Posts tagged with Paris

Paris Vacation Apartments – Questions to be Answered

Posted on January 19, 2010 by adminLeave a comment

What better way than staying in Paris vacation apartments and visiting places like never before. Paris has no dearth of vacation apartments. This is one place which has something to offer for everyone. You have a variety of apartments to choose from but the question arises where to start and when to start. There are two ways of doing things like you can directly go to the related websites of the owner or book through any travel agencies.

Booking directly through owner is sometimes difficult as most of them do not accept credit cards and if you transfer the amount to a personal bank account then sometimes it happens like you are not satisfied with the standard and then there is no chance of recourse. The best way is to go through credit cards and if in worst case you feel like cheated then the company will help you out.

Whatever way you choose few important questions needs to be answered before you make any bookings. Make sure that your queries are well answered otherwise if it is doubtful from the start then you can thing of what is in store for you.

Important questions to be answered:

What is minimum/maximum number of days you can stay? Is there any discount for staying more than a given period?
How many people can sleep in a single apartment? Is there an additional charge for any guest who stays?
What is the bed configuration, twin, double or king?
Are pets allowed? Is smoking permitted?
What is the floor of the apartment? Is there an elevator in the building?
What is the nearest metro? How much time it takes to get there?
How many days Maid service will be provided? How many times bed linen will be changed per week?
Is there any contact that I can review before I check in?
Which facilities are not included in rental fee? Will I be charged for using Internet and Telephones?
Can I contact the previous guest either via phone/ email?
What is the condition of appliances? How well is the kitchenette?
Is there any supermarket nearby? Is there any restaurants and bar?
Do you provide conference room for meetings?
Whom to contact in case of emergency?
Are there staffs who can speak English?
If there is space for parking car?

“If you are failing to plan then you are planning to fail”. In this context it can be said as you can get the most out of Paris only if you plan where to stay and how to make a booking which is not only in your budget but also has a prime location as well. Paris apartments provide many facilities and amenities which are world class but there are many which will rip you off. Beware of them and do some home work as well. There are many travel websites and you will certainly find one of your preferred one.

The Author is a contributing writer to the website Apartotels.com which provides London serviced apartments and Paris apartments.


Phone: +44 20 8680 3001

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A Paris Vacation Beyond the Ordinary

Posted on January 14, 2010 by adminLeave a comment

Paris. What more can be said about the beautiful City of Light? We all know about its romantic atmosphere and countless museums and galleries that will sweep you away to another time and place. But around every corner and along its grand boulevards, there is a Paris that is specifically tailored towards your interests, preferences, and curiosity; and all you need to do is wander its streets to discover what you have been missing all this time.

While you so desperately want to discover the hidden treasures of this city, if it is your first visit there are a couple of sights that absolutely have to be at the top of your itinerary. Of course, standing beneath the Eiffel Tower and riding up to its landings for the breathtaking, panoramic views is bound to be your first adventure, while the Louvre and its spectacular art collection, complete with the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, will probably be a close second. Other classic favorites that will definitely occupy your first couple of days in the city include Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur.

After wandering the Louvre for hours or soaking in the unparalleled beauty of Notre-Dame, your senses are bound to be overloaded, downright exhausted, and in need of less demanding pursuits. Although this is most likely in complete contrast to what you imagined before arrival—trekking from one sight to another, checking off dozens of attractions from your must-see list seemed so reasonable back then—this weary feeling as actually for the best since now you can truly experience Paris instead of having it rush by as you hit up attraction after attraction. So what then should you do for the ultimate Paris vacation? Quite possibly less than you ever imagined…

Depending on your particular interests, there is a touristy Paris, a historical Paris, a laid-back Paris, and a fashionable Paris to ensure that you have the most memorable and enjoyable vacation possible. Shoppers and tourists alike will appreciate the elegance of one of the world’s most famous promenades, the Champs-Élysées, where they can dine on exquisite cuisine, shop to their heart’s content, and relax in a café and simply watch the endless parade of people down its cobblestone street. With the Arc de Triomphe at one end and historic restaurants such as Laurent and Ledoyen scattered throughout, you could easily lose an entire day enjoying the ambiance of this one-of-kind avenue.

