Travel France Tourism

French people, known for their being romantic, are also generous tippers. One difficulty I had encountered when I was in France is the protocol regarding tipping. I didn't want to hand a very minimal tip, and I didn't want to squander my money away just on tips either. So by observation, I was able to put together a sort-of guide on tipping.

Taxi drivers are customarily given a 10% tip, especially if you had a long trip. In posh restaurants, a 15% tip is added on the bill. But if you're really satisfied with your waiter's service or if your tasty hors d'oeuvres meet more than your expectations, it is just proper to add a 5% tip. In some movie houses where there are ushers, custom says that you are to give .50 euro for each person. You should also give the delivery boy (or girl, if ever) a tip, most especially if you had plenty of stuff delivered to you on the 18th floor of a building that has no elevator.

So now that you know some of the tipping practices, you wouldn't have any problem at all whether you're giving too much or you're being a cheapskate. I know tipping isn't obligatory, but like they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or rather, when in France, do as the French people do.

The oldest town in France, Marseille, is much more alluring than Paris. Actually, it is noisier in here. The hustle and bustle seem to never stop. People are always busy with their work. One will actually be ashamed of doing nothing amidst the operose city.

Marseille occupies 820,700 square kilometers of land area. The wide seaport provides entrance to the city. The first time I have been to Marseille, I spent a week in the cheapest hotel in seaport. From my room, I saw the picturesque city. Ancient establishments, most of them churches and government buildings, are still maintained by the government. Although they were built during the *Medieval period, the architectural designs are still magnificent. Also, a map is useless in Marseille. Just read the road signs, and I guarantee that you will be able to get wherever you want to go.

Marseille is made up of small environs, each having their own distinctive features. It was here that I saw the paintings of Cezanne and visited the Chateau d'If. The harbors are beautiful. I even took the chance to dive in the Marseille beach just three weeks after I finally received my NAUI diving certification. I really enjoyed swimming along the long coasts that seemed to frame the whole town.

After all these years, the government of France finally decided to take back Clemenceau. The 1955 ship was discovered to have been containing asbestos. The said chemical reserve in the ship prompted the Indian courts to prohibit the people assigned to the ship to attend to the cleaning of Clemenceau. The ship was initially sold to a firm in Spain. But, after the discovery of the asbestos, the ship was then brought to Turkey, to Germany, and finally to the city of Gujarat in India. There, in an attempt to scrap the ship, the asbestos were found to pose threat to the health of the people of Europe, so India asked France to make arrangements.

If not for the asbestos in the ship, the whole thing must have already been chopped. Just imagine how many tons of solid steel could be made out of that ship. If I am not mistaken, Clemenceau was used in war. If that is sturdy and cannot be penetrated by bullets, then asbestos must have liked to stick to it.

Right now, the ship is sailing towards Brest. I wonder how the issue could be solved when there is no other way to clear the ship of asbestos but to clean it up using water. With the massive weight of the ship, scrapping it is impossible without leaking the asbestos. I just hope France resolves this for the sake of Europe.

Apparently, Apple is not giving away any information on whether it will continue its plans in establishing a store in France. A friend of mine lamented over this news, since he sadly told me that all this time he had to go to London to buy a laptop. Just recently, he had his new Apple eMac. He was compelled to travel to London to buy one, when schools in Paris are getting their Apple computers.

Apple company and France have long been friends. It was this camaraderie that made France a favorite of Apple. The Apple headquarters in Europe is established in France, and it is in this place that Apple fans and computer enthusiasts come for a visit to buy a computer or to attend computer expos. This proves that France is the 'favorite', so to speak, of Apple. In fact, if not for the interference of Britain, France may still have been hailed as the strongest and largest market in Europe.

