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There are many different reasons why people choose to visit Paris France. According to the Globalization and World Cities study group, Paris is among four “full service world class cities,” which also includes London, New York City and Tokyo, ranked for their cultural, political and economic significance. Some people come to the location Paris for its architecture, monuments and historical significance. Others wish to soak in the culture of art, dance, music and fashion. Yet another class of people might wish to sample some of the best food the world has to offer. No matter why you come to Paris, you will find a wide variety of experiences awaiting you.

Architecture buffs have a number of places to see when they visit Paris France. You’ll see palaces like the Palace of Versailles, which was built in the French Renaissance tradition circa 1678; Chateau de Villette, another 17th-century palace, crafted in French Baroque style for Louis XIV’s ambassador, Jean Dyel; or the Palais de Chaillot, a stripped classical structure designed for the 1937 World Exposition. Other French Baroque palaces include the Chteau de Maisons, Chteau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Jardins des Tuileries, Palais du Luxembourg and Palais Royal-Muse du Louvre. In addition to palaces, there are churches in Paris that date back to the 12th and 13th Centuries, such as the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral (1163), La Sainte-Chapelle (1238), Basilique Saint-Denis (1136) and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres (1140). Mont Martre, St. Louis des Invalides, the Church of Saint-Sulpice and the Paris Pantheon are other beautiful, historic churches.

In addition to showcasing beautiful palaces and churches, Paris France is world-renowned for its impressive monuments. The Arc de Triomphe, at the western end of the Champs-lyses, was built in 1806 to honor soldiers who fought for France during the Napoleonic wars. The Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world from 1889 to 1930 and is considered one of the most romantic spots on the planet. For architecture buffs who also are intrigued by history, the Invalides museum is the burial place for French soldiers like Napoleon, Turenne and Vauban, while the Panthon church holds the bodies of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie. There are two Statues of Liberty located on the le des Cygnes on the Seine and in the Luxembourg Garden, which was the prototype for New York’s famous monument. The Paris Opera house and the University of Paris in the Lation Quarter are other beautiful places to Paris visitors.

Paris France is known for its wine, brie cheese, beets, asparagus, mushrooms and chocolates. Cakes and pastries like Niflette, Paris-Brest, Puits d’amour and tart bourdaloue are popular at the cafes. Breakfasts usually consist of croissants, coffee and fruit. Lunch is the big meal of the day around noon and dinners are eaten late at night, usually around 8 p.m.

If food is your passion, then you can come to Paris and request a food tour from www.edible-paris.com, www.viator.com/paris-food-tours, www.poshnosh.com/tbkaf/foodlover-paris.html, www.meetingthefrench.com or circatours.com/tours-wine-cuisine/paris-food-fairs.htm.

Whether you stay for a romantic weekend at hotels in Paris or you spend several weeks soaking it all in, you’ll find Paris outweighing most European cities in what it can offer you.

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Tags: paris, Paris architecture, Paris Art, Paris France, Paris France Modern Art, Paris Travel, Travel, Travel and leisure
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Before you head off on your next holiday trip to Rome, you need to think about a few things, including accommodations. The majority of people default to a stay in a major hotel chain, often because they don’t know they have alternatives. A self catered holiday apartment could make your trip to this great city much more interesting.

Apartments offer plenty of benefits you won’t get with a stay in a hotel. They cost a lot less and offer more space for what you pay than you’d be able to find in a hotel. You’ll also have a lot more freedom about what you do in your space and be able to control your stay more personally, without dealing with the crowding many hotels in Rome are infamous for.

If you’ve ever been annoyed by the cramped conditions in the average hotel room, or the cost of a hotel suite (for those who need more room), apartment living might be the answer for you. If you’re tired of having to eat out every day, and would enjoy the opportunity to cook fresh, delicious food you bought in local markets, using your own kitchen at home, apartments are the answer.

If you’re someone who likes to feel like they really have a home away from home, including not having housekeeping come in every single day to disrupt your routine, you should take a look at your options for apartments. You’ll save money on your vacation, have the option to order the extra services that you want, and be able to avoid the services that aren’t for you. You won’t get all the services of a hotel, but you won’t pay the same prices, either.

Pick an apartment that features a terrace or balcony, and you’ll be able to enjoy outside dining, with a beautiful background view. Don’t take in Rome just as a tourist - live in an actual residential area that lets you learn more about the city and feel more like a local.

There are a few things you’ll need to do differently, of course. Make sure that you know when to expect linen changes and cleaning, be aware that there’s no 24 hour front desk (though you can still call to get assistance during the day) and book extra services ahead of time to ensure the best experience. Take the time to learn about your options for groceries in the area, so you can enjoy the benefits of doing your own local shopping, too.

