Americans @ the Tour de France

The Eurostar is a passenger train that will get you to Paris from
London very quickly but do not get this confused with the EuroTunnel,
which is the train shuttle service that also allows cars and coaches to
travel across the Channel.

If you do not wish to take your car abroad or do not like flying,
the Eurostar is a great alternative with less hassle and no luggage
weight restrictions, plus you arrive in the heart of the city of Paris
from the UK in only around two and half hours.

The Eurostar used to depart from Waterloo station, but it now
departs from the historical Victorian St Pancras International Station
in London and goes through to the just as historical Gare du Nord Train
Station in Paris France.

St Pancras station has been renovated to its former glory, even with
a replica of the original station clock in place and is the starting
point of your holiday to France, so be sure to leave time to experience
this fantastic building with its incredible feature of a glass and
steel train shed that was actually the largest enclosed space in the
world when built and enjoy a drink underneath this structure at the
longest Champagne bar in Europe.

There are also numerous shops and cafes at the St Pancras
International station along with free WiFi connection plus in the
departure lounge there are facilities for recharging electrical items
such as laptops and certain carriages on the Eurostar also have power
sockets for plugging in items such as a mobile phone or games like the
Nintendo DS. However, as of 2008 there is no WiFi access on the train
itself and you are charged for this facility in the Gare du Nord
station in Paris.

When it comes to booking your tickets for the Eurostar you can have
these sent to an address in the UK, Belgium or in France, or you can
arrange to collect these from the ticket office just prior to
departure, but by booking early, which you can do up to four months in
advance, you are likely to get a good deal and choose the seats you
want.

Yes, you can actually choose exactly what seats you would like, not
just whether you would like First Class with drink and meal included or
Second Class that is known as Standard.

The way the seats are laid out is also different between the
carriages with some being airline style, whilst others are positioned
so that you can look at each other. Some even have tables, and this is
great if travelling with family or friends, plus is easier if you are
with young children as they have space to play. Also, if you are
travelling with young children, then you may wish to be near to either
the front or rear of the train, as this is where the baby changing
facilities are located and of course you can also choose the option of
a window seat to admire the French countryside prior to your arrival in
Paris.

It is obviously a good idea to look at one of the detailed plans
that are available to choose where you would like to be seated, yet do
bear in mind that if you are not booking through Eurostar and going to
one of the many online firms, then you may not be able to choose
specific seating.

Eurostar runs every day except for the 25th December and because
they run virtually every hour, you can choose the time of day or night
for travel, but some off-peak times are quite a bit cheaper than
others. Also children under the age of four are free providing they do
not take up a seat and there is a discounted price for children up to
the age of eleven.

But instead of going to Paris you can also utilise the Eurostar to
get to Brussels and this journey normally stops at the city of Lille,
which is the capital of the Nord-Pas de Calais region in France. Also,
in the summer on set days Eurostar run a direct service from London to
Avignon in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region and on set days during
the ski season they run a service directly to the French Alps for those
that like skiing in France.

Now we know this is probably a silly point to make, but do not
forget your passport as you do still have to go through passport
control, although check in is a lot quicker than when you are flying
and you do keep your luggage with you at all times, so even though
there are no weight restrictions on a suitcase, you need to make sure
you can lift it!

The Gare du Nord train station in Paris is also a main connection
point for other destinations in Europe such as Germany, so it is an
extremely busy train station, but if you are thinking of staying in
Paris, then upon departing, you can either go through the main
concourse and onto the streets of Paris and take a walk or go to the
taxi stand just outside the station. Alternatively if you go downstairs
you will be at the Metro station ready to take you to another part of
Paris.

So through the wonders of engineering and technology, the journey
between London and Paris is a convenient and comfortable way to travel,
whether it is for business or for pleasure and a memorable holiday in
France.

