Paris is the capital and most populous
city of France, Since the 17th century, Paris has been one of
Europe's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, science and
the arts. The City of Paris is the centre and seat of government of the Île-de-France, or Paris Region . Paris is especially known for its
museums and architectural landmarks: the Louvre was among most visited art museums in the world in 2019,
with 9.6 million visitors.The Musée d'Orsay, Musée Marmottan Monet, and Musée de l'Orangerie are noted for
their collections of French Impressionist art, the Pompidou Centre Musée National d'Art Moderne has the largest collection of modern and contemporary
art in Europe, and the Musée Rodin and Musée Picasso exhibit the works of the two noted Parisians. The
historical district along the Seine in the city centre is classified as a UNESCO Heritage Site. It was ranked as the second most visited travel destination
in the world in 2018, after Bangkok.
Do's and Don't
Don't: Shop exclusively on the Champs-Elysées
Instead: Follow in the Well-Heeled Footsteps of Locals
Don't: Blow Your Budget on a Michelin-Starred Dinner
Instead: Go for Evening Meals at Laid-Back Modern Bistros
Don’t: Expect to See Everything at the Louvre
Instead: Split Your Time Between the Louvre and Smaller Museums
Don't: Commit a Fashion Faux Pas
Instead: Dress as the Locals Do
Don't: Get Around Town in a Cab or Electric Scooter
Instead: Take to Heart the French Word Flâner
Don't: Seek Out Bohemian Ambience on the Left Bank
Instead: Find the "Real" Paris on the Canal St. Martin
Don't: Spend Hours at the Eiffel Tower
Instead: Find a View and Shorter Lines
Don't: Book the Cheapest Hotel
Instead: Book a Boutique Hotel or Furnished Apartment
Don't: Fill Up on Croissants
Instead: Save Room for a Variety of Sweet Treats
Don't: Buy Into Stereotypes
Instead: Be Mindful of Your Manners
Due to its relatively small size it is easy to visit the
Netherlands fairly quickly and to see a lot of the country in a short space of
time. Getting out into the countryside is often one of the highlights of a trip
for many, especially if you visit famous areas like the traditional villages
that are filled with iconic windmills and tulips. One of the best ways to take
in the scenery is by bicycle and fortunately, much of the Netherlands is flat
which means you can easily navigate the landscape and enjoy the great Dutch
outdoors. The Netherlands is often incorrectly referred to as Holland, and is one of the most vibrant and interesting countries in Europe. Known for its eclectic capital city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands is far more than just canals and museums, and if you venture further afield you will find picture postcard pretty towns as well as dynamic cities like Rotterdam and The Hague.
