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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Mont-St-Michel Escapades

The Mont-St-Michel is most visited tourist attractions apart from Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Stunning gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Saint Michael located in the lower part of Normandy Region in France.

The Mont-St-Michel and its bay – is one of UNESCO list of world heritage. A must see and visit attraction in Normandy.

When its high tides it looks like floating Cathedral. The track way is covered by water and uncovered at low tide.

What to expect?

• Expect for stunning cultural attractions, from country side to sea side.
• Exciting road trips and thousands of souvenir shops to stops.
• Expect for nice Cafés, hotels and restaurants in the community.
• Expect for long walk and climbing.

Taken inside the car

How was our visit?

The weather was awful when went to Mont-St-Michel. We go by car and paid 6 euros for car parking. The attraction is free. The good thing that time we did not take the pram with us or else it would be nightmare. It’s was hard work for the both of us to go there just imagine carrying my daughter in my shoulder whilst climbing up to the abbey. It’s like sacrifice for me just to enter to the Cathedral it was worth of going. It’s beautiful inside and outside.

To end our day tour we had lovely meal from La Mére Pourlard  an 18th century hotel and restaurant with famous wall of autographs from over a century of famous diners, including Ernest Hemingway and Yves Saint-Laurent. Best to try their house cidré  it's the best! Another unforgettable adventure we had.


Travel Tips
Best to go in summer and don't forget to check the weather forecast and best to go during low tide.

How to get there?

By car or by bus. And it takes almost 4 hours travelling from Paris to Mont-St-Michel. We were lucky enough we stayed in the same region and took us an hour to travel. 

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Wind Mill

Whilst waiting for the food I decided to draw my husband and daughter.

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Visit Normandy, France: Day 1 – Gavray

After a long journey we finally reached our destination. We stayed at Le Louverie near Gavray. It was glorious afternoon when we arrive in the gite. After check-in we decided to go in and around town of Gavray. We parked near the church and walk to find some café to have something to eat then we went for quick shopping for food to store in our fridge during our stay. 

My husband can’t wait to have a good splash in the swimming pool and my daughter is so excited to play in the playground. Whilst I’m having my first cheeky drink cider and marinated the chicken for our dinner.

It was sunny outside, but the wind is a bit cold. I can tell the temperature of the water in the swimming pool is probably the same as cold water from the fridge. My husband enjoyed it I don’t think my daughter she didn’t we were surprise at that time my 22 months toddler says this “out now, towel please” that was her 2 longest words aside from “Where is Daddy gone?” I think she stay for 60 seconds. It was freezing. I can’t imagine myself to have a splash.

Everyone is inside the house watching telly whilst, I was preparing our starter fresh raw oyster delight and I start the barbeque. We decide to eat outside with bottle of champagne. 

We had a lovely start of our holiday, everything is perfect. This was our dream holiday; by the way we plan this for years. Although the plan was change and we couldn’t make any booking in the vine yard as it was holiday seasons, we expect for full bookings. Even though it was not in the vine yard, were all having fun and satisfied for what we booked.

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Beautiful Gîte in Normandy

Beautiful self-catering country cottages or Gîte in French – are found all over Normandie in the most rural area from €350 - €800 a week per property with swimming pool.

We stayed at La Louverie located at Le Mesnil Amand near Gavray, North West of France. 

• Beautiful cottage
• 3 bedrooms,
•  Barbecue
• Beautiful garden
• Play area,
•  Swimming pool and scenic views. 

How was our stay?

When we arrived we certainly love the gite it’s very pretty. It was glorious but the wind is a bit cold. My husband and daughter were so excited to have a splash in the swimming pool. We stayed for 10 days there enough to visit most attractions in the region. Everything you need in the house is available except the food. The gite is close to the market and town centre in Gavray. The place is peaceful perfect for relaxing. The host Chris and Bridget are very nice and helpful. We had a lovely holiday.

If you’re planning a long and unique holiday with your family and friends including your pet gîtes is the answer. For more information visit http://frenchconnection.co.uk

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The Yellow Duck Marine Tour

Thinking of going to Liverpool for day out with your family or friends?

The yellow duck marine tour offers a unique way of discovering the City of Culture in Liverpool city centre. By land and water you will enjoy this amazing experience.

Trip starts on the road, then to the historic waterfront, touring the famous sights of the city, and then making a dramatic splash down in the Salthouse Dock ending at Albert Dock.

