Top Trips this Summer

Written by Alex Siborn

If you're planning a holiday 2013, no doubt you have already thought long and hard about where you want to go.  

Are you a Greek islands type of person, where the laid-back lifestyle and sizzling beaches call you back every summer?  Or do you prefer full-on family holidays, with a lively resort and non-stop activities?  Whatever you're after, there is a holiday 2013 with your name on it.

Kids Enjoying the Beach at St. Hilaire de Riez ~ Photo Credit to Jeroen Ensink of Travel with Kids

The industry is full to the brim with sizzling destinations and summer holiday experiences.  If you've got the kids in tow, you'll really have the world at your feet, thanks to the range of child-friendly hotels and kids' clubs available.

5 Must-Sees in Nantes ~ France

Written by Adrienne Erin

When most people think of France, their first thoughts are of Paris and the many historical landmarks and legendary art pieces that fill its streets. But Paris is barely the tip of the Eiffel Tower.  

France is, in fact, home to a number of treasures, including Nantes, one of the country's largest cities.

Located along the Loire River in Western France, Nantes is a city steeped in history, with beautiful parks, gardens, museums, and beaches that make this a place worth visiting. While there are many things to see in Nantes, including various festivals held throughout the year, like the Three Continents Festival, here are five things you will not want to miss:

1. Châte Au Des Ducs de Bretagne

The Castle of the Dukes of Britanny is a 13th fortress that served as the home to the Dukes of Britanny for 300 years. Now, it houses the Nantes History Museum, which takes visitors through 32 rooms of the beautifully restored castle and displays over 800 historical artifacts.

2. Machines de  l’Île.

No trip to Nantes is complete without experiencing the Machines de  l’Île. A cross between a museum and a zoo, this landmark is the home to three extraordinary exhibits.

The first is the Machine Gallery, where giant machines take the form of animals and plants and move about, sometimes with passengers.

Then there are the Maritime World's Carousel, a three-story merry-go-round that features stunning mechanical representations of ocean wildlife, and the Great Elephant, a monstrous contraption that can carry up to 50 passengers. 

3. The Botanical Gardens

Nantes also boasts two beautiful botanical gardens.

The Jardin des Plantes, which dates back to the early 1800s, is one of France's most beautiful gardens. It contains close to 11,000 different types of plants, all of which are laid out within a series of waterways and ponds.

The Jardin Japonais de l’Ile de Versailles (the Japanese Gardens of the Isle of Versailles), takes the form of an authentic Japanese garden, complete with bamboo and a waterfall.

You won't experience tranquility like this anywhere else, unless maybe your garden at home has been installed with the top mosquito traps.

4. Le Passage Pommeraye

The setting for many a Jacques Demy movie, the Passage of Pommeraye is a scenic upscale shopping mall. Named after its developer, Louis Pommeraye, this shopping centre is built around an alley between two streets and opens up in the centre to a gorgeous indoor courtyard lined in shops and a balcony.

Though the prices may be a little high, it's still worth a visit to see the high fashion side of Nantes.

5. Musée Jules Verne

The Jules Verne Museum is the perfect place for any literature buff or science fiction fan. Though not his actual home, the museum building is set in a location that inspired much of Verne's work.

On display are a number of artifacts and memorabilia that celebrate his writing, including representations of his inventions and some of the author's actual belongings.

Author Bio
Adrienne is a freelance writer and Francophile whose love of travel was ignited by her experience studying abroad in Paris. She travelled extensively in France to practice her language skills, and also travelled abroad to a number of European countries to visit friends, family, and sites that had interested her for years. Read her personal blog, Pongra, to see more of her work.

Zurich Experience ~ It's Worth Riding the Trolley

Zurich is worth remembering. There is no doubt, it's beautiful! There is more into it other than the tourist attractions.

A dear friend made our stay more pleasant from the very first day of our travel. We travelled by train from our hosts in Oberrordorf to the city of Zurich. It did not happen once. She showed us around Zurich for the second time.

The first was with fellow travellers from around Switzerland and other countries who came over to Zurich to attend this particular meet. It was Julz who made us comfortable and end the event with a bit of success. She toured us around like a pro. A very pleasant person, indeed.

Limmat River

During the tour, I was amazed on how huge this city and how large the number of financial institutions and banking giants it has. No wonder, it was once named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe. What I saw is exactly what I had in mind prior to my trip.

7 Things You Must Do in Barcelona

Written by Jerome Franco

Barcelona is one of Europe's popular cities for tourists and visitors of all kinds, and is the cultural and economic centre of Spain's distinctive Catalonia region. It's important when you're planning a city break that you try to see as many of the things the city has to offer as possible, so we picked out some of the best.

