Travel and tips

Accompanied baggage – Baggage that you have with you when you return to the United States CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection was created in 2003, by combining the U.S. Customs Service, Immigration Inspection Service, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service and the U.S. Border Patrol into one border agency. DHS – Department of Homeland Security is the parent agency of CBP and was also created in 2003, after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. Dutiable – Items on which duty may have to be paid. Most items have specific duty rates, which are determined by a number of factors, including where you got the item, where it was made, and what it is made of. Duty-free – Also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. Duty-free exemption – see Personal exemption Flat duty rate – When determining the duty of the items a traveler brings with them upon their return to the U.S.: after the personal exemption of $200, $800 or $1,600; the next $1000 of merchandise will be charged a flat rate of duty of 1.5 percent or 3 percent. GSP – Generalized System of Preferences, a trade program that gives duty preferences—that is, free or reduced rates—to certain developing countries. Joint declaration – Family members who live in the same home and return together to the United States may combine their personal exemptions instead of each family member filing an individual declaration. Personal exemption – the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty Prohibited Items – Items that are not allowed into the United States under any circumstances. Restricted items – Items that are allowed into the United States but have a condition for importation. They may be limited in number or may need a license to bring into the United States. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - The Visa Waiver Program enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Despite rising travel costs, global circumnavigation continues to be a lifetime dream for many Americans. In fact, according to a 2004 National Geographic Traveler/Yahoo Travel poll, two out of three people voted a round-the-world (RTW) trip as the “ultimate travel experience.” RTW travel includes stopping in at least three regions and traveling in one direction without backtracking. From college graduates looking for one last adventure before hitting the workforce to families and retired individuals looking to expand their horizons, RTW travel has broad appeal. All you need is some time off and a strong desire to meet new people, learn about other cultures and discover more about yourself. Whether you’re currently planning a RTW voyage or are one of the many Americans dreaming of seeing the world some day, below are a few tips for making the journey hassle-free:• Hit the Web to design your dream route. With so many potential places to visit, deciding where to go can be challenging. Luckily, there is a wealth of resources available online to help. A good place to start is perpetualtravel.com, where you’ll find a good “RTW 101″ travel guide. For a more comprehensive search, check out BootsnAll.com, a leading online RTW resource for independent travelers, offering everything from practical advice and travel deals to inspiration for first-time travelers.
• Travel against the clock and arrive at night to fight jet lag. When traveling around the world, you can go clockwise or counterclockwise. Word from the wise-head counterclockwise. Doing so helps alleviate jet lag by tacking on additional hours to the day, ensuring that you’ll be better rested to enjoy your journey. Additionally, try to schedule flights that arrive after 8 p.m. local time. People tend to be exhausted when they get off a plane, so you’ll be more likely to sleep. • Make sure your fare is fair. When gauging costs, keep in mind that an average 29,000-mile ticket in economy class should cost approximately $0.10 per mile. That means an average fare should run anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000.
• Know what you’re getting. Traveling via airline alliance partners is the most convenient way to book. However, with multiple carriers for each leg of the trip, you never really know what you’re going to get. The good news is that as of October, Air New Zealand will be the only airline to offer RTW service exclusively on its own planes. Not only will the new service provide globe-trotters with RTW travel options at affordable prices, but also ensure they will enjoy consistent quality along the way.
• When packing, less is more. Believe it or not, as a general rule of thumb, the longer the trip, the less you should pack. In fact, many travel guides suggest making a list of everything you need and cutting it in half. Bring the basics, including mix-and-match clothes you can layer, and plan on picking things up along the way as you need them. Packing only the necessities will also save room for souvenirs and purchases you accumulate on the journey.

Glasgow is already a top tourist destination for many travellers in Europe. If you were thinking about going on holiday to Glasgow, you may be excited to learn about Glasgow’s world famous art collections. Glasgow has some of the best shopping in Europe. There is a Lighthouse, the Gallery of Modern Art of Glasgow and plenty of museums and interesting entertainments. If you were thinking of taking a holiday in the UK, try visiting Glasgow.
