BULS

Paris is an amazing city. We have all heard the sayings “The city of love” “The most romantic city in the world” “The city of lights”, well after visiting this city and experiencing it first hand, I can tell you that it is all true.

The city is very beautiful. The architecture is stunning, the tourist attractions amazing and I found the people to be friendly.

Paris is a place you can’t describe in words to someone, it is a place you have to experience for yourself. The city is like a living museum, with architecture dating back to the 13th Century. That is when Notre Dame began to be built.

The grandeur of Paris really became evident in the 16th century, when Versailles became Louis XIV’s headquarters. In the 19th Century, Napoleon appointed Baron Haussmann to develop modern Paris, with its long boulevards and beautiful buildings, the wide avenues and parks that still make the city unique today.

Paris is internationally renowned for its architecture and its influence in fashion and the arts. Walking is the best way to see and get a feel for the city. You can explore the city’s districts, its old centres, cemeteries and great parks. When you first arrive in Paris, I highly recommend getting on the Hop on, Hop off buses. Stay on and do a circuit and get a feel for where everything is. It is very easy to walk around once you know where you are.

I remember one day, later in the afternoon, we walked from Notre Dame back to our hotel near the Place de la Concorde. It was very charming and it turned dark and the lights came on. We stopped to have a meal in a restaurant. It was just wonderful.

The Champs-Elysées is a fantastic place to experience people watching. Another one is the Place de la Concorde.

Those who fancy a trendier atmosphere, can visit districts such as Le Marais, Quartier Latin, or the quaint Canal St-Martin. If you like art galleries, museums, or famous cabarets such as Folies Bergères, Paris has everything to meet your dreams. Be aware, Moulin Rouge, does not look like much during the day but it comes alive at night when the lights go on.

The top attractions in Paris are certainly the Eiffel Tower, originally a “temporary” construction for the 1889 Universal Exposition, the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte and the massive cathedral Notre Dame. A walk from Place de la Concorde towards Champs Elysée is also a must as well as the world famous Louvre museum. One place you must visit is the Montparnasse Tower. There are less crowds than the Eiffel Tower, it has an enclosed viewing area as well as being able to go onto the roof. The best part is that you get the Eiffel Tower in your photos! I highly recommend it.

There is obviously much more to explore!

Père Lachaise The largest cemetery in Paris, and said reputed to be the most visited in the world. A huge and peaceful park home of those who have experienced French life over the past 200 years.

Jardin du Luxembourg. The garden of the French Senate which is also a large public park. A recommended place to relax and savour the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a rich palace garden.

Musée d’Orsay. This is the place for art and artefacts from the Middle Ages and Impressionist eras with leading collections. Originally a railway station and the building itself is worth a visit.

Le Marais. Situated on the right bank (3rd and 4th Arr.), this trendy district has beautiful
architecture of the 17th century. There are also many museums, art galleries and historic sites such as Paris’ oldest square, Place des Vosges where you can find Victor Hugo’s residence.

Montmartre. One of the most popular historic areas with the Sacré Coeur Basilica on the top of the hill, the highest point in Paris. It’s also famous for the cafés and studios of many great artists. I recommend taking the tram to the top, then walking down the steps followed by browsing the artists work in the narrow streets at the bottom. A fantastic experience. I bought a beautiful print and everytime I look at it, wonderful memories come flooding back.

Versailles. Near Paris, this is where King Louis XIV built his Palace in the 17th century. For those who love Renaissance architecture, don’t miss it! The Palace has been recently renovated and you’ll also enjoy lovely walks in the well kept gardens.

Bateaux Mouches. One of the most relaxing, and romantic ways to view some of the city’s oldest and most majestic historic monuments is to get a ride on the famous and unique long-boats that leisurely glide along the Seine.
Despite the number of operators from which to choose, most of the boat lines offer similar itineraries and are equipped with an audio announcement system, providing commentary on the passing sights in several different languages.

