The girl looked so honest at first. As we emerged from the Metro, she was bending down and picking something up from the ground. She stood up with a look of astonishment on her face, and showed us what she was holding in her hand. It was a gold ring!

On realising we weren't French, she exclaimed in faltering English that this was a real gold ring that someone must have dropped! She gave it to us to examine, and we spotted a hallmark inside. It looked like real gold and certainly seemed, to our inexpert eyes at least, to be expensive. We all agreed that it needed to be taken to the police station.

The girl, who was aged about twenty and dressed in clean jeans and a warm top, her hair tied back neatly and wearing no make up, seemed respectable and honest. She went on to tell us that she couldn't take it to the police station herself because her religion banned jewellery. We felt we had no option other than to offer to take it ourselves, so she handed the ring to us and we said our goodbyes.

We turned away from her, and started to think about finding le commissariat de police, but something didn't feel quite right.

Then we heard her call us back. Smiling warmly, she suggested to us that perhaps she deserved a reward for her honestly. As her religion wouldn't let her take the ring herself, a financial payment would do instead. Would we like to give her some money? Could we at least buy her a cup of tea?

I felt confused. Why would we want to buy her a cup of tea? You can't just go up to someone in the street and ask them to buy you a drink! Can you?

Slowly, the penny dropped. This was all a scam. We refused to give her any money and gave her the ring back. Immediately her demeanour changed. The smile dropped and she became more forceful. We walked away from her with insults ringing in our ears.

Discussing it afterwards, we felt a mix of emotions. Stupidity, for being so slow on the uptake and failing to realise straightaway that it was a scan. Gullibility for thinking that the hallmarks were genuine. Anger that she had tried to fool us. Amusement that anyone whose religion banned jewellery should have her ears pierced. And a small, grudging admiration, for what was at least a novel and unusual way to try to obtain money from people - better than the usual "dog on a lead and euros in a hat" routine.

Later in the day, we saw exactly the same performance being acted out again in the upmarket streets near the Paris Ritz. Different woman, similar ring, same tale. However, these well-heeled pedestrians were all far too worldly wise to fall for her story, and she wasn't able to engage anyone in conversation. We realised then that this was obviously the latest craze in the world of the Parisian con artiste.

The next day, we saw our girl again near Le Louvre. She recognised us straight away, and began swearing and name calling. The pleasant smile and ingratiating ways were nowhere to be seen, and we felt quite intimidated as we passed. A few minutes later, the smile was back as she tried the old routine on a passing elderly couple who were, I'm glad to say, far more streetwise than us and far too clever to fall for her tricks!

So watch out next time you're in Paris - despite the wonderful statues on the Pont Alexandre, all that glitters is most definitely not gold.

The Ottawa of today is a beautiful little city (one can walk across the city centre quite easily) with its parks, architecture and the Rideau Canal. There is something for everyone, as the saying goes. For the more culturally inclined, Ottawa has the National Art Gallery, the National Art Centre and the Bytowne Cinema. One can keep the kids (and parents) amused at the Bytown Museum, the Currency Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Experimental Farm and the Aviation Museum. For a spot of reflection, visit the War Museum and the Canadian War Memorial. Elgin Street and the Byward Market are full of restaurants and bars. Athletes can run or bicycle to their hearts’ content along the Rideau Canal or boat on Dow’s Lake. There are plenty of hotels that cater to all types of people and many have suites, which include a kitchen (the Byward Market sells fresh local fruit and veg in the summer… time to fry up a fiddlehead).

Technically, Ottawa is in a temperate climate and therefore has four seasons. I have been visiting the capital of Canada for years and I think of it as having two seasons – weather- wise and culturally. Currently, I am in summer – the time of Open Doors Ottawa, Canada Day and – if you stretch the season a bit – the Tulip festival. Music and cultural festivals rule the summer season in Ottawa. At times, the list seems endless: Chamber Music, Bluesfest, Folk Festival, Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Capital Pride, Ottawa Fringe, CHIN Picnic, Carnival of Culture ….