A few months ago, Parisian customers were eagerly inquiring for the current standing of Apple company in the French market. Actually, Apple has already established a great reputation in France. It started with the marketing of the most coveted laptops and personal computers in the world. Next, Apple has greatly influenced the Information Technology projects in France mainly because Apple computers were used to demonstrate such innovations. But, although there is an already strong bond between the company and the European country, there were no clear evidence that Apple is establishing a store in France.

Whew! The Cannes festival was really amazing. Aside from the entertainment personalities that walk the red carpet, the city itself is boasting with unseemingly most beautiful tourist attractions. No wonder, Cannes is the perfect place for prestigious award giving bodies like.

Cannes is known for its high tipping system. I mean, who would not want to try French cuisine especially the exquisite foie gras, and pay up 15 percent service charge. Anyway, I bit the bait. Besides, the services in Cannes restaurants are superb and deserves large tips. Unfortunately, I do not have the enough money for that.

Nearly 70,000 people reside in Cannes. Most of them are restaurant owners, while some are fashion designers, art collectors, actors, and architects. Cannes is sandwiched between mountain ranges and Mediterranean sea, thus hot climate prevails in the city. This also invites thousands of tourists who can have comfortable lodgings in Cannes hotels. Since the weather is dry, people are expected to wear casual dress. On the other hand, tourists will never get lost in Cannes. The street signs are noticeable enough to lead you to your way. Also, since most people there already speak good English, there is no need to worry about your French.

I am sure you have heard of a book containing a similar title. Actually, I even caught the author guesting on the Oprah Winfrey show about this. Of course, when it's about food and getting fat or obese, you can count on Oprah to feature it on her show.

But the thing with this book is, it gives us a glimpse of what French culture is like when it comes to eating. Contrary to popular belief, there is no special food or secret recipe that French people have concocted that's why they stay slim and all fit for those European designer clothes (although there are a few recipes included in the book). According to the book's author, Mireille Guiliano, all it takes is a healthy habit and way of living life.

You see, unlike Americans, the French enjoy their food while eating and I don't mean that they chomp down on every burger being served on their plates. They treat every eating meal, whether in the house or outside in cafes, as a leisure, thus they do not hurry their meals and go to wherever they need to go. They also consider eating as a way to communicate with friends and family, so even if they order chocolate, they do not get all to obsessed about their weight. It also takes attitude and I guess that's what makes French women not fat.

So far, Lille occupies the largest area in northern France. It is known for its narrow streets and ancient houses, all of which depict the rich history of Lille. From Paris, I was able to go to Lille by taking the train. By the way, network of rail here is one of the most advance. I wonder if it is also set to have WiFi rail system. Anyway, the city is surrounded by rivers. This alone made Lille a beautiful country side.

Actually, I never intended to go to Lille. It just so happened that a friend of mine whom I am suppose to meet that day failed to come. So, I decided, since I am already in Paris, to go somewhere else. Lille welcomed me with fresh air. During those times, the cold weather prevailed in the city. I was also lucky enough not have been met by occasional rainfall. The cold wind compelled me to take a walk along the Lille roads. When I have gone to the municipal hall, which is, by the way, bares the most intricate medieval architectural design I have ever seen, I learned of the various tribes that make up the 222,000 peoples of Lille. Most of them, of course, are French, while the other tribes came from Africa and Germany.

You might have been to France, but you might not have heard of Dijon. I only learned of this fascinating city on my way home from Burgundy. Actually, it is a part of Burgundy, but its name is seldom spoken of. It was only through my fellow holiday travelers that I knew of the significance of this city.

The story of Dijon began during the brilliant Renaissance era. The evidences could still be seen with the elegantly designed buildings that give the city a very solemn, yet, enchanted aura. If I am not mistaken, Dijon once housed dukes. It occupies .97 square kilometers, and houses 200,000 residents. Dijon is known for its exquisite cuisines and museums that feature the rare art collections to be ever found in France.

