and converted it into a hostel allowing people to “spend a night in jail.” Many unmarked graves were found in excavations and it was here that one of  the last public hangings (if not the most famous) in Canada took place. It is said that the ghost of Patrick J Whelan still walks the grounds and haunts the walls of the hostel. Imagine the scary stuff that went on in here.

Social Media

We put the question out to people on Twitter and Facebook and here are the responses we got to What is the best/creepiest place to celebrate Halloween? Thanks everyone for your contributions. Make sure to follow the people listed below! They are fabulous travel bloggers.

On Twitter

WillingFoot Willing Foot Travel -  Transylvania has to be a bit spooky for halloween

ManVsClock Anthony Middleton - outside this shop window in Liverpool?  facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3…

ExciraMedia Shannon Steffen -  Edinburgh, Scotland underground! Creepy!

yTravelBlog Caz Craig Makepeace  - Chapel Hill

KellyDeanOttawa Kelly Dean - Celebrating #Halloween in #Ottawa is with @saundersfarm @hauntedwalk and the Ottawa Jail Hostel!

 

On Facebook

Runaway Brit - Transylvania

Jeremy Walker - Catacombs in Paris. Creepy

Greg Horsfall - Oddly enough, North America. The rest of the world isn’t as obsessed with it and the effort people put into it in the US and Canada is just creepy!

Stephanie Yoder - well I can tell you they are going wild here in Colombia! But I think Savannah or New Orleans would be nice and spooky

Nathan Hershley - The Villisca Ax Murder house is supposed to be really creepy during the night, it is in Iowa.

Alison Cornford-Matheson - Dracula’s Castle in Romania?

JoAnna Haugen - The graveyards in New Orleans are pretty creepy.

Pamela MacNaughtan Ottawa Jail Hostel- they offer tours, you sleep on old cells etc. Also the last public hanging in Canada…

Pamela Walther-Mabee spooky hollow on the end of Middletown Line – haha -

I Love Paris in the springtime, I love Paris in the fall!

Spring is in the air and it is the time that we all think about booking a trip to Europe. Filled with so many magical locations, historical settings, luxurious beaches and vibrant cities it makes for the perfect summer vacation. Of all the places we’ve been in Europe, our favourite city is Paris and who doesn’t love Paris in the springtime?

Travel and Movies

Aside from travel, our other favourite pass time is to watch movies. We fancy ourselves as a couple of movie buffs and with the summer season of blockbusters already in full swing, we thought, what better way to combine our two passions of travel and movies together than with a fantastic giveaway!

Paris Movie Walks is a book by respected journalist Michael Schurman taking you through the greatest movie set on earth. Paris.

See Paris through the eyes of great filmmakers Jean Luc Godard, Roman Polanski and Woody Allen. Walk in the footsteps of Audrey Hepburn, Robert DeNiro and Johnny Depp.  Paris Movie Walks is a not only a great read, but it’s also a guidebook. Designed to be taken on your next trip to Paris.

Nominated as Book of the Year by Forward Reviews, Paris Movie Walks is an excellent addition to any traveler’s or movie lover’s library.

We are giving away a copy to one of our lucky readers.

To qualify for your chance to win, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

We will be announcing the winner in our next newsletter coming out next week. Each month we scour the web for the best travel information and inspiration to share them with. Not only that, newsletter subscribers are eligible to win great prizes like Paris Movie Walks!

For those of you already signed up, you will automatically be entered. For the rest of you, what are you waiting for?

When you sign up for our newsletter, we instantly give you a free gift of a stunning photography collection of our favourite landscapes from around the world.

Subscribers simply need to fill out the form here or subscribe to our Newsletter by email at the top right hand corner of our blog where you will instantly receive your free 2011 desktop calendar filled with 12 amazing travel photos as well as the chance to win your very own copy of Paris Movie Walks!

Can’t wait to win? Buy your own copy of Paris Movie Walks (See all Movie Guides & Reviews)

If you’re heading to France, whether it’s on a day trip, a weekend break or a longer holiday, you have various travel options, from cheap flights to driving. However, despite the newer alternatives on the market, many thousands of people still prefer to take the ferry to France. Here are just a few reasons why.

Go where you want, from where you want

There are ferry crossings from right along the south coast of England, from Dover and Folkestone, to Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. You can travel to ports all across the north coast of France, from Calais and Boulogne in the east to Le Havre, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff further west. If you’re taking a holiday in Brittany, for example, what could be easier than driving your car onto the ferry at Poole and driving off at St Malo?

When you need the car

If you’re on a family holiday with the children or you’re on a daytrip to stock up on good French wine and beer, you need the car. Unless you want to pay out for a hire car when you arrive in France, the plane’s no good for the family holiday and it’s absolutely hopeless when it comes to bringing back bottles of your favourite French tipple. You could take the car on the train through Channel Tunnel, of course, but that’s pricey.

There’s no doubt about it, when you need to take the car to France, your best bet is a ferry crossing.

