Polish up your Joie De Vivre, Air France has announced it will begin non-stop flights between Orlando International Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport starting June 11.

“This is an effort we’ve had going on for probably 20 years to get into France from Orlando,” said Phil Brown, executive director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, who said it took, “persistence with Air France to make it work.”

The addition of other international flights over the last few years has allowed Orlando International Airport to set a new annual record with 2.98 million international passengers arriving or departing in 2009. The airport reports that the 2010 pace also looks to be on record pace, up another 10 percent over last year.

JFrost Uncategorized air france, airport, Orlando, Paris

The view from the highest point in the city is free (and a great place to kiss apparently).

So far in 2010, Paris has been experiencing a return to prominence as the top European destination for travelers. I found the city so beautiful with art, food, and wonderful people on nearly every corner. Plus it’s so easy to get around on the excellent Metro system.

To really enjoy Paris you don’t have to spend a lot of money either. Book one of our value hotels and then enjoy these ten things you can do for free while in Paris:

1. Notre Dame – You can enter Notre Dame and walk the grounds for free. Certain areas are only accessible by tour, however.
2. Basilique du Sacre Coeur – See that big white thing on the hill known as Montmartre, you can tour it for free. It’s the highest point in the city, so enjoy the view, and it’s directly above some of the city’s best markets for exploring (don’t miss the spice market).
3. Take a ‘podcast’ tour - Download a free walking tour podcast and set out on your own. Rick Steves has a great Paris walk-tour and it’s a free download.
4. Enjoy a free walking tour – There are a number of free tours in Paris. At St. Michel in the Latin Quarter and in Montmartre you can join a free walking tour of Paris. Plus there are some tour guides who regularly offer ‘free’ tours. Just be sure to tip your tour guide.

Tributes surround Chopin’s grave at Pere Lachaise

5. Celebrity Spotting the easy way – There’s one place where you can always find famous people, the cemetery. The Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise is the famous resting place of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. Alexandre Dumas and Edgar Degas can be found at The Cimetiere de Montmartre. Also many churches have some amazing burial tombs.
6. Have a Picnic in the Garden - Stop by the Tuileries, a 16th century palace with lots of public art to explore. The Jardin du Luxembourg – is best known for its puppet shows and toy sail boats, but it is also filled with sculptures, gardens, and excellent people watching opportunities. Grab a baguette, some cheese and wine and enjoy a wonderful afternoon.
7. Book Stores - Paris has some of the most unconventional book stores around. Les bouquinistes on the banks of the Seine are a must see and nearby is the world famous ‘Shakespeare and Co.’ store.
8. Performance Art - The Centre Pompidou usually has a free outdoor concert or other public art performance. You may also enjoy walking the streets near Picasso’s home (now a museum) and photographing the graffiti art that is very popular there.
9. Look Around — The height limit set for buildings has meant that the density of architectural beauty is very high in Paris. There’s the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, Notre Dame, and the exterior of the Louvre just to name a few. Repeat this tour at night for a completely different experience. The Centre Pompidou and La Defense are examples of more modern approach that has come to Paris lately.
10. Go Shopping for flair – The Champes Elysees is world famous for a reason. But for me the magic of Paris is found in the small shops frequented by the locals. The Galeries Lafayette is known for its breathtaking setting. The unique Belle Epoque architecture of the store is worth a trip. Be sure to see the dramatic colored glass dome and the ornate Art Nouveau staircase while there.

This is just a short list. Keep an eye open for free days at museums, art galleries, and other events in the parks or streets of the city.

Photo Credits: Basilique du Sacre-Couer and Pere Lachaise. Both under a CC license.

JFrost Destinations, Travel Guide france, free, Paris, shopping, tour, Travel, walking tour

Surprising a lot of people, Paris is a top destination for Spring Break this year. If you’re on your way for spring break or any other season, you may want to map out your shopping strategy in advance. Paris is broken into neighborhoods or as they call them arrondissements. Each has a unique character, special restaurants, and shopping. But there are a few that are clearly the best:

1st Arrondissement — Where the 1st arrondissements meets the 8th on Paris’s Right Bank is where you’ll find the best shopping strip. This fertile hunting ground includes the rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, home of the big designer houses, and the Champs-Elysées, which has seen changes over the years, but it still the place to be seen. If you are near the Palais Royal, you’ll find a jewel of a collection of boutique shops around the garden areas of the palace.