In 1953, the Ottawa Tulip Festival became a date on the city’s calendar. The Tulip Festival occurs each May and brings to Ottawa colour so desperately needed after the long (exceedingly long) grey winter. It brings in visitors from all over the world (a sight in themselves). The tulips are planted all over the city but the majority are to be found along Dow’s Lake, which is part of the Rideau Canal. Other main sites are Parliament Hill, the Capital Infocentre, Commissioner’s Park, Major’s Hill Park and the banks of the Canal. At City Hall can be found wooden four-foot tulips, each painted with a different motif. The Tulip Festival owes its beginnings to World War II. Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and her family were evacuated to Ottawa and here she gave birth to her third daughter in a hospital room declared Dutch territory for the day. In gratitude, tulips were sent and are still being sent.

Ottawa’s Open Doors Day is a yearly event that I attended for the first time. Over one weekend in June, buildings of historical or architectural significance open their doors to the public and volunteers lead tours. One of the most popular places to enter is the Ottawa Hostel, probably because of its appearance on the TV show Creepy Canada. Formerly the Carleton County Jail, this hostel (yes, you sleep in a cell… really) is noted for being the execution place of Patrick James Whelan for the murder of Thomas D’Arcy McGee, a member of the first Canadian Parliament. It is thought Whelan was framed, so his rather perturbed spirit is said to still reside within the thick walls on this 19^th Century structure. If ghost sighting is not for you, there are plenty of other places to see like the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the Laurentian Club, the Conference Centre, the Heritage Building of City Hall – hmm, there is a ghost there too.

Canada Day is the country’s birthday celebrating Canada’s becoming a self-governing Dominion on 1 July, 1867. The city is covered in red and white and maple leaves – on people as well as places! The main part of the celebration takes place on Parliament Hill where one can see the Mounties perform the Musical Ride, the raising of the Queen’s Flag, the presentation of the Ceremonial Guard to the Governor General (Queen Elizabeth’s representative), various musical acts and, to me the most stunning and dramatic event, the flyover of the Snowbirds. In addition, at Rideau Hall, a select group of immigrants attend a special citizenship ceremony. A recent addition to the day is the CHIN picnic. The CHIN multicultural radio station is the creation of the late bandleader Johnny Lombardi.  His experiences in World War II led him to believe that by learning about other peoples’ cultures through music and dance we could develop understanding and acceptance. One mustn’t forget the fireworks – the best place to see them – the new Corktown Footbridge.

Summer is not to be outdone in Canada’s capital. Winter boasts its own attractions in the Christmas Lights, Winterlude and the frozen Rideau Canal. As long as one is bundled up (winter is indescribably bitter and not for the fainthearted – frostbite awaits the unprepared), there is no stopping one enjoying an Ottawa winter.

From early December to early January, Parliament Hill is as colourful as it is during the Tulip Festival but with colour of another kind. As part of the Christmas Lights Across Canada, the Hill is festooned with thousands of bulbs. Varying images and hues are cast against the Parliament buildings themselves. There is nothing quite like standing in the queue for the free hot chocolate and the pastry known as Beavertails, while you wait for the illumination opening ceremonies with its dignitaries and choir.  Afterwards there is the chance to toast marshmallows on the Hill and munch on popcorn at the Infocentre (a good place to defrost fingers and toes). Get to the Hill by way of Confederation Boulevard, also a sea of colour in lights.

February sees the arrival of Winterlude and often then the Rideau Canal Skateway is at its best. Winterlude was created to celebrate the northern climate and culture. The best parts of Winterlude are in the city centre. At City Hall, the visitor will find musical entertainment and an ice cafe. During the day, head to Confederation Park to see the ice sculptures in progress – try to guess what they will be when finished and check back a few days later. Artists from all over the world create the sculptures and they range from the hilarious to the fantastic to the poignant. At night they are illuminated and the park takes on an ethereal atmosphere – it truly is a Crystal Garden. More musical events occur in the Snowbowl and if you are lucky you will get to see waiters on skates compete in races on the canal.  In winter, part of the Rideau Canal is lowered and it freezes creating the “world’s largest skating rink” – 7.8 km (4.8m) from Dow’s Lake to Parliament Hill. Once the ice is thick enough and the temperature is low enough, the ice is prepared for skaters (and we walkers). At night, holes are drilled through the ice to allow water to flood the surface and provide a fairly smooth skating ice sheet. Stalls (those Beavertails once again) are set up along the canal’s length for Winterlude. Once the canal is officially open, everyone is on it (including me, but rarely do I stay upright on the ice for long)!