Easier on your pocket

Cross-channel ferry services are often the most affordable option on the market. Dover to Calais fares with the car, for £80 return, makes a ferry crossing a real recession buster.

The comfort of the ferry

If you take the train, you spend much of the journey in a tunnel, with little space to move around. On the plane, you’re buckled into your seat. Compare that to the modern comfort of the latest ferry fleets. You can take a walk up on the deck, take in the stunning views from coast to coast, and enjoy the invigorating sea breeze. You can also wander around the ship, have a delicious snack or relax with a drink in one of the on-board restaurants. And don’t forget shopping; no other mode of cross-channel transport offers the kind of duty free shopping that has always been the forte of the ferry.

We love mountains. We have try to climb to the top of a peak whenever we find ourselves near one.

The mountains below we have never had the honour to climb though.  We climbed Mount Kilimanjaro while in Africa, but had to skip Kenya the year we were cycling through the continent because of civil unrest. The Tour d’Afrique didn’t go through that year and we were turned back at the border in Ethiopia having to fly over Kenya.  We have been to France but have never had the honour of snowboarding Chamonix or hiking to Mont Blancs peak although it is high on our list.  We have been to Cape Town but the two times we tried to go up to the top of Table Mountain, the winds were too high and it was shut down.

So when this article came to us from Giselle of My Destination Info we decided that we would love to share it with our readers. It was the perfect inspiration for us to add great mountains to our list of travel destinations.

Magnificent Mountains

What is it about mountains? Why are we so obsessed with those great, foreboding hunks of rock? They’re challenging, dangerous and so far removed from the warm sanctuary of our living rooms they may as well be on another planet.

Perhaps it’s the surge of triumph that arrives as you stumble those final few steps to a misty summit; perhaps it’s the exhilarating joy that comes with hurtling down a powdery white slope on skis; perhaps it’s those eye-watering views observed from epic heights.

Whatever your reason for being allured to the true colossuses of the world – and most people are in some way or another – make sure these three magnificent mountains are at the peak (sorry about that) of your list.

For hiking up…Mount Kenya

At a lofty 5,199 metres, this is the second highest mountain in Africa. Although the two highest peaks (Batian and Nelion) are off limits to non-professional climbers, the third highest, Point Lenana, at a not-to-be-sniffed-at 4,985 metres, can be reached on foot. Reasonable fitness is required and the best time to visit is December through to March – the sunniest months.

Due to Mount Kenya’s location (just 150 kilometres south of the equator) and height, the sights are extraordinarily varied. On the lower, rainforested slopes you can spot classic African wildlife (lions, leopards, elephants…), but higher up, where the temperature plummets, you’ll find yourself pointing the binoculars instead at improbable glaciers, pristine lakes and snowy peaks.

For sliding down…Mont Blanc

Home to the first ever Winter Olympics (1924) and the third most visited natural site in the world, majestic Mont Blanc has been luring snow boarders and skiers since the sports were invented. Looming large above the pretty French town of Chamonix, the highest mountain in the Alps caters to all abilities, with five different ski and snow board areas – Balme, Brevent, Flegere, Grands Montets and Les Houches – to choose from.

But even if flying down a powdery slope with the wind rushing through your hair doesn’t appeal to you, Chamonix alone is worth a visit. This is not a characterless, purpose built resort; it is a genuine town, crammed with museums, soaked in history and full of top notch restaurants and bars. And with its extensive range of cosy lodges and stylish hotels, Chamonix accommodation is second to none.

For passing over…Table Mountain

The flat topped mass of Table Mountain, bearing down over Cape Town, South Africa, is one of the most iconic mountains in the world. There is a range of ways to experience it, including biking, hiking and climbing, but the most memorable is the Table Mountain Cable Car.

Those who suffer from vertigo may want to look away now, but for everyone else, sit back and enjoy the ride – it won’t be one you forget in a hurry. Each cable car holds 65 people and the rotating floors mean guaranteed panoramic views throughout the 1.2 kilometre ascent. Once at the top, there are numerous walking trails of varying lengths, and it will along these you can begin ticking off some of the 1,500 species of plant life – incredibly, Table Mountain is the richest single floristic area on the planet.

2010 is drawing to a close and it is the perfect time to reflect on the events of the past year.

We have had quite an amazing year when we stopped to think about.  It is funny, when it is your own life, you don’t really realize just how incredible things are while they are happening, but in retrospect, life can be quite extraordinary.

We gave up our entire lives last November when we set off for India.  Having travelled on and off for the past 10 years, we finally took the plunge to become full time travel writers and photographers.  It was a big step. We quit our jobs, gave up on any chance of owning a home any time soon and probably pushed back our retirement years to at least another decade.

But we finally feel like life has a purpose.  We look forward to seeing what each new day brings.

I won’t lie, things haven’t been all roses.

We worry about where the money will come from, what the future will hold and if we will ever feel comfortable enough to actually stop counting every penny that we spend.