2nd Arrondissement — Located near the Palais Royal you can find the Garment District, which features amazing clothing bargains and some other unique shops. There is also a small collection of streets that are now closed to vehicle traffic and covered in glass. The Passage de Grand Cerf, between 145 rue St-Denis and 10 rue Dussoubs, is a place of amazement. From hipi retro stores to Asian-themed shops you’re bound to find something that pleases. Plus don’t pass up on the food stalls.

3rd Arrondissement — Home to the Musee Picasso this neighborhood is a great place to find street art, particularly stencil graffiti, sprinkled on building walls and inside doorways. The upper Marais area, down near the 4th arrondissement features a large number of men’s clothing stores. Also look for the rue des Francs-Bourgeois, which is open on Sundays, a rarity in Paris. It features trendy fashion boutiques and outdoor dining opportunities.

4th Arrondissement — This is the neighborhood for lovers of art and food. Both the Pompidou Centre and the Bastille district are settings for up-and-coming artists and galleries, not to mention street performers. You will also find the Marche aux Fleurs et Marche aux Oiseaux (the Flower and Bird markets) just on the north side of the Ile de la Cite.

5th Arrondissement — Part of the Latin Quarter, it’s also home to many of the cities educational and research establishments, like the Sorbonne. This means you’ll find plenty of budget shopping, apropos for someone living on a student’s budget. My favorite joint in the whole town is the eccentric and electric book store Shakespeare and Co., which you’ll find right down beside the Siene. For the young, and the young at heart, visit l’Epee de bois (the Wooden Sword) on the street of the same name.

9th Arrondissement — Home to many of the city’s big department stores, including Printemps flagship store. The 9th is defined by the Paris Opera house, railway stations, and luxury hotels, but don’t pass up the Passage du Havre. This old shopping arcade has its history in fish shops and transportation, but the modern incarnation is a beautiful mall. Enter on the Rue de Caumartin and experience the modern Paris shopping experience.

Photo Credits:

Haussman Boulevard & Printemps store / CC BY 2.0

Shakespeare and Co. / CC BY 2.0

JFrost Travel Guide france, Paris, shakespeare and co, shopping, spring break, Travel

Although I am not from Paris but still French and since you know food is everything for the us, below are places that will help you to remember the City of Lights!

The ones who Love their food , Love Life

Some places might be a little bit pricey, but you’ll keep a lovely memory forever, may it be for the food or the atmosphere.

 

Le paradis du fruit http://www.leparadisdufruit.fr/

Unique by its concept, combined in the same place a restaurant, a fruit room and a glacier and offers you a light, fresh, healthy, tasty and original range of products around a specialty: the fruit.

You will be able to try something original, tasty and a pleasure to the eyes as well as your stomach without feeling guilty about your waistline!

Location:In several locations but I recommend the one on the Champs Elysees.

47 avenbue George V 75008 Paris

Prices: Around EUR 20-30 per person for a drink-main course-dessert

Must try: The raspberry smoothy, their amazing salads,melted fruits with a chocolate fondu

(This is a screen shot taken from the Budda-Bar’s website)

The Buddha bar: www.buddha-bar.com

The decoration and ambiance are amazing with a giant Buddha sitting right in the Middle, subdued lights and chilling out music (that’s where the album ‘Buddha bar comes from.)

You can eat in the restaurant or simply chill out for a drink upstairs, and just for the settings, it is worth a try!

The place belongs to the George V restauration group( other places : Barfly, Barrio Latino…)

Location: Few around the World but if you are in Paris you have to do this one!

8/12 Rue Boissy d’Anglas 75008 Paris

Prices: Lunch around EUR 30 for starter+main course+dessert+ 1 drink, otherwise ‘a la carte’ and be ready to break the bank!!

Cocktails from EUR 5 to 20

Must try: The Lunch menue and the coktails

Jazz Club and restaurant ‘Le Duc des Lombards”: www.ducdeslombards.com

One of the best if not the best Jazz Club in Paris. Amazing Jazz Players and the ambiance is very old Parisian which gives it all the feeling and atmosphere, a must see if you are into Jazz of course!

Location: 40 rue des Lombards 75001 Paris

Prices: midnight to 3 am, entrance free and snacks around EUR 8.00

Must: Just go for the best Jazz Players coming from all over the world!!

C’est mon plaisir

Real typical French cuisine, not the ‘nouvelle cuisine where you end with 2 green peas fighting together in your plate but the one offering consistent dishes reflecting the different regions of France.

Location: 300 meters from the RER B ‘Port Royal’

Prices: Week days: around EUR 17 for Lunch and EUR 20.00 for Dinner for Main course + dessert or starters W/E is ‘a la carte’ only.

