Paris http://www.trifter.com/tags/Paris New posts about Paris Hotel Solferino: Paris, France http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Hotel-Solferino-Paris-France.365141 Hotel Solferino is a cosy two star hotel located in Paris France. Each of its 32 rooms are equipped with telephone, bath, shower, and television. The hotel has a delightful tea room as well as available parking. Hotel Solferino,  unlike most Parisian hotels, does not allow pets.

This fine building from the end of the 17th century was formerly the property of the surgeon of Napoleon. In 1897 during the construction of the Gare d-Orsay, it was opened to the traveling public to become the Hotel de la Nouvelle Gare (Hotel of the New Station). Today the Orsay station is a museum, the station has taken on a ministerial air, and the hotel is now named the Solferino, but it remains astonishingly affordable. It does not lack for charm and its small welcoming charm furnished with Napoleon III love seats with a Persian decor, a pretty 18th century commode and old pictures.

With the rooms, the standard varies but major renovations are planned. Some of the rooms are very large and have Mansard ceilings. The wallpapers have little flowers, leafy designs, or are plain with friezes. Some of the wallpaper looks rather tired, while others look brand new. The furniture merits no particular comment and the bathroom facilities are fine, but the corridors continue to look rather sad. The rooms on the first floor overlooking the street are double glazed for privacy. This is a simple and attractive hotel where you will receive an  excellent welcome.  

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:57:36 PST Hotel Libertel Moulin: Paris France http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Hotel-Libertel-Moulin-Paris-France.364831 Hotel Libertel Moulin located in Paris France, is an exotic three star hotel consisting of 48 rooms, all equipped with telephone, bath with whirlpool, shower, television, hairdryer, safe, and mini bar. The hotel has first class amenities including laundry service and room service, and a safe at the reception desk. Hotel Libertel Moulin of course, like most Parisian hotels, allows pets.

Close to the Opera Garnier, the Grands Boulevards and the Grands Magasins you find the Libertel Moulin, entirely renovated and now a real hotel of character. The renovations and interior design were directed by Michelle Ganay, who was inspired by the class and style of the apartments across the Channel. Thus on the facade two windows with cobalt-blue lacquered molding frame the entrance with it's two large copper lanterns.

The sophisticated lobby leads through to the bar and a smoking lounge lit by a skylight covered in clever tromp-l'oel. The space is light and airy with a brown cameo. The floor is granite, with cerused furniture, the walls covered with linen fabrics printed with flowers, and chairs in brown and cream. The rooms are just as well nice with red, cream, or brown depending on the floor, giving them a cosy rural atmosphere. Nothing is lacking for comfort, including an electric kettle with tea or coffee for moments of relaxation in the privacy of your room. Service is extremely attentive, and the staff is warm and eager to help you enjoy your stay.

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:12:46 PST Hotel Vernet: Paris France http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Hotel-Vernet-Paris-France.364825 Hotel Vernet located in Paris France, is an elegant four star hotel consisting of 54 rooms, all equipped with telephone, bath with whirlpool, shower, television, hairdryer, safe, and mini bar. The hotel has first class amenities including laundry service and room service, and every room is soundproofed. Hotel Saint Dominique, of course, like most Parisian hotels, allows pets.

The Etoile-Champs-Elysees area remains the most prestigious quarter of international Paris and most of the luxury hotels are found here. It is then difficult to make a choice as all offer the same services. What makes the difference is a welcome that does not finish with simple conventional courtesies, plus close attention given to clients. This is the case with the Hotel Vernet, located in a building from the 1920s, where a superb glass roof over the Les Elysees restaurant has been preserved along with the staircase cage seen from the transparent elevator.

The restaurant chief is Bruno Cirino, with his Mediterranean-style cuisine awarded a two-star rating. An Italian-type gallery with an antique decor of false marble, columns and illuminated vases serves the lounges and bar. With the open fire and piano music, you are only too glad to linger here a tea time or for a cocktail. The room are regularly renovated and all offer the latest comforts in a refined setting. This is a very good address where you are immediately given all that consideration due to a good client.

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:11:36 PST Hotel Libertel Lafayette: Paris France http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Hotel-Libertel-Lafayette-Paris-France.364823 Hotel Libertel Lafayette located in Paris France, is a modern four star hotel consisting of 103 rooms, all equipped with telephone, bath with whirlpool, shower, television, hairdryer, safe, and mini bar. The hotel has first class amenities including laundry service and room service, and every room is soundproofed. Hotel Libertel of course, like most Parisian hotels, allows pets.