Places of Interest in GlasgowTo get started, let’s look at some places of interest that are popular with Glasgow tourists.
Glasgow Cathedral - Glasgow Cathedral was built around the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. During the Reformation period in 1560, it survived the threat of being torn down and is considered to be the only still standing authentic cathedral from that era. Its gothic style structure makes for a wonderful architectural gem to discover on your travels. It is open for viewing through almost any time of the year.
The Lighthouse - The Lighthouse in Glasgow is a national centre for architecture and design. It was once a newspaper office for the Glasgow Herald. Over 700,000 people have already visited it since it opened its door. It now contains galleries, shopping, a couple of cafes and a miniaturized version of “Wee People’s City”.
The Gallery of Modern Art - The Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow is one of the most popular modern art galleries in the UK. It houses contemporary artwork, most with the theme of addressing social issues. It is open nearly all year long and children are welcome. Ask for a free-guided tour.
Glasgow Tower - For a unique architectural gem, try visiting the Glasgow Tower. It is the first tower ever created that revolved full circle, and not just the top. The entire tower can circle around from the base. There are displays inside about Glasgow’s past and displays plans for future developments. From the viewing platform at the top, visitors can see out as far as forty miles.
Things to Do in GlasgowShopping and activities in Glasgow make for an enjoyable time while visiting the city. Check out these can’t miss features.
Merchant City Area - The area called Merchant City contains all sorts of shops from clothing to books and antiques and more. Not to mention the various restaurants and cafes to stop by for a cuppa.
Clubs in Glasgow - If you are looking for a club for dancing or meeting the locals, try some of the more popular ones. Sub Club is located on Jamaica Street. The Arches is on Argyle Street. The Garage is on Sauchiehall Street. Each one of these clubs offers up unique fun and can be easily found.
Pubs in Glasgow - For a collection of authentic United Kingdom pubs, Glasgow offers a variety of them. Looking for real ale or live music? There are a variety of pubs to fit every preference. For example, if you want a more fashionable crowd, head for Bar Soba on Mitchell Lane.
Where to Eat in GlasgowA holiday in Glasgow isn’t complete until you have a meal at one of the more famous restaurants. Try a few of these suggestions.
Aurora Restaurant - For food fashioned after Scottish cuisine, try Aurora Glasgow Restaurant on 2 Port Dundas Place. All dishes are cooked to order, including delectable delights like roast salsify with shellfish vinaigrette or Gressingham Duck breast. Dinner may cost only Ј30 per person.
16 Bryres Road - For a Brasseire menu, you will want to try out 16 Bryres Road. You won’t have any trouble finding it, though it is a small restaurant. It is a favourite for locals in Glasgow and for good reason. It was listed as one of the best restaurants in Glasgow in a number of magazines. You can find Confit lamb shoulder, grilled fillet of halibut along with prune and almond chocolate brownies with clotted cream listed on the menu.
Bluu - Bluu in Glasgow offers a European menu for its patrons. Located on 60 Trongate Albion Street, Bluu’s menu consists of ravioli with spicy pineapple salsa and delicious Iced Malteser parfait with white chocolate sauce. Bluu’s tasty meals will range from Ј20 - Ј40.
Hotels and Accommodation in GlasgowAfter shopping and visiting museums and a nice meal, you’ll want to relax in a hotel that continues the Glasgow experience. Try these highly recommended Glasgow hotels.
