The Paris Traveler

Today’s guest post is from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and travel blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
When I headed off to Paris a couple months ago, it was a bit of a last minute trip. I had been wanting to make the trip for quite some time, but had to make some changes to the actual travel dates at the last minute. You can make things work at the last minute, so if you find yourself in this position, don’t abandon your plans, just dig in and make it work.
When I set my travel dates, I set them …read more

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Awhile back, I wrote a post about a gem of a website, The Little Bookroom, which features beautiful volumes devoted to travel, food, wine, shopping and equally beautiful journals that easily inspire one to jot down thoughts that could be a future title on this charming site.
  Previously, I mentioned a book by Gilles Pudlowski, Pudlo Paris, a guide to all that is yummy in Paris–restaurants, bars, cafés and gourmet shops.  A foodie’s Paris bible if there ever was one.
Now, Mr. Pudlowski has taken his show on the road.  Pudlo France,  just out last month, is a comprehensive journey through the entire country, …read more

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“I suppose that I shall have to die beyond my means.” 
Oscar Wilde 
 
I am a bigger fan of Oscar Wilde than I thought.  Doing some research into his literary career, I discovered that I have read half of his works without even putting any effort into it.  When I am in the library or at the bookstore, I’ve just gravitated to his titles and would have to pass along to you that I have enjoyed every single one of them.
He spent his last years in Paris, living and dying at Hotel d’Alsace, a dingy and cheap spot in the 6th leaving …read more

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While I was doing some work on line, I came across these old hotel and luggage tags that were souvenirs from Paris at the turn of the last century.  The history of their existence and the evolution of the hotel industry in Paris is interesting–basically it was a reaction to the needs of a society being influenced by this new concept called “travel” which was being made easier and more accessible to a wider audience.  Universal exhibitions held here over a period of years in the late 1800’s led to an increased need for rooms.  Paris, wanting to outdo London …read more

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With gas in my neck of the woods reaching $3.75 a gallon today and our currency worldwide devalued to the point of making travel, even on a budget, an extravagance, I am continuing along the line of ways to see Paris on the cheap(er).
 
 Hôtel Saint Dominique is a delightfully charming 2-star hotel located in the 7th arr. on rue Saint Dominique.  This is a bustling street filled with fun clothing shops, coffee shops and fast food-ish restaurants (if there is such a thing here) as the surrounding area is home to a large population of foreign students (mostly American) attending AUP (American University …read more

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If I could plan your trip to Paris and was allowed to select your accommodations, hands down, I would set you up in one of the hundreds of vacation apartment rentals available throughout the city.  I had no idea anything like this existed until I began researching places to live when I temporarily relocated there in 2005.  Back then, there were a “handful” of websites catering to this type of thing.   Now, there is an almost endless selection of apartments available to fit all needs–from tiny studios for one person to amazing homes that have been featured in numerous …read more

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Ok, hopefully, you have found a reasonably priced flight to get you to Paris.  Now, where does one hang up one’s hat once they arrive?  I see you having two options:  1.  Staying in a hotel or 2. Renting a vacation apartment.  

I am sure all of you are familiar with staying in hotels, but may not be familiar with staying in European hotels.  Just like anything, how much you spend determines what you get.  My experience has run the gamut from two to five star establishments.  2-stars should get you a clean room, perhaps a folding chair and fairly …read more

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When people ask me what part of Paris is the best to stay in, my answer is always the same.  The Latin Quarter, of course!  (And no, it’s not a Latino neighborhood!  I’ve been asked that, so don’t laugh!) The Quartier Latin got its name hundreds of years ago when Latin was an official language and because many of the schools and universities in Paris were in this area, among them the Sorbonne which was established in 1253.  Classes were taught exclusively in Latin and used among students and academicians; thus the name Latin Quarter.
If you’ve read many of my posts, then you know …read more

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The Travel Channel at b5media has another theme day. Our mission:  write your best article on, or about, the best of something.  Well when you’re talking about Paris, trying to pick the best of anything is like asking a parent, “Which child do you love best?”
Impossible to answer, right?! As any well-adjusted parent will tell you, they “love all their children equally.” If push comes to shove, they might say one is better at sports, while another is better at music, but all in all, their children (in their eyes) are the greatest!  Who’s to argue?!
Well this assignment is very similar. Can you …read more

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