But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We have fulfilled some of our wildest dreams this year.  Dreams that we thought we would have to wait for, dreams that we thought we would never fulfill because we thought we had to have a huge bank account to do it.  And yet we managed and had an amazing string of adventures in 2010.

So what were our favourite moments?

Here are our top Five Adventures for 2010.

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5. China

China has been one big adventure.  We never thought that we would make it to this place.  We thought that it would be too difficult and truthfully, we thought that we wouldn’t like it.  We put off coming to China on two different occasions, but we finally made it. And what an adventure we have had.  We have climbed in Yangshuo, walked on the Great Wall, witnessed the Terra Cotta Warriors and cycled through magnificent karst formations.  China has been surprising and beautiful.  The people have been welcoming and warm.  We wondered what took us so long to get here? But we are glad that we made it.

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-4. Via Ferrata

With our Cheap Car Hire in France this past summer we had the freedom to go anywhere and do anything. So we hopped in and drove south from Paris searching for adventure.  We had heard of these crazy walkways along the side of cliffs, but didn’t know what they were called and certainly didn’t know that they were found all over France, Spain and Italy.  When we ran into a Canadian couple living in Switzerland, they told us about a via feratta just a couple of hours away from where we were camping.  We decided to make a detour to … and try one out for ourselves.  It was a fun day of tackling our first Via Ferratta.  Having climbed before we had the skills to use a harness and clips and didn’t have the fear of heights dangling off the side of a cliff.  It was quite a thrill and the next time we go back to France we are definitely going to seek out more Via Ferattas.

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3. Zodiac Adventure in Alaska

Our Princess Cruise to Alaska was the best trip that we have ever had in our lives. We had two weeks of adventure mixed with decadence and fun.  It was the trip of a lifetime. We met amazing people, ate incredible food and enjoyed adventures that we could only dream of otherwise.  We flew over Mount McKinley in a small twin engine plane, drove ATV’s through the valley, rode horses through mountain trails, watched whales and took a helicopter to a remote Alaskan trail for a hike.  However the most memorable adventure in Alaska was our Zodiac Adventure in Ketchikan.  We were allowed to drive our own zodiac through rivers and harbours of Alaska.  We watched a whale breach from sea level, enjoyed seeing bald eagles dive for their prey and roasted marshmallows in the middle of the wilderness. It was an incredible day.

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2. White Water Rafting Fiji

Who would have thought that two little adventure bloggers would make their way to Fiji. Celebrities go there for their honeymoon.  But then we got an email from Tourism Fiji to come and sample some adventures.  We had a week of zip lining, jet boating, hiking in the jungle, seeing remote caves and meeting the villagers. All were great adventures, but the one that stands out the most is White Water Rafting on the Upper Navua River.   The scenery was beyond anything we have witnessed on earth.  Great gorges jutted up from the river banks with hundreds of waterfalls cascading down towards the river.  It was like a dream that we were woken from regularly with exciting rapids tossing and spinning our group of five. It was a perfect day.

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1. Mount Everest Base Camp

It has been a dream of ours for over a decade to go to Nepal.  We made it there this past March and climbed to Mount Everest Base Camp.  To walk the steps that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa walked in 1953 was unbelievable.  The Himalayas are the most astounding scenery on the planet.  We felt privileged every day being there amongst the most beautiful mountain range on earth.  No other words can describe what we felt there in the Kalimatan region except complete awe.  The journey was just as fulfilling as reaching base camp.  We walked through villages, met local people, took in the view and pushed ourselves to the limit.  It was an adventure that we will never forget and was by far the most extraordinary experience of 2010.

We can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store for us.

With a photography tour lined up in India, a kickboxing course in Thailand and the Mongol Rally from July to September, we think that 2011 will offer even more exciting adventures.

Blasphemy you say!

How can you love McDonalds in France? It is a country renowned for its rich cuisine and fine wine.  Stepping foot in a McDonalds is like thumbing your nose at the French heritage.

How Dare We!

But hear me out.

There is nothing that we love more than sitting in an outdoor cafe, drinking wine and sampling rich cheeses and cured meats.  Like the French, we have a love affair with their food.  We couldn’t wait to peruse the menu of a restaurant and choose something mouth wateringly delicious.  The prix fix menus were our favourites as we could sample a few dishes at a time.  Oh yes, we loved eating in France.

So Why McDonalds

McDonalds in Paris

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Then

The last time we were in France was in 2002.  McDonalds hadn’t caught on in Europe as it has now. When we entered a MickyD’s in Paris, it was void of people and had different items on the menu than we had in Canada. It just wasn’t right.

Now

Today, it is immensely popular and filled with crowds. Families sit around the tables for their “meal out” just like my family did in the 70′s. Going to McDonalds then was an event for us and it looked as if it was an event for some of these families in France.  We saw several generations of people sitting together enjoying cheeseburgers and Big Macs.  It was nice.  It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling seeing people out enjoying themselves together.