Carlton George HotelDreamhouse Serviced ApartmentsExpress by Holiday Inn Glasgow City- RiversideAlexander ThomsonBest Western Fenwick HotelGlasgow City Charing Cross Premier Travel InnRennie Mackintosh Hotel (Central Station)Quality Hotel Central GlasgowCity Inn GlasgowRamada Glasgow CityCrowne Plaza GlasgowVictorian HouseCharing Cross HouseMcLays Guest HouseHampton Court HotelMillennium Hotel GlasgowBuchanan HotelAtlantic HotelTownhouse HotelArgyll HotelManor Park HotelThe Belhaven HotelAlbion HotelErskine Bridge HotelSwallow Hotel GlasgowBrunswick Merchant City HotelMerchant lodge HotelBusby HotelDean Park HotelThe Normandy HotelGlynhill Hotel and Leisure ClubDevoncove Hotel GlasgowExpress By Holiday Inn Glasgow AirportAmbassador HotelMenzies Glasgow HotelTulip Inn GlasgowMalmaison GlasgowCorus hotel GlasgowCampanile Hotel GlasgowThistle GlasgowThe Spires Serviced SuitesNovotel Glasgow CentreJurys Glasgow HotelJurys Inn GlasgowRadisson SAS Hotel GlasgowFraser Suites GlasgowBest Western Ewington HotelDreamhouse City CentreArtto HotelThe A-List Apartments, GlasgowEuro Hostel LtdCrowwood House HotelCity Serviced Apartments and LodgesRennie Mackintosh City HotelCity ApartmentsExpress by Holiday Inn Glasgow TheatrelandHoliday Inn Glasgow TheatrelandCity Apartments GlasgowEntertainment in GlasgowThere is no lack of entertainment for visitors to Glasgow. Check out these can’t miss events.
IMAXв Theatre - Located on 50 Pacific Quay in the Glasgow Science Centre, IMAXв Theatre offers entertainment for the entire family. Watch films that explore the world around you. With a huge screen and top of the line technology, the IMAXв theatre is open nearly all year.
The King’s Theatre - Located on Bath Street in Glasgow, the King’s Theatre opened in 1904. With its most clever design, the theatre plays host to professional and amateur play alike. Find musicals and pantomime and drama performances by visiting the King’s theatre.
Glasgow plays host to thousands of visitors on holiday each and every year. Come join in the fun, food and flair that can be found in Glasgow.

Students, backpackers, family vacationers, business buddies, budget travelers, and individual traveler have something in common: they all want to get the best travel deal possible. And while everybody wants to get the best price out of every travel deal they made, more and more people are searching and digging dipper to get the price they can afford. You too can get the best travel deal the next time you fly to another country. Here are some of the ways of achieving it:Timing is best factor in achieving the travel deal you desire. If you want a cheaper flight, schedule it during off-peak season. For example, if you want to travel to Europe simply for vacation and not after celebrations and festivals, don’t target dates where you have to rub shoulders with other travelers. Remember that during peak seasons, demands are high. As a consequence, air travel tickets, hotel accommodations, restaurant reservations, are rentals, and everything in the middle goes nowhere but up. Traveling during this season means high travel cost.
Your destination also affects the type of travel deal you can get. If in case you want travel in any country in South America, you can notice upon your online research how prices differ from one country to another. The best trick you can do is to choose the cheapest country. Oftentimes, type of accommodation is relatively the same with other high-rated countries. One of the biggest and heaviest one-time-pain in your pocket is paying for the plane tickets. So, you would want to get the cheapest seats possible. But choosing one does not necessarily mean you have to seat on the tail or at the most isolated part of the plane. You can always check for discount air travel seats both online or on airline companies. Usually, these discounted tickets are only waiting to be tapped. Or, if you really want to get good travel deal easily, fly with small airline companies offering extra low airfare. Getting a cheap travel deal does not mean savings up to the extent that you have to skip meals or deprive yourself of good foods. Common misconception of first time travelers is that great foods could only be acquired on fancy restaurants. This is totally wrong. You can enjoy your day eating local delicacies at very affordable prices. In Spain, if you want to taste the tapa, you don’t need to go to your hotel restaurant, you always have the option to roam around the city and locate very affordable dining places where tapas are served at cheap price. In Paris, you don’t have to seat next to all the tourists on a cafй. You can stroll the park and look for vendors of burgers, hotdogs or sausage. You can sit and watch the Eiffel Tower with a glass of wise you buy from local grocery. A good travel deal could also be acquired even before leaving. And the best way to look for it is online. You can search hundreds upon hundreds of different travel sites that offer good travel deals. Since it always boils down to competition, these sites offer competitive travel deals. Soon enough with an extra effort on researching, you can get travel deals that would not hurt your budget. There are other ways to get the best travel deal. You can take family package, travel package, holiday package, or even special packages. The key is, work your way through these travel deals and decide which among these work for you best.

