The trip exceeded expectations!
Paris
The cosmopolitan capital of France, is one of Europe's largest cities. It has the well-deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food, and design. It is also dubbed as the City of Light and Capital of Fashion, for it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc.
Paris - Arrival
April 1 - 4, 2022
April 1 (Friday)
Arrive in Paris
Arrive in Paris and collect your bags. Upon exiting customs, you'll be met by your private transfer representative who will escort you to your hotel. Settle in and explore the neighborhood you'll be sleeping in for the next week.
The cosmopolitan capital of France, is one of Europe's largest cities. It has the well-deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food, and design. It is also dubbed as the City of Light and Capital of Fashion, for it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc.
Paris - Arrival
April 1 - 4, 2022
April 1 (Friday)
Arrive in Paris
Arrive in Paris and collect your bags. Upon exiting customs, you'll be met by your private transfer representative who will escort you to your hotel. Settle in and explore the neighborhood you'll be sleeping in for the next week.
April 2 (Saturday)
Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise
Today is the day you climb to the top of the Eiffel tower for incredible 360 degree views of Paris. Don't forget to show up in time (and dressed appropriately!) for your Seine River cruise with dinner.
EIFFEL TOWER SKIP THE LINE SUMMIT ACCESS
Bypass the long lines at the Eiffel Tower with this tour that includes summit access. After fast track, skip-the-line access, proceed to the second level to survey the city from the viewing platforms while listening to commentary about Paris culture, traditions, and history. Then, proceed to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel's private apartments and sip Champagne from the onsite bar (own expense).
SEINE RIVER CRUISE WITH DINNER SERVICE PREMIER
Discover what makes the City of Light so spectacular once the sun sets. Enjoy a delicious meal prepared onboard as you glide past Paris's gleaming landmarks and listen to live music. If the spirit moves you, hop on up to the dance floor! Dinner will combine tradition and innovation and will include your choice of starter, main dish, a fine cheese selection, dessert, and Champagne.
April 3 (Sunday)
Wine Tasting
Today you'll visit one of France's famous wine regions.
Reims Tour and Champagne Tasting
Discover France’s exquisite Champagne country on this full-day history and tasting tour from Paris. In a small group, wind through verdant hillsides en route to wine estates, a distinguished Champagne house and the charming city of Reims for a tour of the famous Gothic cathedral. Your tasting adventure includes guided tours of vineyards and champagne cellars, complimentary samples of sparkling wines and a traditional French lunch.
Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise
Today is the day you climb to the top of the Eiffel tower for incredible 360 degree views of Paris. Don't forget to show up in time (and dressed appropriately!) for your Seine River cruise with dinner.
EIFFEL TOWER SKIP THE LINE SUMMIT ACCESS
Bypass the long lines at the Eiffel Tower with this tour that includes summit access. After fast track, skip-the-line access, proceed to the second level to survey the city from the viewing platforms while listening to commentary about Paris culture, traditions, and history. Then, proceed to the summit to see Gustave Eiffel's private apartments and sip Champagne from the onsite bar (own expense).
SEINE RIVER CRUISE WITH DINNER SERVICE PREMIER
Discover what makes the City of Light so spectacular once the sun sets. Enjoy a delicious meal prepared onboard as you glide past Paris's gleaming landmarks and listen to live music. If the spirit moves you, hop on up to the dance floor! Dinner will combine tradition and innovation and will include your choice of starter, main dish, a fine cheese selection, dessert, and Champagne.
April 3 (Sunday)
Wine Tasting
Today you'll visit one of France's famous wine regions.
Reims Tour and Champagne Tasting
Discover France’s exquisite Champagne country on this full-day history and tasting tour from Paris. In a small group, wind through verdant hillsides en route to wine estates, a distinguished Champagne house and the charming city of Reims for a tour of the famous Gothic cathedral. Your tasting adventure includes guided tours of vineyards and champagne cellars, complimentary samples of sparkling wines and a traditional French lunch.
