From Eiffel Tower, Paris To Your Home Country

Do you know how far you live from the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France?

I went to France for two weeks holiday. They say that when you go to Paris, you must see and visit the Eiffel Tower. Yes! I absolutely believe it’s a must see and worthy of going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The scenery is fantastic. The breeze is so refreshing in summer, but freezing when it’s windy and rainy.

In France tourism is one of the largest industries. They earn hundreds of millions of Euros per year. Tourists will pay fortunes for scenery and attractions. As long as they are happy and satisfied of the services. Getting a ticket to go up to the top of Eiffel tower is not as easy as ABC. You have to queue for four hours just to get a ticket, waiting for another hour, to enter the main gate to catch the elevator.

When you reach the 2^nd level they have some amenities like restaurant, glass floor, viewing window, viewing gallery, gift shops, and snack bar. You can see lots of small people underneath of the tower queuing to get ticket and go up to top. Wait till you reach the top floor you can see how tiny those people are. They are like ants queuing to deposit the food they are carrying.

When we are on the top of the tower it was like being on top of the world. It’s one of the wonderful experiences for me and my 22 months toddler in a buggy, pushing and carrying was not easy for us. We queued and waited for more than five hours just to reach the top. The scenery is one thing we wanted to experience. It's not only scenery you can see; there is also history and facts behind the iron tower. Which were the highlights of our escapade on that day?

These are the facts I got from the Eiffel Tower ,Paris to Berlin, Germany is 882 km, to Manila, Philippines is 10 761 km, to Moscow, Russia, is 2 495 km, to China is 9 653 km and to Lithuania is 1 706 km.

I am originally from the Philippines and I found it very amusing and educating, isn't it very educational the trip? I know that scenery will always be the number one reason of going up to the tower to see the views and to see the whole city of Paris. Sometimes, travellers forget the history and the facts behind building the Eiffel Tower, majority of the travellers are pre-occupied by the views. Every corner has fantastic views. We had a fantastic holiday last summer for more pictures. Click Here!

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Blackpool Tower

If Paris, France has Eiffel Tower that represents as the iconic tower in Paris, well Blackpool in England has iconic tower too.  The Blackpool Tower is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 158m (518 ft. 9 inches). The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

Blackpool Tower offers 5 attractions

1.     

 1.         The Blackpool Tower Eye – Breath-taking and amazing views is waiting for all tourists who wish to visit the Tower Eye. Offers 4D cinema experience.

2.       The Blackpool Tower Dungeon – Scary experience for families with children age 8-year-old plus.
3.       The Blackpool Tower Circus – An annual circus festival in Blackpool brought to you by Bollywood.  The show is on the 11th - 19th February 2012.
4.       The Blackpool Tower Ballroom – Amidst the beautiful settings for dancing and musical to enjoy.
5.       Jungle Jim’s – Indoor play area with a jingly jungle theme.

Tips for your trip:

Book on-line to avoid disappointments. Also it’s cheaper to book on-line for Blackpool Tower.

If you wish to climb to the top of Blackpool Tower Eye you MUST check the weather because it’s subject to weather conditions.

For more information of opening times and on-line booking visit their website: http://www.theblackpooltower.com

Have a lovely holiday!

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Tour Eiffel

Around the Tour Eiffel

The region plays as the main character in the story of Paris tourism industry. Millions for tourist comes in Paris every year to see and climb up to the very top of the iconic tower and to visit the world’s largest architectural museum.