Close to the Opera Garnier, the Grands Boulevards and the Grands Magasins you find the Libertel Lafayette, entirely renovated and now a real hotel of charm. The restructuring and decorating were directed by Anne-Marie de Ganay, who was inspired by the elegance and comfort of "bourgeois" residences across the Channel. Thus on the facade two windows with cobalt-blue lacquered molding frame the entrance with it's two large copper lanterns.

The elegant lobby leads through to the bar and a smoking lounge lit by a skylight covered in clever tromp-l'oel. The space is light and airy with a beige cameo. The floor is stone, with cerused furniture, the walls covered with linen fabrics printed with medallions, and chairs in beige and white. The rooms are just as well done with blue, green, or beige depending on the floor, giving them a cosy country atmosphere. Nothing is lacking for comfort, including an electric kettle with tea or coffee for moments of relaxation in your room. Service is very attentive, and this hotel comes with high recommendations.

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:11:28 PST Hotel Newton Opera: Paris, France http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Hotel-Newton-Opera-Paris-France.364749 Hotel Newton Opera is a sophisticated three star hotel located in Paris France. Each of its 31 rooms are equipped with telephone, bath, shower, television, air conditioning, hairdryer, mini bar, radio and safe. The hotel has amenities such as laundry service and rooms service, as well as available parking. Hotel Solferino,  like most Parisian hotels, does allow pets.

Among the many possible hotels on the Rue de l'Arcade, the Newton Opera is possibly the simplest, but offers excellent comfort at the best prices. You'll find a somewhat country atmosphere, with rustic painted furniture, and fabrics in bright, floral motifs. What's surprising about the small hotel are the services offered: air-conditiong, mini bar, private safe, iron and ironing board, and room service. In the bathrooms various accessories have been added such as make-up wipes and a delicate scent of vanilla.

On a arrival a small carafe of mandarin juice awaits you.  In the summer, if you reserve in good time, you may be able to get one of the two rooms with a terrace, as well as table and deck chairs, which are ideal for any longer stay. In the lounge you find the daily press and various magazines. As for the vaulted room in the basement, you will find a generous breakfast buffet-all you can eat-served in the vaulted room in the basement. What's not surprising is that this family run hotel has attracted many faithful customers over the years.

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:50:55 PST Hotel Saint Dominique: Paris, France http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Hotel-Saint-Dominique-Paris-France.364741 Hotel Saint Dominique located in Paris France, is a lovely, stylish hotel consisting of 34 rooms, all equipped with telephone, bath, shower, television, hairdryer, safe, and mini bar. The hotel has a stunning outdoor patio as well as available parking. Hotel Saint Dominique, of course, like most Parisian hotels, allows pets.

It's situation and very carefully thought out prices make the Saint-Dominique a much sought after address. The hotel is in a building on the very lively Rue-St Dominique, just close to Les Invalides. The tone is give right from the entry with its decor and in Anglo-American style. The light pinewood furniture matches the soft colour shades of the walls and pink-beige fabrics. The rooms are fitted out in the same style and have the same rural charm: most look onto the patio while those on the street are sound proofed. They are pleasantly seized and the rooms are all decorated with carefully chosen fabrics: 'Toile de Jouy', flowery motifs, or sometimes with a Persian look. Other larger rooms called "executive rooms" have a corner lounge. The bathrooms are very functional and all white with small colored friezes.

You should not miss the pretty breakfast room recently renovated in a style just as refined as the whole building. These are so many qualities, which along with the charming and courteous welcome, make this one of my favourite hotels.

]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:49:39 PST Fussy Traveller's Love Affair with Paris http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Fussy-Travellers-Love-Affair-with-Paris.340227 Ernest Hemmingway once described Paris as “a moveable feast” and felt every young man should be so lucky to live there. This writer is of the opinion that every young man and woman should be so lucky to even visit this remarkable city full of history and delicious patisseries. What makes this city so loveable? See for yourself.

A bateauxmouche cruising leisurely along the Seine after dusk in Paris, France.

The Eiffel Tower during the day...

The Tower is 119 years old and its architect was Stephen Sauvestre. It was built as a monument to the French Revolution and was displayed in 1889 at the Universal Exhibition.

Chateau Vincennes is a castle more accessible than Versaille in many ways. It was home to King Charles the Fifth and today, remains one of the largest and best preserved castles of Europe. Another advantage too is that because fewer tourists know of this castle, security is not nearly as stringent and it's possible to explore at leisure and without scrutiny from the guards ubiquitously present at other Parisian attractions. Entry is eight euros.

The Sacre Coeur is a much loved church still frequented by Montmarte area locals for services and also by romantically inclined tourists today. Not only is the view of Paris from its steps stunning, but its square below the steps was an integral part of the beloved movie, Amelie starring Audrey Tatou.