With so much to do – summer and winter – check out the National Capital Commission’s and the city’s websites. You never know what you might be missing!

From the moment you walk in you're surrounded by history. Buildings of many shapes and size with various backgrounds will welcome you to learn about life in early 19th century rural New England.

My first trip to this living history museum was in the 5th grade. An assistant teacher styled the girls hair in 1830's fashions and we piled into the big yellow bus and watched in excitement as we pulled into the parking lot. We got the chance to try on clothing, make marbled paper, and tour the village.

Now over ten years later I am now a volunteer and dancer at Old Sturbridge Village. I started out as a greeter smiling warmly and offering directions to locations within the village. After becoming costumed in 1830's attire including reproduction dresses, petticoats and bonnets, I was able to become a docent and work in the Towne House.

This house has an interesting history. Its owner, Salem Towne Sr. came from a poor family. His father died during the French and Indian war. His mother eventually remarried to a lonely farmer and later would follow in his step-fathers footsteps. At the rough age of 20, Salem purchased ten acres of land and taking on the position as a land surveyor. He later would purchase and sell pieces of land making a profit and acquiring more land as time went on.

In 1796, three years after he married his third wife, Salem had the Greek revival home built in Charlton, Massachusetts. After his death 1925 the house would be passed down to his son Salem Towne Jr., Salem Jr.'s wife Sally and their ten children. By 1830 the family owned 400 acre's of land was considered the wealthiest family around gaining this status by progressive farming. Their wealth can be shown by the hallway that extends the entire length of the house that is fully carpeted. Another tell-tale sign of wealth is the elaborate sideboard placed in the hall. The house has three floor, a cast iron stove (the newest amenity in those days) and a pleasure garden.

As and Old Sturbridge Village dancer I am able to participate in 1790's to late 1830's style dancing. With skirts twirling and white gloves on you can imagine how elegant it must be to cast off in Jefferson and Liberty or circle six hands round in White Cockade. Dancing in those days was sometimes seen as scandalous but was also romantic as this was possibly the only chance you might have to touch the hand of the person you fancied.

Within the village you can also see three different mills (Saw, Carding, and Grist) that are run off of water power and are the start of the industrial revolution in this country. There is a tavern, tin shop, shoe shop, district school, pottery shop, bank, parsonage, and several farms with cattle and other animals native to this country during the 19th century. You can also grab an ice cream, watch as sheep are sheared, or taste freshly made butter.

So, if you every find yourself in search of experiencing history in a different way then Old Sturbridge Village is the place to go. You won't be disappointed.

There is so much to see and do in Paris, it's difficult to know where to start. Apart from all the sights, be sure to factor in people-watching time in one of the city's numerous cafes.

Sights and Culture

Remember the tragic story of the hunchback of Notre Dame? Well, here's a chance to see where the story all started. The church of Notre Dame has an incredible history - built in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest buildings in Paris and sits on the banks of the River Seine. It's the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon before strolling over the bridge to while away the hours in a cosy café.

A trip to Paris wouldn't be complete without experiencing the city's most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower. An impressive 1,051m high, take a lift to the top for a truly wondrous view of the city. But be sure to take a jacket or shawl with you - it can get pretty breezy at the top of the tower!

Music fans will want to visit Pere Lachaise, the cemetery where famed rock star Jim Morrison was laid to rest. You can hire a buggy to take you up to his shrine which is often overrun with Doors fans.

Shopping

Galeries Lafayette is a brilliant department store with everything from designer labels to their own very reasonably priced and trendy labels all under one roof. But when in France, the thing you really want to look for is lingerie - there's a fantastic range here you will want to snap up. Plus check out the mouthwatering cosmetics section.

Nightlife

If clubbing is your thing, Paris is packed with super cool places to go. But be warned, it's not cheap. Les Bains is still the city's most famous hotspot where models and fashionistas all go to hang out. If you want to get past the snooty guys on the door, make sure you dress to impress.

Eating

As you'd expect from the country where gastronomy was born, there's a wealth of places to eat and drink in Paris. I've visited the city many times and taken pot luck and it's almost impossible to have a bad dining experience - unless you happen to be vegan. Take a stroll around Forum des Halles, a pedestrian-only area crammed full of interesting boutiques. Take your pick of cafes and restaurants for a truly French experience. Choose an outside table, sit back and pretend you're in a movie. You can sit for hours with a chocolat chaud or beer in most places and you won't be hassled by the waiters.