While it is not an event for us we do enjoy the odd Big Mac every once in a while.  McDonalds isn’t our first choice for a meal out but we are not against it.  We pop into one in every country that we visit.  India has some great vegetarian choices.

So why did we like them so much in France?

1. Free and Clean Toilets - McDonalds has the same standards around the world.  We knew that if we had to go to the bathroom, we could duck into a McDonalds without fear of having to pay a fee or buy a coffee.  There aren’t a lot of places to go to the bathroom in France. (at least that we could find)  In Canada, we have fast food and Tim Hortons donut shops everywhere so we never really have to plan our pee stops. We can always duck into a place to relieve ourselves.  Many times in Paris, I would be stuck walking for far too long with a full bladder looking for a public toilet or place to go.  When I saw the Golden Arches, I breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Coffe to Go!!

2. Coffee to go - I don’t think it is part of the French culture to drive or walk with a coffee in hand.  It is a tradition to sit down and savour a rich and delicious cup a joe while visiting with friends and soaking in the atmosphere.  Our society unfortunately is always on the go.  We rented a car in France and as Canadians, we are conditioned to drink a coffee while driving.  At home, we can’t go on a road trip without a stop at Tim Hortons.  It isn’t the best coffee on the planet, but it is a Canadian institution.  They have brainwashed us well.  We can’t go anywhere without hitting a drive through and ordering a “Large Regular.” (large coffee, one cream, one sugar) How were we supposed to drive through France without a coffee to pass the time?  Luckily, McDonalds sells coffee to go.  Sure, we had to order two cafés each because they are much to small for a road trip, but at least we had our java to keep us occupied on the road.

Free WiFi....Awesome

3. Free Wifi – As travel bloggers, we have to stay connected.  It can be difficult to find affordable wifi and we could always count on McDonalds.  We could bring in our laptops in with us, find a quiet corner, plug in to their power outlets and work.  All we had to do was buy an affordable meal, coffee or ice cream and we could work for hours on end.  People came and went and nobody even noticed that we were there.

4. Parking Lots - We don’t know Europe well and we don’t know all the little tricks to find free parking.  When we entered a new town, we would have to find a public parking lot and pay for our parking.  If there was a McDonalds somewhere, we could park our car for a little bit and go for a walk to explore.  We didn’t leave it for hours on end, but at least we could stretch our legs, get our bearings and decide if we wanted to stay in that town.

The McCafe..Great idea!

5. McCafés - We hear that these have come to North America, but we haven’t found them yet.  We loved the McCafés. The pastries were delicious and the cappuccinos were rich and creamy.  The McCafés brought a certain class to McDonalds. They served coffees and pastries on ceramic plates, they took their time making a proper café au lait and they looked good.  The McCafés have their own little section of the McDonalds we visited that made you want to sit back and relax for just a little while longer than you would at a regular McDonalds.

6. Breakfast - Many of the places where we stayed in France only offered breads and if we were lucky a little bit of cheese for breakfast.  If we were lucky we could get a little cereal and some jams.  While it was great to have a continental breakfast included, we missed our eggs.  McDonalds has egg McMuffins just like at home and we would stop in and grab a couple.  It was the easiest and most affordable way we could find to get our eggs.

ATM like machines!

7 – ATM like Machines – We got a kick out of these machines.  You may not believe this, but sometimes we would enter McDonald’s and the line up would be huge.  It was massive and chaotic.  I can’t believe that we didn’t get a photograph because it is the opposite of what we expected.  To handle the large crowds, McDonalds has machines placed out front to pre-order your food.  You just walk up to the counter with your ticket, and your food is all set to go.

8. Cheap and Easy - Just like in Canada, McDonalds is a cheap alternative.  Sometimes it can be exhausting trying to find a place to eat out. Especially on a heavy driving day.  McDonalds is an easy choice.  It is also fast.  We could pop in and get out fast when travelling from one city to another.  We entered some cities where we couldn’t find a restaurant within our budget. While we mostly shopped at supermarkets when this occurred, sometimes we would just hop into McDonalds to grab some fries to tie us over until we could bring back some food to our campsite. Also, may times in France, restaurants wouldn’t open until 7:00 pm. But we were hungry at 5:00, sometimes McDonalds would be the only thing open.

As you may know, Dave and I are not experts in the field of architecture see our lack of understanding in Barcelona and Gaudi.  So when an interesting email comes our way that can teach us about structures around the world and a famous architect that we knew nothing about, we love to share it with our readers

We have visited the Louvre, but sadly, we knew that it caused a lot of controversy when it was designed and we knew that we enjoyed the opposing periods of architectural design on the grounds, but we never looked into the man that actually constructed the glass pyramid that we have all come to know so well.

He apparently has designed buildings all over the world and here are his top 5.

Top 5 Architectural Wonders of I.M. Pei

A round the world holiday trip to experience the architectural genius of I.M. Pei.

