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Easy Day Trips from Paris: Monet's Gardens at Giverny

Where: Giverny, France
May 22, 2013 at 2:30 PM | by | Comments (0)

For most people, Paris is such a dream destination that the idea of leaving town sounds anticlimactic. However, even lifelong Parisiens know the value of occasionally getting out of the city. This week, we'll be looking at four daytrips—or even two-day trips—that you can take from the City of Light.

Today's destination: Giverny.

Though the village of Giverny is quite charming, the reason that 99% of tourists come here is to visit the house and gardens of artist Claude Monet. Unlike Versailles and Fontainebleau, Giverny is quite difficult to reach via public transit from Paris; the best option is either to rent a car or join up with one of the many tour companies which ferry visitors there and back (Citylink, located near the Eiffel Tower, is a good option with both full and half day tours that are quite hands-off and no leaders with giant flags in sight).

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Easy Day Trips from Paris: A Frolick at Fontainebleau

May 21, 2013 at 2:29 PM | by | Comments (0)

For most people, Paris is such a dream destination that the idea of leaving town sounds anticlimactic. However, even lifelong Parisiens know the value of occasionally getting out of the city. This week, we'll be looking at four daytrips—or even two-day trips—that you can take from the City of Light.

Today's destination: Fontainebleau.

While Fontainebleau is much less famous than its cousin, Versailles, this palace is an excellent daytrip from Paris, especially for the traveler who's "done everything already" in town. To get there, you’ll need to go to Gare de Lyon and take the regional train—go all the way to the top floor and use the green machines (there are about a thousand yellow SNCF ones and probably two Billet Ile de France green ones, so don’t be afraid to ask people where they are or just go to an information booth/help desk).

Trains leave about once every 30 or 40 minutes, so just look for ones that make a stop at Fontainebleau Avon. This is the station for both the forest and the chateau. Both are quite a long walk, so you’ll need to check the signs for appropriate buses; the number one drops you off right in front of the palace and is usually chock full of tourists, so you should find it easily. Because the train station is pretty bare bones (only two tracks, no shops or cafes, minimal signage), return buses from Fontainebleau often time it so that you’ll arrive at the station just in time to catch the next train back to Paris. No dawdling!

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Easy Day Trips from Paris: Crossing Versailles Off the List

May 20, 2013 at 1:06 PM | by | Comments (0)

For most people, Paris is such a dream destination that the idea of leaving town sounds anticlimactic. However, even lifelong Parisiens know the value of occasionally getting out of the city. This week, we'll be looking at four daytrips—or even two-day trips—that you can take from the City of Light.

Today's destination: Versailles.

By far the most famous and popular daytrip from Paris is Versailles. It’s quite easy to get there, as there are dozens of trains per day. The most efficient way is to take the RER line C, which picks up from tourist-central metro stations including Invalides and Musee d’Orsay. Just look on the map for a letter C inside a big circle. The RER is sort of like New York’s Metro North or Long Island Railroad, as it serves Paris suburbs and is not considered part of the metro.

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The Five Spots in Cannes for Spotting Film Festival Celebrities

Where: Cannes, France
May 16, 2013 at 4:28 PM | by | Comments (0)

The Cannes Film Festival is in full swing, which means film's biggest stars have descended on the French Riviera along with the crowds jostling to have a look at them. If you're in that mix and hoping for a new Facebook photo with Leo DiCaprio, check out our list of the best places to spot the A (and B) listers this year:

· Nikki Beach

On May 25, Nikki Beach hold its annual Cannes party which always draws a famous crowd. Past attendees have included Woody Allen, Michael Douglas, Penelope Cruz, and Ryan Gosling.

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London to Paris by Eurostar: Onboard the Train

April 16, 2013 at 4:45 PM | by | Comments (2)

Come 2015, it will be 20 years since Eurostar started services through the Channel Tunnel between London and Paris and Brussels. This week, we're having a look at what the rail link is like today.

We’ve told you what to expect at both London St. Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord stations, so now it’s time to talk train.

London to Paris is a journey of about two and a half hours, of which you’ll spend 20-25 minutes in the Channel Tunnel. Traveling on Eurostar, you have a choice of three classes of service: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier. We’ve traveled in all of them on various occasions, and sampled both Business Premier and Standard Premier on this trip.

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London to Paris by Eurostar: Inside the Stations and Lounges

April 15, 2013 at 3:03 PM | by | Comments (0)

Come 2015, it will be 20 years since Eurostar started services through the Channel Tunnel between London and Paris and Brussels. This week, we're having a look at what the rail link is like today.

If you've never experienced zooming along at 200 mph while watching the landscape zip by, a high-speed train journey is really something you should try and fit into any European trip (or elsewhere) if you can. It's more than a bucketlist experience; sometimes it's just the best way to get where you're going.