- Full-day guided excursion through gorgeous Champagne country from Paris
- Take an interior tour of the stunning Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral
- Enjoy a vineyard tour complete with a free Champagne tasting
- Savor a traditional lunch in Reims, included with your ticket
- Learn about Champagne production at Moet and Chandon cellars
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
April 4 (Monday)
The Louvre
This is a full day of exploring art through the centuries. It's truly remarkable. Take your time, but prioritize exhibits that are more inline with your interest.
The Louvre
This is a full day of exploring art through the centuries. It's truly remarkable. Take your time, but prioritize exhibits that are more inline with your interest.
April 5 (Tuesday)
Train to Lausanne
Enjoy a scenic train ride to Lausanne where you'll stay for the next three nights.
April 6 (Wednesday)
Full day in Lausanne
Free day to explore on your own. Consider the following sites:
April 7 (Thursday)
Final day in Lausanne
Free day to explore on your own. Consider the following sites:
April 8 (Friday)
Return home
Today you will be met and transferred from your hotel to the airport in Geneva. The landscape may disappear as you take off, but your experiences will always loom large within you.
Train to Lausanne
Enjoy a scenic train ride to Lausanne where you'll stay for the next three nights.
April 6 (Wednesday)
Full day in Lausanne
Free day to explore on your own. Consider the following sites:
- Lausanne Cathedral
- The Olympic Museum
- Ouchy Lakeside Walk
April 7 (Thursday)
Final day in Lausanne
Free day to explore on your own. Consider the following sites:
April 8 (Friday)
Return home
Today you will be met and transferred from your hotel to the airport in Geneva. The landscape may disappear as you take off, but your experiences will always loom large within you.
Train ride was beautiful
Flight issues going and coming.
There was a marathon on one of the days we were exploring Paris which made it hard to see some of the sights.
No other issues.
Flight issues going and coming.
There was a marathon on one of the days we were exploring Paris which made it hard to see some of the sights.
No other issues.
March 31
Click here to view your complete flight details.
1. UA-7690049341/ /ONE/CA 1.1CETOR / MARIE ANNETTE/2/F/E
2. UA-7690049343/ /ONE/CA 2.1GOLEM / BIEWSKI HEATHER ANN/2/F/E
Click here to view your complete flight details.
1. UA-7690049341/ /ONE/CA 1.1CETOR / MARIE ANNETTE/2/F/E
2. UA-7690049343/ /ONE/CA 2.1GOLEM / BIEWSKI HEATHER ANN/2/F/E
April 5
Global Concierge - Classic Vacations Concierge Rail
Heather Ann Golembiewski's ticket
Marie Annette Cetor's ticket
Global Concierge - Classic Vacations Concierge Rail
Heather Ann Golembiewski's ticket
Marie Annette Cetor's ticket
April 8
Car Transfer - From Royal Savoy Lausanne to Geneva Cointrin Airport
Pick-up time: 9am
Vehicle: Mercedes S Class
Note: 300 CHF payment is due directly to the hotel upon check-out
Car Transfer - From Royal Savoy Lausanne to Geneva Cointrin Airport
Pick-up time: 9am
Vehicle: Mercedes S Class
Note: 300 CHF payment is due directly to the hotel upon check-out
April 8
Click here to view your complete flight details.
Click here to view your complete flight details.
Paris hotel was in a quiet part of town which was nice. Felt secluded. Breakfast was delicious. Room was beautiful. Staff incredible. Got a free upgrade to a king size room. Pretty decent size room. Plenty of things to explore within a block or two. Ubered to see the main sites such as Eiffel tower. Picasso museum was walking distance. Perfect location for us.
Lausanne hotel had an amazing view from our bedroom balcony. Rooms located on 4th floor and up have a fantastic view. 7 minute walk to the lake. Nicest hotel we've ever stayed in.
Lausanne hotel had an amazing view from our bedroom balcony. Rooms located on 4th floor and up have a fantastic view. 7 minute walk to the lake. Nicest hotel we've ever stayed in.
