วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 3 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551

I Love Touring Paris - the Sixth Arrondissement

Author: Levi Reiss

The sixth arrondissement of central Paris is located on the Left Bank of the Seine River. Its area is a bit more than a square mile (over 2 square kilometers) with a population of 45,000 and slightly fewer jobs. Along with its neighbor the 5th arrondissement, the 6th is often known as the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) although it's been a long time since you can hear much spoken Latin in either district. Its best-known part is the famous Saint-Germain-des-Pres. In the years following World War II this was the intellectual center of the world; home to philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Later on we'll talk about the district's world-famous cafes that they frequented.

On the subject of intellectuals, this arrondissement is home to l'Academie Francaise (the French Academy), the watchdog over the French language. Personally I'm a strong believer in keeping the French language French and avoiding Franglais. The Academy was founded in 1635 by Louis XIII's famous chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu. It was suppressed by the French Revolution but brought back by Napoleon. The academy is an advisory body with no power to punish the many people and institutions that disrespect the French language. It holds only forty seats, some of which may be vacant waiting for a candidate acceptable to the sitting members. Normally membership is for life but some malfaiteurs (wrong doers) have been expelled; for example, given their association with the collaborationist Vichy regime during World War II.

Since its inception the Academy has accepted a mere four female members, starting with the writer Marguerite Yourcenar elected in 1980. Some very famous writers including Moliere, Zola, and Proust never achieved membership. Male members, except for clergy, get to wear a sword with their Academy outfit. In 1778 the Academy initiated a historical dictionary of the French language. It abandoned the project before getting to the Bs. The Academy's dictionary is partially in the ninth edition. The Academy Francaise has been fairly successful in persuading people to use French words such as logiciel instead of the corresponding English words, in this case software. It rules on grammar issues and offers prestigious prizes in literature, cinema, translation, and other fields.

The Cafe de Flore on the Boulevard Saint-Germain is a historic intellectual cafe and offers an annual literary award. The nearby cafe Les Deux Magots named for two wooden Chinese statues near the entrance is also a literary and intellectual center with its own annual literary award. It has been decades that these cafes are too expensive for all but the wealthiest intellectuals.

The French Senate is the upper house of the French Parliament. Until recently senators were elected for nine-year terms; now their terms are only six years. Senators are not elected by the general public but by one hundred fifty thousand local elected officials such as mayors and city councilors. The Senate tends to be more conservative than France's lower house, the National Assembly. Besides proposing bills and voting on them the Senate publishes reports and so serves to monitor the government. The senate sits in the beautiful Palais du Luxembourg (Luxemburg Palace) in back of the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxemburg Gardens) the largest garden in the city. This spectacular garden is open to the public and is a favorite of young children and their parents.

If you are looking for a hotel in the sixth district you might consider the Art Deco Hotel Lutetia, built by the neighboring Bon Marche department store in 1910. Its guest list included Charles de Gaulle and Pablo Picasso. When World War II broke out many artists and musicians took residence there. After France's surrender the hotel housed German military officers. Following the liberation of Paris in August, 1944 this hotel became a repatriation center for prisoners of war and concentration camp inmates. Subsequently it was transformed into a luxury hotel.

The Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) not only produces coins and medals, it has a great collection of ancient coins. This beautiful French Neoclassical building was constructed in the latter Eighteenth Century. It is open to the public but does not furnish samples.

When you get hungry you might consider the historic Cremerie-Restaurant Polidor, which hasn't changed its name, interior, or cooking style for over one hundred years. Most patrons sit at shared tables so you may get a chance to converse with local students, especially if your French is good. Former diners include Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and Jack Kerouac as well as major French writers.