Last week, we hopped on the Eurostar on its most popular route between London's St. Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord train stations, and here's what happened...

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Why €10 is the New Price for France's Main High-Speed Train

Where: France
March 4, 2013 at 11:19 AM | by | Comments (0)

It was really only a matter of time, but it's finally happened and the world now has some low-cost, high-speed rail options...in France. Have a few Euros in your pocket and need to head from Paris to the French Riviera? Well, it can actually happen now, thanks to Ouigo (pronounced wee-go), a train from the SNCF designed to bring affordable travel to all.

Starting April 3rd, the super-fast TGV train is launching its low-cost tickets from Paris to Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier at an absolute steal of 10 Euros each way. Since there are a few stops in between these cities, a weekend get-away in Provence is not out of the question.

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New Airline Alert: Hop! Puts Destination Dots All Over Europe

Where: France
January 30, 2013 at 10:06 AM | by | Comments (0)

Thank goodness for even more options for low-cost, short-haul flights in Europe; we were worried that that market wasn't big enough. [sarcasm] You see, Air France just announced the launch of their own little regional carrier and, keeping with the theme of onomatopoeic budget airline names, this time we introduce "Hop!."

Hop! isn't exactly new; it's just a fresh brand that encompasses the three legs of AF's regional carriers. Brit Air, Regional and Airlinair will be folded into the one name to operate as a single short-to-medium haul carrier, mainly, out of one of Paris' other airports, Orly. Hop! will also have a handful of flights out of Charles de Gaulle, just to keep things interesting.

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Cheapy Cheap Air France Flights Now Possible with 'MiNi' Fares

Where: France
January 7, 2013 at 4:03 PM | by | Comments (0)

Everyone is always asking, "how can I get cheaper airfare?" Well today's your lucky day as Air France announces a bare-bones ticket that's nothing but cheaper airfare, and they're calling it the "MiNi."

One-way "MiNi" fares would start at €49 (including tax), which is around €20 less than a normal economy ticket, though MiNi means no itinerary changes, no seat selection at booking, and no mileage earning. Still, if you can keep it to carry-on only (checked baggage is €15 per piece in advance, €30 at the airport), it's a heck of a lot cheaper than taking the Eurostar from London to Paris and the TGV on to Nice.

There are 58 starter destinations, all short- and medium-haul, for example from London City to Brest, Nantes, Pau, Avignon, Toulon and Paris-Orly. If you're like, "what the heck in Toulon," then know that it's an airport much nearer to St. Tropez, Cannes and Monte Carlo than Marseille, so that's our first choice right there. Other MiNi fare hubs are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Toulouse and Nice.

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Air France and Barneys Want to Send You to Paris in Business Class

Where: France
December 4, 2012 at 10:02 AM | by | Comments (0)

We like contests. Even more so, we like travel contests. When these contests are coupled with fashion, we've died and gone to heaven. Now that may be a little dramatic, but we really do like a contest that includes business class travel instead of the usual economy roundtrip. This time, the goods come from Air France and the grand prize includes not only biz class tickets to Paris, but also a hotel stay at a Sofitel and an entirely new wardrobe from Barneys, all wrapped up in the cuteness of Disney.

The contest can be found on Air France's US Facebook page and involves very little effort, but will bring a few smiles and giggles. Just head on over to the fan page and give them the thumbs-up and click over to the Electric Holiday Sweepstakes. Once there, all you need to do is watch the short cartoon featuring Minnie Mouse and various other fashion icons, then type in your details at the end.

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Air France Yesterday and Today, in Video

Where: France
November 12, 2012 at 9:17 AM | by | Comments (2)

Happy Monday! We have recently stumbled upon a video that left us gazing into the computer screen with longing while exposing a terrible case of wanderlust. Perhaps you have spent the weekend traveling or are looking forward to an upcoming journey/Thanksgiving jaunt; either way, we think you will enjoy this Air France video as much as we do.

It begins with arrival at the airport, Paris-Charles de Gaulle in this instance, and navigates through check-in, boarding and in-flight luxuries. What makes the tiny film so unique is the juxtaposition of the retro with current AF cabins, products and aircraft.

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Serena Williams Celebrated Her US Open Victory on the Côte d'Azur

September 17, 2012 at 2:07 PM | by | Comments (0)

Last week we speculated that perhaps Serena Williams would celebrate her U.S. Open win with a trip to Miami, but it turns out she opted for a romantic getaway to France instead.

The tennis superstar was spotted with her new boyfriend, coach Patrick Mouratoglou, in the French town of Valbonne, located about 10 miles north of Cannes.

The pair went window shopping and dined out in the small French town, which they apparently liked so much they took time to check out the local real estate listings. And even though one of the most prestigious tennis clubs in France, Sophia Country Club, is just a few miles from Valbonne, the new couple decided to leave their tennis rackets at home for this trip.

[Photo: Daily Mail]

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