Pavillon de La Reine & Spa - Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Reservation #: 1891988286
Paris
Check-in: April 1
Check out: April 5
Address: 28 Place Des Vosges, Paris, Paris
Tel. +33-1-40291919
Room
1 Double Bed or 2 Twin Beds
Overview
Property Location
With a stay at Pavillon de La Reine & Spa - Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you'll be centrally located in Paris, steps from Place des Vosges and within a 5-minute walk of Victor Hugo's House. This 5-star hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Picasso Museum and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Carnavalet Museum.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 56 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring iPod docking stations and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a spa tub, a steam room, and a fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, and concierge services. Book SPA treatments in advance of arrival.
Dining
Enjoy French cuisine at Anne, a restaurant where you can take in the garden view, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee.
Reservation #: 1891988286
Paris
Check-in: April 1
Check out: April 5
Address: 28 Place Des Vosges, Paris, Paris
Tel. +33-1-40291919
Room
1 Double Bed or 2 Twin Beds
Overview
Property Location
With a stay at Pavillon de La Reine & Spa - Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you'll be centrally located in Paris, steps from Place des Vosges and within a 5-minute walk of Victor Hugo's House. This 5-star hotel is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Picasso Museum and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Carnavalet Museum.
Rooms
Make yourself at home in one of the 56 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring iPod docking stations and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments, and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a spa tub, a steam room, and a fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, and concierge services. Book SPA treatments in advance of arrival.
Dining
Enjoy French cuisine at Anne, a restaurant where you can take in the garden view, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee.
Royal Savoy Lausanne in Lausanne
Reservation #: 64804SC015479
Lausanne
Check-in: April 5
Check out: April 8
Address: Avenue d'Ouchy 40, Lausanne, VD
Tel. +41-21-6148888
Room
1 King Bed
Overview
Property Location
Luxury Lausanne hotel in Ouchy, near Lausanne Cathedral.
Rooms
Royal Savoy Lausanne offers 196 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and laptop-compatible safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. 50-cm LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads, slippers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and coffee/tea makers. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities
A full-service spa, an indoor pool, and an outdoor pool are available at this hotel. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar/lounge. All 196 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and 24-hour room service. For a bit of entertainment, LCD TVs come with cable channels, and guests will also appreciate thoughtful touches like slippers and children's slippers. An indoor pool and an outdoor pool are on site. Other recreational amenities include a sauna and a fitness center.
Reservation #: 64804SC015479
Lausanne
Check-in: April 5
Check out: April 8
Address: Avenue d'Ouchy 40, Lausanne, VD
Tel. +41-21-6148888
Room
1 King Bed
Overview
Property Location
Luxury Lausanne hotel in Ouchy, near Lausanne Cathedral.
Rooms
Royal Savoy Lausanne offers 196 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and laptop-compatible safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. 50-cm LCD televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads, slippers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and coffee/tea makers. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities
A full-service spa, an indoor pool, and an outdoor pool are available at this hotel. Free WiFi in public areas and free valet parking are also provided. Other amenities include a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar/lounge. All 196 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and 24-hour room service. For a bit of entertainment, LCD TVs come with cable channels, and guests will also appreciate thoughtful touches like slippers and children's slippers. An indoor pool and an outdoor pool are on site. Other recreational amenities include a sauna and a fitness center.
Eiffel tower amazing
Loved the dinner cruise - Beautiful boat. Great service. The food was delicious. They had duck, chicken, fish, veggie options and several appetizers to choose from. Cheese course. Dessert was amazing.
Cried when they arrived at the Louvre
Loved Lausanne. Very relaxed atmosphere. Public transportation is free.
Boat ride was fine, but it rained that day.
Found a place with pizza and $2 beer. Found a chocolate shop that was open even thought most things closed early. Probably best dessert of the entire trip.
The Cleanest crispest air.
Incredible view of the lake and the alps. Crystal clear water.
Loved the dinner cruise - Beautiful boat. Great service. The food was delicious. They had duck, chicken, fish, veggie options and several appetizers to choose from. Cheese course. Dessert was amazing.
Cried when they arrived at the Louvre
Loved Lausanne. Very relaxed atmosphere. Public transportation is free.
Boat ride was fine, but it rained that day.