List of Tourist attractions in Tour Eiffel

1.     Eiffel Tower
2.    Parc du Champ de Mars
3.    École Militaire
4.    Les Invalides
5.    Musée Rodin
6.    Tour Montparnasse
7.    Musée d’Orsay
8.    Assemblée Nationale
9.    Point Alexander III
10.  Les Ésgouts
11.  Pont de l’Alma
12.  Musée du Quay Brandly
13.  Palais de Tokyo
14.  Musée d’Art Modern de la Ville de Paris
15.  Musée National des Arts Asiatiques-Guimet
16.  Place du Trocandéro et du II Novembré
17.  Pont de de Bir-Hakeim
18.  Mansion de Balzac
19.  Musée Marmottan Monet

Places to Stay

1.    Grand Hôtel Leveque
2.    Hôtel de la Tour Eiffel
3.    Best Western Eiffel Park Hotel
4.    Hotel de Londres Eiffel
5.    Relais Bosquet
6.    Hotel Plaza Tour Eiffel
7.    Adagio Aparthotel
8.    Holiday Inn Garden Court Paris - Tour Eiffel
9.    Grand Hôtel Leveque
10.  Hotel Ares Eiffel

Places to Eat

1.    L’aubergene du Mouton Blanc – French Restaurant
2.    Tse Yang – Chinese Restaurant
3.    Hiramatsu – Japanese Restaurant
4.    Fakhr el dine – Lebanese Restaurant
5.    L’affriolé – Classical French dishes and Mediterranean influence.
6.    Bistro D’Hubert – 21^st French Bistro

There are thousands of café, fast-food chain and restaurant in and around Tour Eiffel depends on your taste.

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Wedding photoshoot in Eiffel Tower Paris

Seriously speaking these Japanese couple took our attention when we leave the Eiffel tower. I took this photo at Parc du Champ de Mars. The photographer is facing the iconic tower which behind the couple to captured perfect angle.

 

The bride looks stunning and the groom looks very smart. The dress and the suit they wore look very expensive in my eyes. How much more the cost of the wedding in Paris? Must be dead expensive! They take travelling seriously, aren’t they?

That's us!

I’ve heard few love stories of couples going to Paris for engagement, honeymoon, climbing up the top of the tower and made promises to each other and etc. I confess to you my brothers and sisters that my husband and I climb up to the top and had champagne and made promises in front of our ever dear daughter Pearl.

When I look back on my wedding photos and and recieve positive comments I tell them “Everyone has the right to be bride and there are only few brides are destined to become a princess”. Is that you Kate Middleton? No, it's me Inday Jenny Jayon - O'Toole.

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Where to stay in Paris?

Paris is a favourite tourist destination in Europe, there is a wide range of accommodation options luxury hotels, chain hotels to low cost hostels. Every region has its good points and bad points choosing which place to stay depends on your priorities.

Paris is divided into five regions.

1.    Tour Eiffel
2.    Latin Quarter, St. Germain and Islands
3.    Marias and Bastille
4.    Lourve an Champs-Élyées
5.    Montmatre

For visit purposes decided which region do you want to stay.

To help you to decided jot down all tourist attraction you wish to visit. These will help you to choose which region you should stay, which closer to the attractions you wish to visit. 

Need Map?

Maps credit to Grand Hotel Lévéque

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Victoria Peak Hong Kong

The Peak is the most famous tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Here are my few reasons why you should visit and experience going to the Peak?  First is the tram experience, second is the wonderful scenery, and finally the fantastic shopping and dining experience.

Ticketing and Tram

How to get there?

Getting to the peak by Peak tram is spectacular. One of the world’s oldest funicular railways in Hong Kong, which carries both locals and tourist to the upper-levels of Hong Kong Island. Running from Central district to Victoria Peak via the mid-levels, to provide the most direct route and offers panoramic views over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong.

Panoramic views from the top of the peak.

The cost of the Peak tram is HK$40 per adult that includes return ticket, single cost per adult is HK$28. If you wish to both Peak Tram and Sky Terrace the cost for return pass is HK$65 per adult that includes return pass. Child from 3-11-years-old and seniors has the same rates HK$31 for the Peak Tram and Sky Terrace return passes and HK$18 from Peak tram return tickets.

What to expect on the Peak?

Expect the stunning views overlooking the harbours and skyscrapers of Hong Kong. The Peak tower also known as the iconic tower of Hong Kong wok-like design on the top. Offers arrays of shops, illuminate hundreds of unique and beautiful souvenirs items and restaurants for great dining with amazing views.

