Top 5 Ultimate Things to Do in Paris

Traveling to Paris is a dream that each of us has. If you have almost realized your dream by buying a ticket to Paris, then this post is just for you. Here you can find five ultimate things to do in Paris. These are the places where each tourist should visit in spite of their strict graphic.

The Arc de Triomphe

Being situated at the center of Place de l'Étoile, the arc has a beautiful panoramic viewing terrace, where you can gaze down each avenue of the city. You can even admire the marvelous construction of the Eiffel Tower with its full adores. The Arc is always crowded and full of tourists that is why it is considered one of the most famous places in Paris.

The Arc de Triomphe is always crowded and full of tourists.

Le Fumoir

A restaurant located near the Louvre Museum seems to be overcrowded with tourists and overpriced. However, this excellent restaurant is neither this nor that. Here you can try various appetizers, herrings and enjoy the discreet, Clubby chic décor of the place. That is why this site occupies the top rows of the places to go in Paris.

Le Fumoire is located near the Louvre Museum and is a wonderful place for eating.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Another thing to do in Paris is visiting the Cathedral of the Notre-Dame de Paris. The Gothic buttresses and splendid stained glass windows add this cathedral to the list of the most popular attractions in Paris.

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is one of the most visited tourist attractions.

Musée du Louvre

The Louvre Museum is an enormous art gallery, holding a collection of about 400 000 items. It is located in an old Parisian palace and is a museum of various art and historical objects. Here you can see paintings like Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The Museum of Louvre is on the list of top 10 tourist attractions in Paris.

The Museum of Louvre is on the top list of 10 tourist attractions in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower

It goes without saying that the icon of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is heading the list of attractions in Paris. It was built in 1889, by Gustave Eiffel and currently is the tallest building in Paris with its 324 meters height. That is what makes the Eiffel Tower one of the most visited monuments in the world.

The Eiffel Tower is heading the list of attractions in Paris.

Above we discussed five places, that are must-to-see if we talk about visiting Paris. Now you know the top 5 things to do in Paris, and you can get ready for your trip with a light heart. Have a pleasant journey!

The Best Luxury Traveling Tips for Families

By saying “luxury traveling” people usually take into consideration honeymooners, executives or some adventurers, but it is not like that at all. Here we will discuss a few traveling tips for your families and you will see that traveling is more pleasant when done with your family.

Tip 1: Spending the night in a castle

We should smoothly pass to our travel packing tips if you are a grown-up and still read fairy tales or watch science fiction movies. The cause is that we have a magnificent suggestion for you and your family. You may spend the night in a castle and feel the atmosphere of your favorite fairy tales. Vacation spots like Castello Aragonese in Italy, Notre-Dame-de-Sanilhac Castle in France and Ballyshannon Castle in Ireland are the perfect choice for you equipped with modern commodities like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, etc. You will feel like a king for one night in these castles.

Castles are one of the best vacation spots for fairy tale lovers.

Tip 2: Going to a beach

Luxury travel guides always include beaches in their suggestion list. Of course, there is nothing better than sunny, sandy beaches with cold drinks and water. It is a great pleasure, especially for kids, whom you may settle on the entire beach property that will keep the atmosphere of home. Here we have a list of proper beaches, that you can visit  with your family or just for the honeymoon purposes.

Luxury travel tips would be incomplete, if we missed out beaches.

Must Read: Top 5 Beach Honeymoon Destinations 

Tip 3: Going camping with your family

A more famous type of camping, which is “Glamping” (glamorous camping), is a wise decision for a family vacation. The advantages are numerous: you can choose the spot you want to camp, you have control over your activities, you may pop up in the mountains and do whatever crosses your mind. Hence, your children will like this traveling tip most of all.

Family camping is one of those enjoyable vacation types, that leaves a lot of memories.

Tip 4: Sightseeing on a wild safari

Going to see a wild animal life in the safari happens once in a lifetime, so why not to bring the whole family with you? There are certain malaria-free parks, where you can go with your kids, and make the most of your trip. There are also a few nature reserves like Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary and Knysna Elephant Park, which are excellent for a family vacation.

Wild safari trip happens once in a lifetime, so take your family with you.

Tip 5: Creating your winter wonderland

If your family does not agree with the idea of going to the beach, then what about going for over-the-top ski trip? Your kids will enjoy private or group ski and snowboarding lessons. If they are teenagers, you had better give them free time to do whatever they want, and then gather together to have lunch or to organize a cooking class.

Creating your winter wonderland would be the best family vacation you have ever had.