La Seu Cathedral ~ Barcelona

Check Out the Architecture

Barcelona is arguably most famous as the home of Antonio Gaudi, who was born in nearby Reus and was responsible for designing many of the city's most stunning structures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Offbeat Attractions in Paris

Written by Adrienne Erin

Paris ~ one of the top wonders of the world. Not only is it the city of love, it is the city where tourist attractions are in abundance.  If you are visiting Paris, you might be wondering to yourself, "Where can I go to enjoy myself?" As per usual, you probably have locations such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and other such sites in mind.

While those sites are good attractions for first-time tourists, you may want to get the full effect of Paris.  In order to get a sense of history and culture, there are three sites you will especially want to visit: the Paris Catacombs, the Parc de Buttes-Chaumont and the Lutèce Arena.

Catacombs of Paris - Photo courtesy of Ben Templesmith

Catacombs of Paris

Also referred to as Catacombes de Paris. The Catacombs of Paris is one of the most unusual tourist attractions around the world.

The underground ossuary began in the 18th century, where it began as a mining place for stone quarries.  However, as time passed, the stone quarries depleted, leaving the mines vacant from 1777 to 1786.

It was not until 1786 where the mines were put back to us -- an underground burial for the Paris population.  Begun by Police Lieutenant General Alexandre Lenoir and finished by his successor Thiroux de Crosne, the exhumation and reburial of all the Paris' deceased was undergone.

Now a burial ground of six million people, tourists roam the catacombs to see one of the most prestigious burial grounds known on earth. The skeletal remains that act as walls are real remains.

This museum offers an in depth understanding of the Paris culture and gives you an interesting experience.  This will be one experience you will not forget anytime soon.

Arènes de Lutèce ~ Photo courtesy of Natalie Hegert

Arènes de Lutèce

Coliseums were thought to be only large in Rome, since Romans monopolized and popularized gladiatorial combat.  However, Romans populated much of the globe centuries ago and, now; there are coliseums around the entire eastern hemisphere, including France.

In France, gladiators would gather from all around the world to fight at the Arènes de Lutèce.  Constructed in the 1st century, this amphitheatre was one of the longest and largest of its kind and could seat as much as 15,000 people.  In the upper tiers, the poor and slaves would sit in the battered heat.  However, in the lower tiers, Roman citizens were seated and linen awnings were provided to protect citizens from the harsh sun.

The arena was buried over the centuries, and though the neighbourhood around it was named "les  Arenes" after it, nobody quite knew where it was until the 1860s.  It was rediscovered by a construction company that was planning to build a tram depot there.  Now it is a protected site, avoiding the construction of any metro stops or outdoor playground equipment, able to be enjoyed by everyone.

Now, tourists are able to view and travel around the coliseum.  Often there will be children playing sports in the centre of the arena, but if you can, stand in the centre to spectate the arena in its entirety.  The stone seats are a quiet place in a charming old neighbourhood to eat a bagel from the the bagel shop nearby, or just take in the scenery of one of the oldest attractions in Paris.  It's not a visit you will soon forget!

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Located on the northeast side of Paris, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is the fifth largest park in Paris, coming in at 61 acres.

The urban park was crafted in the late 19th century and has been a popular tourist attraction since.  The park is known for three major features: The Temple de la Sibylle, Île de la Belvédére and an Artificial Lake.

Photo taken by the Adrienne

• The Temple de la Sibylle - The most famous and prominent feature of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, this temple resembles the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. Inspired by many romantic paintings in the 18th and 19th century, the Temple of Vesta was an inspiration to be recreated and attract tourists to visit it across the world. The Temple de la Sibylle is crafted in pure perfection, giving tourists a very romantic setting once inside.

• Île de la Belvédére - A rocky island surrounded by the waters of a beautiful lake, the steep cliffs of this island were crafted from old gypsum quarry stone.  Standing thirty feet above water, tourists will get a beautiful view of the park as Île de la Belvédére sits in the heart of the park. Synthetic waterfalls make way for a beautiful and rather romantic gesture if you are with someone you love.

• Artificial Lake - Constructed to surround the Île de la Belvédére, this artificial lake is beautiful and peaceful.  The waters are almost always calm and make for great canoeing with your family or a loved one. This lake can be seen in full-view from the top of the Île de la Belvédére.

Author Bio

Adrienne is a a freelance writer and Francophile whose love of travel was ignited by her experience studying abroad in Paris. She travelled extensively in France to practice her language skills, and also travelled abroad to a number of European countries to visit friends, family, and sites that had interested her for years. Read her personal blog, Pongra, to see more of her work.