The Louvre originally began as Castle, then became a place of Parliament, and finally, under Francois Mitterand's command, became a world famous museum. The glass pyramid (and its inverted form below) was designed by Asian American architect I.M. Pei. It was cited in Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code that the pyramid is constructed of exactly 666 panes of glass at Mitterand's request.

]]> Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:31:22 PST France and Italy: What Every Fussy Traveller Should Know http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France-and-Italy-What-Every-Fussy-Traveller-Should-Know.337191

Travelling can be difficult. After all, it has the potential to be the best of times and the worst of times. It can make or break relationships. Being a fussy traveller makes any trip harder. I am not terribly hard to please; I merely have standards of cleanliness and comfort. As such, I took care to do as much research on travelling as I possibly could before embarking overseas.

I checked Trip Advisor, skimmed Frommers, and borrowed Lonely Planet from the local library. I visited and revisited, sometimes as much three times a day, various low-cost flight sites: Kayak, Expedia, and Travelocity among others. I googled and yahooed until my eyes were blurry. I checked and rechecked RailEurope until I was aware of certain train schedules by heart. In the meantime, I also worked and saved my money. By the beginning of September, we had an itinerary!

Despite being thorough in my research, after the trip was said and done, I realized that there were some things every traveller (especially a fussy one), should be aware of, though no guidebook cares to mention them.

WHAT EVERY FUSSY TRAVELLER IN EUROPE ON A BUDGET SHOULD KNOW

SOAKER TUBS ARE AN AMERICAN LUXARY

Forget about the much-hyped Roman baths - there are NO baths! At least none in low to medium grade hotels, hostels, or bed and breakfasts. What you can expect are small and smaller showers. No exaggeration necessary, in some showers, even I (a slim woman of 110 lbs) had trouble turning around in without hitting either my head on the shower cord when reaching for soap, or my back and behind against the wall or knobs when picking up the slippery soap.

VARIETY OF ETHNIC FOODS IS A CANADIAN SPECIALTY

If you adore bread and cheese, you'll adore France. If you adore bread and thinly sliced meats, you'll adore Italy. If you (like me) are only in like with sandwiches, your love affair with either country may hit a roadblock. Having lived in my home city for the past ten years, I expected the rest of the world's cities to offer similar variety: subtle Japanese sushi available around the corner; cravings for greasy Chinese to be sated past midnight in Chinatown; spicy and tasty Indian foods to be so ubiquitous, it may be found in the work cafeteria. Indeed, fusion food outlets are a norm not a specialty here - butter chicken is often on the same menu that also offers bison burger. Not so in Europe! If you find a supermarket selling meat and bread in the same place, you're in luck! Otherwise of the ten food stores on your block, three will be selling bread, three will be selling meat, two will cater to desserts and the other two will be offering wine for less than ten dollars Canadian. In short, bread, wine, cheese, and dessert in abundance, but little else.

BE READY TO FEEL INADEQUATE

European men and women are always fabulously turned out. No one looks as though they spent less than an hour, never mind fifteen hurried minutes, on their outfit. Also, I did not see one obese person the entire three weeks plus that I was there. Instead, model-ready girls graced Parisian cafes while trendy Italians strolled confidently along cobblestone side streets. It seemed I was doomed to feel less than adequate, especially in Paris where streets were filled with nothing other than pouty pretty blondes and brunettes, one and all toting dreamy leather bags while tossing long locks into the French fall wind.

GET USED TO THE SMELL OF CIGARETTES

Everyone and I mean everyone and their smaller than 20 lb pooch smokes. Although most public places no longer allow smoking indoors, it is not uncommon to have a cigarette waved in your face as you walk down a sidewalk, or to have one flicked past you as you turn into a doorway.

PREPARE TO DUCK, DODGE, DIVE, ROLL, AND DODGE AGAIN

People have said Edmonton-ians are bad drivers - hah! Scooters go everywhere from alleys to sidewalks, to roads. Everywhere you go, people are hurrying, muttering apologies as they plunge ahead anyway, knocking your purse about or jostling a shoulder. Friends may pull you aside as a scooter roars past or a car whizzes by. Horns are honked and curses are yelled. Traffic in European cities is not unlike an acute game of dodge-ball, one which may land you on a bench permanently.

On the other hand, France and Italy also had many things to offer. Here's my top five:

FRENCH PASTRIES

I have never tasted a better chocolate croissant or honey nut strudel than in France. All over France, the pastries were top notch. If I could have bottled that warm delicious fragrance of patisseries, I would have, and undoubtedly sold it for millions as love potion. In fact, I did not and still do not like croissants with the exception of the two weeks spent in France!