Found a place with pizza and $2 beer. Found a chocolate shop that was open even thought most things closed early. Probably best dessert of the entire trip.
The Cleanest crispest air.
Incredible view of the lake and the alps. Crystal clear water.
Paris
April 2: Eiffel Tower Skip the Line and Small Group Tour with Summit Access by elevator
Click here for your ticket.
Breeze past the crowds outside the Eiffel Tower with this skip-the-line pass and 1.5-hour tour. In the company of your local guide, you'll gain priority access to the tower's second level. Delve into the history of one of the world's most famous monuments and soak up the exhibits and maps on display. Then bid adieu to your guide and head to the tower's summit for stellar views of the City of Lights. Toast your travels with a glass of bubbly from the Champagne bar (own expense).
Click here for your ticket.
Breeze past the crowds outside the Eiffel Tower with this skip-the-line pass and 1.5-hour tour. In the company of your local guide, you'll gain priority access to the tower's second level. Delve into the history of one of the world's most famous monuments and soak up the exhibits and maps on display. Then bid adieu to your guide and head to the tower's summit for stellar views of the City of Lights. Toast your travels with a glass of bubbly from the Champagne bar (own expense).
- Skip-the-line access to the Eiffel Tower
- Guided 1.5-hour tour of the 2nd Floor
- After the tour, continue to the summit on your own
- Small group ensures personalized attention
April 2: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise
Click here for your ticket.
Ensure a memorable night out in Paris with a gourmet dinner cruise along the Seine River. Float past the city’s famed monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Ile de la Cité aboard a luxury Bateaux Parisiens riverboat. Soak up the magic of Paris from an onboard dining room while enjoying a gourmet 3-course meal. Please note that Champagne and live music are also included on select 8:30pm departures.
Click here for your ticket.
Ensure a memorable night out in Paris with a gourmet dinner cruise along the Seine River. Float past the city’s famed monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Ile de la Cité aboard a luxury Bateaux Parisiens riverboat. Soak up the magic of Paris from an onboard dining room while enjoying a gourmet 3-course meal. Please note that Champagne and live music are also included on select 8:30pm departures.
- Evening cruise along the Seine River
- Sip on a glass of Champagne when you board your boat (for 8:30pm dinner cruises only)
- Enjoy a 3-course à la carte dinner with wine
- See iconic Paris attractions that line the Seine’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed riverbanks
April 4: Champagne Area Small Group Day Trip with 8 Tastings & Lunch from Paris
Click here for your ticket.
Travel with a small group—including hotel pickup from Paris—and spend a day touring the Champagne region. Visit a world-renowned Champagne house such as Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, or Veuve Clicquot, as well as smaller estates. Experience multiple tastings and learn how the popular bubbly drink is made as you stroll through sprawling vineyards and enter cellars. Plus, enjoy a gourmet lunch at a family-run winery.
Click here for your ticket.
Travel with a small group—including hotel pickup from Paris—and spend a day touring the Champagne region. Visit a world-renowned Champagne house such as Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, or Veuve Clicquot, as well as smaller estates. Experience multiple tastings and learn how the popular bubbly drink is made as you stroll through sprawling vineyards and enter cellars. Plus, enjoy a gourmet lunch at a family-run winery.
- Full-day tour of the Champagne region from Paris: tastings plus a master class
- Visit Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, or Veuve Clicquot and smaller estates
- Delicious lunch with Champagne tasting served at a traditional, family-run estate
- Small-group tour, limited to eight people, ensures a high level of service including hotel pickup
Lausanne
April 7: Boat cruise from Lausanne to Evian
Click here for your ticket.
Relax on the short boat trip between Lausanne and Evian. A great getaway to discover the French shore of Lake Geneva and the city of Evian, world famous for its mineral water. Stroll along the lake promenade and discover the historic center of the city with its small alleys as well as the Palais Lumière. Head to the Cachat source (historical source of Evian water) and its magnificent Art Nouveau building.
Click here for your ticket.