On the lighter side, Dijon features and annually celebrates several musical festivals, dance festivals, and film festivals. No wonder, my friend recommended me this place to visit on summer.
By the way, do you have any idea why I went to Burgundy? It is all because of mustard. Yup, but unknowingly, I was actually led to Dijon, and there I was, made to see to a wide mustard plantation. Needless to say, there are also vineyards in the city, and the wine is superb.

Wine lovers never get lost in France. It is probably the wine capital of the world. The last time I went there to meet a professional wine connoisseur, I was literally taken on a tour to the different wineries. Our first stop was Bordeaux. By the way, if you have difficulty saying the word, you share the same problem with me. Anyway, there is more in Bordeaux than meets the eye.

Aside from the numerous hidden wine cellars in Bordeaux, the whole region is proof of rich and lavish history. I feasted on the various types of grapes. They were really sumptuous. The vineyards are one of the best. There is no word to describe the exemplary landscape of the vineyards. By the way, the region is situated near the coast of Atlantic, thus Bordeaux is experiencing humid weather almost all throughout the year. Before I forget, the vineyards actually serve as boundaries for Bordeaux. So, should you want to go there, do not expect vineyards in the main city. Instead, ask for a guide that will take you to the innermost part of Bordeaux.

The whole region, according to my friend, is almost 10,000 square kilometers. While, it houses 1,300,000 residents. There is no mountain or high cliffs in Bordeaux. Instead, my friend showed me the Pyla. It is a sand dune, and probably the highest in the world. Beaches could also be found in Bordeaux. There are museums located in the main city. But, the best attraction would be the lavish vineyards and green fields.

Avignon must be one of the most sacred places on earth. It has always been associated with papacy. Currently, it houses 90,000 people. Although Catholic is the prevailing religion in Avignon, there is no restriction against Muslim and Hindu practices. It has become as one of my favorite cities in France because of its rich heritage, and its outstanding beauty. But, my liking for Avignon was because of my undesirable experience in traveling there.

Hey, I do not mean any grievous event. It was as simple as a dreaded tick rabies. It was my fault. I did not follow the reminders given me by my tour guide. He actually instructed us to get a vaccination. Also, I did not expect that I will catch colds from the chilly weather there. At the same time, I found it really hard to adjust at the eating lifestyle in Avignon. But after several days, I got well, and was able to continue my tour.

I started my adventure by strolling the streets of Avignon. The climate was fairly warm in the morning. But, it becomes real cold as night falls. My roommate even told me that in Avignon there is very quick shifting of weather, so I must be prepared whenever I go out for a walk. Anyway, the rain did not stop me. At the end of my week long holiday travel, I found that Avignon has the most beautiful plains. Also, it was in this place that I see hills covered with green fields with snow capped mountains.

Honestly, I do not drink much wine. I either do not have much chance to drink champagne. But, if ever given the choice, I would rather prefer champagne over wine. I am sure that you will have the same choice, too. Why did I say so? Well, as we all know, champagne is always associated with grand celebrations or romantic candlelight dinners. I still remember how I pushed a friend of mine to include in his dinner date a bottle of champagne. Also, champagne is a perfect match with a gourmet cuisine.

However, champagne is expensive. The last time I bought one, it cost $600. Man, that would be enough for me to buy wine for my birthday party. Anyway, champagne is made nowhere else, but in Champagne, France. Champagne is where the first champagne was accidentally discovered, or made, by monks. The place is also the house of lavish vineyards. All the other champagnes around the world are imported from France. Maybe, you get to drink other champagnes, I mean the locally made ones. But, try the French champagne, and I am sure you will never forget its crisp. By the way, there are various manufacturers of champagne. My favorite is Mumm. It is the only brand I get to see in the local liquor shop.

A few days from now, the movie Da Vinci Code will have its premier world wide. I am just on of the millions who are dying to see the film. But, what I am really after is the discovery of the secret, and if the movie has really captured the essence of the novel. Anyway, I was reminded of this all because my uncle called me a while ago, asking me if I were interested in booking for the Da Vinci Code tour in France.