The architectural work of leoh Ming Pei is truly phenomenal to behold. Since graduating from MIT in 1940 with a degree in Architecture, I.M. Pei has been creating amazing structures which are simply breathtaking.

Pei’s work can be seen all over the world, and experiencing his staggering and sometimes controversial works first-hand is a must. You may only get to see one or two of his inspirational designs, but for architectural enthusiasts, all inclusive holidays such as a Pei-themed round the world trip could provide the travel experience of a lifetime.

Here are five of the best picks of Pei’s buildings from around the world.

L’Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington DC

Starting in America, L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington DC is one of the first major projects that Pei worked on. Situated in the heart of DC near the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums and Benjamin Park, the hotel is elegantly decorated and a great place to stay to experience Pei’s architecture and Washington’s attractions.

Miho Museum, Japan

Travelling west from America to Japan, architecture fans will be able to marvel at the Miho Museum. Situated in Kyoto, the museum houses the extensive private collection of Mihoko Koyama, with over 2,000 antiques from Asian and Western cultures. Carved into the mountain the building is an astonishing visual achievement from Pei.

Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong

Working further west from Japan to Hong Kong is the fantastic building built for the Bank of China in Asia’s city that never sleeps. The asymmetrical tower provides over 130,000 square metres of office space for the Bank of China, in a stunning building which is both practical and beautiful. Working to a tight budget of just $130 million Pei used all his architectural guile to produce this wonder.

Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar

Continuing the global tour of Pei’s architecture is the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. Qatar’s educational project brings together pieces of Islamic art including manuscripts, ceramics and textiles ranging from the 7^th to the 19^th century. Pei’s design was inspired by Mosque of Ahmad Ibn Tulun in Egypt.

The Louvre, Paris

Paris’ most famous museum attracted no small amount of criticism when Pei’s design for a glass pyramid for the entrance was initially approved. The final construction is not only an impressive structure but also acts as a huge skylight for the museum’s central location, which leads to three separate wings. The perfect end to a Pei world tour of architecture in the city of love.

Sources:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._M._Pei
• http://www.pcf-p.com/a/f/fme/imp/p/p.html
• http://www.plaza-hotel-washington-dc.com/?gclid=CI7zv_zmhqICFdGX2AodeS3MVA
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miho_Museum

Pic Sources:

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Summer is in full swing and it is holiday time for families.

We recently had the opportunity to go to Paris and fell in love with the city of lights.

It takes a lot of planning to see Paris and not break that bank and we wrote a couple of articles on the topic…

• Free Things to do in Paris
• Paris on a Budget

Got Saga wrote and awesome post on other Free Things to do In Paris that we hadn’t even thought of. It takes our ideas as novice Parisean travelers to the next level. Check it out at 7 Fun Things you Can do in Paris at no Cost.

We also wrote what to do if you only have three days in Paris.

If you plan properly, you can fit a lot in during your time in Paris and have the trip of a lifetime.  But if you are like many people and only have a limited time in the city, you need to arm yourself with a few more tips regarding its attractions and museums.

Closures

We had a few hiccups in our travels to Paris because we were not organized enough and should have done more research.  Paris has some great deals, great savings and a lot of free things to do, but you can also miss out on your perfect day in Versailles or at the Louvre if you happen to go when they are closed.

Yes, even the largest museums and attractions in Paris are closed one day each week.

Here is a list of opening hours and closings for Museums, attractions and important sites in Paris

The Louvre

The Louvre Closures

• Closed: Tuesdays
• Hours: 09:00-18:00 except Wed and Friday open from 9:00 to 10:00 pm
• Holidays:  May 1, August 15, December 25, January 1
• Free: First Sunday of Every Month and July 15th
• Discounted Days:  Wednesdays and Fridays 6€ after 6:00 pm

Musée D’Orsay

The Musee D'Orsay

• Closed: Mondays
• Hours: 09:30 – 18:00 except Thursdays until 21:45
• Holidays: 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
• Discounted Days: Thursdays 5€ after 16:15 pm
• Free: First Sunday of Every month

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is Open Every Day

• Hours: 09:oo am to 00:45 am (Last lift Midnight) Summer hours
• Holidays: Open 7 days week 365 days a year
• Discounted Days: None that I know of
• Free: None

Arc du Triomphe

Arc Du Triomphe is open every day

• Open: 7 days a week
• Hours: 10:00 – 23:00
• Holidays: January 1, May 1, May 8 (morning), July 14 (morning), November 11 (morning) and December 25
• Discount Days: None
• Free: European Union Members ages 18 – 25

Pere la Chaise

The famous Cemetery Pere La Chaise is Free

• Open: 7 Days a Week 365 days a year

7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Mon.-Friday
8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturday
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Sunday and bank holidays.