Relax on the short boat trip between Lausanne and Evian. A great getaway to discover the French shore of Lake Geneva and the city of Evian, world famous for its mineral water. Stroll along the lake promenade and discover the historic center of the city with its small alleys as well as the Palais Lumière. Head to the Cachat source (historical source of Evian water) and its magnificent Art Nouveau building.
Their experience exceeded expectations
Overview of France
France, officially the French Republic (French: République Française), is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless restaurants, picturesque villages and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave the world. And others still are drawn to the country's geographical diversity with its long coastlines, massive mountain ranges and breathtaking farmland vistas.
France in many ways is not just a country but a way of life. It has given the world its culture, its cuisine, its fashions and so much more. It has produced many influential artists, thinkers and scientists, and remains a prominent global centre of all things cultural. It possesses world-class art galleries and outstanding museums; it offers everything architecturally from ancient Roman sites to Renaissance Chateaux; its cuisine is legendary as is its wines and liqueurs. The sights, sounds and ambience are all there to devour on a France vacation.
France, officially the French Republic (French: République Française), is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless restaurants, picturesque villages and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave the world. And others still are drawn to the country's geographical diversity with its long coastlines, massive mountain ranges and breathtaking farmland vistas.
France in many ways is not just a country but a way of life. It has given the world its culture, its cuisine, its fashions and so much more. It has produced many influential artists, thinkers and scientists, and remains a prominent global centre of all things cultural. It possesses world-class art galleries and outstanding museums; it offers everything architecturally from ancient Roman sites to Renaissance Chateaux; its cuisine is legendary as is its wines and liqueurs. The sights, sounds and ambience are all there to devour on a France vacation.
Overview of Paris
Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is one of Europe's largest cities, with 2.2 million people living in the dense, central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area. Located in the north of France on the river Seine, Paris has the well deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has the second highest number of Michelin restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) and contains numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist site the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, and Lido, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world with 45 million tourists annually.
Paris is known as the “City of Light”. The origin of this name comes from the Middle Ages which was the period of enlightenment. It is also known as the Capital of Fashion, which is no surprise when one thinks of all those famous French designers. This beautiful and romantic city, in many respects, resembles an outdoor museum with its attractive and elegant architecture and wide boulevards. Paris is made up of 20 districts called Arrondissements, each one giving a different perspective to the city. The meandering River Seine dissects the city and adds enormously to the character and beauty of travel to Paris.
Paris’s principal boulevard is the elegant Champs-Élyées which cuts through the centre of the city with the iconic Arc de Triomphe located at one end and the Place de La Concorde at the other. Paris boasts several beautiful parks such as the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, the two most extensive ones. In the centre of the city are three smaller but charming parks, the Tuileries which border onto the Louvre, the Jardin du Luxembourg on the left bank and the delightful if small Place des Vosges surrounded by lovely houses and cafes, all to be enjoyed on Paris tours.
Click here for more information about Paris
Paris, the cosmopolitan capital of France, is one of Europe's largest cities, with 2.2 million people living in the dense, central city and almost 12 million people living in the whole metropolitan area. Located in the north of France on the river Seine, Paris has the well deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities, brimming with historic associations and remaining vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has the second highest number of Michelin restaurants in the world (after Tokyo) and contains numerous iconic landmarks, such as the world's most visited tourist site the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge, and Lido, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world with 45 million tourists annually.
Paris is known as the “City of Light”. The origin of this name comes from the Middle Ages which was the period of enlightenment. It is also known as the Capital of Fashion, which is no surprise when one thinks of all those famous French designers. This beautiful and romantic city, in many respects, resembles an outdoor museum with its attractive and elegant architecture and wide boulevards. Paris is made up of 20 districts called Arrondissements, each one giving a different perspective to the city. The meandering River Seine dissects the city and adds enormously to the character and beauty of travel to Paris.
Paris’s principal boulevard is the elegant Champs-Élyées which cuts through the centre of the city with the iconic Arc de Triomphe located at one end and the Place de La Concorde at the other. Paris boasts several beautiful parks such as the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, the two most extensive ones. In the centre of the city are three smaller but charming parks, the Tuileries which border onto the Louvre, the Jardin du Luxembourg on the left bank and the delightful if small Place des Vosges surrounded by lovely houses and cafes, all to be enjoyed on Paris tours.