The Eurostar train is a travel experience. It whisks you in supreme
comfort and near silence from the heart of Paris to the heart of London
in a shade over two and a half hours. In November 2007, it will be even
faster. Read on to discover the pleasures of 21st century European rail
travel.

Following lunch at a little bistro in Paris and a leisurely stroll
along the Seine, we arrived at Gare Du Nord for the late afternoon
train to London. It is advisable to arrive an hour before departure,
even though check in time is usually only 10 minutes. The check in and
departure lounge are on the first floor, and once through customs, you
take your boarding pass and all luggage, to the train. If your carriage
is at the front of the 400 metre train, you may need to take a trolley.

Exactly on time, and without announcement or clamour, Eurostar
glides slowly out of its Gare Du Nord platform and gently gathers speed
for its 495 km journey north to London. The train soon reaches its
maximum 300km/hour as the flat French countryside and Charles de Gaulle
airport flash by. Strangely, there is no real perception of speed. More
a feeling of serenity, quietness and isolation from the outside world.
Vehicles on the high speed motorway alongside the line appear to be
almost motionless.

We asked the conductor whether Eurostar is more popular than the
airlines. “The key reason why people choose Eurostar over the airlines
is that it is quicker city centre to city centre even though flight
time is around 50 minutes. The big problem with airlines is check in
time, traveling time between the airport and the city and waiting at
the carousel for your luggage,” he said.

He was too courteous to mention weather delays for airlines and that
Eurostar carries more passengers between Paris and London than all
airlines combined. Overall airline traveling time from city centre to
city centre is close to 4 hours.

Approaching Lille, it was time for an early dinner. “Would madame
and monsieur care for an aperitif?” We certainly would thank you.
Outside, the sun is still illuminating a mid spring afternoon as the
flat countryside of northern France flashes by. The menus arrive. For
our main course we chose chicken breast in herb salad. It was fresh and
delicious, complemented particularly well with a “fresh, crisp, dry”
chardonnay.

The young woman at the next table has no time for the views. She’s
working on a business report to present to a meeting when she returns
to London. She took time off from her laptop to enjoy the meal and
coffee. We engaged her in polite conversation and discovered that she
makes the London to Paris round trip twice a month. “It is convenient
and easy,” she said. “I have 2 solid hours each way to go through
business plans and within 10 minutes of arrival at Gare Du Nord, I am
in my client’s office. I also don’t have to worry about meals.”

We are impressed with the quality and speed of the service as we
approach Calais and the 50 km Channel Tunnel. Farmhouses are
silhouetted in the late afternoon sun as our wine is replenished and
apricot tartlet arrives. Instant blackness heralds our 20 minute ride
under the English Channel.

The high speed run continues well into England and then the train
slows. Time to appreciate the hedgerows, tiny villages and pretty
rolling countryside of south east England. The head chef points out the
infrastructure for the new high speed line north of the Thames as he
pours our second cup of coffee. “In November 2007, we will have a new
London terminal at St Pancras”, he said. “It will be 300 km/hour all
the way and our journey time will be reduced to 2 hours 15 minutes.”

I asked him how the catering staff will handle the reduced times.
“That will be our biggest challenge, we will just have to speed up
things,” he replied, with a look of resignation.

Our business friend overheard this conversation and as we approached
London in the gathering dusk, summed up the dilemma of the catering
staff. “They’ll be busier than a one legged tap dancer”. she laughed.

I wish them luck!

Leaving the train at Waterloo, we reflected on the journey. My wife
was impressed with how easy, seamless and quick it was. I appreciated
the courtesy and efficiency of the catering staff and how the train
appeared to waft along in near silence without any real impression of
speed. The spacious reclining seats provided a high degree of comfort.
Above all, we loved the hassle free convenience. Within minutes of
arriving at Waterloo, we were on a tube train heading for our
accommodation in Bayswater.

It was no surprise to discover that Eurostar has won the title of
“World’s leading rail service” for the last 8 years at the annual World
Travel Awards.

