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!

This short city guide was brought to you by the UK’s leading gap insurance and car warranty specialists – the Click4Group.

The capital of England, London, is a fabulous city which has something to do or see for everyone. More than five hundred museums and art galleries of varying size and contents can be found in London. There is always some sort of event taking place here.

London Heathrow Airport has many international flights arriving and departing so it makes it easy to get here from almost anywhere. London offers a variety of transportation options. The easiest and cheapest way to get around London is by using the buses, trains and tubes. London has hundreds of things to do and a multitude of great places to visit. The below is just a taster of some of London’s most popular tourist attractions.

Buckingham Palace - Buckingham Palace is one of England’s most famous palaces and is the official home of Queen Elizabeth II. If you are visiting London in summer you can visit the State Rooms as they are open to the public then. Buckingham Palace was acquired by King George III for Queen Charlotte, and has a long and colourful history.

The historic house was converted into a palace by George IV. It was Queen Victoria, in 1837, who became the first monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace. Guests are often entertained in the State Rooms during Royal ceremonial occasions. Some of the finest English and French furniture in the world can be found in the lavishly decorated rooms. Paintings by the likes of Rubens and Rembrandt - to name just two - line the walls. Annual exhibitions and regular tours also take place in the 29-acre gardens. You really must see this if you are visiting London.

The British Museum - The British Museum is world renowned for its collection of objects exploring the history and culture of man. This impressive museum is home to over seven million objects. It was originally founded in 1753 and has displays that range from prehistoric to modern times. The Rosetta Stone, the Portland Vase and the Parthenon Sculptures are a few of the most notable items on display there.

There is a world-renowned collection of Egyptian mummies as well as a tomb-like room which is dedicated to the life of Negamun, a wealthy Egyptian. The museum also has areas dedicated to Medieval Europe, Watches and Clocks, and the Percival David Collection of Chinese Art. The central hub of the museum is the glass domed Great Court. It is the largest covered public square in Europe and was designed by Lord Norman Foster. You would not see everything inside if you spent days trying.

The London Eye - The modern icon that is the London Eye - also called the Millennium Wheel - is a must see when visiting London. A “flight” on the London Eye will give you a whole new perspective on this beautiful city. This famous London landmark stands beside the river at an awesome 135 metres tall. It allows a person to see a 360 degree view of London through glass pods. It’s possible on a clear day to see twenty-five miles all around.

You will get a bird’s eye view of all of the attractions London has to offer, including Canary Wharf, Big Ben, Windsor Castle and the Houses of Parliament. It has a slow but steady pace and it takes around thirty minutes to complete one revolution. This is a very popular attraction and you can expect long queues for booking tickets and waiting to board the flight. You can save time by booking online. Depending on your needs, you can find a variety of packages on offer. It’s possible to upgrade to Fast track which lets you check-in 15 minutes prior. You could even have a glass of bubbly, or a London guide for company. This is the only way to get a panoramic view of this historic city.

Once you have been to London you will want to return often. You can easily get around this vast historic city by taxi cab if you have the budget!There are both licensed and unlicensed minicabs operating in London. Like New York, London is know for its familiar taxi-cabs - here they are black rather than yellow and are called Hackney cabs. Unlike some “minicab” taxis, these are all licensed, and it is recommended that you use these for you own safety and security.

If public transport or taxis are not your preferred option, you can easily hire a car from any of London’s airports. At both these airports you will find excellent motorist facilities including self-drive car hire or chauffeur driven vehicles for hire.

When hiring a car, be sure to read the rental agreement fully so that you know exactly what you will be covered for in the event of an accident, particularly any excess charges which you may be liable for. Other specialist insurance products such as gap insurance, car warranties and breakdown insurance will generally be taken care of by the hire car company so you do not need to worry about these things. Make yourself aware of the details of breakdown cover and who to call if it happens, be sure that you have 24-hour cover in place! Be careful of agreeing to additional insurance products such as key or windscreen insurance as these will give you added peace of mind but will probably cost you more. Ensure that you are aware of what it is you are signing! Choose a reputable company such as Avis, Budget or Hertz.

Instead of hiring a car to get you to your hotel or bed and breakfast (B&B), you could use the public transport system which is excellent in the UK. Rail links from London to other cities and towns around the country are frequent - including to the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Brighton which is also a popular tourist location and holiday resort.

London is a beautiful place to visit no matter the time of year. Whether your preferences are to see the sights by day or party in the London clubs all night, you will always be able to find something exciting to do. As the famous Samuel Johnson quotation goes:

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life”.

This short city review was brought to you by London’s’ Most Popular Online GAP Insurance and Car Warranty Supplier the Click4Group.