Friday, April 25, 2008

Springtime in Paris!

As the second largest city in Western Europe, Paris is a great place to visit; ideally situated along the banks of the river Seine. For most people visiting Paris, a short stay is often the way they first see the city; if you have more time, it will make for a remarkable holiday, with many great sites to see.This city is also equally well known for its gothic architecture and markets; it is the home of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and many other famous tourist attractions. Visitors to Paris as well as its citizens can travel around Paris easily; the Metro underground system is easy to understand, efficient and reaches everywhere even the most enthusiastic tourist would want to visit.You can't miss the Eiffel Tower, mainly because it's over three hundred meters high; there are only a few places in the city where it isn't visible. Illuminated in the evening, it is one of the most beautiful sights in the entire city; guided tours add to the thrill as you get to peek into history on how it was constructed.The famous Paris Avenue 'the Champs Elysees' must also receive a visit; with shops, cafes, and restaurants littered along the wide pavements, it is a must see for every visitor. This is considered a more exclusive and busy area of the city; it is also where most of the five star hotels are situated but thankfully hotels tend to be cheaper once you move away from the city center. A trip to would not be complete without a visit to the Louvre museum; with almost a third of a million exhibits, you will not be able to see everything in one trip. A short stay in Paris only ever allows a small appreciation of what is on offer; with the likes of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to view in addition to some of the finest collections of art in the world. Many well known artists spent years of their lives in Paris; the likes of Monet, Picasso and many others lived in the city for years and some of their work can still be seen today.Paris is also the home of the equally famous Arc de Triomphe which Napoleon had constructed in the early part of the 19th century; the names of his generals engraved upon it to honor them and his troops. It also features an observatory to take in surrounding views; in particular those obtained along the lanes that lead from it.Obviously, these are not the only places to visit; although no trip would be complete without seeing these, they are probably best viewed as part of a guided tour, some of which are actually free. It is fair to say that you won't see everything on a Paris short stay of two or even three day break; what you aren't able to this time will have to wait for another occasion.
At Thomas Zoelners website http://www.travel-vacations-adventures.com are many videos about Paris, the capital of France, available