Category: France
Deciphering the hotel star-rating system.
If you've wandered around European cities, you've probably noticed that the star-rating system doesn't make a lot of sense. You'll see a three-star designation on an absolute dump, while that perfectly charming little auberge down the street has a solitary star.If you've wondered what's up with that, you're not alone. Many of the complaints on tripadvisor are because the reviewer expected a level of service or accommodation from the hotel's star designation that the property didn't deliver.
Here's why.
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Barge accommodations in Paris.
Not long ago we wrote a post about Bateau Simpatico -- luxury barge accommodations in Paris practically at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. We loved our stay there and highly recommend it to anyone who plans to spend a week in Paris. With a beautiful living room, fully tricked-out kitchen, shower, washing machine, and topside deck right on the Seine, it has everything for a memorable week in the City of Light.More information is available at http://www.quai48parisvacation.com.
If you plan to spend less that a week in Paris and you don't want to break the bank, there's another floating alternative -- Bateau Johanna.
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Friday Night Skate Nights all over Europe.
Having started in 1994, the Paris Friday Night Skate is the best known in the world, with as many as 20,000 brave participants. The Rondo, as the event is called, begins at Place Raoul Dautry in the 14th at 10PM. The route changes each week, and the details are posted on Thursdays at http://www.pari-roller.com/index.php?p=101The popularity of the Paris party has spawned dozens of imitators. So if you're in a major European city during the summer -- and you're an experienced roller blader -- chances are there's a group skate you can join. You'll burn some calories, make new friends, and see the city from a different point of view.
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Luxury barge living in Paris.
A few years ago, we went on a barge cruise in Burgundy, and fell in love with barges and barging. So when we found a barge in Paris available by the week, we were all over it.
Moored at Quai Suffren, practically at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Bateau Simpatico is a great hotel or apartment alternative. Like all boats, she has her idiosyncrasies, and when the huge Bateaux Mouches sightseeing boats ply by, she rocks and rolls wholeheartedly in response. But we thought that was one of the best parts of living aboard.
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Free bikes, almost-free cars, and free WiFi in Paris.
Betrand Delanoe, Paris's openly-gay mayor, is turning out to be one of the most progressive in Europe. Last year, he introduced the hugely successful Velib bicycle program. And in January of this year, he announced plans for Automobile-en-Libre-Service or Voiturelib.
Reelected in March, Delanoe wants to make 2,000 non-polluting electric cars available to rent for just a few euros an hour. Reservations aren't required. You just pick up a car and drop it anywhere in the city. Like the bicycle program, it's subsidized by advertising.
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