For those of you who don’t know what to expect from it, be ready for the unexpected. Hopefully you will be enchanted by a foggy day, where people with long cloaks and masks mysteriously appear and disappear on the ancient Venetian alleys (calli), or maybe you will be lucky enough to experience Venice under a blanket of snow as it is today. One of the first things for you to do once in town, is to get a costume and a mask. There are various Venetian costume-shops where you can choose from dozens of rental costumes. Not only to show off in St. Mark’s square but even in local private parties. For a XVIII century Venetian dress be ready to spend around 150-200 euros for the first day and around 50-70 euros for the next one. But if you are on a budget or interested in something still typical but more intriguing, this is what we suggest. Find yourself a white or gold ‘bauta’ (plain typical Venetian mask which should cost between 10-17 euros) a pair of black or white gloves and a long black cloak. Put some white make up on your face, a beauty-spot on your cheek, red lipstick (even for men) and you are done!! You will certainly be asked to pose for tourists pics. Also, do not wait for a party to get masked. On those days you are allowed to mask yourself everywhere everyday. At least this was in the past. You can then take your mask home with you as a souvenir or a gift from your Venetian trip!Where to find your Carnival mask? There are many street vendors where you can buy anything from mass-produced paper to handcrafted papier-mвchй and leather masks by skilled artisans. But for a quality mask or simply for curiosity, you should visit one of the workshops where masks are made on the premises. Here a couple of the most famous in Venice.
Mondonovo (Rio Terrа Canal, Dorsoduro 3063 near Campo Santa Margherita: take vaporetto line N.1 and stop at Ca’ Rezzonico; phone +39 041287 344).
Laboratorio Artigiano Maschere (Barbaria delle Tole, Castello 6657 near the SS Giovanni e Paolo church: stop at the Ospedale vaporetto station; phone: +39 041522 3110See also these websites where you can buy or compare prices: tragicomica.it, morgana.ve.it, bluemoonmask.com, veniceatelier.comAlso be prepared to spend quite a lot in Venice for an accommodation during Carnival period. Hotels are usually fully booked since the previous year because of course.. any tourist would love to be there in that period. For budget accommodation in Venice consider hostels as Ai Musici hostel, ai Mori Hostel or il Veliero Romantico youth hostel very close to the Train Station. Apartments are also a good solution. Some of them are listed in Flashbooking.com where some part for 5 people cost around 160 euros. Or you can find some alternative solutions at the Lonely Planet website. Alternative solutions still interesting could be in Mestre and the Riviera del Brenta where also many events ( theatres, concerts, parties in Villas) are regularly held for Carnival.

Here are some tips for you to get cheaper air tickets.
1. Shop in the Internet: This is the most convenient way of checking air tickets’ price. You won’t have to canvass travel agencies. Some internet sites even offer internet only discounts that you can benefit from if you avail of their services. 2. When you do shop on the internet: Check first with travel agents regarding prices, Internet prices aren’t always cheap, it’s best to ask a good old travel agent. It won’t hurt to look at news papers too, as some airlines publish discounts on print. If you’re planning to buy more than 6 months in advance, it’s probably best to ask a travel guide as internet sites don’t usually have schedules for longer than six months.
3. Don’t travel During Peak season: Airlines tend to increase ticket prices during Peak travel season due to the increase in demand. Traveling during low season is also advantageous if you want to avoid airport and tourist spot crowds. If you really have to travel during peak season, consider leaving home early and going home late to avoid the rush.