ITALIAN PASTA

No surprise there! However, I must take the opportunity to rave about the best spaghetti al ragu I have ever EVER tasted in my life! It was in a restaurant called Da Cecio in Corniglia, Cinque Terre. F- had the pasta with pesto and was very pleased by it as well. Fair prices and a nice courtyard overlooking the sea - it was a find! As well, in a cafe called Donatello right by the Duomo in Florence, Italy, I had the opportunity to eat the best ravioli I have tasted in my 27 years on this planet: Ricotta ravioli in a mushroom and truffle sauce...mmmmm!

FLORENTINE GELATO

One can usually buy gelato anywhere in Italy and parts of North America. It's not uncommon, but what is uncommon is the unusually creamy and delicious gelato I had in Florence. It never failed to delight and was a fabulous find. My favourite was from a little corner gelato store just across the Santo Sprito bridge. For 1.50 euro, you may choose two flavours. Afterwards, we'd climb back on the bridge to gaze at passersby and the hustle of Ponte Vecchio.

PARISIAN SCARVES

I was not a scarf girl until I went to Paris. Some things may be extraordinarily expensive overseas, but cashmere scarves were not among those things in Paris. In the Marais neighbourhood, we found an outlet that sold us scarves for no more than 2 euro a piece, and all were either 100% or 70% cashmere. Not surprisingly, I loaded up on pashminas as well.

ROMAN ART

All of Europe is covered in historical buildings, bridges, and fountains. What makes Rome so special? Well, to be frank, it's got the best art - both new and old. Baberini's fountains still grace Piazza Baberini, Navona and the base of the Spanish steps. Raphael's masterpieces are kept up in the rooms named after him inside the Vatican Museum. The Coliseum's ancient grace still awes today. You may still trace the steps of emperors gone by in the Old Forum. And if you wished to purchase sizeable pieces of art, then the only place to go for originals and copies of famous works, is Piazza Navona. Nowhere else in Europe, not even during the art walk / sidewalk exhibition of art in Nice, France were so many large oils available. Nor were their techniques as nice. Rome - there's a reason it's known as the eternal city.

]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:42:59 PST The Land of Gondolas : Venice http://www.trifter.com/Europe/Italy/The-Land-of-Gondolas--Venice.336017 Venice, better known as the city of gondolas and canals, is located in the east of Northern Italy. The city consists of 118 small islands and 170 canals. Islands are linked to each other by 400 bridges. In this structure, it differs from all other cities around the globe. Due to this, public transportation is provided by gondolas which are peculiar to Venice. Most of the time, you can see nobody walking on the foot and driving cars.

Venice is also known as the capital of romance. Many people dream of a wedding party or honeymoon in Venice owing to its marvellous nature and serenity. However, in summer, serenity may be broken down with the sings of gondoliers. Most people prefer to listen those songs while visiting city. However, hiring a gondola may be expensive for middle classes.

Venice has been favourite places of visitors for more than centuries. Not only its nature but also its history attracts many tourists. Its history dates back to Middle ages when sailor Venetians dominate the seas and battled against brutal pirates.

During the centuries, Venice has been also the capital of trading. Venetians improved the number systematic and trading arithmetic after they had learnt the fundementals of them by Arabians and Turks.

Even though the city has a beautiful nature, the population decreased drastically from 300 thousands to 72 thousands since the best bread and butter oppurtunity is tourism for many. The rate of youngs in overall population is very low. However, city is visited by average 70 thousands of tourists daily in summer season.

The must-see places of Venice :

Campanile Bell Tower, Watch Tower, Canale Grande, Fine Arts Academy, Palazzo Corner, Palazzo Grimani, Palazzo Dario, Palazzo Foscari.

]]> Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:52:47 PST Paris by Day http://www.trifter.com/Europe/France/Paris-by-Day.298025 Meandering silently on this warm sunny day
Past the artists with easels perched.
Oil paints, scenery, still life, it all,
Taking it in, on the Rive Gauche.

The brush strokes capture the beauty
While life on the left bank goes on.
I wander past, hands in pockets,
Appreciating the beauty of Paris’ sun.

The nightlife in Paris is as they say;
Burlesque, lively, bon vivant.
But, Paris by day, walk face to the sun
Shows a side more intelligent, than fun.

Appreciate the art, the culture, the joie de vivre.
It is here for all, the Louvre, Notre Dame, la Tour Eiffel.
Take with you your thoughts as you wander the city.
Leave, then, with more thoughts and culture as well.

]]> Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:14:00 PST