Plan departure and arrival carefully - that keeps you from needing to find storage for your bags before the apartment is open and after it closes. Many people staying in holiday apartments choose to arrive in the afternoon and leave in the morning, for the most convenient arrangements. If you need to show up earlier than that or leave later, be sure you’ve planned for it.

If you take the time to learn what you can expect and you prepare for a stay in an apartment, it could be the perfect choice for your next holiday. No matter whether you’re planning a romantic trip as a couple, going with a group or as a family, or traveling on your own, you can benefit from an apartment stay. Take the time to learn more about holiday apartments - they might be just what you need.

Tags: Accommodation, hotel, Italy, Rome, Rome Travel, Tourism
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Since the foundation of Rome about 2,700 years ago, the city has been a force in the European history; first as the center of the Roman Empire and later has the center of the Catholic Church. That means that you will see relics of the ancient Rome wherever you go.

The impressive amphitheatre Coliseum is one of the most interesting relics of the ancient Rome. It was originally build to house 55,000 spectators, who were entertained with fights against wild animals and gladiator fights.

Emperor Vespasian ordered the building of the Coliseum in 72 AD. Then there were a lot of other coliseums around the Roman Empire; from El Djem in North Africa to Arles and Nimes in France. Since there has been missing maintenance, destructions and even theft; but the Coliseum is still a must see sight.

Another must see sight in Rome is the St. Peter’s Basilica; also named the St. Peter’s Cathedral. This building is almost the definition of the Vatican State. Even though it just physical is the center of the smallest country in the world, it is the heart of the Catholic religious community.

It took more than one hundred years to build the St. Peter’s Basilica, and many famous architects have set their distinctive mark at the construction. There are many interesting sights in the cathedral, but the most impressive is the dome drawn by Michelangelo. From here you have a perfect view of most of the Vatican State.

You also have to see the Sistine Chapel; the main chapel of the Vatican Palace. The ornamentation was finished by Michelangelo with his famous fresco named Judgment Day in 1541. Today it is seen as his masterpiece from his mature years. The work took seven years, and two windows and an altar have to be removed to make room for Michelangelos work.

Since the beginning of the time Rome has been the center of international trade. Material from the remotest places in the Roman Empire was processed by the best craftsmen into masterpieces.

Today you can still find fine handicraft in Rome. The best designs from the famous, Italian designers are found in Palazzo delle Esposizioni. And the large, Italian fashion houses like Gucci, Prada and Giorgio Armani are around the Spanish Steps.

You can also find several markets in Rome. Food is found at Campo deFior and old books at Mercato delle Stampe. Everything else can be found at Porta Portese.

Tags: Catholic Church, Coliseum, fashion, markets, Michelangelo, Roman Empire, Rome, Rome Travel, shopping, sights, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Cathedral, Vatican State
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We all have to pay tax on pretty much every purchase we ever make, and every wage packet we ever receive, it is what makes our economy work (when it is working) and what gives the government money to distribute to those areas that need it.

A slice of the profit from every purchase we make and a percentage of every wage packet we receive goes to the government in tax and it is that which allows our economy to flow.

Ironically, it is for these same reasons that everyone hates paying tax! And why shouldn’t we? We know everyone has to do it and we know if we didnt then there’s a good chance anarchy would ensue, but why should that stop us having a good old moan about it?

However, if you reside and are an official citizen of a country outside the EU and you are visiting the UK (or few other EU countries) then there are select stores from which you can claim back any tax you’ve paid on your purchases!

Here are the five steps you should take to ensure that you can claim back your tax:

1. Look for the sticker in shop windows indicating that they participate in the tax free shopping scheme.

2. Check what the minimum purchase amount is to qualify you for a tax refund and purchase at least that amounts worth of goods.

3. Once you’ve bought your items (ensuring that collectively they are worth over the minimum amount to qualify) and then request and fill in the tax refund cheque form.

4. When you get to customs on your way home, display your passport along with your completed tax refund check form.

5. There will be a tax refund office nearby in the airport, or if you are in a hurry, you can send your tax refund form off to the tax refund company via post and the full amount of tax you paid on your qualifying purchases will given to you in the form of a cheque or credited to your credit card.

Tags: advice, finance, legal, london, London Travel, misc, services, shopping, tax, tax free, taxes, Tourism, tourist, Travel, uk
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The capital city of England, London, it the number one vacation destination in the British Isles and it has some of the most well known visitor attractions in the world. If you can class people as tourist attractions then the British Royal Family and the Queen must rank first. However an often overlooked attraction is the stunning shopping opportunities in the city.