All these traveling tips are pleasant, captivating, but it does not matter whether you will go for any vacation or not, you have already won to have a splendid family like yours.

7 Most Popular Tourist Attractions Around the World

When the turn comes to traveling, we all get confused and try to choose the best destination for visiting, hence enriching the list of the most popular tourist attractions around the world.

You have probably wondered which are the most visited and popular tourist attractions. We have tried to answer that same question, by singling out a list of top tourist attraction places, where people are more than eager to go anywhere else.

Thus, let’s see which are that top destinations.

Statue of Liberty (New York City)

This symbol of freedom and liberty is among the most visited tourist sites in the United Sates. It attracts a number of tourists, who urge to see the statue as soon as possible. This statue is the present of the French people to USA ones as a sign of friendship. The architecture of that statue is Frédéric Bartholdi.

The Statue of Liberty is the gift of French people to the United States.

Eiffel Tower (Paris)

Another interesting architectural solution that fascinates people all around the world is the Eiffel Tower in the capital of France.  This tower is considered the symbol of Paris ad nobody can step into Paris without seeing it. It is all over Paris, and you would probably see its top, even if you won’t go to see it. This global cultural icon is one of the most famous tourist attractions and most recognizable structures in the world.

The Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable structure in the world.

Great Wall of China (China)

China’s Great Wall has a history of more than two thousand years.  Its length is 5.500 miles and it continues to be the longest wall of the world. The construction of this wall took about 1 million lives, and it was built to protect China’s borders.

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world and one of the most famous tourist attractions.

Roman Coliseum (Rome)

Among the most visited tourist places, the Roman Coliseum is a leading one. This building is the most famous one in Rome, and it endures monuments of the ancient Roman culture. The original name of Coliseum of Flavian Amphitheatre and it was used for gladiator fights. The Roman Coliseum has also been an arena for animal fights, and they say about 9.000 wild animals have been killed there.

Among the most visited tourist places the Roman Coliseum is a leading one.

Taj Mahal (Agra)

Another most famous tourist attraction is Taj Mahal. It is situated in Agra and is believed to be one of the eight wonders, India. This combination of Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture was built in memory of the third wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

The eighth wonder of the world, Taj Mahal is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Niagara Falls (Ontario & New York)

The lovers of nature have a magnificent choice to make, Niagara Falls. These are massive waterfalls on the Niagara River in the province of Ontario. The sound made by the falls is deafening, but the scene is unforgettable that makes this place the most popular tourist attraction around the world.

The massive waterfalls of the Niagara Falls make it the most popular tourist attraction in the province of Ontario.

Pyramids of Giza (Cairo)

The Great Pyramid (Pyramids of Giza) is the tallest historical human-made structure in the world. Its length is 146.5 meters, and it was built over 20 years. People say that the Egyptians have built the pyramid as a tomb for the fourth dynasty of Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. The pyramid is one of the most visited tourist destinations, and one should not die without seeing it.

The Pyramids of Giza are the tallest historical human-made structure over the world.

 One should not die without seeing these wonderful places, otherwise the life you lived will be a life spent in vain. The architectural solutions make these wonders the most popular tourist attractions around the world.

Packing Tips for Vacation. Top 10 Necessary Things Take with You

It’s hardly possible imagine life without traveling. Each of us dreams of visiting numerous interesting places, meeting new people, sharing with them their knowledge, skills and experience. It is a well-known fact that packing tips for vacation is necessary for everybody. Either you are planning or you have already planned a trip to any country, it is high time for composing the packing  list.

Here is a meticulously chosen list of things that are necessary and recommended for you. Below are several essential things that you should take with you wherever you go:

ü  Before going to our packing tips, I would like to remind you about a few extra necessary things, which you should not forget at home in any case. The first is, certainly, the passport. Take it with you to avoid appearing in a ridiculous situation. And, mind, it should be valid up to six and more months after the date of your travel. By the way, one photocopy would be a wise decision.

ü  There is no need to speak about packing tips if you have forgotten your ticket or the confirmation code for the E-ticket.

ü  The travel packing tips differ depending on your chosen direction. If you have made up your mind to visit some exotic country where the sun shines all year around, then it is useless to take warm clothes with you. But the absence of swimsuit would be your greatest sin.

ü  In order to make your vacation unforgettable, you have no choice, but to take your camera with you. The beautiful moments of your vacation will accompany you up to the next holidays.

ü  It is great if you have a modern smartphone, though we advise you to leave it at home as a cheap cell phone with a removable SIM card would be better.

ü  A trip of long distance requires headphones. It is hard to imagine the life without them; thanks to Nathaniel Baldwin headphones our most unpleasant moments become easier with them. 

