Zagreb Vacations

Arriving in Paris you will probably want to check into your Paris 5-star hotel first, but the city will draw you out into the streets in short order. Choosing a central hotel may be more expensive than somewhere at the end of the metro line, but being right in the midst of the famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre has a lot going for it. Whatever your budget think carefully about your Paris hotel’s location, it will make a big different to your holiday – especially if you are on a limited budget

Another must-see sight is the Champs Elysees or the Elysian Fields. It is considered as the most beautiful avenue in the whole world which started as a plain field but later on converted into a pathway lined with trees. It runs from the Concorde Square up to the equally famous Arc de Triomphe and became one of the attractions and features of Paris. It is one of the most famous streets in the whole world.

Who can leave Paris with out visiting the Arc de Triomphe. It is a large arc which serves as a roundabout a meeting point of more than twelve avenues in the whole city of Paris. It was built to commemorate Napolean’s victories. The top of the arc serves as a viewing platform that tourists can climb through 284 steps. One of the standout attractions of Paris.

The selection of building, museums art galleries and fantastic shopping make Paris one of the best tourist cities in the world. Most visitors will include Sainte Chapelle cathedral and Tuileries Gardens on their itinearary. Still, there are other landmarks that you can visit when you plan a vacation in Paris. These places will make your stay in Paris memorable and will make your sleep in your Paris apartment as peaceful and as dreamy as ever.

The Peak district National Park attracts visitors from around the globe some of whom come to get out in the wilds and are happy to stay in one of the Peak district b&bs whilst other come to the area to visit many of the town and villages around the area many of which are home to Peak district luxury hotels.

One of the towns in the area is Bakewell in Derbyshire and it is right in the heart of the Peak District, is a small and extremely beautiful market town. Bakewell is positioned right by the river wye and traffic still uses the very picturesque 5 arched bridge which despite its thirteenth century origins is still in use today. Due to increase in traffic over the centuries it was widened in the 19th century.

There is a lot of history to Bakewell that a lot of people don’t know about, the town its self has even been mentioned in the Doomsday book as having two priests a church which signified importance all those centuries ago. The local grammar school was founded in 1637 by the marriage between Sir George Manners and Grace Pierrepont and the school is known as Lady Manners School.

The local church, All Saints Parish of which the majority stands now, dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with fragments of Norman and Saxon stonework, again like the bridge considerable restoration work took place in the 19th century. The church is low and broad with an octagonal tower giving grace to the beautiful spire.

There used to be in the centre of Bakewell the White Horse Inn, which has been replaced by The Rutland Arms Hotel, with some other various buildings being demolished in 1805, to form Rutland Square.

Centuries ago, these would of catered for coach travellers who passed through the town, and it has always been reputed for the connection to Jane Austin, who was reported to have stayed at this hotel, whilst writing Pride and Prejudice, and that Lambton in the book has been identified as Bakewell.

Another truly great invention happened by accident at the hotel, and that is the famous Bakewell pudding known throughout all of the UK. The story is told, that when the cook misinterpreted the baking instructions, and pored the egg mixture over the jam instead of adding to the pastry what should have been a tart had now become a pudding.

There are numerous shops in the town centre where these puddings can be purchased.

Bakewell in the peak district is at the southern end of the Pennines in Central England, there are thousands of people who visit this beautiful area every year, probably making it the second most popular National Park in England.

The area around Bakewell has some delightfull and interesting locations you can visit if you are in teh Peaks on holiday. The area has something for everyone, whether you want a hotel, or a guest house, there are plenty to choose from, who all offer good food and quality Bakewell holiday accommodation.

To fine out more about this delightfull region visit the Peak District tourism blog

Paris the French capital, is one of Europe’s perennially popular destinations and has some of the biggest name attractions of any European city.

Whether your dream location in Paris are a central Paris hotel choose something memorable for your stay.

Choose the neighbourhood that works best for your trip. Arty Montmatre, the laid-back left bank or something further out on the Metro line they all have their advantages. A comfortable Paris hotel all offer something - decide what is important to you before making a booking.

Here are some suggested highlights for a first time visitor to Paris. The extensive, reliable and cheap metro makes it easy to get around Paris regardless of where you are staying
Remember to hold onto your wallet tight, especially when the hoards descend on you trying to sell the usual tourist junk at popular locations such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre|Notre Dame Cathedral.

Montmartre
In the north of the city Montmartre is the traditional artists, bohemian quarter. The steep streets are a challenge but the reward is making it to the huge Sacre Coeur Cathedral. From the cathedral are stunning views across the heart of Paris to the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre is also home to the famed red light district and the Moulin Rouge, offering a blend of gimmicky and genuine places of interest.

