Planning a trip to Europe

If you are planning to visit Europe then you must stay at least a couple of days in one of its largest cities, Paris; over the years it has become one of the most visited cities in the world. For most people visiting Paris, a short stay is often the way they first see the city; there is so much to see and do that often only the main tourist attractions can be fitted in.

It is known for its wonderful buildings, style, excellent food and wine; these include the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, markets and a history only matched by a few other European cities. Visitors to Paris as well as its citizens can travel around Paris easily; the Metro underground train network will probably be the main method as it runs regularly and reaches every part of the city.

At almost 1,000 feet high, the Eiffel Tower is an impressive sight; it can be seen throughout most locations around the city. You can be assured of an even more beautiful sight if you visit in the evening when it is illuminated; it is possible to take organized tours which tell the story of the Tower and the history of France.

The famous Paris Avenue ‘the Champs Elysees' must also receive a visit; you can see beautiful shops, sit and drink coffee from the many cafes or have a meal in a first class restaurant. This is considered a more exclusive and busy area of the city; the exclusive five star hotels situated in this more select part of the city might be out of most visitors' price range.

The world famous Louvre museum is in this city; it contains almost a third of a million exhibits and is in fact one of the biggest art museums in the world. Even on a short stay in Paris, this is a an art lovers paradise; with the likes of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to view in addition to some of the finest collections of art in the world. Paris has always been a magnetic destination for artists; the likes of Monet, Picasso and many others lived in the city for years and some of their work can still be seen today.

Another famous Paris attraction is The Arc de Triomphe which was built within the first decade of the nineteenth century; to honor his generals (and his troops) he had their names inscribed upon it. Many people do not know that an observatory was included in the design which affords great views of the surrounding area; it can be found in Charles de Gaulle Place at the intersection of twelve avenues including the Champs Elysees.

This city has a huge variety of places to visit, many of these have not even mentioned here; but these should certainly not to be missed because many offer regular guided tours, some at little or no charge at all. A short stay in Paris will definitely be a busy one even if only a few sights are visited; anything else on your ‘to see' list can wait for your next trip.