4. Never fly on weekends: If you’re planning a trip, plan to leave on weekdays, preferable Monday to Wednesday. Weekends are high traffic times, for travelers and would probably cost you an additional $25-$40 increase.
5. How long to Stay: Yes your travel stay also affects airline ticket prices. Airlines give discounts if you stay at least a week at your destination and return within 90 days.
6. Use the senior citizen discount: Some Airlines offer the same senior Citizen discount for the companions of the Senior Citizen. Ask if it’s available.
7. The Early Bird gets the Airline Ticket: Call Airlines at 12:01 am on Wednesday mornings. This is when airlines release all the new fares and seat plans. You can be first and choose the best and cheapest tickets at this time.
8. Consider a Connecting Flight: Contrary to popular belief, direct flights aren’t always the cheapest. Some people have saved up to $1000 dollars on booking connecting instead of Direct flights. If you don’t have a lot of luggage, and aren’t very particular with time, it is best, and a lot cheaper to book a connecting flight instead of direct.
9. Buy tickets 3-5 months before your departure date: Some airlines offer discounts for early buyers. It’s also best to buy your tickets at least 20 days in advance to ensure the best seating possible, most discounted tickets sell out fast. You should also know that Airline Tickets are subject to price increase, especially during Christmas season, buying early avoids further ticket increase.

Here is a step-by-step tip sheet on how to get to Pattaya.
1. Save your money all year for your vacation. Not counting airfare, budget for $150 US dollars per day.
2. Apply for and get your passport. Get a visa also if you are staying long term3. Book your flight and hotel. You can do this online or with your favorite travel agent4. Arrange for a ride to the airport. Get a buddy to take you or find a local airport taxi service.
5. Arrange for a taxi to pick you up in Bangkok. You can get recommendations from any Pattaya forum or bargain with the taxi mafia upon arrival.
6. Get to the airport three hours ahead of your flight. You don’t want to be late for your holiday and you never know how long the lines will be.
7. Check in and get your seat assignment and boarding pass. Ask nicely and you may be able to get an exit row seat.
8. Do your last minute shopping at the duty free shop. Booze, cigarettes, and perfume are tax free.
9. Get a bite to eat and hang out near your departure gate. Airline food sucks so it is better to eat before you go.
10. Surf the Internet and check email before you take off. Do whatever to kill time. Wireless access can usually be found near the first class lounges.
11. Board the plane and settle in for the long flight. Hopefully you got a decent seat.
12. Get your book, headphones, pen, snacks, gum and laptop ready. Get everything you will need before you take off so you don’t have to dig through your carry-on.
13. Kill time at you layover airport with laptop and/or food. You can get another bite to eat or just walk around and stretch your legs. Hopefully the layover isn’t too long.
14. Board the final leg of your flight. Try to control your adrenaline and relax. You are almost there.
15. Get in a short nap. You want to be refreshed when you arrive. You will be struggling to adjust your body clock and will be fighting jet lag.
16. Land and deplane. Go to the bathroom before the plane lands. Once the door opens, do everything in your power to get out of the plane. Make a beeline to immigration.
17. Go directly to Immigration and get your passport stamped. Find the shortest line and have your passport and boarding pass stub ready.
18. Find your carousel and grab your luggage. Check the sign right after Immigration and get your bags.
19. Meet your driver. Fight the gauntlet and look for a sign with your name on it. If you haven’t booked in advance, the clipboard toting, taxi mafia will find you.
20. Sit back and pray you make it from Bangkok to Pattaya in one piece. Prepare yourself for controlled chaos on the roads and pray to Buddha that you arrive alive.