In Paris, you must differentiate between restaurants, bistro or brassieres. A bistro is usually small, featuring simple food, sometimes with entertainment. A brassiere serves hearty meals along with beer and wine, usually cheap and with a liquor and coffee bar. Like New York or London, the choice is huge. Each place has its own particular atmosphere and style whether recipes are local or from all over the world.
However Paris is internationally renowned as a food capital. It is the right place to test the high-quality French products and delights of traditional French cookery thanks to the talented and creative chefs. Parisian restaurants are real gourmets delight. There are good places for all budgets. Whether it’s a restaurant, a bistro or a brassiere, you’ll be able to enjoy a real culinary feast with gourmets from all over the world.

In Paris you will find lots of trendy and popular bars serving all kind of drinks with a good mix of music and sometimes with DJs. Take your time and sample a few, they are all open late!
Paris has a very diverse nightlife. From high-tech dance clubs to mellow jazz haunts, there’s anything to fit your mood. Also try the famous cabaret venues for a great night of vibrant entertainment!

Paris is home to some of the most famous designers and luxurious brand names in the fashion industry like Louis Vitton or Dior. But you’ll also find more affordable brands matching your budget in the huge department stores or many popular neighbourhoods.

Paris is served by two major airports, Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 25 Km and Orly 15 Km from the city centre. A third airport, Paris Beauvais, is mainly served by low cost airlines. A paying shuttle service (€13) is organized to and from its terminals and Paris-Porte Maillot.
From CDG terminals, the Roissybus leaves every 15 minutes from 6.00 and arrives to the city centre (at Opéra) after a journey of 45-60 minutes. (€8.40 one way). After midnight there are night busses going to Place du Châtelet, 90 rue de Rivoli every 30 minutes (€8 one way). The cheapest and fastest (30 minutes) is the underground RER B to Gare du Nord running from 4.56 in the morning to 23.56 at night (€8 one way).

From Gare du Nord you are connected to Paris’ metro network. Air France busses go to Porte Maillot. Taxis can be found near the terminals’ baggage collection area exits. Average day fares are €50.
From Orly, the automatic metro Orlyval takes you to RER B Antony station from 6.00 to 23.00. Combined ticket price (Metro+RER+Orlyval)is about €9. Other options are the airport shuttle buses going to RER C Pont de Rungis station. Combined ticket price (Metro+RER+shuttle) is around €5.60. As for busses, the Orly bus takes you straight
to RER B Denfert-Rochereau. Daytime taxi rates are approximately €35.

Public transport. The RATP runs the city’s local transport system. The bus, underground (metro), and commuter train system (RER) is divided into five zones, and is cheap and efficient. The underground runs from 5:30 in the morning to 0:30 in the night. Tickets are valid on both busses and trains, and can be purchased from the stations and in kiosks. Travel cards, ranging from one to five days, are also available at the airport, at underground stations, and from tourist information offices. 1 day travel card zone 1-3 costs approximately €8.30.

There is so much to see and do in Paris. If you are going to visit, make sure you allow enough time so that you can experience all that it has to offer.

Marlene Challis
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/paris-a-charming-city-727924.html

Technorati Tags: Paris, Urban Leisure

There is a never ending list of things to do in Oklahoma City. From theatre and arts to food and wine, there is so much to experience in this much sought after destination.

Movie fans can look forward to catch a flick at the Warren Theatre. It offers a great atmosphere with a splash of movie memorabilia, state-of-the-art sound system, and giant screens. But the real attraction is the balcony option available on two screens every week. It is open for adults 21 years or above, and the deal includes refreshments from the bar as well as meals even while the movie is going on.

If you wish to enjoy movies of artistic quality and aren’t too keen on blockbusters, the Noble Theater should satisfy. Located within the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, you can watch some great movies that are just hard to come by. Short films, foreign films, classics, award nominees, are all shown here.

Shopping is always king size in Oklahoma City, with great malls around to offer that perfect ambience. Penn Square Mall in Pennsylvania Avenue on Northwest Expressway offers a feeling of expensive shopping though it isn’t for the high heeled. Consisting of two levels and multiple wings, it features all your favorite stores and a food court.