Views from the tram.

The only attractions in Hong Kong that tourist should not miss. Aside from scenery, shopping and dining the Peak has gallery, showcasing the artwork of the city’s talented artist. My recommended destination in Hong Kong has more to offer to the tourist.

One of the restaurant that catches my attention. (My daughter's name Pearl.)

Our Experience:

We went in the first week of December. Obviously on the photographs it was raining and freezing season. It was winter season in Hong Kong. Although the weather was awful going into the Peak with 4 months old baby, we decided to go as we don’t want to miss the exciting and incredible experience on the Peak.

After getting wet in the rain we straight go to the Pacific Coffee for a cuppa of tea and cappuccino.
The highlight of our visit was the fantastic dining experience (dining with a view) in one of their signature restaurants which are Kyo Hachi Japanese Restaurants. The platter we ordered was divine well presented, great wine and beautiful deserts.

Whilst dining my wife leave our baby in the soft play area by herself playing with her toys, which next to our table so we can watch her whilst we are enjoying our food. And my wife take the chance to stand next to Jackie Chan not the real Jackie Chan just a statue of him near to the tram station for picture taking. Great family day out. We all had fun.

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The Eiffel Tower

Taken from the boat

When you heard the word Paris what comes in your mind?

Fashion Capital, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. I must say Paris is a tempting capital, extremely well-known for its cuisine, fashion, religion, art collections and architectural products.

One of the most famous is the Eiffel tower located in the heart of Paris. Now, the Eiffel Tower become the global icon of France which is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars.

Here are some facts and figures:

Alexandre Gustave Eiffel - A French engineer who constructed the Eiffel Tower (1832-1923) the magnificent iron tower is the ultimate symbol of Eiffel's considerable skill and imagination.

Taken from the boat

Height: 300 m (984 ft.), the iron tower weights 10,100 tonnes. It has 18,000 metal sections and 2.5 rivets. There are 370 people committed suicides by jumping from the tower due to the incidents protective shields were installed in 1971.
Tourist can choose to climb the stairs in the south pillar to level one or level two or take one of the elevators.

Taken inside the car

Floor guide:

Level one - Cineiffel, observatory,feroscope, gift shop, post office, viewing gallery, restaurant, snack bar, hydraulic elevator pump.

Level two - Jules Verne, restaurant, glass floor, viewing window, viewing gallery, gift shops, snack bar.

Level three - Viewing gallery, panoramic photo, Gustave Eiffel's office.
Planning your visit:

The Eiffel Tower is open every day and evening.
Open at 9:30 - 23:00 / 9:00 - 00:00 during summer.

How to get there?

You can take the Métro to Raspail/Place de Clichy/Blance or bus 30, 54, 74, 80 and 95 and you can get there by boat.

How much is the cost of going up?

Here are the rates; price for every type of visitor (adults, disabled people, children under 4, 12 to 24 year old, etc.) and depending on how you want to go up the tower (lift or stairs). Whether you’re visiting as a family or a group, the prices will be different.

This is Paris for me

Individual rates:

From April 1st 2011 to March 31st 2012
Left entrance ticket (valid to 2nd floor) Adults €8,20 - 12-24 years old €6,60 - 4-11 years old person with a disability €4,10

Lift entrance to top Adults €13,14 - 12-24 years old €11,80 - 4-11 years old person with a disability €9,30

Stair entrance ticket (valid to 2nf floor)  €4,70 - 12-24 years old €3,70 - 4-11 years old person with a disability €3,20

Underneath the tower

Views from the third level

Another views from the third level

second level

Having some champagne on the top level of Eiffel Tower.

Booking on-line is the best thing to do to avoid the long queue and disappointments. Summer is the perfect seasons to visit and the best time to go in the afternoon as virtually all the sights are open till late and the Eiffel tower glitters in all its glory after dark.

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