Travel Vacations tips

Archive for April, 2010

Paris By The Sea: Paris Plage

When you think of Paris many thinks spring to mind: romance wine food arts and THAT tower. It’s a safe bet that you don’t think of the beach. ParisonSea? No surely everybody knows there’s no beach in Paris right? Right? Except that is for the summer.

From July to late August the usually busy roads that run alongside the Seine are closed and the river banks are turned into a palmlined sandy beach. The now annual Paris Plage initiative was started in 2002 by the city’s socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe as an attempt to reclaim the city for its people. Initially regarded as folly and a bit of a gimmick it was this scheme coupled with a now hugely popular bikerental scheme that helped him get voted back into office.

In fact the scheme proved so popular that it started being mimicked. Suburbs of Paris perhaps put off by the tourists invading what was designed to be their beach holiday started setting up their own smaller versions and it spread outwards to other regional French cities before reaching the likes of Brussels Amsterdam and even Budapest.

Anybody that has visited the French capital will attest that the Seine is truly picturesque and an absolute pleasure to stroll beside and that those rental bicycles are everywhere and with banks wide enough to provide ample space for a ‘beach.’ This year the ‘beach’ is now in place four tonnes of sand along a 3km stretch of the banks and adorned with deck chairs hammocks grassy areas and palm trees and will be there until August 19th. The opening of the beach just a few days after the Bastille Day celebrations was marked with concert by an orchestra and 120 singers performing Beethoven’s ninth ceremony and a huge picnic in the evening along the length of the beach. They do things in style dans Paris.

With France having taken over the rotating EU Presidency this year something special was called for and so a one kilometre stretch of the ‘beach’ was upgraded this year. There’s now activities such as canoeing rowing sailing and that alltime favourite beach activity; ballroom dancing. Last year the initiative attracted 4 million visitors and more are expected this year August being the time of year when most Paris natives decamp on their own holidays.

If you’re one of the millions expected to be descending on Paris this summer knowing how maze like those Parisian streets can be you’ll find the Paris Plage from the Ile St. Louis to the Jardin des Tuileries. So this summer if you’re heading to Paris on holiday you may well need to pack your bucket and spade after all.

About the writer:  Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Glasgow Airport Parking Glasgow Airport Hotels.

Indulge In Some Shopping In London

If you fancy a day out on the town London has plenty to offer you. Like many other cities it has the combination of well known chain stores and one off shops that are run by individuals.

But no matter where you go or what you want to buy London has everything you could hope for. And you might be surprised at the difference between areas that arent too far apart geographically.

For example there are lots of markets in London and Camden Market is arguably one of the most popular of all. The area is actually made up of stalls which spread out into several streets all of which are open every day. It is the mix of stalls which invariably delights all those who visit and you can get some great bargains here.

Elsewhere in London there are some very different shopping experiences on offer. Many people go to areas like Bond Street merely to window shop largely because of the prices! But it is still an experience you will want to indulge in. This is the place where all the top designers can be found such as Donna Karan and Calvin Klein for example.

If you want to do more than just window shop be sure you dont miss out on Oxford Street. This is far more accessible and is widely regarded as the place to go if you want to do some serious shopping in the capital. You will find lots of well known chain stores here and because of the well known nature of the street itself many of them have their biggest stores in the country on this very street.

But if chain stores dont appeal to you dont worry. There are plenty of more quirky shops available nearby if you hop on the Tube and visit Covent Garden. This is an area known for its street entertainment market stalls and shops so it can offer a vibrant and exciting day out. In fact it has been a hub for entertainment for centuries even Samuel Pepys the famous diarist who reported on entertainment in the area some three hundred and fifty years ago!

It is the design of this area as much as what it holds that makes Covent Garden so appealing. In fact if you are looking to stay in London for the weekend or longer there are plenty of hotels in London that are situated close by.

The thing you need to be aware of above all else is that shopping in London can be a very expensive pastime! But you dont need to spend lots of money to come home with some new additions to your wardrobe. There are bargains to be found around every corner you just need to shop long enough to find them.

About the writer:  Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote but should be considered professional content.

Great Singapore Sale – Discover A Truly Extravagant Shopping Fiesta

The Great Singapore Sale is an event totally dedicated to shopping lovers which attracts people from many parts of the world. It is an annual shopping sale that is organized collaborately by the Singapore Tourism Board and other retail stores and malls in Singapore. It can be called the grand annual shopping festival which offers a range of products such as apparel jewellery electronic items fashion accessories cosmetics and perfumes toys Singapore souvenirs and many more. It will be providing the visitors with product discounts as well as other special offers such as discounted tickets to Singapore Zoo Singapore Duck tours to Sentosa and various local attractions.

During the period of the Great Singapore Sale Singapores main shopping malls will be open till midnight and on weekends even past midnight allowing the visitors to indulge in the grand shopping experience of their lives.

There are various privileges that will be offered to the tourists who will be visiting this impressive fiesta such as the special lifestyle promotions that will consist of exclusive dining facilities coupled with exciting nightlife and numerous entertainment facilities. The Tourist Privilege Cards are on offer especially for tourists who yearn to enjoy unique discounts when shopping. The sale runs for eight weeks and it offers a great value for money for tourists who are interested in purchasing branded luxury products as well as for tourists looking for bargained items.

The sale will be held from 23rd May to 20th July starting from Singapores main shopping districts of Orchard road and Marina Bay and will spread towards the Heartlands of Singapore. Another major deal for the tourists visiting the sale can be considered as the partner promotions offered by MasterCard Global refund and other tax free options which offer a truly amazing shopping experience combined with value for money and special discounts.

The Great Singapore Sale has become a shopping fiesta which is not only limited to shopping but also a venue for various exciting events and grand prizes that will be gifted to lucky visitors.

Comfortable and accommodation is available in luxury Singapore hotels that are located near the Great Singapore Sale area providing tourists a pleasurable experience coupled with elegant facilities.

About the writer:  Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a search engine marketing company that offers integrated Internet marketing services and specializes in serving the online travel and hospitality industry. http://www.emarketingeye.com/