Rates Coming Down - FAST

Euro at lowest point to $US in since 1.5 years! Falling below the 1.30 mark for $US marks a nearly 20% drop in 3 months. We have therefore lowered rates on a number of our Paris services. Airport transfers that were recently as much as $111US for 2 persons are now $95US. Paris day tours are also much lower. (This is for all November and later travel bookings as everything through October is already paid at previous high rates. )

Museum and metro passes will also start coming down once we reduce inventory purchased at higher rates.

NOTE about vouchers for metro passes: the Gare du Nord location that used to issue the actual tickets to voucher holders will no longer provide this service. There are other locations still available to exchange vouchers. If you are holding a Gare du Nord exchange voucher, contact us to get an alternative location.

Hotel Deal:

Louvre Montana (Emeraude hotel) - 1st Arrondissement - in the heart of Paris
Very nice 3 star hotel, rated very highly by guests, is now offering rates in November from 149 euros per night for a double room. Within walking distance is the Louvre, Opera, Hotel de Ville, Musee d'Orsay, and the Grand Magasins for excellent pre-holiday shopping.

New High Speed Rail Service from Air France

Coming in 2010 - yes - Air France is going into the rail business. The Euro Tunnel is going to open up to rail competition under laws providing for 'open access' starting in 2010. According to a story posted on webinfrance.com , Air France will begin a service between London and Paris over the same tracks as those used by Eurostar currently. Future routes are also planned. According to the story the new service will be even faster using new generation trains.

A little competition is always a good thing for consumers, but whether this actually comes to pass is another question.

Regarding the current services, Eurostar has been somewhat disrupted since the fire in the tunnel last month. Here is a link for updated information on schedules and info.

Paris for the Holidays - Why Go!

Ok, I just read a self styled contrarian article about why this fall is a great time to travel! I'll buy the logic, give the credit, and share it with you. Today, on this dark day when the markets are so upside down that its better to ignore it to avoid depression, or jumping off a cliff! (as the stock markets have done).

Here is a link to the real article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/10/08/holiday.travel/index.html?eref=rss_travel

Here is my take on it for Paris:

Without doing any research on airfares for Thankgsiving and Christmas time, I can at least say this much: The Euro has lost 15% to the $US since its peak just a few months ago. SO, Paris will cost you that much less already!

At Thanksgiving - take the advise of flying on TG day itself and return on Monday. Very low air load days between Europe and North America. Try your FF miles, some people may have returned the miles are let drop some space on hold.

Go to Paris the week before Christmas; you get all the ambiance and lower fares with airlines and hotels. High season rates go into effect between Christmas and New Years.

Smaller crowds overseas: indeed; the fall months of November and first part of December are low travel time in Paris. You can snag a stay 4/pay 3 or similar promotion at many hotels. 4 Star hotels are discounting for the foreign traveler, the state of things would make this even more so.

According to the journalist in the above linked article, fewer people are expected to travel this fall. So, the experience can be that much more pleasant for those who do.

There is always Paris. If I lived in NYC or Boston or other east coast city with lots of direct access; I'd already be booked!

What feels better - losing a thousand dollars in the stock market or spending it on a great escape in Paris!? (rhetorical question!)

L

Fall in France - Paris Tips for October

Fall is a great time to travel to France! Here are our favorite reasons why:

- Fall colors! Wherever you travel in France in October, the colors of the tree will make any scenery picture perfect! You can either drive, go for a hike or bike through one of the famous regions, to discover it’s small villages, markets, monuments… These colors will just make your trip even more enjoyable and relaxing! Some of our favorite spots are the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Alsace and of course Provence.

- Our second reason is great for relaxing too: fall is less crowded! Most people and families have to travel during the summer, but if you’re able to travel in the fall, the roads will not be as packed, hotels may have more spaces available and possibly better rates as October comes.

- Finally, fall is quite known in France for its harvest season! If you’re a wine lover, this is when you need to go! You can rent a car and go to one of the regions listed above for great colors to combine it with wine discovery! A lot of small vineyards will have signs posted along the roads, inviting you to a tasting! And if you like what you taste, you can probably buy some wine and most of them will be able to ship it back home for you!

If you are not going through the French countryside but are staying in Paris, you can still enjoy the fall colors and wine! One of the biggest and nicest parks of Paris is the Luxembourg Gardens. This is a very relaxing park where you can walk, have a picnic, even roller blade! And yes, you can enjoy the wine harvest in Paris too! There is a famous wine festival held each year: “Fete des Vendanges” in Montmartre. This year it is from October 10th to 12th! And if you happen to buy some wine from the vineyard “Clos Montmartre” then you did a good deed because all profits go to a local charity!

