Blogs from France, Europe - page 1264

Hello All! So it's been a while since I last wrote. I have been busy exploring the sites, the tastes, and the smells of Paris. It is a place that overflows with history (and tourists). The actual Parisians that you see on the street always seem to be in a rush. I suppose that's the way of things once a city reaches a certain size. I've seen most of the famous sites including the Louvre, Versailles, the Eifel tower at night, and the Champs Elyesee. Some things have been great, others overwhelming in their scope (ie. the Louvre), yet others far too expensive for what they are. I love visiting Paris but I don't know if I'd like to live here (not the least reason being that it's insane to rent in Paris proper and in ... read more

Our one-day-power-visit to Paris began with an extremely early start, (woke up at about 3.30am then two buses to Waterloo station) as our Eurostar train left at 5.24am! The ride on the Eurostar was fairly uneventful - we were both still 95% asleep and dozed most of the way, but eventually we arrived at Gare de Nord in central Paris - ready to race around the city and see as much as possible! Unfortunately the day was dismal in the morning - freezing cold and raining too. Still, we soon found a bus tour and began to cruise around the city admiring the fantastic sites! We managed to see the more famous sites quite early - Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, The Lourve, the Eiffel tower, The Hotel des Invalides, the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and ... read more

Our trip to Paris! Paris is so absolutely stunning! Breathtaking! Out of all the places I have been since I've been in Europe, Paris is definately my favorite! I can't wait to go back!!!... read more

Paris, 2 Novembre Okay, okay, so not a great day for pictures! We started early in the morning - by our new standards - to trudge up the Eiffel Tower. Skies were very heavy but the crowds were light. Until, of course, we got to the tower, and then they were immense. Happily, all those other thousands of people were waiting for the elevator. We were able to start right up. And up, and up, and up. Six hundred eighty-eight steps. That’s a good 250 more than St. Paul’s in London. Along the way, there are little landings with extremely interesting and important facts about the tower, its history, and Arnold Palmer, who drove a golf ball from the second level. A must read, to be sure. At least, that’s my story. From the second platform, ... read more

In Harrogate, Hallowe’en seems to mean spending the evening of 31st October greeting a steady stream of cheerful young witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls to the door threatening tricks if they don’t get their treats. Here in nearby Belesta, it’s something rather different, since the period round Hallowe’en is for them La Fete de la Citrouille - the Feast of the Pumpkin. Well, just look at those pictures. If you could grow pumpkins like that, wouldn’t you want to celebrate? Yesterday, we had real fun looking round on the first day, which was also their Vide-Grenier day (Empty Your Attics!). Pretty much like an English car boot sale really, except the stalls spread through the streets of the town. French attics and barns can turn out some splendidly puzzling tools and equipment, and as for the ... read more