You may remember from your high school French that Pont Neuf means new bridge. Pont Neuf is the oldest bridge across the Seine River in Paris. It crosses the western end of the Ile de la Cite linking Paris's Left and Right Banks. Construction began in 1578 and was completed a mere 41 years later, in part because of the Wars of Religion. The original wooden pilings that support the foundations still remain. In contrast to previous Parisian bridges this one didn't support houses. It did have sidewalks protecting pedestrians from mud and horses. For centuries the homeless have slept under its arches, despite its interdiction, in all fairness to both rich and poor. If you are a statue lover be sure to see the bronze statue of Henri IV, destroyed during the French Revolution but rebuilt afterwards using bronze from statues of Napoleon.

Saint-Sulpice is the second largest church in Paris, smaller than its well-known rival Notre Dame de Paris. This church, built from 1646 to 1732 and beyond replaces a Thirteenth Century Romanesque church. Detractors claim that its two towers are mismatched; why not take a look to see for yourself? It is home to a great organ. Saint-Sulpice Church has hosted life cycle events of some famous French people; for example the baptism of Charles Baudelaire and the Marquis de Sade, and the marriage of Victor Hugo and Adele Foucher. Saint-Sulpice has a huge sundial that helped to determine Easter's calendar date. This scientific instrument may well have saved the church from destruction during the French Revolution. Saint-Sulpice is a featured location in the novel The Da Vinci Code. But the church scenes of this movie were not filmed on location.

Of course you don't want to be in Paris without sampling fine French wine and food. In my article I Love French Wine and Food ' A Red Cotes du Rhone I reviewed such a wine and suggested a sample menu: Start with Fois Gras de Canard (Duck Liver Pate). For your second course savor Caillette (Pork-Liver Meat Loaf). And as dessert indulge yourself with Sorbet (Sherbert) and fresh fruit. Your Parisian sommelier (wine steward) will be happy to suggest appropriate wines to accompany each course.

Venue Finders in London

Author: Mandy Chagger

If you are having a big event or a party in London, you should look into using venue finders in London. This is especially the case for corporate events. Many people are not aware that throwing a big event is much more than simply finding a venue. Why do all the work in finding a venue for an event when venue finders in London can take care of all the details that go into throwing a successful event.

There are many aspects that go into throwing an event. From transportation issues to staffing issues to the size of the event, venue finders in London can do it all for you, so you do not have to worry. Venue finders in London can meet up with you, and you can let them know what type of event you are throwing and the size of the event, so they will be able to fit your needs. The venue finders in London can offer you ideas on some of the venues available in the London area, as well as other aspects of the event such as party organizers and equipment suppliers. If you go out and try to find a venue yourself, it can be a difficult proposition, but with venue finders in London, they can find the best venue possible and be able to negotiate the best price possible.

Venue finders in London can sit down with you and explain what the expenditures for the event are, so you will know exactly what the money is being spent for. This is an especially important aspect when throwing a corporate event. The company will be paying for the event, and they will need to have detailed reports on the costs that are associated with the event. Having a successful corporate event can be a vital need for a particular business, and using venue finders in London can make good business sense.

Besides finding a venue, some of the most important aspects that venue finders in London can help you with are transportation and accommodation issues. The venue finders can make bookings for accommodations, so the guests of the event will have a place to stay. Venue finders in London can also arrange for corporate travel aspects such as flights, car hire, rail information, insurance, and transfers. These aspects are extremely important for corporate events where the event will last longer than one day, and/or there will be people in attendance that have to travel to the event. Venue finders in London can take care of these issues for you, which will make things easier on you. The venue finding service can find a venue where it will be the easiest for people to attend if they are living outside of London. Finding accommodations for guests can be a time-consuming thing to do, so it is a good idea to have venue finders in London take care of that for you.

