Euro Travel & More

This is the famous T3 line of the tramway in Paris, it serves the south of Paris nearby the Ivy gate.  It is said that this tramway ferries as much as 100,000 people everyday. This tram line runs within the city areas and is definitely a plus for everyone living in the city… or even working around that area.  It is said that it was the aim of the City of Paris to bring health and well being to its people by introducing the Tram.. and diminishing both pollution and noise and reduce the space given to parking of your auto cars.  “Auto-bus” in french is the way to go.

PS :  Yes.. i did ride on the tram near Seine .. just because.. and it cost me like about a few euros.. i can’t remember right now.. i only know it was very cheap.. because a co-worker had mentiioned that it was run by diesel.  It was very clean and almost new.. and i was greeted by a very happy conductor .. who greeted me .. with “boujour” and since i know very limited French.. i didn’t wanna be too, too friendly.. if you know what i mean. I only wrote for a few stops.. and decided to Parc Montsouris with my co-workers.

Lille, France is an old mini-city by itself.. and only an hour away from Paris, the city of love by the train.  We arrived on a not so sunny weekend.. and it was a super relaxing weekend for us.. as we walk the lil’ city .. and explore the many places and sat at cafes and watch the crowds go by.  There wasn’t must Wi-fi to leech on .. when i was there.. some 10 yrs ago.. it might have changed now.  But you could still sit down with you Vaio like i did.. and replied to some emails.. and try to look stylish.. muahaha!!

The above picture is of a boutique hotel called Couvent des Minimes. Opened in 1990, this hotel is not really centrally located .. and i heard it was a restorative historical building.   Unfortunately, we didn’t go in .. so i couldn’t tell you how the rooms looked like.  But since Lille is a small city, you can walk from the hotel to the train station (metro) within minutes.  Like all accommodation in France, I hear this was quite expensive too, but if you check them out during the off season period.. you can get a better deal.

Shopping is a huge thing in Lille, unfortunately, we were not there during Sundays where they have a huge flea market.  And my co-worker had said the Christmas Market itself was the like our fun-fair back home.  If you are ever in Lille, France, you can try and timed it so that you can get your shopping done in these flea markets.  They are an awesome experience .. as you get to see and buy work from talented artiste.

Honestly, for the life of me.. i can’t remember what building this is.. so if anyone can tell me.. please leave a comment. Although Lille is not anything like Paris .. i did like this place .. and if i had more time, i would definitely want to stay a day or two longer… to check out the Opera house at least.

Besides the Eiffel Tower, I think no one gives the Arch of La Defense a missed .. when it comes to photo taking. This is a kinda monument to represent the business district of Paris.  So what is the Arche about..?? well … i hear it was build to represent not the military victories.. but for humanitarian reasons. You find the metro station and another kinda train station serving the suburbs there too. And two side of the Arches has got government offices as well.  An interesting structure.. i heard was more beautiful during the nights.

Do not mistaken this cafe with the one in Quebec. Yes. there is a Cafe de la Paix in Quebec too. I recommend a visit to this special cafe for those who are around this area. Located opposite of the Paris Opera, you cannot missed it. It is kinda expensive.. but definitely worth the visit as this is quite famous in Paris. I also noticed alot of tourists here.. and it does have a fairly expensive menu. For coffee alone, you can expect to pay between 4 – 10 euros.

Breath-taking is definitely the understatement here. The French Alps has gotta be the most exhilarating trip i have ever made in my entire life. Another magnificent sight for me.. and it definitely made me feel really small. There is just so much to see, with lots of apartments.. chalets and various condos to rent out to tourist like myself… and my team of people.. we definitely were spoiled for choices.. but make sure you book early .. because it was quite packed when we were there. They also have a few one star hotels.. and 12 – 4stars ones . .and a few more that were classified as 3 stars. We stayed at the Hotel De Charme Les Airelles but that’s for another story . .and another day.

Almost like heaven.

A view from the bridge.

Painted walls.

For those who knows me.. you will know that I can’t even climb the Great Wall of China .. ! i only did 2 stations.. and i was gasping for my breath.. like there was no tomorrow. Having to climb up to this restaurant.. and the food was on so-so .. and nothing to shout about .. except for the view… yah..! you got it right.. i wasn’t too, too impressed.

What a magnificent sight eh..? At the heart of three valleys .. is Courchevel.  This is said to be the largest skiing area in the world.. and it is on the French Alps.  You will find that this place is the perfect place for skiing in the winter.. and the summers are just as lively .. and crowded with vacationers .. like us.  In Courchevel you will find activities for just about anyone and the people who runs the city are very well organized and welcomes any tourists and wants to genuinely make their stay a memorable one.  If you are into skiing .. this place is of course the best ever, you cannot find a better place than Courchevel.

Kalathas Beach was definitely a sight to behold. Driving thru’ an old road, we arrived at one of the nicest beach I’ve ever set eyes on . The beach here had high tide the time we were there. .so we did have some fun.. fooling around.. and just getting ourselves wet. In September.. it wasn’t getting any cooler.. and here I thought it was the end of summer.

Lovely beach eh..?? I had so much fun.. just sun-tanning and reading a book. .and having a cup of espresso.

There were water sports.. as you can see here.. and people playing volley balls.. and there were lots of sunbeds too. There was a small island about 100m aways. .and we did get to swim around there too. We headed to Chania after this.. but that’s for another day .. and another story.

Bed & Breakfast wasn`t my kind of thing before traveling around Europe but I was fortunate enough to get a taste of a good B & B when i was having a vacation in Greece and i never turned back. Not only were they cozy and hospitable.. they had just about everything .. a hotel could provide.. but more warmth. But i`ll have to say .. that the tv stand needs to be changed .. because i would have preferred those that had the flexibility to turn around. But i love the food.. and the pampering of breakfast brought to you in bed.. if you requested.

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With this outfit .. i am sure .. you can guess where we are right now eh. You will be surprised that alot of men wears this during special occasions in Scotland. Do they wear anything underneath.. is usually the question we joke about all the time. Yup.!! we were pretty lame.. at that time..!! well i was only like 20 yrs old..when i was in Scotland for school.

This is the City of Aberdeen, Scotland is a shopping paradise. Known with names like The Flower of Scotland and Granite City, it is a vibrant city .. and very modernized. With modernization, they also have their historical side in this old town. Aberdeen is known for having one of Scotland’s striking skylines. It is known as a Granite City because the building sparkles after a rainfall. Many excellent restaurants are found here in Aberdeen.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, seating about 2400 people .. this place hold many cultural, folk, pop and many other concerts. The world’s largest winter music festival is held here. If you ever travel to this area, don’t forget to make a date with the events going on here. It is pretty magical sitting inside the concert hall. And no .. i’m not the arty farty type.

Buchanan Street is just where the Royal Concert Hall is.. a few mins walk actually, you can’t missed it. Surrounded by shops.. and shops.. and the Bank of Scotland can be found here as well. This is usually where we end up spending hours.. going from store to store.