The Abbey of Mont St Michel

September 18, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

Just a few meters from the island’s small port, a one-roomed chapel rests next to the water. Crusted by barnacles and battered by decades of weather, a small statue of a bishop stands proudly on the roof. The chapel is one of the simplest rooms on the island; no ornate decoration or elaborate architecture has been used to create this small space, its size has dictated that four stone walls and a simple roof is all that’s needed. An old wooden door, bent and broken rests in its frame, allowing sand and dirt to seep... [Read more]

Paris on Two Wheels

August 26, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

There is something romantic about the idea of a meeting under the Eiffel Tower. In this case, however, my meeting was with a blond haired Californian named Kyle and there were over a dozen other strangers also meeting him. Kyle was also carrying a large sign saying ‘Bike Tour Meeting Point,’ which would dispel anyone’s final thoughts that this may be some kind of romantic encounter.

Kyle was the tour guide for the morning and after a short walk to the tour office/bike storage area, I was introduced to our... [Read more]

The Empire of the Dead

August 4, 2009 · 1 Comment 

‘Stop, here is the Empire of the Dead’. A sign warns as you enter the chamber. If you dare pass, as your eyes adjust to the light you might notice the rippling of the walls to the left and right. It is only as you become fully used to the dim light do you notice the skulls imbedded in the stone work, and that the stone work is not stone at all, but hundreds upon hundreds of bones, piled one on top of another, reaching almost... [Read more]

Paris on a Budget

July 2, 2009 · 1 Comment 

Like any large city, Paris is expensive and like for any visitor, the daily expenses add up. Below are a few practical suggestions, for every budget, on how to make the most of your money; however long your visit.

Choosing the right travel Pass
Paris’s array of metro options can seem daunting at first glance, but for visitors they basically boil down to two choices: taking a ticket for a single trip or buying a pass for one, or several days- all allow you to travel on both the bus and metro. Also check... [Read more]

Paris Museums

July 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

Paris has some of the best museums in the world, but not all of them have to cost you a fortune. All national museums are free on the first Sunday of each month ( but expect long queues) and if you’re under 25 you can enter the Louvre for free every Friday night (after 6pm) for free.

Many other museums offer free entry at various times and there are over a dozen free museums which are well worth checking out. Some of the most popular free museums are:
Le Petit Palais- Fine Arts Museum: ... [Read more]