Another important aspect of hosting an event is the staffing and on-site management of the event. With larger parties and corporate events, these aspects are critical in making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. This is another reason why it is extremely beneficial to use venue finders in London. If you are hosting an event in London, the venue finders will be able to deal with these issues, as they will be in contact with on-site managers that will make sure the event goes off with no problems. By not having on-site management, you will have to take care of issues that not only happen during the event, but before it and after it, as well. The job of the on-site manager is to make sure that the guests of the event are having a good time and that everything runs as it should. If it is a corporate event, then it is important that you are taking part in the event, as you will need to concentrate on business issues rather than issues pertaining to the event itself. The larger the event, the more important staffing will be. Venue finders in London will make sure that there is sufficient staffing for the event, whether it is on-site staffing in place or staff that need to be hired for the event. A venue finding service can also take care of rental equipment issues that may need to be taken care of for the event.

As you can see, venue finders in London can do so much more than simply finding you a suitable venue. Finding the right venue is the most important aspect of hosting a successful event, but there are many more aspects that need to be considered. From transportation and accommodation issues to staffing and on-site management issues, it is advantageous to you to use venue finders in London in order for the event to be a successful one.

Holidays in Palm Beach Florida

Author: Terry Hely

Copyright (c) 2008 Terry Hely

Palm Beach is not just exclusive residential enclaves of millionaire's winter beach houses, nor is it only about shopping for wildly expensive designer labels in exclusive boutiques. The region has a lot more to offer than just a peek at the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

The city is synonymous with world class beaches, great golf, tennis, boating and diving. There are more than 150 golf courses and over 1,100 tennis courts within the Palm Beach County precincts. Two golf courses that are open to the public are Palm Beach Public Golf Course on the island and Emerald Dunes Golf Course in West Palm Beach.

Palm Beach is a popular destination for scuba divers as they can reach the off shore reef using guide boats operating from the local marinas. As with nearly all Florida beach destinations, Palm Beach offers lots of opportunities for water sports such as sail boating, jet-skiing, kayaking, water skiing, para-sailing and fishing.

The luxury mansion commissioned by Henry Flagler (a railroads and oil baron) as a wedding present to his third wife is now the renowned Flagler Museum. The mansion, with 55 rooms all furnished with European antique pieces in a variety of themes and styles, is known as the "Taj Mahal of North America". The mansion is set in magnificent grounds, the highlight of which is Mr. Flagler's restored, private railroad car.

The Norton Museum of Art, first opened in 1941, is now world famous for its permanent collections and the quality of its traveling exhibitions. The display featured the art collections of Ralph and Elizabeth Norton and now houses a French collection that contains works by C?nne, Degas, Gauguin, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Pissarro, and Renoir. The permanent exhibits also contain paintings by Warhol, Hopper, Pollock and O'Keefe.

A family favorite, especially for younger children, is Playmobil Fun Park with its replica castle and themed play areas such as a medieval village, a western town and a fantasy doll house.

Lion Country Safari contains over 1,300 animals that include elephants, ostriches, wildebeest, antelopes, chimpanzees, American bison, buffalo, flamingos and many other unusual species. The 500 acre animal preserve is divided into simulated geographical regions that range from the East African Serengeti to the American West.

The park has an un-caged environment for the animals and humans move through the park via motor vehicle following a viewing loop road. Other park attractions include an amusement park with a carousel, paddleboats, mini golf and a popular baby animal nursery. The park provides a great family day out.

The Lake Trail runs the length of The Island on the Intracoastal Waterway side and is a popular scenic biking route that offers views of some of the mansions and grounds as well as views of downtown West Palm Beach.

วันพุธที่ 2 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551

Tips for traveling around New Zealand

Author: Robert Toth

A word of advice: there is no such thing as paranoia while traveling !Crucial during travel is the possession of a passport and visa or permit to visit the country which should have at least a six month validity just to be on the safe side.

New Zealand has strict visa schemes (most recently a woman was denied a resident's visa because the government felt her obesity would 'put a strain on the country's resources') However, there are a number of countries the residents of which do not require a visa permit to travel or stay in Kiwi land for a period of three months or less as long as they have valid passports. Some of those countries are France, Brazil, Ireland, Greece, Belgium, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, and Malaysia etc.

