Thursday 28 January 2010

Some old photos from the past....(my very first visit to France)

We were in Paris in 1994 (night view of the Arc De Triomphe)

Fountains at Versailles Palace, Paris -1994

View of Versailles Gardens, Paris - 1994


Inside of Versailles Palace, Paris - 1994

View from the top of the Grande Arche de la Defense

1994 was the year in which my sister and I visited Paris for the very first time.
We stayed for 2 weeks, and on the final day of our holiday we saw the final leg of the Tour de France
on the Ave. Champs-Elysees.
In total to date I have visited Paris 6 times.   Who can resist this beautiful capital of the nicest & friendliest country in the world?

Wednesday 27 January 2010

More French Riviera pictures - 2005

The beach at Nice, France
(As you can see the sea is very blue, the weather was very hot too)

           The red carpet at Cannes
          (where the annual Cannes film festival takes place)

Joan Collins' handprint at the Cannes 'hall of fame'
(There were similar prints by other famous celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Richard Gere etc)

Monaco Castle

Monte Carlo Casino

Old French farmhouses (Iles De Lerins near Cannes)

Sculpture near Nice

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Paris - City of romance!

I thought I would share with you a review I'd written on trip advisor some time ago:

''Paris IS undoubtedly the most romantic city to go to, whether it is to propose on the top of the Eiffel Tower , cruise along the River Seine, or to stand on top of Montmartre Hill & admire the panoramic view ........every where you looked there were couples embracing or kissing. We went for a long weekend - end of November time and it was especially romantic.....with the atmosphere of the Christmas markets....


The best attraction is the Eiffel Tower ....which can be seen from almost everywhere in Paris


Shopping is expensive in Paris (with the exception of souvenir buying) - one thing I was not surprised about was paying almost £4 for a cup of filter coffee in one of the many riverside bistros.


The metro (underground system) was a very easy method of getting around the city, and covered the main popular tourist attractions ( La Grande Arche de La Defense, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Avenue des Champs-Elysees etc) .


A perfect break for a couple or a honeymoon destination!!''

Sunday 24 January 2010

SALUT!

I have always loved France, the French language and all things to do with this very interesting culture.  In fact I think I was French in a previous life......I was in the French Riviera about 5 years ago.  I had booked to go there with a close friend of mine Xiao Jo a good two months in advance , however my luck wasn't to be, two days before we were due to go we realised her passport was invalid.   Darn it!    I felt bad for her but at the same time told myself I wasn't gonna waste this opportunity of a great holiday so I ended up going myself - me being an established jet-setter, it wasn't that hard to do .

Panoramic view of the ' old town' of Nice

Monaco harbour

        Nice Marina     
                                                   

   View over Eze village

 Rules for entering the Monte Carlo Presigious casino

 Huge tank at Fragonard perfume factory
in Eze -  a guided group tour of the factory   

I remember this tour well - we all travelled to Eze by mini bus (4 Americans, 2 Indians and myself) and were shown around the factory at the end of which you had the option to purchase really nice but expensive perfume/soaps!
*          *
Hotel Du Centre was where I stayed in. For a 2 star hotel, the room was of a very high standard and in pristine condition.    I am still waiting for the day when I can go back there! 
The manager was very nice and even gave me a palm reading!


Life's too short!

I wasn't always a Francophile...to be honest I only started being one when I turned nineteen years of age. It began with my very first t...