Rushing through France on a coach tour is one way to see a range of motorways, and eventually a small taste of Paris, but it leaves the traveller with a bland impression of a grand and enchanting country.

One of the better ways to experience France is to hire a canal boat and cruise slowly through the countryside. Rural scenes of rolling pasture are made more exciting when on a turn of the canal; a spectacular ancient chateau looms into view.

It is preferable to have someone who can speak a little French, because most people in the French countryside have only one language. just as the majority of English speaking people in their home countries. The challenge of conversing with the lock keepers or the local shop keepers adds to the fun of the trip. It is a chance to test those almost forgotten school phrases.

CANAL REGIONS

There are three main areas where companies hire boats to cruise the canal: The South, where the canals meander from the Bordeaux area across to the coast of the Mediterranean . Inland from Brittany to the South of the Chateau region, there is a network of excellent canals. The biggest region of them all is the Burgundy area and north, reaching up into Germany.

Deciding on which canal to see is difficult as each area has its own distinct character. Two weeks is preferable to one and certainly a one way hire from one point in a canal to another is better than a return journey.

Brittany can have very changeable weather and might not be the best choice for early or late in the summer season. The south has less of the small villages. Burgundy has a good range of options and ample to see.

NEGOTIATING THE LOCKS

It takes a little while to get used to the procedure of the locks. Going up is harder than going down and it wouldn't hurt to aim for a cruise that takes the descent rather than the ascent.

Two people can negotiate the locks if one disembarks just before the entrance to the lock and works alongside the lock keeper, while the other one drives and stabilises the boat.

On an ascent, the water will be let into the lock raising the level of the canal. Some operators will gently fill the lock while others will flood the confined space, with an alarming rush of water, and a quiet smirk lurking on their lips. The ropes are thrown to the person at the top and secured around a post.

The driver must be able to keep the boat from bumping into the sides of the lock by using the boat's engine or by the person on the ground keeping a tight hold on the ropes. Gradually the level increases and the driver rises in the boat up to the next level. A new world awaits from this vantage.

On the descent, the boat sits placidly in the lock and there is little need for ropes as the water drains away lowering the boat to the new depth. Sometimes there may be three or four locks joined together, or more.

The more people on the boat trip, the easier managing the boat becomes. A larger boat is no more difficult than a small one if there are sufficient crew.

ON BOARD

For the duration of the cruise, the boat is home. It is equipped with sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a shower and toilet and a dining/living area.

No one can travel any faster than six knots. It is illegal to make any wake. This keeps the canal walls from eroding. It means the journey is leisurely and serene.

COUNTRYSIDE

How anyone can trust fishing in these murky, well used waterways is a mystery. But there are fishermen and fishing huts to be seen. The muddy waters have life, we are told. At least reflections of life are certainly there to see from the farms and livestock along with river bank.

Early in the morning the drifts of river mist float thinly on the water and lift and fade. On clear days, the canal mirrors perfect images. Stone bridges become looming stone circles and the trees that line the water's edge stand admiring their shapely images as they lean with dropping arms toward the water.

FRENCH VILLAGES

A quick stop to toss the bicycles from the roof of the boat onto the bank. Off to a local village for long crisp loaves of French bread for breakfast. Bread from a tiny settlement of six houses; better than ever tasted before.

Make a stop a little earlier than the working lunch break time at noon, to buy exquisite cheeses, pastries and fruit tarts. A rural village no bigger than a few houses, will have a patisserie with first class baking. A woman will attend your needs, with her hair coiffed and her make-up and dress, ready for the Champs Elysee. Your tart will be handed to you in an elaborate box complete with ribbons, exquisitely presented.

There is no point in rushing. Once the lunch time is in process in France, no one is open for business. There is a sudden stop to all work and no locks will open, no shop will show any signs of life for two hours. There is nothing for it but to settle on the boat and enjoy the day's eating delights.

In some towns there is a chateau to visit or a cafe to eat at. Simply wandering the cobbled streets and photographing historic houses and churches, is a satisfying way to idle the lunch time away. Riding through the paddocks and meadows and spotting stone dwellings and a surprise small chateau is another way to use this time.

Food is much cheaper in general in the countryside, than in Paris and it is here that true French food and of course local wines, can be sampled.