Winter hours shortened

• Free: Every Day

Versailles

• Closed: Mondays
• Hours: 9:00 – 6:30
• Holidays: December 25, January 1, April 5, May 1, May 24, November 1 
• Free: First Sunday of Each Month
• Discounted: – A Member of friends of national museums associations, citizen of European Union under age of 25

Les Invalides

At night Les Invalides is closed while the eiffel tower is open

• Closed: First Monday of Every Month, Some exhibits are closed every Monday
• Hours: 10:00 – 6:00 Summer hours
• Holidays: January 1st, May 1st, November 1st and December 25th.
• Free: July 14th
• Discounted: Tuesday 7€ after 5:00 pm

Catecombs

Catacombs are closed on a Monday

• Closed: Mondays
• Hours: 10:00 am- 5:00 pm
• Holidays: none
• Free: Children under 13
• Discounts: none

Sacre Coeur

• Closed: Open 365 days a year
• Hours: 6:00 am to 10:30 Pm
• Free: Every Day

Notre Dame

Notre Dame never closes.

• Closed: Never
• Hours: 08:00-18:45 Daily (19:15 on Saturdays and Sundays)
• Free: Every Day
• Towers and Crypt Open Every day 10:00 – 23:00 summer hours
• Towers and Crypt Closed January 1, May 1, December 25

Restaurants – Most restaurants do not open for dinner until 7:00 pm

Shopping – Most shopping is closed on Sundays.

Metro Hours

• 05:30 – 01:15
• Friday/Saturday 05:30 – 02:15

Paris

It is day two of Media week at the PlanetD.

There have been some amazing sporting events this past month that we have been following and it inspired me to write about the awesome events around the world that inspire people to travel.  Television has creative coverage these days.  Helicopters sweep down on scenery as they cover a sporting event, special correspondents are sent out to regions of the host country to share its famous sites with the world and opening and closing ceremonies showcase the best of what each country has to offer.

It is no wonder that Sporting events are bringing the world together.  As we root for our favorite teams, we learn about other cultures and the history of their land.  We are overwhelmed with incredible scenery and fascinating locations.  One of our favorite things about watching world sporting events is to learn about each place in between commercials or during a short break from the action.

Here is a list of Sporting Events that inspire people to travel.

Calgary Stampede - Rodeo’s biggest event, the Calgary Stampede is every cowboys dream to win.  Bull Riding, calf roping and barrel racing are just a few of the events that make people want to mosey on out to Alberta Canada and join a trail ride or cattle drive.  You don’t have to camp out on the range though, Calgary is a world class city why not stay in a Calgary Boutique Hotel while you play urban cowboy for a while.  When we watch the stampede and see everyone in their cowboy hats and boots, it makes me want to head out west to work on a ranch.  Alberta is Canada’s most beautiful province (in our humble opinion) and the Calgary Stampede is a spectacular showcase.

Tour de France - Going on right at this moment, the Tour de France makes the countryside of France and the surrounding areas look like the most beautiful place on earth.  An army (ok, not quite an army) of helicopters follow the mass of cyclist through the back roads of France.  The cameraman swoops down to capture panoramic views of the Alps, the Pyrannees and the lush green countryside.  We see historical castles and medieval towns while the commentators effortlessly tell of their history with barely a break in the action.  While watching the Tour de France, I just want to hop on a plane and get myself there to witness a part of this exciting test of human endurance and strength.

The World Cup - By far the most globally exciting event to take place every four years. Soccer (AKA football – and what we are going to call it for the remainder of this post) is the most universal sport on the planet. Every country is wild about football.  Even Canada and the United States are starting to see what all the fuss is about.  All nations are glued to their televisions as they watch their favorite player compete for their homeland.

Each host country receives unprecedented publicity.  This year, everyone was enthralled with seeing all that South Africa had to offer.  Commentators and television stations focus on the positive aspects of the country and showcase its beauty.  With 750 million people having their eyes on South Africa, there was bound to be some inspiration to travel there.

The Olympics - Winter or Summer, the Olympics are always a showcase for the host country.  Over the years I have watched the Olympics and always been inspired to travel to the host country.  There is a reason that nations try so hard to host the Olympics and boosts in tourism is the reason.   Television stations have segments in between events highlighting the top tourist destinations and lifestyle of the country and they do an amazing job making the viewer want to travel there.   What Canadian didn’t shed a tear over Tom Brokaw’s love letter to Canada? And how many people saw that around the world and immediately wanted to hop on a plane to see this amazing country.

Hawaiian Ironman - I have watched the Ironman since I was a kid and have wanted to go to Hawaii ever since.  The ariel shots of the Hawaiian coastline is a beach lovers dream.  Sweeping views of its volcanic mountains and lush landscape are a tourism boards dream.  Every Iron Man I have ever watched has had blue and sunny skies in Hawaii. How many people haven’t dreamed of working hard for a couple of years to get themselves qualified for the Hawaiian Iron Man.  They don’t care about a triathlon anywhere else, it is all about getting yourself to Hawaii.

What sporting event do you watch that makes you want to travel to a country?