The urban environment of Oklahoma City also caters enormously to nature and animal lovers chiefly through the spectacular Oklahoma State Zoo & Botanical Garden and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. The latter is a 17-acre facility featuring more than 1000 different species from six different continents. This is where you will spot really exotic plant life, breathtakingly beautiful and surreal landscapes, and tropical terrain. The main attractions are the Tropical Rain Forest Zone and Dry Tropical Zone.

These are only a few of the myriad things to do in Oklahoma City. There are also great hotels that give you the experience of perfect relaxation. They also arrange shuttle services to important locations in Oklahoma City. There is never a moment to spare!

Shane Wauhob
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/things-to-do-in-oklahoma-city-745421.html

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma, Urban Leisure

Despite enormous success and change, York is a center that has lost none of its memorable charm. It is hard to believe that, following an English rebellion against the Normans after the exalted fight of Hastings, a survey in 1086 recorded the north as a wasteland. It took generations for the area to recover and present, no componental of Yorkshire could possibly be referred to as wasteland. Numerous castles and abbeys may lay in ruin, but even these ruins are objects of unsurpassable beauty and attract just as legions globetrotters as do the immense number of quaint shops and award-winning restaurants found in the urban place.

The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, York is based on the former WWII Bomber Command Station of RAF Elvington and retains the authentic atmosphere of the period, with multitudinous fascinating exhibits housed in restored wartime architecture. The museum is a unique memorial to all the Allied aircrews of Bomber Command, including French, Canadian, Australian, etc. Don’t miss the battle of Britain Service on the 14th September, Remembrance Sunday on the 9th November or Santa’s Plane in December! The Museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm (3.30 pm in winter) and admission starts from just ?3 for children under 15.

A trip to Yorkshire wouldn’t be complete without a go to see to Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden. Explore the amazing ruins of the greater complete Cistercian abbeys in Britain and determine for yourself the life of a antiquated monk. Wander from the dramatic Abbey into the Georgian diversion grounds of Studley Royal’s ornamental gardens, woodland and deer park. Stroll at the side of reflections of temples in elegant formal canals and lakes and uncover the follies high on the valley side. Look out for Anne Boleyn’s seat, the Octagon Tower and the Temples of Fame and Piety. A impregnated programme of family activities and events is available through the year, including storytelling, guided tours, open air theatre and want dress parades. There is also a play area, workshops, tea-room and gift shop.

There is no shortage of High Street stores and shopping centres in York, but if you are after something a little divergent, a trip to the popular Mouseman middle in Kilburn might be just what you are searching for. The magnificently restored village joiner’s shop is crammed burdened of unusual furniture and smaller items these as breadboards, judge’s gavels and serviette holders, larger of which carry an adorable hand-carved mouse in some shape or form. The Pickering Antique middle is another treasure trove for collectors. Over 45 dealers sell a wide range of goods including paintings, furniture, china and porcelain, brass and copperware, postcards, books, clocks and bygone toys. Admission is free and opening times are Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm.

If you are concerned about parking problems or traffic jams in the city centre, why not consider using one of the legions Park & Ride scenes that York has to offer - Rawcliffe bar (Clifton Moor), Monks Cross (Huntington), Grimston pub (Hull Road), Askham bar (Tadcaster Road) or McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. The seaside place of Scarborough also has multitudinous Park & Ride opportunities and promotes high fine buses operating every 12 minutes to the seafront and town centre in less than 15 minutes.

York is the perfect conurbation for young and old alike and there are more than enough inclination to gratify the whole family. In the places and villages, independent retailers sit alongside galleries displaying arts and crafts of those inspired by the attractive countryside, while welcoming pubs with roaring fires and local ale are found on every corner.

Caron Bednorze
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/see-the-great-and-charismatic-parks-in-york-706889.html

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Amsterdam the city on water is famous for its canals and museums. There could hardly be a better way of discovering the “Dutch Venice”. The boat’s time-table lets a person stop and get off as many times as one wish.