Whoa! That was initial reaction. I even asked him if such tour really exists. Then, he began talking about the details. It was pretty convincing, so I jumped at the invitation and packed for an exciting holiday. The tour costs more than 100 cents, and lasts up to four hours. All I wanted to see in the much coveted tour is the path that lead character Robert Langdon had taken while chasing the secret. Well, I was not disappointed. Right from the beginning, I was stupefied by the magnanimity of Louvre Museum.

I never imagined it would that humungous. Plus, I was literally amazed by the inverted glass pyramid hanging in the museum. All the famous artworks included in the story were presented in the tour. I only found it annoying that the tour guide seemed to repeat the story over and over again. Forget about that. Also, the guide mentioned some of the details not mentioned in the novel. All in all, the experience is a showcase of Louvre history. It merely used the film as the theme. But, all is well, and I wished I could have stayed longer in Louvre, and put my feet on the shoes of Robert Langdon. Anyway, I can join him in his adventure in the film.

With its characteristic variance, and its time-old customs and heritage, Alsace is a region sure to be featured whenever the French talk about their culture, gastronomy, history and art.With a surprise around every corner, surely this is a land of adventure, color and warmth.

What makes Alsace more special is its first-rate and sumptuous wines. It is the sole region of France to continue the tradition of varietal wine making. "A small glass of Alsace wine is like a summer dress or a spring flower; it's a ray of sunshine that makes life brighter," said Christian Dior. Connoisseurs will surely feast to the seven delicious grape wine varieties they consider a healthy pleasure.

The Alsace Wine Route takes you past some of the world's most famous wine-farming estates. Forming a magnificent panorama, are the vineyards that enshroud thousands of acres as they climb the sunny slopes of the Vosges, past medieval villages and ancient castles.

If you want a total French performance, then go to a Paris cabaret. Hey, I know what you are thinking. Come on, this will be fun. Besides, there would be no harm in watching ladies sing and dance except that cabarets are really expensive. Entrance fee costs as much as $ 150. Of course, that includes champagne. But, never mind the wine, I want to see the performance.

Most of the cabarets are located in Paris. I came there, along with my buddies, to watch The Moulin Rouge. It was not different from the movie. Only, the live performance is much better than the movie version. The production was superb while the performance is truly world-class.

But, the fun did not stop there. There are as many cool Paris hotels as cabarets in the French capital. It is just amazing that cabarets are getting not just the attention of foreigners, but the respect of French people as well. Before, I share the same notion as with others that cabarets show sensual performances. True, the presentations are rated for adults only, but beneath the dazzling lights, the jazz, the sexy costumes, the naughty gestures, and the witty dialogs, cabaret performances are showcases of life. Without cabarets, we will not be able to see the sensual, happy side of human life.

If you are a wine-lover who's on a trip to France, no bet that you're headed the the city of wine known as Bordeaux. I only get to see the city in postcards that my sister sends me. Her husband own a wine store there. I haven't been in Bordeaux but I have been to other cities like Paris, Marseille, and Cannes. Maybe I'll convince her to invite me in their place come the holiday season.

Bordeaux is a port city in the south-west of France with the Aquitaine region as its capital, as well as the prefecture (administrative capital) of the Gironde departement. It is one of Europe's military, space and aeronautics research and construction centres, gathering the R&D activities of such companies as EADS space division and Thales, but also missile engines and Dassault's planes construction plants among others. The city's university, with 100,000 students, is renowned for its research units in crop science, new materials and intensive nanotechnology study, along with its Institut d'etudes politiques, its communication and journalism institute and its law school.

The hometown of the world-class Bordeaux wine, with over 284,320 acres under vine, 57 appellations, 9,000 wine-producing chateaux, and 13,000 wine growers, it is considered as the largest wine region in the world. Two types of Bordeaux wines are the Red Bordeaux (known as claret in the United Kingdom) which are made of grapes, and the White Bordeaux which is made from is made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle grapes.