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As we drove along the coast in Marseille, France looking for a place to stay for the night we couldn’t resist the temptation to pull over and enjoy the sunset.

Along the winding roads that hug the coast of Marseille are small inlets where you can pull off the road and enjoy the view. So did just that.

The place we stopped gave us this gorgeous view of Chateau D’If set against the orange sky. I’m sure the Count of Monte Cristo never got this view.

A sunset view of Chateau D'If in Marseille, France

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Cost of 500 grams of olives in Barcelona Spain…1 € 50 cents.

Cost of full meal with cheese, meats and wine in Provence France…10 €

Enjoying the experience of eating out downtown New york….

PRICEY!

$9 USD

$11 USD

There are some places you can afford to go as a budget traveler,

for everything else there’s CREDIT CARDS!

Dining in New York, It’ll Cost you!

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One of the things we love the most about travel is meeting new people.  While we could compile a list of a hundred people that we have met that have become great friends and have been an inspiration, we wanted to share with you a few of the special people that have really stood out and touched our hearts during our travels around the world over the years.

1. Mary Louise in Paris, France

We have become great friends through our blog.  Mary Louise has been to India several times and started following us as we traveled through the country.  A wonderful woman that cares about social issues has traveled the world before it was easy.
She has volunteered in some of the most difficult conditions on the planet.  She has climbed the great wall of China with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, has volunteered with Mother Theresa and spent time helping people on the Gaza strip.
So what does this activist, world traveler, mother and friend do for a living? She is a gorgeous model going strong in Paris, her adopted home of 23 years.
She met us upon our arrival in Paris wearing a black beret and a big smile.  She took great care of us escorting us all the way to our hostel.  We enjoyed listening to her stories about her travels through West Africa, India, Europe and the Middle East while sitting in a café in Paris.  We are happy to have made a new and dear friend in Marie Louise.

2. Hussein in Udaipur, India

He has lived in Udaipur all his life.
Hussein was a chai wallah as a child. He would sell tea to tourists on the ghats (steps leading to water) as they stood overlooking the lake and the beautiful city of Udaipur. He had big dreams and he has fulfilled those dreams. Read more at Building a Dream in Udaipur. While his friends played cricket, he would chip away at a giant rock on his fathers land. Working for 20 years with his own two hands, he has finally seen his vision come to fruition.
Using the materials from the rock that he had chipped away so diligently, he is building his very own hotel on Udaipur’s north shore. It will be open by the end of this year.
He had worked as a manager at guesthouses in the area for 9 years honing his skills and while his new hotel will be more upscale than the places that he has worked in, he has decided to make a few rooms for the budget backpacker.  We spent a week with Hussein. We met his family, we saw his house and we enjoyed New Years Eve fireworks on the roof of his not yet complete hotel. Hussein is a role model to us all. Stick to your dreams and they will come true.

3. Ajith in Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has had several years of civil war and hardships, but it was here that we met so many giving and friendly people.
There was nobody more inspirational than Ajith our tuk tuk driver.
We became great friends with Ajith and had the privilege to meet his family and enjoy his hospitality. You can read more about him at our post Tuk Tuk Driver Makes a Difference.
It was his charity work that inspired us.  While we were in Sri Lanka we tagged along with Ajith while he donated shoes to poor students in a school in the middle of the jungle.  Ajith is not a rich man. He drives a tuk tuk for a living and his wife works for the government.  He has two children and lives in a modest home on the jungle side of Hikkaduwa.  His does well for a citizen of Sri Lanka, but he has very little to spare. However, what he does have, he gives generously.  He spends his time raising money to buy the shoes, he goes to the school to measure children’s feet and he makes the long drive back and forth to Unawatuna to drop off measurement and pick up shoes from the factory.

When he came with us to a school for the disabled, he had tears in his eyes and spoke of how lucky he and his family are.  We felt lucky meeting Ajith and calling him our friend.

If you are going to Sri Lanka in the Hikkaduwa area email us and we will give you his contact information. You won’t find a better tuk tuk driver in the country.

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4. Abdulla Ahmed in Wadi Halfa, Sudan

When we had an unexpected layover in Wadi Halfa after crossing Lake Nasser from Egypt, we thought that we would be spending our day alone walking through town with nothing to do.  We barely made it around the corner when a man stopped us and invited us to breakfast.  Abdulla Ahmed is a scholar, a teacher and a kind man that shared his stories of his country with us.

He told us how the Aswan Dam dried up his formerly lush and green home town and how people had to flee to other parts of the Sudan to make a living. People are slowly coming back, but this arid land it will never be the same.  As he spoke and talked to us about his country, the food kept on coming and the tea kept on flowing.  His hospitality was touching.  He would not hear of us paying for our breakfast and enjoyed speaking to us and hearing stories from the outside world.  Abdulla is a testament to the people of Sudan. We encountered moments like this on a regular basis.  People that have very little were always willing to share what they have.   They wanted to talk with us and enjoy a conversation.  Out of all the countries that we travelled through in Africa, we never met a people that were as kind and giving as the people of The Sudan.

