Travelling On The Eurostar Passenger Train To Paris

Travelling On The Eurostar Passenger Train To Paris

By http://www.free-articles-zone.com/author/14111">Martyn Davis

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.



www.placesinfrance.com - Martyn Davis European Traveller, Author, Photographer and Business Development Manager, For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to Paris and France, with tourist information, landmarks and attractions - http://www.placesinfrance.com/eurostar_channel_tunnel_crossing.html



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Affordable Honeymoon Packages Ease the Budget

Affordable Honeymoon Packages Ease the Budget

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Erwin_Rostuzing]Erwin Rostuzing

Honeymoon travel packages range in price from very inexpensive to the most expensive plan that includes all the extras. With the associated range of incomes and budgets among young, married couples today, it is possible that the moderately priced honeymoon package that attracts one couple might be completely out of reach for another family starting out. But travel planners and tour companies have been able to put together packages that almost anyone can afford, while making sure that these offerings are remunerative for the company.



Some couples may worry that an affordable honeymoon trip might not get them far from home, or to a somewhat exotic location. It is certainly true that the necessary expenses of a wedding and setting up a home may limit the honeymoon budget, but there are ways to compensate for this. Some couples are fortunate to have the family help with or pay for the honeymoon as a wedding present. Having numerous guests contribute toward the honeymoon is another option that opens a lot of travel doors.



Cruise ship companies have designed some affordable honeymoon trips as well, featuring the relaxing lifestyle of a cruise as a great way to start life together. Getting away on a cruise, during which all amenities are provided and included, is an excellent way to leave work schedules and the stress of wedding plans behind. The wide range of cruise options makes this choice quite popular. Couples can choose to spend their honeymoon in such wonderful locations as Alaska, the Caribbean or Europe. The options include everything from simply relaxing on deck in the sun to entertainment and dancing in the clubs and theatres on board. Of course, the best part of all this is that cruise packages are available in nearly every price range, with options for smaller cabins a great way to limit the expense.



Couples planning a honeymoon trip should start by asking a few questions about goals and objectives for the trip. If the beach is the desired destination, this should be put at the top of the priority/planning list. There are some excellent beach resorts close to home for just about everyone. Suffice to say it isn't necessary to travel halfway around the world to get to a beautiful beach. Larger budgets might allow a trip to Tahiti, while those on a more limited financial standing can find excellent relaxation in the Florida, Virginia or California sand.



For some who want to include golf in their activities, the opportunities range from the more expensive trip to the home of golf, Scotland, to the more affordable trip to Florida, the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, or the sunshine of Phoenix, Arizona. Never fear, honeymoon package trips are available to all of these wonderful destinations.



Some honeymoon couples choose to stay in a home on their trip, rather than incur the expense of a five-star hotel or a resort villa. Home exchanges have become quite popular in recent years and this choice can trim a few dollars of any honeymoon trip. Because lodging and the associated amenities are a large part of honeymoon costs, a bit of creativity can help keep the expenses in line.



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Royal Palace – Symbol of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Royal Palace – Symbol of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Author: Naveen Marasinghe

Image by inhiu

The Royal palace was built over hundred years as a means of serving the king, his family and other foreign dignitaries of Cambodia. The three main compounds of Royal Palace which are divided by walls are named as the Silver Pagoda, Khemarin Palace and Throne Hall. The total area of the palace covers an area of 174,870 square metres.

The primary audience hall of the King, The Throne Hall is utilized for official meeting, diplomatic meetings and coronations. It was the second building to be built in this complex. Sometimes called the 'Moonlight Pavilion' The Chanchhaya Pavilion, is the place of the royal dancers and the place to hold state and royal banquets. Hor Samran Phirun is considered as the royal rest house and waiting area of the king. Hor Samrith Phimean houses a display of royal ceremonial objects and costumes on the ground floor.

Amongst the Khmer-style buildings stands alone the Napoleon III Pavilion which looks like a European style building serving as the place that houses the royal memorabilia. Used for royal meetings and receptions is the Phochani Pavilion which was built in 1912. The Damnak Chan which was constructed in 1953 is the venue for all the administrative offices; however this place is closed to the public.

Within the same large compound of the palace lies the 'Silver Pagoda' which was named after the solid silver floor tiles that decorate building of the temple. The Silver Pagoda complex consists of the temple Wat Preah Keo Morokat and other structures such as a library, shrines stupas, monuments, minor buildings and the other galleries. The general public has the opportunity of visiting most of the other places in this complex except the area of the actual Royal residence, the Khemarin Palace. Any visitor of the Royal Palace can find accommodation in any Phnom Penh Hotel such as Raffles Phnom Penh .

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/royal-palace-symbol-of-the-kingdom-of-cambodia-747300.html

About the Author:
Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a search engine marketing company that offers integrated Internet marketing services and specializes in hotel Internet marketing industry.