ü  If you don’t want to miss any site in the place you visit, then you should turn to a well-chosen map.

ü  Sunglasses: they are an excellent piece of invention. Keep them with you wherever you go.

ü  Toiletries: they are the most enjoyable part of packing for women. As we have already mentioned, if your chosen direction is sunny, then you should add sunscreen to your packing list.

 These are our suggestions. Be safe and enjoy your time wherever you go.

What to See in Chicago?

As the third largest city in the USA, in Chicago  there are  2.7 million residents. The splendid architecture, upscale shopping and restaurants continue to attract thousands of tourists to the city. Chicago offers limitless varieties of leisure and activities, from baseball games to twinkling concerts and free fireworks. Especially summertime in Chicago boasts with energy and excitement!

Whether you are a first-timer or a professionalized traveler in the city, there are must-see places in Chicago to  visit and see.

Top Chicago Attractions

Buckingham Fountain

The fountain opened in 1927. It competes with another popular landmark, Sears Tower, for being the most famous monument in Chicago. The fountain got its name after Kate Buckingham, who donated it to the city of Chicago. This piece of land in the city center is a favorite place for both locals and visitors from overseas. Visitors can enjoy the amazing water display with the center jet spraying 150 feet in the air.

Buckingham Fountain is considered one of the oldest monuments in Chicago.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Visiting Lincoln Park Zoo can be not the best destination for you, but for those who can still tolerate animals exhibited in zoos should visit the place which is featuring both historic architecture and world-class wildlife. One thing will astonish you that the Zoo is open for 365 days and has no entrance fee.

Millennium Park

The planning of the Millennium Park started in 1997, and the goal was to celebrate the new millennium of 2000 with a new park. It was not easy to finish the construction of the park because of cost overruns. The parked opened in 2004 with a grand opening which tagged the park with a price of $500 million.

The financial contribution for constructing the Millennium Park was  $500 million.

Navy Pier

As one of Chicago’s top tourist attractions, Navy pier offers its visitors a variety of options for entertainment and dining. Navy Pier is situated on Lake Michigan, east of downtown. Navy Pier has a rich history formerly being a shipping and recreational facility; it’s now  a popular spot for the visitors of Chicago.

Navy Pier is one of Chicago's top tourist attractions.

Sears Tower (Willis Tower Skydeck)

Willis Tower Skydeck is a the tallest skyscraper in North America. Its former name was Sear Tower, which is still common in locals. The Sears Tower Skydeck observatory attracts thousands of visitors, offering them a view of Chicago at 412 meters (1,353 feet).

Willis Tower Skydeck offers its visitors a view of 412 meters.

Museum Campus

The name itself indicates that it’s a campus of museums covering Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum and Solider Field. These are the major attractions in Chicago, about which we will be writing in details in the upcoming articles.

Home of the Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field

Wrigley Field is the name to the baseball stadium in Chicago, built in 1914 for the Chicago Federal League baseball team. It’s the second oldest major league baseball park, a few years behind Boston’s Fenway Park. It’s the last major league park to have lights installed for play after dark.

Helpful Tips Before Traveling to Cuba

The exotic and beautiful country of Cuba, full of historical places and rich in diverse cultures, has gained back its title of being a tourism hotspot that it was pre-1959. In case American travelers, they have to be creative enough to revel in the wonders of Cuba. The gorgeous beaches and eye-pleasing landmarks are waiting all year round for people from other countries.

Cuba has a considerable potential in developing eco-tourism, which is the reason that Cuba has become one of the hottest destinations dedicated to learning nature and eco-systems. Anyone who wishes to have an educational and fun vacation, definitely, should visit Cuba for its amazing rainforests that cover much of the country.  However, before traveling to any country, in this case before traveling to Cuba, you will need essential tips before visiting Cuba.

Cuba is one of the hottest eco-tourism destinations. 

Planning to visit Cuba?

As far as the sun is prevailing in Cuba, the best and essential items to have in your suitcase are the quality sunscreen, sunglasses, light fiber clothes. These items are important when traveling to a sunny and beach destination.

As the best way to discover cities in Cuba is on foot, it is important to have a pair or two comfortable shoes for walking long distances. They speak Spanish in Cuba, so that a pocket dictionary will be of great help one at hand.

What is needed when arriving and departing Cuba?

When arriving in Cuba you are asked to have a tourist visa card. The tourist visa card for traveling to Cuba should have 6 months of validation beyond the time you are to return  home. It’s possible to have the tourist visa card for no longer than 30 days, and it can be renewed for additional 30 days for once. The Canadians are lucky enough to have the possibility of getting the tourist visa card for 90 days. Upon the arrival in Cuba you will be asked to present the legal housing that you have already booked.