Must: The menu changes constantly but if you are lucky, try the ‘Ravioles au foie gras’

Panoramic Bar at the “Condorde Lafayette hotel”

If you want to relax and enjoy an amazing panoramic view of Paris, this is the place. The cocktails are very expensive so make sure it last your whole evening!! The view is breath taking and the Eiffel Tower lightens in the evening.

location: 3 place du general Koening, 75011 Paris

Prices: Cocktails around EUR 20.00

Must: Just try it for the Panoramic View because if you don’t feel in Paris there, you won t feel it anywhere !!

dianepach Destinations, Dining Reviews, Travel, Travel Guide Budda Bar, Duc des Lombards, Paris

Ahhhh Paris…. the most beautiful city in the world but also the most expensive one. After living in Paris for 26 years, I will share with you some tips in order to maximize the enjoyment of your stay and spend a minimum amount of money.

Transportation:

The best way to visit the city is to take the public transport. If you are going to stay more then 2 days in the city, buy a 3 day pass. It will cost you less then to buy a ticket for each day. Both the metro and bus are included in the 3 days pass (only in the area of Paris, going out the city, rates will be different). Cost of the pass: 19 euros.

Shopping:

Paris is well known for the City of Fashion. You will find shops everywhere. There is a very interesting area to see and to shop. I recommend to go to the Metro Station ‘’Barbes Rochechouart”. There, you will find the shop ‘’TATI’’. You will be able to find everything you like. For food (supermarkets), you have 2 brands with all products and it is not expensive: ‘’Supermarket ‘’ED and supermarket ‘’Leader price”. These supermarkets are all around Paris.

Lunch:

For a good ‘’Sandwich Baguette’’, I recommend to eat at “La Brioche Doree” or at ‘’Pomme de Pain’’. The bread is delicious and the desserts as well. These restaurants are all around Paris and not expensive at all.

Theatre and Concerts:

In order to get great deals for theatre and concerts, you must show up 1 hour before the event. Sometimes you will find tickets half price as people are selling their tickets directly to you. I have done this experience, it works!

Airports :

It is time to go back to reality! Back home. Taxis for the airports are very expensive (around 50-70 euros). Near the Meridien Montparnasse, in Montparnasse area of course), you have buses to the airport. The cost is 14 euros and there is a bus running every 15 minutes. The only thing I would suggest is to take at least 3 hours time before your flight!

These are a few tips to minimize your expenses in Paris. Do not hesitate to ask me for recommendations; I will be happy to help you.

Enjoy Paris!

Orna

ornab Tips, Travel, Travel Guide Paris

Hi guys,

My name is Elinor and I just moved to the Orlando area a few months ago.

I come from Paris, known as the City of Lights, the City of Love, and the City of Fashion. For those who have never been there, or for the ones that want some tips, I will tell you the how to have a perfect day in Paris!

I would definitely stay at the hotel Georges V. It has beautiful spacious and luxurious rooms. I think it is the perfect location on the Champs Elysees.

 

(looking down the Champs Elysees)

By the way, the hotel Georges V. is super expensive, but you only live once, right? If the hotel is too expensive, then I would recommend the Saint Germain, it’s a little bit cheaper and very nice.

For breakfast I totally recommend to eat in Le Cafe Francais, it’s located in the Bastille Quarter and you will have the best croissant you can ever eat…be French till the end.)

Then, let’s shop in Les Galeries Lafayettes, it is a huge building only for shopping and is crowded with people from open till close (the whole street is dedicated to the shopping hobby!)

After spending a lot of Euros, you must be hungry. Just pick up a sub at Paul ( bakery) so you can still do some window shopping.

Tired? Spend your afternoon in the famous museum Le Louvre, or just relax at a Starbucks ( yes, there are StarBucks in Paris too!) Make sure you save your energy for the night!

(the Le Louvre museum)

For dinner time I would recommend a sushi restaurant, or a light dinner so you will not be too be tired for the night coming up!

Here we go! It’s Night Club Time! Most of them are on the Champs Elysees, so you can just jump from one to another if you do not like the music. My favorite one is La Maison Blanche, it has all kinds of music.

It’s 5 o’clock AM, time to go back to the hotel or just skip it and start another day with a very nice breakfast just remember to change your clothes!

One Final Tip: come with a lot of money and do not sleep too much!

Enjoy Paris Life!

elinorb Tips, Travel, Travel Guide Champs Eylsees, Paris, The City of Lights