The Luxurious Halong Cruise - Ginger and Its Creators’ Story

The Luxurious Halong Cruise - Ginger and Its Creators’ Story

By: Yen Mai | Posted: 02-10-2008

Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s top ten experiences for foreign travelers. When Ha Long Bay wasrecognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site in 1997, tourism seemed to be bursting at the seams in this truly unique place. Hundreds of tourist companies, both domestic and international, built their tours on cruises around Ha Long Bay, providing tourists with a wide range of choices for their journeys to enjoy the unique beauty of the bay, which lies along the Hon Gai coastal town in Quang Ninh province.

Vietnam flag by chribou

Most people chose to stay one or two nights on board, with elegant food presentations and adventure options to entertain more rugged travelers. I chose to spend a night at Ha Long Bay with the the Ha Long Ginger, a large wooden ship dripping with old-world charm. I really wanted to spend more than one night on this boat after quietly chugging along through the innumerable aquatic paths created by each uninhabited island.

Cruise manager Michelle Thong stood on deck waving as the Ginger approached, her white ao dai billowing in the wind – a true vision against the blue sea and sky of Ha Long Bay in the afternoon. Then we sailed deep into the bay for about four hours, breathing in the fresh sea air the whole way. After the captain ordered his crew to set sail, new sounds and colors filled the air, giving us a truly beautiful experience.

Ginger boat by My Vietnam Travel Pictures

Cruise manager Sonny Bui escorted us to our cabins and handed us keys in the shape of a fish. The air-conditioned room really won us over with large windows for viewing the scenery, a sparkling bathroom, five-star fluffy beds and all amenities. And the person whose passion attaches to traveling and cruising was open to share his story about this wonderful ship.
Ginger Cruise

Bui Cao Son, or Sonny Bui, who worked 12 years in tourism traveling to many places inside and outside Viet Nam, is the man behind the Ginger. Son said he wanted to do something on his own to capitalize and develop what he had learnt and experienced after years working as a tour guide. The 36-year-old, called Sonny Bui by his foreign friends, wanted to make something different from the tours which have been mostly designed on the same route. "Our route is wider and goes through new interesting places that others do not," said Son. "That’s the first thing we aimed at when we started building up our tour two years ago."

"The most discouraging thing for us is the idea that there is not a professional wooden shipbuilding company," said Bui Cao Son, who eventually got the Ha Long Ginger built after 14 months of working with fishing boat builders. The US$500,000 beauty, which has 10 rooms and can serve a maximum of 20 travelers, was put into operation early this year. The boat was built through the co-ordination of Huong Hai Company, which has more than 10 years of experience designing and building boats for tourists to stay on overnight. Huong Hai
boats are among the first giving overnight tours at Ha Long Bay.

The Ginger blends classical beauty with modern comfort, catering to groups of between six and 20 people. Measuring 38m in length and 8m in width, it has three decks that house the elegant restaurant, a lounge, two bars, a small boutique and a library, as well as ten luxurious sleeping cabins. Fitted out with wood and bamboo, its interior is charming. The stylish decoration of the dining room – not to mention the fact that the staff change their uniforms to serve meals – is highly impressive, seemingly more suited to a five-star hotel.

"Sonny and I designed the cruise," said Thong, a Malaysian-American who worked as a tour escort/leader in the US before coming to Viet Nam four years ago. "We worked hard together to create a design which could give the best comfort to our customers," said Thong who has been working on the Ginger cruise for a year. "We put a lot of ideas into the blueprint with an aim to infuse Vietnamese style in western comfort," added Thong. She did a boat project in HCM City two years ago before working with Son on the Ginger.

Thong said the cruise was designed to emphasize taking care of customers and the staffs are present to provide anything needed. Amenities on the cruise are from the same provider of Park Hyatt, ensuring guests feel they are in a world of luxury.

"To give visitors a good night of sleep, we equipped the rooms with high-quality beds," said Son, adding that he wanted large windows (1.2m x 1.3m) to give customers the best view from their rooms. Bamboo is a major feature in the restaurant and lounge, which is associated with other kinds of wooden materials and flower designs making the whole middle deck’s ceiling into more of an artwork. The mixture of elegant decorations, food and service left lasting impressions on customers after leaving the Ginger, most of which have plans to come back for a group celebration or possible honeymoon trips. With the expected increase in number of customers, the Ginger will be joined by sisters to meet the demand of visitors. "We are building two other cruises of such kind with the hope of giving more interesting tours to the visitors," said Son, whose customers are mostly from five-star hotels like Metropole Ha Noi, Hilton and Sofitel Plaza. The two new ships are to be named after two kinds of flowers, Jasmine and Violet, with which Son wants to add more elegant colors to Ha Long Bay.

About the Author:
Vietnam Holiday Now offering both online and call center bookings for hotels, tours, flights, visa, travel packages, holidays, city breaks, car rental in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia
Printed From: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/the-luxurious-halong-cruise-ginger-and-itscreators-story-587670.html

Related topic: Enjoy These Ten Places in Vietnam

Top 10 Restaurants in Chicago

Top 10 Restaurants in Chicago

By Paul Scottyn

With some of the America's best chefs calling the city's restaurants their home, eating out in Chicago is a gastronomic treat. For travelers in the city, food can be a definite highlight and, with so many diverse options catering to different budgets and options, it rarely disappoints.