However September and October is trade-show season in Paris, so it may still be crowded, but you may be interested in one of those fairs:

- International Contemporary Art Fair from October 23rd to 26th.
- International Car show from October 4th to 19th.

Hotel de Sully Bookshop - Paris

From the Centre des Monuments Nationaux

Hôtel de Sully bookshop:

The bookshop is situated between the courtyard and garden of the Hôtel de Sully, a splendid example of Renaissance architecture in which Henri IV's celebrated minister lived out his last days. The site is open every day, including Sunday, and attracts an international clientele, as much for the beauty of the spot as for its exceptional collection of books.The bookshop aims to cover the wealth of French national heritage, including the full range of titles published by Editions du Patrimoine and a selection of specialized publications, unrivalled in all of France.

This rich collection is organised partly by region, highlighting a number of small book publishers whose limited editions cannot be found elsewhere. A significant section is devoted to Paris alone. Cross-classification of titles by theme facilitates a deeper inquiry into each subject, whether it be history, architecture, fine arts, design, literature, gardens or photography. All readers passionate about French heritage throughout the ages will find everything they could wish for.

Far from concentrating uniquely on the past, however, the bookshop holds debates on contemporary artistic and literary endeavours, architecture, and urban development, inviting those actively engaged in contributing to the future heritage of France. Whether amateur or specialist, casual passer-by or intentional visitor, everyone from far and wide will delight in the wonderful choice of books found in this tranquil spot. Orders may also be placed with our booksellers who, if requested, will mail them to customers.

This unique space with clearly displayed books and carefully selected new titles will surprise and delight all readers, including children. A special section for young readers offers appealing items, chosen with the same care and enthusiasm. Our adjoining garden, or the neighbouring Place des Vosges, provides a peaceful respite after your visit.

The bookshop is open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hôtel de Sully bookshop62, rue Saint-Antoine75004 ParisTel. +33 (1) 44 61 21 75Fax. +33 (1) 44 61 22 10


Here are some interesting upcoming events for visitors to Paris and Mont St Michel - a possible day trip from Paris:

"Zola au Panthéon" L'Exposition « Zola au Panthéon » through Oct 31; focusing on the famous writer's work and the Dreyfus Affair that engulfed France in the period of 1893-1908.

Between Heaven and Earth : Mont-Saint-Michel and sacred mounts around the world. The photographic exhibitionPhotographs of sacred mountain sites now listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites will be on display both inside and outside the abbey church on Mont-Saint-Michel. The photographs have all been taken by Jean-Michel Guillaud, the official photographer of the Photodrame association. Through November 11.

Picking up some Euros before Travel

It is regularly recommended to try to have some Euros in your pocket before arriving in Europe on your flight from abroad. Because exchange bureaus in the country of origin are always very expensive, its best to get a small amount only and then plan to either get more when in Europe or pay for things differently - like credit card for example.

We advise our clients to take about 250 euros in cash for arrival. This would come in handy to pay a taxi ride, if necessary, or cover a tip to your pre-booked transfer. It will cover the breakfast or something to eat upon arrival since most flights from the USA arrive early morning. It should cover some small items like this on your arrival. Yes, you can change money at the airport, and use the cash machine at the airport, and do the same in downtown Paris when you arrive. But you will have no obligation or stress to do so if you have a little pocket money first.

How best to do it. Unfortunately, you have to pay the high exchange rates. But, a number of online options exist and the money is shipped right to you. So, you don't have to leave work and go to your bank and have them do lots of paperwork. Here is a link we just enrolled with that we recommending for our travelers. It is reputable and is used by many other large travel organizations: https://www.ezforex.com/login.asp?Affiliate=2962&WebUser=12417

bon voyage!

Paris Pass vs. Paris Museum & Metro

Which is the better deal? One sounds great, but the others add up to more in most cases.

We did consider selling the Paris Pass, the new pass produced by an English company for use in Paris, but really when you scratch the surface, there isn't so much more that justifies the cost. It does of course depend a little on the end user and if they find value in some of the 'extras'. There are convenience matters too. We did a comparison, you can draw your own conclusions. See this link on our site: http://www.gotoparis.net/paris_pass_comparison.php

In the end, we believe purchasing a museum and metro pass is a better deal. You get the duration you need and not more. You get the main sites and a lot of smaller sites. You don't have to complicate your travel with extras that we believe don't have much value.

We do welcome any feedback agreeing or disagreeing!

L