The three 17th-century canals one explore through Herengracht (Gentlemen’s Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal), and Prinsengracht (Princes’ Canal) are the very heart of Golden Age Amsterdam, emblems of the city’s wealth and pride in its heyday. One stroll by the side of miles of tree-lined canals and pass innumerable old canal houses with gables in various styles (bell, step, neck, and variations), classical facades, warehouses converted to apartments, houseboats, bridges, museums, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, offbeat stores, and battered bikes secured to lampposts.

West India House is the 17th-century headquarters of the Dutch West India Company that handled trade (including the slave trade) between Holland, the Americas, and Africa later became the offices of a social-welfare organization, and a Lutheran orphanage, and 18th-century brewery pakhuizen (warehouses) that have been turned into chic and expensive apartments combine to make this one of Amsterdam’s most photogenic corners.

Noordermarkt is an old market square hosts a Farmers’ Market for “bio” (organic) products. It is also a flea market during weekdays. Clothes that were fashionable a decade and more ago are, for some reason, highly esteemed, and dealers recycle everything from Golden Age antiques to yesterday’s junk.

The Noorderkerk (North Church), the last masterpiece by architect Hendrick de Keyser, the guiding hand behind many of Amsterdam’s historic churches, dominates the square. It’s something of a rarity in this nominally Calvinist city, since it has a large and active congregation. On the facade, a plaque recalls the February 1941 strike in protest at Nazi deportation of the city’s Jewish population. A three-figure sculpture-group outside recalls the dead and wounded from the 1934 Jordaanoproer, street riots to protest poverty, which were suppressed by the army.

One can trace the development of the rich folk’s wealth and tastes as one progress up the house numbers on Herengracht, and this section on both sides of the canal is just the top of the place. Built with old money around the 1670s, it is the fading afterglow of the Golden Age, when French-influenced neoclassicism was all the rage, they are in the main built of sandstone, rather than brick, on double lots with double steps and central entrances.

At Amstel River – the river is thick with houseboats and canal barges. To the left is the refurbished Blue Bridge over the river, built in 1884 on the lines of Paris’s Pont Alexandre III; to the right is the famous Skinny Bridge double drawbridge. To have a great view on the comings and goings on the water just step on to any bridge and have a great time.

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Leicester has a strong tradition of being represented at national level in our three main sports. ie Football, Rugby and Cricket, with the rugby team, Leicester Tigers, being the most consistent in their achievements.

In terms of municipal sport and recreation facilities the recently opened Braunstone Leisure Centre is undoubtedly the star attraction. Opened in 2004 it is the home of both the Braunstone & City of Leicester Swimming Clubs and, despite only having an eight lane swimming 25m pool in 2005 it hosted the British Synchronised Swimming Championship. The centre also has a four lane community swimming pool and a sports hall capable of having six Badminton courts and an auditorium for up to 400 people. There are also leisure centres at Aylestone and Spence Street. Leicester has two municipal golf courses; Humberstone Heights (off Gypsy Lane) and The Western (off Scudamore Road).

Leicester Tigers are one of the country’s leading senior Rugby Union clubs. Their Welford Road ground has been the scene of some memorable games over the years and regularly hosts matches against the ‘Barbarians’ – a team of ad hoc internationals. Formed in 1880, their name has two legends associated with it. One is that it arises from the striped shirts that they wear and the other that it has an association with a local regiment that had been serving in India. Whilst their most recent successes were at the turn of the 21st century, ie English and European champions in the season 2001-2002, they are always a force to be reckoned with in English and European rugby. The Tigers play in the English Guinness Premiership League and have many international players in the team. Leicester as a city also has many thriving junior Rugby Union clubs playing in local leagues. To select any best known names from a club like the Tigers is difficult, but from recent times 2003 Rugby Union World Cup winner and England captain Martin Johnson has to be mentioned. Rory and Tony Underwood as well as, more recently, Austin Healey, were also well loved players.