Click here for more information about Paris
Must Eats
Croissant - A croissant is a buttery, flaky, viennoiserie pastry of Austrian origin, but mostly associated with France. Croissants are named for their historical crescent shape and, like other viennoiseries, are made of a layered yeast-leavened dough
Beef bourguignon - Beef bourguignon or bœuf bourguignon, also called beef Burgundy, and bœuf à la Bourguignonne, is a beef stew braised in red wine, often red Burgundy, and beef stock, typically flavored with carrots, onions, garlic, and a bouquet garni, and garnished with pearl onions, mushrooms, and bacon
Cheese - Stop by a local fromagerie (cheese shop) to taste some cheese and bring back to your hotel with a nice bottle of wine.
Food and Shopping
Two excellent reasons to enjoy Paris have nothing to do with its popular tourist attractions. Enjoying a taste of Parisian culinary prowess is a must whether it is just sitting at an outside café watching the world go by with coffee and a croissant, or enjoying a meal at one of the vast number of quality restaurants that abound here. Excellent shopping opportunities can also be found not only in big Paris department stores such as the Galerie Lafayette, but in the many boutique shops that can be found everywhere on Paris tours.
Other popular dishes include:
Crepes - A crêpe or crepe is a type of very thin pancake. Crêpes are usually of two types: sweet crêpes and savoury galettes. Crêpes are served with a variety of fillings, from the simplest with only sugar to flambéed crêpes Suzette or elaborate savoury galettes
Bouillabaisse - Bouillabaisse is a traditional Provençal fish stew originating in the port city of Marseille. The French and English form bouillabaisse comes from the Provençal Occitan word bolhabaissa, a compound that consists of the two verbs bolhir and abaissar.
Souffle - A soufflé is a baked egg-based dish originating in France in the early eighteenth century. Combined with various other ingredients it can be served as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert
Drink
The bar scene in Paris really does have something for everyone, from bars which serve drinks in baby bottles to ultra luxe clubs that require some name dropping or card (black Amex) showing, and clubs where you can dance like no one's watching (although they will be). To start your night out right, grab a drink or two in an ubiquitous dive bar before burning up the dance floor and spreading some cash at one of the trendy clubs.
Of course there are lots of interesting places which are sort of off on their own outside of these clusters, including a few like the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz which are not to be missed in a serious roundup of Parisian drinking, so check out the listings even in those arrondissements we haven't mentioned above.
Croissant - A croissant is a buttery, flaky, viennoiserie pastry of Austrian origin, but mostly associated with France. Croissants are named for their historical crescent shape and, like other viennoiseries, are made of a layered yeast-leavened dough
Beef bourguignon - Beef bourguignon or bœuf bourguignon, also called beef Burgundy, and bœuf à la Bourguignonne, is a beef stew braised in red wine, often red Burgundy, and beef stock, typically flavored with carrots, onions, garlic, and a bouquet garni, and garnished with pearl onions, mushrooms, and bacon
Cheese - Stop by a local fromagerie (cheese shop) to taste some cheese and bring back to your hotel with a nice bottle of wine.
Food and Shopping
Two excellent reasons to enjoy Paris have nothing to do with its popular tourist attractions. Enjoying a taste of Parisian culinary prowess is a must whether it is just sitting at an outside café watching the world go by with coffee and a croissant, or enjoying a meal at one of the vast number of quality restaurants that abound here. Excellent shopping opportunities can also be found not only in big Paris department stores such as the Galerie Lafayette, but in the many boutique shops that can be found everywhere on Paris tours.
Other popular dishes include:
Crepes - A crêpe or crepe is a type of very thin pancake. Crêpes are usually of two types: sweet crêpes and savoury galettes. Crêpes are served with a variety of fillings, from the simplest with only sugar to flambéed crêpes Suzette or elaborate savoury galettes
Bouillabaisse - Bouillabaisse is a traditional Provençal fish stew originating in the port city of Marseille. The French and English form bouillabaisse comes from the Provençal Occitan word bolhabaissa, a compound that consists of the two verbs bolhir and abaissar.