If you're talking about France, one thing that would be in your mind would be an air of romance that is both noxious and sweet. France is not famous for its high-tech technology, scientific breakthroughs, political platforms, or the like - it is famous for its romantic attractions, highly fashionable culture, and its rich history of artistry. The man with the highest recorded intelligence quotient came from this country, and he goes by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci.

So, if you and the wife are planning to have the best honeymoon you have ever had or ever would have, you just came to the right place - France. So off with dreaming of the scenic and romantic spots of France you only see in your high-end high-definition TV - pack your bags and waste no time in getting to France as quickly as possible! I promise it would be the best decision you have ever had since you quipped an 'I do' rather hastily before a priest.

Just remember to go straight to the most romantic places France boasts of. So go check out a dependable map of the France universe, and take some advice from friends who've been there. They're lucky as hell, yes, but so would you once you indulge in what France has to offer you and your wife. BETTER YET, GO GET MARRIED again (with your wife and not someone else, I mean) IN ONE OF France's finer churches, if you do have the cash for it, that is!

If it is wine, it must be French. Such statement stayed in my mind ever since a friend of mine made that remark when we have gone a short tour in Europe. At first, I sensed that he demands the restaurant owner to give us, at least, a French wine. But, to my surprise, we were literally served with one of the most renowned wines in France.

I could still recall how we laughed at our failure to pronounce the name of the wine. It was called Beaujolais nouveau. Obviously, the wine came from Beaujolais, and is one of the finest. According to the label, it is harvested during fall and is immediately sold before spring time comes. I am not really aware as to how wines are made, but as far as I understood, the Beaujolais undergoes the process of maceration and pasteurization.

If I am not mistaken, wines should be kept in barrels or new wine bottles, and left to ferment for a relatively long time. This process, which eats much time, is the secret of some of the best wines in the world. Anyhow, I tasted the Beaujolais and it proved to be exceptional. I also learned that Beaujolais is actually made to be consumed immediately. If stocked over time, the wine will lose its crisp.

There are various issues involving migration and immigration laws around the globe. I still cannot comprehend the affairs between countries who are closing their doors to other nations who seeking for work opportunities if not permanent residence. It is comprehensible that countries who are promoting strict policies are concerned mainly with their security.

Recently, France is trying to realize on immigration laws. The man responsible for this new bill is Nicholas Sarkozy. According to his proposal, a more rigid law will be iput into effect concerning the bringing in of immigrants of relatives. Incorporated in the proposition is a rule that says that foreigners will be compelled to learn lessons on civics. Plus, their privilege to stay in France for longer than ten years will be gravely affected.

As was expected, protesters crowded the streets. The militants complained on the discrimination the government has been inflicting upon the poor people of France. Until now, the French people are waiting for the consequences of the argumantations which shall determine the probability of the proposal. Altogether, the proposal is a not-so-good news. True, France must put limit on the workers it will employ. But, because there are opportunities for workers, there will certainly be strong objection to the proposal.

France is one country that never fails to amaze me. I even thought of studying the French language because I think it is a very romantic and fascinating language. That is why, I would always include France in my European tour package. What I really love about this country is its countryside and its many attractions.

Nothing is more fulfilling and relaxing than a peaceful retreat in the countryside as an escape from the modern busy life in the city. What I enjoyed the most in France's countryside is carp fishing or carping. With Friendly Fishing in France, I had a very wonderful carping experience. It was truly a memorable holiday experience.

At the famous Les Piloux Lake, at the countryside's heart, I was in a private union with large stocks of huge carp at about 40 pounds, roach, perch, rudd, and tench that gave me that superb fishing encounter. The lake, strategically located in such a serene and isolated area which will make fishing truly worth-remembering. Staffs of this fishing company are dedicated anglers themselves and they provided everything that I needed during my short stay in the countryside.