According to the Zagat survey, Tru is the number-one restaurant in Chicago. Visitors on a budget, however, will find that the Prix Fixe - a fixed price a three-course meal - can still be very affordable!

For a meal that reflects the city's multiculturalism, try the fusion cuisine at La Fette. Combining French and American influences, this bistro is a truly budget-friendly option and offers five-course meals for as little as $35.

Café des Architects is a more expensive French option in downtown Chicago. This fashionable modern brasserie specializes in seafood (such as shrimp and scallops) but also does a great filet mignon.

For a taste of the east, visitors can head to Siam Marina and their mouth-wateringly authentic Thai food. One of the best Thai restaurants in the state of Illinois, the restaurants offers a wide range of dishes from seafood to vegetarian options.

Meat-lovers may wish to try out the steaks at La Cantina Enoteca. Here, there are steak and seafood options available from different regions of Italy, and diners are treated to a view of the salt-water fish tanks housing the super-fresh lobsters and fish whilst they enjoy their chosen meal.

Sushi fans will find their tastes well-catered for at Chicago's newest Japanese spot, Ai Japanese Restaurant and Lounge. Located in the River North area, the extensive menu includes such signature dishes as Wasabi Filet Mignon and Parmesan Salmon Teriyaki.

For a more informal evening, travelers might like to head out to The Village from their Chicago hostels. Located on the second floor of the Chicago Landmark building, this casual eatery offers guests a variety of pizza, pasta, Panini and salads and is a great place for a light, early dinner before going on to enjoy the city's famous nightlife.

Meanwhile, Andies is a good place for meals with a family or a large group of friends. Greek and Lebanese dishes dominate the menu here, and there is a good range of vegetarian fare. The best part, however, is that all the food is very healthy.

Sicilian food comes alive at RoSal's Italian Cucina. Served in typically big portions, the pasta, meat and cheeses will still leave you wanting more!

Finally, The Dining Room at Kendell College offers a great - and unusual - option for budget travelers. It's basically a professional classroom, with the restaurant serving up guests the 'homework' of the students. Don't be put off, though - the college has created some of the best chefs in the Midwest.

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for HostelBookers.com, Paul Scottyn travelled extensively and stayed in numerous Chicago hostels and restaurants.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Scottyn

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Things To See In Malaysia

Things To See In Malaysia

By Richard Chapo

If you are planning on taking a vacation in the near future, I recommend that you travel to Malaysia. Malaysia is a beautiful place to really enjoy yourself. There are plenty of places that you can visit while you are there if you are traveling to site-see. If you prefer to just relax, there are plenty of places devoted to that past time as well.

In all actuality, Malaysia is a place that all nature lovers should visit because it has pristine beaches, tropical islands, haunting caves and untamed jungles. The natural beauty of Malaysia will open your senses and capture your heart.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is the hub of Malaysia and is often overlooked by tourists. This is a mistake as there is a lot to see that will take your breath away including:

1) Petronas Twin Towers

Twin Tower by whossein

2) Sultan Abdul Samad Building which is full of Victorian and Moorish architectural styles.

Sultan Abdul Samad by Felix_KL

3) Tasek Perdana Lake Gardens which is a perfect place to have a picnic with your family or enjoy a nice walk.

4) Parliament House

5) National Monument

6) National Museum which is the home to many historical exhibits and also houses craftwork from many different parts of the nation and a wide variety of architectural styles that make it so unique.

7) National Mosque which is surrounded by spectacular lawns and elegant fountains that decorate the lawn like a Christmas tree, as strange as that may sound. The National Mosque was built in 1965; the dome on the Mosque is in the shape of an eighteen point star to represent the thirteen states in the country and the five central pillars of Islam.

8) Old Chinese Clan House where Chan See Yuen lived.

9) The Friday Mosque which is located in the middle of the Klang and Gombak rivers is the most popular place to visit in the city. A great place to watch the sun set.

Kuala Lumpur also offers many eating and shopping opportunities.

Magnificent Caves and Parks

1) The Batu Caves are located north of the city of Kuala Lumpur. They can be reached by climbing two hundred and seventy two steps. Wow, that is a lot of steps, isn’t it? These caves house the Hindu Shrine of Lord Subramanian.

Batu Caves by Thomas_Shaw

2) The Museum Caves are full of brightly colored statues and murals from Hindu mythology.

3) Templar Park is nothing but all natural rainforest that is bubbling with beauty for everyone to see. It is full of jungle paths, swimming lagoons and waterfalls that all lie within the park boundaries. A magical place, indeed.

4) Malaysia’s agricultural park which is located in Shah Alam, Selangor at Cherakah has a large play area for all the skateboarders and roller skaters out there. If you have teens with you, this is the place for them.

Overall, Malaysia is a wonderful place to take a vacation. It is still considered exotic, but is becoming more of a mainstream destination as it gains in popularity.

Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of travel journals to preserve your travel experiences. Great Gifts!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
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