For departing from Cuba you will need to pay a tax of CUC 25, the lack of which will result in problems. Accordingly, in order to be safe be sure have saved the 25 CUC to stay away from problems in a foreign country.

Getting Around Cuba

The Viazul bus line is a good choice for moving around Cuba, as Cuba’s public transportation is quite adequate. You will get your desired destination in a timely fashion. As anywhere in the world, taxis are more expensive than regular busses. However, for a quick rush in across the town taxi is a good choice as well. To make your ride even funnier you should take little motorcycle-type coco-taxis.

Traveling to Puerto Rico

History

Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492.The first name of the island was San Juan, which is the same with the nowadays capital city of San Juan. After the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus, it was settled by explorer Ponce Leon (the island was a Spanish possession for four centuries). The Spanish-American War ended in the Treaty of Paris, due to which the island became the possession of the USA. According to the passed law Puerto Rico is authorized by the USA to have its own constitution.

Climate

If you think about the best time to visit Puerto Rico, you should take into consideration that Puerto Rico enjoys round summer temperature of average 26C, and it has a maritime exotic climate (there are little seasonal changes throughout the year). The climate has a lot with the climate in the USA. The high season is between December and April. The second peak season is July and August. If you want to avoid crowds of tourists then you should plan your trip from May to November. It is important to know that during the low season from May to December, it’s the hurricane season from June 1 to November 30. Puerto Rico has become a famous Spring Break Destination.

Getting to and around Puerto Rico

There are many flights and cruises to Puerto Rico year round. As far as Puerto Rico is a US territory, for the US citizens there are no passport controls to the island, and vice versa. Accordingly, the flights between Puerto Rico and the USA domestic and state issued driver’s license and identification card are sufficient for boarding a flight from or to Puerto Rico. The requirements are the same with flights to Hawaii.

What Places to Visit in Puerto Rico?

There is a variety of activities and opportunities for the tourists visiting Puerto Rico, starting from the picturesque landscape, spectacular surfing sights to challenging golf course and the perfect sunbathing beach. What to visit the best sights in Puerto Rico?

Bioluminescent bays. There are microscopic organisms living in the waters of Bioluminescent bays that dart away from the movement. A kayak tour is what you need to do during the new moon as it is this time when these microscopic organisms can be noticed in the water.

Blue Flag in Puerto Rico.The Blue Flag is a voluntary program that has proven to provide a high quality serviced for bathers in Puerto Rico, as well as throughout the world.

Casino. Most of the luxurious hotels and casinos are situated in the capital city of San Juan. San Juan is the perfect place to stop for the lovers of gambling and to travel through the island.

El Yunque. One of the must-sees in Puerto Rico is the El Yunque rain forest that spreads over the mountain. Walking uphill you will appear in an amazing rain forest. Flora and fauna are rich in varieties.

Golf. Driving a short distance away from the San Juan Metropolitan area, you will find over 15 championship golf courses.

Outdoor activities. The adventures are not limited with the San Juan, as many small tour companies provide guided tours of the Central Mountains in Utuado, Repelling in Arecibo, kayak tours of Lake Guajataka, and horseback riding on the beach in Aguadilla. Some tour operators also offer low cost or free lodging.

7 Musts to See in Barcelona

When you travel to a certain destination, you try to get best of it by visiting all the notable sights, especially when you are short of time. The best thing is to have the planning of the places you want to see and things you want to do in advance, which will help you to avoid disappointment of an unfulfilled trip. In case of Barcelona, there will always some place you didn't manage to visit, or things that you couldn't do for the lack of time.

Park Guell is a small piece of land from a fairy tale.

1. Barcelona is a city to be discovered on foot. It's a perfect time to get away from tourist bus and metro and to head to the city's most impressive buildings, streets and parks. Buildings and architectural works by Antoni Gaudi will inspire you with their original and modern architectural solutions. The most famous works by him, which in a must list are the Sagrada Familia, one of the impressive buildings ever; Park Guell, which is a small piece of land from a fairy tale. Different buildings and colorful stone structures lead you up to the top of the park, to enjoy the view of the city. You shouldn't skip La Pedrera, a classic building of modernism, which is now listed in the UNESCO Heritage List.

2. Barcelona is home to many artists and architects. Picasso is among those artists who spent his youth on this graceful landmark. To go back to the traces of history and his artwork you may visit the Museu Picasso, which houses dozens of well-know works by the artist.

