Paris has become a city synonymous with romance; it is a magical place rich in art and culture with a colourful history. Whether you are on a short break or a longer holiday, there is just so much in Paris to see and do. You can reach Paris quickly and easily from London - by ferry, chunnel or air. The modern glass walls of Charles de Gaulle aiport give you a spectacular view of the planes taking off and landing! Coming in only behind London Heathrow, it is Europe’s second busiest airport. Passengers are ferried between the three giant terminals of this massive airport on free shuttles - the only way you can get from one to the other due to the sheer size.

It is easy to get into Paris from the airport - choose from taxis, luxury limo transport, car hire or modern high speed train as your mode of transport. Paris is a popular weekend break destination due to it’s close proximity to major international transport links, as well as being only a ten minute train journey to Disneyland. You can choose from many transport options to get you around the city of Paris. Public transport around the city is available via bus, tram or the Metro. Also readily available are private car hire and taxi services.

Car hire is not for everyone when on holiday, but if you do decide to take this option, heed a few words of warning before getting swept away by the romance of Paris. You should always read the rental contract carefully so that you know exactly what you will have to pay in terms of excesses if you were to have an accident. Most specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance should already be taken care of by the hire car company so you won’t need to worry about those things. Always clarify details of what to do and who to call if you do break down, and make sure the cover provides 24-hour call-outs. There are extra insurance products which you may be offered - such as key insurance or windscreen cover - which will cost you more but may give you added peace of mind. Be sure that you are fully aware of what you are signing, especially as you are in a foreign country.

Remember also that Paris is a bustling city, and care should be taken over personal belongings when out and about seeing the sights, especially when travelling on public transport. Using basic common sense, like not taking all of your spending money out with you, will help you avoid any unpleasantness which could put a dampener on your trip. You should secure your travel documents - including travel insurance details - along with any valuables, in your hotel before taking to the city streets for a sightseeing excursion. Once you have the basics covered, you are ready to begin exploring. Just five of the many wonderful things a visitor to Paris could do are outlined below.

Eiffel Tower- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognised monuments in the world. You cannot compare a photograph, though, to actually seeing it in person. Its sheer size and the intricacies of the architecture is amazing. You have to take the elevator to the top to get a view of a lifetime. The history of the tower is depicted in the displays on the first floor. You could treat yourself to lunch or dinner at the Atlitude 95 restaurant, also located on the first floor. If you book far enough in advance you may be able to secure a table at the Michelin-starred Jules Verne restaurant on the second floor. No trip to Paris would be complete without paying the Eiffel tower a visit.

Centre Pompidou- If you love modern art and architecture you have to visit the Centre Pompidou. It is more than a mere museum. This place is dedicated to any and all forms of contemporary and modern conceptual art forms. All art forms, including literature, music, theatre and film are celebrated here. President Georges Pompidou was the inspiration behind the museum. His vision was for a centre of entirely contemporary culture. The building was designed by Renzo Piano, and is itself a marvel of architecture and distinctive design.

A new experience awaits each time you visit, as the exhibits here are always changing. At one of the three book stores you could find a tome on pretty much any type of art imaginable. The design boutique sells souvenirs, gifts and other fun and funky items. At Georges, up on level six, you can dine whilst enjoying panoramic views of the city. Upon exiting there is still a lot to see. On the pavements outsidethe building you will see sculptures and various street art. Any visit to the Pompidou Centre will be a truly memorable experience.

Louvre Museum- The Louvre Museum is probably the world’s most famous art museum. It is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”. Founded in 1793, the Louvre is the oldest museum in Europe. A vastly diverse range of exhibits - from Egyptian artifacts to Islamic art - can be found within its walls.

It would take you weeks to explore it in its entirety. It is housed in the Louvre Palace which was the former seat of the French Royalty. Eight themed departments hold over thirty-five thousand different pieces. Among many more, you can see works of art by da Vinci and Rubens in the permanent collections. Particular movements or artists may also be represented in one of the temporary exhibits.