Souffle - A soufflé is a baked egg-based dish originating in France in the early eighteenth century. Combined with various other ingredients it can be served as a savory main dish or sweetened as a dessert
Drink
The bar scene in Paris really does have something for everyone, from bars which serve drinks in baby bottles to ultra luxe clubs that require some name dropping or card (black Amex) showing, and clubs where you can dance like no one's watching (although they will be). To start your night out right, grab a drink or two in an ubiquitous dive bar before burning up the dance floor and spreading some cash at one of the trendy clubs.
- Canal St Martin. Many cozy cafés and other drinking establishments abound around the Canal St Martin in the 10th.
- The Marais. The Marais has a large number of trendier new bars mostly in the 4th and to a lesser extent the 3rd with a few old charmers tossed into the mix. A number of bars and restaurants in the Marais have a decidedly gay crowd, but are usually perfectly friendly to straights as well. Some seem to be more specifically aimed at up-and-coming hetero singles.
- Bastille. There is a very active nightlife zone just to the northeast of Place de Bastille centred around rue de Lappe, rue de la Roquette, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine (especially the amazing Club Barrio Latino) and rue de Charonne in the 11th. Many of the bars closest to Bastille have either a North, Central, or South American theme, with a couple of Aussie places mixed in for good measure, and as you continue up rue de Charonne the cafés have more of a traditionally French but grungy feeling.
- Quartier Latin - Odeon. If you're looking for the nouvelle vague (new wave) style, student and intellectual atmosphere of Paris in the 60s and 70s, you'll find a lot of that (and more hip + chique) places in the quartier Latin and between place Odeon and the Seine. The neighborhood is also home of many small artsy cinemas showing non-mainstream films and classics (check 'Pariscope' or 'l'officiel du spectacle' at any newspaper stand for the weekly programme).
- Rue Mouffetard and environs. The area in the 5th on the south side of the hill topped by the Panthéon has a little bit of everything for the nighthawk, from the classy cafés of Place de la Contrescarpe to an Irish-American dive bar just down the way to a hip, nearly hidden jazz café at the bottom of the hill.
- Châtelet. In some ways the Marais starts here in the 1st between Les Halles and Hôtel de Ville but with between all of the tourists and the venerable Jazz clubs on rue des Lombards the area deserves some special attention.
- Montmartre. You'll find any number of cozy cafés and other drinking establishments all around the Butte Montmartre in the 18th, especially check out rue des Abbesses near the Métro station of the same name.
- Oberkampf-Ménilmontant. If you are wondering where to find the hipsters (bobos for bohemian-bourgeois), then this is where to look. There are several clusters of grungy-hip bars all along rue Oberkampf in the 11th, and stretching well into the 20th up the hill on rue de Ménilmontant. It's almost like being in San Francisco's Haight-Fillmore district.
- Bagnolet. There are a cluster of bar/restaurant/nightclubs along the southern end of the Père Lachaise cemetery in the 20th including probably the best place in Paris for nightly local and touring punk rock.
- Rues des Dames-Batignolles. Another good place to find the grungy-chic crowd is the northern end of the 17th around rue des Dames and rue des Batignolles, and if you decide you want something a little different Montmartre is just around the corner.
- Port de Tolbiac. This previously deserted stretch of the river Seine in the 13th was re-born as a hub for nightlife (and Sunday-afternoon-life) a few years ago when an electronic music cooperative opened the Batofar. Nowadays there are a number of boats moored along the same quai, including a boat with a Caribbean theme, and one with an Indian restaurant.
- Saint Germain des Prés. This area has two of the most famous cafés in the world: Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, both catering to the tourists and the snobs who can afford their high prices. This part of the 6th is where the Parisian café scene really started, and there still are hundreds of places to pull up to a table, order a glass, and discuss Sartre deep into the evening.
Of course there are lots of interesting places which are sort of off on their own outside of these clusters, including a few like the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz which are not to be missed in a serious roundup of Parisian drinking, so check out the listings even in those arrondissements we haven't mentioned above.
