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Beautiful Paris

2012-02-21T04:09:00.000-08:00

Paris is the capital and the largest city in France, located on the River Seine in northern France. The city has barely been changed since 1860 and used to be the largest city in the western world for about 1,000 years prior to the 19th century (and the largest city in the world in the 16th century). Paris is one of the world’s largest leading business and cultural centres and has a massive influence over politics, entertainment and fashion. The arts contribute to its status and one of the world’s major global cities, it is considered to be one of the greenest cities in Europe.

The Château de Vincennes has a 52m high keep, was built between the 14th and 17th century and is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Paris is also the home to the Eiffel Tower (known by the French as the La dame de fer – translated to the iron lady.) which has become a global icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. Standing at 324 metres the tower is the tallest building in Paris and is something definitely not to be missed when visiting as from the top of the Eiffel Tower you can see the whole of Paris. There are also a wide range of opera houses, the largest being the Opéra de Paris Garnier (classic ballets and operas) and more modern Opéra Bastille (mixed repertoire of classic and modern).

With average temperatures hovering between 15 and 25°C in the summer and a fair amount of sunshine it is the best time of year to visit, however there are a few days where the temperature can rise above 32°C. In winter sunshine is scarce and days are cold but generally above freezing with the temperatures staying around 7°C, however night frosts are common and the temperature can dip below -5°C for a few days a year.

Barcelona

2012-01-21T01:25:00.000-08:00

The old town of Barcelona's (Ciutat Vella) is at the centre of the now great city. There are many small neighbourhoods within, and all have their own special little character of olde-worlde. The narrow streets and overhanging buildings make it a delight to visit

And to give it a touch of bohemian atmosphere, it is populated by students, artists and foreigners alike. With its warm climate, being on the Mediterranean it is easy to see how and why this city thrived in the past and will thrive in the future.

Barcelona has a great sense of history, but don't be fooled into thinking it is only a place for hunting historical muse. This place has a copious amount of trendy bars, concert halls, and excellent restaurants serving food from round the world, and o course... being by the sea, plenty of fresh fish dishes to choose from.

My personal favourite area to give you a deep feel of the old town is Barceloneta (Little Barcelona). Just off the coast, this neighbourhood has apartments you can rent in some of the oldest (up to 7 stories high) apartment blocks in the city. This area was originally a fisherman's quarter. Since the Olympics in 1992 there has been much renovation and investment especially along the sea front, and this is an ideal place for a not too expensive break away.

Just along the road is the world renound Las Ramblas: a long and wide parade from Plaça Catalunya down to the sea front full of restaurants and shops, and art galleries. Just off La Rambla is the notorious red-light area, Barri Xines, the medieval Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) home to the cathedral, the very peaceful Plaça del Pi , art galleries and lots of cafes serving delicious hot chocolate. Further east is the Born market, in La Ribera district.
El Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Christopher Columbus monument at Plaza Portal de la Pau. It has a small lift up to the small public viewing gallery at the top, and is well worth the visit.

Moving further north, and a must of a visit is the extraordinary Sagrada Familia This controversial church, still unfinished because of the untimely death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, in 1926, has become the city's most visited monument. But they are still building it with charitable funds and entrance fees. You could spend a good half day in there and still be awed when you leave.

With the Mediterranean climate being so mild and the seas calm, you can sail and windsurf all year round from Port Olímpic. From the harbor can take sightseeing tours of the city's waterfront and nearby coastline. Of course the fishing district offers excellent seafood restaurants.

Still at the seaside, the modern Maremagnum has busy bars with outdoor terraces, discos, shops and cinemas. This has been pushed hard since the Olympics of 1992. You'll also find trendy open-air music bars in Port Olímpic in the summer.

I'm sure this is only part of what we saw when we were there. If you like the warmth of the Mediterranean and the feel of a cosmopolitan city next to the relaxation of the seaside this is a must for a weekend break, or longer vacation. Have a look for hotels in Barcelona.

Reims, France

2012-01-11T01:24:00.000-08:00

Reims is in the North of France and the architecture of the major buildings reflects a more germanic feel. It is the largest city on the region of Champagne-Ardenne yet it is not the capital for the region. There are still some parts of the city walls to be seen - originally Roman, and rebuilt during the Norman invasion of France around the 9th Century. This city is a beautiful place to visit and relax in.
For culture, the must-see places are the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims - a Roman Catholic cathedral, and where the Kings of France were once crowned; Porte de Mars ("Mars Gate", so called from a temple to the Roman god Mars ); Palais du Tau (The Palace of Tau) - was the palace of the Archbishop of Reims; Saint Remi Basilica, an easy walk from the centre, taking its name from the 5th-century Saint Remi.
If that's not enough, then try sitting in the centre square at one of the fantastic cafe bars and watch the world go by (one of our favourite past times from The Hotel Club). The people are quite cosmopolitan in nature and in the summer months it is a very relaxing place. Don't let the historical culture fool you though. This is quite an industrious city in the area, and you'll be hard pushed to find something not available in the shops and amenities.
A specific favorite hotel, in the centre ville is the Holiday Inn Garden Court. Located smack in the centre, its an idea place to start your break, but there are plenty of others around that area, so shop around for the best prices.

Lyon, France

2012-01-10T04:26:00.001-08:00

Lyon is the third largest city in France, and a World Heritage Site. It has apopulation somewhere around 480,000. It not only has plenty of historical placesand monuments, but also a great nightlife. This is a real working city. In thepast it was renowned for its production weaving of silk. Nowadays it is know bethe capital of gastronomy.

We would recommend at least a couple of nights in Lyon fora weekend break at least. Or as we did, use Lyon as a base for exploring the surroundingareas of France and stay a little longer. The people are friendly, and the foodis great. And if you like shopping... you’ll be there a while.
And if you likeheat but not to burn, then you’ll like Lyon, with its average maximumtemperature of around 27 Celsius (80.5 Farenheit). Even in winter this is a great break from the misery of cold and rain in the UK.
Many of hotels of Lyon we’ve been in or seen have been Baroque in style, and their elegance gives you a feeling of importance.
If you're feeling the urge to get away to something cosy with the amenities you'd expect at home, then this is a great place to try. Check it out on www.TheHotelClub.co.uk.