Leicester City Football Club is currently in the English Championship League, one step down from the top-flight Premier League, their nick-name is The Foxes. Founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse, they moved to their original ground, Filbert Street, in 1891 - a year after joining the English Football Association. Their glory years were in the 1960s and early 1970s but since then they have at best only been able to yo-yo up and down from the top-flight of English football. Their last appearance in the Premiership League was in 2001, the same year that they moved to their new ground, The Walker Stadium. In 2003 with the club beset by financial problems, the club was bought out of administration by a consortium headed by the former player and club hero, Gary Lineker. Many famous footballers have played for Leicester City, two of whom were international goalkeepers for England, Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton. Gordon will, of course, always be remembered as one of the World Cup winning team of 1966. Gary Lineker, also an England international at Centre Forward, is probably the player held highest in the affections of The Foxes’ fans. Gary is now a regular presenter for BBC Sport.

Very much inside the city boundary is Leicestershire County Cricket Club, who are also known as The Foxes. They are currently in Division 2 of the ‘Liverpool Victoria’ County Championship. They are also in Division 2 of the ‘Natwest Pro40’ leagues where they play one-day limited overs matches. In the ‘Twenty20’ cup matches, which are played late afternoons and early evenings, the Foxes were the winners of the trophy in 2006 after a thrilling final match against Nottinghamshire. Leicester CC play at the Grace Road ground which was formerly known as the County Ground. Grace Road now has a capacity of 12,000 and is not on the English Cricket Board list of grounds that can host Test (international) cricket matches.

Leicester Riders are the senior basketball club in Leicester and play in the Premier League of the British Basketball League. They style themselves as the oldest basketball club in Britain being founded in 1967 and founder members of the National (British) Basketball League. Originating as the Loughborough All Stars, after some years of using Loughborough and Leicester as their home base they settled back into Leicester in 2004 and now play at their sponsor’s venue in De Montfort University.

Leicester has several athletics clubs, most notably Leicester Corinthians. For more information please refer to the link provided here. Leicester athletics like to associate themselves with the international distance runner Paula Radcliffe, who runs for Bedford & County to the south of Leicester.

If you fancy seeing if you’d like to try climbing as a sport or hobby, Leicester has the East Midlands’ largest indoor climbing centres at the Tower Climbing Centre. Here there are several climbing walls with varying degrees of difficulty, the largest of which is 15m. You’ll be welcome here whether you’re an experienced climber wanting to ‘keep your hand in’ or a novice wanting to try it out.

Article by Susan Ashby of Leicester Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Leicester visit http://www.Leicester-singles.co.uk

Susan Ashby
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/recreational-and-sports-amenities-in-leicester-138600.html

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Amsterdam and water are closely linked, as they have been for centuries. It was specifically because of all that water from the River Amstel and IJ and the Zuiderzee that the first inhabitants settled here early in the thirteenth century.

Water was also the main reason of Amsterdam’s wealth in the 17th century, when it became the most powerful trading city in the world. The canals in the centre, with their beautiful merchant’s houses from the Golden Age, are what made Amsterdam really famous. The richly ornamented gables from this period are still to be admired. The finest facades and all the bridges over the canals are illuminated at night.

Amsterdam’s canals offer a lively spectacle the whole year round, thanks to the countless boats that tour around the whole day and most of the night. As a visitor, one can also witness exciting events on the water, from canal concerts to Chinese dragon boat races and rowing regattas.

Thanks to this all, Amsterdammers do live the year round with their favorite element Water. The intimate relationship between Amsterdam and the water is no longer so dramatic, but can still be seen and felt every day. That is clear to every visitor within half an hour. One only has to take a stroll through the city, and before one knows it one has crossed a dozen picturesque arched bridges over the canals. One must have seen tour boats and canal bikes pass by, and may even be a couple of paddling canoeists. Hundreds of houseboats and barges, often beautifully painted, show that not a single square meter is wasted.