Booking is essential on Eurostar and to save money, purchase your
ticket before you leave for Europe. A number of ticket options are
available for first and second class passengers. Visit the links below
for the fare structure most suitable to your needs. Premium first class
tickets include a complimentary meal served at your table. A buffet
service is provided for other passengers.

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The hottest tourist season is quickly approaching and people are
preparing themselves for international travel. Passports, swimsuits and
sunscreen are being packed into carry-ons along with little pocket
dictionaries to help with the language barrier. While small
dictionaries are useful, they don’t help nearly as much as learning to
speak foreign languages fluently. One of a variety of online French
courses could prepare you for the trip of a lifetime.

Speak the Language

Speaking the language of the country you plan to visit isn’t a
requirement; but it could make your trip much more enjoyable. Not only
will you be able to communicate your needs more easily; you will also
be more familiar with cultural norms. One of the worst things a
foreigner can do in unfamiliar territory is sound like a foreigner.
Crossing international lines means much more than speaking another
language. It also means having the ability to communicate without
accidentally offending someone with an unintended gesture or word.
Really take the time to learn the culture before you depart, you won’t
be sorry.

First time visitors to Europe who do not speak French may find it
difficult to communicate their needs. This is not only frustrating to
all parties involved; it’s potentially dangerous as well. Brush up on
your French with free online French courses or participate in a full
classroom-taught course as part of the planning for your vacation.
French courses could save you a lot of time and frustration during your
international travels.

Learn from Conversations

French courses often teach the basics of the language by teaching
random words. In real world conversations, you simply do not use single
words. Understanding how words are used and how they flow will enhance
your learning experience exponentially. Learn French online by visiting
a variety of websites dedicated to teaching the language. Some websites
may offer inexpensive or even free lessons to help brush up on your
conversational skills.

If you’re learning French for the first time, look for a French
course that offers the ability to learn through conversation. The
course needs to offer lessons that are efficient, professional,
entertaining and well-structured. A properly structured French course
can have you speaking French like a pro in as little as 4 hours.
Although online French courses may be completed in less than a day, it
is recommended that you take several days to absorb the information.
Allowing yourself more time will ultimately improve your French
conversational skills.

Surprise the One You Love

C’est L’amour! It is Love! Paris is well-known as the “City of
Love.” Devoted couples from around the world often travel to Paris or
specifically to the Eiffel Tower to become engaged. If you plan to
propose marriage to that special someone with a trip to Paris, go a
step further and learn the language of love. Following an online French
course could enhance your resume as well as your love life.

Anniversaries are another great time to visit Paris. Whether it’s
the anniversary of your first meeting, your engagement or even your
marriage; Paris is a very romantic city for couples. Your anniversary
is a special occasion to spend with your spouse or partner. Take some
of the stress out of international travel by taking the opportunity to
learn French online. Learn to speak the language of love and surprise
the one you love.

Paris; it’s considered to be one of the most romantic places in the
world and is ever-popular as a tourist destination. A great choice for
a short break or long-weekend, there’s a dizzying array of sights and
places to see and it may seem like there’s never enough time to take it
all in.

While it’s certainly impossible to take advantage of all the
attractions the city has to offer in a short space of time, this
article has come up with a selection of five of the attractions you
have to see if you’re in Paris.

It’s seems virtually impossible to escape the landmark with which
Paris is most commonly associated; every film with a scene in Paris has
it looming in the background, walk anywhere resembling a tourist
destination and there’s people with bunches of models on a key chain
trying to sell you a miniature version of it; I’m talking, of course,
about the Eiffel Tower.

Built for the World Exhibition in 1889, the Eiffel Tower rises 300
metres out of the ground and stands out in the Paris skyline, visible
from all over the city. Seeing the Tower up close reaffirms like no
other attraction that you are in the French capital and demonstrates
just what a feat of engineering it was.