Overview of Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to the north. The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.
Switzerland is known for its mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634m while Lake Maggiore is only 195m above sea level.
Switzerland showcases three of Europe's most distinct cultures. To the northeast is the clean and correct, 8-to-5-working, stiffer Swiss-German-speaking Switzerland; to the southwest you find the wine drinking and laissez-faire style known from the French; in the southeast, south of the Alps, the sun warms cappuccino-sippers loitering in Italian-style plazas; and in the center: classic Swiss alphorns and mountain landscapes. Binding it all together is a distinct Swiss mentality.
Click here for more information about Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has borders with France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Germany to the north. The climate is temperate, but varies with altitude. Switzerland has cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.
Switzerland is known for its mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) but it also has a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. The highest point is Dufourspitze at 4,634m while Lake Maggiore is only 195m above sea level.
Switzerland showcases three of Europe's most distinct cultures. To the northeast is the clean and correct, 8-to-5-working, stiffer Swiss-German-speaking Switzerland; to the southwest you find the wine drinking and laissez-faire style known from the French; in the southeast, south of the Alps, the sun warms cappuccino-sippers loitering in Italian-style plazas; and in the center: classic Swiss alphorns and mountain landscapes. Binding it all together is a distinct Swiss mentality.
Click here for more information about Switzerland
Overview of Lausanne
Lausanne, the capital of the Swiss canton of Vaud, is a medium sized city. The city is the host to the International Olympic Committee and two major universities. It is also the transportation hub of Vaud, and a gateway to the alpine Canton of the Valais, home to some of the best known ski slopes in the world.
Lausanne is located at the most northern point of the Lake Geneva. East from Lausanne along the shores of Lake Geneva, the wine-growing region Lavaux, a UNESCO world heritage site, spreads until Vevey. It is a part of the Swiss Riviera that stretches to Montreux and the eastern end of the lake. A region known as La Côte that stretches west from Lausanne until Geneva with its capital Nyon is known nowadays as the home of a big number of (English-speaking) expats working mostly in Geneva. North from Lausanne is a rural area extending until Yverdon and the Lake of Neuchâtel.
Click here for more information about Lausanne
See
Museums
Do
Buy
Lausanne, the capital of the Swiss canton of Vaud, is a medium sized city. The city is the host to the International Olympic Committee and two major universities. It is also the transportation hub of Vaud, and a gateway to the alpine Canton of the Valais, home to some of the best known ski slopes in the world.
Lausanne is located at the most northern point of the Lake Geneva. East from Lausanne along the shores of Lake Geneva, the wine-growing region Lavaux, a UNESCO world heritage site, spreads until Vevey. It is a part of the Swiss Riviera that stretches to Montreux and the eastern end of the lake. A region known as La Côte that stretches west from Lausanne until Geneva with its capital Nyon is known nowadays as the home of a big number of (English-speaking) expats working mostly in Geneva. North from Lausanne is a rural area extending until Yverdon and the Lake of Neuchâtel.
Click here for more information about Lausanne
See
Museums
- Palais de Rumine
- Espace Arlaud
- Musee Historique de Lausanne
- Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts
- Fondation de l'Hermitage
- Collection de l'Art Brut
- Musee et Jardins Botaniques Cantonaux
- Olympic Museum
Do
- Explore the Old Town
- Explore the Sauvabelin Forest
- Feast on Authentic Swiss Cooking
- Enjoy the Lakefront of Ouchy
- Climb up the Cathedral Tower
- Swim
- Rent a Boat or Pedalo at Ouchy
Buy
- Swiss Trinkets
- Saucisson Vaudois and Saucisse Aux Choux
- Pate a la viande - a small muffin-like puff pastry baked with a piece of meat inside.
- Taille aux greubons - another cake made from puff pastry mixed with small pieces of bacon.
- Tarte a la creme - a pie baked with cream and sugar on top.
- Tarte au vin cuit - a sweet pie with condensed fruit juice, typically apple or pear.
- Tomme vaudoise - a soft cheese with a mold crust.
- White wine