Anyone walking along the canals at night might be lucky enough to see a less known feature of Amsterdam’s relationship with water. Since time immemorial, about 40 sluices in the centre have been closed between 7 and 8.30 every night so the water in the canals can be refreshed. This work is still mainly done by hand. One site to see this is at the sluices in the River Amstel by Carré Theatre, or at the Haarlem Sluice in the Singel. Two men turn an enormous wooden wheel to close the sluice gates. When their work is finished, an enormous pumping station on the artificial island Zeeburg to the East of the city is started up. In one night, the station pumps about 600,000 cubic meters of water from the IJsselmeer into Amsterdam’s canals. To allow the water to flow through rapidly, between two and four sluices on the West side of the city are left open. The water from the canals flows through these sluices into the River IJ (the section of the harbor between the IJsselmeer and the North-Sea Canal) to find its way to the sea via the North-Sea Canal. So about every three nights, the whole contents of the canals are refreshed.

Draining the canals takes place seven days a week, 52 weeks in the year. It is only occasionally stopped in the winter, when the water freezes over. After about three days of severe frost the layer of ice is thick enough for the skaters. The posh Keizersgracht is then converted to a cheerful ice rink for everyone to enjoy.

Technorati Tags: Amser, Urban Leisure

The monumental quality of the Amsterdam city centre is largely determined by numerous 17th and 18th century houses, once owned by wealthy merchants and prominent citizens. Moreover, the warehouses deserve mention. Amsterdam warehouse architecture is unique in the world. Most of the state controlled monuments, however, are dwellings. The ring of canals is the location of approx. 2,200 buildings, 1,550 of which are listed as historic buildings. Amsterdam’s beauty is largely determined by the style of these buildings, better described as “citizens’ architecture”. The choice of this style was a conscious one. The aim of the people of Amsterdam is to replace the Gothic style with its vertical accents and religious overtones by a profane Classicist style. The Royal Palace e.g. contains many supreme examples of symbolism derived from Classical Antiquity.

Amsterdam is not a city of churches and palaces, but of monumental mansions. The only two houses in Amsterdam worthy of the name palace are the Royal Palace in the Dam Square and the Trippenhuis. And even these two were not commissioned by royalty or aristocratic clientele. Originally, the Royal Palace was designed to serve as Amsterdam’s town hall and the Trippenhuis was built for wealthy citizens.

In the second half of the 19th century this monumental body of Amsterdam was severely threatened. Canals were filled in, streets were widened and bridges lowered. Many exceptional buildings were pulled down in the process of restructuring the city.

In the 1950s plans were made to fill in canals and pull down historical buildings. Fortunately, these plans were only partially realized. The Jodenbreestraat was widened and alike policy were made with respect to the Sint Antoniebreestraat. However, the successful restoration of the important Huis De Pinto proved a turning point.

Large-scale projects affecting the historical city centre in order to accommodate the needs of modern traffic are no longer to be anticipated. The monumental mansions which underwent drastic alterations during the 19th and 20th centuries, when many of them were turned into offices, are now being restored to their original residential functions. Since the Municipal Department for the Preservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites was founded in 1953, over 4,000 premises underwent restoration. Almost 10% of these projects were completed.

About 20,000 buildings make up the historical city centre. One third was built before 1850. Approximately 6,700 “national monuments” (i.e. historic buildings preserved by the national government authority) are located in this area, whereas another 290 “municipal monuments” are preserved by the Amsterdam council. A further 1,160 buildings fall outside these categories. They are labeled “original premises” because of their intrinsic cultural historical interest. The Amsterdam city centre is eligible for a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After all, Amsterdam is the proud owner of one of the most important intact historical city centers of the world.

The historic buildings are lovingly restored and saved from destruction. The ring of canals is to become once more the stylish residential area it once was.

Rahul Viz
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/restoring-the-grandeur-of-amsterdam-54424.html

Technorati Tags: Amsterdam, Urban Leisure