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5. Kul and Mim Das Tamang in Kathmandu, Nepal

It was a year before leaving for Nepal that we became friends with Kul and Mim on facebook.  They were mutual friends with people that we know and being the entrepreneurs that they are, they saw the value of facebook and introduced themselves to travelers and adventure seekers.  We kept in touch with them and when we visited Nepal, we enjoyed a tea with them and a trip to their office.

These two brothers have been working in the trekking industry for decades and have pushed through and persevered through difficult circumstances.  Kathmandu is constantly interrupted with load shedding and it is next to impossible to run a business from the internet when the power keeps going out.  They have a website that they have built, they run a trekking company from a small office just outside of Thamel and they work with charities and NGOs improving the quality of life for people in Nepal.  We are always inspired by people that are struggling themselves, yet find the time to give back to others. Mim works for Nepal Projects bringing health care and school projects to his small village in Nepal.

These two guys have big, friendly smiles and are working hard to build a business. If you are going to Nepal, consider checking out Mim and Kul to be your guides, they are friendly and professional.

Contact them at:

• Amazing Authentic Adventures
• Kul Das Tamang
• Mim Das Tamang

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We should have known better.  We had been in France for a month and we had known that many museums were closed on Mondays in Paris. If we had decided to check out the Palace of Versailles at the beginning of our trip, we most likely would have checked to make sure it was open.

The Palace of Versailles!

But on the day that we drove out to Versailles we were nearing the end of our European adventures. We had been to three other countries and had put nearly 7000 km on our car.

We didn’t even know what day it was.

When we pulled into the parking lot we couldn’t believe our luck.  What a great spot we had and we were so close to the Palace.  People must have decided to go somewhere else toady since the weather wasn’t looking promising.

HaHa!

It is closed!!

To our dismay, the ticket office was closed.  But to our delight, the gardens of Versailles were still open and at least we saved the 36€ to see it.

Palace of Versailles costs

• 18€ for the complete passport day pass to every site
• 15€ for a day pass to the most famous exhibitions only
• 10€ for access to the Trionan Palaces and Marie Antoinette’s estate
• EU residents under 26 years of age are free
• From January to March and November and December the first Sunday of each month is free.

Paris Buff told us during our visit with them later that the gardens are the best part of Versailles anyway so we felt a lot better. Even if they were just trying to make us feel better, it worked!

At least the gardens are open!

Versailles is an impressive palace, even from the outside.  Where else can a person spend nearly 3 hours exploring when the main attraction is closed.

The statues are impressive!

We felt lucky to be able to see it without the crowds and we enjoyed checking out the many fountains, statues and lakes.

The scene was perfected as a lone rower practiced his laps in the palaces Grand Canal.

It is a beautiful setting!

A former hunting lodge for Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles is one of the largest palaces in the world. Eventually he moved the royal court to Versailles in the latter half of the 1600′s.   At the time Versailles was located in the country, now it is a suburb of Paris and located a mere 20 km from Paris accessible by train or bus.

We walked the grounds trying to imagine what life would be like for the Royal Family in the 1600′s.  Did they enjoy the palace’s beauty as we did?  Did they picnic by the many lakes and fountains? Or did they stay inside and look out over its vastness.

There are fountains everywhere!

We saw signs leading to paths where Louis XIV took his daily strolls and we wondered what he thought about as he walked around his enormous private estate.  Did he have the burden of a country on his mind?

The Gardens are massive and impeccable and we didn’t feel that we missed out by only being able to view this work of art.

While it would have been wonderful to see inside the Palace and witness the Hall of Mirrors, famous for being the site of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, we enjoyed our day wandering the gardens and enjoying the work of art that they are.

Rent a boat on the canal!

Or a golf cart!

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You can rent golf carts to see the gardens, you can hop on a trolley, rent a bicycle or you can take a paddle boat for a romantic row on the grand canal and watch the ducks and swans swim lazily by.

What to feed first? The fish or the Ducks?

Take some bread with you and be sure to feed the not so shy carp that stick their lips out of the water to say hello and ask for some food.

The Dragon Fountain!

You can have lunch on the Palace Grounds and there are free toilet facilities.  Take as long as you like to enjoy the ground of the Chateaux de Versailles, it has been the location of many a historical event and you are walking in the path of many a historical figure of our time.

Opening Times

• Palace is open 9:00-6:30 every day except Mondays
• Palace open low season 9:00- 5:30 every day except Mondays
• Trianon Palaces and Marie Antoinettes Estate – open every day 12:00 – 6:30 pm every day except Mondays
• Trianon Palaces and Marie Antoinette’s Estate low season  – open every day 12:00 – 5:30 every day except Mondays
• Gardens open every day 8:00 am – 8:30 pm
• Other closing days
• Dec 25, Jan 1, April 5, May 1, May 24 and Nov 1