One of the favorite city destinations in Western Europe noted for its romantic appeal is Paris; over the years it has become one of the most visited cities in the world. Almost everyone taking a European vacation will decide on a short stay in Paris; you will however, discover that more time is required to fully appreciate what it has to offer.
This city is also equally well known for its gothic architecture and markets; the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre must not go unmentioned. Visitors to Paris as well as its citizens can travel around Paris easily; there is an excellent underground system called the Metro which runs regular trains into the city center and is very easy to understand.
It wouldn’t be possible to visit this city without a trip to the top of the famous steel structure known as the Eiffel Tower; it can be seen throughout most locations around the city. You can be assured of an even more beautiful sight if you visit in the evening when it is illuminated; taking a tour at the same time will teach you much more about this remarkable structure.
The famous Paris Avenue ‘the Champs Elysees’ must also receive a visit; it’s where you will find all the top class hotels, shops and restaurants. This is an ‘up-market’ area that attracts thousands of tourists each day; the exclusive five star hotels situated in this more select part of the city might be out of most visitors’ price range.
The world famous Louvre museum is in this city; it holds in excess of 300,000 pieces of art, which cannot possibly be seen in a single visit. It would be easy for anyone on a Paris short stay vacation to spend all their time here; some of the world’s most important art collections including the infamous Mona Lisa are on display. Over the years, Paris has been home to many of the world’s famous artists; these include Monet and Picasso who very fortunately left some of their work here for all to enjoy.
The Arc de Triomphe another famous landmark was built by Napoleon in 1806; engraved with the names of generals that commanded his troops, it has become a popular photo spot for tourists visiting Paris. The Arc is the focal point of the city and contains an observatory to view the local area; including all the avenues of which it is a focal point.
Obviously, these are not the only places to visit (you can even take a quick short trip to a neighbouring country using British Airways cheap flights); but these should certainly not to be missed because many offer regular guided tours, some at little or no charge at all. Paris short stay vacations should only ever be considered as tasters for what is a truly magnificent city; the churches, cathedrals and other museums will just have to wait for another time.