A magnificent iron framework made up of around 12,000 pieces of
prefabricated iron fit together with something like 7 million nails.
For those that don’t suffer vertigo or get easily bored with queues you
can head to the top and get a view of Paris that’s unrivaled.

Another of Paris’ most famous attractions and one of the most
visited museums in the world is the Louvre. Nestled in the heart of
Paris in the 1st arrondissement on the banks of the Seine, the Louvre
displays around 35,000 works of art including some of the most famous
pieces in history with the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory
amongst its collection.

While you may well have seen the Louvre on television, postcards or
in magazines, until you’ve seen it in person there’s no way to
appreciate the size of the gallery. Occupying a staggering 60,000
square metres, the Louvre sees around 8.3 million visitors a year
through its equally iconic Pyramid entrance and underground lobby which
also serves as one of the strangest places to find a shopping centre.
Beware, though, if you plan on seeing the Mona Lisa, there’s a bit of a
queue and taking in the entirety of the collection is something that
could set you back a whole day at least.

If you’re still in the mood for art then it’s worth taking a stroll
to the Musee d’Orsay (that’s Orsay Museum) on the left banks of the
Seine and it’s collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1915. Built
in the Gare d’Orsay, the railway station architecture allows the museum
a unique layout with a long, high, ceilinged ground floor gallery
perfectly suited for the sculptures it contains. This author suggests a
bit of time should be spent taking in the model of the Opera House
interior and the miniature Paris through the glass floor in front of it.

The Orsay Museum is home to a breathtaking collection of
impressionist masterpieces including works by Vincent Van Gogh (Self
Portrait, Starry Night Over the Rhone, The Siesta), Manet (The Luncheon
on the Grass), Cezanne, Monet, Whistler (including the famous
Whistler’s Mother) and many more with sculptures by Paul Gauguin and
Degas’ famous studies of ballet dancers’ movement.

If you make it up the stairs to the collection of impressionist art,
be sure to take a look through the large clock and enjoy another great
view of the city, on a clear day you can see straight across to the
Sacre-Coeur Basilica - another of those sights you should see.

Set in the Montmarte district known for its many artists, the
Sacre-Coeur Basilica (which translates as Basilica of the Sacred Heart)
was completed in 1914 after a pledge to build a church if Paris emerged
unscathed from the Purssian war and as a moral condemnation of the sins
of Paris with a basilica true to Christian traditions. The architecture
stands as a contrast to the more Romanesque stylings of the city and
looks more like an Eastern temple.

The outside of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica is an example of excellence
in architecture and the, free to enter, interior is no exception. When
you emerge, though, be warned that on a summers day the sudden hit of
daylight may leave you squinting for while across yet another jaw
dropping view of the city below as the basilica sits atop a hill. The
highest point in the city, the butte Montmarte is no small climb even
for those in prime health. Give more than a thought to the lift service
and save your legs.

Another and perhaps more famous of Paris’ religious buildings is the
Notre-Dame Cathedral. The religious heart of the city, the Celts had a
sacred ground here, the Romans used the site to build a temple to
worship Jupiter and a Christian basilica was built in the 6th century
with work on the Cathedral beginning in 1163 and finally completed in
1345.

The first cathedral to be built to such a scale, the Notre Dame
Cathedral is a huge testament to faith at 128 metres long with two 69
metre tall towers and a 90 metre spire which was added in the 19th
century. While many of the cathedral’s famous sculptures and gargoyles
were destroyed during the French Revolution many remain and the
Cathedral was restored between 1991 and 2001.

As imposing as the Cathedral’s frontage is, there’s no way to
prepare for the size of the interior. Walking into the Notre Dame is
like walking into an aircraft hangar. The impact of which is something
you can’t experience from a postcard.

There’s plenty to see and do in Paris and, when your feet have tired
from walking the streets there’s plenty of coffee shops and cafes to
rest and take stock in over a crepe and coffee.

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