3. To enjoy spectacular views of nature and architectural works, one needs to climb the magical mountain of Montjuic. You will find the place tourist-free to some extent, though you need to gear up the hill. Palau Sant Jordi, considered to be the jewel of Montjuic, is well-known as the 'Olympic Ring' of the mountain. The building was inaugurated in 1990, with a design by  Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. Over 17,000 people may follow sports games in Palau Sant Jordi.

4. Even if you are not fanatic about art works, you shouldn't miss one of the world's largest museums dedicated to Spanish surrealist artist Joan Miro. The museum houses a collection of over 220 paintings and 150 sculptures by the artist. Another museum you shouldn't miss is a Catalan art museum, MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalanya), which is a nice corner representing Catalan art from the Roman period to the 20th century.

5. To get to know the city, one should go back to its history; it's always good to find out some piece of history when you visit a new city. Each street and neighborhood in Barcelona are a piece of history. To find out its historical heritage, you may visit Museu de Historia de Barcelona (MUHBA), which has different sections related to various historical events of the city, which are located in different shelters, in the central Barcelona.

6. Barcelona is home to many magnificent churches going back to Roman times. Even if you are not a religious person, you will find the architecture of those  churches as one of the amazing and inspiring one. Among them is the Gothic Cathedral, the construction of which started in 1298. The Cathedral is famous for its  cloister with 13 geese dedicated to the saint patron. 

7. In Barcelona, there are small beaches along the Mediterranean. To take a deep breath of fresh air one should take a towel, sun cream, as well as your umbrella, and head to one of those beaches. To have a break from every day move, it's a perfect choice to take your favorite book and lay on the beach.

(The places to visit in Barcelona are not limited to this list. The upcoming articles will illustrate other places of interest  that are worthy to be visited).

What to Do in Barcelona?

In the previous article, I was highlighting the seven musts one should do while in Barcelona. As any other city, the mission of a traveler is not fulfilled with only visiting places of interest, but checking out the possible activities to participate in such as festivals, parties, visiting popular restaurants and cafes. Here below I am going to point out some key things to do to get most of Barcelona.

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world, where a number of
 international festivals - the Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona,
Primavera Sound, Sonar and Cruillia are oranized. 

Sweeten Ears with Music

Barcelona is home to many concert halls, each of them having a unique architectural solution outside, and a splendid inner design. The Grand Teatre del Liceu is among them, decorated with red carpets, spectacular carvings and gold leaf. Places like Razzmatazz and Apolo are famous for live music venues. Do not be afraid to check tickets, as the entrance is not always that expensive. Barcelona is one the most visited cities in the world, and it’s not by chance that several international festivals – the Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona, Primavera Sound, Sonar and Cruilla – are organized in the city.

Delicious Food

Once you are in Barcelona it’s a good opportunity to try seafood products in some of the best restaurants and cafes of the city. The kitchen trend goes with tapas, pintxos and vermouth. Pintxos are a bite-sized food; they are served with small pieces of bread on the top. It derives from the initial Basque Tapas. To eat the food, you need to use dozens of toothpicks, and most of the bill will cover the toothpicks payment. Eskual Etxea is a perfect place to enjoy pintxos.

For trying tapas, you may go either to a place where patatas  bravas are served with tapas, or you have got the option of visiting tapas bars, to try the local beer as well.

Vermouth hours are a tradition with Barcelona. To keep the tradition on, weekends are a perfect time to meet with local people in search of vermouth places.

Get the Barcelona Style

Streets in Barcelona boost in fashionable shops with fancy products. As any other big city, it is full of world-famous fashion brands. But once in Barcelona, it is preferable to check for some local brands like Zara and Mango. But those who are a real ‘fashion fan’ you shouldn’t miss Zazo&Brull, where you can find beautiful textures at an affordable price.

Party For a Week

If you can party non-stop, September is the very time to arrive in Barcelona. Festes de la Merce is the city’s biggest festival, which started as a religious parade. The nowadays’ Festes d la Merce is celebrated in the form of weeklong parties, dedicated to Catalan culture. Nearly each neighborhood in Barcelona its festival to celebrate; one of the most attended is in Gracia neighborhood, organized in the middle of August.

Get into the Barcelona Night Life

If clubbing and night life is another spectrum of your interest while travelling, then Barcelona clubs are there to host you with parties and different DJ sessions. Sala Apolo and Razzmatazz have different themed parties like Nasty Monday, Midnight Calles, and many more. To attend the party of your mood, you should first check out the party theme for the day to avoid unexpected surprises.