Keeping copies of all documents ready in case the originals are misplaced or stolen is a necessary precaution. Inform a relative or friend to be ready to fax or e-mail you copies of any documents necessary in case the situation arises. Traveler's insurance is a must and can be claimed in case any luggage is lost or stolen. As a side note there is no need to worry about snakebite kits, as the country has no snakes!

People wishing to travel the length and breadth of the country are well advised to backpack across it and stay at the simple yet affordable youth hostels of the International Youth Hostel Federation located in most areas (and can be booked via the Internet). Rent a caravan or other inexpensive vehicle to drive across if walking won't suit you (though be warned that the cost of petrol does add up) since looking to public transport to travel everywhere will cause quick cash outflow.

There are beaureaux de change and foreign exchange kiosks in most places. Major credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted across the country so carrying cash isn't necessary. For students the possession of an international student I card will get you discounts on entry fees at a large number of museums, theatres, movies etc.

Eating well especially if you're on an adventure holiday or backpacking is recommended but having every meal at a restaurant is not .It will cost approximately$25-$45 a head per meal. Preparing your own food is the best option. Youth hostels generally allow guests to cook for themselves in their kitchens. Shop for necessities at small local shops, not big department stores where rates are higher. In case there isn't a kitchen to cook your own meals in the vicinity buying snacks off roadside vendors is another good way to eat well within a budget while experiencing local flavor. The country is very clean and any such food is reasonably hygienic. Avoid expenditure on alcohol, Internet, camera film etc as it adds up substantially.

Summertime is the busiest and most expensive. It's smarter to visit during the off seasons. The climate is cool so carrying warm clothes (but not too many) is a good idea. Remember, while traveling packing light is the golden rule especially if backpacking or any kind of walking is on the agenda. Heavy trunks and suitcases full of unnecessary accessories are not the way to go. Do not carry pair upon pair of shoes. Wear a sturdy pair and your feet (and back!) will thank you.

Travel Getaways At Great Prices

Author: Jim Brown

The travel industry listened when people asked for travel packages that would allow them to leave home for a few days and return using various methods. Customers were surprised to see travel sites appear on the internet that offered getaway travel packages at prices so low, the people could afford to travel anywhere they wanted to impulsively, yet still arrive home in time for work on Monday morning. Those travel getaways left people refreshed and invigorated and ready to work harder.

Perhaps the travel packages were presented the way customers asked. Custom websites offered simple methods to select a travel destination and even allowed the traveler to pick which airport they departed from. The list of travel destinations chosen for package deals might stretch on for miles but customers could still leisurely scan through the list to help them make up their minds. The calendars used for travel dates might not include all 12 months, but the travel getaways allowed during the winter months were exquisite nonetheless.

The slim offerings on travel getaways made them more attractive to customers at times. Some felt travel opportunities to Cancun were marvelous at any time of the year, but those few travel getaways found during the summer months were extremely in the bargains deal category of the year. Travel getaways to Cancun, when hurricanes were likely to form in the Atlantic Ocean, were so low priced that many people scooped those little getaways right up, because the short duration of the trip lessened the likelihood of travel being shortened for any reason.

Travelers that were accustomed to searching for travel deals learned to ask travel agents the right questions to gain access to travel getaways that were not advertised in any way. The travel agent has information about the latest travel spots that people have discovered on their journeys and have shared little tidbits of their travel experience that identified the best locations to go for a few days. The getaway might include a hotel overlooking the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, or a little retreat spot at a reputable fishing spot off the shores of New Hampshire.

Most people look for those getaway trip packages that offer the most opportunity for relaxation. Some of those travel getaways at great prices are those that feature hot Jacuzzi tubs and the meticulous rubbing of the hands of a masseuse trained to relieve tensions for hours at a time. Some of those getaways can be booked for health reasons but the traveler will never feel like they visited an infirmary. After one of those getaways, the traveler is likely to feel younger than they have in years.