Champs-Elysees
Although an attraction in itself, the long and wide Champs-Elysees boulevard is often a pleasant departure from the more built up areas of the city. Tourists are unlikely to find a cheap Paris hostel along here, however. However the Hotel George V Paris’s premier 5-star establishment

At one end of the Champs-Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe: one of the city’s must-sees, honoring the soldiers that fought in France’s wars. It can also be an amusing place to watch cars carefully navigating the bizarre Charles de Gaulle roundabout (nicknamed L’Etoile, or star), famed for its confusing lack of road markings. As a predestrian avoid death and take the underpass.

How much to tip in Medan

Before we get into tipping, you may want to know the value of your money in Medan Indonesia, no not just the exchange rates.

Minimum Wage in Medan
This is just a reference to the value of money tipping in Medan. The standard minimum wage in Medan is roughly Rp980.000 a month which is around Rp38.000 (USD 4.00 ) a day. Some smaller retail and service industry even pays lower than minimum wage like Rp500.000 / month.So you can measure how much your tips are worth.

There are many times, tourists are the victims of extortion in Indonesia, hence, takes extra precaution. The amount of Rp 50.000 is a big sum as tips in Indonesia, hence do not fall into the trap.

Tipping at Restaurants & Hotels
Many restaurants and Hotels inn Medan have the standard 10% service charge plus tax directly charged to your bill. So technically, you are not required to give any extra.
Nevertheless, if you are feeling well served and generous, you may want to give extra tips to the waiters or waitresses.
There are no hard and fast rules on how much to tip in Medan compared to USA where 25% of your bill is expected.

For restaurants, the standard tipping is around Rp 5.000 to Rp 10.000. You may give more if you bring more guests. Rp20.000 should be a big tip.
Hotel porters and bellboys, probably the same aroung Rp5.000 to Rp10.000 depending on the amount of luggages you have for them to help you with.

Tour & Tour Guide
If you took a travel vacations package to Medan, you may be faced with Tour Guides: I would suggests Rp 50.000 each, for the driver and the guide ( for private tours ). This is based on the standard 3D2N tours. If you feel that you would like to show your appreciation, then really it’s up to each individual. If you are traveling on a group tour, then this should be optional.

Taxi Driver:
This is not expected. But sometimes due to the limited amount of change Indonesia such as the Rp100, Rp500 coins. You may just let them keep the change.

Airport:
Although it is clearly stated that the porter charges Rp 2.000 for each bag, many expect more of about Rp5.000 for each bag now (yes they will ask for more).
So be prepared. There was once, I was feeling generous and gave Rp20.000 for 3 bags and they still ask for more!
You will need the help of the porter if you have many luggages.

Remember, tipping in Kota Medan should be based on your own appreciation of service you received and your own financial ability. The amount stated here is just a general guide.

For the latest news and buzz on Medan Massage in Indonesia, please visit www.MedanTalk.com where you can find out more about Medan from the locals

You can also download special city guide and budget travel guide at MedanKu.com - The Pride of Medan Indonesia

Holidays in Brighton are a popular choice, not just with UK residents but with visitors from all over the world as well. Perched on the south coast of England, Brighton is one of the UK’s largest seaside resorts.

The town originally known as Brighthelmston dates back to well before the Domesday Book of 1086. That said, the town’s significance as a health spa only really happened in the 1700’s. It became even more popular with visitors thinking about spending a day by the seaside when the railways reached here in 1841. This is a place where many of the aristocracy of the 18th and 19th Centuries would spend time together.

In fact, when you look back in history during the 16th Century this town was a small fishing village and only had 1,500 inhabitants in small cottages. You can still discover a few of these buildings which you can find in The Lanes. The 1600’s saw quite a large change because a doctor by the name of Richard Russell from the nearby town of Lewes started to extol the virtues of using seawater for treating glandular diseases.

After 1750 the town began to fill with people wishing to try out the water to find out if it could help them as well. The town also became popular once members of the UK’s Royal Family came to try the sea waters and even to bathe themselves.

Each year now the town has more than 8 million visitors to it and they enjoy everything that this coastal town has to offer. Hotels in Brighton span the complete range from total luxury to mid priced ones. Plus there are plenty of great little guest houses and bed & breakfasts which offer a friendlier, more personal, service.

Once in Brighton there is much for one to do and see from wandering the local streets. Plus a walk along the promenade and the unmissable Palace Pier and Royal Pavilion both of which are places worth a visit. Definitely, the Royal Pavilion is something that should not be missed.

Called a folly this building was built for the Prince of Wales who was later crowned George IV. He was renowned for his eccentricity and flamboyany ways but the building that he created is still standing as a memory of a bygone era even though the town has long since been host to many tourists.

Along with the more traditional attractions, you would expect to find in a seaside resort in the UK, Brighton holds a large number of cultural events every year too. Of course, you’ll still find the amusement arcades plus souvenir shops but look further and you are sure to find something that really makes people enjoy coming to this town.

When it comes to holidays in Brighton you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much there is to do and see in this town.

You can find a list of Brighton hotels here.