London, Paris, New York, how many times have you seen these three cities mentioned together? It is most likely that you will have seen them together on a bottle of fine perfume or a luxury cosmetic product. The reason is that these three cities are the top three shopping cities of the world. You will be hard pressed to walk through any of London’s top shopping districts without seeing the flagship store of at least one huge retail chain.

London is amazing, it has virtually anything for sale all you have to do is go look. Places such as Knightsbridge, New Bond Street and Oxford Street feature extremely well known department stores and the likes. Usually shops selling similar items appear congregated in specific areas so if you are looking for anything in particular you just have to head for the shopping district associated with that product. You can easily spend a whole day looking through the many fashion shops, designer stores, boutiques, music shops, jewelry shops and bookshops.

Knightsbridge And Oxford Street

Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street in the whole of Europe and it is where you will find the famous Selfridges department store. Knightsbridge is well known for being the home of the famous Harrods department store but along with the other stores you will also find the excellent Harvey Nichols.

Bond Street

Bond Street, in Mayfair, has some of the most expensive shops in London. If you want elegance this is the place to visit it has more shops supplying the Royal Family (Royal Warrant holders) than any other London shopping area. Think Gucci and Armani and you have a rough idea of what to expect.

Covent Garden

Bond Street is great if you are rich and famous but for ordinary folk Covent Garden is the best place to go for fashion clothing. Covent Garden is home to a large number of smaller independent fashion stores and boutiques and this is the place to go if you are in search of a decent pair of shoes.

Other Places In London Associated With Shopping

As well as Covent Garden, Carnaby Street is also great for buying fashionable items of clothing. Savile Row and Jermyn Street are also associated with clothing but more the old fashioned tailor type outlet. If you are looking for bookshops then the Charing Cross Road (and Covent Garden) is hard to beat. Hatton Garden, near Farringdon, is where to find long established jewellers.

You could write a book on the places to go shopping in London, and I suppose there are many to choose from. If you want to go looking for more places to visit take a look at the many London markets.

Tags: Accommodation, city break, destination, destinations, holiday, hotel, hotels, london, London Travel, recreation, shopping, Travel and leisure, Travel Tips, vacation destinations, Vacations
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The capital city of England, London, it the number one vacation destination in the British Isles and it has some of the most well known visitor attractions in the world. If you can class people as tourist attractions then the British Royal Family and the Queen must rank first. However an often overlooked attraction is the stunning shopping opportunities in the city.

London is one of the main three cities of the world associated with serious shopping, the others being Paris and New York. Check any bottle of perfume and the city is bound to appear somewhere on the packaging and usually on the bottle itself. Virtually every company involved in the retail trade has it’s UK flagship store in one of the primary shopping districts of London.

Department stores, designer shops, fashion shops and boutiques, music shops, bookshops, jewellery shops and virtually any other type of retail outlet is found within easy walking distance of a London tube station. Usually the different types of store tend to appear in groups in certain areas such as Oxford Street, Knightsbridge, New Bond Street and the likes.

Oxford Street And Knightsbridge

Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street in the whole of Europe and it is where you will find the famous Selfridges department store. Knightsbridge is well known for being the home of the famous Harrods department store but along with the other stores you will also find the excellent Harvey Nichols.

Bond Street

Gucci and Armani are just a couple of the luxury brands you should expect to see in Bond Street. If it is expensive, luxurious or unique then you will most probably find it here. Bond Street is famous for having the highest number of stores having a Royal Warrant (suppliers to the British Royal Family).

Covent Garden

Bond Street is great if you are rich and famous but for ordinary folk Covent Garden is the best place to go for fashion clothing. Covent Garden is home to a large number of smaller independent fashion stores and boutiques and this is the place to go if you are in search of a decent pair of shoes.

Other Shopping Areas In London

Covent Garden is great for clothes but you may also want to visit the famous Carnaby Street which is becoming popular again. If you want bespoke tailoring then Savile Row is the most famous place to go but look around Piccadilly, especially on Jermyn Street. If you are looking for jewellery but cannot afford Bond Street try Hatton Garden (near Farringdon) which has many long established jewellers to choose from. Books are best found on the Charing Cross Road but also look around Covent Garden.

London has lots more places in which to go shopping and the above list is not comprehensive, there are simply too many. Other places to go shopping, especially for unusual items, are the many London markets, too many to list here.

Tags: Accommodation, city break, destination, destinations, holiday, hotel, hotels, london, London Travel, recreation, shopping, Travel and leisure, Travel Tips, vacation destinations, Vacations
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