The desire to gamble might be all that is needed to find travel getaways at great prices, but the traveler might have to face a serious travel decision on where that gambling will occur. With the travel opportunities provided by the airline industry, weekend getaways to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and the Deep South are but a flight away, and the resorts at these locations will make travelers get away more often. Top dining and hotel accommodations make these travel getaways worthwhile and allow the traveler to spend many hours enjoying gambling at its finest.

Ideas For A Romantic Honeymoon

Author: Low Jeremy

Though a honeymoon is a chance for a newly married couple to spend some time together, celebrating their new life together, there is more to a honeymoon than simply picking a great destination; you need to find things to do. Even the most beautiful place can seem boring if you just sit around the entire time. Because a honeymoon is a romantic trip, what you need to do is find some romantic activities to spice up your time and to create some wonderful memories of this time in your life. To help you along, here are some ideas for a romantic honeymoon:

A Private Dinner

While your honeymoon destination is likely to have any number of great restaurants in the area, you can easily arrange a romantic, candlelit dinner in your own hotel room, allowing you to dine in privacy. A quiet dinner in your hotel room allows you to share some time with your spouse without anyone bothering you, and also gives you an evening where you don't have to worry about making arrangements for travel to a restaurant.

Practice Some Massage

Another great idea for a romantic honeymoon is to pick up a book on massage at your local bookstore before your trip, and to pack it with your travel guides and other materials when you go on your honeymoon. The touch that comes from a massage can be quite sensual and can be a way to share some closeness with your spouse. The relaxation and the nice feelings that a good massage can provide can help add to your romantic honeymoon.

Bring Some Candles

Another way to add to a romantic honeymoon is through the use of soft lighting, and little beats out candles for this. With just a few small votive candles, you can bring the light in your hotel room down to a nice, romantic level, perfect for enhancing the area around a Jacuzzi or around your bed. Either way, it sets the mood for quiet conversation or cuddling, providing a backdrop for a romantic evening.

Prepare Some Music

Whether you're using songs from your wedding reception, the first tune you and your spouse danced to, or just a mix CD of your favorite love songs, bringing along the right music can enhance the time you spend with your spouse. Just as a romantic meal, dim lights, or massage can set the tone for an evening, a night of quiet, romantic music or dancing in your hotel room can lead to a more romantic honeymoon. So when planning your honeymoon, keep these ideas in mind when you're getting ready to go, and you'll be able to add an extra spark of romance to make your honeymoon unforgettable.

Learning Spanish in Mexico

Author: Wain Roy

I had originally figured the act of immersing myself in Mexico would teach me Spanish through the process of osmosis; an involuntary movement of information from people who know something in the direction of those who don’t.

I figured the step would be relatively easy considering I’d be surrounded by Mexicans and the Latin way of life, which I envisioned symbolized by a nice array of chilies and sombreros; the type you might see in the lobby of a Mexican restaurant.

But upon arriving in Tulum and checking in a Tulum hotel, Mexico and being rendered speechless for approximately six weeks, my fantasies were proven just that, unrealistic.

I’d been told that Mexicans speak slowly compared to a number of other Spanish-speaking demographics of the world, but roughly six million times a day I could vouch personally that the velocity at which they deliver their cryptic language was near the speed of light.

Slowly, I started to pick up hispanic nuances that not even my high school Spanish teacher had cared to share, and my lingual prowess came to resemble that of a baby; speaking in short, syncopated words, and using erratic hand gestures as backup.

Mexicans tended to look at me the way you might a talking cod, as if they couldn’t believe the words that were seeping so effortlessly out of my mouth.

Spanish in Tulum is not impossible to conquer, but expecting it to be a piece of cheese cake as I did can get you off on the wrong foot, and honestly, I know many other foreigners who picked up the language far faster than I did; a feat that, in hindsight, could not have been all that difficult.