21. Arrive at your hotel and check in. Have your passport ready and fill out the little form and you are there.
22. Shower, change clothes and hit the streets. You can unpack later. It is time to go out and have some fun.
23. You are now in the Pattaya paradise. Enjoy yourself, be safe, and have a great holiday.

Visiting Eastern Europe is an enjoyable step back in time and a top travel destination. Here’s the scoop on what you need to consider when trying to get there. Getting To and Around Eastern EuropeEastern Europe has been open to travel for roughly 15 years following the fall of the Soviet Union. Much to the delight of travelers, Eastern Europe has proven to be an incredibly beautiful and charming slice of old world Europe. From Prague to Budapest and everywhere in between, Eastern Europe offers much to be admired and prices are cheap. Catching a plain to the far east of Europe isn’t particularly difficult, but it really depends on the exact destination you are trying to reach. Most countries are reached by first stopping in Western Europe, but direct flights can be found depending on your departure location.
The high season is summer, which means prices can be a big concern if you have a tight budget. This may not bother you. If it does, the key to flying on the cheap is to shop across all the online travel sites. They offer dramatically different prices, even for the same flight! Determine a general range of dates you want to leave and come back. Then start hunting. Flights leaving after midnight can be significantly cheaper than flights during normal hours. Since you will be sleeping anyway, it makes sense to save some bucks. There are two other pricing options that can save you a bundle on high season rates. Consolidators purchase bundles of open seats from airlines for flights that aren’t traditionally full. You can save significant money, sometimes as much as fifty percent, buy purchasing from consolidators. The biggest savings occur when you buy from them at the last moment, but you risk all of the seats being sold.
If you are flying during the high season, you can also get a steal by booking a seat on a chartered flight. Chartered flights are small airlines that typically only fly during the high season. They tend to be a bit amateurish, but are definitely cheap. I’ve paid as low as $450 for a round trip booking to Budapest when an online booking would have run me over $900. If you go charter, try to upgrade to first class while booking in. For $75, I was able to do so on a flight from Paris to Los Angeles. It was the best $75 I ever spent!Flying domestic in Eastern Europe is not for the faint of heart. The planes are a bit old and, well, they aren’t always known for reliability. Most people simply hop on a train. If you must fly domestic, find a local resident to buy the ticket for you. Prices go up significantly when foreigners walk in the door, as much as triple the normal price. Eastern Europe receives top marks as a travel destination. After 15 years of freedom, jumping a plain to the location of your choice shouldn’t be any more difficult than any other location.

You actually have a few choices for your ride to Pattaya. You can go the cheap route – take a taxi to the bus station, catch the bus to Pattaya, and then get another taxi to your hotel.
You can share a ride – either with someone you met at an online Pattaya forum or go with a group in a 6 – 9 passenger van. I have made a couple of good friends sharing the ride and the cost with one other person and have had nothing but bad experiences sharing a van with 8 others.
My preferred method of traveling from the Bangkok International Airport – Suvarnabhumi – to Pattaya is to book a ride online in advance and have the driver waiting for me when I arrive. I have found a reliable source at a Pattaya forum and have used him for the past 6 years and he has never let me down. He is always waiting for me right outside where you pick up your luggage. I have never been disappointed.
There is one more option – the notorious taxi mafia at Bangkok International. These are the pests that block your way as soon as you leave the luggage carousel. They have a clipboard in hand and will pester you even if you tell them that you already have a ride booked. They charge about double what I book my ride for and are extremely annoying.
The service I use is run by a guy named Mr. Toom and he has gotten so popular that he has had to outsource his service. He takes his cut and other drivers show up. He also provides a cell phone number in case you cannot locate your driver at the airport. He charges 1200 baht for the ride and that includes airport parking, tolls and the ride. You can also request a car that you can smoke in. If you want to stop along the way for a quick break – that is not a problem. Just let the driver know.
I have always gotten pleasant drivers, who let me smoke, and play music – either Thai or American. They get me to Pattaya in about 1 Ѕ hours and take me straight to my hotel or guest house front door. I usually tip about 20 Baht for the safe and efficient ride to my final destination.