Although history-buffs will be hard-pressed to find a city with more amazing museums (consider the Musée Jacquemart-André, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou after the Louvre) at its beck and call, there is more to Paris’ past than strolling down a corridor and looking at your 180th oil painting. By resisting the pull of the French Impressionists and making time for the cobbled and historic streets of Montmarte and the picturesque Latin Quarter, which rests over the Seine, you can create a more personal and memorable experience than all of the museums combined. Exploring hidden alleyways and wandering without a final destination, you can discover history, beauty, and something special to only you, all while getting a little lost in the process.

While it is easy to only think of all of the excitement you plan to pursue during the day, the City of Light certainly lives up to its name when night falls on its charming streets. The first couple of days during your trip you may be exhausted from hitting up all the popular attractions, but after you have gotten into the groove of your own getaway, be sure to spend a few evenings living it up with the Parisians. With the high quality and quantity of bars, nightclubs, music halls, wine bars, jazz dives, and cabarets, there is bound to be at least a couple of places that suit your taste.

Now that you have your days and evenings stuffed to the gills with entertainment, you need to find somewhere to rest your weary head after a long day in Paris. Beyond your typical hotel, one excellent option that offers all the luxuries of home and proximity to all your favorite attractions is a Paris apartment rental. While other accommodations are simply a place where you can rejuvenate your body before another day in the city, Paris vacation rentals surround you with amazing views and feature a cozy, lived-in atmosphere that makes you feel welcome in the city the moment you arrive. Even if Paris isn’t exactly off the beaten path, you can make this trip more personalized than you ever imagined by selecting a vacation rental that perfectly meets all of your individual needs.

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Paris Vacation Rentals

Posted on January 9, 2010 by adminLeave a comment

Although many people like to compare New York City to Paris, the City of Light stands in a class all its own in regards to world-renowned attractions, picturesque scenery, and entertainment options. As its many must-see sights fill up your itinerary and the cultural weight of this cosmopolitan wonder begins to overwhelm, don’t forget to breathe and enjoy the amazing beauty that surrounds you every step of the way from your Paris apartment rental to the cobblestone streets of the Champs-Élysées.

Paris abounds with spectacular sights that are always simply breathtaking no matter how many times you have stepped foot inside the city limits. The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur are just a few of the wonders that will leave you spellbound with their sheer beauty and prestige. Consider the endless stream of museums, galleries, restaurants, shopping boutiques, and cozy cafes that are also waiting for you around corner, and it is easy to see why no vacation ever seems long enough in lovely Paris.

With so much to see and do, it is easy to bury your head in a map and make your way from one attraction to another without ever truly appreciating the history that surrounds you every step of the way. You may be walking to the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Élysées, the most famous avenue in the world, and not even notice the distinct ambiance and significance of that restaurant to your left or the romantic nature of the lights all around you. While Paris certainly stands above other vacation destinations for its unique, one-of-a-kind attractions, there is more to this city than visiting every museum and art gallery that the guide books dictate is a “must-see.”

As a city that prides itself on its distinct atmosphere, the only way to truly experience Paris is by staying directly in the middle of the action and close to all the lively nightlife, laid-back cafes, and quaint restaurants. It is in these places where you can surround yourself with Parisians and get a taste for what life in the city is all about beyond the tourist attractions. If you want the run-of-the-mill getaway, then follow everyone else to the nearest hotel. But if you want a totally unique, completely personalized vacation that leaves ordinary by the wayside, then consider a Paris apartment rental.

Hotels are great for touring the sights since the front desk can give you directions and you can follow the other packs of travelers around the city. However, any guide book or local can guide on your journeys, so you actually aren’t getting more out of a hotel than a place to sleep at night. In complete contrast, Paris vacation rentals allow you to live as if you’ve been in the city for years and are convenient to not only the tourist attractions, but also the local hot spots and hidden treasures that you won’t read about beforehand. As others experience the Paris everyone has written about, you can experience the Paris that exists behind the tourist veil.

Even if this is your first trip to Paris, you certainly want to come back with glamorous tales that extend beyond the Eiffel Towel and the Louvre. Escape down a hidden alley in Montmarte, aimlessly wander around the Latin Quarter, or try out a secret restaurant that your local neighbor recommends. No matter what you have imagined for your dream getaway to Paris, you can make it more your own and infinitely more memorable when you live like a local in a vacation rental. About as off the beaten path as you can get in Paris, it is the ideal accommodations choice for anyone who wants to experience the City of Light on their own terms.

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