Ticket Type     Off Peak         Peak

Adults             £9.95               £14.95

Children           £7.95               £9.95

Concessions   £8.95               £11.95

Family (2 adults & 2 Children)            £32.00             £39.95

Additional Child (upto 3 per family ticket)       £5.00   £7.00

Peak period: School & Bank Holidays (including Bank Holiday weekends) from February to October.

Our tours depart daily all year round from 10.30am or 11.00am. During very quiet times we run every 75 minutes and during busy times every 15 to 30 minutes.

A group of ten or more can share a regular commercial tour with other passengers at standard price rates with a discount rate of 10%.

The Yellow Duckmarine

32 Anchor Courtyard

Albert Dock

Liverpool

L3 4AS

0151 708 7799

View Map 

Opening Hours

Mon-Sun 09:00-17:30

Departure Point

Gower Street Bus Stop

Albert Dock

Liverpool

L3 4AS

Travel tip: Book on-line to avoid disappointments. Happy trip!
For more information and bookings check their website here: http://www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk/

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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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Walking in Paris

Our Pearl

Everyone knows that Paris is one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world.

The best way to explore Paris is to walk in and around the city. It's good exercises and no euros wasted for travelling. If you're not in the mood of walking.

Well there are other options to explore the entire city. You can go for skating, bicycling and velotaxi for cheap and Eco-friendly experience, buses, métro, taxi, car and etc for long journey.

Paris is accessible city. Métro and bus stops are everywhere and you can hop anytime you want.

My Advice: When the weather is glorious walking is the best thing to do and it’s free. It’s more enjoyable to walk than going to Métro.

Travel Tips: BEWARE of Pickpockets operates every where. Make sure you keep eye on your belonging.

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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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Sunset: Overlooking the entire City of Davao

When the school term is nearly end the tourism student of University of Mindanao will decide where to go, when to go and how many days we are going to spend our educational tour.

Half of our class decided to go to Camiguin for 3 nights and half of the class choose to go to Samal Island for Island hopping for 2 nights. The photographs were taken 6 years ago in Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines.

Image credits to Glory Manipol

After Island hopping and visiting local attractions we catch this lovely sunset over-looking the entire City of Davao on the way back to Punta del Sol we’re we stay over.

We all had fun and our tour was absolutely fantastic!

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The Chinese Buffet

An extra-ordinary all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant is now in St. Helens, England. It was first opened in Bolton by 3 British-Chinese who aim to create a stylish and modern style of buffet with high quality food at low cost to customers.

Location:

THE CHINESE BUFFET

Bridge Street

St Helens

Market Walk

Wakefield

WF1 1QS

Opening times:

Ambience: Although the restaurant is located in the town centre of St. Helens, you could be in another country. The front of the restaurant is very oriental. The Chandeliers, lift, waterfalls and lightning is absolutely stunning. The dining is very spacious and fantastic.

Highlights: It’s not only a Chinese buffet all-you-can-eat, it also has Japanese, Thai, and more oriental cuisine to choose.

Our Dining Experience: Excellent! All day Sunday buffet for £9.95 per person around 100 dishes to choose I can’t argue with that price. It was nice to choose your ingredients’ and let the chef do the cooking and you can see it how they cook your food. We do enjoy the food it’s was lovely and the drinks isn’t expensive. Treat your family or celebrate occasions there.

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Louis Vuitton

French fashion house was founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton Malletier also known as Louis Vuitton or LV for short. When it comes to fashion LV is the most famous initials in fashion world with beige and brown chequered pattern interlaced the initials (LV Monogram)  most products ranging from leather goods, luxury trunks to clothing, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery and sunglasses.

This building was opened in 1913 at Champs Élysée, Paris

How to get there?

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Address: 101 Avenue de Champs Elysées 75088 Paris, France.

Metro: George V

Phone: 0810810 010

Open times: Mon-Sat 10am – 8pm Sun 11am – 1pm, 2pm-7pm

Website: www.vuitton.com

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Canal St-Martin Paris

Taken from the bridge

One of its best tourist attractions in Bastille, Paris is the Canal St-Martin. Strolling along the three-lined canal foot path or you can go for a boat trips along the Siene. An additional option to do in 

 Canal St-Martin is dining experience there are several restaurants and bars along it.