So, my recommendation for your trip from the Bangkok Airport to Pattaya is to book in advance and have a comfortable ride to Pattaya. There is no sense flying half way around the world and start your vacation riding a bus. Book in advance and enjoy the last leg of your trip before you hit the night life of Pattaya. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Aйroport Charles de Gaulle, (27kms from the city) is Paris main international airport receiving flights from the world over. Roissy Rail is the quickest way to the city. From there, you can take a free shuttle bus from the airport terminal to the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle RER (commuter rail) station. If you are arriving at the Aйroport d’Orly (16kms southwest of the city) which handles mostly domestic and European flights, your quickest option is the Orly Rail to the Left Bank. You can take a free shuttle bus to the Ponte de Rungis-Aиroport d’Orly RER station (C2 line) and get a train to the city. These trains run every 15 min.
Once in the City, then the games ain’t be easier! A piece of cake, so to say. The various lines, which make up France’s railway system, all meet in the centre of Paris, at Chatelet-Les-Halles, the largest metropolitan station in the world. Paris’ metropolitan is the best way to travel around the city. The system’s 14 lines cover the whole of the Paris area. They say that no point in Paris is more than 500m from a stop. Free metro maps are available at all tourist information centres and metro stations. A single ticket anywhere on the metro and zone one on the RER is Ђ1.30 (2006) . A carnet of ten tickets is Ђ9.30 and works out cheaper (2006). If you are there for any length of time buy a weekly Travel Card or monthly Carte Orange (Ђ15 in 2006). They are valid for travel on all forms of public transport and for unlimited rides. Avoid to be late at night at these stations: Chatelet, Chateau Rouge in Montmatre, Gare du Nord, Strasbourg-Saint Denis, Rиaumur-Sиbastopol and Montparnasse-Bienvenue. Alternatively there’s the bus service which is also efficient and operates from 5:30am to 1am. Bus routes are indicated on the RATP maps (free from tourist agencies). Tickets can be bought from the driver but must be validated in the machine onboard. A night service called Noctambus operates after the underground from 1am till 5.50am with 18 lines terminating at Chвtelet.
Another interesting ecologic transport now available in Paris is the Velib, a newly implemented self-service “bicycle transit system”. Considering that the city of Paris has over 371 km (230 miles) of cycling lanes, riding in Paris is simple and economic. Citizens and visitors are able to pick up and drop off bicycles throughout the city at 1451 locations. There is a wide offer of up to 20,600 bikes with a Velib’ station approximately every 900 feet! Accessing the bikes couldn’t be easier also! Users can select a one-day card for 1 euro, a weekly card for 5 euros or an annual card for 29 euros. Once purchased the access card, riding for the first half-hour is free and a supplement of 1 euro will be charged for an additional half-hour, 2 euros for another 30-minutes and 4 euros for every addition half-hour after that. Example: a 25 minute trip = 0 euros, a 50 minute trip = 1 euro, an hour and 15-minute ride = 3 euros. In this way they wish to implement the use of the bike for little or brief journeys. To Try!After a long day cycling or getting op-off buses and metro, you will be probably looking for a nice place to rest and a good place to have dinner. Regarding Paris accommodation, well there are many choices from budget to expencive ones. We believe there are some with a good price-quality ratio that can satisfy many travellers. From the Blue Planet youth hostel, to a secret small studio in Place de Vichi, to boutique hotels offering colourful rooms, fresh ambience and private gardens where to enjoy breakfast. Prices range from 30-50 euros per person at Cecil hotel, Bac Saint Germain (in Latin quarter) or the Hotel du Parc Saint Charles. Taylor hotel, Des Artes hotel, Altona hotel, Mon Reve Hotel where they privilege amore familiar ambience and service.
For a typical French dinner you may try Chartier, an old metro station adapted to be a restaurant very nice and warm atmosphere. Frequented by locals and tourists. The food is good. Not excellent, but good and whatever you choose, it arrives in relatively generous portions in a matter of minutes. The list of wines is on the reasonable side of cheap. Be ready to wait as no reservations are taken ! (7, rue du Faubourg Montmartre; ph. +33 01.47.70.86.29. Open every day from 11:30am -3pm/ 6pm-10 pm).