Arc de Triomphe- A climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe will give you an excellent view of Paris. The Arc de Triomphe is a little over 50 metres high! Napoleon Bonaparte is the figure behind the construction of this monument from which a fantastic view can be beheld. Commissioned in 1806, it was Napoleon’s monument to his own military genius and to the greatness of his army. The monument is now a French symbol of all things triumphant. The famous landmark hosts Bastille Day celebrations, as well as marking the finish line of the Tour de France. Here, as wel,l you can pay your respects to the fallen soldiers of both world wars, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

You should be warned that it takes a little energy and work to get to the top. There is a climb of two hundred and eighty steps involved to reach the top, but when you see the view you will see that it was worth it. This is one of Frances’s most recognisable symbols and the architecture alone is worth a visit here.

Musée d’Orsay- The Musée d’Orsay has one of the largest collections of sculptures, paintings, and art pieces produced between 1848 and 1914. Showcased here are many outstanding works of the early modern era. There are works here by Degas, Ingres, Van Goghand Monet. The permanent collections here cover everything from neoclassicism, impressionism and art nouveau design. Here you can enjoy and explore the beginnings of modern art.

Paris is a romantic and inviting place to visit. Whether you are looking for fine art, amazing architecture or just the buzz of a fascinating and historical modern city, then Paris has something for you.  Most people who come here on holiday will return again and again, just for the ambiance and beauty this city has to offer. You can easily explore the city and surrounding areas by either public transport, car hire or private car service. This place has so much to offer that once you have been here you may never want to leave!

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Glasgow is the largest, and most lively, city in Scotland with wonderful shopping plus an incredible nightlife. For the more bohemian visitor there are many places to visit especially in the West End which features boutiques, cafés, tea rooms, bars, restaurants and clubs as well as some upmarket Glasgow bed and breakfast. In the article which follows I will discuss three attractions in Glasgow which should be especially interesting to those folk who enjoy all things artistic; the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Burrell Collection and the House For An Art Lover:

The Burrell Collection

Sir william Burrell and his wife gifted the Burrel Collection to the city of Glasgow in 1944 and the collection can be found at Pollok Country Park in the south of the city This beautiful collection of works of art includes more than nine thousand pieces of art. The collection is incredibly cosmopolitan containing a selection of modern sculptures as well as an Islamic art collection. There are works of art by Degas, Cezanne and other European artists. As well as paintings and sculptures visitors can enjoy the spectacular collections of English furniture, tapestries, alabasters and stained glass. As well as all this, the Burrell Collection also exhibits a very important selection of medieval art and collections from ancient China and Egypt.

House For An Art Lover

The House For An Art Lover is one of Glasgow’s most popular tourist attractions. The Art Nouveau House was originally designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s most famous architect, with the help of his wife.

In actual fact the design was an entry for a 1901 competition to create a design for a ‘House for an Art Lover’, however, the entry by Charles and his wife was disqualified from the competition on the grounds that it was submitted after the closing date. Luckily, over one hundred years later the house stands in Bellahouston Park due to the efforts of the architect Professor Andy Macmillan and the engineer Graham Roxburgh. Building commenced in the year nineteen eighty nine, stopped for a short amount of time but resumed again in nineteen ninety four thanks to a collaboration between the Glasgow City Council and Glasgow School of Art.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery is home to one of Europe’s great civic art collections and one of Glasgow’s, and Scotland’s premier museums and art galleries, but also it has been voted one of the most popular free to enter visitor attractions in Scotland.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located on the banks of the River Kelvin,  in the West End of Glasgow, on Argyle Street. The gallery was constructed in a Spanish Baroque style using the traditional red sandstone. The building was followed the designs of E.J. Milner Allen and Sir John W. Simpson and opened in the year nineteen hundred and one. The collections of the museum were originally from the McLellan Galleries and the old Kelvingrove House Museum in Kelvingrove Park.

If you are considering a vacation in Glasgow you will find a large selection of online hotels and guest houses offering bed and breakfast accommodation in Glasgow. You will find a comprehensive listing of guest houses and hotels in Glasgow at http://www.glasgowhotelscotland.com/