The Canal St-Martin is located in the eastern part of the city. According to the history the Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte (Emperor of the French) ordered the construction of the canal in 1802, in order to create a stilted waterway for supplying Paris with fresh water to support a growing population and to help avoid diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

The canal was open in 1825, with 4.5 long in Paris connects the Canal de l'Ourcq to the river Seine.

Today, the canal is most visited by locals and tourist especially students they like to hang-out with their mates and to keep a watchful eye on the barges navigate the series of locks and road bridges. 

Rose garden along the Canal St-Martin

How to get there?

Metro:

·        

République

·         Jaurés

·         Jacques

·         Bonsergent

·         Goncourt

Bus:

·          26, 46, 75

Here is the map:

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Tips for your trip:

Best time to visit on spring and summer.  Best time for stroll and cycling is morning whilst everyone is still in bed. For boat trips afternoon is the best time or during rush hours. It’s the best time to set-back and relax sipping nice wine whilst enjoying the views.

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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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Bonsior Paris

Parisian Christmas Party

Beinvenue the Parisian Spectacular! The Grand Pavilion of Knowsley Safari Park was turn into a café, clubs and stage where the Parisian Spectacular seduced all the viewers with their sparkling glittery sequin and feathery glamour. Inspired by the past - entertainment brought to life.

We are invited for Ste’s Birthday Special last18th December 2011 at the Grand Pavilion, Knowsley Safari Park, Knowsley, England. Formal attire is requirements. 

I’ve heard that there will be thousands of guests will be watching the show. When we get there it was very busy it’s like watching Rihanna’s concert standing in the front of the stage.

Each of us gets champagne as welcome drinks. It was not champagne, because the drink isn’t bubbly and strong. I believe it’s just white wine in champagnes glass, not only me noticed the welcome drinks.

We are not bothered to watch the first performance until we are not seated. Instead we enjoy having some nice cold white and chatting.

Few minutes later the first show is over people are waiting to find their table so they can seat down and relax their foot from standing with their killer heels. I can’t wait to seat down I am starving; I’ve been drinking since I left the house. I'll be drunk by 10pm which I don't want to happen. It's too early!

We finally seated party poppers in every seat hat and head band with stars on. Let's start the party! The host asked the entire guest to use their balloons to build an Eiffel Tower. We tried to make one, but it wasn’t perfect after that we had our meal. It was absolutely beautiful. I can’t imagine how busy is the kitchen preparing for 1600 people (starters, main course, dessert and coffee and tea).

The show was brilliant it was really good, very entertaining, quality performances, nice stage, music and lightning are fantastic.

When the show was over we smashed the dance floor. Dance as much as you can. Brilliant night absolutely!

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Notre Dame Paris

Our lady of Paris

One summer afternoon at Notre Dame de Paris with The O'Tooles

Notre Dame de Paris in French located at 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France. 

Taken from the boat.

That's stunning except the 2 tourist standing.

Some nice architectural details of the cathedral.

A gothic, Roman Catholic Cathedral and one of the world’s famous, historic and most visited cathedrals. Its finest French gothic architecture attracts more tourists to visit the said cathedral.

I can’t imagine myself going there as I know Paris, France is one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit. I have no budget to go there.

Yet, when I married to Ian who was a devoted catholic, who been in that cathedral many times singing in the choirs, when he was in primary school with his brother and best mates.

He took us (my daughter and I) last summer (2011) he was our tour guide. He says to me every time he comes in the cathedral he will cry especially to see Mother Theresa. By the way he went St. Teresa primary school in England. It makes sense to me why he cried for Mother Theresa in Notre dame.  

My Ian and Pearl

And another Ian and Pearl outside plus 1 tourist who don't want to move out.

And agian yours truly with exusted Pearl on the boat with fantastic views.

I, myself is devoted catholic who wish to come and see some stunning cathedral like Notre dame. It was a dream comes true for me. We wish to attend at least one mass. But we couldn’t make it because we haven’t enough time to stay in Paris, 4 days isn’t enough to do things like going to the mass. As thousands of attractions and sceneries is waiting for us out-side. 

The dimly lit interior.

My camera don't work well in the dark.

If you wish to visit Paris don’t forget to visit the Notre dame its worth of visiting it’s absolutely free unless you wanted to purchase coin souvenir inside the church or drop few coins for your donations it would be helpful for the parishioner and their chosen charity. It was a great day for the three of us.

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